Bingo. And just because they do it doesn't make it right.

Guinelle1, stop mucking up the thread with obvious bad advice. You have your opinion, that's great, but it goes against the solid advice given here. If you want to haul your vehicles around like that, that's on you, and unfortunate to those around you should anything happen, but stop trying to justify bad advice here. Thanks.

 

I see it all the time where I'm at also. Half of the trucks have POS winch cables that are past their prime with a driver to match. I'd hate to be behind one if that cable lets go. Especially with a fluid soaked deck on a pothole ridden highway.

 

All most all states require that when sucked down with the cable in front like this it also must have a safety chain incase the cable breaks, most are too lazy to use it.


Unfortunately commercial towing is a whole different ball game with it's own challenges that cause poor habits like this.


First, Most new cars have absolutely no suspension parts strong enough to hook onto without bending or breaking something and being at fault. But this is no excuse to haul them all the same, each should be hooked up the safest way depending on the vehicle.


Second is the high top heavy center of gravity on a slideback compared to a lower car trailer. there are advantages in control if it is not swaying side to side on you back there because of the suspension.


Third is mind set, Drivers tend to get the subconscious idea that because the company is paying out 1,200 dollars or more a month for insurance that this is going to keep the vehicle from falling off. Serious...


Another factor is they tend get a false sense of safety because the trucks and equipment have to inspected by a state DOT officer every year at a minimum. But anyone who has been in this business knows that unsafe trucks and equipment get approved for continued use all the time from these officers.


This is one of the most corrupt situations from law enforcement and it is hard to fix because these officers can make you or break you if you file a complaint. Unfortunately there is a LOT of backscratching going on in the towing business to officer relationships.


Boils down to this...if you want to also pay out 1,200 dollars or more a month in insurance and be in the same class as these tow trucks just let a car fall off your trailer once and you will be.

 

I'm only going to address one thing in this post being it was mine you quoted CO. DOT inspected our trucks every 3 mo. or anytime they wanted to on the road I-70 and did so often with inspections. They looked at cables for any loose strands and all had to be bonded ends no cable clamps, safety equipment was also checked everything. Each and every driver was responsible for checking his truck before his shift began for all equipment and if anything was missing or bad to report to ME and the last driver was contacted.


I towed for numerous police departments, state, counties and never once did I ever offer a police officer a bribe to look the other way or for a tow I wasn't called for rotational calls for towing companies on there list.

 

Then you have been very lucky Fred and I fully respect your comment Sir.


But I have to share that it is so bad at my Ca location CHP assigned area that the local DOT officer allowed the "pay off" guy down the street to register his tractor and refrigerated trailer combination as "special equipment". Then we have the "Officers request" option to deal with, it's a real mess Fred. I have worked on this guy's equipment for 25 years and NONE OF IT BELONGS ON THE ROAD!


Yet it gets passed without any red tags everytime? Somebody is blowing smoke...I crawl under his rigs...I know.


And yes this is all on rotation, so called "equal rotation" withstanding the "Officers request" option. I have dealt with this corruption since I was real young and now my friends that were not smart enough to get out of the business are dealing with it everyday. I am finding it is now pretty much the same in Az. What is an agreement for a trailer, car or engine or two out of a tow yard worth to an in your "Area" officer if he needs it?


Please come clean and share that one or two of your competitors did this very same thing with officers when you were in the business. It's a serious problem, and know why we haven't heard from Cruiser in this? Because he's been where I have been on every topic here.


I respect and like you very much Fred, But I am not going to sugarcoat the truth about one of the most crooked industries I have ever been in in my life. As a minister and a tow company owner, it would be wrong for me to do so.

 

put a xj on a trailer tonight and brought it home. strapped it down using the axles...

 

Lol