Towing Companies
There are several methods in transporting a vehicle from one location to another. However, the distinction between a towing company to an auto transport company is that the former is able to do it in short distances, and it is able to perform the duty immediately. Which is the reason towing companies are very effective in emergency roadside situations.
Immediate Response or Services
When your vehicle has broken down on the road, and you need assistance immediately, your best bet is to call a towing company. Although it can provide fast service, the cost may be higher compared to an auto towing company. Towing companies are suitable for moving vehicles both in the day or night, as most of the tow truck companies are operating 24 hours a day. Depending on different companies, they probably will have wheel lift tow truck and/or flatbed tow trucks for moving the vehicles.
Wide Range of Services
Towing companies also perform a variety of services, including roadside services such as tire change, jump start, fuel delivery, ditch recovery. Some towing companies are contracted by local police or government agencies to perform impounding or repossession.
Auto Transport Companies
An auto transport company will transport vehicles for long distances in planned situations. Auto transport companies are also known by many names; auto shipping, vehicle shipping, car shipping, car transport, these are the terms for this service.
Long Distance Transportation
Sometimes long distance towing is also referred to auto transport. In this service, the transported vehicles are organized and planned before transported to the destination, normally requiring at least one to two days. The moving is done in planned situations, not out of emergencies or roadside assistance. For instance, the vehicle which is to be transported is ready for transportation one to three days before the transport team arrives.
Economies of Scale
The whole idea of auto transport is saving through numbers. For example, if you need to move 20 cars to a certain destination, it would not be cost effective to deliver them one by one. The better way is to hire an auto transport company and arrange a date with them to have all the 20 cars moved to that destination. This will lead to savings in transportation cost. Also, auto transport companies will most likely employ the use of flatbed tow trucks to ensure no damage will occur to the transported vehicles.
