There are four (4) distinct towing vehicle classes. Each towing vehicle shall only
be listed in one (1) class. The following criteria shall be met for each class for
inclusion on the Towing List:
1. By design, Class A tow trucks have the capability of performing recovery.
Class A tow trucks should be requested when recovery action are required.
Such instances include, winching vehicles that are some distance from the
roadway. Class A: for towing passenger cars, pick-up trucks, small
trailers, etc. This classification also includes “wheel lift” type vehicle
transporters.
a. The towing vehicle chassis shall have a minimum manufacturer’s
capacity of 14,000 lbs. or greater GVWR;
b. The individual boom capacity shall be not less than four (4) tons;
c. The individual power winch pulling capacity shall be not less than
four (4) tons;
d. There shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) feet of 3/8 inch, or
larger cable or 7/16 inch, or larger synthetic rope on each drum;
e. The wheel lift shall be capable of picking up a passenger car or
pick-up truck and; possessing equipment capable of lifting the
vehicle by the wheels only, with nothing touching the vehicle
body.
(1) Wheel lift towing vehicles shall meet all Class “A”
requirements, excluding the belt-type cradle tow plate or
tow sling.
(2) Safety restraint straps (nylon straps with ratchets or the
equivalent) shall be provided to secure the towed vehicle’s
tires into the wheel lift forks.
f. The towing vehicle shall have a belt-type cradle tow plate or tow
sling to pick up vehicles, and cradle or tow plate to be equipped
with safety chain except for wheel lift towing vehicles as
referenced above; and
g. Dollies are suggested, but not required.
11
2. Class B: for towing medium size trucks, trailers, etc.
a. The towing vehicle chassis shall have a minimum manufacturer’s
capacity of 26,000 lbs. or greater GVWR;
b. The towing vehicle shall have the following boom specifications:
(1) Double Boom: so constructed as to permit splitting, each
boom to operate independently or jointly, individual boom
capacity of no less than eight (8) tons and individual power
winch pulling capacity of not less than eight (8) tons, or
(2) Single Boom: with no less than a sixteen (16) ton capacity
and a power winch pulling capacity of no less than sixteen
(16) tons.
c. The towing vehicle shall have a minimum of two hundred (200)
feet of 7/16 inch, or larger, cable on each drum; and
d. The towing vehicle shall have a cradle tow plate or tow sling to
pick up vehicle, cradle or tow plate to be equipped with safety
chain.
3. Class C: for towing large trucks, road tractors, and trailers.
a. The towing vehicle chassis shall have a minimum manufacturer’s
capacity of 35,000 lbs. or greater GVWR;
b. The towing vehicle shall have the following boom specifications:
(1) Double Boom as to permit splitting; each boom to operate
independently or jointly; individual boom capacity of no
less than twelve and one-half (12 ½) tons, or
(2) Single Boom with no less than a twenty-five (25) ton
capacity and a power winch pulling capacity of no less than
twenty-five (25) tons;
c. The towing vehicle shall have a minimum of two hundred (200)
feet, or more, of 9/16 inch, or larger, cable on each drum;
d. The towing vehicle shall have airbrakes constructed so as to lock
wheels automatically upon failure;
e. Only tandem axle trucks with two (2) live drive axles will be
accepted as class C; and
f. An Under-Reach capable of towing an 80,000 lb. Tractor Trailer
combination shall be required on all Class C towing vehicles that
are added to the Towing List after July 1, 2008.
12
4. By design, Class D tow trucks were not primarily constructed to perform
recovery operations. Class D tow trucks should be requested when
vehicles that are to be towed are located in a position that allow for easy
hook-up and not for vehicle positions in which extensive winching or
recovery efforts are required. Class D: Vehicle transporters designed to
tow or carry passenger cars, pick-up trucks, small trailer, etc. This
classification includes “car carrier” or “rollback” type vehicle transporters.
a. Car carrier vehicle transporters:
(1) The truck chassis shall have a minimum manufacturer’s
capacity 14,000 lbs. or greater GVWR;
(2) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have:
i. Two (2) with a minimum of three (3) inch bore
each, or
ii. One (1) with a minimum of five and one-half (5 ½)
inch bore,
(3) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have individual power
winch pulling capacity of not less than four (4) tons;
(4) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have a minimum of
fifty (50) feet of 3/8 inch, or larger, cable on winch drum;
(5) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have two (2) safety
chains for securing vehicle to carrier bed;
(6) The car carrier vehicle transporter carrier bed shall be a
minimum of sixteen (16) feet in length and a minimum of
eighty-four (84) inches in width inside side rails;
(7) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have a cab protector,
constructed of solid steel or aluminum, that extends to a
height of four (4) feet above the floor or to a height at
which it blocks the forward movement of the bumper of the
vehicle being towed; and
(8) Car carrier vehicle transporters shall have straps with
ratcheting capability that provide for the transporting of
motorcycles.
C. Each District Communications Section shall maintain a Towing List for each
towing vehicle class (A, B, C, and D).
