According to AAA, one tow truck driver dies on the job every six days. The reason is simple: drivers are expected to move over for emergency vehicles, including tow trucks. The drivers of tow trucks experience an adrenaline rush while providing roadside assistance. Unfortunately, six tow truck drivers have been killed so far this year.
While tow truck drivers are no different from regular drivers, they are at a higher risk for accidents because of their size and weight. According to the Washington DC Department of Transportation, over 2,400 tow truck accidents occurred in 2015. Tow truck drivers are also at risk for distractions, including $140 traffic tickets.
According to the Statewide Towing Association of Massachusetts, there are at least 60 tow truck drivers killed each year. This number is rising. In fact, the number of fatal truck crashes is expected to rise by 13% by the fourth quarter of 2020, making it the deadliest year since 2007.
What State Has the Most Tow Trucks?
The tow truck industry is a closely knit community. Accidents involving tow trucks are common, and drivers face a number of challenges. They often deal with pedestrians and speeding traffic. The following are some statistics on the number of fatalities and injuries involving tow trucks in different states.
Tow truck drivers are paid hourly or on a commission basis. This means they are under constant pressure to move on to the next scene in order to maintain a profitable income. As a result, tow truck drivers often push themselves to the limit. They’re never sure when they’ll get the call that they’ll need to work on the next shift.
While the industry is competitive, salaries are generally higher in higher-paying states. The top-paying state in the US is Tennessee. Other high-paying states include Massachusetts and Minnesota. With an average salary of $43,036, tow truck drivers in Tennessee earn more than the national average.
Can You Make a Living with a Tow Truck?
If you are interested in owning your own towing business, there are a few ways to increase your revenue. One of the most effective methods is to improve your online presence. For this, search engine optimization (SEO) can be an invaluable tool. SEO involves understanding what customers are searching for and focusing on the content that will draw them to your website. This strategy can help your website appear on the first page of Google, bringing in more business.
Another option for tow truck owners is to start a small operation and build their towing fleet over time. While starting out, it’s important to invest in reliable towing equipment. Then, as your profits start to rise, you can upgrade your fleet. This way, you can handle more work. As your business grows, you can sell older equipment and hire more people to help you out. In addition to upgrading your fleet, you should also invest in marketing. Graphic designers can help you with this. They can create rack cards, business cards, and ads. You can also post these materials in local venues.
Aside from marketing and advertising your business, you can also buy insurance and storage facilities for your tow truck. This will allow you to save up to $40k a month on gas alone. You may also want to consider obtaining Commercial Fleet Financing (CFF) in order to finance your fleet of vehicles.
How Long Have Tow Trucks Been Around?
Tow trucks have come a long way in the past century. In 1913, Ernest Holmes, a mechanic from Tennessee, experimented with a mechanical towing device by putting a hook and pulley system on a 1913 Cadillac. Holmes’ design was a bit unstable and not powerful enough, so he spent three years perfecting the design. In 1919, he finally released the first commercially available tow truck. The model was called the Holmes 485, and was made using a steam-powered vehicle and a 6-cylinder internal combustion engine.
Tow trucks have come a long way from those early days. Mechanics have long used tow trucks to help them recover broken-down cars and transport them to repair shops. A classic example of this is the ‘Model T’ tow truck. In 1916, Ernest Holmes, Sr., a mechanic in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was faced with an unexpected situation. His old professor’s Ford Model T had spun out of control and driven into a creek. After spending eight hours, Holmes and his men pulled the car from the creek. The Model T he saved would eventually require a truck with outriggers.
Today’s tow trucks have many features that make them useful for both large and small jobs. Some models feature cranes.
What Transportation Has the Most Deaths?
Passenger vehicles, including passenger cars, are the most dangerous mode of transportation. In 2017, they killed more people than buses, trains, and scheduled airlines combined. In the same year, their fatality rate increased by 22%. This made passenger vehicles the deadliest mode of transportation, more than 10 times higher than scheduled airlines.
According to federal estimates, traffic fatalities increased 18.4% from the first half of 2020. There is no single cause for the increase, but one possibility is that people who continued driving engaged in riskier behaviors. These include not wearing seat belts, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol.
The number of fatalities in 2021 has increased over the first half of 2020, when the United States traveled more than 1.7 trillion miles. The number of fatalities per vehicle mile traveled is estimated to rise to 1.34 per 100 million in 2021.
Where Do Tow Truck Drivers Get Paid the Most?
Tow truck drivers can make up to $53,098 per year, which is just over $26 per hour, and bonuses range from $1,274 to $6,444. Despite the high pay, the work is incredibly dangerous, and good communication skills are a must.
Tow truck drivers earn on a commission basis, or they may receive a fixed wage. These truck drivers often earn twenty to thirty percent of the gross on a load. In Georgia, tow truck drivers can earn as much as $15 per hour after three to six months of experience. However, these drivers will likely receive few advancement opportunities, and overtime pay is not always available. This means that to earn a high pay, you must be able to find a steady company.
The commission tow truck driver job market is quite active in the Chicago area. The average tow truck driver in this city makes $906 a week, which is $26 more than the national average. In fact, Chicago ranks one of the top five states for the highest paid commission tow truck driver salaries.
Do Tow Trucks Make Money?
There are several ways to make money as a tow truck driver. The first is to work for a company that offers a benefit program. In general, you will make less money as a conventional tow truck driver than a flatbed driver. Depending on the region, some companies pay by tow, instead of salary. You can also start your own business as a tow truck driver, but this will require a substantial investment.
Tow truck drivers must have good driving records and know their tools. There are a number of ways to test someone’s fit for the job. For example, a ride-along with a company’s tow truck can help assess a prospective driver’s ability to do the job. You can also consult with a lawyer or HR representative to ensure your employment is a good fit.
Another way to make money as a tow truck driver is to get contracts with other businesses. Many cities, repair shops, apartment complexes, and other organizations have tow contracts. These contracts can bring in lots of business, but they typically pay a low rate per tow. However, many tow truck businesses start out by taking AAA contracts, and once they’ve built up their business, they’ll look to pursue other lucrative contracts.
Is Towing Good Money?
When you first start a towing business, it can be overwhelming. You’ll need to figure out how much money you’re going to spend every month and what kind of tows you’re going to make. This is important because you’ll want to keep your monthly expenses to a minimum. You’ll also want to calculate your break-even point, which will help you know how much you can charge per tow. After that, you can start adding a profit percentage to the tow price and adjust that as revenue comes in.
If you don’t have a lot of money to start your towing business, you can consider renting the equipment. This may work for a few jobs, but it can quickly add up. You’ll also need to pay for the uniforms your drivers wear. Depending on how many drivers you need, the cost of this can be as low as $50.
If you’re interested in attracting customers, you can post videos on YouTube to promote your business. These videos can show customers what to look for when their car needs to be towed. In addition, they can also highlight important warning signs of a damaged car. This way, you can build your credibility as a towing business and make more cash. Make sure to include your website address and contact information on the video.
Learn More Here:
3.) Best Trucks