Heavy Duty Towing

I started in towing back in the 80's. Started out with an old International 1600 flatbad/tow bar combo. Then later learned on an old Mack with a 750 Holmes that was later converted with an under carriage lift. Then around 1989 or so they bought a Vulcan body and had one of the trucks stretched to fit it. Turned out nice.

They also hauled heavy equipment and thats how I originally got into tractor trailers.
Ditto on the grueling hours, bad weather, laying in muck, wet snow/ice, having your steer wheels lift in the air as your trying to climb a hill pulling a fully loaded truck and trailer combo. Running old grimy equipment thats repaired by a guy who's nick name is "Hammer". Having to make spot repairs on your own truck just to finish the job. I was paid $8hr when I first started.

I dont mean to discourage anyone from at least trying it and find out what its all about. But I can think of much better 'local' driving positions. There are company owners out there that will take advantage (Low pay and worst of the disgusting work) of young and naive drivers who dont know any better. I think that is why many dont last in that particular segment.

Hurst

 

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yup pin this in the hall of fame trophy cabinet, you really have to have the knack in many ways

 

Just saw this was from 2013! But still a great thread. @brian991219 great info! I started out towing back in '88 and loved the work but the hours were crazy! It never failed after working a 12 hour day and you just sat down for a hot meal or go to get in the shower and beep beep beep!!! (This was back when we still had pagers and right about the time those suitcase size cell phones were becoming popular) I do miss it when I see a big recovery..
Happy hookin'!!!

 

There are much easier jobs. But for a young person that wants to learn a lot about trucks that's a great place to start. If you can drive a big wrecker and do recovery work there probably isn't much out here you can't do!

 

I have since stopped being a tow operator, sold off my remaining equipment except for two car haulers, whuch are for sale right now. I'm still connected to the towing industry, hard to walk away completely when you are third generation, but instead of running calls at 2 am I write articles for American Towman Magazine, Tow Industry Weekly and present seminars at towing related trade shows around the country focusing on safety and regulatory compliance.

I miss it and when the mood strikes I will helpiut the guy who bought me out, or demo a truck for a dealer, but it sure is nice not being woken up at 2 am.

 

Were you at the Towing Expo this year? Sounds like a nice gig! That's the only thing I don't miss is the 2am calls!! It's definitely a young man's sport!!

 

Yes, I presented seminars on Electronic Logging Devices, Hours of Service and FMCSA regulatory compliance for the towing industry as well as one titled Vision 20/20 with John B. about autonomous vehicles and the imoact they will have on towing and roadservice.

I made Vegas, Albuquerque, Dallas, Chattanoga, Mason, OH, Florida, Lake George NY and the granddaddy of 'em all Baltimore. Scheduled for all those plus half dozen smaller shows in 2018.

I also co-wrote, actually did 90% of the writing and conceptual development on the ELD exemption request that TRAA filed, but their lawyer put only his name at the bottom when it was submitted.