As a fellow employee in the towing industry, I love his videos and have very high respect for him teaching people and raising awareness of not only what this job entails but also how dangerous it is.
It's Them "Heartland People",,, "Heartland Mentality",,, "Heartland Love of Country",,, "Heartland God Country,,,, I See Why Ron "Starts and Signs Off With,,, God Bless,,,, It's Because He Means It,,, "Walks Like He Talks",,,,
When I was driving tow truck in Sacramento I called for PD assist much as Ron did in this situation. It was right by that short, dangerous onramp onto I-80. CHP sent a car out and it was promptly hit by a drunk driver. The CHP car was completely destroyed and the officer had moderate injuries, he got banged up pretty bad. His being there truly saved my life... The sad thing is that before I called for the police myself, I asked my dispatcher to call to get a cop car to cover me. The owner of the tow company told me not to be such a wimp and just get the call done. Thank God I was a wimp and ignored him and called for CHP assistance myself anyway or I would not be alive today. That officer was truly dedicated to his profession, he told me later that it was all part of his job. I told him there were easier ways to catch drunk drivers, and he should study up on them. We had a good laugh and were very grateful.
Good thing you went with your gut on that situation or you would've Lost your life. thank God your safe. Thank you for your service as a tow truck driver and God bless
Funny how no one can see a 70,000lb wrecker lit up like a Christmas tree, but when Five-O turn up they can see his tiny squad car. Stay safe out there Ron.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience. This channel has grown so rapidly that it is difficult for me to respond to all the comments. Rest assured, I will continue to attempt to respond to a majority of the comments when I have the opportunity. I have the business to run, family time, spiritual time, and videos to work on. I am grateful for everyone's support and appreciate your interaction. All of your comments are read even though I may not respond immediately. Let's keep it growing and I will keep it going! God bless.
Im from new Brunswick.... Canada... A major problem is drivers hitting the tow vehicle. So I've learned.. Place your wheels on the line. And turn them towards traffic. Place your rearend as far away from traffic as possible. (Or wherever the tow vehicles controls are.) So you get yourself farther away. Also. If a vehicle was to hit your truck. It will create a blockage where if able you are able to run from the possibilities of injuries. The opposite can be done. Causing your drivers door. Or cab access away from traffic.
I subscribed about 2 weeks ago with the bell for alerts. Needing not to worry about the alert's bell as since subscribing a few weeks ago, I have watched 22 videos including the 5 part--search and rescue of the abandoned rental van. I am hooked on the way Ron Pratt works, treats others, askes for prayers-good thoughts-well wishes, reports about the wellness of others in the recovery vehicles when applicable, and gives wonderful safety tips always! All this coming from a suburban grandmother (71 yrs)... I have been able to apply (several times) his good advice in my own life situations far from his line of business, living life in general. Ron makes me proud to be an American ...God Bless Ron and all his family. Mercy, Ron, you make me proud and you make me smile! At this rate, 22 videos in 2 weeks, I most assuredly will be watching reruns in the future. You, your family, your crew, other professional co-workers, are all so very valuable to so many of us viewers!!! Peace, Love to you all. ^5 Great Job!
Wow...I'm quite impressed. That's a lot of videos. I am pleased and humbled that you are enjoying them. Glad to have you as part of our "community". Thanks for watching and God bless.
Your Relationships with ALL the First Responders is 1st Class. You ALL have to look out for each other so you can return home each night to your families. You and ALL the other First Responders should have that Right.
Ron gets respect from all the first responders not because he demands but because he gives everyone he deals with the exact same respect. Be It his family, his employees, his customers or the first responders. If you listen to his tone of voice when he is talking to Talon teaching him or telling him how he wanta things done he uses the same tone he uses when talking to the first responders. The words are different but the tone and the inflection are the same. You get back what you give.
Ron, I am a retired fire chief with 28 years service and I can relate to what you experience out there in traffic. I would like to suggest you get one or more of your interstate videos in the hands of your state legislators and ask that they fund an advertising campaign on "slow down and move over". Maybe even a targeted enforcement program by the highway patrol. They did that here in Ohio and I think it helped. There will always be those "blind Toms" out there that we have to dodge but the public needs to see what it is like for the emergency services that have to work on the roads and deal with the traffic. Stay safe.
