Emergency Incident Response | Pro-Tow 24 Hr Towing

Emergency Towing Service for a RAV4 in a Pond

by cdcidevel | Mar 2, 2022 | 24-Hour Towing, 24-Hour Towing Services, Emergency Incident Response, Emergency Towing, Emergency Towing Service, Recovery Blog

In this incident, on January 2, 2021, Team Pro-Tow responded to an emergency towing service call. A RAV4 had gone off the road and into the ditch. Unfortunately, there had been severe weather and flooding, and the RAV4 found itself stuck in a ditch pond.

Because we offer 24-hour towing services throughout Washington State, our team could respond to this accident quickly. First, we carefully rigged up the vehicle and pulled it back on the road. Then we took it to a secure location, and we signed off on the job.

Flooded Roads Make Bad Driving Conditions

Severe rainstorms can cause pooling water on the road and flooding in the ditch. In worse-case scenarios, the flooding extends over the road and makes for hazardous driving conditions. You should always drive with extreme caution during and after storms, check road reports, and avoid travel if necessary.

To avoid needing an emergency towing service, avoid driving on roads that are covered in more than 6 inches of water. Don’t drive in it if you’re not sure how deep it is. You should be especially cautious at night or in poor visibility conditions.

If you hit a large puddle of water, it is easy to lose control. You could end up in the ditch, striking an obstacle or have the engine take in water. If this happens, call for 24-hour towing as soon as possible. Team Pro-Tow will respond quickly and remove your vehicle before the situation worsens or becomes hazardous for other drivers.

If You’re Not Sure, Avoid It

Most people ignore puddles on the road and blast right through them. If there has been heavy rainfall and flooding in the area, you should think twice before plowing through a pool of unknown depths. You can’t tell if the road is worn away, or if there is debris under the water. As mentioned before, you can lose control and suffer the same fate as this RAV4.

Driving through floodwaters can destroy your vehicle and put you in danger. If you ever find yourself in trouble, count on Team Pro-Tow for 24-hour emergency towing service.

Accident Recovery on a Leaky Semi-Truck

by cdcidevel | Dec 1, 2021 | Accident Recovery, Emergency Incident Response, Heavy Duty Towing Service, Recovery Blog, Semi-Truck, Semi-Truck Accident, Semi-Truck Accident Recovery, Semi-Truck Spill Recovery, Spill Cleanup, Spill Recovery, Trailer Recovery

On April 23, 2021, Team Pro-Tow received an emergency dispatch from Washington State Police about a bobtail tractor collision. Without any other information, we set out with a requested C-class heavy-duty wrecker.

Heavy Duty Towing Service Required

We arrived at the scene, performed a scene evaluation, and found the bobtail tractor resting precariously against the guard rail. Not only that but the engine oil pan was also damaged and had already lost 10 to 15 gallons of engine oil. That was a big problem that we needed to address immediately with special accident recovery care.

We put together a recovery plan, including calculating weights and distance for the safest and quickest recovery. Team Pro-Tow handled the work of recovering the bobtail tractor by using the HD Crane-style rotating wrecker. We brought in additional equipment to complete the recovery safely, and our skilled operators got to work. We safely recovered the casualty without any additional spills or damage. Then provided a heavy-duty towing service to remove the casualty from the scene so fuel spill cleanup could begin.

Fuel Spill Cleanup

The next step in the accident recovery was the fuel spill containment, cleanup, and some debris cleanup. Again, team Pro-Enviro was on the scene taking care of the spill recovery.

Meanwhile, WSP informed the Washington State Department of Ecology about what was involved in the accident recovery and cleanup. We also dispatched additional equipment required for the cleanup. Our team worked with efficiency and speed to clean up the debris and spill on the road. Only once the roadway was back to its original condition was the job complete.

We got to the storage yard and returned all the equipment to its original location and condition. Once we completed the paperwork, we gave the cleared call on a heavy-duty towing service and cleanup job well done.

Tipsy Tanker Truck Recovery

by cdcidevel | Nov 17, 2021 | Emergency Incident Response, Emergency Towing, Emergency Towing Service, Recovery Blog, Truck Recovery

Last summer, on July 15, 2020, Team Pro-Tow got a call for a truck recovery. A tanker truck had gone off the roadway and into the ditch. The tank it was hauling was nearly tipped over, balancing precariously on one wheel. One wrong move, and that tank could tip entirely.

