Road obstacle removal vehicles were first used in countries with very developed road traffic. The United States produced the first road obstacle removal vehicle in the world as early as the 1950s. At that time, this kind of special vehicle was relatively simple in structure. It was driven by the engine, driven by the mechanical transmission, driven by the winch mechanism, and supported by the pull rod. One end of the faulty vehicle was lifted and towed away from the site. In addition, the self-made chassis was often used, and its functions were relatively simple. This was the first stage of the development of road obstacle removal vehicles.

It is often said that 3 tons, 5 tons, 8 tons, 20 tons and other specifications of obstacle removal vehicles actually refer to the level of bearing capacity of the chassis used by this type of obstacle removal vehicle. It has a certain relationship with the total mass of the towed vehicle in terms of capacity, but there is no inevitable connection. The larger the tonnage, the greater the operating capacity of the obstacle removal vehicle.