The Difference Between A Hook-And-Chain Truck And A Flatbed
Towing can be a tricky job. Cars come with different drivetrains, and they can die in different ways and in different places. There is a huge difference between towing a front-wheel drive car and towing an all-wheel drive car. Similarly, there is a difference between towing a car that has died on the side of the road and a car that has slid down an embankment. Different tow trucks are used for different jobs. Hook-and-chain tow trucks and flatbed trucks serve very different purposes.
How a Hook-and-Chain Truck Works
A hook-and-chain truck will have a boom or metal pole that sticks up from the back of the truck. A winch will be mounted at the base of this boom near the cab of the truck and a cable will run up the boom. Using a hook at the end of this cable, a driver will connect to the axle or undercarriage of a vehicle. By reeling in the cable, the boom will give the truck enough leverage to lift one end of the vehicle off the ground. The vehicle can then be towed.
The Best Uses for A Hook-and-Chain Truck
Hook-and-chain trucks work well for towing front-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles. If you have a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle, then you can actually damage the drivetrain of the vehicle if you tow it with a hook-and-chain truck. However, because hook-and-chain trucks have a powerful winch, they can be used to pull cars up embankments or out of ravines.
How a Flatbed Truck Works
A flatbed truck will use hydraulic arms to tip the bed of the truck until the back edge of the bed rests against the ground. The driver then connects a cable to one end of the vehicle and winches it onto the bed. The hydraulic arm can then be used to return the bed to its stowed position. Finally, the driver will use straps to secure the vehicle to the bed.
The Best Uses for a Flatbed Truck
Flatbeds offer the best protection for all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles. Thus, if you have such a vehicle, you should ask for a flatbed truck. Also, if your vehicle is so damaged that it will no longer roll, then a flatbed is the tow truck of choice.
Knowing how tow trucks are used can help you to make sure you give the right information to a towing company to make sure that you get the right tow truck for your vehicle. While you never plan on your vehicle breaking down, knowing what to do if you end up needing a tow truck can help to make sure your get the right truck for your needs. If you still aren't sure which towing vehicle would be best for your car, consider contacting a towing service like Titan Towing directly for more help and information.