Modern towing fleets are equipped to transport far more than just standard passenger sedans. Depending on the size of the rig, hydraulic capacity, and deck configuration, tow operators can haul everything from commuter motorbikes to 50-tonne earthmoving machinery.
Here is a breakdown of the specific vehicle categories tow trucks handle:
Vehicle Capacity Summary
| Vehicle Category | Typical Weight Range | Recommended Towing Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Bikes & Passenger Cars | Up to 2.5 tonnes | Standard Tilt-Tray or Wheel-Lift |
| 4x4s, Vans, Light Commercials | 2.5 – 4.5 tonnes | Heavy-Duty 8m+ Tilt-Tray |
| Caravans & Boat Trailers | 1.0 – 3.5 tonnes | Flatbed Winch or Heavy Tow Bar Hitch |
| Heavy Trucks & Coaches | 5.0 – 25+ tonnes | Heavy Under-Reach Wrecker |
| Plant Machinery & Containers | Up to 12+ tonnes | Heavy Super-Tilt Slide Bed |
Everyday Passenger Vehicles & Light Commercials
These make up the majority of daily dispatches and are typically handled by standard flatbed tilt-trays or wheel-lift trucks:
- Sedans, Hatchbacks, & Wagons: Standard front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive commuter cars.
- SUVs, Utes, & 4WDs: Dual-cab work utes (e.g., Hilux, Ranger) and large family wagons (e.g., Prado, LandCruiser) requiring full-length tilt-trays.
- Vans & Light Delivery Trucks: High-roof delivery vans (like Mercedes Sprinters or Toyota HiAces) and light tradesman tippers up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM).
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) & Hybrids: Heavy battery platforms (e.g., Tesla, BYD) that must be transported on flatbeds to protect regenerative braking systems and high-voltage motors from rolling damage.
Specialty, Low-Clearance & Performance Vehicles
Transporting specialty cars requires specialized tilt-angles and soft-strap rigging to prevent underbody scraping or cosmetic scuffs:
- Sports Cars & Supercars: Low-clearance vehicles with front splitters and low side skirts, loaded using extra-low-angle sliding tilt-trays or custom ramp extensions.
- Classic & Vintage Restorations: Project cars, non-runners, or restored vintage vehicles requiring delicate 4-point wheel-only tying to avoid chassis stress.
- Motorcycles, Scooters, & Quad Bikes: Secured upright on flatbeds using purpose-built front-wheel chocks, handlebar tie-down straps, and soft loop harnesses.
Recreational & Marine Craft
Tow trucks often relocate recreational assets that cannot be driven or towed on their own trailers:
- Caravans & Camper Trailers: Towed behind the truck via heavy-duty tow bars, or winched directly onto flatbeds if axle or tire failure occurs.
- Boats & Jet Skis: Transported either on their trailers or directly transferred onto flatdecks for transport to dry docks or repair facilities.
- Horse Floats & Utility Trailers: Empty or broken trailers needing recovery after roadside bearing failures.
Heavy Transport & Commercial Fleets
Heavy-duty recovery wreckers, multi-axle under-reaches, and rotating boom trucks manage large-scale commercial transport:
- Prime Movers & Semi-Trailers: Heavy haulage trucks towed via heavy-duty under-reach systems that clamp onto the front axle or chassis rails while releasing the vehicle's air brakes.
- Buses & Passenger Coaches: Long-wheelbase commuter buses requiring extended overhang clearing.
- Tippers & Concrete Agitators: Fully loaded or disabled heavy rigid construction trucks.
Industrial Plant, Construction & Farm Equipment
Beyond road vehicles, heavy tilt-trays (super-tilts) function as specialized transport for plant machinery:
- Earthmoving Gear: Mini excavators, skid-steer loaders (bobcats), and site dumpers.
- Access Equipment: Scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and boom lifts.
- Agricultural Machinery: Small to mid-size tractors, mowers, and implements.
- Site Assets: Transportable generators, site tool sheds, and 10ft to 20ft shipping containers.
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