The right tow truck will make car transport a smooth, dependable, and stress-free experience every time. In order to find the perfect truck, consider your towing needs. Below are a few tips to help you in the planning process and point you in the direction of the ideal towing vehicle.

How to Find the Right Used Tow Truck

1. Determine Horsepower & Towing Capacity

Think about how the truck will mainly be utilized. If it's going to primarily haul passenger vehicles, you can likely get by just fine with a truck that has less horsepower and towing capacity than a truck designed to move heavy equipment, like construction machinery.

Also, think about the distance. If you're going to be moving vehicles across long distances, like between states or across the country, you'll want a tow truck with higher and more sustainable horsepower.

2. Budget Accordingly

Set a budget for your used tow truck purchase. As with any used vehicle, buyers need to expect that a certain amount of maintenance and, eventually, repair work will be necessary. These expenses should figure into your budget. Also, don't forget to budget for taxes, registration, and insurance—all essentials for responsible truck ownership.

3. Research Trucks of Interest

To help narrow down your search, research a few different makes and models that have the features and price-tags most in line with your needs.

Read review sites, check vehicle history reports, and consult other tow truck drivers. Test drives are just as important for towing vehicles as they are for any other used vehicle, so see how trucks of interest drive, gauge their comfort and ease of use, and ask the dealer/current owner questions.

When you're in the market for a used tow truck in the Roanoke, VA, area, visit Robert Young's Auto & Truck, Inc. They have more than 35 years' experience selling new and pre-owned trucks. They also offer auto towing and roadside assistance services throughout the Roanoke Valley. To learn more about their current inventory of used trucks, call (540) 982-3809 or visit their website.