Towing and Vehicle Recovery Terminology: A Plain Language Guide

When a tow truck arrives and the driver starts talking about the rig, the rigging, and whether the vehicle is a runner, you want to understand what is going on with your car. This glossary explains the most common towing and vehicle recovery terms in plain language.

Tow Truck Types

Flatbed (rollback)

A truck with a flat, tilting platform. The bed tilts toward the ground and the vehicle is winched onto it or driven up, then transported completely off the road surface. The safest and most versatile type for most passenger vehicles, and required for EVs, all wheel drive vehicles, and low clearance sports cars.

Wheel lift

A metal yoke extends from the back of the truck and cradles either the front or rear wheels, lifting that end of the vehicle while the other two wheels roll on the road. Fast to deploy and suitable for short moves with standard rear wheel drive or front wheel drive vehicles. Not appropriate for EVs or AWD.

Hook and chain

A legacy method where chains wrap around the vehicle frame or axle. Rarely used on modern vehicles because chains can damage bumpers, bodywork, and frame rails. Occasionally used for salvage vehicles or total losses where cosmetic damage is not a concern.

Integrated / heavy duty rotator

A specialised rig with a boom that can rotate 360 degrees, extend, and lift in multiple directions. Used for complex recoveries such as overturned commercial trucks, vehicles over embankments, or loads too heavy for a standard flatbed.

Underlift

An arm that extends beneath the vehicle and lifts from the frame or subframe rather than the wheels. Used when wheel damage prevents safe loading by wheel lift.

Recovery and Winching Terms

Winching

Using a motorised drum and cable to pull a stuck vehicle. The winch is typically mounted at the front or rear of the recovery truck and the cable attaches to a rated recovery point on the stuck vehicle.

Extraction

Recovering a vehicle from a ditch, mud, a snow bank, or anywhere off the road before a tow begins. Extraction is the process of returning the vehicle to firm, level ground.

Snatch block

A pulley that attaches to a fixed anchor point and redirects the winch cable. Using a snatch block doubles the pulling force available and changes the recovery angle when a straight pull is not possible.

Recovery angle

The angle between the winch cable and the axis of the stuck vehicle. The ideal is a straight pull along the vehicle's long axis, because angled pulls reduce effective force and risk bending the vehicle. A snatch block allows a straight pull when the recovery truck cannot position directly in line with the stuck vehicle.

Recovery strap (kinetic strap)

A nylon strap with high stretch, used for kinetic (dynamic) recovery, typically between two vehicles where the moving vehicle's momentum stores energy in the stretch of the strap and delivers it as a sharp tug to free the stuck vehicle. Different from a tow strap, which does not stretch.

Tow strap / tow rope

A strap or rope that does not stretch, used for attaching a disabled vehicle to a tow truck for short repositioning moves. Not intended for kinetic recovery.

D ring / shackle

A steel connector shaped like the letter D, used to attach recovery straps, chains, or cables to recovery points on a vehicle. Rated in load capacity. Using an undersized shackle can cause a failure under load.

Recovery point

A reinforced attachment point on the vehicle's frame, typically rated for the vehicle's weight plus the force of recovery. These are the correct connection points for recovery straps and winch cables. Bumpers, tow balls, tie down hooks, and suspension components are not recovery points and can fail or cause damage under recovery loads.

Vehicle Status Terms

Non runner / non drive

A vehicle that cannot move under its own power. This may be due to mechanical failure, accident damage, flat tires, or a dead battery. A non runner typically requires winching onto a flatbed rather than driving it up.

Drive ready / runner

A vehicle that can be driven but should not be, for example after an accident where the vehicle is technically mobile but has safety concerns, or where the owner cannot legally drive it (suspended licence, medical situation). These are often loaded by driving onto a flatbed under the operator's direction.

Transport mode

A software setting on electric vehicles that disconnects the drive motors to prevent electricity generation when the vehicle's wheels spin during transport. Must be activated before loading on most EV models. See the manufacturer's owner manual for the specific procedure on each make and model.

Weight and Capacity Terms

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

The maximum safe total weight of a vehicle when fully loaded, including passengers, cargo, and fuel. A tow truck's capacity rating must exceed the GVWR of the vehicle being towed. This is why heavy SUVs and trucks often require a larger rig than a standard passenger car.

GCW (Gross Combination Weight)

The combined weight of the tow truck plus the towed vehicle. Relevant for commercial towing, where regulations set maximum GCW limits on BC roads.

Rigging and Load Securement

Safety chain

Chains that cross under the towed vehicle and attach to the tow truck as a secondary retention system, in case the primary attachment (wheel lift yoke, straps, or winch cable) fails during transport.

Wheel chock

A wedge placed against a tyre to prevent rolling. Used when loading or positioning a vehicle on a flatbed and when leaving a vehicle in storage on a sloped surface.

Tie down / ratchet strap

Straps used to secure a vehicle to a flatbed platform at multiple points, preventing movement during transport. Strapping at four points, with one strap at each wheel or frame point, is standard practice for safe transport.