It is generally accepted that wreckers are used for the recovery of vehicles in addition to towing, although they are not always equipped for towing. Tow trucks are trucks that are used to tow or haul a vehicle. Wrecker trucks, on the other hand, are used to recover vehicles. As a matter of fact, wrecker trucks and tow trucks can be used interchangeably, but a wrecker truck cannot be used as a tow truck at the same time.