Towing—ahhhh, It’s like one of those annoying, obnoxious cousins that we really don’t want to see but inevitably encounter them every once in a while, involuntarily of course. But towing doesn’t need to be that big of a pain in the buttocks for any of us. Being one of the oldest towing companies in Bolingbrook with over 20 years of experience, we surely know how stressful and frustrating it is to be stranded on the roadside, evaluating ways to tow your car to the desired location with no one to help.
Still, with decent knowledge of various towing methods and a towing partner like King Khan Towing at your service, you can have a seamless, hassle-free towing experience without a shred of inconvenience. So, here we are with a detailed overview of various types of towing, their use cases, and pros and cons to help you decide what’s best for you in times of need. Bid farewell to irritated head-scratching. The next time your vehicle refuses to move, you’ll know exactly what to do. Here we go!
Overview of Different Towing Methods
Before diving into the details of each method, let’s give you a brief overview so you can see what’s relevant to your case and skip to the most useful part. Bear in mind, that you are most welcome to read every single one—it’s all good info. Here are the six most prominent towing methods:
- Flatbed Towing: One of the safest methods for transporting luxury cars over long distances.
- Wheel-Lift Towing: Simple, quick, and efficient for roadside assistance and shorter routes.
- Hook-and-chain Towing: A classic method for towing junk or wrecked cars.
- Integrated Towing: A sophisticated towing process for vehicles of all sizes.
- Heavy-Duty Towing: RVs, trucks, and buses—all can be towed with heavy-duty towing.
- Motorcycle Towing: Safety and damage-free transport of motorcycles.
It’s critical to understand one or multiple towing methods in detail for a safer, cheaper, and more efficient towing process. Though experts at professional towing companies like King Khan Towing will guide you regarding the best towing method, knowing what you need in advance will help you better communicate your demands, saving time and extra expenses.
Various Towing Methods Explained
Now that you have surface-level knowledge of basic towing methods, it’s time to understand the why, how, and when of these methods.
Flatbed Towing
Equipped with a platform capable of accommodating a vehicle, flatbed tow trucks are either mechanically or hydraulically powered, giving them extra strength. Using the inbuilt system, the flatbed can be angled down, leveling with the car on the ground, allowing the vehicle to drive onto it. If, for some reason, the vehicle can’t be driven onto the flatbed, these tow trucks are equipped with tools to winch it up. By resting the vehicle completely on the flatbed, this towing process helps secure your car from accidents and debris.
Though many luxury or vintage car owners prefer this method for added security, flatbed towing is also ideal for totaled or immobile cars. Many dealerships use flatbed towing for transporting brand-new cars across states. If you prioritize optimal safety for your car, this is the way to go.
Pros:
✔ Safest method, prevents wear and tear
✔ Ideal for long-distance transport
✔ Protects luxury and low-clearance vehicles
Cons:
✘ More expensive than other methods
✘ Requires more space for loading/unloading
Wheel-Lift Towing
Using a metal yoke, the wheel-lift towing method lifts either the front or rear tires (depending on the drivetrain). At the same time, the remaining wheels roll on the ground comfortably. The yoke is attached to the back of the tow truck, allowing for convenient lifting. The risk factor, though higher than flatbed towing, is still relatively low, and a wheel-lift tow truck is fairly easy to operate.
This method is primarily used for quickly removing damaged cars from highways. Nevertheless, wheel-lift tow trucks are fully capable of towing vehicles across cities, especially for shorter distances.
Pros:
✔ Quick and efficient for short distances
✔ More affordable than flatbed towing
✔ Works well in tight spaces
Cons:
✘ Less stable than flatbed towing
✘ Can cause wear on the towed wheels
Hook-and-chain Towing
Hook-and-chain towing is one of the oldest and most popular towing methods. As the name suggests, it involves a hook at the back of the recovery truck, which extends to a vehicle’s bumper, where a chain is wrapped around the frame or axle.
After that, a boom lifts either the front or rear wheels while the other end touches the ground. However, this can be damaging to the vehicle, due to its raw and robust towing technique. However, hook-and-chain towing is ideal for handling totaled cars and other forceful tasks, such as pulling a vehicle out of snow.
Pros:
✔ Cost-effective for towing junk or wrecked cars
✔ Works well for damaged vehicles that won’t be repaired
Cons:
✘ Can cause damage to the car’s frame or drivetrain
✘ Not suitable for modern vehicles with electronic systems
Integrated Towing
For integrated towing, companies use the most advanced, well-equipped, and powerful recovery trucks in the industry. These advanced mechanisms make towing larger vehicles very easy. The integrated towing arm provides greater stability, making it perfect for heavy-duty work. Moreover, these tow trucks are useful in recovery situations, such as removing cars from busy roads.
With the boom and wheel-lift towing capabilities combined, integrated tow trucks make towing a breeze. Their robust built-in mechanism allows them to handle vehicles larger than themselves.
Pros:
✔ Best for towing large, heavy vehicles like buses and trucks
✔ Stronger and more secure than standard methods
✔ Efficient and easy to operate for heavy loads
Cons:
✘ Requires specialized equipment and training
✘ Not suitable for smaller vehicles
✘ Expensive
Heavy-Duty Towing
And then comes the boss. If you thought integrated tow trucks were the beasts, meet the real monsters. Oversized tow trucks are vehicles capable of transporting various large machinery and items, including tractor-trailers, boats, and industrial equipment. With a plethora of in-built mechanisms, they can lift almost anything. If you have a large vehicle and want the job done right, heavy-duty towing is the way to go.
