A tow truck is like a superhero for cars that can’t drive. But towing can be complicated, especially if you’re new to the business.
First, you need to understand payload capacity and GVWR. GVWR is the weight a vehicle can be loaded to, while payload is the amount of cargo (including people) a tow truck can carry. Contact Towing Glendale AZ now!
If you’re in the business of towing or are thinking about becoming a tow truck driver, you might be curious as to how the industry came to be. It’s actually a very interesting story that goes back to the days before cars were even invented.
Before the age of cars, vehicles that broke down were often pulled by large animals. These animals were used to help vehicles get out of mud or snow, or they were simply used to get the vehicle to its destination. This process could take hours, especially if several men had to be brought in to help.
Once cars came onto the scene, however, things began to change. It wasn’t uncommon for vehicles to break down or become stuck, and it was also very difficult to get them out of these situations – particularly since no effective towing tools were available at the time. Typically, it would take many men and hours to get a car out of a ditch or even back to the road after it had become bogged down in the dirt.
In 1916, an incident occurred in Chattanooga, Tennessee that would ultimately lead to the creation of the first tow truck. A Ford Model T found its way into the Chickamauga Creek, and the effort to retrieve it required a lot of manpower. This effort inspired Ernest Holmes Sr. to create a prototype that would eventually go on to start the towing industry. His solution was a chain and pulley system that could be mounted on the chassis of a 1913 Cadillac – this became the first tow truck or wrecker. It was later improved with the addition of outriggers, which helped stabilize the towed vehicle when it was being hoisted off the ground.
The Basics
When you’re towing, your vehicle and trailer are basically a team. Both need to be able to work together, and both have specific needs for safety and efficiency. The first step is to understand your trailer’s capabilities. The easiest place to start is by reading the towing section of your owner’s manual. It may also be helpful to ask the experts at a local automotive store for more information.
Once you know your towing capacity, it’s important to keep that number in mind. You’ll need to take into account your own vehicle weight, the weight of the people and cargo in it, the weight of the trailer you’re pulling, and the load’s distribution.
If you’re planning on hauling a large or heavy load, it’s a good idea to install a transmission and engine oil cooler. These will help prevent overheating and prolong the life of your engine and transmission. You should also consider upgrading your suspension and installing a more powerful engine. In addition, many vehicles have a Tow/Haul mode that changes the transmission’s programming to hold gears longer and shift slower up hills.
Finally, always make sure that you increase your following distance when towing. Keeping a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will help prevent accidents. It will also make it easier to stop, and it will give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your vehicle isn’t being damaged by other drivers.
Safety
Whether you’re a weekend tow-er who hauls your offroad toys or the family camper, or you’re helping out with a friend’s move, it’s important that you take safety precautions when operating a vehicle with a trailer attached. First, you’ll want to make sure that your vehicle’s suspension system is in good condition. Towing puts extra strain on these components, so it’s a good idea to have them inspected regularly by a mechanic.
Next, it’s vital to use safety chains or straps to secure the towed vehicle to the towing equipment. Neglecting this step can lead to the towed vehicle coming loose and potentially damaging both vehicles. It’s also crucial to properly position the towed vehicle on the trailer and avoid making sharp turns while towing. These actions can cause the towed vehicle to impact or hit the rear of the towing truck, which can be dangerous for both drivers.
Another common mistake is not properly securing the steering wheel of the towed vehicle. This can lead to unexpected movements during transport and increase the risk of collisions. It’s important to train operators on safe methods for securing the steering wheel of towed vehicles and to regularly check and reinforce these procedures.
Finally, it’s essential to understand a vehicle’s towing capacity and adhere to its limits. Overloading a vehicle with a trailer can result in damage to the vehicle and its suspension system. Additionally, overloaded vehicles put a greater burden on the engine and drivetrain, which can lead to premature wear and tear. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications for your vehicle and towing equipment and follow the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) guidelines for towing capacities.
Insurance
If you operate a towing business, you need special insurance. While your business may be insured under regular commercial auto insurance policies, you need additional coverage for the trailers and vehicles being towed. Typically, this kind of policy covers only liability, which would cover damage to other vehicles and property caused by the trailer in an accident, but it can also include other protections such as garagekeepers legal liability insurance that protects your customers’ cars while they are in your care or on the flatbed.
Roadside assistance and road service is a common feature of these types of policies, and it can be used to pay for towing costs as well as other expenses that might come up when a car or truck breaks down or is involved in an accident. These kinds of insurance policies typically provide a number to call for roadside help that will dispatch a professional rather than having you follow a typical car insurance claims process.
In addition to these roadside coverage features, some providers also offer standalone towing and roadside assistance policies that are separate from other auto insurance policies. These can be an affordable option, especially if you already carry a full-coverage policy through another provider.
Other insurance coverage that you may need for a tow truck business includes commercial general liability, which can be essential if your business is sued. It can also be helpful to have property damage liability, which could pay for repairs or replacement of your own equipment if it is damaged or destroyed by an accident. Depending on the unique needs of your tow truck business, your agent may recommend other specialized policies as well, such as cargo coverage or uninsured motorist coverage.
Getting Started
Towing is a business that requires more than a truck and a tow rope. It also requires a strategy to grow and manage costs, as well as efficient dispatching and planning tools that maximize efficiency. To get started, it’s important to determine what kind of towing company you want to be. Will you offer roadside assistance, like AAA or a more specialized service, such as impounding or long-distance towing? This will affect the types of vehicles you can accept, as will the cost of your equipment and the type of insurance coverage you need.
Once you have a clear idea of what type of tow company you want to be, it’s time to set your budget and identify your goals. What will your minimum and maximum revenue be? How much will it cost to launch your company and begin generating profits? You will need to take into account fixed expenses, such as vehicle leasing, and variable expenses, like gas, maintenance and repair, work uniforms and communication systems. You should also consider how you will market your towing services and how many tows you need to complete to make a profit.
Once you’ve set your budget, it’s time to start planning your routes and optimizing dispatch processes. Using route optimization software like OptimoRoute can help you to save on fuel, reduce the number of dead miles and reduce your environmental footprint. Plus, OptimoRoute can provide your drivers with turn-by-turn directions directly through the app. That way, they can minimize the time they spend driving and improve their productivity. Try OptimoRoute today to see how it can help your tow truck company improve its route efficiency and generate more tows.