Numerous situations may force you to contact roadside assistance. For example, your vehicle could have broken down on the highway or been involved in a minor accident and needs to be moved from the scene.

In such cases, you may have two options: a tow truck or a wrecker. While these may look similar and are sometimes used interchangeably, tow trucks and wreckers differ. By understanding the differences, you can decide which is more suitable for the situation.

What Is a Tow Truck?

A tow truck often features a flatbed setup, basically a bed with chains attached to the back of the vehicle. The design allows for easy vehicle pickup, meaning that a tow truck is best for cars not trapped in the middle of a roadway or stuck in a difficult place.

A tow truck is handy if your car is not drivable, perhaps due to a breakdown or after an accident. The truck is also sometimes used to reposition poorly packed vehicles from an accident scene or to move them to a repair shop.

What Is a Wrecker?

A wrecker is a more sophisticated and larger tow truck than the ordinary flatbed. This vehicle comes in complex situations that a standard tow truck may be unable to handle.

This truck has a large boom and cable winch for retrieving vehicles, making it ideal for a vehicle stuck in the mud or snow or a hard-to-reach place.

A wrecker is also the best option when the involved car has rolled over or is trapped between other cars. For this, a wrecker is also known as a recovery vehicle since it helps retrieve cars that would otherwise be hard to tow.

Additionally, wreckers are powerful enough to lift vehicles off the ground and move them off the accident scene comfortably. Also, note that a wrecker can be two-in-one: a flatbed and a regular setup.

Which Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the best option depends on your situation. Learn about some differences that can help you select the most ideal choice.

Job Description

These vehicles' operators are specialized in different areas. For example, a tow truck driver's job description includes moving a car that has broken down and needs transportation to the mechanic. The specialist can also help move a poorly parked car.

For example, if your car suddenly feels challenging to drive, smells weird, produces odd sounds, or has warning lights, you can stop by the roadside and contact towing services. While you may be able to drive to the mechanic, you might risk further damage to the car or get involved in an accident.

A wrecker driver, on the other hand, does not only help recover your car but can also offer repairs and maintenance. Also, wreckers are for heavy-duty towing and recovery operations.

Services

Ideally, wreckers can be tow trucks too, but tow trucks are not necessarily wreckers. A tow truck can only move a car from one place to another, but a wrecker can move cars and remove them from stuck places.

Now that you understand the differences between tow trucks and wreckers, you can easily decide which one to use in your case. The ideal service provider will also advise you on the best option, depending on your situation.

You can trust us at Hix Wrecker Service for reliable towing services. We aim to take away roadside worries with our quick and quality services. We will listen to your issue before advising you on the best service between towing and recovery. We also offer auto maintenance and auto parts to ensure your car is in the best condition. Contact us for a consultation.