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When you're stranded on the side of the road, you don't tend to think about the type of tow truck on its way to you. To be fair, most motorists are happy to find the nearest towing company with good reviews and don't inquire about the "how" it will happen so much as the "when" it will happen.

If you are curious, there are several types of tow trucks a company might send. Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks and Flatbed Tow Trucks are two common types, although you may also see integrated tow trucks and, more rarely, hook and chain tow trucks.

Why are there different tow trucks? The answer has to do with efficiency and damage control. Certain two trucks work better with certain types of vehicles or in certain locations. It's up to the towing company to send out the right one for your vehicle's recovery.

At Superior Tire and Auto, we have flatbed tow trucks and conventional tow trucks available.

Hook & Chain Tow Trucks

Hook and chain tow trucks aren't really seen anymore today, but they're worth mentioning for their history. Back in the day, this was the common way to tow a car. However, cars were also manufactured a lot differently back in the day. Using the hook and chain method on newer models can damage them. Over time, towing providers stopped using hook and chain trucks in favor of modern solutions that minimized damage.

Wheel-Lift Tow Trucks

Consider this the successor to hook and chain tow trucks, engineered to minimize damage to the vehicles it tows. Unlike its predecessor, the wheel-lift tow truck uses a metal yoke in place of chains. While it's not the safest solution (that honor goes to the flatbed below), it is a more affordable one in general and has the power of maneuverability thanks to its size. This makes it a great option in cities and crowded areas.

Integrated Tow Trucks

These tow trucks are specialized for heavy-duty applications. Think semi-truck towing and motorhome towing.

Flatbed Tow Trucks

Flatbed tow trucks are the long trucks you see with the flatbed trailer that the operator can raise and lower. Your car rolls onto the flatbed, where the operator secures it for transport. This type of tow truck greatly reduces the risk of damage during towing. While flatbed towing has a major upside in minimizing damage, it can be tough to use this type of truck in crowded areas. Getting the car onto the trailer bed may also take longer than conventional solutions.

Once we have your vehicle make and model + location, we can dispatch a tow truck that suits the situation. Our team will always be careful when towing your vehicle, and we take pride in arriving in a timely manner. When you need towing services in Quinton, Sandston, New Kent, Bottoms Bridge, or a surrounding area (including flatbed towing), give us a call at (804) 966-7335 during business hours.

If you have any questions about towing or any of the automotive services we provide, don't be afraid to reach out. We're happen to talk with you.

Thanks for reading, and happy travels!