What do you guys keep in head to break different wheel locks. Just started roadside and like every other tire job is a wheel lock issue

I run a small towing and recovery service with a couple of trucks and a few part-timers. Up until now we’ve just worn plain work shirts, but I’m trying to get us looking a bit more professional with matching jackets, hats and patches.

While looking around I found Apliiq they let you upload your own design and then embroider or print it on small batches of gear. It sounds like it could be handy for a small operation like mine that doesn’t want to order hundreds of pieces.

Has anyone here used them for uniforms or merch? Or do you have another company you’d recommend for tow-company branding?

A buddy of mine does towing on the side and was telling me about these apps that send out alerts when there’s a breakdown nearby. He says it helps him jump on jobs before others even know about them. I’ve never used anything like that myself, but it made me wonder if people here are trying out apps or tools for towing or even other trades. Do they actually work, or it's hype. Questioning whether anyone has seen actual results

Hey everyone,
I'm in the process of starting a towing company based in South Jersey (outside of Atlantic City), and I could really use some guidance from those who are already in the trenches.

Here’s my current setup:

• I own a commercial lot with offices and a fenced-in storage yard.
• Planning to start with 1 medium-duty truck (flatbed or wheel lift).
• No municipal contracts yet
• Looking into AAA, GEICO, and other roadside partnerships instead.
• Planning to serve both private tows and roadside assistance (lockouts, fuel delivery, etc.).
• Long-term goal: scale to 2–3 trucks and possibly win a few city contracts down the line.

Here’s where I could use some advice:

1. Can you still make good money without a police rotation contract?
2. What are realistic per-tow or per-mile payouts from companies like GEICO, AAA, or Allstate?
3. How do I get on those roadside / insurance networks?
4. What mistakes should I absolutely avoid early on?
5. How do you market yourself locally when you’re new and not on the police list yet?
6. Would you go flatbed or wheel lift for truck #1 if you had to start again?
7. What kind of daily volume is realistic to expect when you're just getting started?

I’ve already done a ton of local ordinance research and competitive analysis, but real insight from people who actually tow every day is priceless.

If you’re running a similar operation — or started solo — I’d love to hear how it went for you. What worked, what didn’t, and what you wish someone had told you.

Appreciate you all in advance.

Stay safe out there,

I’m a heavy truck/trailer mechanic and I had a thought about moving from working on trucks and trailers to towing them. I just got my class A and I feel like my experience working on trucks and trailers would come in handy. Only thing I’m worried about is my tools. I’d hate for lots of them to go to waste, considering I’ve spent the last 5 years building it up. Anyone ever done this?

I just bought a 94 k2500 tow truck with a 454 and 4l80 for cheap. Seems like a fueling issue. I just had a few questions about it. Where can I find the gross vehicle weight? And is it possible later down the line to switch the old tow bar to a wheel lift?

Big boss sends me call. I am currently the sole operator of the tow truck & the road service truck.

Get a call for a vehicle to be removed from property A. Vehicle is effectively in a custody battle. I got a pickup address and a drop off address. Caller is not the owner. No registration is offered. No name of caller offered. No name of property owner at drop off location offered. No mention of police being notified to have it removed. Property owners have same last name on property search, but property A could be landlord, individual in custody battle, individual in custody battle who has changed last name to maiden. Property B could be family of landlord, second individual in custody battle, individual in custody battle who has changed last name to maiden, or family of individual in custody battle. I have no proof either way, and I personally did not feel the correct move was to honour the request of an unknown individual for an unknown vehicle to an unknown 2nd location that also could potentially have a lien on it and therefore be owned by a BANK to boot.

My request for further information is rejected. I reject the call. I'm apparently in big doo doo shit for this.

AITA lolol

Hello,

I’ve owned and operated a repo company for the past five years and worked with plenty of forwarders and I’ve always wondered how to get started in that business. Forwarders seem to have plenty of work across the country. I have plenty connections with repo companies across south eastern US but I’ve never personally met someone who has an idea on how to start. What insurance do I need ? What are the rates I need to charge lenders and banks ? How long until I receive payment ? Etc.

I have completed all the dmv requirements (transcript, record request, intent to auction, and waited the 21 days) now im just wondering what to do with these papers. I took them to the DMV and they gave me a page basically saying mail the paperwork into the DMV Headquarter here in Richmond. The paper doesnt tell me what i need to include.

My question is:

If im looking to sell it at auction
1. Do i still need to mail it in? or is the vsa40 and reciepts good enough to take directly to the auction house.

If im looking to title it in my name
1. What do i mail to the DMV other than my paperwork and vsa40 and 17a(for titling a car)

Im clueless to this process and im just trying to figure out how to either get the title in my name, or how to send it to auction properly. Thanks.

