Tow Truck Types and Towing Capacity: A Complete Guide by WTF Towing

Towing Capacity

When your vehicle breaks down, the kind of tow truck that arrives can make all the difference. At WTF Towing, we use the right equipment for each situation to ensure safe, reliable, and damage-free service across Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh, and Durham, NC. Below is a breakdown of the most common tow truck types and what they’re best suited for.


1. Light-Duty Tow Trucks

Best For: Cars, motorcycles, small SUVs
Towing Capacity: Up to ~7,000 lbs

Light-duty tow trucks are the most common and are often used for roadside assistance jobs like jump starts, tire changes, lockouts, and short-distance tows. These trucks use wheel-lift systems to secure and tow vehicles safely without causing damage.


2. Flatbed Tow Trucks

Best For: All-wheel drive (AWD), luxury vehicles, long-distance towing
Towing Capacity: Up to ~10,000 lbs

Flatbeds allow your vehicle to ride securely on a platform rather than being towed with wheels on the ground. This is ideal for cars with AWD systems or when a customer requests long-distance towing. It’s also the preferred method for high-end or lowered vehicles to avoid undercarriage damage.


3. Medium-Duty Tow Trucks

Best For: Delivery vans, RVs, box trucks
Towing Capacity: Up to ~17,000 lbs

Medium-duty wreckers are designed to handle larger commercial vehicles that a light-duty truck simply can’t tow. These trucks come with stronger winches and are perfect for recovering vehicles stuck in ditches, mud, or after a rollover.


4. Heavy-Duty Tow Trucks

Best For: Tractor-trailers, buses, heavy equipment
Towing Capacity: 25,000 – 75,000+ lbs

Heavy-duty trucks are the giants of the towing industry. With multiple axles and specialized equipment, they’re built to move the heaviest loads on the road. While you may not see these every day, they’re essential for clearing highways and recovering commercial rigs safely.


Choosing the Right Tow Truck

Not every towing situation is the same. At WTF Towing, our experienced team chooses the correct tow truck based on your vehicle type, weight, and condition. Whether it’s a quick roadside jump start in Cary, a flatbed tow in Raleigh, or a medium-duty recovery in Durham, you can count on us 24/7.


Why Call WTF Towing?

✅ Local service across Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh & Durham
✅ Fast response times, day or night
✅ Safe, damage-free towing methods
✅ 5-Star reputation you can trust

If you’re searching for “tow truck near me”, remember that WTF Towing has the right equipment for every job. Call us today at 919-230-4498 for professional and affordable towing services.