First, thank you for your service and dedication. Second, thank you for your suggestion. I had not considered sending a video to my legislators, but I will now thanks to your suggestion. I will also look into the targeted enforcement. I really like that idea as well. We are looking into a traffic control/blocker vehicle to use in these type situations. As you know, when there is an incident, the fire department normally provides a blocker. For these average, everyday tows, we have no coverage, thus our interest in a traffic assist vehicle of some sort. We are actually taking part in a nationwide SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER campaign that includes all the emergency services. Here is a link if you would like to check it out. It may even come close to or through your area. atspiritride.com/ Thank you, sir, and God bless.
In Oklahoma we have a "slow down, move over law" and they enforce it, The set traps to catch people not moving over and will chase them down and give a fat ticket for it, there have been alot of bad accidents from people not slowing down or moving over. I fyou can't move over slow down. I seen a sign on Texas in a school zone no cell phone use in school zone or its a 200 dollar ticket.
Honest to goodness, a rollover or other major incident is in the 5 neighborhood, while straight road tows from the interstate are about a 37. At least on a major incident, the road or part of it are closed. Then again, towing big trucks on the hills of New England in the snow runs somewhere between the two. Love the videos Ron, I've picked up some neat tips and tricks.
I have so much respect for you and love your videos so much because you are not cocky at all and so awesome at what you do. A lot of people can learn from you.
Yea they can just get mad. What if it was one of their family members or even them that was is a risky situation. Their point of view would change dramatically. They’d prolly even be way more frustrated than he is.
That was so good of the officer to give you such good protection by closing that lane off to traffic. What a huge difference it made too, and gave you that bit of added safety.
I can see how the driver would be embarrassed running out of fuel. Just can't trust those gauges, lol That officer was awesome to help you. That got the rude drivers under control. Great Job Ron as always. Hope it cools down soon for you. 1:30 pm CT it is 72 degrees.Hugs and God Bless.
Yes, the officer potentially saved my life by risking his. I made a point to inform his supervisors and the Mayor of his assistance. And, yes, we finally got a break from the intense heat. Yesterday was a high of 91. Today is suppose to be around the same, but with some much needed rain. God bless.
Love the idea. It would have to come with the blower motor like on the "bouncy" houses for kids, because I'd never get it blown up otherwise.....lol. Thanks for watching and God bless.
he kind of put himself as a human shield with his police car... there's a lot of texting and driving here in California maybe it's just different in Missouri.
Hauling Hauling if you’re over the age of 21 and not in a commercial vehicle, it is 100% legal to text in drive in Missouri (dumb but that’s how it is)
Some of the drivers could not get over because of a car beside them going the same speed as them ive had issues where I could not get over for a tow truck because of someone being a idiot and slowing down when I wanted over.
@@charlieretro how about using the brakes... or if it's a somewhat decent car, the gas pedal. if he's going the same speed you are what's he doing on the overtake lane anyway, but besides that, you can just hit the brakes and go behind him or accelerate and go in front of him (and then slow down to annoy him back a bit ;)
Now that's scary - them cars flying by with no concern for anything - Thank you SCPD for keeping Mr. Pratt Safer. The Red/Blue flashers on the light bar are genius -
A very professional towing company, am from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom and we don't have wreckers like rons on the roads over here and I watch every video I possibly can, another job well done
Nice job on the lightbar.... Also a good idea for you or any one else.. If your phone is having issues with loading an app or even making a simple call... Instead of turning it off then on... "some phones take forever to restart" just turn on airplane mode on and then turn it off after 10 sec... IT resets your data and reconnects to a new tower
Yes, airplane mode CAN be faster than waiting on a phone to cycle down and up, but it doesn't hurt to cycle your phone off once a day (or once/week at least). Do it before you need to use it, and it'll be refreshed for when you need it.
I noticed in a few of your other videos that you do a bit of yelling to communicate with your crew. I used to work for a big Pyro outfit doing fireworks shows and we used cheap lightweight wireless headsets to communicate on site. They have a vox setting and fit well underneath a hardhat. love your work! Stay safe!
The cooperation of the police is great. The kindness and respect you show everyone is amazing. In today's society both of those traits are very rare. On behalf of the general public, Thank you. Keep on keeping on.
So many people out there dont understand the whole slow down an move over , I say a prayer every morning before i head to work for all the people like you Ron out there putting their lives on the line literally to help or save someone else i pray God blesses you an your family ....
