When a loaded semi, bus, or motorhome goes down, a standard tow truck is useless. Heavy duty towing means 25-to-75-ton rotators, air-cushion recovery, and operators certified to handle air brakes, drivelines, and 80,000-pound gross weights without destroying a drivetrain that costs more than a house.
Every hour a commercial truck sits on the shoulder costs its owner money and creates a hazard. Heavy-duty dispatch is about speed and the right equipment the first time — a wrecker that arrives undersized wastes hours.
What heavy duty covers
Anything above 26,000 lbs GVWR: semi tractors bobtail or loaded, straight trucks, transit and school buses, Class A motorhomes, and construction machinery. Driveshaft removal or axle caging is standard procedure so the tow does not grenade the transmission — confirm the operator plans it before hook-up.
Pricing: hourly, not per-mile
Heavy duty work bills hourly — typically $250–$450 per hour for the wrecker plus recovery equipment charges. A straightforward semi tow across town runs $500–$1,000; a rollover recovery with a rotator can reach five figures. Get the hourly rate, minimum hours, and equipment charges quoted before authorizing work.
What's Included
- Class 7–8 semi tractors and loaded trailers
- Box trucks, buses, motorhomes, and RVs
- Construction equipment transport
- Load shifts, swap-outs, and recovery