Plenty of towing company in Brisbane will tell you they handle heavy vehicles. Fewer actually have the equipment, licences, and experience to do it properly. Here are seven things to check before you hand over a $200,000 truck to someone with a tow rope and good intentions.
1. They own heavy duty tow trucks:
Not converted car carriers. Not a tilt tray with a sticker that says “heavy.” Actual boom trucks with underlift systems rated for 15 tonnes or more. Ask what trucks they run. If the answer is vague, that tells you something.
2. Their operators hold the right licences:
Heavy vehicle towing requires Heavy Rigid (HR), Heavy Combination (HC), or Multi-Combination (MC) licences depending on the tow truck being used. An operator with a standard car licence cannot legally drive a heavy tow truck. Ask what licence classes their operators hold.
3. They are TruckSafe accredited:
TruckSafe is an industry accreditation programme run by the Australian Trucking Association. It covers fleet maintenance, driver management, and safety systems. It is voluntary, which means companies that have it chose to be audited. Companies that do not have it either failed to meet the standard or did not bother.
4. They have insurance:
Public liability and goods-in-transit insurance. If a tow truck operator damages your truck during towing, their insurance should cover the repair. Without insurance, you are chasing an individual or small company for money, which rarely ends well. Ask for a certificate of currency.
5. They quote before dispatch:
Any reputable heavy towing company can give you a firm price for a straightforward tow based on a phone description. Companies that refuse to quote and insist on “assessing the job” before naming a price are setting you up for surprise charges.
6. They have 24/7 dispatch:
Truck breakdowns do not happen on a schedule. If the company advertises 24/7 service, test it. Call the number at 10pm on a weeknight. If nobody answers, their definition of 24/7 is different from yours.
7. They cover your operating area:
A heavy towing company in inner Brisbane is no good if your trucks run to Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, and regional Queensland. Check that their depot locations and service area match where your vehicles operate.
None of these checks take more than five minutes, and any legitimate heavy duty towing company will answer them without hesitation. If they get defensive or evasive about any of these questions, look elsewhere.
Delta Heavy Towing is TruckSafe accredited, NHVR compliant, fully insured, and operates from six depots across South East Queensland. Call +61 455 996 600 for heavy duty towing in Brisbane.
