I've been doing roadside assistance for about three years. I do the soft 4, battery install, tire replacement and starters/alternators. I started with practically nothing and have been slowly building my company. I don't work for any of the motorclubs any more, but it took 3 years to get away from them. I worked for AAA, Honk, Urgently and Agero. I now will only do calls for Honk but not on the Ap. Only on when they call me and I can set the rate. Now I am 100% independent. I run 1/3 the calls sure, but I get upwards of $100 to $150 a call and have some tire jobs run in the $350 range and charge $150/hr for wrench work. I'm now the highest rated company in this industry in my city, and it's still just little ole me. I swear, I still feel like I'm faking it though and I still have a long way to go. If people only knew....
Being 20 years old, a lot of this startup stuff is super confusing, but this video was really really helpful and jam packed with great, and professional advice. I've had this dream of owning my own company for the longest time, but a lot of it has been extremely daunting and felt hopeless, this video has helped a lot, and I will most definitely do more research on this.
That is why i wanted to get the information out there. I was in your shoes with very little help. Please reach out or give me suggestions for future videos.
I'd work for this guy Man you helped me in mu personal life with that ending speech . Thanks I'm looking to buy my fist tow truck this week for 10 grand. Wirh no exp. But !!! Listening to you I'm going to get a good dependable pick up! And do roadside and Build from ground up! Thanks awesome n real no capping at all. Brutal truth is what america need
Im glad it helps! That was my goal with this channel is to help guide people in the right direction. Look up wreck master. They have different levels of training as you grow to help with skills you'll need along the way.
Thank you so much brother. I plan on starting a small car dealership and eventually breaking into towing or car transport. If my buisnesses take off, I will buy you a dinner. Thank you so much for this advice sir.
I’m just getting started in the Tow business as an employee. Tonight is my first night alone in a truck and I’m so excited! I do want to have my own business one day and hopefully I can contact you for help/info
Definitely. I'd just say to be smart and be safe. Never be afraid to ask questions and never get too cocky or confident. Ive been doing this 15 years and still learn new things each and every day. Create a system of how you load, strap / secure, etc. Do it the same way everytime so you do not miss something because of going out of order.
Damn brother I am getting started in the towing Business tired of digging ditches Just picked up a 1990 International flatbed have years of experience working on automotive and hydraulics Also love working on cars I can't thank you enough for giving the information out Do what you do and thank you You have a new subscriber
Insurance is the killer. I work for a relatively small company. Five full time and two part time drivers. Five flatbeds one light wrecker two heavies, two tractors a landoll and a lowboy and a lugger. Insurance is over $100k a year. They are thinking of selling the two heavies as they are the most to insure and we don't get enough work with them. They asked me what I thought as I am one of two drivers who do heavy tows. Wouldn't hurt my feelings. I hate 2am police calls for broken down tractor trailers in the middle of the road. Double picking cause the bumper is 4" off the ground and pulling the driveshaft and cageing brakes in -35°C sucks. Oh yeah and then try and get paid for the tow. Owners bartering and complaining about the price and then paying by etransfer that takes an hour when all you want to do is go back to bed. I just tell them "big trucks, big bucks" when the trucking company doesn't want to pay the $1000 bill
Thanks for the advice. I have a junk car removal business and I use an F250 with a trailer. After watching this I may try a roadside assistance addition until I buy a tow truck.
Brother this was a great video. I’ve been debating on hopping on with a company and getting some towing under my belt. My own roadside is definitely a goal of mine. This vid definitely helped me decide 🤘🏻
I've been doing roadside assistance for about seventeen years. I own and operate my business. I also have a youtube channel. And I just want to say this is the best most honest video i've ever seen about roadside assistance and the towing industry. NSD is a loser that makes you late to more important calls for more important car clubs. Some clubs are anchors. Choose wisely. Great video.
Man your video was so helpful. Just the information I needed . Straight to the point and upfront. I worked for AAA, for 2 years then did repossession for about a year. That experience definitely helped me, once again great video!
This is a lot of great advice. I'm definitely headed into starting up a towing business and you suggested the thing that I was thinking to myself,, working for a tow company. I'm very thankful for your video. God bless your business and your family.
Really good video. How and where to establish your dot and mc etc, what insurance and the like is needed and whether or not cdl's etc are needed for particular equipment and the details most people will miss are some things that are definitely appreciated. Had to find these things out on my own and would have really appreciated some help from someone like this. Keep it up!
Depends on the condition of both. The international has a better reputation for being reliable. The c5500 will have a more modern look and feel. But just depends on the condition of the trucks, price, and what bed each truck has.
I wish I lived closer to ya to get some hands on experience working with ya and learning about the business. I drive locally a 9 car hauler and it’s time for some change just don’t know where to start.