I love the idea as long as the cannon and guns are still live.....just in case I have to make an example out of a driver that doesn't get over. Guarantee the rest would move. Just kidding. I'd never hurt anybody intentionally. A tank may be what is required to move them over though. Wouldn't that be a sight??!! Thanks for the chuckle, friend. God bless.
A nice cheaper alternative would be a nice little used M113 the good ol' aluminum box on tracks that we've been using since the '60's, nice power and it doesn't weigh too much comparatively but rest assured it can still drive over and crush truck if you need it too ;) lol. And it's good for off road extractions too like that U-haul van from the past.
You makes me feel like I'm in training Every video seems like I learns something different Even though I have never done any towing I'm addicted to this channel. Not only for your towing experience but how you approaches each situation. CDL for over 20 years and seeing from your eyes is an amazing aspect.
Great video! I like it that you don't swear when things don't go perfect and you're respectful and treat others the way you want to be treated. God bless.
Anyone on the side of the road should be given that kind of respect imo. They may just be trying to change a flat tire to get to the next exit and a long ways from home on top of that.
That police officer really knows his job. He and that police car show so much autority. Stopping on the middle of a highway lane and just sit there calmly to block the traffic, a lot of guts :-) Entertaining video to watch again, thanks for sharing!
Agreed, though he was just doing his job I was just waiting to see a secondary accident. You could see that even Ron was a bit worried about totally blocking a lane of traffic on a busy highway.
Xcaliber Trekker Maybe it would have been smarter to get out of the blocking vehicle indeed. But it's the officer's choice and he lived another day.. :-) He probably has a lot of experience with controlling traffic.
Yeah I remember a few years back I passed by a State Trooper who had stopped someone. Big Dodge sports car with red/blue lights on. 1 hour later I come back on the service road and I notice traffic is all backed up....someone had plowed into the Trooper's car....
I don't remember how I stumbled across your channel, but I LOVE IT!! Not many people with this huge and very interesting piece of technology know how to record very well! Even though you're a very nervous guy. I still love your videos. I would like to see more of when you're driving away like you did here. It's pretty cool to have a job like yours I'd say. Great job Ron Pratt, I hope you reach a million subscribers soon because you deserve it with the quality of your videos. I'll watch the hour long videos all day long because they are JUST that valueable honestly! And on top of all of this you are VERY humble and not arrogant, very genuine! Your family should be proud of you I know I would be! Much respect my good man!
I am impressed by Mr Pratt`s operation. Everything on the truck is in its place before the tow and is put back in its place afterwards cleaned and ready for the next tow. Safety minded and polite. Few operations in the country can match this level of professionalism.
I made certain that his superiors and the Mayor were informed of his assistance. He potentially saved my life by risking his own. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Two thing I can say, as a 20 year veteran with my local Sheriffs Office. # 1. You are a valuable asset to the wrecker business and to your community. # 2 You explain yourself way to much, when your giving orders or directions. Personal felling, I really enjoy watching your videos, brings back a lot of memories. Thank you for what you do, you definitely have your heart in the right place. 🙏🏻
Can’t lie, you are the nicest driver I’ve ever seen. Here in CT/NY we have mostly grumpy folks. I dream of having a towing company one day with my own rotator. The Pete is beautiful. You inspire me to follow my dreams. Much Love!
And sometimes the squad car gets hit because someone isn't paying attention. It is very dangerous out on the highways. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Love how you care for the other guy as well and you make yourself clear that your not being a pain to him love that about you you’ve earned my respect stay safe & god bless
One thing I like about watching these videos is that you call everyone 'Sir' that is big sign of respect, something you hardly ever ever hear of in England
Let me tell you something, Not many dudes impress me! Ron does over and over again in pretty much every video! Every aspect of Ron's mannerism's is very impressive! His professionalism, his work ethics, his family values! His parents, Im sure are very proud how he turned out. Now hes grooming his son to follow in the same foot steps! Every family should have a touch of what the person has to offer the world. Keep up the good work Ron!! God bless you and your family!
It's the law in all but one state but people seem to have some sort of brain disease when it comes to obeying it. If ignorance is bliss many drivers seem to have created their own little heaven.
Most are distracted by food, phone, radio that they don't even see it. Some get tunnel vision and drive straight towards the lights. Here in Utah you are required to move out of the right lane for any emergency vehicle. If you can't safely move over you are required to slow down and carefully pass. I love it when idiots get pissed that you are slowing down and assume it's just to be nosey and see what happened. Usually it's the same idiots that will camp in the left lane holding up traffic because they feel entitled to control the speed.
