Heavy Duty Towing in Gilbert, AZ
When a box truck breaks down on the Loop 202 Santan, a regular tow truck isn’t going to cut it. When an RV loses its transmission on US 60, you need equipment that can handle the weight. When a construction company needs a piece of heavy equipment moved across Gilbert, they need operators who know what they’re doing. That’s heavy duty towing, and it’s a completely different game from towing a sedan.
Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing provides heavy duty towing service across Gilbert and the East Valley for vehicles and equipment over 10,000 pounds. We’re talking commercial trucks, RVs, buses, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and anything else too big and too heavy for a standard tow truck. Our heavy duty rigs and experienced operators handle these jobs safely and efficiently. And here’s the Thompson’s difference: for commercial trucks and fleet vehicles that need repair after the tow, our full-service auto repair shop can handle much of that work in-house. One company for the tow, one company for the fix.
Why Choose Thompson’s for Heavy Duty Towing
Heavy duty towing isn’t something you hand to a rookie. The margin for error is zero when you’re moving 20,000+ pounds down the road. Improper rigging can cause catastrophic failures. Wrong weight distribution on the tow rig can make the whole setup unstable. Inadequate equipment means the job doesn’t get done at all — or worse, it goes sideways.
Bryan Vivian has built Thompson’s heavy duty towing capability over more than 30 years in the business. Our operators are trained and experienced with large loads. They understand weight ratings, proper rigging points, DOT regulations for oversize loads, and the specific challenges of moving heavy equipment through Gilbert’s streets and highways.
For commercial customers, downtime is money. A delivery truck that’s broken down on Gilbert Road isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a delay that costs the company revenue with every passing hour. We understand that urgency. Our heavy duty towing response is fast and our operators work efficiently because they know what’s at stake for your business.
Thompson’s also serves as a repair facility for many of the vehicles we tow. Medium-duty commercial trucks, fleet vehicles, and work trucks can often be diagnosed and repaired at our shop. Instead of towing to a lot and then arranging separate transport to a heavy truck repair facility, we can handle both steps ourselves whenever the repair falls within our capabilities.
How Heavy Duty Towing Works
Call Thompson’s at 480-418-9206. Heavy duty calls require more information than a standard tow. We need to know: What type of vehicle or equipment? Approximate weight? Is it loaded or empty? Where is it? Can it roll, or is it completely immobile?
We assess the job and dispatch the right equipment. Based on the details, we send the appropriately rated truck and any auxiliary equipment needed — extended boom, extra rigging, support vehicles. We don’t send a truck that’s barely rated for the load. We send the right tool for the job.
Our operator secures the scene. For highway breakdowns, this may involve coordinating with ADOT or DPS for traffic control. For off-road or construction site recoveries, we assess the terrain and plan the approach before moving anything.
We rig and move the vehicle or equipment. Proper attachment points, proper chains and straps rated for the load, proper weight distribution on the tow rig. The load is moved slowly and carefully — heavy duty towing is not a race.
Delivery to the designated location. Whether it’s our shop, a dealership, a commercial repair facility, or back to your fleet yard, we deliver safely and confirm with you.
What We Tow — Heavy Duty
- Box trucks and delivery trucks — Broken down during deliveries, won’t start at the warehouse, mechanical failure on the highway
- RVs and motorhomes — Class A, B, and C motorhomes that break down during travel or need to be relocated
- Buses — Shuttle buses, church buses, school buses (non-commercial)
- Construction equipment — Skid steers, excavators, backhoes — when the trailer breaks down or the equipment needs relocation
- Agricultural equipment — Tractors and farm implements that need transport in the Queen Creek and San Tan Valley areas
- Large pickup trucks — Duallys, one-ton trucks, loaded work trucks that exceed light duty weight limits
- Trailers — Flatbed trailers, enclosed trailers, utility trailers — especially when loaded
- Fleet vehicles — We work with commercial fleets throughout the East Valley for towing and repair
Service Areas
Our heavy duty towing covers a broad area, as commercial vehicles often need transport over longer distances:
- Gilbert and surrounding neighborhoods: Including the industrial areas along Elliot Road, Gilbert Road, and the Santan Freeway corridor
- Major highways: Loop 202 Santan, US 60, Loop 101, and I-10 corridors
- Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley
- Tempe, Scottsdale, east Phoenix, Ahwatukee
- Extended service area — For heavy duty jobs, we can travel farther than our standard service area. Call and we’ll discuss your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the maximum weight you can tow?
Our heavy duty trucks handle vehicles and equipment up to 25 tons (50,000 lbs). For loads beyond that, or for specialized transport needs, call us — we can often arrange the right solution or refer you to a specialist we trust.
Can you tow my RV if it breaks down?
Yes. RVs are one of our most common heavy duty tow calls, especially during snowbird season when the East Valley sees a huge influx of motorhomes. We handle Class A, B, and C motorhomes and know how to move them without damaging slides, awnings, or other external features.
Do you work with commercial fleets?
Absolutely. We work with delivery companies, construction firms, and local businesses that operate commercial vehicles. We understand that downtime costs money and we prioritize getting your vehicle towed and repaired as quickly as possible.
How much does heavy duty towing cost?
Heavy duty towing costs more than light duty because of the equipment involved — larger trucks, more fuel, more time. The exact price depends on the vehicle, distance, and complexity. We give you a quote before we start so there are no surprises. For commercial accounts, we can discuss fleet pricing arrangements.
Can you move non-running equipment?
Yes. If the vehicle or equipment can’t move under its own power and can’t roll freely, we use winch equipment and rigging to load it onto our trucks. We handle non-running vehicles and machinery regularly.
Heavy Vehicle Stuck? Call Thompson’s.
When the load is too big for a standard tow truck, Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing has the heavy duty equipment and the experienced operators to handle it. Over 30 years of towing in Gilbert — from sedans to semi-trucks. We get the big stuff moved safely.
Call 480-418-9206 for heavy duty towing in Gilbert and the East Valley. Available 24/7.