Important things to know before you buy a towing truck
If you are planning to buy a towing truck, you need to conduct extensive research in order to get the best towing truck within your decided budget.
Don’t know what to look for when you are checking out a new or used tow truck that is for sale? Read further and find out some important factors that you need to consider before buying a towing truck.
Usage of the towing truck
The first step to buying a towing truck is to know the purpose.
The best thing to do is to jot down the desired specification and features that you want in your new truck before you go to check out the different trucks.
Types of towing trucks
There are three primary types of towing trucks, the flatbed tow truck, hook and chain tow truck, and wheel-lift tow truck.
- Flatbed tow truck – This is undoubtedly one of the best types of towing truck to own. The flatbed tow truck, also referred to as the rollback, has a flatbed that can tilt downwards in the rear of the truck. The best thing about this type of truck is that there is no need to drag and load the vehicle onto the ramp as you can simply drive the vehicle that needs to be towed onto the long ramp.
- Hook and chain tow truck – You rarely see these tow trucks today, unless you come across some junk cars that are getting towed. The reason being that these towing trucks cause great damage to the vehicle that is being towed. In this type of truck, the chains are looped around the frame of the vehicle and only two wheels of the vehicle are on the ground.
- Wheel-lift tow truck – As the name suggests, this type of towing truck makes use of just the wheels to lift and tow the vehicles. A metal yoke is locked into the wheels and used to drag the vehicle. Since only the wheels of the vehicle meet the towing truck, there is a moderate scope for damage to the vehicle that is being towed.
Capacity of the towing truck
Towing capacity of a truck is nothing but the maximum weight that the truck can tow. The truck manufacturers make sure to always mention the towing capacity and you can learn about it by skimming through the pages of your vehicle manual. While calculating the towing capacity, don’t forget to consider the weight of the passenger, equipment, and the extra cargo, if any.
Make sure that you never exceed and go beyond the towing capacity of the truck as it will not only damage your truck and the vehicle being towed but also put the passengers at risk.
Some of the best towing trucks that have a great towing capacity are 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2017 Ford F-150, and 2018 Chevy Colorado with a towing capacity of around 12,500 Lbs, 12,200 Lbs, and 7,700 Lbs, respectively.
How to get cheap deals on towing trucks?
If you are looking for cheap tow truck deals, then here are some quick handy tips.
- Try to get in touch with the company owner instead of buying the truck from the local dealers.
- One of the best ways to get a cheap tow truck deal is by buying a used towing truck instead of a new one. If you are considering this option, make sure that the used truck is free of major damages, check its accident status, and test drive before you buy it.
- Always ask for additional discounts because there is always room for some extra discounts if you negotiate.
Keep in mind that depending on the type of ownership, you will need a truck permit, towing operator license, and a vehicle storage facilities license for your towing truck.
