The Four Main Types of Tow Trucks
1. Flatbed (Rollback) Tow Trucks
The flatbed — also called a rollback or slide — is the gold standard for most vehicle towing situations. The entire vehicle rests on a flat platform (the bed), which tilts and slides down to ground level using hydraulic systems, allowing the vehicle to be driven or winched onto it. All four wheels are completely off the road during transport.
Best for:
- All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles — these cannot be tow-dolly'd or wheel-lifted because all four wheels are connected by the drivetrain; towing with any wheels on the ground can destroy the transmission or transfer case
- Vehicles with damage to the drivetrain, transmission, or axles
- Low-clearance vehicles (sports cars, modified vehicles) that would scrape on standard tow equipment
- Motorcycles (with proper loading equipment)
- Classic, exotic, or high-value vehicles where minimizing contact is critical
- Vehicles with locked steering or non-functioning brakes
- Long-distance transport
Advantages: Maximum protection for the vehicle — no drivetrain, no tire wear, no road contact. Cleanest load/unload process. Preferred by insurance companies for at-fault accident recoveries.
Disadvantages: Requires more setup space to deploy the bed. Slightly more expensive than wheel-lift. Not ideal for extremely tight parking spots where the bed can't extend.
2. Hook and Chain (Sling) Tow Trucks
Hook and chain towing — the classic image of a tow truck with a big hook — attaches chains to the vehicle's frame or axle, then lifts one end of the vehicle off the ground while the other end remains on the road. The other two wheels roll behind the tow truck.
This method was common for decades but is now largely obsolete for passenger car towing. It's rarely used for modern vehicles because:
- Chains can damage the vehicle's frame, bumpers, and undercarriage
- The two rolling wheels wear and may turn the drivetrain (problematic for RWD, FWD, AWD)
- Modern unibody construction (most cars built since the 1980s) doesn't have traditional frame rails that safely accept chain attachment
Still used for: Junk vehicles, abandoned cars, some repo towing, situations where vehicle condition doesn't matter, and specific recovery scenarios. If you're having a modern passenger vehicle towed, hook and chain is not what you want.
3. Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks
Wheel-lift trucks are the modern successor to hook and chain. Instead of chains on the frame, they use a hydraulic arm with a yoke that cradles the drive wheels (front or rear) and lifts them off the ground. The non-drive wheels roll behind.
Best for:
- Rear-wheel drive vehicles (lifting the non-drive front wheels, so rear wheels roll — no drivetrain spin)
- Front-wheel drive vehicles (lifting the drive front wheels, so rear wheels roll — also no drivetrain spin)
- Short-distance moves and repossessions
- Parking violations (quick attachment and removal)
- Tight spaces where a flatbed cannot maneuver
Not suitable for: AWD or 4WD vehicles (drivetrain damage risk), vehicles with damaged wheels or axles, very low clearance vehicles, long-distance transport.
Cost: Wheel-lift towing is typically $10–$30 less than flatbed for the same distance, making it an economical choice for appropriate vehicles.
4. Integrated (Self-Loader) Tow Trucks
Integrated trucks — also called "self-loaders" or "repo trucks" — combine a wheel-lift mechanism built into the truck's rear with the capability to quickly engage a vehicle without the driver leaving the cab. They're primarily used for repossession work and quick-turnaround parking enforcement.
Not relevant for most breakdown or accident towing scenarios, but you may see them in commercial parking lots. They operate via wheel-lift principles and have the same drivetrain limitations.
Heavy Duty Towing: Specialty Equipment
For larger vehicles, standard equipment doesn't cut it. Heavy-duty towing uses specialized trucks rated for:
- Medium-duty vehicles: Box trucks, large vans, RVs — typically require 14,000–26,000 lb capacity equipment
- Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers: Require 40-ton or 60-ton rotator trucks with air brake connections and specialized wheel lift equipment
- Construction equipment: Excavators, bulldozers, cranes — flatbed trailers with the appropriate tie-down and weight capacity
- RVs and travel trailers: Usually flatbed or specialized RV transport; wheel-lift is generally not appropriate
When calling for heavy-duty towing in Salt Lake City, describe your vehicle type precisely — make, model, and approximate weight if known. A standard tow truck dispatched for a semi-truck is a wasted trip for everyone.
Winch Recovery: When a Tow Truck Isn't Enough to Move the Vehicle
Sometimes a vehicle can't simply be loaded onto a tow truck — it's in a ditch, down an embankment, stuck in snow or mud, or has rolled over. Winch recovery uses the tow truck's winch cable to first extract the vehicle back to accessible ground before loading.
Winch recovery is billed separately from the tow itself — typically $75–$200 depending on complexity and time. When requesting a tow for a vehicle that's off the road, in a ditch, or stuck, specify the recovery situation when you call so the right equipment is dispatched.
Which Tow Truck Should You Request?
| Your Vehicle Type | Request This |
|---|---|
| AWD or 4WD (any make) | Flatbed only |
| Rear-wheel drive (sedan, pickup, sports car) | Flatbed or wheel-lift (front wheels up) |
| Front-wheel drive (most sedans, minivans) | Flatbed or wheel-lift (front wheels up) |
| Luxury / exotic / classic car | Flatbed only |
| Motorcycle | Flatbed with proper bike equipment |
| Low-clearance vehicle | Flatbed only |
| RV or motorhome | Call and describe — specialized |
| Semi-truck or commercial vehicle | Heavy-duty specialty |