Hi Ron, great work out there. I grew up around the business, I currently don't operate but would like to, besides that it's great to see how your so helpful to everyone and that's what the industry needs more operators like you. Your an inspiration to new operators. I do have one question about your updated tow light, what make and model LEDs (red/blues) did you use on it? I like the idea and I like how you could still see them from the distance that the officer had stopped at. Thanks for being out there helping.
National Weather Service has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for Southcentral Alaska starting Friday and running through Saturday. The warmest day will be Saturday with temperatures climbing into the lower 70s along the coast and mid 70s to lower 80s inland. These temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above "normal" high temperatures for early August. Please take appropriate precautions for your children and pets, and have a fun-filled weekend!
Thought you'd get a chuckle out of this. I copy and pasted this, when I saw your 106. I've hauled a lot of melons out of your neck of the woods in that kind of temperature, but I sure am enjoying my retirement up here.
Ron Pratt people are so ignorant today maybe you should close of a lane so they must slow down or stop it I saw someone like you I would reduce my speed by 10-20 mph and move in the other lane
Brilliant videos Ron, its the same here in uk . Anyone who breaks down on motorway or dual carriageways. Take their life in their hands trying too affect a rescue, you would think all the lights and cones would be enough, but people just ignore them. You done exactly the right thing getting a traffic officer out, for own safety and the customers. 👍👍
I made certain that his superiors and the Mayor were informed of his assistance. He potentially saved my life by risking his. Thanks for watching and God bless.
I used to deliver hot tubs with a 40ft flatbed truck- I always set cones out any time I parked on public roads. Had one driver intentionally hit my cones, scattering them all over the street. It's like a game to some people...
There's a foundry down the road here, and I've been wondering how much it would cost to get a cast iron traffic cone made. Good coat of paint, put it second in the cone line, and make sure you have a good HD camera to get the video for TH-cam.
@@appleintosh we need a hollow soft steel shell filled with concrete, just like those poles in front of wallmart doors, hollow shell bends, concrete explode but a combination of the tensile strengh of steel with compressive strenght of concrete is just impressive, just look at that totaled car vs that saved life
I hate it when people talk about emergency services as police fire and ambulance!! Yeah they put their lives at risk but so do many other people such as you as a tow company. Your great at what you do and I'm happy you do it on TH-cam so we can all watch and learn and also teach. Happy 2020 to all those reading.
I am thankful you share these vedio and the way you talk to people and your employees it shows you love what you do and was awsome the way you called the law to help keep you safe you are a out standing kind of guy God bless you and your family please stay safe
Yeah, when I watched yesterday my first thought was just like a company man to run the thing out of fuel a mile from a fueling station. Kudos to Ron for his attention to detail like noting those low tires and stopping to call for traffic control. He's got the gift. Situational awareness.
Thanks it was a big petrol station. I remember a day some years ago when a bus and my semi (with double fuel tank) stopped for a complete refueling in a very very small gas station in nowhere here in Spain. We let the station tanks empty. The petrol company has fill them few hours before. When we continued our route the owner hanged the sign ⛔️CLOSED⛔️
I once ran out of fuel some 500 yards from a fuel station. Yes, the low fuel light had come on, but the vehicle (Mercedes Sprinter, max 5 metric ton or 11K lbs) was using 14 liter per 100 kilometer (16.8 MPG) and the manual said the light would come on at around 2 gallon. I should have been able to drive 33 more miles, and the gas station was 10 miles out. Didn't make it... That day I learned two things: One, I couldn't make two of my regular runs (I normally only had one per day) on only one tank of fuel even though the gauge told me I had more than half a tank left after the first run, and two, don't trust the warning light of that truck. It's a good thing the manual also told me it was self-priming, so after putting in some diesel it started right up after 30 seconds or so.
Paul Nieuwkamp I learned years ago, from watching my parents, to never trust *any* fuel gauge when you haven't personally run the vehicle empty to determine how much *real* reserve it has. My favorite car to drive, an old 280ZX, actually has 2 sending units and 2 gauges - one set only reads up to 1/4 tank, and when that gauge hits 0, the tank is *empty*. Even the with the digital bar graph display, that tells me to within 1/2 gallon *exactly* how low I am.
