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253-245-5454

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Maple Valley, WA 98038
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North Bend, WA 98045
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Spokane, WA 99224
509-960-5454

Reasons to Call for Heavy-Duty Towing in Winter

Reasons to Call for Heavy-Duty Towing in Winter

Like with any season of the year, there are both positives and negatives that heavy-duty truck drivers will come up against. In the winter, snow, ice, and extreme cold present their own challenges for drivers. From icy roads to unpredictable conditions, having a heavy-duty towing company on hand in case of an emergency is a huge asset.

At Pro-Tow, we serve Washington State with fleet repair and maintenance shops in Spokane and Auburn. Our professional and reliable towing services are available 24/7. Here, we discuss why you may need heavy-duty towing during winter.

Breakdown

Though a breakdown can happen for several reasons at any time of year, winter weather can certainly cause malfunctions on the road. Some of the most common problems heavy-duty drivers experience include engine and brake problems, battery, electrical or tire issues. In some cases, our mobile repair team from Motorplex can fix your problems at the site of the breakdown. However, if the problem is more serious, your repairs may need to be completed at a repair shop.

Pro-Tow has the experience and equipment to tow any vehicle. We are equipped for light auto to full semi-truck recovery. Our team of professionals can also complete on-site repairs. Or, if more extensive repairs are needed, we can tow your truck to the nearest Motorplex, our division specializing in heavy truck, RV and fleet repair services. We have locations in Auburn and Spokane.

Stuck in Ice or Snow

In the winter, sliding into a snowy ditch or getting stuck in the snow is perhaps the most common reason you will need heavy-duty towing. Like any vehicle, trucks are susceptible to sliding off the road and driving into a snowbank. Trucks can also get stuck in a loading yard if the conditions create sticky or muddy ground.

In all these cases, you want a reliable towing company on your speed dial – like Pro-Tow! This way, you can rest assured the company on its way has the right equipment and experienced staff members to get you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.

Accident

Unfortunately, accidents happen, and winter roads are often the culprit. Whether minor or major, Pro-Tow has your back if that happens.

We specialize in semi-truck recovery and will always ensure you and your vehicle are towed from the accident scene safely. This includes when your vehicle is involved in a major rollover or the accident creates a hazardous spill requiring spill recovery. If this is the case, our spill response division, Pro-Enviro, will also be on the job. We’ll take all the safe and necessary steps for vehicle and spill recovery.

At Pro-Tow, you can count on us at any hour of the day, all days of the year. On top of emergency towing and on-site repairs, we also offer long-distance transport, load transfer, cargo salvage, and short-term vehicle and cargo storage.

Call us today!

Salty Semi-Truck Tip Over in Ritzville, WA

Salty Semi-Truck Tip Over in Ritzville, WA

In this incident, on January 15, 2022, a semi-truck hauling a trailer of Sodium Hydroxide got into an accident. The semi-truck tipped over and went off the roadway near Ritzville, WA. Team Pro-Tow responded to help with the semi-truck tip over.

Semi-Truck Recovery Time

For this incident, our team brought along two heavy-duty wreckers. Once we arrived at the scene, we started with a scene assessment to decide the best and safest approach. The main recovery was the tipped-over trailer, which was off the road. We hooked up both heavy-duty wreckers in a sling-like approach around the trailer.

Once that was securely attached, our team could lift the trailer back up and into place. Again, this method was the safest and most practical approach as this minimized any additional damage to the trailer.

Why Two Heavy-Duty Wreckers?

It’s not every semi-truck recovery call that our team brings in heavy-duty wreckers, especially two at a time. But when an incident such as this one involves heavy-duty vehicles, we need the right equipment.

Did you know that the term “heavy-duty wreckers” refer to the equipment once used to salvage cargo from wrecked ships? In this case, we aren’t salvaging cargo (or working with a boat!), but we use heavy-duty wreckers to salvage the semi-truck tip over and avoid any more damage. Our heavy-duty equipment is defined by its boom and winch combination, which allows us to recover vehicles from not-so-easily accessible areas like off-road or in a ditch.

