Let's talk wreckers... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bobs409 · 12-01-2010, 07:03 PM

Since I'm buying one, I guess I better get some answers.

Does anyone know what the laws are about actually using one of these for personal use? I see alot of big trucks that have "not for hire" on the side. Is that something I would have to put on by law?

What would happen if I did tow a few cars for strangers in need from time to time (and for cash) and it somehow got out. Are there wrecker police out there that are going to bust me? I'm in Pa. if that helps, I imagine every state might differ.

Lastly, the wrecker I'm getting has a boom with "Wreck Master" on it. Anyone ever hear of that brand before? I can't even find another picture on the net with this brand. I did a search and found a website with that name but it doesn't look like a company that actually converts trucks into wreckers but more a certification company. (would have been done locally here in PA)

I would love to see any good links for wreckers if anyone knows of some, please post.

Thanks,

Bob

Stubbs67 · 12-01-2010, 07:31 PM

it requires a license in most states to tow for money, now to tow for free or for barter, usually differs. Not for hire is generally for insurance as far as I know, so you don't have to have commercial insurance on it.

darush01 · 12-01-2010, 08:00 PM

Im telling you what my dad di for years which is licence it as a pickup truck he would get the commercial plates rated at 16000 lbs so he could pull whatever, we never put a name or even not for hire on it just left it plain. this got us by if we were pulled over but it probably would not have gotten by in a wreck but luckily we never had any, my dad has been hauling since the mid 1960's not recommending this but just saying what we did I am going to get it insured right when I get a new motor for it.

Mike C · 12-01-2010, 08:20 PM

When you flat tow, your vehicle must be licensed and insured. I'm not sure if the same is required when you have two of the wheels on a dolly or up in the air. But if you were doing it for money and in an accident, your insurance company could refuse to pay because you were not following the rules of the policy from what I understand.

ChevLoRay · 12-01-2010, 08:29 PM

Always liked wreckers. Before I joined the USAF in '66, I worked at an ESSO station that had a '53 Ford F-250 with a bed-mounted, hand-cranked boom. I hauled my '56 Mercury a couple of times and did a couple other tow jobs for my uncle.

I'd love to have one......

fast_dev · 12-01-2010, 09:30 PM

bob, pa has alot of towing laws and getting the right answers can be very difficult. i have wreckers and rollbacks and have been through some of these same questions in the last few years. i have my trucks insured for personal use only and you must put not for hire on them or you risk some big fines. also towing for someone else is considered commercial and without the proper insurance i've been told the fine for a first offense is in the $3000 dollar range, not worth it in my opinion, sure you would have to get caught first but i never felt like it was worth it. stop over at napa sometime if you have questions and we can b/s about it there. Devin

hugger6933 · 12-01-2010, 10:29 PM

I checked on this not too long ago because I am thinking about a rollback. In AR you have to be bonded and have to pay a yearly fee to the towimg /recovery board. If you are private and not for hire [as I plan to be] You still have to do this because they [towing board] has to clear you to get tags. If you are found to be hauling for others they might have a hefty fine waiting for you. If you haul two [with a rollback ]they have a different fee, if you think you can get around that they have a fee to haul one and trailer one as well. Jim

bobs409 · 12-02-2010, 07:10 AM

Thanks guys. Those fines just scared me out of even considering that!

I really wasn't planning on using it to tow cars for money anyway. After all, the new cars today can't be picked up like "real" cars can anyhow.

My main plan is to restore this truck for the fun and to preserve a bit of history. Will be a cool looking truck to make it look "1969" again.

I'll come visit some time Devin.

Thanks,

Bob

PanelDeland · 12-02-2010, 06:51 PM

Do a search on the net for Tow truck museums.Yes they have at least one.I believe it's in Tn.

eagleuh1 · 12-02-2010, 10:04 PM

Yep, Chattanooga Tn. Been by it plenty of times.