When ever I've driven in state's i automatically move over because i thought that was the law ? I even now do it in the uk most police men, recovery driver, & tyre fitters always show their appreciation with a nod or wave. But most of all a few other drivers follow me over. Once again another great video Ron.😳👍
Thank you for that. I understand from several other viewers in the UK that your drivers tend to be more courteous than drivers in the U.S. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Hi, I’ve recently just come across your videos and there great I love the work you do, One thing I was wondering is traffics clearly a problem have you ever though of having maybe a truck with a large flashing arrow board stacked with cones and a crew as sort of an incident support
Some light bars come with magnets built in. We don't use the magnets for several reasons. 1---there are a lot of vehicles with very little metal in the area needed to mount the light bars. 2--the magnets tend to damage painted surfaces even if well protected. Thank you for the suggestion, though. Thank you for watching and God bless.
I am a new subscriber to follow you. I really like your videos, you have good explanations, prudence and security as well as a lot of respect. Congratulations, God bless you !
We are researching many upgraded safety options. The viewers on here have been offering some fantastic advice/suggestions like yours. Thank you and God bless.
Amazing what the difference a cop on the scene does. I’m amazed at the power of your truck. It lifted that engine like it was a bicycle. Unbelievably strong 💪
This is what owning and operating a small yet heavy business is like! That’s whatsup! Living the American dream brotha, workin hard for the next generation, much blessings!
@Ron Pratt You should buy the safety flag that oversize loads use. Put it on the end cone. People might see it a little better. If not that buy a custom construction sign for yall.
People just don't seem to take notice of signage. A couple of years back there was a breakdown in a tunnel on one of our motorways, For about 2 miles there were multiple illuminated warning signs saying "Lane blocked ahead, merge right" (we drive on the left here). But no, 10% of drivers stayed in the left lane right up to the obstruction, then tried to merge despite the traffic being light and plenty of opportunity to merge when driving at road speed.
We have that problem here in the States, too. It's aggravating at the least. With all those signs at least a 1/4 mile before the construction zones, people ignore them and try to cut in at the merge point. A lot of people, myself included will cut them off, since we've been the ones being patient and waiting in line like we're supposed to. The one thing that makes me mad is when the self entitled pricks drive down the shoulders bypassing everybody. But i get some satisfaction out of that when they get stuck behind someone who has broken down on the shoulder, it gets even better when there's a cop there. Karma then bites them.
Could you all use collapsible signs (the big orange and black ones that are cloth with aluminum struts) like construction/highway repair companies have that show the lanes moving from two down to one? Seems to me you should get at least as much signage as a road repair crew.
The signs alone wont be much more effective then his cones. What he needs is a dedicated traffic control vehicle that can do what the police did in this video, sit back with lights on and partially or fully block the lane. Lots even have traffic control lighting signage like construction trucks have. Ron actually mentioned in his snack truck video the other day that he is looking for such a vehicle. Lots of drivers seem to need a physical block to act.
I suggest sorting equipment the truck carries into commonly used equipment and less used gear and storing all the commonly used tools in the passenger side of the truck.
also taking out the passenger side seat so the driver can simply get out on the passenger side (easier anyway), maybe even ordering the next ones with the steeringwheel on the other side for that reason. (but that would kinda make it hard to see if no idiots are passing by when pulling back onto the road)
I lived in Nebraska, in 1971, long enough to experience a winter and start of summer. From Virginia, at 98 degrees with humidity at 105. Then to Nebraska with 110, dry air, felt like Virginia 99. An experience. So I understand you and your weather.
Cones are def on my list of things to get, but my truck doesn't have a whole lot of room. There have been times I needed them, just like this. I've been looking at getting collapsible cones, that compact, but I think they may be too light and will blow around. $10 ea., I don't want them blowing into traffic and getting run over.
These collapse cones are fabric. I saw them at Autozone for about $10 each. You can store them anywhere on your truck, reall, even behind the seat. But will they live up to real world situations or be a complete waste of money? That is the question. If anyone has them, share a video of them in use.
True, but it is very dry here, I'm about to put together a video on the smoke that has rolled in on us from Canada. Fires are a serious thing here. Cones don't cause massive property damage or evacuations.
