What Types of Tow Trucks Are There And When Should You Use Them?

Not all tow trucks are built the same—and for good reason. Depending on the vehicle type, damage level, or roadside situation, using the right tow truck makes all the difference in safety, cost-efficiency, and recovery success. Whether you're a fleet operator, roadside assistance provider, or simply an informed driver, understanding the types of tow trucks available is key. At CHUSHENG VEHICLE GROUP CO., LTD., we specialize in manufacturing reliable and diverse tow truck models designed to meet a wide range of towing needs.

From compact wheel-lift trucks for urban streets to heavy-duty rotators capable of lifting tractor-trailers, there’s a tow truck suited to every scenario. Let’s explore the main types, when they should be used, and what each means for cost and operational performance.

What Is a Boom Tow Truck and When Is It Used?

Boom tow trucks are among the most versatile towing machines available. These trucks are equipped with a hydraulic arm—or "boom"—that extends and pivots to reach vehicles in difficult or off-road positions. Whether a car has skidded into a ditch, gotten stuck in a ravine, or crashed in a location unreachable by traditional means, boom tow trucks can provide the recovery power needed to retrieve it.

They are especially effective for:

Vehicles stuck in snow, mud, or uneven terrain

Recoveries in tight spots or off-road areas

Accident sites where the vehicle cannot be towed conventionally

Boom trucks come in both fixed and rotating models. The rotating variant, often seen in rotator trucks (discussed below), adds an extra level of maneuverability, allowing the operator to lift and rotate the vehicle without repositioning the truck.

At CHUSHENG VEHICLE GROUP CO., LTD., our boom tow trucks are designed with powerful hydraulic systems and reinforced structures to handle extreme loads safely and efficiently.

What Is a Wheel-Lift Tow Truck and When Is It Best?

Wheel-lift tow trucks are a common sight in busy cities. These trucks use a metal yoke that slides under the front or rear wheels of a vehicle. The yoke is then hydraulically lifted, raising either the front or rear end of the vehicle off the ground, allowing it to be towed on its remaining two wheels.

This method is especially useful in urban environments where:

Space is tight and maneuverability is critical

Vehicles need to be relocated quickly due to illegal parking

Short-distance transport is required

Wheel-lift trucks are less bulky and more agile than flatbeds or boom trucks, making them ideal for towing in narrow alleys or congested streets. Their speed and efficiency make them a go-to solution for roadside services or municipal enforcement teams.

CHUSHENG’s wheel-lift tow trucks are built with durable frames, precise control systems, and intuitive user interfaces to make towing faster and safer for the operator and vehicle alike.

What Are Flatbed Tow Trucks Used For?

Flatbed tow trucks—also called rollback tow trucks—are the most secure method for transporting a vehicle. These trucks feature a long flat platform that tilts at an angle to allow the vehicle to be winched or driven onto it. Once secured, the bed is leveled, and the vehicle is safely transported without any of its wheels touching the ground.

This method is ideal for:

Electric vehicles (EVs) that shouldn’t be towed with wheels on the ground

Luxury or classic cars where damage prevention is critical

Long-distance transport where stability is essential

Severely damaged vehicles that can’t roll or steer

Flatbed towing reduces the risk of drivetrain damage, especially in all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles. For fleet operators, offering flatbed services elevates customer confidence and broadens the range of vehicles they can safely tow.

Our flatbed tow trucks at CHUSHENG VEHICLE GROUP CO., LTD. are engineered for easy operation, featuring automated tilt-and-slide systems, secure tie-down points, and anti-slip surfaces to maximize safety.

What About Heavy-Duty and Rotator Trucks?

Heavy-duty tow trucks are built for strength. These behemoths are equipped to tow buses, trailers, construction machinery, and other large commercial vehicles. Unlike light-duty tow trucks, heavy-duty models come with reinforced frames, extra axles, and powerful winches.

Rotator tow trucks are a subset of heavy-duty trucks, distinguished by their rotating boom. These trucks can lift, rotate, and position heavy vehicles in any direction—ideal for recovering overturned semis or extracting vehicles from complex crash sites.

Use cases include:

Tractor-trailer rollovers

Bridge or tunnel recovery situations

Large-scale highway incidents

Industrial or mining equipment transport

CHUSHENG offers a range of heavy-duty and rotator tow trucks designed for performance, durability, and operator safety. With advanced hydraulics and 360-degree rotation capabilities, these trucks are essential tools for commercial towing providers and emergency recovery fleets.

How Can You Pick the Right Type for Your Needs?

Selecting the right tow truck isn’t just about the vehicle being towed—it’s about the environment, distance, and urgency as well. Here’s a quick guide to help match truck type to your scenario:

Passenger car on city street → Wheel-lift truck

EV or low-clearance vehicle → Flatbed truck

Car stuck off-road or in ditch → Boom truck

Heavy vehicle recovery → Heavy-duty or rotator truck

Long-distance vehicle transport → Flatbed or heavy-duty truck

Towing service providers should evaluate their most frequent recovery scenarios and customer base before choosing which truck types to include in their fleet. At CHUSHENG, our team helps clients identify the best-fit tow truck models based on their operational requirements and growth goals.

What Does Each Tow Type Mean for Pricing?

Tow truck pricing often reflects the equipment involved and the complexity of the recovery. Here’s how it typically breaks down:

Wheel-lift tow truck: Most affordable, used for simple, short-distance tows.

Flatbed tow truck: Slightly higher due to loading process and transport method.

Boom tow truck: Costs increase with recovery complexity, especially in off-road or vertical lift scenarios.

Heavy-duty and rotator trucks: Premium rates, given the size, equipment, and technical skill required.

Other factors affecting cost include mileage, service time (after-hours), and additional labor required (e.g., winching, tire removal). While upfront pricing might be higher for a flatbed or rotator, the reduction in vehicle damage risk and operational downtime often justifies the investment.

CHUSHENG tow trucks are designed to reduce total cost of ownership by enhancing fuel efficiency, reducing maintenance needs, and enabling faster job completion—benefits that translate directly into better pricing models for service providers and their customers.

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of tow truck for the job isn’t just about convenience—it’s about ensuring the safety of the vehicle, the operator, and everyone on the road. Each tow truck type has a specific purpose, and using the wrong one can lead to delays, damage, and added costs. Whether you’re handling a compact car in a crowded city or a semi-truck rolled over on a highway, having the correct equipment makes all the difference.

At CHUSHENG VEHICLE GROUP CO., LTD., we offer a full range of specialized tow trucks, designed and manufactured to handle every towing scenario with professionalism and precision. With over two decades of experience in vehicle manufacturing, we are committed to delivering dependable equipment that supports your business and keeps roads safer.

Contact us today to explore our full range of tow trucks and discover how CHUSHENG can support your towing operations with world-class vehicles.