Towing Business

[capsgs]

We're thinking about starting our own towing service. We have an oportunity to contract with the local municipality as an exclusive service. Initial expense to start it doesn't look too bad, and with what we spend each month for towing, it shouldn't take long to turn it around. I was just wondering if any of you have, or have had, any experience with this?

Cap

[This message has been edited by capsgs (edited 06-07-2007).]

[mgl]

I worked for a dealer for 11 yrs that had a couple of wreckers and a flatbed. Days I dispatched them, at night they had pagers, and I had fun, plus I got to know the area almost too well! Three or four times a year we towed for the police and it seemed to work well, plus our customers got much faster service. There was never a problem with warranty paperwork invoices, and we had a secure cage for the public tows - it's amazing how long some folks will go before claiming their vehicles. Storage $$ really adds up! Also we had 3 guys towing and a pinch hitter for emergencies - three of the four could do repairs, a huge plus at night.
If you have the time, the space and the people it can be a lifesaver many times, and lucrative as all get out! Go for it!

[texaslp]

Be sure to have someone check with your insurance provider about this as well. I've never had a tow truck but the agents always ask that question like it's kind of a big deal.

[GMFXDOPSMGR]

I have had a wrecker service at a Chevy store a few years ago. The service is still going at that store. We got up to 5 trucks, pulled for us, our body shop, city, county and state police. Insurance was pricie, but kept all the trucks busy. A couple of them worked for independent body shops, police more than for us, but we had 2 that were dedicated to us. Picked up for other dealers in the area also. Our drivers had pagers that would text, so we could go on the net to text them a call. Had the time and knew if they got the text. They also had phones. 7-24 for 2 of the trucks and rotated shifts. Drivers made real good money. Need someone that can do blets, batteries, hoses, flats, know how to start a vehicle that ran out of gas, put lock kits in the trucks etc.

Good business if your owner will buy the trucks. We had 3 flat beds, 1 heaver for larger trucks..4500 series was the largest we would tow, and one retriever...snatcher for the quick short trips.

[capsgs]

Great info guys. If I may, I have a couple of more questions. What kind of pay plan did you use for drivers? Is there any certain equipment that you just have to have, beside the trucks of course.

[mgl]

I know our guys made well over minimum wage. You'll need pagers/cellphones, special invoices, a good filing cabinet, maybe a separate accounting code for towing, and I hate to say, but even though the store was in an okay area, some of the police tows got into unsavory area...our night guys were licenced to carry, and did.

And a dispatcher who knows the area well enough to get accurate directions!