Lesson 10 Tow Destination

Where to park the car
Where to leave the keys
Car Dealership Service Departments
Shops and Garages

Lesson 9 Leaving The Scene

Once the vehicle has been loaded and the details have been verified, it never hurts to give everything a second look to make sure the vehicle is loaded correctly, all of your tools have been stowed in their proper places and any debris or loose parts have been properly secured. Always make sure to verify with the customer when possible that the drop location is accurate, where to place the vehicle upon unloading and any additional instructions are clear. It is the responsibility of the towing service to apply oil absorbent when needed and to remove debris from roadways to prevent damage to other motorists that will drive on affected surfaces. 

Using your maps, try to determine that the route you plan to take is free of traffic and construction delays as this will decrease the amount of time needed to complete the call. Try to imagine the route you are taking and the bumps or hazards that may be in the road, this will create a smoother ride. This is especially important when operating a wheel lift as road bumps can cause the under body of the vehicle to slam against the wheel lift components. One wrong bump could damage an oil pan or exhaust parts.

It is important to be aware of the various places such as car dealerships and shops that have a gated lot. If you cannot get onto the property it is often frowned upon to leave a vehicle obstructing a gate or an entrance. It is a good idea as well to assume that the towing service could be considered liable for leaving a vehicle in what could be considered compromised environments. Theft or vandalism will require blame and you don't want that burden on you or your company. Use care as if you were leaving your own vehicle at these tow destinations. 

Lesson 8 Loading the vehicle

Where to hook

-Conventional

-Wheel lift

Observe any and all hazards

Do not distract yourself from traffic 

Could the use of cones or traffic beacons improve safety conditions

Lesson 7 Arriving At The Scene

No scene is typical, but in the most common setting a customer will be waiting to have service provided. There is tremendous value in a friendly, helpful introduction followed by a reiteration of all details pertaining to the call information. It is easy practice to kindly mention defects and damages to the vehicle that will make the individual aware of not only the damage but also that you are both aware of pre-existing damage. This can reduce damage claims and dissatisfied customers that could think that the operator might have caused the damage. Again, a friendly disposition is recommended to establish customer trust and awareness.

How you approach the scene of your call can determine the time spent on scene and the effectiveness of safety practices. Here's a good example, when arriving at a customer's residence it sometimes helps to look at the inclines and position your truck accordingly. If you plan it just right, you won't have to push the vehicle very much because the car will roll down the inclines. Using this technique can reduce the amount of strain you put on your body everyday from not having to push vehicles as hard. Much caution should be used however because of the limited control of a disabled vehicle.

Accident scenes can be complicated and certain hazards cannot always be noticed at first glance. It is always recommended to get out and assess the whole of the scene with heavy emphasis on exposure to traffic and the potential danger of oncoming motorists. Determine the extent of the damage to affected  vehicles and verify that the people involved are ok. Each operator should invest time into the TIMS Training that is available to become proficient in regards to positioning techniques and incident command. Making contact with the agency that requested your presence is vital to not only determining the type of service you will be providing but also gives a chance to confirm information on any applicable holds or requirements that may be needed to release the vehicle from the storage facility. It is the responsibility of the wrecker service to clean up the crash debris and apply oil absorbent to any leaks or substances on the road surface.

Lesson 6 Navigating

 

The internet is full of vast ways to map out your route and now more than ever, resources are available to keep drivers "in the know" with regards to traffic and construction delays that may be present on the way to get where you are going. Even when you think you know exactly which way you are going to go to get to the destination, it never hurts to check the directions in a mapping service like Google Maps. The map can detect traffic and sometimes guide you in a different direction to keep from being delayed unnecessarily. New technology that has been introduced recently even alerts to vehicles that have been left on the side of the road and lingering law enforcement conducting traffic control. It is always recommended to have automated maps mounted as to keep the driver from holding or operating the device while driving. At no time should anyone attempt to manipulate or control a mapping device while in the process of driving. 

Lesson 5 Getting The Truck Ready

One of the most important issues in this industry involves safety. One could never prepare too much for the unforeseen dangers that occur daily. Every day there should be steps taken to inspect the tow truck and it's equipment. Having a pre trip inspection checklist is very helpful not only to remind what needs to be inspected each day, but also as a way to look back on events and issues from previous inspections. 

Daily the tires should be checked for correct pressure, oils and lubricants should be checked that they are at their proper levels. Things like wire rope and safety chains should be examined for damage or wear that might make them unsafe to use. 

Maintaining equipment stowed on the tow truck is also very important. For example, the snatch block requires regular attention with regards to lubrication and proper storage. It is never a good idea to leave the snatch block out in the open where it might get wet as rust and stagnant water diminish this tool.

Keeping the truck fueled is always going to remain a priority because of course without fuel, work can't get done. Something else to consider is that even though the truck is going to get low on fuel, you should try to not let the tow truck get under a quarter of a tank as a means of a reserve just in case a law enforcement call occurs. Not letting the truck get too low on fuel also prevents sediment in the fuel tank from getting introduced into the filter and intake components. Choosing good locations to get fuel from is another thing to keep in mind. Older facilities can have older pumps and underground storage tanks that can transfer sediment into the tow truck.

Tow trucks can be run for hours at a time and suffer far more punishment than typical vehicles, so proper care is essential to get the most out of the vehicle as possible.

Lesson 4 Call Information

There are a few things every driver needs to know about the call in which they are about to go to. Having the right information can save time and prevent errors or delays. Good communication with not only the driver and the dispatcher but also the customer can save money and increase customer satisfaction.

A brief list of information that should be acquired include but are not limited to:

• Is the call for a particular account and are specific rates needed
• Customer's Name
• Customer's Phone Number
• Address of Breakdown
• Vehicle Description
• Vehicle Malfunction or Reason for the service
• Are they with the vehicle
• Are the keys with the vehicle
• Who pays for the service
• Verifying the drop location
• Do people at the drop location need to be notified that the vehicle is being towed there
• IF no one is going to be at the drop location, where exactly do they want the vehicle placed
• What to do with the keys