I’m fixing to buying myfirst tow truck your video was great advice I would like to know more or less how you get your rates for towing or how much to charge for mileage or to even do a winch out thanks again
Great video I'm finally getting around to listening to. Getting a rollback to help my dad with the family business. Buying my first one today. I've been a mechanic for years. Last year I fixed a neighbors rollback and he found out I knew how to run a tow truck because I grew up around it. I ended up running his business for him all last year using his 2019 f650. Got a lot of experience. Worked my first death (guy on the way to see someone he thought was going to die that night in the hospital doing 100 mph+ with rain and didn't know the area and jumped a round about flipped his car ended up in a pond and I had 8 feet of width of bank to get it out of the drink), have towed classics and exotics, teslas etc... finally taking the plunge to my own truck and have been doing mobile mechanic work for a while since I left the shop I was doing mechanic work at. Got a lot of tips of company's I hadn't used to receive dispatch from and some I have. A lot of great info here.
I have a Transport business and the wife and I are wanting to jump into the Towing business now. She is currently a COPART employee and is really excited about getting started. I would have to start with IAA because of the conflict of interest. We transport vehicles now, how much more difficult would it be for me to transition over to this. I've got a Rollback in the works already too.
Depending on your transport business and what equipment you use, overall it's very similar. The only big thing i can think of is do you use a rollback now for business? Alot of IAA and copart stuff can be very damaged. Sometimes missing a wheel or parts so they dont roll. So having knowledge to know how to properly load and unload is the biggest thing i see. From a business standpoint it's all the same. Check on insurance requirements and if there is any difference there.
Really great information, my question is this. I would be new to towing but have 10+ years flatbed experience. Do you think that would be of any advantage as far as insurance, experience, etc regarding the "NEW GUY" status.
If the flatbed experience is related to Towing that will help tremendously in the work aspect but will not help as much in the insurance. They will ask for industry related experience typically and look over your driving record to see how that looks. But typically a new company is the highest risk.
Thanks so much man you seriously just saved me alot of time and money!! I just bought a 2000 chevy 3500 with a wrecker bed on it to start with and there is a copart beside my shop so looks like i may just get my feet wet with them and if i have any questions i can ask you! Wish i had your number haha
Hey man just wanna say thank u very much for this video I know it’s 2 years old but it gave me a way into the business with out having the funding to buy a tow truck I saved for 3 months and bought a truck out right so seriously thank u
Great info love the content quik question what type of insurance would I need to call haul or roadside assistance or just towing would I need the same for all three
Each require slightly different but you could get a towing policy that covers all 3. You would need atleast your state minimum for the industry you choose. Most companies require a million of general liability, a million of commercial auto liability, and 100k of on hook / cargo insurance. You can get by with less coverage but depends on if your a subcontractor for anyone. If your curious of cost you can go to the commercial side of progressive insurance website and get an instant online quote.
Great advice man definitely feel motivated to keep going. I just started my own tow business less than a year ago, I found a 2500 Silverado extended cab short bed with a wheel lift in the bed for a good price and that’s how it all started. there’s a lot of bad days and there’s good days as where I live the tow business is saturated and very very competitive to extreme levels but I’m not back I out. Im currently looking to upgrade the truck to a crew cab long bed or at least long bed extended cab just unsure if I should stay with a gas engine truck or step up and go with a Diesel engine? Any advice on that? diesels definitely have more pulling power but gassers aren’t soo bad either idk….
They both have their place. Gas engines are cheaper all the way around from repair, maintenance, replacement. A diesel will come in hand for larger hauling and towing jobs but if your primarily doing cars. Stick to the gas.
Thank you very much brother, I have been looking for information for more than 6 months and for the first time I found someone who gives me all the information I need to be able to launch myself thanks brother
Glad it helps!! Im actually writing an Ebook right now that i feel has everything in it. Hopefully be available within a month. I will be continuing to put up info as i think of important topics that could help someone with their business.
Question on insurance- many insurance companies won’t insure a tow truck start-up; any suggestions of insurance companies that will insure a start up flatbed tow truck business? Great video BTW!!👍
This brothers video gave me gems starting my tow trucking company thank you for a clear well delivered message God bless you your time and your family.
Awesome advice. I would love to hear your opinions on what truck to buy first. I know you mentioned that a flatbed would do more for you but I would like to hear more details on the specific pros and cons.
@@Guardianautoservices I just saw that video after making the comment! You give a lot of good information that I agree with. I’m doing roadside assistance right now in Austin Texas area and I’ve gotten really good at it, so trying to move into towing. Your videos have helped out a lot so far. I know you mentioned that starting out, it would be wise to go with a rollback, but I’d really like to start out with a wrecker for various reasons. Do you recommend any good resources for someone with no real towing experience (I came from the auto repair industry) starting out in a wrecker, as far the specifics of using the equipment, dollies, etc?
