Any Advice on Where to Look For Repo/Abandon Truck Recovery Jobs

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by U4EA, Feb 22, 2011.

  1. U4EA

    U4EA Road Train Member

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    Work has really slowed in this area and more importantly I've grown bored with the work itself.

    I want to try something different and thought repo/abandon truck recovery may interest me; at least for a while anyway. I've read a few posts regarding truck recovery and many described it as dirty work; the condition of the truck interiors being in deplorable conditions making it a s*ck job. On the flip side, I've also read about companies flying or driving you around the country to pick up these abandon trucks; which sounds like something I may like.

    I have automotive locksmithing experience and can pick truck ingnition locks easily (well most anyway), although I'm sure most of the time a spare key is provided.

    Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone knew the right direction to pursue this possibility? I sent out an email today to several major carriers, but haven't heard anything back; but again, I sent out the emails less then twelve hours ago, so thats not surprising.

    Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

    Matt
     
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  3. oldmacksrule

    oldmacksrule Light Load Member

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    Repo and abandoned recovery are completely different animals. Repo is highly specialized, sometimes dangerous, and requires a lot of tricks-of-the-trade sort of information and skills. Hard to get into without connections and doing what amounts to an apprenticeship. Abandoned recovery isn't even a specialty that I know of. Most companies just deal with it in-house by sending a newbie out with a regular driver to be dropped off at the rig.
     
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  4. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    Finance companies that I know, use a private dick to locate the truck, then will have the marshall or sherrif come with an agent to pick up the truck. The agent is usually a local towing company.
    Truckers having their rigs repoed have been all to commonly known to use a gun to protect it, hence the LEO.
    Once the towing company has recovered the truck, they store it until it's disposed.
     
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  5. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    :Tow truck::smt068:smt072 :Trailer: Here in Florida a license is needed to be a repo-man. Should be able to move quick also.
     
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  6. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Check your local heavy duty wrecker service !!!!!! hint, hint....
     
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  7. U4EA

    U4EA Road Train Member

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    True - the repo companies I've talked to seemed to be not much more then "trespass towing" companies, with various "tricks of the trade" regarding locating and hooking up the vehicles. When I asked them about picking ignition locks and opening tools they look at me like I had 3 heads:biggrin_2552:.....
    Maybe I fell victim to the Hollywood "glamorization" of the repo industry.....

    As far as truck recovery, I've also heard similar from a friend. "Recovery" being a new hire going to pick up his "new" truck! Haha...

    Yeah, it's funny; some states require a license others dont. I guess it would making repossessing trucks in other states a bit difficult, depending on the individual state law.

    Thank you for your responses! They were all very helpful and I appreciate your time. Thanks.
     
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