Our team of highly skilled and trained operators arrived at the scene with our equipment to rescue the tanker truck. First, we set up a truck recovery plan and secured the rigging on the truck and tank trailer. Then, we straightened out the casualty using a heavy crane-style wrecker, so it was no longer in danger of flipping. Our team then towed the tanker truck safely out of the ditch.

A tipsy tanker truck requires an emergency towing service. If it flips, there will be damage, and depending on what is in the tank, it might spill hazardous materials.

Why do tankers tip and need truck recovery?

Like any truck that tips and needs an emergency towing service, an imbalanced load is typically the cause. With tanks, they carry liquid. Much of the time, it’s a potentially dangerous liquid like oil or gas. Or it could be caring milk, water, or even liquid animal feed. As the truck goes down the road, that liquid sloshes around the tank and could cause balance issues. It is especially hazardous on winding roads and in the wind.

When you imagine 5,000 to 10,000 plus gallons of liquid sloshing around, you can see why extra measures are required to maintain balance.

What prevents tanker trucks from tipping?

There are a few methods to help prevent tanker trucks from tipping and needing truck recovery. The most recent and commonly used system is an inflatable “airbag” made of rubber installed inside the tank. These airbags fill the empty space in the tank and will absorb the pressure of all those gallons of liquid. Essentially, it stops all that sloshing around during transport.

Even with technologies in place, accidents can still happen and need emergency towing service. For example, wind, weather, road conditions, traffic, and operator error can cause a truck to go into the ditch and lose balance. If this is the case, call Team Pro-Tow for truck recovery!

Heavy Truck Tow Out of Snowy Ditch

by cdcidevel | Nov 3, 2021 | Emergency Incident Response, Heavy Truck Tow, Heavy Truck Towing, Recovery Blog, Semi-Truck, Semi-Truck Accident, Semi-Truck Accident Recovery, Trailer Recovery

On November 3rd, 2020, a truck with a loaded trailer slid into a snowy ditch and needed a rescue. Upon arrival, our team quickly put together a recovery plan and rescued the stuck trailer with a heavy truck tow.

Incidents like these can, unfortunately, be a common issue during the winter. Slippery roads and ever-changing weather conditions can make driving a truck a challenge. That’s where proper winter preparation and road safety is essential.

Here are some safety tips for winter driving, truck and equipment checks. Keep these tips in mind to minimize or eliminate the need for emergency towing services.

Prepare for Winter Driving

The first step to avoiding an emergency or breakdown is to prepare. In the winter, check your tires and make sure they are winter-ready. Start with equipping winter tires and then check that the tire pressure is in the correct range. Proper tire pressure plays a crucial role in safely braking, turning, and gripping snowy or icy roads. Your tires are essential to avoid sliding into the ditch and needing semi-truck towing.

In the worst-case scenario that you end up in an emergency or are waiting for a heavy-truck tow, make sure to pack an emergency kit. Include things like a shovel, extra warm clothing, water, a first aid kit, and heavy-duty traction pads.

Regular Inspections Are Key

When driving in the winter, ensure your battery is fully charged, your cooling systems are working, and the fuel tanks are always at least 50% full. Also, always do pre-and post-trip inspections to ensure that nothing has become damaged during a winter trip.

Always double-check that your chains and ties are correctly locked down for heavy loads to avoid load shifts or tilts. Keep in mind that Pro-Tow can always help if you need help with a load shift or emergency towing service.

No matter what help you need and what season, our Pro-Tow team is always here to help. We have all the equipment and knowledge to provide semi-truck towing, recovery, or emergency rescues.

Beef at 47 Cargo and Truck Recovery

by cdcidevel | Oct 20, 2021 | Cargo Recovery, Emergency Incident Response, Recovery Blog, Semi-Truck, Semi-Truck Accident, Semi-Truck Accident Recovery, Semi-Truck Spill Recovery, Spill Cleanup, Spill Recovery, Trailer Recovery

On February 26, 2021, a transport trucker lost a snow chain on the I-90, westbound at exit 47. When the snow chain snapped, it damaged his tire, which led to damage to his fully-loaded semi-trailer. The damage was mainly to the structural frame of the trailer and fuel line, resulting in fuel to steam on the road and adjacent snowpack.

