Buying a tow truck for sale is a large business decision, whether you are starting out or adding to a fleet. The chassis has to carry the body and the load with margin, the body has to suit the work you will get, and the paperwork has to be in order before the first job. New trucks are often built to order by a body builder on a new chassis, while used trucks need careful inspection. Send us what you need, and dealers and builders will send free, no-obligation quotes.
Rollback or wheel-lift
- Rollback (flatbed): a deck slides and tilts to the ground and the car is winched on. It suits automatics, all-wheel drive, low cars, electric cars and accident damage, which covers much of the work operators get. See flatbed towing.
- Wheel-lift (underlift): an arm lifts one axle and the car rolls on the other. Lighter and quicker for short tows and parking work.
- Combination: a rollback with a wheel-lift at the rear can carry one car and tow a second.
- Heavy wreckers: booms and underlifts for trucks and buses on a heavy chassis.
Chassis and body
Match the chassis GVM to the body's mass plus the heaviest vehicle you will carry, with margin. A deck that is too long for the wheelbase overloads the rear axle. Ask for the body's mass, deck length, winch rating and hydraulic pump type. On a new build, ask whether the chassis warranty stays valid with the body fitted and how long the build takes.
What to inspect on a used truck
Look for cracks around the deck pivots and sub-frame, leaking hydraulic rams and hoses, a worn winch rope and a slow power take-off. Check the deck slides and tilts smoothly under load. Check the service history, the engine and gearbox, tyres and brakes. Confirm the registration papers match the truck and that it will pass a roadworthy as a breakdown vehicle. Ask whether the driver will need a professional driving permit.
Price and comparing offers
A new rollback tow truck is often quoted at about R520,000 to R796,000 excl VAT, depending on the chassis and body. Used prices vary with age, kilometres and condition. Compare quotes on the same chassis class, deck, winch and extras, and ask about finance, delivery and after-sales service. For bodies and kit on your own chassis, see tow truck equipment.
What to include in your request
- Rollback, wheel-lift or combination
- New or used, and budget excl VAT
- Heaviest vehicle you will carry
- Deck length and winch rating wanted
- Finance or cash, and delivery area
Tow Trucks for Sale for different clients
- Motorists and families: a first used rollback for an owner-driver starting a towing business
- Company fleets and rental firms: a rollback to move pool cars, rental returns and broken vans in house
- Truckers, buses and logistics: a heavy wrecker to recover the company's own trucks and trailers
- Farmers and 4x4 owners: a rollback that moves bakkies, quads and small tractors between farms
- Dealers, panel beaters and workshops: a rollback for a dealer or panel shop to fetch and deliver cars
- Construction, mining and plant hire: a heavy rollback for site vehicles, compactors and small machines
- Caravan, boat and bike owners: a light rollback for moving race cars, classics and off-road vehicles
- Municipalities, estates and schools: a rollback for municipal fleets, traffic departments and estate security
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new tow truck cost in South Africa?
Should I buy a new or used tow truck?
What size truck do I need for car towing?
Do you sell tow trucks?
Tow Trucks for Sale 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