Requirements for Tow Truck Driver

I also was in the towing industry for 10 years. As has been stated by the others here that have been there, it certainly isnt an easy job. I never had the desire to make the step up to the semi class wreckers, although I have helped on the side of the freeway many times to get a semi back on its wheels and removed. From what little experience i had, and the discussions I had with the folks that chose the semi wrecker path, a good hook and haul is easy, but the job gets pretty labor intensive when it comes to a wrecked or rolled semi and trailer(s).
A couple other things that should be taken into consideration:
1)Remember that it is a very public job, you will be dealing with the general public most of the time, a bad attitude, or an inability to deal with people, well...don't bother to apply. Let's face it, you will deal with stupid people, ignorant people,people that are know-it-all jerks, and of course people that will refuse to pay. You must be able to keep a cool head, and over time you will learn the ways to handle those people. Now don't take that the wrong way....there will be many times you will enjoy the job, and have the good feeling of helping people who will appreciate that you are there.

2)Unfortunatly, it is overall a thankless job. In my experience, i got the complaints, whether it was "it costs too much" or "I called AAA over 2 hours ago, where have you been?" more than I did the "Thank You" or "Glad your here", but it was when the "Thank You" did arrive, it made it all worth it.

3)Going along what was started in point 2, Roadside motor clubs. AAA, Cross Country, Sam's club, they are all great for the motorist, but not so hot for the towing company. Long hours for little pay from the motor club, not to mention the sometimes horrible dispatching skills of said clubs. On several occasions I was called by Cross Country to help a motorist in an entirely different STATE, because to them I-90 must all be in one state right? Haha, no it isnt, call the right company in the right state, have a good night. They do not always dispatch in a timely manner: they go on a priority dispatch when they are busy, so some of the motorists may have been waiting awhile, and since you are the 1st human body they see...guess who gets to deal with it? You got it, you do!

4)It is, believe it or not, like many "families" you would find in the trucking industry, the dock worker industry, fire fighters etc.. We take care of our own. Use your head, stay alert, BE SAFE! There are dangers around every corner, usualy a ton or more of vehicle. Always keep one eye on what your doing, and one eye on the road, many a tow operators have been killed by stupid drivers, and when this happens, its felt by everyone. Nobody likes to hear about one of their own being killed or injured while trying to serve the public.

Sorry this is so long, I could go on much longer lol, as could anyone who has been there, but I like anyone who wants to go into the industry to kinda have a general heads up on what to expect. It's not a job for everyone, but the few who do make it, and do it well, you really are among many of the unsung heroes...and let no one tell you different!

 

I worked for awhile as a dispatcher for a tow company. The guys all worked long hours, typically on commision with a base salary minimum, 10 to 12 hrs was a normal day. The company I worked for had two drivers for the night shift, and then 2 on-call light duty and 1 on-call heavy duty driver for the night shift. The only upside to being the on-call driver, after your last call of the night, you got 10 hrs off before you had to report in again. The HD duty guys didn't get called out often at night, but in the short (3 months) time I was there, 2 HD drivers for other companies were killed while on calls. One had a bus fall on him, he had it on blocks hooking up the bus bar when it slipped off the blocks and crushed him. The other one was a little more gruesome.

I know at the time, '97, the guys at the place I worked were doing about $400 a week take home. Had a friend who worked for another place for awhile a few years back, wasn't uncommon for him to bring home $1,000 to $1,100 as a HD driver, but only if it was busy, some weeks he barely cleared the $500 minimum.