Vehicle accidents and breakdowns are not limited to passenger vehicles, SUVs, and light-duty pickup trucks. As we know, these events often involve large, heavily laden tractor-trailer combinations, buses, RVs, and other equipment that require recovery and towing by specially equipped tow vehicles that manage massive tonnage and bulk. Powerful towing equipment, combined with advanced technical expertise, is necessary to lift and transport heavy equipment from a dangerous accident site to a safer location.

Heavy duty tow trucks and technical strategies are required to remove extraordinarily heavy loads from the site of an accident or breakdown.

How is Heavy Duty Tow Truck Equipped?

Heavy duty tow trucks equipped to handle massive loads are designed with the right combination of power, torque, and balance. These must be geared for extreme stability, rotation capability, and extra pulling capacity.

Smaller trucks with standard tow packages simply cannot handle the size and weight of those larger loads.

Heavy duty tow trucks typically have high performance engine and are designed with a wider and longer chassis for a sturdier stance. They are outfitted with heavy duty winches, straps, hooks, extendable hydraulic lift arms capable of lifting over 25,000 lbs, and a host of other accessories.

Recovering a Tractor Trailer

In a simple breakdown, the tractor will be disengaged from the trailer and towed away. The trailer can be collected later by another truck.

If the truck and trailer are involved in a serious accident and are overturned, for example, the process is considerably more complicated. A well-trained and experienced heavy duty tow truck operator will judge the angles to use the winch and cables to pull the vehicle upright onto a solid, flat surface. From here the tractor and the trailer can be separated and towed to safety.

Depending on the location and attitude of the vehicle, recovery may involve more than one tow vehicle to turn the vehicle upright ,

Towing Straight Trucks

Straight trucks with beds of 12-feet and over can also be towed to safety using heavy duty towing equipment. Sometimes a loaded straight truck box will be unloaded before hauling away.

Towing a Bus or Recreational Vehicle

The weight and length of the bus or RV limit the type of towing equipment that can be used. Recovering an overturned bus requires the same skills and equipment as with a tractor trailer rig.

Experienced and Equipped: Alpine Towing & Recovery

Whether a breakdown or an accident, Alpine Towing & Recovery is fully equipped to handle any vehicle emergency. From passenger cars to fully loaded semis, Alpine has been protecting people and recovering vehicles in the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies for over two decades.

HAZMAT Certified, Alpine is available from Salida, Buena Vista, or Woodland Park, Colorado locations 24/7/365 for vehicle emergencies or simple roadside assistance.

Call Alpine Towing & Recovery at 1-800-869-2869.

This post was originally published at http://alpinetowing.net/towing-service/what-types-of-vehicles-can-be-towed-by-a-heavy-duty-tow-truck/