Towing with a wrecker?

So this popped up on craigslist while I'm looking for a truck:

https://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/d/1975-chevy-tow-truck-with/6583689712.html

Is there any practical use to having a wrecker? I assume I could easily use it to tow junk home that I buy in town but what about towing long distances?

It doesn't seem very practical but it is definitely cool. Is the wrecker bed worth anything if I took it off to put on a flat bed or regular bed?

I would think towing anything that has a plastic bumper would just result in broken plastic. Modern wreckers all have the hydraulic lifts to pick the car up by the wheels.

EvanB said:

Is there any practical use to having a wrecker?

 Understand that I say this with love, but that's the dumbest question I've ever heard.

I have several.  Don’t get one without a wheel lift unless you’re just hauling junk.

Turbo diesel is the way to go.  My first tow truck had a 350/4speed and current a 7.3 powerstroke and 5 speed with slightly larger injectors and a 6 map chip.

Also,  talk to your insurance agent first.  

wae said:

EvanB said:

Is there any practical use to having a wrecker?

 Understand that I say this with love, but that's the dumbest question I've ever heard.

Well...yea. Maybe a better question would be is there any practical use to having an old wrecker with the sling boom?

Nope, still a dumb question. 

They're very heavy. A stock 350 with a loaded trailer is pretty much Max capacity. Same for the brakes. 

You'll have to have a custom hitch installed, and backing a trailer with the hitch so close to the axle is a bitch, and requires a lot more space to swing the truck around. 

On the plus side, the winch will be invaluable, but that's about it. 

When I was thinking about something similar, I was told they're also pretty rough over long distances/interstate.

No, hard pass no. 

EvanB said:

wae said:

EvanB said:

Is there any practical use to having a wrecker?

 Understand that I say this with love, but that's the dumbest question I've ever heard.

Well...yea. Maybe a better question would be is there any practical use to having an old wrecker with the sling boom?

Nope, still a dumb question. 

-  If you have property they can come in handy.  I use mine like a tractor fairly often for moving things around etc.  They're also great for pulling engines if you have an extendable boom.  Once I got the F450,  which is much more capable than my old sling truck,  I have done all kinds of things you normally wouldn't think of using a wrecker for.

- I guess I'm just a big kid,  but I think they're fun to have around and operate, practice recoveries, etc.  However,  I also have a firetruck,  so I'm a little weird.

Towing long distances?  No,  it would definitely suck.  I also have a nice f550 XLT diesel rollback and I still much prefer using my Silverado dually and trailer for distance towing.

Well this is the first time GRM has talked me out of something. You guys are slipping. 

If it had a wheel lift I would definitely buy it. I very rarely tow cars where the sling could be used so I should probably save the money for an actual truck. 

In reply to EvanB :

yeah,  wheel lift is a game changer. 

Something like this would be a good budget rig with a little work.

https://semo.craigslist.org/cto/d/90-ford-f450-super-duty-tow/6544641441.html 

i was here thinking it was a texas rollback, avoid this pile. worst of both worlds.

well......since you can only tow things with metal bumpers......I mean, you could use it to steal old volvos parked on random streets.

So yes, there is ONE practical use for it.

How many dirty wife beaters do you own? Gold chains?

Cooter from Dukes of Hazard used one just like it.  Do you have friends who drive a vintage Charger?

In reply to Cotton :

Dang, I have wanted a fire truck forever!  I looked at one, it went for $2300. A local limo company bought it, fitted the top with seatbelts and rents it out for birthday parties.  I see it every summer. I swear, if I ever get the land or storage...

Since I drove/ repoed with a f450 and a rollback I have some experience. Definitely only get one with a wheel lift. But, a old rollback is more versatile. The short wheel base on a f450 4x4 regular cab is horrible on the freeway unless you have a car on the stinger/lift. You are limited with a wrecker if you want to pick up a awd vehicle. Either remove the drive shaft (not easy on some) or find one with dollies. If you have the room, the rollback can make you a few bucks especially if it has a stinger. You can pick up two cars, one for yourself another for a friend for fuel money. Hydraulic brake truck doesn’t typically require a CDL. At least not in ohio. 

However you could use this as a mobile engine hoist. Tow trucks have been used lots in various types of racing at the track to pull or put in an engine.