Great video bud I appreciate all the hard work and thanks for the info. I'm a moble mechanic in augusta ga and I travel to Atlanta sometimes so I appreciate all the great wisdom
If you take a little time and watch all my videos it should give you some honest advice to help get you started in the right direction. It's tough but you can do it!
I love your advice! I towed motorcycles in the past for a company but didn’t get paid out too well so I got another job. I did really enjoy the work and I want to try doing the motorcycle tow business on my own. Does your suggestions apply to this type of towing?
I’m looking at starting a towing company. I’ve worked in the industry for several years starting on the roadside assistance side and driving a flatbed more recently. I’d like to get started by running with a trailer and 3500 pickup. I recently met a guy running calls for urgently and he had this same set up. I’m just wondering if there are going to be any roadblocks or issues that I’m not seeing by going this route. Thoughts?
That's tricky. Motorclubs can be picky if they happen to get word of you using a trailer they might terminate any agreement. The best way to use that setup is to market for retail tows, hit up mechanic shops, and any company that could use local delivery.
I’m 23 from Florida and ready to take on the challenge your video has been the most motivating along with how u said to keep family and memories first from the bottom of my heart thanks for this video brother I wish you the best!
What I hope you do is weekly videos even if you get on there and just ramble about the past week. That's what we're looking for we need to know real life experiences, what to expect, and if you're just getting on then ramble for 25 minutes, we're all gonna be looking for you next video.
Thank You For All The Information, You Are Absolutely A Straight Shooter, A Lot Of People Could Benefit From Listening To What You Have To Say, So Thank You Again For Sharing Your Wisdom With Us All.
Takes experience. You learn over time. Start with the obvious of an older honda, toyota, kia, etc car is front wheel drive. Newer mid size suvs are awd. Trucks are all rwd but some can be 4wd. Looks for badges on the real or stickers. There is also apps you can use.
Hey good evening, so I’m currently trying to get me a flatbed tow truck, I believe I have much of the qualifications that I needed what’s stopping me right now is money to get a truck, so I’m asking what milage is good, what year to start out with an what’s a ok maintained truck to start off with, I’ve work for towing company for over 3 yrs so I have some experience, so what you suggested or input, starting from the bottom
That is dependent on who is financing the truck and their requirements. My opinion is to get the newest you can afford or afford to fix when it breaks.
AWESOME EDUCATIONAL VIDEO! WHEN AND IF YOU CAN - PLEASE DO A VIDEO ABOUT SAFETY, HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH TYPES OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE "CUSTOMERS" AND PLEASE DO A VIDEO ABOUT PROS AND CONS OF THIS BUSINESS THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
Roger that sir. Finally usable information stay at it boss I towed for a company last recession lol sadly it barely got me threw but I’m sure with ur info and experience u will do amazing. I am planning on doing this tho be ur own boss. Stay the coarse brother put in the work.
I have a question that I’m pretty sure you’d be able to answer. Once I get started with towing how would I go about getting contracts with such as police tows. How do you charge for those tows.
That is a bidding process with your city, county, and state police that is a set time frame by them. Some are yearly, some might be every 2 to 3 years. Depends on how they do it where your located. Now, i have seen it be changed if the company on contract isn't providing a quality service. Rotation also varies. Some instances you will have multiple companies that rotate calls. Some places might be for the entire contract with a back up company. Some might have a weekly Rotation that swaps out. If you decide to look into it you would need to find out the criteria for your local Rotation. Typically, you have to have a certain number of trucks. Certain size lot with fencing. Etc.
Great Advice bro. So what kind of insurance is needed to start roadside assistance and towing business and is there a preferred company to use for a good rate. And a package for all permits licenses and coverages?
It is all relative, yes you can make money but that will depend on alot of things. You will have to establish a great reputation and find your niche in your local market. Florida is very saturated with trucks. Most seem to be fighting over the same work. You will have to find something that separates you from everyone else.
Hey brotha i was actually thinking of starting a towing company and came accross your video. I have no experience towing but so have some auto experience. Im plannimg on getting my class c rn to start driving my own truck and looking starting to plan to buy my flat bed. Would you Recommend me go and work for a towing comapny when i get my class c first or should i hire someone and learn from them. I want to get the ball rolling as fast as i can and wanna start roadside with motor clubs to start. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I highly suggest working for someone atleast 6 months to a year before going out on your own. You will get a basic knowledge of the industry and what it requires. I tried doing it on my own before getting real world experience and struggled.
How am I supposed to get my foot in the door though. I want to atleast get a job and help out towing to see if it’s what I want to do. I can’t find anything other than cdl towing nobody is hiring
Keep looking. Not sure of your area but the larger companies or even the local AAA contractor usually will hire. As much as AAA is hated in the industry, it's typically less hectic calls which is good for someone learning before you get thrown at recovery jobs
