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Auburn, WA

Suite B, 420 H St NW
Auburn, WA 98001
253-245-5454

Maple Valley, WA

Suite B, 23933 SE 264th Street
Maple Valley, WA 98038
425-310-1010

North Bend, WA

43028 SE North Bend Way
North Bend, WA 98045
425-888-4884

Spokane, WA

Suite B, 5815 W Thorpe Rd
Spokane, WA 99224
509-960-5454

Tips for Semi-Truck Breakdowns

Tips for Semi-Truck Breakdowns

Safety is of the utmost importance when driving semi-trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles. When semi-truck breakdowns happen, you want to ensure your fleet can access fast support, including mobile fleet repairs. Whether it’s due to an accident, flat tire, transmission failure or something else, help keep your drivers safe (and others on the road) with these tips.

Maintain Maximum Visibility for Everyone on the Road

First, if your semi-truck breaks down on the side of the road, you must ensure all other drivers can see you and see you well! Roadside semi-truck breakdowns can be a huge liability. Other drivers want to get where they’re going without delay and may not be paying attention. That’s why it is crucial to ensure all passersby know your situation.

Turn the flashers on in your vehicle. Place reflective warning signs and pylons around the vehicle and trailer to create a safe space to inspect the breakdown. Road flares are another option if a driver ends up in a dark place with lightless roads.

Know Who to Call

When a driver in your fleet has a semi-truck breakdown, encounters an accident, ends up in a ditch, or needs support, make sure they know who to call for help. Team Pro-Tow offers 24/7 emergency service and incident response throughout Washington State. As a result, we can offer semi-truck repair, towing, recovery, and mobile fleet repairs for semi-truck breakdowns. In addition, we provide fleet services for any type of vehicle, including 24-hour emergency towing and repairs.

Safe Driving Prevents Accidents

Make your presence on the road known to other drivers. For example, you must always approach passenger cars from the left. As a result, drivers will see your incoming vehicle. Pass at a steady speed. Always make sure that you can see smaller vehicles in your rearview mirror. And, of course, maintain safe distances from other vehicles at all times to avoid getting into a problem where you and others are in danger or if your truck breaks down.

As a driver, ensuring you have enough space when making a wide turn is important. It is to your benefit to always be on the lookout when making wide turns. Semi-truck drivers require more space to make turns, sometimes needing to start in the left or middle lane. Always keeping this in mind will help you from getting into a situation where your truck breaks down, and you need help.

If you need roadside assistance, including mobile semi-truck repair, for your fleet, give Pro-Tow a call!

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

Fishing Out a Truck and Trailer

Fishing Out a Truck and Trailer

In this incident, on November 11, 2021, Team Pro-Tow received a dispatch from Washington State Police about a fully loaded trailer that had left the roadway. It went 100 feet off the road and hit a tree down an embankment. Fortunately, we were ready to help with the heavy truck recovery.

There were also reports of poor weather, including winter storms and flood warnings. We took note and included that information in our recovery plans. Then, we set out with an HD rotating crane-style wrecker, HD recovery wrecker, spill response vehicle, special equipment support vehicle, HD tractor and travelling axle, three-axle Landoll trailer and certified emergency recovery personnel. A lot of equipment, but all necessary for an accident recovery such as this one.

Once we arrived, we performed a scene evaluation to decide the best and safest approach to the recovery. Once we had a plan in mind, we set to work.

Heavy Truck Recovery First Up

To start, we performed an overhead crane lift of the separated tractor and brought it back onto the roadway. There, we set it on the Landoll trailer and continued. However, we first noticed engine oil, coolant, and motor vehicle diesel fuel was present. Our Team Pro-Enviro took care of the spill recovery aspect for us. They contained the spill to a practical extent so we could continue.

Next, we began recovering the trailer and its cargo. For roadway safety, we relocated our equipment to the side of the road 200 feet from the incident. We then set up a transportation rigging to transport our equipment back and forth.

It was an arduous task and non-routine. In addition, it took extraordinary time due to safety concerns of the deep and fast-travelling waterway. However, we never rush or skip a step, as safety for ourselves and others is always a top priority.

Accident Recovery Continues with Tractor in Pieces

Once we set up, we moved the trailer approximately 100 feet with minimal cargo escapement. Unfortunately, things didn’t stay easy. The trailer continually fell apart until it came completely apart.

We did non-routine cutting, lifting, loading, and finally securing. Once we loaded the trailer, we transported it to the secure storage yard. The cargo and part of the trailer remained on the side of the road until additional equipment could safely access it. Meanwhile, Pro-Enviro moved in to handle the debris recovery and spill cleanup work.

