There are five commonly used wrecker tow truck , usually depending on the type or size of the recovery wrecker :

First type : Boom towing truck

- use adjustable arms and winches to retract vehicles from ditches, embankments, or any vehicle that cannot arrive safely. Some booms are fixed, some heavy rotating racks, hydraulic telescopic tubes, others. In the past boom, trucks used the "hook chain" system, the chain around the frame or axle, and then hoisted by the winch. A heavy rubber pad is attached to the truck and truck so that it can be towed onto other bridges." Slings and belts are an evolution, replacing parts of chains with rubber belts.  slings did not use too much today because they could shave bumper cars. But they are sometimes used in wrecker accidents carrier or have one or two front wheels or rear wheels missing or pickups and other vehicles have steel bumpers. Equipped with all wheel drive, the truck is towed away, unable to use the machine string, because it can make the car power transmission system problems.  

Second type :Wheel lift wrecker towing truck  

(also called "glasses") - from the chain hook technique to generate a large metal frame, can be installed in the front or rear under the cradle, rendering vehicles by pneumatic or hydraulic hoist can drag the ground clear front or rear. The device usually picks up the wheel of the vehicle (i.e., front wheel, if it is front wheel drive, rear wheel, if it is rear wheel drive), and contacts the tire.   wheel lift wrecker tow truck  are common in china; cradles are like glasses. Medium and heavy-duty trucks use variations, "underlift" or "chassis lift", in which the elevator shaft or frame is not the wheel. A forklift truck can be used as an adapter or a lift chassis.  

Third type :Integration towing truck  (also known as "Self Loader wrecker equipment", "Snatcher towing vehicle", "quick choice tow truck" or "roll back wrecker") - the arm and wheel lift together. Used of light trucks to recover or stop vehicles. Most of the truck's cab equipment is controlled so that the pickup truck does not leave the truck to connect the vehicle.  heavy trucks are also manufactured using integrated lifts.

Forth type --Flat plates wrecker truck  (also known as "rolling back tow truck" or "sliding tow truck") - the entire back of the truck is fitted with a bed that can be hydraulically tilted down to the ground, allowing the vehicle to be placed under its own power or pulled up by the winch. [9] because they carry, rather than traction vehicles, it can be completely fixed; in the United States, they carry serious damage to car accidents.

Fifth type ---Lifting platform  wrecker truck the derricks lift the vehicle vertically and use the wheel lift to load it on the bed. In Europe, this car can eliminate the parallel parking of vehicles.