Tow Trucks, Wreckers and Car Hauler Discussion

[Stewzer55]

I wouldn't mind getting an Edsel, put some shag carpeting around the grill and see what looks people give back.

 

[HotRodPC]

I haven't said much about a new job I have, or had or looking forward to. I actually got the job a couple weeks ago, and I can't explain the details yet waiting for some big payment transactions to take place along with some DOT licensing, insurance and things of that nature to happen. I'll just say it's in the towing field. And if that one doesn't pan out, I've got a call for another company that I worked for in the past asking me to come back that they've bought me a truck. Well, I'm hoping it's a bit to late that they decided to get me a good truck and this first opportunity pans out since I'd be in on the ground floor and have quite a bit of say on how things are run and that's all I'll say for now.

So moving on, The company waiting for transactions to take place and transpire, they called me up today and at this home location, they've got over 40 vehicles they are towing over the scale. Cutting of the cats, pulling the radiators and over the scale they go. Soooo, while I wait, I guess I'm going to be the guy dragging these cars over the scale starting in the morning. I said cool, so I do get to buy cars cheap if I'm interested in keeping them from going over the scale. They said Yes, I'll be able to buy them for scale price or better, or trade for some labor blah blah blah. Nonetheless, I'm sure hoping to see a square or 2 and maybe acquire some parts and toys. Title 42 has already been on these cars by the towing company so no issues there. Crossing my fingers. Tomorrow might be a good day.

 

[ScottyB]

I haven't said much about a new job I have, or had or looking forward to. I actually got the job a couple weeks ago, and I can't explain the details yet waiting for some big payment transactions to take place along with some DOT licensing, insurance and things of that nature to happen. I'll just say it's in the towing field. And if that one doesn't pan out, I've got a call for another company that I worked for in the past asking me to come back that they've bought me a truck. Well, I'm hoping it's a bit to late that they decided to get me a good truck and this first opportunity pans out since I'd be in on the ground floor and have quite a bit of say on how things are run and that's all I'll say for now.

So moving on, The company waiting for transactions to take place and transpire, they called me up today and at this home location, they've got over 40 vehicles they are towing over the scale. Cutting of the cats, pulling the radiators and over the scale they go. Soooo, while I wait, I guess I'm going to be the guy dragging these cars over the scale starting in the morning. I said cool, so I do get to buy cars cheap if I'm interested in keeping them from going over the scale. They said Yes, I'll be able to buy them for scale price or better, or trade for some labor blah blah blah. Nonetheless, I'm sure hoping to see a square or 2 and maybe acquire some parts and toys. Title 42 has already been on these cars by the towing company so no issues there. Crossing my fingers. Tomorrow might be a good day.

Good deal!!!

 

[Stewzer55]

Sounds great!

 

[HotRodPC]

Bummer, the cars really are junk. Lots of Lincoln Town cars and Tauruses. Scroungy nasty ghetto vehicles. Impound yard on that other side of town and it really shows in the vehicles. The few good cars we called a guy to look at as we pulled them out, fired them up and he paid about $150-$200 over what we'd have got for scrap, so they at least will be kept in service. The others really are junk, and Not a single damn square. 2 Junk Cherokees, hit hard, several wiped out Hondas and Camrys. Oh and a 2001 Aztec. Nothing even worth taking pics of.

 

[HotRodPC]

Ohh, but bossman did let me keep a set of real nice Commercial Duty Jumper cables. They're the same grade we use on tow trucks with the quick disconnects. These ones though are real nice clamps on both ends, 25 foot, 1gu copper braided cable 800amp. I've have some nice jumper cables, but never had a set this nice. These are usually over $200 a set. They are filthy greasy though and that's why bossman didn't want to dick with them. I figured I'd get a bus tub of simple green or purple power and some rags and get the grease cleaned off them.