Calling in for Extra Help

While much of this work involved non-routine approaches, we never left a job half finished. Instead, we subcontracted extra equipment to finish the job. Using an excavator, two roll-off dumpsters, and a large end dump trailer. Then, we excavated the cargo and remaining debris into the containers. Finally, after plenty of paperwork, manifests, and extensive equipment reconditioning, we completed the accident recovery.

24-Hour Emergency Towing

In addition to mobile crane services, we offer out-of-area transport, 21-hour on-site service and roadside repair. Our goal in every situation is to provide safe, top-quality repairs on all makes and models of vehicles. We work promptly to help with heavy truck towing and ensure everything goes smoothly and safely. Whenever you need roadside repairs, towing or support, you can always call and trust Pro-Tow for support.

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

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 Towing on April Fools Day

Semi-Truck Towing on April Fools Day

On April 1, 2022, Team Pro-Tow responded to an accident involving a semi-truck and trailer, and a bus. Unfortunately, there was significant damage to the semi-truck, including the fuel tank. This job required semi-truck towing and a diesel fuel spill recovery.

Diesel Fuel Spill Recovery on April Fool’s Day

Diesel fuel was all over the roadway, and this was no April Fool’s Day joke! We worked closely with our Pro-Enviro spill response team to conduct a scene assessment and develop an accident and spill recovery plan. Containing the fuel spill and ensuring it didn’t spread was critical before any semi-truck towing could occur.

First, we ensured the leaky tank was no longer spilling fuel. Then, we used absorbents to the spill to dry up the contaminates so they could be swept away and disposed of. When working on a spill recovery, we thoroughly clean all contaminated areas. A thorough cleanup of spilled substances like fuel reduces the risk of pollution, fires, and traffic hazards.

Learn more about effective diesel fuel spill recovery with Pro-Enviro.

Then It’s Time for Semi-Truck Towing

Once the fuel was contained and cleaned, Team Pro-Tow could rig up the casualty and remove it from the scene. First, we detached the truck from the trailer to make the process easier. That way, we could remove each casualty at a time. Then, we towed the truck and trailer to our secure storage yard, filled out the required paperwork and called it a job well done.

Accident Recovery You Can Count On

Pro-Tow offers heavy-truck towing, accident recovery, and emergency towing services throughout Washington State. We have heavy-duty equipment and highly trained and experienced operators that can get your big trucks and equipment out of any mess.

You’ll find Pro-Tow 24-Hour Towing Services in Auburn, Spokane, Maple Valley, and North Bend, but we service the entire state and beyond. Learn more about our services at www.pro-tow.com.

Semi-Truck Tip Over in Pacific, WA

Semi-Truck Tip Over in Pacific, WA

In this incident, on April 26, 2022, a semi-truck tipped over on the roadway and needed a lift and semi-truck towing. Luckily, Team Pro-Tow could respond to the call for help.

Once at the scene, we started with our scene assessment. We saw the fuel tank suffered damage, so we began by containing that before the semi-truck recovery.

Lifting It Up – Moving It Out

We were able to contain the spill and prevent any contamination from spilling onto the road. First, we straightened out the semi-truck before hitching it to tow away. Then, we hauled the truck away and called it a day on the successful rescue.

Preventing a Semi-Truck Tip Over

Semi-truck tipping isn’t a matter to take lightly. It can cause serious crashes, injuring the driver and causing significant damages and delays.

With big vehicles, their centres of gravity are much higher, making them more at risk of tipping. A few key things are related to causing these sorts of incidents, and by taking extra care and precautions, you can help prevent accidents. Of course, pro-Tow will always be there to help upright your semi-truck and load, but prevention is a much better idea!

Tip Over Causes Leading to Semi-Truck Recovery

Going too fast: Speeding through a curve can throw off the semi-trucks centre of gravity and cause it to tip.

Not paying attention: Distracted driving is another risk, whether from electronics or being too tired during a long trip. When such distraction leads to a sudden maneuver, it risks, and often results in, a semi-truck tip over.

Imbalanced cargo loading: Poor cargo loading is another risk, either from the poorly secured or unbalanced weight. If your load shifts, give us a call before an accident occurs. Pro-Tow can help with load shifts by ensuring your load is secured correctly so you and your cargo can continue safely.

Wind and weather: Take note of weather conditions before every trip. Rain, snow, fog, ice, and wind can worsen road conditions, so adjusting to those conditions while driving is essential.

If you find yourself in a jam, rely on Pro-Tow for heavy duty and semi-truck towing.

Pro-Tow has built a solid reputation in getting heavy trucks and equipment out of unique and challenging situations. If you need heavy equipment or semi-truck towing, just give us a call!

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