Most people don’t really know much about the towing profession or tow trucks. Is there anything interesting about tow trucks or the towing industry? While it’s certainly an unpleasant situation when your car breaks down and you need a tow truck service to either tow your car or provide some roadside assistance to resolve the problem, we have some interesting facts about the towing industry which we’d like to share:
Towing isn’t a new profession
Human beings have been using tow trucks to haul vehicles for more than a century. It was way back in 1916 when a mechanic named Ernest Holmes used towing techniques to recover a Ford Model T that had driven off the road. However, it took 8 hours and six men to get that car back on the road. Holmes eventually designed a tow truck machine in 1919 to make vehicle recovery or hauling a relatively easy task.
Canada is home to the largest tow trucks
There are hundreds of towing companies operating across Canada, where you can find some of the biggest tow trucks in the world. Some of the largest tow trucks come with a big, durable crane at the back. An operator can lift wrecked and disabled vehicles from a considerable distance without causing inconvenience to road users.
A Cadillac was first used as a tow truck
Holmes originally tried to mount a towing machine to the back of his 1913 Cadillac. The car was modified to support a pulley system and crane. However, the system wasn’t powerful and well balanced enough to perform daily towing operations. Holmes didn’t give up and sold his first commercial tow truck, a steam-powered vehicle, for $485. This was the starting point of modern day towing technologies.
Being a tow truck operator isn’t an easy job
Do you think driving a car and a tow truck are relatively similar? Towing isn’t as simple as you might think, though it might look like a fun and easy job when you see someone driving a large tow truck with great ease while carrying heavy loads. A special driver’s licence is required to operate a tow truck. There are towing laws that regulate the industry, which means you can’t just drive a tow truck around without a license or industry knowledge.
There is an International Towing & Recovery Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee
If you love the history of towing, you might want to consider visiting the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum which features classic equipment and a huge selection of trucks from the industry.
About Action Towing
Action Towing is one of the best towing companies in Edmonton, Alberta. We use our skills and equipment to make life easier. From roadside assistance to long-distance towing, we offer a wide range of services. You can call us 24/7 for emergency assistance. Contact us for more information!