12-01-2010, 07:03 PM	#1
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Let's talk wreckers... Since I'm buying one, I guess I better get some answers. Does anyone know what the laws are about actually using one of these for personal use? I see alot of big trucks that have "not for hire" on the side. Is that something I would have to put on by law? What would happen if I did tow a few cars for strangers in need from time to time (and for cash) and it somehow got out. Are there wrecker police out there that are going to bust me? I'm in Pa. if that helps, I imagine every state might differ. Lastly, the wrecker I'm getting has a boom with "Wreck Master" on it. Anyone ever hear of that brand before? I can't even find another picture on the net with this brand. I did a search and found a website with that name but it doesn't look like a company that actually converts trucks into wreckers but more a certification company. (would have been done locally here in PA) I would love to see any good links for wreckers if anyone knows of some, please post. Thanks, Bob __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

12-01-2010, 07:31 PM	#2
Stubbs67 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Venus, Tx Posts: 121	Re: Let's talk wreckers... it requires a license in most states to tow for money, now to tow for free or for barter, usually differs. Not for hire is generally for insurance as far as I know, so you don't have to have commercial insurance on it.

12-01-2010, 08:00 PM	#3
darush01 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville ky Posts: 398	Re: Let's talk wreckers... Im telling you what my dad di for years which is licence it as a pickup truck he would get the commercial plates rated at 16000 lbs so he could pull whatever, we never put a name or even not for hire on it just left it plain. this got us by if we were pulled over but it probably would not have gotten by in a wreck but luckily we never had any, my dad has been hauling since the mid 1960's not recommending this but just saying what we did I am going to get it insured right when I get a new motor for it.

12-01-2010, 08:20 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	Re: Let's talk wreckers... When you flat tow, your vehicle must be licensed and insured. I'm not sure if the same is required when you have two of the wheels on a dolly or up in the air. But if you were doing it for money and in an accident, your insurance company could refuse to pay because you were not following the rules of the policy from what I understand. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

12-01-2010, 08:29 PM	#5
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Let's talk wreckers... Always liked wreckers. Before I joined the USAF in '66, I worked at an ESSO station that had a '53 Ford F-250 with a bed-mounted, hand-cranked boom. I hauled my '56 Mercury a couple of times and did a couple other tow jobs for my uncle. I'd love to have one...... __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-01-2010, 09:30 PM	#6
fast_dev Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Ringtown,PA Posts: 555	Re: Let's talk wreckers... bob, pa has alot of towing laws and getting the right answers can be very difficult. i have wreckers and rollbacks and have been through some of these same questions in the last few years. i have my trucks insured for personal use only and you must put not for hire on them or you risk some big fines. also towing for someone else is considered commercial and without the proper insurance i've been told the fine for a first offense is in the $3000 dollar range, not worth it in my opinion, sure you would have to get caught first but i never felt like it was worth it. stop over at napa sometime if you have questions and we can b/s about it there. Devin __________________ 68 chevy 406 small block, budget drag racer, new best e.t 11.91 @112 67 nova numbers matching 327 4 speed 13.6 @ 102mph 70 longhorn c-30 402/4 speed 70 c-10 swb 402, muncie 4 speed 94 s-10 350/th350 3:73 posi 71 c-20 402/th400 towrig for racetruck. 72 4wd lifted on 35's 72 350/3 speed winter beater

12-01-2010, 10:29 PM	#7
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Let's talk wreckers... I checked on this not too long ago because I am thinking about a rollback. In AR you have to be bonded and have to pay a yearly fee to the towimg /recovery board. If you are private and not for hire [as I plan to be] You still have to do this because they [towing board] has to clear you to get tags. If you are found to be hauling for others they might have a hefty fine waiting for you. If you haul two [with a rollback ]they have a different fee, if you think you can get around that they have a fee to haul one and trailer one as well. Jim

12-02-2010, 07:10 AM	#8
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	Re: Let's talk wreckers... Thanks guys. Those fines just scared me out of even considering that! I really wasn't planning on using it to tow cars for money anyway. After all, the new cars today can't be picked up like "real" cars can anyhow. My main plan is to restore this truck for the fun and to preserve a bit of history. Will be a cool looking truck to make it look "1969" again. I'll come visit some time Devin. Thanks, Bob __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

12-02-2010, 06:51 PM	#9
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Let's talk wreckers... Do a search on the net for Tow truck museums.Yes they have at least one.I believe it's in Tn. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-02-2010, 10:04 PM	#10
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: Let's talk wreckers... Yep, Chattanooga Tn. Been by it plenty of times.

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