Introduction

Thank you for reading the Wrecker 101 Blog. The creation for this information collection was derived from the need for a comprehensive set of instructions regarding the towing and recovery industry. Years of teaching future wrecker operators have invested in me an interest to create a place that is both easy to use and easy to update. The constant change in vehicle layouts and ever changing equipment dynamics require the need for continuing education for those new to the industry as well as veterans that have been at it for years. 

The following is a list of of current Lessons followed be a brief description of their respective contents:

Lesson 1

A brief description of the typical towing equipment used 

Lesson 2 

Suggestions of what should be on board a tow truck

Lesson 3 

Quick ideas on reactions to receiving a call from dispatch

Lesson 4 

What information should be acquired about a call

Lesson 5

Ideas on how to make the truck ready for service

Lesson 6

Navigating the roadways and circumventing obstacles

Lesson 7

Things to consider when arriving on scene

Lesson 8 

Basic loading principles

Lesson 9 

Things to keep in mind before leaving the scene

Lesson 10

About the tow destination

Disclaimer:

It is the purpose of this site to acclimate operators to the art of towing and recovery. Be aware of your company policies as this guide should not be put before any rules set forth by your organization. All matters regarding safety and procedure should be emphasized when applying these practices. At the end of the day, we should all have the same goal to go home safe and sound!.

Again, thank you on behalf of Wrecker 101 for following along and may you have an enjoyable and rewarding career in the towing industry.

Oil Absorbent

 

Accidents can leave slippery surfaces which can lead to more hazardous conditions. Oil absorbent was designed to soak up any oils or lubricants to return the driving surface to more drivable conditions. It has always been argued one way or another that the absorbent should or should not be picked up after applied. Some will say that the tow truck is not permitted to carry reclaimed fluids from a damaged vehicles, especially if that fluid is fuel. Then there are those who will say that it is hazardous to leave spent absorbent on the roadway as traffic resumes over those surfaces. 

The operator should check his or her companies policy regarding the use of oil absorbent and what if anything needs to be done after it is applied to an affected roadway. Traditionally, the oil absorbent is carefully and evenly laid out over the affected spill and spread about with the help of a broom. Used absorbent can be collected with the broom and shovel, then placed into stow buckets or heavy duty trash bags. This of course depends on your companies policies regarding the use of this product.

Shovel

 

A flat shovel as opposed to a spade shovel should be kept on board the tow truck for use in cleaning up crash debris. This is another tool in which some consideration should be applied. A traditional flat headed shovel is usually pretty easy to stow, however the benefit that comes with a snow shovel can save time and effort when cleaning up large accident scenes. It really just depends on how much space one can dedicate to this particular tool. Another thing to consider when choosing a shovel is its durability. A strong, reliable shovel should be considered due to the stress of not only stowing the shovel, but using it out in the field.