How SHIFTR Complements Tow Trucks for Car Hauling Jobs

Glen Reid
November 1, 2025

How SHIFTR Complements Tow Trucks for Car Hauling Jobs

Tow companies face a daily challenge: deciding whether to dispatch a full-size tow truck for a job that doesn’t really need one.

Simple vehicle deliveries, dealership drop-offs, and recovery of low cars or motorcycles are often overkill for heavy-duty transporters.

That’s where SHIFTR car hauler trailer comes in: offering a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to tow truck hire.

It’s important to be clear: SHIFTR isn’t a tow truck replacement.

It’s a purpose built vehicle transport trailer, designed to add agility, versatility, and profitability to fleets that already handle premium vehicle movement or short-haul transfers.

Right-Sizing the Job

Not every call-out justifies sending out a $200K rig.

SHIFTR shines in these use cases:

  • Single vehicle transfers between workshops, dealerships, or auctions
  • Motorcycle or low car recovery, especially where clearance is a problem
  • Overflow demand during busy times: SHIFTR keeps your operation moving
  • Urban and restricted access zones where larger vehicles can’t reach
  • White-glove or EV transport where a soft, smooth load is critical

These jobs require precision, not brute force.

Why SHIFTR Makes Sense for Transport-Focused Fleets

Lower Operating Costs

Tow with your existing ute or SUV, no special licenses, no high diesel bills.

Insurance-Friendly Setup

SHIFTR trailers are often covered by your tow vehicle’s insurance.

No need for costly separate commercial trailer policies, whether you're towing with a work truck, your everyday vehicle, or even your wife’s SUV.

Fast, Solo Operation

Remote-controlled, ground-level loading and unloading makes vehicle transport safer and quicker, often under 60 seconds from drop to drive-off.

Takes the Load Off Your Main Fleet

SHIFTR handles the lighter, easier jobs, allowing your primary tow trucks to stay focused on high-value or emergency calls.

Perfect for Owner-Operators & Specialist Jobs

Particularly suited to workshop-to-workshop transport, dealership logistics, and car club event support.

A Smarter Fleet, Not a Bigger One

Think of SHIFTR as a business tool with fast ROI, not a capital burden.

With prices starting at just $11,995, SHIFTR can do many of the same jobs as a $200,000 tow truck at a fraction of the cost.

For example:

  1. A standard tow truck doing a local vehicle drop-off might cost $1.50/km in fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation.
  2. The same job with SHIFTR? You tow with your existing vehicle, use less fuel, and avoid downtime.

Over the course of just 2-3 jobs per week, a SHIFTR trailer can pay for itself in under a year, all while freeing up your big trucks for more profitable work.

Don’t Force a Tow Truck to Do Car Trailer Work

Industry insights show SHIFTR is not ideal for:

Police impounds or emergency tows (which require a wheel lift)

Multi-vehicle transport or heavy recovery

Contracted municipal work

But for premium single-vehicle movement, particularly for EVs, low-clearance cars, or short-range hauling, SHIFTR fills a gap that traditional tow trucks simply weren’t built for.

Ready to Add Agility to Your Fleet?

If you’re looking for a versatile, professional-grade trailer that fits seamlessly into your transport operation, SHIFTR lowering trailer is your next move.