Written by the Pro-Tow Team

Serving Spokane, Auburn, Maple Valley, North Bend & all of Washington State

Team Pro-Tow is no stranger to unusual recovery challenges, but this call was certainly tricky. On a quiet day in North Bend, Washington, our dispatch received a request for heavy-duty recovery at a private residence just off I-90, near the South Fork Snoqualmie River.

A semi-truck hauling a full and enormous dairy tanker had become stuck at the end of a long, winding driveway. It has wedged itself against a gazebo and was perched precariously on landscaping rocks.

We responded quickly with our R119 and S215 units and arrived to find the King County Sheriff’s Office already there. After assessing the situation and speaking with the homeowners, we learned that the driver had maneuvered down the curvy driveway, entered the roundabout, and accidentally struck a gazebo before getting hung up on the rocks.

It was clear this wasn’t going to be a straightforward tow. The narrow driveway, tight curves, and sheer size of the loaded tanker meant we needed a careful, controlled recovery plan.

After some consultation, we decided on a modified Pick & Swing method. This would give us a precise approach so we could lift and reposition the tanker without causing further property damage. We carefully backed R119 down the driveway, set up the rigging, and began the delicate process of lifting the trailer up and over the rocks.

With every move, we kept safety front and center. Doing so protected the equipment, the property, and everyone on site. Slowly but surely, the tanker was swung clear of the obstacles and set back on the driveway.

Next, we focused on getting both the tractor and trailer from the property. We repositioned our recovery unit to navigate the driveway’s tight curves, backing the tanker and tractor onto flatter ground. Our trained and skilled operators then unhooked the customer’s tractor, switched to our S215 unit, and carefully backed the tanker down to the street. We needed to take our time getting this massive rig out of the tight driveway.

Finally, we retrieved the tractor, hooked it up, and brought both units safely to our secure storage yard.

This was a textbook example of why experience matters in emergency fleet towing. The combination of specialized equipment, skilled operators, and clear communication made it possible to complete the recovery without damage to the tanker or the property. Pro-Tow has been doing this for decades, and that tried-and-true experience pays off when our customers find themselves in tricky situations.

Whether it’s a challenging rural recovery like this one or a roadside breakdown, Pro-Tow’s heavy-duty recovery and emergency fleet towing teams are available 24/7 across Washington State. When the unexpected happens, we’ll get you moving again.

Powered by FleetEasy, Pro-Tow serves North Bend, Maple Valley, Auburn, Spokane and the entire state of Washington.