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....
I'd love to be able to pick your brain and learn a thing or two before I buy this tow truck over here
'Running a towing business' was my search query and this is what popped up. Very informative, being a total beginner.
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.
Dude you freaking Rock you just gave me hope!
I appreciate that information I'm going to use it as soon as I get my truck here
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!
Brother you’re lifesaver…. Great advice straight and direct.
I appreciate you brotha , real talk
Absolutely awesome! Everything you said is true been through it my self.
It’s great to see people that have the same story. Keep it up brother.
Thank you so much for your candor, it was refreshing to hear. 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.
Thanks for the knowledge
Starting the ground work towards starting my own tow business
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
Great content champ, please keep it coming, very informational my man 🏆
I appreciate the strategy, the straight forward information. Greatly appreciated
Great info..thanks for the realism about the business!!!!
Gob bless you man. It was a big lesson learned.
You Can see the passion in his eyes and seriousness in his tone of voice #subscribed
You did great valuable and professional. Thank you
Great video Brother you did a fantastic job. 👊👊
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.
Awsome video brother I’m a tow truck operator in southbury ct it’s extremely dangerous and it’s a very relied on job but watching your video was just great to watch great job and most important STAY SAFE OUT THERE…thin yellow line🤙
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
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 🤘🏻
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.
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!
thanks for the info keep making videos and may god keep blessing you brother 💪🏽💪🏽✅🙏🏼✅💪🏽💪🏽
Great content! Thank you for the advice. Just starting. Darkside Towing LLC. Worked for others for 2 yrs heavy duty rescue and recovery.
42 just decided I wanna do this. Not sure why but yeah. Lol. Start training Monday for a company that runs all newer rollbacks. Thanks for the video
Working for a tow company now and saving up to buy a truck in a year
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.
Great video thanks for the knowledge
This was amazing. Thank you
Great video. Very useful information. Thank you
Can't tell you enough how much this info helped, trying to start my own business and the struggle is real!
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!
Great video !! Super helpful
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.
Check out my others! Hopefully, it will get you on the right track to dodge some common start-up issues.
Blessed, polite and smart bald guy!!! 🙏💪👍🏻
You're awesome. I've been towing since 2020 and I enjoy it...
Do you need property or a lot to drop vehicles? Or where do you drop them when removing them from a private property or parking lot?
I subscribe. you keeping it real with everyone
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
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.
This is great information. appreciate it
i really appreciate all the information brother
Thank you for this is appreciated.
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.
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.
Good video, great advice! Keep rolling!,,
Best advice ever thank you
Great video!
I definitely like your video, I also in Atlanta and I am looking to get into the towing business. I am trying to find a truck right now.
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.
Glad it helps! In a world full of bad info i just wanted to shed some information i feel is factual.
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.
@@Guardianautoservices I’d be interested when that comes out as I’m doing my research to get into towing
Best video ever. Thank You!!
Thank you! My intention is just to give real-world info from my perspective in the industry. Hopefully, it helps others to succeed quicker.
Excellent info thanks for sharing
Thanks for the advice I'm an owner operator for class A tractor trailer I was going to start a tow truck company first but I followed my buddy and this industry and now I want to start a towing company so I can be home or and the money is not the same in this industry... So thanks for the advice...
Great advice. My stepdad has been in the tow/mechanic business for around 50 years. I use to go on alot of calls with him. I started helping him a little over a year ago and I enjoy doing it. He's taught me a lot of tricks and i know that I he can't teach me everything. I know that I will have to learn alot on my own with experience.
You will always learn new things. Be teachable and accept others ideas, you'll never mnow when you will need it. Good luck!
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
Thank you for sharing your information .
Thank you for your experience
Thank you so much!
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?
Good information for me I appreciate it
Thank you!
Great video, thank you
Thank you for the information
Great video thank you
Much appreciated sir
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!
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
Appreciate the info on the business
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.
@@Guardianautoservices hi what would you recommend for a pick up truck Ford around a 3500 or 5500 what’s the best one?
