Technology can be an amazing thing, from dispatch software to GPS. One new technology that applies to the towing world is cameras. There are a lot of camera setups out there for tow trucks. So, what’s the big deal? Why on earth should towing businesses consider using a camera system? It kind of seems like that’s spying on your drivers, and that probably wouldn’t go over well. We’ll explain some of the reasons that towing companies might want to consider installing camera systems.
Tow Truck News
There’s a big towing community out there, one that you’re part of. The towing industry is always changing, so below are some articles that will help you stay up-to-date with the latest news. There are also lots of discussions happening that are relevant to the work that you do every day, which we’ve explored in some of the articles in this section of our blog.
From discussing different state programs centered around towing, such as Georgia’s TRIP program, to investigating whether the color of the flashing lights on a tow truck can help save lives, we’ve put together articles on topics that you’ll find interesting as a member of the towing and recovery world. We encourage you to check out some of these articles to find out what’s going on in the towing industry, from food for thought to current events. Our goal here is to share interesting information about the tow truck world.
11 costs of running a tow truck business
Running a tow truck business isn’t easy – or cheap. If you’re thinking about starting up a tow truck business, you need to be prepared for the costs you’re going to face. It’s better to know about the things you’ll have to pay for than to be caught off-guard, right? To help give you an overview of some of the expenses you might face as a tow truck business owner, we’ve come up with a list of expenses that you’ll need to plan for.
Social media and your tow truck insurance
Social media is engrained in our world. You can’t escape it. Your tow truck business might have different social media accounts as part of your marketing plan – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. And you probably have a website to generate business. So, you appreciate the usefulness and importance of social media.
But the thing is, so do insurance companies. Insurers look at social media accounts when they’re evaluating your business, and what they find could impact how they classify your business, your rates, or even whether or not they want to insure you.
We’ll explain.
Which dispatch software is best for my tow truck business?
With the rise of technology, tow truck fleet management has become easier than ever. However, there are tons of dispatch software packages to choose from, and each one is different for each type of business. So, we’ve compared 6 of the top dispatch software programs to help you make the best choice for your company.
Lynchburg, VA brings out portable speed bumps to protect first responders
The Lynchburg Fire Department in Virginia has decided to take steps to protect first responders working on the side of the road. They have recently bought portable speed bumps, which can be brought to the scene of an accident or emergency and rolled out across the road to encourage people to slow down. They roll up to fit into a pouch that can be easily taken to accident scenes, and then the portable speed bump is simply unrolled across a lane.
9 holiday gift ideas for tow truck drivers
The holidays can be one of the most stressful times of year – partly because of the shopping. You want to give something thoughtful, but not too vague. You want to give your loved one something they can use and not stash in their closets never to be seen again. But what do you do if your giftee spends most of their day inside the cabin of a tow truck? If you’re at a loss of what to get the tow truck driver in your life, here are some holiday gift ideas that they’re sure to love.
September 9th – 15th is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Coming up in September is a very important week. September 9th – 15th is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. And, of course, that includes tow truck drivers and operators! Tow truck drivers work hard every day, and the job is not an easy one whether you’re a tow truck operator or you’re running a tow truck business. In fact, being a tow truck operator can be downright dangerous at times. But that’s why National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is a thing. It’s a time to recognize all of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to trucking or towing and all of the work they do.
15 healthy snacks that you can stash in your tow truck
As a tow truck driver, you’re a busy person. It’s always go, go, go as you dash from one job to the next. With all the craziness, it can be hard to eat – and snack – healthily. Of course, it’s important that you get the sustenance you need throughout the day, but you also have to consider what you’re snacking on. Along with things like tow truck ergonomics, eating healthy can help you feel better during the day. We’ve got fifteen healthy snacks that you can take with you in your tow truck and munch on between jobs.
Iowa expands its Move Over law to include all vehicles with flashing lights
Move Over laws are very important to the towing world. Each year, many tow truck operators lose their lives or are severely injured when they’re struck by a car while working on the side of the road. On July 1st, Iowa expanded its Move Over law to better protect drivers and vehicles parked on the side of the road. The law now requires drivers to change lanes or slow down for any vehicle displaying flashing lights.
I-95 overpass in Boca Raton, FL to be renamed for towman
The I-95 overpass near Congress Avenue in Boca Raton, Florida, is going to be renamed for a tow truck operator who fell to his death while attempting to secure a semi-truck that was teetering at the edge of the overpass. The overpass will be named “Richard Jason Randolph Memorial Bridge.” The state legislature passed the renaming, which could become official by the end of this summer.