How to Start a Tow Truck Business

The rating for gross combined weight or gross combination weight is determined for the vehicle based on the strength of its frame, suspension, axles and other towing-related components. If the vehicle’s ratings are higher than the total weight of the trailer, the trailer is safe to tow. If the trailer weight exceeds the vehicle’s ratings, the trailer should not be hitched up to the vehicle. Renting or buying property – You’ll need to rent or purchase commercial property from which to operate your towing business. The cost is highly variable depending on where you choose to operate, but renting in a space in a central area of your city could cost several thousand dollars a month. If possible, operating out of your home could save a lot of money. Towing equipment – Essential towing equipment, such as booms, winch cables, and quick picks will be necessary for attaching vehicles to trucks in certain situations.

Payload, however, is the weight limit of a truck bed and cab, while tow capacity is the weight limit for a trailer hitched up to the vehicle. Retail towing is the type of towing when a company offers roadside assistance to a customer whose vehicle has broken down on the road or has been damaged in an accident.

Select a location

Find out how many tow services are operating in the area and also analyze the scope of their services. Some tow companies can save the customer the cost of a tow by providing basic repair, such as changing a tire or fixing a leak (antifreeze, power steering, etc.).

You’ll get features like Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping system and blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert. Plus, you’ll be able to option additional features like Blue Cruise, a 360-degree camera, exit warning, trailer assist features and more. We’ll also note that Blue Cruise is now a subscription service that comes with a 90-day free trial. About 2% of people use their trucks to tow occasionally, while 63% of owners rarely or never tow. See what pickup truck buyers actually want and why prices are increasing.

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How to Become a Registered Tow Truck Driver

This work is almost entirely done outside, and the work must be done regardless of the weather. Anyone who is mechanically inclined may be well-suited to start up a tow truck business. Sometimes, however, hooking a damaged car up to a tow truck or extricating a car from a tight place can be challenging. A tow truck business is always run out of a physical location. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy .

Tow truck driving is among the top outdoor business ideas for those who enjoy spending time outside a traditional office. Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners. Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down. You can find the weight of your vehicle by measuring it with a vehicle scale. A vehicle scale will provide the actual, real-time weight of your vehicle. You can think of curb weight as the weight of your vehicle, as it sits parked at the dealership.

It will help you succeed and secure startup funding, especially when purchasing your tow trucks. Upper is now used by most tow truck businesses to streamline routes for truck drivers. Business owners want to save money and time by developing automated routes. This article will help you with everything you need to know about starting your own tow truck company.

The GVWR is a prescribed weight limit from the vehicle manufacturer, indicating the total amount the vehicle can weigh to operate safely. Curb weight is the total weight of your vehicle apart from any passengers, cargo or non-factory items. Curb weight does include the weight of gasoline, oil and other fluids necessary for operation.

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