Buying tow truck equipment for sale lets an operator build, upgrade or repair a truck without buying a whole new one. That ranges from a rollback body or wheel-lift underlift to a deck winch, light bar, wheel dollies and tie-downs. A full conversion turns a bare chassis or used truck into a breakdown vehicle. Each part has to suit the chassis rating and the work you do. Send us your truck details and what you need, and body builders and equipment suppliers near you will send free, no-obligation quotes.
Main equipment
- Rollback bodies: sliding and tilting decks, sized to the chassis, with a hydraulic winch at the head.
- Wheel-lift underlifts: a hydraulic arm with L-arms or forks that cradles the wheels. Fitted alone or under a rollback.
- Deck and boom winches: hydraulic or electric, rated for the heaviest vehicle you pull up the deck.
- Light bars and work lights: amber warning lights on the cab and rear, and floodlights for night work.
- Loose kit: wheel dollies, go-jacks, skates, chains, wheel straps and a damper for the winch line.
Conversions and the chassis
A conversion fits a body to a new or used chassis. The chassis GVM must carry the body plus the load with margin, and the frame needs a sub-frame so stress is spread, not concentrated at a few bolts. The power take-off and hydraulic pump must suit the gearbox. Ask whether the converted truck needs re-certification and a roadworthy as a breakdown vehicle before it works. For complete trucks, see tow trucks for sale.
Ratings and safety
Every lifting part has a rated capacity: the underlift at full extension, the deck winch, the chains and the straps. Rate to the weakest. Use four-point tie-downs on a rollback and safety chains on a wheel-lift tow. Inspect hoses, pins and rope every week. For winch sizing, see winches.
How equipment is quoted
Bodies, underlifts and conversions are quoted per item or per build, depending on the chassis, deck length and options. Loose kit is quoted per unit. Ask for the rated capacity of each part in writing, fitting time, warranty and spare parts support. Ask also how long your truck will be off the road.
What to include in your request
- Truck chassis and its GVM
- Equipment needed and its rating
- New fit or replacement part
- Full conversion or single item
- When the truck can be off the road
Tow Truck Equipment for different clients
- Motorists and families: an owner-driver upgrading a used rollback with a new winch and lights
- Company fleets and rental firms: standard equipment across several tow trucks for easy servicing and spares
- Truckers, buses and logistics: a heavy underlift and boom for recovering the company's own trucks
- Farmers and 4x4 owners: a rollback body on a used truck to move farm vehicles and small machines
- Dealers, panel beaters and workshops: a rollback conversion for a panel shop or dealer that moves its own cars
- Construction, mining and plant hire: a heavy deck and winch for moving site vehicles and compact plant
- Caravan, boat and bike owners: a light rollback body for moving race cars, bikes and classics
- Municipalities, estates and schools: underlifts, lights and dollies for municipal and traffic department tow trucks
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my truck into a tow truck?
What is a wheel-lift underlift?
How much does tow truck equipment cost?
Do you supply the equipment?
Tow Truck Equipment by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg