Impound & Storage Lot Search

Check To See If We Have Your Vehicle
& Which Storage Lot It Is Located In.

Service Request

Check here to initiate a Service Request.

DROP US A CALL

253-245-5454

agsdix-smt1-access-time

Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm

24hr Emergency Services

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

Camping On Peasley – Camper Trailer Accident Recovery

Camping On Peasley – Camper Trailer Accident Recovery

On September 26, 2019 Pro-Tow received an emergency dispatch from the Washington State Police. An overturned camper trailer was broken apart and blocking all lanes on EB SR18 near Federal Way, WA. They required heavy-duty towing and accident recovery immediately.

Major Incident Tow Response Activation

We weren’t the first towing service on the scene. Prior to getting the call, another towing company tried to recover the trailer but were unsuccessful when the trailer started to break apart. The incident was escalated to require Major Incident Tow Response Activation (MIT) by the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Police. MIT Tows requirean elevated response with increased personnel and heavy-duty towing equipment to clear the scene quickly and safely. We had to reopen all lanes of traffic as soon as possible.

In response to the MIT, we responded with a heavy-duty crane-style wrecker, heavy-duty recovery wrecker, major incident response support vehicle, flatbed tow truck, flatbed tow truck with a transporting dump trailer, compact track loader and specialty grapple attachments. We were well equipped to get this accident recovery accomplished!

Accident Recovery Step By Step

Step 1: Upon arrival to the scene of the incident, report to Incident Command for debriefing and instructions.

Step 2: Perform a scene evaluation and assemble the equipment to the appropriate areas.

Step 3: Create and execute a safe accident recovery plan that includes rigging calculations. We needed to lift this trailer with the least amount of damage to the trailer and debris left on the road.

Step 4: Get to work! In this case, we usedhigh-capacitylifting air bags to partially lift the trailer so we could install soft recovery straps around it in a basket configuration. A four-point rigging connection allows the trailer to be lifted evenly, minimizing destruction. We were able to lift and load the trailer onto our flatbed truck.

Step 5: Clear the lanes and transport the trailer to our secured storage year for temporary storage. Afterwards, we were able to get the trailer back on its wheels so it could be transported to its final destination.

Another day on the job and another heavy-duty towing and accident recovery job done well!

5Th Wheel Down and Over, Needing Heavy Duty Towing on Snoqualmie Pass

5Th Wheel Down and Over, Needing Heavy Duty Towing on Snoqualmie Pass

On September 23, 2019 there was a heavy rainstorm on Snoqualmie Pass, creating low visibility and dangerous driving conditions. As a result, an unfortunate collision occurred, overturning a 5th wheel camping trailer during a busy weekend this fall. This poor camper needed heavy duty towing and accident recovery as quickly as possible.

Pro-Tow is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and was quick to respond to this call. Using our specialized equipment, an overhead crane lift, we were able to load the 5th wheel carefully onto our truck. While our team was hard at work, we were able to keep lane closure to a minimum.

They may look sturdy, but if not lifted carefully, a camper like this can be easily damaged. From the images below, you’ll see the method we used to get this camper off the road and onto our flat bed truck. Before long, the accident was recovered, the trailer was ready for transport and traffic was moving again. If you get in a jam and need heavy duty towing, you know who to call.

What Causes a 5th Wheel Camper to Flip Over?

A lot of us enjoy RVing and 5th wheel trailers are a popular choice in Washington State. They are generally a stable and reliable rig but do come with some sway and roll over hazards that you should be aware of. Being aware of the risks, and using proper towing procedures, will greatly minimize that chance of needing heaving duty towing on your holiday!

Wind speed, how fast you’re traveling, improper towing of the 5th wheel and bad hitch weight distribution can all contribute to an RV turning over. In this incident, it was a collision. Before you tow a 5th wheel trailer, you should check the following:

  • Your truck’s towing capacity. Never tow a trailer that is heavier than your vehicles capabilities.
  • Get a sway bar. This helpful tool can even out the weight and height of the trailer while towing.
  • Ensure the trailer is level. If the trailer is not close to level, it could cause sway in high winds.
  • Secure the hitch. Double check the hitch before you pull out. If it’s not secure, the 5th wheel could come lose and roll over. This is very dangerous to you and other drivers on the road.
  • Check the weather. If the forecast calls for high winds, consider postponing the trip until the winds subside, especially if your trailer is very large.
  • Easy on the brakes. If you slam on the breaks, you could lose control of your trailer. This is especially true when going down hill or when driving in strong winds. Try lowering gears to slow down instead.
  • Don’t speed. The faster you go, the more likely the 5thwheel will sway. Reduce your speed and drive safe.

Remember, always drive to the conditions and give yourself plenty of time to get to your next destination. If you find yourself in trouble, give Pro-Tow a call. We offer emergency heavy-duty towing services around the clock.