If you’ve been in a bad accident or your vehicle has broken down, towing will be necessary to get you off the road and to an auto repair shop. Your towing professional will use one of a few different tow truck types to transport your vehicle to safety. The team at Craig’s Towing & Repair in La Crosse and Baraboo, WI, have explained a few of the most common types of trucks used below.

Types of Trucks for Different Towing Needs

1. Flatbed

The flatbed truck is the most common type used, as it is versatile and safe for cars in all conditions. The long bed on the back of the truck is large enough to hold cars and trucks completely off the ground. When vehicles need to be put on or taken off the bed, a ramp is pulled out of the back. The vehicle can then be driven up the ramp or pulled up if it’s unable to be driven.

2. Hook & Chain

A hook and chain tow truck uses a chain from the bed of the truck to pull the vehicle with a hook, leaving two of the vehicle’s wheels on the ground. While these used to be very common, they are now typically only used for totaled vehicles that are on their way to a junkyard. This is because the chain can scratch up the paint while the hook can damage the bumper.

3. Wheel Lift

A wheel lift is similar to a hook and chain truck in that it tows the vehicle with two wheels on the ground. However, instead of a hook and chain, it connects a metal yoke underneath the wheels. This doesn’t cause any damage to the vehicle. Though it doesn’t protect the car as well, these are typically cheaper than flatbed trucks and can be an economical choice for short distances.

When you are stranded, Craig’s Towing & Repair will be there quickly with their professional and experienced towing service or with a jump start. They are AAA® certified and have offered both local and long-distance towing throughout La Crosse, Baraboo, Wisconsin Dells, and Lake Delton for more than 20 years. Contact their tow company at (608) 784-1638 to schedule a service.