5 Fun Facts about Tow Trucks

5 Fun Facts about Tow Trucks


5 Fun Facts about Tow TrucksSince Ernest Holmes invented it in 1916, the "hook & chain" style of tow truck has continuously been in use. It's an efficient design that has towed countless vehicles out of difficult circumstances. After all these years, the tow truck industry is still chugging forward. Along the way, some entertaining anecdotes about tow trucks have found their way into the industry's history. Here's a look at five interesting facts about tow trucks.

The First Tow Truck Was a Cadillac

Ernest Holmes, a mechanic, fitted a 1913 Cadillac with a pulley-and-crane configuration. While this design was not the one we're familiar with today, this particular Cadillac is what modern tow trucks can trace their lineage to.

There are Five Modern Tow Truck Styles

In the U.S., modern tow trucks are available in these five styles:

  • Hook & Chain
  • Boom
  • Flatbed
  • Wheel Lift
  • Integrated

When you call in for a tow truck, the company will look up specifications about your vehicle to make sure you are matched with the right type of tow truck for the job.

Most Tow Truck Drivers Prefer Flatbeds

Because they are easy to operate and minimize the risk of damage to the car being towed, most tow truck drivers drive flatbeds whenever possible.

Tow Truck Museum

If you ever find yourself in Chattanooga, TN (where Ernest Holmes lived), you can visit the International Towing Museum. Founded in 2006, the museum provides an assortment of fun memorabilia and information related to the towing industry. Additionally, the museum features portraits of those who have been inducted into the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame.

Canada Has the Biggest Tow Trucks

In the event that you're driving a very large vehicle and need to be towed, Canada is a great place to be. Our neighbors to the north have tow trucks that are so big that they take up multiple lanes.

If you need a tow truck, be sure to get in touch with a reputable company. For 24/7 towing in Cincinnati, contact the experts at Millennium Towing & Recovery at (513) 715-0621. Millennium Towing & Recovery also offers expert equipment hauling in Cincinnati, OH. Feel free to give Millennium Towing & Recovery a call when you need 24/7 roadside assistance in Cincinnati!


Millennium Towing & Recovery Blog
Posted: September 20, 2020

Written and Published By MORBiZ



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