Carriers (Rollbacks) range up to 30 ft. in length and generally transport and tow automobiles, pickup trucks, and small vans.
Carriers used for hauling passenger vehicles are referred to as car carriers or automotive carriers.
Carriers are equipped with winches to pull the vehicle onto the platform deck in case the vehicle cannot be driven onto the bed of the carrier. Also, these are usually equipped with a wheel-lift, tow bar or under-lift system which enables towing of an additional vehicle behind it.
Larger carriers are used as multi-car carriers or for transporting large vehicles, farm machinery, construction equipment and industrial equipment—commonly referred to as equipment transporters or industrial carriers.
Based on load capacity, carriers are classified as light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty.
| Light-Duty Carriers feature a bed assembly with a minimum distributed load capacity of 7,500 lbs. and may feature a wheel-lift or under-lift system with a minimum lifting capacity of 2,000 lbs. These units normally have a winch with a minimum line pull capacity of 8,000 lbs. Deck lengths range between 17 ft. and 22 ft. |  |
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Medium-Duty Carriers feature deck lengths ranging between 17 ft. and 22 ft. and load capacities ranging between 15,000 lbs. and 20,000 lbs. Medium-duty carriers are equipped with a winch with a minimum line pull capacity of 10,000 lbs. and can haul up to three cars. Three-car carriers have two platform decks—a main deck in lengths ranging from 19 ft. to 22 ft. and load capacity of about 12,000 lbs., and an upper deck or over-the-cab deck which has a length ranging from 12 ft. 6 inches to 14 ft. 5 inches and load capacity between 5,000 lbs. and 7,000 lbs. These carriers also have a wheel-lift or an under-lift system for an additional car. The upper deck features a winch and tilts onto the main deck to load and unload cars. |
| Heavy-Duty Carriers feature deck lengths ranging between 18 ft. and 30 ft. and a minimum load capacity of 20,000 lbs. Heavy-duty car carriers can haul up to four cars. Three-car and four-car carriers have two decks—a main deck in lengths ranging from 20 ft. to 30 ft. with load capacity of 20,000 lbs., and an upper deck in lengths ranging between 12 ft. 6 inches and 14 ft. 5 inches, with load capacities ranging between 5,000 lbs. and 7,000 lbs. The main deck can haul up to two cars. Multi-car carriers also have a wheel-lift or an under-lift for towing an additional car. |  |