Pros:
✔ Designed for extremely large vehicles like RVs and semis
✔ Uses specialized equipment for safe transport
✔ Essential for commercial and industrial towing
Cons:
✘ Expensive due to specialized equipment
✘ Requires experienced operators
✘ Not suitable for tight spaces
Motorcycle Towing
Using a flatbed or specialized towing cradle, motorcycle towing primarily focuses on preventing damage during transport. We know you love your motorcycles and can’t bear any damage to their delicate parts, and that’s exactly what motorcycle towing prevents. Traditional methods can be rough, causing wear and tear to motorcycles. However, specialized motorcycle towing ensures stability and safety with the use of a wheel chock and soft straps to maintain an upright position.
This method is popular for transporting two-wheelers after accidents, breakdowns, or long-distance travel. When done correctly by skilled professionals—like the experts at King Khan Towing—you can rest assured that your bike will reach its destination without damage.
Pros:
✔ Prevents damage to motorcycles during transport
✔ Uses secure straps and cradles for stability
✔ Suitable for roadside assistance and long-distance transport
Cons:
✘ Requires specialized equipment
✘ Risk of damage due to improper handling
✘ High cost relative to vehicle size
Different Types of Tow Wreckers & Their Uses
Since you now know various types of towing, it would be beneficial to know the names and qualities of various tow trucks so you can easily and effectively communicate your requirements to a towing company rather than guessing and giving a vague description.
Boom Wreckers
- Hydraulic arm (boom) for pulling vehicles from ditches, rough terrain, or ridges.
- Perfect for recovering wrecked or stranded vehicles in hard-to-reach places.
- Common use— accident recovery and off-road rescues.
Wheel-Lift Wreckers
- Metal yoke to lift a vehicle by either front or rear wheels.
- Maneuverable and compact
- Less riskier than hook-and-chain towing.
- Fit for roadside assistance and shorter routes.
Flatbed Wreckers
- Greater security with a secured flatbed.
- Perfect for high-end, AWD, and luxury vehicles without causing damage.
- Suitable for long-distance transport and damaged vehicles.
Integrated Wreckers
- Ideal for heavy-duty towing.
- Combines wheel-lift and boom for greater stability and strength.
- Used by municipalities and highway patrols.
At King Khan Towing, we have all of these and other machinery readily available. So if you’re ever stuck in a situation, give us a call.
Choosing the Right Towing Service in the USA
When you are looking for a towing partner, consider factors like vehicle type, urgency, and location. This will ensure that the tow truck you call is ideal for the towing method, reducing time wastage and extra costs. Describe your situation in detail and contact a towing partner near your location. King Khan Towing serves all of Bolingbrook, ensuring we reach your destination ASAP.
Always opt for a licensed and insured towing company to ensure safety and reliability. As a licensed towing partner, we know the importance of following industry standards, as it helps us generate trust and reduce the risk of vehicle damage. Working with an insured towing company will also help cover unforeseen towing expenses, which can be quite high in some cases.
Regarding pricing, no two towing jobs are the same. Expect $50 to $150 for basic local towing. However, as requirements and sophistication increase, such as the need for more expensive equipment and well-equipped tow trucks, the price increases proportionally. Some companies also provide flat rates for certain types of towing. You can get in touch with King Khan Towing to get a reasonable quote.
Conclusion
Choosing the right towing method is pivotal in ensuring the safety of your vehicle and reducing overall expenditure. In this blog, we discussed six types of towing methods, their use cases, and the types of tow trucks used—all that you need to know to be well-prepared when a mishap happens. With this knowledge, you are now well-equipped to call for help efficiently, saving you time, effort, and money.
Still need to know more? Get in touch with King Khan Towing. Our 20+ years of experience and reputable name within the community drive us to provide the quickest, most efficient, and reasonably priced towing services across Bolingbrook. Once you reach out to us, rest assured that your vehicle is in the safest, certified hands of our experts, who know towing like the back of their hand.
Contact us at 773-407-4368 or email at kingkhantowing@gmail.com, and we’ll guide you from start to finish. Alternatively, you can fill out our contact form, and our customer service team will reach out to you.
Happy Towing!
Frequently Asked Questions About Types Of Towing
What are the different types of towing methods?
Flatbed, wheel-lift, hook-and-chain, integrated, heavy-duty, and motorcycle towing.
Which towing method is best for my car?
Flatbed for every car and distance. Wheel-lift for shorter distances.
What is the safest type of towing for long distances?
Flatbed.
How do flatbed tow trucks work?
Vehicle is winched or driven onto a flat platform.
What is the difference between wheel-lift and hook-and-chain towing?
Wheel-lift uses a metal yoke. Hook-and-chain wraps chains around the frame.
When should I use heavy-duty towing services?
For buses, RVs, commercial trucks, or construction equipment.
What are the different types of tow wreckers?
Boom, wheel-lift, flatbed, and integrated wreckers.
How much does towing cost in the USA?
Depends on the vehicle, towing method, and distance. Expect somewhere around $50 to $300+.
Can all tow trucks handle motorcycles and small vehicles?
No, only specialized motorcycle tow trucks or flatbeds.
How do I choose the right towing company near me?
Well-reviewed, licensed, and insured, transparent pricing and 24/7 services are the factors to look at.