In incidents like this, where a heavy semi-truck and trailer have gone off-road, we bring these tools. Sodium Hydroxide was also involved in this case, a corrosive and hazardous material. Our team needed to work safely and quickly to prevent anything from getting into the nearby soil. Our team Pro-Enviro handled that side of the recovery while we focused on the semi-truck recovery.

You can always trust Pro-Tow to bring the right equipment for any crane lift or heavy accident recovery.

Learn more about our services at: https://www.pro-tow.com/services/

Mashed Potatoes: Semi-Truck Tipped Over in Sumner, WA

Mashed Potatoes: Semi-Truck Tipped Over in Sumner, WA

In this incident, on December 27, 2021, a semi-truck hauling potatoes tipped over in Sumner, WA and rolled into a ditch. During the accident, the potato load also spilled across the road, which also needed cleanup.

Team Pro-Tow was called to the scene to help with the semi-truck recovery. We brought our heavy-duty crane rotator and called our trusty Team Pro-Enviro to help with spill recovery and the potato cleanup.

Semi-Truck Tipped Over to Upright Recovery

Once we arrived at the scene, we started with a scene assessment for the semi-truck recovery. The semi-truck had rolled well into the ditch and was on its side. We decided to hook up the crane to the trailer body and drag it closer to the edge of the ditch. After that, we would focus on the uprighting and recovery stages.

With a plan set, our team got to work. First, we carefully rigged the crane ropes around the semi-truck and began pulling the semi-truck back up the ditch. Once back on solid and level ground, we unhooked the rigging from the front of the trailer. Next, our team set up air cushions along the road and placed them underneath the bottom of the truck. We then re-rigged the semi-truck around the back, intending to pull the unit forward and upright it.

Air Cushions in Semi-Truck Recovery

Air cushion recovery is a specialized service used by towing companies that have experience with heavy-duty trucks and tractor-trailers. We have that experience and more, and we can offer air cushion recovery services.

Typically, the recovery of a semi-truck tipped over starts with uninflated cushions, which are then inflated underneath the damaged or flipped truck to help manage the recovery. In this incident, we used inflated cushions so that when the truck tipped back upright, it wouldn’t damage the tires on impact.

As the semi-truck was brought back onto its wheels, we slowly deflated the cushions and were able to haul away the semi-truck. After we recovered the casualty, our Team Pro-Enviro came in to handle the cleanup process of the fuel leak spill and potatoes.

Another joint team effort in Sumner, WA successfully handled!

Learn more about our services at: https://www.pro-tow.com/services/

Semi-Truck Recovery: Ditched Load of Potatoes on Tiger Mountain

Semi-Truck Recovery: Ditched Load of Potatoes on Tiger Mountain

In this incident, on March 8, 2022, a semi-truck and trailer went into the ditch at a curve and needed semi-truck recovery. The accident caused the truck and trailer to tip against the embankment. The trailer also carried a full load of potatoes, so the vehicle and the cargo trailer needed an emergency tow to get back onto the road.

Team Pro-Tow came to the rescue! We selected the necessary equipment and then set out for the recovery at Tiger Mountain.

Semi-Truck Recovery

Once we arrived at the scene, we started with an assessment to decide the best way to rescue the tipped semi-truck and trailer. Unfortunately, the trailer was flat on its side, lying on the embankment on the side of the road.

We decided to use the two wreckers to lift out the vehicle. We carefully hooked up one wrecker to the front of the semi-truck and a second wrecker on the back trailer. Working with care and patience, we slowly lifted the unit and got it back on the road with all the wheels touching down. With the semi-truck lifting handled, we gave the semi-truck and trailer a once over and cleared it to continue on its way along Tiger Mountain.

Semi-Truck Lifting

Team Pro-Tow has the equipment to handle any recovery or accident. Before setting out to the scene, we always ensure we bring the right equipment. Once we arrive, we do a scene assessment to decide the best way to handle the semi-truck recovery and whether additional equipment or help is needed.