If you can find a place to install a piece of pipe sticking up you can stack a bunch of cones in a small space. Lots of guys even mount them on the front bumper but that would be a mortal sin on a truck like the Rotator, :)
We use weighted collapsible cones in the fire service for emergency landing zones for the helicopters. They do sometimes get blown over but its a Maryland State Police/ Medical Evacuation helicopter. I don't think a car is going to get enough wind to do it,
I love all the big rig lifts and rotator stuff. As a fellow ex wrecker driver myself there is one video i would like to see if u can. Towing a smaller vehicle using the old tow dollies. Thats one thing i have seen plenty of wrecker drivers do very wrong. I believe that would be a pretty educational video as well all the rotator lifts. Excellent content! Yall do a fine and efficient job each time you go out. Very nice!!
We gave the customer a great deal on the tow. I had already driven out to check on this driver and for multiple reasons towing it in was quicker and safer than fueling and attempting to restart the truck on the interstate. I don't discuss exact pricing on an open forum like this, but I do understand everyone's curiosity. Thanks for watching and God bless.
As Mr. Pratt said, wouldn't say exactly. There's list rate, contract rate (which only two people know) and discretion rate (bosses or tow drivers have some leeway)
You take your gloves off to operate the truck, so when you're ready to back up to the tow, drop your gloves on the ground exactly where you want the bar to be, easy to spot in the camera!!!
Hi Ron this is Neil from Arizona I used to do rollbacks and if I did a freeway tow I always had PD with me just for that reason that you went through with your dealings with PD and great CSI they will always be happy to help you
Hi Ron, Thank you for taking the time to not only film the action but also to edit and show for our interest and education! You have the same problem with fast traffic not slowing or moving over on many of your videos and wonder if you have thought of using a portable flashing LED ARROW light bar. They are widely used in Australia and run on SLA rechargeable 12v batteries. Just a thought and very visible extra help covering your back! Many thanks again! Derek Birch
Ron, I just saw your TH-cam channel a few days ago and I love it. I came up with an idea after watching the episode with the railroad truck that lost it's duels. If you made little metal brackets that would go from inside your traffic cones you could stick your LED road flares magnetically to them to make it more safe at night.
Hello Ron I really enjoyed watching the video of you showing your red&blue lights on your tow lights. That was real nice of PD to provide safety for you
He could do what he did that time on thw night video and get the magneting light things and balance them ontop of the cones, takes.more time to set up and pack down but worth it if it makes the job safer
Hi Ron. Great channel. When ever l had to recover a vehicle from a live carriageway. We were advised to get the police to help at the scene and provide a lane block for safety reasons. Blues and twos are only allowed to be used on emergency service vehicles over here. The public seem to take more notice to the blue flashing lights. Than our yellow flashing lights. Good luck out there and stay safe sir.
When Ron Pratt posts a video, you stop what you are doing, and you watch it. It's the right thing to do.
JonathanR true
JonathanR stop sleeping
As a fellow employee in the towing industry, I love his videos and have very high respect for him teaching people and raising awareness of not only what this job entails but also how dangerous it is.
When Ron Pratt posts a video, you slow down and pull over to the far lane! It's the right thing to do!
JonathanR yes
I love the fact that Ron first asks if they are ok then offers him water and gatorade. Just goes to show there are still good humans out there.
Thanks for watching and God bless.
Ron Pratt I still want to engrave you something and send it to you
I am from Jamaica and am so impressed with all your videos
It's Them "Heartland People",,, "Heartland Mentality",,, "Heartland Love of Country",,, "Heartland God Country,,,, I See Why Ron "Starts and Signs Off With,,, God Bless,,,, It's Because He Means It,,, "Walks Like He Talks",,,,
Yeah, you don't see that with most towing companies, normally the first thing out of their mouths is, how are you gonna pay for this.
When I was driving tow truck in Sacramento I called for PD assist much as Ron did in this situation. It was right by that short, dangerous onramp onto I-80. CHP sent a car out and it was promptly hit by a drunk driver.
The CHP car was completely destroyed and the officer had moderate injuries, he got banged up pretty bad. His being there truly saved my life...
The sad thing is that before I called for the police myself, I asked my dispatcher to call to get a cop car to cover me. The owner of the tow company told me not to be such a wimp and just get the call done. Thank God I was a wimp and ignored him and called for CHP assistance myself anyway or I would not be alive today. That officer was truly dedicated to his profession, he told me later that it was all part of his job. I told him there were easier ways to catch drunk drivers, and he should study up on them. We had a good laugh and were very grateful.