Fuel spill recovery

This accident needed fuel spill recovery, as well as heavy-duty towing and cargo recovery. Because of the accident, the trailer refrigerator wasn’t running, and it was carrying 38,000 pounds of frozen beef. Upon investigation, the customer saw that the fuel spill was severe. We estimate there were 10 to 20 gallons of fuel that required fuel spill recovery.

Team Pro-Enviro went to work to repair the leaky fuel line, contain the spill, and with extensive cleanup of the road and surrounding snowbanks. Meanwhile, Team Pro-Tow created a recovery plan to complete trailer recovery to save the beef, and heavy-duty towing services. Read more about Pro-Enviro’s spill recovery efforts with this incident.

Heavy-Duty Towing

Team Pro-Tow brought a heavy-duty wrecker that could tow the trailer and its 38,000-pound load of valuable beef. Fortunately, we repaired the fuel and electrical lines to the refrigerator to save the cow!

After we repaired the trailer and Pro-Enviro had completed the cleanup, we could load it up for safe transport. The client was happy that the incident didn’t spoil the beef, and it was a successful cargo recovery. Once we got our equipment back to the shop, we cleaned and conditioned everything for the next job.

Working as a Team

When there is a semi-truck accident that involves a fuel or oil spill, Team Pro-Tow and Team Pro-Enviro work together on the response. Pro-Tow handles the complex heavy-duty towing, including complicated crane lift and uprighting of extremely heavy trucks and equipment. However, before that can happen, Pro-Enviro ensures fuel spill containment and repairs to prevent further contamination during transport of the casualty. Pro-Enviro also takes care of spill recovery and cleanup.

If an accident requires an experienced heavy-duty recovery team, you can always call on Pro-Tow.

Burnt-Out Trailer Recovery On The I-5

by cdcidevel | Sep 1, 2021 | Accident Recovery, Emergency Incident Response, Recovery Blog, Semi-Truck, Semi-Truck Accident, Semi-Truck Accident Recovery, Semi-Truck Spill Recovery, Spill Cleanup, Spill Recovery, Trailer Recovery

On December 10, 2020, Team Pro-Tow responded to a Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) call for accident recovery on the I-5. A tractor and trailer had caught fire and was extensively damaged. In addition, all the tires were also severely damaged, which makes for a challenging recovery.

Team Pro-Tow on the Scene

This truck and trailer recovery required a Class C heavy-duty crane-style wrecker. The tires, wheels, floor, walls, and axels of the trailer were heavily damaged by the fire. We used extra equipment to move the trailer safely. We needed to bring in a heavy-duty flatbed trailer and a converter dolly to help with accident recovery.

Recovery Plan in Place

We knew that for trailer recovery, the converter dolly needed to go under the front of the trailer to move it from the rear. However, we quickly learned that even with the support of the converter dolly, the trailer was too severely damaged to tow safely. Therefore, the safest option for this accident recovery would be to load the trailer on a flatbed Landoll trailer, still using the support of the converter dolly.

Team Pro-Enviro took care of highway cleanup, spill recovery, and cargo salvage. Read Burnt Mayo Cargo Salvage to learn more.

Loading the Trailer

Slowly but surely, Team Pro-Tow rigged and loaded the trailer onto the flatbed. We used a snatch block to double the winch line and reduce line tension. This method helps safely pull loads with minimal strain and damage. When the burnt trailer and equipment were moved off the I-5, we moved it to a secure yard. Because of the height of the load, a pilot car needed to accompany the trailer transport.

Caught on Fire – Again

On the way to the yard, the pilot truck behind the trailer noticed smoke coming from it. Our team pulled over to check it and found the trailer was once again on fire. The fire was coming from the battery box. They put it out with three fire extinguishers. Then they cut and secured all electrical connections from the battery box so it wouldn’t ignite again.

Trailer Recovery Complete

Finally, after few roadblocks, our team got the trailer casualty back to our secure yard. We used two heavy-duty Class C trucks to remove the trailer from the Landoll flatbed. Then we put it on two retention ponds. Another accident recovery complete by Team Pro-Tow!

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