How Much Does a Wrecker Tow Truck Cost? Complete Buying Guide for 2025

Are you thinking about buying a wrecker tow truck? Maybe you want to start a towing business or add to your truck fleet? You need to know how much these big trucks cost. This guide will tell you everything about wrecker tow truck prices in plain talk.

What You Will Learn

• How much new tow trucks cost
• How much used tow trucks cost
• What makes tow truck prices go up or down
• Ways to save money when buying a tow truck
• Real costs of owning a tow truck

Types of Wrecker Tow Trucks and Their Costs

There are different kinds of tow trucks. Each one costs a different amount of money.

New Tow Truck Costs in 2025

Truck Type	Price Range	Popular Models
Light Duty	$75,000 – $120,000	Ford F750, HINO Rollback
Medium Duty	$120,000 – $200,000	International MV, Kenworth T380
Heavy Duty	$200,000 – $250,000	Peterbilt 567, Freightliner

The Peterbilt 567 is a top truck with a 35-ton wrecker that costs between $200,000 and $250,000. It has a Cummins X15 engine and automatic transmission. This truck can lift very heavy things.

A Ford F750 light duty truck costs less. You might pay $75,000 to $120,000. These trucks are good for towing cars in the city.

Used Tow Truck Costs

Want to save money? Used tow trucks cost less.

Truck Type	Used Price Range	Popular Models
Light Duty Used	$30,000 – $60,000	International 4700
Medium Duty Used	$50,000 – $80,000	International MV 2025
Heavy Duty Used	$80,000 – $120,000	Kenworth T880 2025

A used International MV from 2025 with a 22-foot rollback body costs between $80,000 and $120,000. These trucks still work well but cost less than new ones.

What Makes Tow Truck Prices Go Up or Down?

Many things change how much a wrecker tow truck costs.

Equipment Type

The towing equipment on the truck changes the price a lot:

• Flatbed carriers: Good for cars, cost less
• Wheel-lift systems: Mid-price, good for many jobs
• Heavy-duty boom systems: Most expensive, lift big trucks
• Rotator systems: Very expensive, can move in many ways

A Jerr-Dan 35-ton wrecker with special boom equipment costs more than simple tow trucks.

Brand Differences

Some brands cost more than others:

• Peterbilt/Freightliner: Top brands, cost the most ($150,000+)
• HINO/International: Good value, cost less ($75,000-$150,000)

Extra Features

These things make the price go up:

• Better hydraulic systems: +$10,000 – $30,000
• Safety features and lights: +$5,000 – $15,000
• Special tools for different jobs: +$2,000 – $10,000

The Real Cost of Owning a Tow Truck

Buying the truck is just the start. You need to think about these costs too:

Insurance Costs

Tow truck insurance is expensive. You might pay:

• $8,000 – $15,000 each year
• More for heavy-duty trucks
• More if you work in busy cities

Keeping the Truck Running

You need to pay for:

• Diesel fuel: $1,500 – $3,000 each month
• Fixing parts: $2,000+ for hydraulic system repairs
• Oil changes and regular check-ups: $300 – $500 every few months

Loan Payments

Most people don’t pay cash for a tow truck. You might need to:

• Put down 10% – 20% at first
• Pay 6% – 12% interest
• Make payments for 5-7 years

How to Save Money When Buying a Tow Truck

Want to spend less? Try these tips:

Where to Buy

• Truck dealers like Commercial Truck Trader have many choices
• Auctions might have good deals but check the trucks carefully
• Direct from makers might give you better prices for new trucks

Talk Down the Price

• Ask for a better deal if you buy more than one truck
• See if they’ll take your old truck as part of the payment
• Buy at the end of the year when dealers want to sell their trucks

Money Help from the Government

• Look for tax breaks for business trucks
• Some places give money to help buy eco-friendly trucks
• Write off business costs on your taxes

Questions People Often Ask

How much does a tow service cost?

Most towing services charge:

• $50 – $125 for a short tow (5-10 miles)
• $75 hook-up fee plus $2 – $4 per mile for long tows
• A 40-mile tow usually costs $125 – $250

Will my car insurance pay for towing?

Many car insurance plans include free towing. Check your policy before you call a tow truck. This can save you money when your car breaks down.

What do I need to get a loan for a tow truck?

To get a tow truck loan, you usually need:

• Credit score of 600 or higher
• Down payment of 10% – 20%
• Business plan that shows how you’ll make money

Real Tow Truck Examples You Can Buy in 2025

Here are some real trucks for sale right now:

1. 2025 Peterbilt 567: 35-ton wrecker with Jerr-Dan equipment, Cummins X15 engine, 6×4 drive, air ride suspension – $235,000
2. 2025 International MV: 22-foot rollback body, 10,000 lb winch, 3,500 lb wheel lift – $110,000
3. 2025 Kenworth T880: Heavy-duty wrecker available at Tow World Inc. – Call for price

Should You Buy New or Used?

Both have good and bad points:

New Trucks:

• Work better, break down less
• Have the newest safety features
• Cost much more money
• Lose value quickly

Used Trucks:

• Cost much less to buy
• May need more repairs
• Might not have new safety features
• Better value for starting businesses

Best Tow Trucks by Job Type

Different jobs need different trucks.

For city towing (cars and SUVs): Ford F750 with rollback bed is perfect for moving cars safely across town.

For highway towing (big trucks): Peterbilt 567 or Kenworth T880 with heavy-duty equipment can handle truck tractor units for semi-trailers that break down.

For accident recovery: Special trucks with advanced equipment like those used in emergency vehicles help clear crash sites.

Regional Price Differences

Tow truck prices change based on where you live:

• West Coast: Prices are 10-15% higher
• Midwest: Best prices, often 5-10% lower than average
• Northeast: Higher prices due to rust protection needs
• South: Mid-range prices, better deals on used trucks

Financing Your Tow Truck

Most people get loans to buy tow trucks. Here’s how it works:

1. You put down 10-20% of the price
2. You get a loan for the rest
3. You pay back the loan over 5-7 years
4. Interest rates are usually 6%-12%

Many companies that sell trucks can help you get a loan too.

Starting a Towing Business

If you want to start a towing business with your new truck, you need:

• Business license
• Commercial insurance
• Contracts with roadside help companies
• Drivers with special licenses
• Place to park your trucks

A new business might need $300,000-$500,000 to get started with one heavy-duty truck.

Keeping Your Tow Truck Running Well

To make your truck last longer:

• Change the oil every 5,000-10,000 miles
• Check hydraulic systems every month
• Rotate tires every 6,000-8,000 miles
• Get full service check-ups twice a year
• Fix small problems before they get big

Future of Tow Trucks

Tow trucks are changing. New trucks have:

• Better fuel economy
• Electric motors in some light-duty trucks
• Computer systems to help drivers
• Better safety features
• More comfortable cabs for drivers

Should You Rent or Buy?

Sometimes renting a tow truck makes more sense:

Rent when:

• You only need it for a short time
• You want to try before you buy
• Your main truck is being fixed

Buy when:

• You need it all the time
• You want to build a business
• You have many years of work ahead

Final Thoughts: Making a Smart Choice

Buying a wrecker tow truck is a big choice. Think about:

1. How much work you’ll do
2. What kinds of cars or trucks you’ll tow
3. Your budget now and over time
4. New vs. used trucks
5. The total cost of owning the truck

Take your time, do research, and pick the truck that fits your needs and budget. A good tow truck can make you money for many years if you choose wisely.