3 Useful Tools for New Tow Truck Drivers

If you’re just starting out as a tow truck driver, make sure you’re properly equipped for the job. Like any job, towing has its difficulties. But having the right tools on hand helps you get the job done quickly and safely.

It takes a lot to move a stuck, wrecked, or disabled vehicle, and you might not know how valuable these tools can be. Get prepared with these three useful tools for new tow truck drivers.

A Motorized Winch

Your motorized winch will help you move a vehicle onto the towing platform. The winch includes a cable wire wrapped around a drum to keep it from tangling. The electric motor rotates the drum to release or re-spool the cable wire. Always inspect your winch before a job to make sure it’s reliable and can pull the load in question.

You can use a smaller winch to conserve your car’s battery power, but you’ll be limited to towing smaller vehicles. You’ll need a stronger winch, which requires more power, to pull heavy vehicles.

Tow Chains

Rather than connect the winch cable directly to the car, spread out the force of the towing with tow chains. The tow chain hooks onto the underside of the automobile and helps prevent the winch from damaging the vehicle.

Select a tow chain with the right tensile strength. You don’t want the chain to snap under the stress of pulling. A low tensile strength can handle a lower force than a chain rated with a high tensile strength. You can use a Grade 70 chain or higher for hauling.

A Vehicle Lockout Kit

While you’ll also need other equipment to help you safely move vehicles, you might not realize you should carry a vehicle lockout kit, too. Use lockout tools to unlock car doors without damaging the car.

Different scenarios make lockout tools useful for new tow truck drivers. You might need to open the vehicle’s door to maneuver the steering wheel or place the vehicle in neutral.

And if you’re repossessing a vehicle or recovering a stolen vehicle, lockout tools will help you do the job quickly. A kit can include different wands, wedges, and a paint protector.