Heavy-duty towing means dispatching a truck built for weight a standard tow can't lift — box trucks, loaded cargo vans, RVs, and similar vehicles above a passenger car's class. Detroit Towing runs heavy wreckers into every one of its 20 Detroit-area coverage territories, and dispatch asks for the vehicle type up front so the right rig comes out first.
A call that starts as a routine tow sometimes turns into a heavy-duty job once the driver actually sees what's stuck — a loaded box truck, a packed cargo van, a travel trailer sitting low on its axle. Weight decides the equipment, not the vehicle's size on paper: a van full of tile can outweigh an empty box truck twice its length. Detroit Towing asks for the vehicle type, and the load if the caller knows it, before a truck leaves the lot, so a heavy wrecker gets sent from the start instead of a second truck arriving after the first one can't lift it.
Pricing follows the same logic. A heavy-duty job gets quoted by weight and equipment rather than the standard passenger rate, since a bigger rig and sometimes a second crew member change the cost before the truck even moves. Detroit Towing, headquartered at 17654 Woodbine St in Detroit, prices these jobs once dispatch knows what's actually being moved rather than guessing at a number over the phone.
Why does weight matter more than the vehicle's size?
Size on the outside is a bad guide — axle weight is what matters. A cargo van loaded with equipment can weigh more than an empty motorhome that looks twice as big, and a single-axle utility trailer might not need anything more than the standard hook at all. Detroit Towing's heavy-duty trucks handle box trucks, loaded vans, motorhomes, and enclosed trailers that exceed what a standard flatbed or wheel-lift truck is rated to carry.
Why does dispatch ask so many questions before sending a truck?
Sending the wrong-sized truck means a second dispatch and a longer wait for everyone — the driver who called, and whoever's stuck behind them if the vehicle is blocking a lane. A few extra questions about the vehicle and its load up front are what keep a heavy-duty call from turning into two separate trips.
How is a heavy-duty tow priced?
By weight and equipment rather than a flat passenger rate — a loaded box truck needs a bigger rig and sometimes an extra crew member, and the quote reflects that. Call and describe the vehicle so Detroit Towing can price the job accurately instead of guessing.
Can a heavy-duty truck handle a regular car tow too?
It can, but it isn't sent for one. Dispatch matches the truck to the vehicle, and running a heavy wrecker out for a compact car would be slower to set up and unnecessary compared with the standard truck already covering that call.
Do you tow loaded moving trucks, not just empty ones?
Yes — cargo adds weight, and Detroit Towing's heavy-duty trucks are rated for the loaded figure, not the vehicle's empty spec sheet. Mention that it's loaded when you call so the right rig shows up the first time.