 

[Stewzer55]

Nice! I could use a good set of cables in my TB, along with a good first aid kit. I'd also love to have an AED but since those are expensive AF I doubt I'll have one for a long time.

 

[ScottyB]

Ohh, but bossman did let me keep a set of real nice Commercial Duty Jumper cables. They're the same grade we use on tow trucks with the quick disconnects. These ones though are real nice clamps on both ends, 25 foot, 1gu copper braided cable 800amp. I've have some nice jumper cables, but never had a set this nice. These are usually over $200 a set. They are filthy greasy though and that's why bossman didn't want to dick with them. I figured I'd get a bus tub of simple green or purple power and some rags and get the grease cleaned off them.

I keep thinking about wiring up some Nelson plugs on my vehicles and getting a couple good sets of cables. Small town near me just had a couple cars burn to the ground when a jump start went bad. I'm not worried about that happening but it is nice to have that easy plug and the length to get to the front of a vehicle from behind.

You park a tow truck in your driveway once in a while and the neighbors suddenly think you are the go to guy for automotive emergencies. (Their definition of emergency is usually different than mine.)

 

[HotRodPC]

A couple neighbors here have thought I was the FREE tow go to guy. What they don't get is, my boss or someone they know see me with a vehicle on my truck and all they have to mention is, I the X cab roll back Sunday over here with a .... And then bossman thinks, He was off Sunday, so he was moonlighting making money with out truck on our fuel. So I usually call bossman first and let him know or ask. Usually they say yes, collect $20 to cover the fuel and keep in mind, you're not writing up a ticket so you won't be getting paid and forfeiting your comission on the tow.

 

[lusktommy]

A couple neighbors here have thought I was the FREE tow go to guy. What they don't get is, my boss or someone they know see me with a vehicle on my truck and all they have to mention is, I the X cab roll back Sunday over here with a .... And then bossman thinks, He was off Sunday, so he was moonlighting making money with out truck on our fuel. So I usually call bossman first and let him know or ask. Usually they say yes, collect $20 to cover the fuel and keep in mind, you're not writing up a ticket so you won't be getting paid and forfeiting your comission on the tow.

I have done the same thing in my mechanics truck. A couple of times. But always call the boss man. Never know who might see you. Lol

 

[ScottyB]

Tomorrow marks 11 months with my current employer. He finally decided I should go to a Tow class so the next two days will be spent at a casino learning to tow. Looking forward to it but hoping it isn't just a rehash of what I already think I know.

 

[HotRodPC]

Tomorrow marks 11 months with my current employer. He finally decided I should go to a Tow class so the next two days will be spent at a casino learning to tow. Looking forward to it but hoping it isn't just a rehash of what I already think I know.

You will learn some stuff eventually, and/or even tips and tricks to what you already know. If your boss is paying for it, just go, and go with the right attitude. It's going to seem very redundant and basic at first since you've got experience.

 

[ScottyB]

You will learn some stuff eventually, and/or even tips and tricks to what you already know. If your boss is paying for it, just go, and go with the right attitude. It's going to seem very redundant and basic at first since you've got experience.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I am looking forward to this training and have a great attitude about it going in. Some of what I learn here is obviously going to be redundant. I have a feeling I will probably end up see more of what I was doing wrong than anything else. That isn't to say what I was doing wouldn't get the job done, just that there are better ways to do some of what I have been doing.

 

[ScottyB]

FRAK ME!! I didn't know what all I didn't know. Most of today was classroom with a big chunk being about Washington specific laws. Fun fun fun. We did an outdoor session today with rollbacks and I learned a few things, nothing ground breaking though. After dinner we did more classroom on wreckers. That is where I really started to learn. Tomorrow morning we review Washington laws again and have a test. Then we spend the rest of the day working with wreckers and recovery. Of course there is always the other test at the end of the day, but it should still be fun.

 

[HotRodPC]

How is this going? I really wish I had the option to go to school. I wouldn't mind going for Wreckmaster Certification just to say I did.