Light truck towing in Adelaide
A light truck that won’t start can hold up a delivery run or block a depot gate. We carry pantechs, curtain-siders, tray-backs and small tippers on our Hino tilt tray once we know the make, model and body height.
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In short
Many light trucks fit on a tilt tray: pantechs, curtain-siders, tray-backs and small tippers. The winch draws the truck up the tray and the driver chains it at both ends. SA Best Towing does this work around Adelaide from its yard in Angle Park. Have the body height handy when you ring 0457 300 057.
What we move
- Pantech trucks
- Curtain-side light trucks
- Small tippers
- Tray-back trucks
- Mini trucks and kei trucks
- Cab-chassis trucks with service bodies
A LandCruiser on the deck, a small truck behind
Two vehicles left the gravel lot on this trip. A lifted white LandCruiser with a snorkel and bull bar sits on the tray, a blue ratchet strap holding its back wheel to the deck. Behind it rides a small flat-tray truck with a roll cage and a bar of spotlights, its front end raised on the rear lift and its other axle rolling on the gravel. For the driver, that meant one run from the lot instead of two.
How light trucks go onto the tray
The tray tilts until its tail touches the road. Here’s the order it goes in for light trucks.
Height worked out on the phone
A truck on a tilt tray stands far taller than it does on the road. Before we book, we ask for the body height and tell you on the phone whether the truck fits.
A straight pull up the tray
The tray tilts to the ground and the driver lines it up square behind the truck. The winch cable hooks to a towing point or the chassis rail. If the truck can roll, someone sits in the cab to steer while the winch draws it up the tray slowly.
Chained at the chassis
With the truck square on the deck, the driver chains the front and rear at the chassis or axle and tensions each chain.
Room for one more on the rear lift
A second vehicle heading the same way can come too. The rear lift raises one end of it, and it rolls behind on its other axle. The driver picks which end to lift. All-wheel drives and lowered cars can’t go on the lift.
What the driver watches for
What’s still in the body
A pantech full of stock or a tipper full of soil weighs far more than the empty truck. Tell us what’s in the back, and lower and lock a tipper body before we arrive.
A truck that won’t roll
A truck stuck in gear or with a seized park brake won’t roll. The winch draws it up the tray slowly. If a wheel is locked, say so when you call so the driver can plan the load.
Overhang past the tail
A long body can hang past the end of the tray. Give us the body length when you call, and we’ll tell you whether it fits.
Tail lifts and roller doors
A tail lift that drops or a roller door that creeps open on the road puts the cars behind at risk. Lock the roller door and stow the tail lift before the truck arrives, or tell us if either won’t stay shut.
What changes the price
Every job is priced on the phone before it’s booked. These are the things that move the number.
- Kilometres from Angle Park to the truck, then on to the mechanic or depot
- Locked wheels, or a truck that won’t steer
- Tight depot yards, loading docks and car parks with height bars
- Stock or soil left in the body
- A second vehicle on the rear lift on the same run
“The driver arrived quickly and was very professional and friendly. He handled my vehicle with care and explained everything clearly. The whole process was smooth, and I really appreciated how helpful and reassuring he was during a stressful situation.”
Questions about light trucks
Answers to common questions. If yours isn’t here, ring and ask.
Can a tilt tray carry a pantech or curtain-sider?
It can when the truck fits the tray and the loaded height suits the roads in between. Our Hino has carried an Isuzu with a green curtain-side body, pictured at the top of this page. Call 0457 300 057 with the make, model, body length and height, and we’ll tell you if yours fits.
Can you tow a light truck that’s still loaded?
Sometimes. Our tray carries up to 4 tonnes, and that limit counts the truck and everything in it, so we ask what’s in the back and about how much it weighs. Empty it if you can. If you can’t, give us the details on the phone and you’ll get a yes or a no before anyone drives out.
Do I need a heavy tow truck for a light truck?
Many light trucks fit on a tilt tray like ours, so you may not need a heavy tow. Bigger rigid trucks, prime movers and buses need a heavy recovery operator. If the job is too big for our Hino, we’ll say so on the phone before you waste any time.
Can you get a dead truck out of a loading dock?
In most cases, yes, provided the tray can line up straight behind it. Docks get tight, and the tray needs a clear run back to the truck. Send a photo of the dock and tell us whether the truck went in nose-first or reversed in, and the driver will plan the pull before arriving.
Will you move a truck with a broken tailshaft?
Yes. On a tilt tray the truck’s wheels sit still on the deck, so a broken tailshaft does no more damage on the way. If the tailshaft hangs down, say so when you call, because it can catch on the tray as the winch pulls the truck up.
Also on the tray
Van towing
HiAces, Sprinters, delivery vans and people movers, including high-roof vans and two-van fleet moves.
Ute towing
Dual cabs, single cabs, work utes with canopies and performance utes, strapped by the tyres on the tray.
Forklift transport
Warehouse and yard forklifts moved site to site, to the repairer or to a buyer, with the mast checked for height.
Related services
- Equipment transportMachinery that fits a tilt tray, chained to its tie-down points and set down where you need it.
- Breakdown towingA flat battery or a cooked engine. We carry the car on the tilt tray to the mechanic you choose.
- Tilt tray towingThe whole vehicle rides flat on the tray, wheels off the road. A second one can follow on the rear lift.