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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    So today was all about picking up a 79 Silver Trans-Am. I got out there and got it loaded when the owners brother showed up. Apparently the brother knew more about the history of the car. First off, Odometer reads 33,xxx. It was assumed to be 133,xxx given it's age. This was not correct...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Oh crap!! You mean I don't just inflate the tires to 140 PSI and go??? :rofl: Actually the customer called last night to confirm and then called first thing this morning to cancel. I don't know if it is going to happen or not but the boss wasn't thrilled with what he quoted the guy so who...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Today is road trip day. Meeting a customer at the shop this morning for an 8 hour round trip to the Islands to retrieve his 79 Trans-Am. At least I get paid for the time on the Ferry and waiting for the Ferry.
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    Uh-oh: Dead Battery- one missing from Dual setup

    I had the same problem with my truck. Someone along the way (the PO Bragged about the relatively new battery) threw in the same size battery and I couldn't figure out why I could never get that 454 to turn over. I changed out the alternator and the starter before I discovered that little problem.
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    Emergency Brake Problems!!

    Take a block of wood and a big mallet and tap around the tire from the inside. I'm assuming you were able to get the lug nuts off. Had to do that to a 4runner a couple weeks ago...before I had to tow it last week. Not a good thing when you get a call and recognize the address from a previous...
  6. S

    wiring questions. bad ground?

    Aftermarket radio? Almost sounds as if someone butchered the electrical to put something in there that wasn't there originally. Extra amp or something. I've seen guy cross circuit stuff doing their own work.
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    This might actually belong in the good deeds thread but I thought I would post it here. I was on my way home yesterday and looking forward to watching the bird fight last night (GO HAWKS). Boss called up as I was about 10 minutes out and asked if I would take another call. I was looking...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Got a $30 tip on a AAA call today. Member needed a car moved from old house to new house as they were moving. Car was a `66 Jag XKE, non functional, in a garage I couldn't get to because of the angles. I broke out the nylon straps and winched it out to where I could get it (required 2 resets)...
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    Retro's 1989 GMC Sierra C1500 Sportside Indy clone

    I did that for years, the last dozen were the worst while I was long hauling. Then Pepsi came out with their Throwbacks (real sugar, not corn syrup) and I got a little more active (not a lot) and I started eating at home again (I came off the road). In the last 18 months I've dropped 50 lbs...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    This one wasn't quite so catastrophic. I did have to drag it onto my deck though. :cringe: Fortunately, he was able to drive it off so I didn't have to worry about trying to shake it off. Our 4wd wrecker would have been nice on that one but it was down with a blown wheel seal. (That and I...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Yesterday I ended up going on a recovery out in the sticks. F-250 had a transmission/t-case failure 4.5 miles up an old logging road. Had a pretty good view but a last minute quickie photo didn't do it justice. The road going down was fun. Went down about 5 mph all the way down. Made that...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    I do like the idea of wireless lights, but I don't buy the equipment so I will keep using what the boss provides. :D
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    We have ratchet straps with hook clusters for the safety tie down. One of the other drivers told me that he just uses the winch and when I mentioned that to the boss (not to ge the other guy in trouble) he was concerned and made sure I understood what the other ratchet straps were for and how...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    I hear you on that one. I think I am driving my boss nuts with all the questions I ask on my way out the door, but I haven't damaged one yet. My first, and so far only, accident response had three of us responding to a hit an run. I had the big wheel lift so it was decided that I would grab...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Mostly I drive our International 4400 with a Jerr Dan 21' roll back. This is also the only automatic we have currently. I haven't got stuck...yet, but I appreciate your tips...I'm sorry, the tips I may have picked up from a random stanger in a bar somewhere. :) We have an International 4700...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    I wasn't clear, I was referring to personal ownership. As far as towing goes, the job is the job. On the other hand, I haven't towed a square. :D
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Interesting thing about this job, I'm starting to put together a list of vehicles to stay away from. Added to the list today is the H2. That was just too much fun today. At least I learned some good things going forward. Audis aren't on my good car list either, but they didn't give me the...
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    Low battery reading

    Hot wires mean something is drawing current. Are these your starter wires that are staying hot? The wires may be shot but it sounds like your starter is still calling for power. (I'm sure someone will be along soon to say I'm on the wrong track though. Damn rookies!) :)
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    You may be right about the difference in trucks, but I doubt it in this case. I'm not sure if the big one has a longer wheel base, but I think it does. It is also larger up front (I forget what models they are as I'm not familiar with Internationals) but it sits about a foot higher and is an...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Rookie, stupid or just plain lucky? So I was heading up the mountain when I got a call for a private tow. As I was running out of cell coverage I got the address and headed out there. I showed up with our short rollback, only about a 19' deck. I arrive to find that the tow is for an 07 Dodge...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    The rest of the country gives us Washingtonians a load of crap over all the rain we get, but I don't envy you the rain you get down there. I've spent enough time in OK to have been through more than my share of gully washers. At least up here the rain is usually more nuisance than threatening...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    Thanks for the website. That's a whole lot easier than that AAA book even though it is the same info. We'll see how it goes but so far I am enjoying it. I have about 9 years of flat bed experience, and while all of that doesn't necessarily translate to towing it does give me a background in...
  23. S

    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    We have a couple International Rollbacks and an International Wheel lift and a Ford F550 Wheel lift. Most of our business is AAA calls but we also to PD response for accidents and DUIs. As I'm still learning the ropes, I haven't been on call yet so I haven't had to deal with the DUIs yet but...
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    Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

    I started work as a tow truck driver last week Monday. Yesterday I managed to pick up the rarest of the states if you are playing 50 state license plate bingo. :D Yep, hooked an HI. :D
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    I need your opinions!

    I'm not trying to be a smartass here (that will come later) but I don't see the question here. You've given the specs on the truck and gave the price and said you are going to buy it. Is the question "Is this a good deal?" or "Should I buy this truck?"? It sounds like a fun truck but I...

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