There is minimal difference in the aspect of maintaining a tow truck fleet; whether it is a one tow truck company or thirty-five large fleet. There is obviously more room for error when there is multiple back up vehicles, but it should be relatively easy to stay on top of either situation with some broad guidelines that will be listed in the aforementioned article.
Every day each at the beginning of each shift, an inspection sheet should be filled out that is titled with the date of the shift, company, truck number and/or description and odometer reading.
This checklist is broken down for each important part to check as well to check off it the item is in working condition or if there is a problem:
• 2- Way Radio
• Back Up Alarm
• Battery
• Boom
• Brake Lock
• Cable Tensioner
• Clearance Lights
• Clutch
• Defrosters
• Dolly
• Dolly Tires & Bearings
• Door Tools
• Drive Line
• Exhaust Muffler
• Fan Belts
• Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid Kit
• Flares/ Triangles/ Flags
• Flashlight
• Forms/ Form Carrier
• Frame
• Fuel
• Fuel Can
• Gloves
• Headlights
• Hitch
• Horn
• Hydraulic Hoses
• Hydraulic Levers
• Hydraulic Valves
• ID signs
• J-Hook Assemblies
• Jack
• Jack Stands
• Jumpstart Equipment
• Latches, Door Checks
• Light Bar
• Load Binders
• Lug Wrench Set
• Mirrors
• Mud Flaps
• Oil Level
• Parking Brake
• Pry Bar
• PTO Cable
• PTO Unit
• Radiator Fluid
• Rain Gear
• Roller Guide
• Safety Chains
• Safety Sticker
• Safety Vest
• Service Brakes
• Sheaves
• Shovel/ Broom
• Sling Straps
• Snatch Blocks
• Snatch blocks
• Speedometer
• Steering
• Steering Wheel Lock
• Stop /Tail / Turn Lights
• Suspension
• T-Hook
• Tachometer
• Throttle Cables
• Tie Down Straps/ Ratchets
• Tire Chains
• Tool Kit
• Tow Bar
• Tow Chains
• Tow Lights
• Tow Sling
• Towing Manual
• Track Can
• Transmission
• U Joints
• V-Assemblies
• Wheel Lift
• Winch
• Windshield Wipers
• Wire Rope
• Work Lights
After this checklist is thoroughly inspected, any issues should be address as soon as possible. The second step prior to getting on the road is to check the body of the towing equipment for any body damage that may cause a safety issue to the driver or the road in general. For towing companies that do not have electronic gauges it is a good habit to add oil as need, keep track of it and keep track of how much fuel is added at the beginning of each shift. In some cases it needed to list random issues that should be brought to the shop managers attention, such as blown fuses, supplies that are used daily or supplies that will be needed in the coming months but have a long lead time.
Following this simple checklist will give the towing industry the best chance of maximizing profit over the life of the towing equipment.