They come in variety of strengths, but only two are recommended,
1. Transport, number 7 is widely used in the industry, but is not intended for overhead work,
2. Alloy number 8 is the only chain that is approved by OSHA for overhead work.
– J-hooks are used on both tow trucks and carriers, and are intended for use on older model vehicles, trucks, and vans,
– T-hooks are used on many newer model vehicles that have a place for them to be attached to,
– Grab hooks are meant to wrap into the chain itself, they should not be used on vehicles,
– Cable hooks,
– R-hooks are a modified form of T-hooks,
– S-hooks can be used in T-hook holes
– And hook clusters, which are a combination of different hooks.
– Other equipment consists of cables, snatch blocks, and lights.
The Incident Techniques and Knowledge (needed at the site)
The towers arrival at the scene employs several basic tenets:
– First and foremost is to practice safe parking, which means to not impede other emergency responders. Be sure to park your truck out of the way of traffic and other responder’s vehicles. Find out who is in charge, if first on the scene, then set out warning devices to alert traffic, after making sure that other needed responders have been alerted.
– Make sure that responder and public safety come before any removal is attempted.
– The placement of warning lights and cones will help in maintaining control of the site. If there are too many lights, particularly at night, will confuse oncoming traffic, thereby leading to the possibility of a secondary accident.
Secondary accidents can be quite severe, because responders are at the scene and on foot, and with another vehicle, or vehicles, crashing into the scene, fatalities are a good possibility. That is why the aforementioned techniques of scene control are important.
– Remember to practice single-lane parking if possible
– Always communicate with other responders at the scene
– Place warning cones out if needed
– Make sure that warning lights are not confusing to oncoming traffic
– Finally, the faster that an incident is cleared, the less likely that another incident will occur
Clearing the scene can be the most challenging because a tower has to engage the vehicle to be towed, while making sure that traffic does not become a threat. If possible, always work off the road or on the shoulder. Be sure to secure the vehicle with primary and secondary towing restraints. Try to get any debris off the road. Check with the au
Non-Towing Service
There are services other than towing, that drivers will be asked to perform. They will include, but not be limited to:
– People who have locked their keys in their vehicle.
– Jumping a battery which entails a certain procedure such as connect to disabled vehicles positive post and then use same line on jumper cables to connect to positive on battery to be jumped off of. Use the second line of jumpers to connect to negative terminal on good battery and then to the engine block of disabled vehicle.
– There will be times that one has to refuel a vehicle. It may be necessary to determines whether there is fuel in the tank or the fuel pump is not properly working.
– One of the most common incidents is a flat tire, be sure the spare is in good shape and make sure that the vehicle is stabilized throughout this procedure.
All the above procedures require the proper positioning of your truck 11/2 length behind the vehicle, and always be aware if a bypassing traffic.
TEXAS RULES AND REGULATIONS
86.201. Tow Truck Permit – Incident Management Towing
(a) An incident management towing permit is required for a tow truck used to perform any nonconsent tow initiated by a peace officer, including a tow allowed under §545.3051, Transportation Code.
(b) To be eligible for an incident management towing permit, an applicant must:
(1) submit a completed application on a department-approved form;
(2) pay the fee required under §86.800;
(3) verify that the tow truck is equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
(4) provide proof of insurance required under §86.400; and
(5) successfully pass a criminal background check.
(c) An incident management towing permit may also be used for private property towing and consent towing. Source Note:The provisions of this §86.201 adopted to be effective April 15, 2008, 33 TexReg 2940
86.202. Tow Truck Permit – Private Property Towing
(a) A private property towing permit is required for a tow truck used to perform a nonconsent tow authorized by a parking facility owner.
(b) To be eligible for a private property towing permit, an applicant must:
(1) submit a completed application on a department-approved form;
(2) pay the fee required under §86.800;
(3) verify that the tow truck is equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
(4) provide proof of insurance required under §86.400; and
(5) successfully pass a criminal background check.
(c) A private property towing permit may also be used for consent towing but not for incident management towing. Source Note: The provisions of this §86.202 adopted to be effective April 15, 2008, 33 TexReg 2940
86.203. Tow Truck Permit – Consent Towing
(a) A consent towing permit is required for a tow truck used to perform a consent tow authorized by the vehicle owner, as defined in §86.10(22).
(b) To be eligible for a consent towing permit, an applicant must:
(1) submit a completed application on a department-approved form;
(2) pay the fee required under §86.800;
(3) verify that the tow truck is equipped to tow light-duty or heavy-duty vehicles according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
(4) provide proof of insurance required under §86.400; and
(5) successfully pass a criminal background check.
(c) A consent towing permit may not be used for nonconsent towing, including incident management towing and private property towing. Source Note: The provisions of this §86.203 adopted to be effective April 15, 2008, 33 TexReg 2940