Safety is our top priority. That includes the safety of our team, other drivers, and those involved in the incident. That’s why we are careful with our recovery plans and take the time to execute a thorough, detailed, and safe recovery. We always get a job done – and do it the right way.

Tipper in the Ditch: Semi-Truck Recovery

Tipper in the Ditch: Semi-Truck Recovery

In this incident, on May 28th, 2021, We received an emergency dispatch about a collision involving a fully loaded semi-truck that had gone off the roadway and into the ditch. We received pictures of the incident, so based on those, we put together our equipment. 

We sent an HD Crane Style Wrecker and HD C Class Wrecker and set out this heavy truck towing job.

Semi-Truck Recovery

Once we arrived and did a scene assessment, we decided that a Pick and Pass play would best recover the unit. The casualty had the steer axle out of the ditch, and the trailer was heavily leaning on the roadway. First, we placed the HD Rotating Crane Style Wrecker at the rear of the casualty to pick and swing the trailer back onto the road. Then, we placed HD C Class Wrecker at the front to help pull the casualty out of the ditch. Unfortunately, we discovered an air leak blocking the brake release. So, we had to plug the air first to fix the cause, which was the broken air dryer.

Now the work began. We got the semi-truck recovery ready by rigging the HD Rotating Crane Style Wrecker in a Pick and Pass configuration using loop straps and rear tandem sliders. Then, we rigged the HD C Class Wrecker to the front using frame chains in a bridle configuration. 

Heavy Truck Towing

As always, we double-checked all the straps and chains before picking the Pick and Pass maneuver. Then, slowly and safely, we engaged the winches to start the recovery. We steadily pulled the casualty out of the ditch while the rear was lifted onto the roadway.

The driver opted out of heavy truck towing, so we returned our equipment to its original condition and location in the yard. We then returned to the yard and completed the paperwork for this successful Pick and Pass semi-truck recovery.

Be sure to check out our other incident reports on our Recovery Blog!

If you require truck accident recovery, give Pro-tow 24-Hour Towing a call.

Truck Recovery from a Snowy Ditch

Truck Recovery from a Snowy Ditch

In this incident, on February 15th, 2020, we responded to a call about a tractor and trailer trapped in the snow. The fuel had also become gelled, which meant the tractor couldn’t move on its own. On top of that, the driver was without any cell service, so a quick heavy truck towing recovery was needed.

Before we left, we got a call from Idaho State Patrol that the combination was stuck in a ditch and against a power pole. We waited until we got pictures to review the accident and decide what equipment to bring for the job. After checking, our Pro-Tow team chose an HD Rotating style crane. We then left for the location.

Truck Recovery

It took time to get to the location as snowfall, ice and weather conditions were a factor that affected safety. Once we arrived safely, we spoke with the driver and began to plan the recovery. Idaho Department of Transportation showed up with a snowplow and offered their support for the road closure needed for the recovery. 

Our team then set up the HD Rotating Crane Truck and wore headsets for communication and safety. Carefully, we lined up the crane and started rigging the back of the tractor and front of the trailer. Taking things slowly, we managed to get the combination back onto the ground without causing any more damage. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to start the vehicle again as both batteries were dead and the fuel was empty. 

Heavy Truck Towing

Initially, only one lane was closed for our recovery, but at this point, we closed down both lanes. We separated the tractor and trailer, then hooked up and secured the tractor for towing. We did the same for the trailer before setting out. We stopped to have the driver fuel up the tractor to start again later. Then we loaded the tractor into the shop at the yard, reconditioned and put away all equipment, and completed the paperwork. 

A quick truck recovery well handled by our Pro-Tow team!

If you own or manage a fleet, or are an owner-operator, make sure Pro-Tow, Motorplex, and Pro-Enviro are on your contact list!

Be sure to check out our other incident reports on our Recovery Blog!

If you require truck accident recovery, give Pro-tow 24-Hour Towing a call.