@@Flokiboys bigger is always better when it comes to power, brakes, stability, and safety
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
Thanks for the input! I will keep the suggestions in mind for future videos. Great topics by the way.
Bro I'm on you tube a the time, you did well my Man, you will get tough guy texts , just block em out and stay positive
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.
Very good advice. I own a towing company that i started 4 years ago, and i can relate to pretty much everything said.
@@Guardianautoservices i feel like you summed it up pretty good. In the beginning its super hard, i was already working as a tow truck driver for a while before going on my own which i think helps because you gain the experience and see if its really for you. Another big challenge starting up as well is the insurance, which can be super high. And i completely agree with you about making time for family, for yourself, this business can get quite busy and if you cant put time for yourself, you will burn yourself out.
@@caioborges5530 thank you! I'm trying to share real world, honest info about the industry.
@@Guardianautoservices you gotta have it in you to grind, and you can make a good living doing it.
First off, THANK YOU!!!
I'm 35 years old and have done everything from running equipment at the age of 14 to doing mechanic work and auto body for the past 9 years and im just tired of lining other people's pockets while i collect the crumbs. My goal in the next year or 2 is to pay everything i own except my house off and have a cushion then buy a cash truck to start with. My number 1 rule with my job now is my kids come first no matter what, they're only little once.
Watching your video was almost like talking to my grandfather about it. (Not a bad thing lol) thank you again
If you haven't check out my others. It might help give you a jump in the right direction.
@@Guardianautoservices I'm watching another one now. I'll watch them all.
I'm also in Georgia, south Georgia. Do I need a permit to operate?
@@ericcunningham1231 you will need a USDOT number and a local business license at minimum to be legitimate. I would recommend forming a company as well.
@@Guardianautoservices I plan on getting an LLC to start with. From reading I've seen that I need a permit for non consensual tows?
I just wasn't sure if I needed a permit for consensual tows as well or just a legit business and dot numbers.
I've watched most of your videos now, thank you again for all of the information
The best way to make money in towing industry dealing with the insurance company is to be NONE-CONTRACTED. When you are contracted they pay you less.
Thank you
I hopefully will he blessed when I start but yea I’m gonna start with roadside but tow too
Thanks for the video. This sounds like solid advice. Is there a way to get training to become a wrecker driver?
Appreciate you,
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.
What's funny is ive started running a 6 car hauler myself. What area are you out of?
Ioved that thanks
My car got towed I was pissed but I watched this whole video it was good
Thanks Bro
Hands down best informative video on towing I have ever seen! Trying to do as much research as possible, and you just helped out so much! Cannot thank you enough!
Actually in talks with someone about doing an Ebook. That would be like a towing bible per say
But very glad it helps! That's my number one goal is to help guide people in the right direction
@@Guardianautoservices definitely appreciate it man, I've always wanted to do this but I'm wondering if the market is too saturated. When i see a small wreck there is always like 10 tow trucks lined up behind it😬
Do you normally see all that where you're at?? Georgia right?
@@conceptdesigns4100 no, here in Georgia it's different. What area are you in? Sounds like to me you are in an area where wreck chasing is legal. That is a whole different world honestly. Georgia had rotations for police work typically or people call their own towing service.
@@Guardianautoservices I'm in Houston, I think the whole state of Texas has the same laws as far as trucking goes. I think yes wreck chasing is legal but I've also heard about being put on police rotation. . So I don't know. Trying to find information down here is a pain in the ass without knowing a wrecker driver🤦♂️
wish i could give you more thumbs up for this . thank you bruh
Could you do more on flatbed vs pick-up truck with a sneaker lift
Great info and super helpful! Thanks for sharing! I’m about to buy my first towing truck, I’m gonna buy a Ford F350 financed for $1200/month and a 300/month power tilt trailer, what’s your advice about this setup? Can I be profitable considering the insurance is $600-$1200 and gas, Thanks again!
Great video
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
Go through my other videos. I go over the basics but there is no one price structure fits all.
Thank you sir
Thank you for the good video
Raw and real information
Man this is like MBA level business advice. Really appreciate it!