I was involved in the towing industry once upon a time and decided it wasn't for me. Loved the big toys, complex recoveries, accident work, and helping people in need. Couldn't stand the 24/7 hours and lack of sleep.

Despite that, I still have friends in the industry and am always watching the equipment evolve. There are several Youtube channels I follow that involve the big rotators and the work they do.

One of the big manufacturers was working on a secret project which was unveiled fairly recently. My first reaction was "that's a good color for a truck. I know a company that has all of their trucks that color". So imagine my surprise when I found out that's why the truck was painted that color.

The biggest rotating wrecker built in the US just found its way to the St. Louis area and I got to stop by the other day to look it over in person. They didn't want me to take photos of it as it sat because they haven't finished painting it and haven't officially proclaimed that they have it.

If you park a very large wrecker next to this truck it makes the large wrecker look small. You really have to see it in person to appreciate it. It's capable of lifting over 200,000 pounds off the tailboard.

That's impressive.

I don't get the "rotator" terminology. Can you explain?

Watched the video and am suitably impressed. Wondered though, why do the call it a rotator? Curious...

ETA a guess: Perhaps the crane is not fixed to the rear like most tow trucks and can be “swung” like an excavator or a regular crane. This could be handy for setting up on the road, reaching over the side, picking something up, and swinging it back onto the road. Still just a guess...

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I don't get the "rotator" terminology. Can you explain?

The boom can spin in a circle so that they can lift or winch off of any side of the truck at any angle. In this case the boom is also a slider or traveling boom, so it can move forward and rearward on the chassis as well.

These make a huge difference in accident recoveries as they no longer need to shut down entire highways for the trucks to be perpendicular to the casualty. They can do a lot of their work out of one traffic lane.

We use them to move vault doors in and out of the shop. Here's a photo showing his boom swinging around from one side to the other.

I'm curious as to what the hourly rate and mileage charges are for one of these trucks. They don't get used every day so I imagine it ain't cheap.

Jeez a1abdj, how big a safe are you looking to install with that truck??

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Originally posted by AITG:
I'm curious as to what the hourly rate and mileage charges are for one of these trucks. They don't get used every day so I imagine it ain't cheap.

Based on my understanding of regular trucking rates vs heavy equipment permit load low bed rates, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

Got it, thanks. The outriggers are cleary visible in your photo.

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I'm curious as to what the hourly rate and mileage charges are for one of these trucks. They don't get used every day so I imagine it ain't cheap.

The red truck in that photo bills at $600 an hour, minimum 2 hours for boom work. They regularly use that truck for towing as well, and the rate for that is substantially less.

The M100 in that video ran about $1,200,000. Due to its weight it will only be used for recovery work, and suspect it will have a higher hourly rate.

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jeez a1abdj, how big a safe are you looking to install with that truck??

That's a mid sized door. 15,000 pounds. With the boom fully retracted on that truck he can lift 50 tons. Fully extended I think he said around 16,000.

They posted this on Facebook as a teaser. See if you can spot it.

Miller Industries is located in Ooltewah, TN, which is just outside of Chattanooga, TN. My SIL works there in purchasing. My business unfortunately has the need for tow trucks occasionally and we always try to guess what the tow bills are going to be. The further north you go the more they seem to be.

I like Plaza Towing and Midwest Truck Towing on YouTube. Both have Rotators.

For a reference.... Got a friend in the Crane business. 500,000lbs Lifting Crane. Takes about 15 tractor trailer loads to bring all the necessary materials to the site to set up. And needs a "helper crane" to lift the boom and lufffer off the ground.

Cost - $25,000 set up and $25,000 take down cost. Then bills at $1200/hr for work time.

Andrew

^^^^ That's one of the things people don't understand about my line of work. Why does it cost so much?

Ever rented a crane?

I never rented one, but owned a small one and a large-ish one. There are some good deals on used cranes out there, very good deals. They are so handy.

I bought Digger Derrick for the crane, for lifting boat engines. Someday I will buy another, better in the long run than paying someone $200/hour minimum.

Do the trucking companies have contracts with the Big Tow Truck operators? I know that trucking companies have contracts with Michellin to replace tires on 18 wheelers along the interstate system.

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Do the trucking companies have contracts with the Big Tow Truck operators?

Some do, but it's not just the trucking companies themselves. In some cases repair shops contract with companies, and in turn have tow operators they use. Once upon a time the "police" contracted with tow operators to handle accidents. They no longer do that around here, but instead have a rotation of qualified companies. If you meet a municipality's requirements you can be added to their call list.

^^
Thanks for the info.

Very interesting and thank you for posting a1abdj!

I sometimes watch "Highway Thru Hell" on The Weather Channel when I am turning in at bedtime, and am really impressed with some/most of the recoveries and the challenge it presents to the team and how they solve the problem(s).

Am curious to know your thoughts on the shown if you watch it, and whether it's the 'real deal' or scripted BS or somewhere in-between.

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Originally posted by OKCGene:
I like Plaza Towing and Midwest Truck Towing on YouTube. Both have Rotators.

Yes! Both have Youtube channels and I am subscribed to both.