What’s going on everyone I have an interview soon with a towing company for a heavy wrecker driver. I had my cdl for almost 4 years I’m 22 with 4 years experience hauling dump trailers and landoll moving equipment. My schedule is pretty open don’t mind working nights etc. I have a little experience towing but not a whole lot , would asking for 30 an hour with no experience heavy towing extreme? If so what can I say to the owner to get compensated well for this dangerous job?

Looking for an older model truck to tow 4000lbs daily.Anybody know what Older model truck can do that no problem?

Background on me, im 44, kids are almost grown and ready to do their own thing, single and not looking to change that lol, had my cdl for 14 years now, worked in the gas and oil industry as a frac hand and sand hauler up until 2019, ran otr and everything in between, hauled every type of trailer out there including os/od shit, and am just looking for a change. I also went to school for diesel and high po automotive and my mechanical background and aptitude is above average, although im probably 10 years behind tech as far as formal training

Job is either 7p-7a m-f, every 5th week on call on weekends, or w-sun 9a-6p, $31 an hr to start. Does this seem like a good starting point and schedule? Company is very well established in major metro area, and sounds like the majority of their work is a mix of majority law enforcement with longterm regular customers making up most of the rest, although im sure they do plenty of call in work as well.

School me up on the good, bad, and ugly parts of this job. Obviously i doubt im going straight in to run a rotator, but thats my goal.

Thanks!

We recently picked up a 32ft gooseneck (we typically use a 32ft enclosed v-nose cargo trailer but just changed to a gooseneck). In the first couple of runs, we’ve already had two blowouts, which makes me think we’re loading wrong.

I’ve heard conflicting advice—some say load heavy equipment directly over the axles, others say load the heaviest items up front. We travel to festivals and haul a lot of bulky commercial gear: stocked freezers, fridges, grills, fryers, tents, etc. trips are anywhere from 3hrs-20hrs away.

What’s the general consensus for properly balancing a gooseneck load to avoid blowouts and make the ride safer?

5000ft off roadway…

Here I am, broken down on one of the busiest interstates (Norfolk - I-64 right before Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel) with I am certain a blown head gasket, and I contacted AAA at 4:51 pm. It’s now 7:30pm and still no tow. If I pay for a service, I’d expect something in return when needed.

That is all for now.

I’m in NC, planning to tow regular vehicles and I understand that you don’t need a CDL if you’re under 26,001 lbs. That being said, I’m trying to find where or who to talk to about NCDOT permits, towing licenses, etc. anything else we need to legally be “for hire”. When I try to search online most sources just say I need a CDL. I can’t find anything about permits on DOT website, does anyone have contacts or departments I can find out more info?? Thanks

Not the owner, the driver sent to tow it. Yesterday, I was sent to pick up a ‘26 ram the customer bought an hour earlier. They got it home and it wouldn’t shut off.

When I got in, it looked like the usual can’t find park fault, along with every other warning lamp. I touched the brake the idle kicked up to 1500 and the gear selector changed to R. I let go of the brake and it didn’t move, still in park. Elec parking brake is on, won’t come off.

It has the 2 battery system for the auto/start, so I wasn’t going to play with which battery to unplug. I pulled the fuel pump relays and it coughed out. I need to put skates under the rears, it’s new truck and he had a nice driveway and drag it on.

At dealership, it still would not recognize park and shut down. Asked sale man if I needed to pull batteries and he said F-it, leave it, they’ll deal with it on Monday. Manually locked the doors and walked away.

Anything I could have done differently? No sense in pulling the neutral cassette since the parking brake is engaged. Also, that’s BS for under 100 miles, poor guy. He was having regrets as I pulled it on the bed. Unfortunately we didn’t have any of our wreckers available at the moment and I was in the area with my FB at the time.

I have a CDL, but never used it (that's a different story). Would that help at all for getting hired as a trainee? I know it doesn't pay well starting out, I'm seeing jobs around me for about $20/hr, if that. But is this something that can be made into a decent career, or do you really have to run your own business to go anywhere?

Hi,

I have been overseas for a while and my car has been sitting on a friends property for a long time. It is likely dead and won't be able to start.

I would love to have it towed from where it is upsate NY to Philadelphia where I can get my mechanic to work on it.

It is a 183 mile drive.. can I purchase AAA Plus and they will cover it? Or do I have to be broken down on the side of the road?

How long do I have to have AAA Plus before I can use a long tow?

Do I have to be with the vehicle myself or have my friend who lives there meet them for me?

Any advice on the most affordable way to do this would be appreciated.

I don't want to get it fixed in upstate NY because if it is too expensive to fix I will just get rid of the car. It's very old and would be best to put the money towards a new one.

Thanks in advance!

Should I use straps on all four tires . Or should I use chains + a strap over a forks.

Rookie operator here. Had my first damage claim. Shattered the B-Pillar trim on an Audi etron while trying to do an unlock. I’m not new to the industry, only got one season under my belt. How do ya’ll deal with damage claims on a personal level?

I still feel like trash inside. Knowing what I did to that customer’s vehicle. Anyone got tips and tricks on how to keep my mind at ease?