Who knows about wreckers/tow trucks

[JLinder]

I'm wondering about owning a tow truck... Around here, there are a couple of tow companies but they all fit the stereo-type: Toothless hillbilly's that talk like they didn't pass the 4th grade. The equipment is crap, so bad I wonder what people are thinking letting them tow around their pride and joy. I know there is money to be made in the towing industry, or nobody would do it. I've searched around the internet, but I haven't found much info regarding requirements, operating costs, and the legal stuff.



I really want to be self employed ( yeah I know about the headaches), but I don't want to lose my butt trying. I figure since I'm kind of a gearhead any way and I don't mind dealing with the public (already in sales), maybe a shiny new Cummins powered wrecker would be the ticket.



Any of you guys have any knowledge in this area?

 

[Whitmore]

I would think that insurance would be very high, but I am just guessing



cheers, Kevin

 

[krohn]

JLinder, there is some things you need to do to be successful. First, I suggest buying either a Freightliner FL-60 or International with a Jerr-Dann rollback bed. Avoid Chevy heavy duties!!!



The reason I say to get a rollback is because you can hook up alot of different things to it, you can rig up hookups(say if a car is parked perpendicular to where your truck can go I. E. something is in the way, you can rig it with D-hooks and slide it out without moving the obstruction) you can "walk" the truck for example if you need the bed so high to load at an angle or incline, you can do so, or if the car is locked and its in park you can effectively use the bed to move the truck forward while keeping the bed put in one place and you can roll the car off with sliders(plastic wheel skids) on the back wheels to get the rear wheels on the ground then slide the bed forward to get the front of the car off. It's a lifesaver!! Believe me!!You can perform winch-outs with a flatbed by tilting it a little and rigging it with the D-hooks(it's good to have two people for winch-outs) Our Freightliner 60 was about 35k stock and under 70k with the bed and stinger.



Next thing to do is contact AAA, USAC(wouldnt recommend them but they bring in business) and other auto clubs and sign up to be a certified tower in your area.



Next thing is go to your local auto dealerships and contract tows with them. let the local authorities know your in biz, state police, county mounties, etc. I dont know about your local laws but around here we have to have reds in order to do accident scenes and a red light license. Check all local laws regarding towing and remember to look out for blue wrappers( the DOT) they can be a pain in the but if your top-heavy, front-heavy, no safety chain in use, watch your axle weights. If you start towing heavy get an air tag axle or get a bigger truck.



Get good insurance(youll need it) Get ready to pay for ****** off customers bc two weeks ago we had one complain about his hook up holes on the chassis were stretched(which happens on just about every tow you will have. ) It doesnt hurt the vehicle but just makes a bigger whole that you can't see anyway. We had to pay $200 to weld in a little chunk of metal in there. MAKE SURE THE CUSTOMER SIGNS THE INVOICE AND DISCLAIMER BEFORE PERFORMING WORK!!!



I would suggest getting land or using land for wrecked cars and repos,impounds. we charge $12 a day for storage. Our tows are based on area and mileage usaully $45 a tow and $2 a mile after hookup. $75 hourly rate. We make customers pay either $75, prove they have insurance or sign their title over to retrieve personal items from impounded cars.



Invest in a big printer like an office one(you will need one) call AW Direct for a catolog(good products)



All in all I would suggest doing it becuase if you know what your doing and you manage properly, you stand to make some money. Main thing is to get noticed and known in your area. It's not a hard job but it can get hairy out there in the interstate medians in the wintertime. REMEMBER=there are laws out there to protect towers, check up on them and use them to your advantage!!Remember to be save and use your head, a split second could mean your life. I wish you luck and if you have any more questions pm me or email me at -- email address removed --



Best of luck, Nick

 

[JLinder]

Thanks for the great info Nick.

 

[Proram]

Tow trucks

IMO, Towing is a cut throat buissness. If you want to make Big bucks towing look in to the BIG truck end of it. There's an old saying "Big Trucks = Big Bucks" The bust way to go about it is get hooked up w/ somebody who does it now. (goes for the lite towing end too. ) The proper ins. can be fairly expesive, but if something would happen you don't lose everything you own.

I did it for Years and made a very good living out of it. (I Did specialty towing and recovery of big stuff) you WILL work your Butt off!!! Only reason i'm not into it any more is Bad back.

Sold equip. to Someone local. On the lite end of it you have to cut your rates so low some times just to get the work it's just not worth it! I did it w/ a Pete/ 3035 Nomar and a White/750 holmes

setup and made 85k in 6 months With just part time help in the 750 trk. So what I'm saying is THROUGHLY research both ends

of the spectrum. Look for a mag. called Tow Times Lot's of good info. JMHO Scott/Proram

 

[krohn]

Good point Proram, I forgot about the money to be made there. But it does cost alot to go heavy, the truck costs are insane and there alot more specialty equipment to buy and ALOT more training. Pulling semis off of interstate overpasses int like winching a honda civic out of a ditch. It takes careful planning and expertise which could come from like Proram said join a local company to get the ropes. Plus you would need multiple trucks for semi accidents. We have a co. around here that has 3 hd semi wreckers and two flatbeds and thats about the minimum around here and that in Des Moines, Ia! so it just depends on your area. Hope this helps.



Nick

 

[QRTRHRS]

I said it before and I will say it again.

When it come to trucking, any type of trucking, semi's, hot shots, tow trucks, etc. , don't rush in. Go to work for someone else first. Learning the ropes while making those payments has cost more than one person their home. Even with the economy in the crapper, I can pick up my newspaper and see a bunch of ads for drivers. Those jobs may not be the best but your going to learn if it's what you want and if you have what it takes to do it.