The Tru-Hitch™ Fifth Wheel Towing and Recovery Device solves this problem!
D
rivers are responsible for overloads! Heavy duty towing is a huge responsibility for the operator, the equipment owner and the manufacturer who certifies the tow truck to a safe and attainable GCW (gross combination weight). The operator relies on the axle ratings provided on the certification label to prevent unsafe overloading. The label is affixed to the driver side door jamb of every truck. It is the operator’s responsibility to know the axle weights and tare weight of the tow truck in order to accurately estimate what the loaded (gross) weight will be when the towed vehicle is hooked up and lifted for transport. The certification label on the towed vehicle can help in estimating its axle weights.
Example: 240” WB Tow Truck with 54” tandem rear axles Center of axles is 27” + 100” heavy duty under lift per SAE Towing Equipment Ratings
Front Axle
Rear Axle
12,000 lb
24,000 lbs.
The percentage of lifted weight of the towed vehicle transferred from the front axle of the tow truck to the rear axle of the tow truck can easily be calculated. Divide the distance from the center of the rear axle set to the rear lift point on the under lift by the distance from the front axle to the center of the rear axle set (wheel base set). Visit www.truhitch.com for more information, or call 860-379-7772 to order your Tru-Hitch today.
Towed Load Lifted Weight 20,000 lbs +20,000 lbs.
-10,600 lbs.
+10,600 lbs.
0
54,600 lbs
0
| Weight before Lifting | Weight Lifted | Weight Transferred Calculation: 127”÷ 240 = 53% x 20,000 = 10,600
1,400 lbs
| Gross Weight
No matter what you’re towing, we’re always behind you.
Stay protected with insurance from Progressive. With policies customized for tow truck drivers, we offer Primary Liability limits up to $2 million and specialized coverages like On-Hook and Garagekeepers Liability.
Call your local agent or visit ProgressiveCommercial.com.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Specialized coverages may not be available in all states or situations. In Texas and Virginia, Garagekeepers Legal Liability coverage is called Storage Location insurance. In these two states only, On-Hook Towing insurance is then called Garagekeepers Legal Liability coverage.
www.towprofessional.com
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Volume 10 • Issue 8
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Tow Professional
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