Many people confuse towing with shipping. However, these two auto transport options have several differences. Car towing is a procedure that involves parking your vehicle on top of a platform or trailer that is towed by a tow truck (or fixed atop the truck). Now, the most used solution is car towing with a tow company, which requires no equipment (purchased or rented) on your behalf (as opposed to towing your car yourself – see below).

Most tow trucks come with handy features such as built-in platforms that help pull in and carry a vehicle to its new location, which is excellent for quick pickups. The downside is their availability. They are barely available to the general public for either purchase or rent. This means that you will need to call a tow company and use their services so you can have your car towed. In the majority of cases, tow companies respond within minutes (or hours, depending on the distance they need to cover to come to you) after your call.

Car Towing – Pros:
Most car towing companies are available 24/7 and will get to you on the same day – an ideal solution for individuals doing things at the last minute.
Car towing is a flexible and efficient choice as it does not require scheduling days or even months in advance.
The price is usually right, especially for non-working vehicles that need to be moved across town (and often to a different state).

Car Towing – Cons:
Could be an expensive option for out-of-state transfers.
There is a risk of damage due to the carrier’s rush (carriers are paid by the number of projects they handle every day, so they need to finish as many tasks per day as possible).
Car towing companies usually offer short-distance vehicle towing services.