When you need a tow, it is truly a beneficial service. Without this accommodation, the world would definitely be different. Though you may not need a tow frequently, knowing it is there when you do need it can make you feel more at ease. With just a simple phone call, a tow truck can come to your location and give your vehicle transport where it needs to go. Tow trucks are equipped with a number of features to help tow vehicles whether they have been involved in a collision, getting stuck in different terrain, or even a ditch and such. Though these tow trucks are only thought of when they are needed, the history is often never even considered. At this time, we at Citywide Towing would like share some of the history of towing.
First Tow Truck Invented by Holmes
A mechanic from Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1916, by the name of Ernest Holmes had an unusually challenging project assigned to him. The dilemma, his former professor had lost control of his car, a Ford Model T, and drove off the road where it landed in a creek. After approximately eight hours men were finally able to recover the vehicle using countless blocks and a lot of makeshift tools and props. Following this experience, Holmes began developing a simpler and more efficient method to recover vehicles. A crane and pulley system attached to his 1913 Cadillac would be the end the result. Holmes’ new towing system just wasn’t stable enough to recover vehicles despite his logical and probable theory. Determined, Holmes continued to work on his design in an effort to realize his idea. Added to his invention for stabilizing and support were the outriggers eventually. Holmes patented his first towing machine by 1919, allowing the towing service to be born. Continuing his efforts, the Holmes 680 was the first tow truck available for commercial businesses, but being too expensive Holmes would later develop a more affordable alternative, the Holmes 485. A steam-powered vehicle with a 6 cylinder engine and 4 speed manual transmissions was later mounted on Holmes’ 1913 Locomobile. Eventually in 1973, Holmes’ sold his company to Miller Industries who actually built vehicles for military use when the United States entered World War II.
Types of Tow Trucks
As the decades progressed and technology advanced, the tow trucks evolved. Different tow trucks have been developed for various circumstances to ensure effective, safe and rapid results. Such towing systems are still used today including boom, wheel lift, integrated systems, hook and chain, along with flatbed.
Boom: A boom winch system attaches and lifts the vehicle that needs to be towed.
Wheel Lift: A fairly common types of towing system, the wheel lift has a yoke fits under the vehicle’s wheels and lifts part of it off the ground and tows it on 2 wheels.
Integrated: Both the boom and the wheel lift equipment is involved in this combination system.
Hook & Chain: A chain loops around the vehicle’s axle or frame where the boom winch then lifts it. The use is limited to vehicles with steel bumpers without all-wheel drive however; otherwise damage to the bumpers or drive-train can occur.
Flatbed: A frequently used method because of its safe simplicity, the vehicle being towed sits on the flatbed and is strapped down securely as it is completely above the ground instead of being dragged behind a truck.
Towing, Roadside Assistance Services & More in Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Combine, Coppell, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Glenn Heights, Grapevine, Highland Park, Hutchins, Lancaster, Lewisville, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park, Wilmer, Wylie, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Mesquite & Greater Dallas, Texas
Whenever you need a towing in the Greater Dallas, Texas area, be sure to call in the experts of Citywide Towing and let our professionals provide you with the optimal method of towing for your circumstances to get your vehicle safely where it needs to go.
