hypothetical towing question

I got my Haz and tanker endorsements so I never worried.

But I would think that the driver of the Haz mat load has to stay with the load, what kind of load might make a difference. As long as the papers are on the seat. In a wreck situation the mounties don't care they want the junk off the road.

You would not believe the condition I have moved equipment from wrecks! Axles chained in place, fuel tanks held on with ratchet straps, hoods flapping in the wind, missing tires. I have even towed trailers backwards because the axles were ripped out from under them. Hook a dolly to the kingpin and spin it around backwards and chain the tongue to the landing gear so it can't steer, grab it by the back and I'm outa here.

A haz mat endorsement is not about cleanup or accident response, and a haz mat driver does not drive any different than another. The endorsement is about the background check and knowing the laws regarding placarding, quantity limits, mixing of load types, and paperwork.

If you can't fix it with a 10# fire extinguisher, RUN!!!! A hazmat driver does not usually get any cleanup training or have any special equipment.

 

Due to insurance liabilities, the driver of the vehicle in tow is not allowed to be inside the in tow vehicle while it's being moved. He or she will ride in the cab of the hook.

 

Depends on their personal hygiene.

I recall one driver who had bad teeth, and would not keep his mouth shut...

That ride did not end soon enough!

 

Driver rides in the wrecker if he needs a ride, bit since he isn't driving you are the Capt. and responsible for anything that happens.

Got a load of explosives once, no driver to be found, trooper was pissed about a placarded load of explosives being left unattended.

Another time when me not having the endorsement didnt seem to matter

Get the endorsements and charge more. CYA!

 

I laughed so hard when I read this!

 

§383.93 Endorsements.



Question 10: Do tow truck operators who hold a CDL require endorsements to tow ‘‘endorsable’’ vehicles?

Guidance: For CDL endorsement purposes, the nature of the tow truck operations determines the need for endorsements:
—If the driver’s towing operations are restricted to emergency ‘‘first moves’’ from the site of a breakdown or accident to the nearest appropriate repair facility, then no CDL endorsement of any kind is required.
—If the driver’s towing operations include any ‘‘subsequent moves’’ from one repair or disposal facility to another, then endorsements requisite to the vehicles being towed are required. Exception: Tow truck operators need not obtain a passenger endorsement.

 

Get used to this part of trucking....Ive had some very weird thoughts while driving.....Especially since many of our tractors dont have radios....Just driving my life away thinking about all kinds of weird crap.