Rollback / Flatbed – Rollback Tow Trucks, also called Car Carriers or Flatbeds, are tow trucks sporting a flat deck behind the cab where a car or vehicle can sit on its own four wheels and ride on the flat surface of the back of the tow truck. The vehicle is secured with chains and/or wheel straps to keep it from moving during transit. Most Rollbacks also have an additional under-body wheel lift of some sort, to allow the option of transporting a second recovered vehicle.
The Trucks – Light duty trucks are for smaller jobs, like regular cars and small pickup trucks. These kinds of trucks have a GVWR of 10,000 to 14,000 pounds, and are ideal for towing passenger cars and small pickup trucks. Total towing weight range is around 7,000 pounds. Medium duty trucks can carry larger vehicles like box trucks and buses. They have a GVWR rating of 14,001 to 26,000 pounds and up, and a towing capacity of up to 17,000 pounds, for towing two cars, or a larger vehicle like a limousine or passenger van.
Heavy duty trucks are for industrial work and carrying other tow trucks and large vehicles. These trucks have a GVWR of over 26,000 pounds, and are designed to tow the largest vehicles, other tow trucks, construction equipment, and other extra large loads.