Hauling Hauling wow that’s sad :(
Yep, that ramp is a pain and always will be, I grew up in Sac and we avoided that ramp as much as possible.
Good thing you went with your gut on that situation or you would've Lost your life. thank God your safe. Thank you for your service as a tow truck driver and God bless
Do u still work for that company ? Seems. Like the owner should care more about the safety of his EE's
Funny how no one can see a 70,000lb wrecker lit up like a Christmas tree, but when Five-O turn up they can see his tiny squad car. Stay safe out there Ron.
lol I was thinking the same thing :)
Its all about the pocketbook, tow truck cant fine me, pd can.
Yeah exactly 🤦🏻♀️
No they can’t. Cops die every day from getting hit.....
And he literally parked blocking the whole lane. Lol
I like the fact that Ron never curses on air. And is always willing to do the work even if he has help. Good Job, Sir!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your patience. This channel has grown so rapidly that it is difficult for me to respond to all the comments. Rest assured, I will continue to attempt to respond to a majority of the comments when I have the opportunity. I have the business to run, family time, spiritual time, and videos to work on. I am grateful for everyone's support and appreciate your interaction. All of your comments are read even though I may not respond immediately. Let's keep it growing and I will keep it going! God bless.
Ron Pratt thank god for pd I am a firefighter from southern Illinois
Im from new Brunswick.... Canada...
A major problem is drivers hitting the tow vehicle. So I've learned..
Place your wheels on the line. And turn them towards traffic. Place your rearend as far away from traffic as possible. (Or wherever the tow vehicles controls are.)
So you get yourself farther away.
Also. If a vehicle was to hit your truck. It will create a blockage where if able you are able to run from the possibilities of injuries.
The opposite can be done.
Causing your drivers door. Or cab access away from traffic.
I love watching ur videos better than any other towing videos
What kind of diesel engine is in the 1150R?
Ron Pratt Flow Flow Flow Flow
Thumbs up to the officer who assist Ron. Much respect
So trucker ran out of gas. LOL. That's what fuel guage is for. LOL
I subscribed about 2 weeks ago with the bell for alerts. Needing not to worry about the alert's bell as since subscribing a few weeks ago, I have watched 22 videos including the 5 part--search and rescue of the abandoned rental van. I am hooked on the way Ron Pratt works, treats others, askes for prayers-good thoughts-well wishes, reports about the wellness of others in the recovery vehicles when applicable, and gives wonderful safety tips always! All this coming from a suburban grandmother (71 yrs)... I have been able to apply (several times) his good advice in my own life situations far from his line of business, living life in general.
Ron makes me proud to be an American ...God Bless Ron and all his family.
Mercy, Ron, you make me proud and you make me smile! At this rate, 22 videos in 2 weeks, I most assuredly will be watching reruns in the future. You, your family, your crew, other professional co-workers, are all so very valuable to so many of us viewers!!! Peace, Love to you all. ^5 Great Job!
Wow...I'm quite impressed. That's a lot of videos. I am pleased and humbled that you are enjoying them. Glad to have you as part of our "community". Thanks for watching and God bless.
Your Relationships with ALL the First Responders is 1st Class. You ALL have to look out for each other so you can return home each night to your families. You and ALL the other First Responders should have that Right.
Ron gets respect from all the first responders not because he demands but because he gives everyone he deals with the exact same respect. Be It his family, his employees, his customers or the first responders. If you listen to his tone of voice when he is talking to Talon teaching him or telling him how he wanta things done he uses the same tone he uses when talking to the first responders. The words are different but the tone and the inflection are the same. You get back what you give.
Great video and a good idea to call the PD that wasn't much of an apron for an interstate. That traffic wasn't giving you a break.
Yes they need pd back up period. Most drivers don't really give a crap about tow trucks or anyone broke down on highway 🤬🤬🤬
Ron, I am a retired fire chief with 28 years service and I can relate to what you experience out there in traffic. I would like to suggest you get one or more of your interstate videos in the hands of your state legislators and ask that they fund an advertising campaign on "slow down and move over". Maybe even a targeted enforcement program by the highway patrol. They did that here in Ohio and I think it helped. There will always be those "blind Toms" out there that we have to dodge but the public needs to see what it is like for the emergency services that have to work on the roads and deal with the traffic. Stay safe.
First, thank you for your service and dedication. Second, thank you for your suggestion. I had not considered sending a video to my legislators, but I will now thanks to your suggestion. I will also look into the targeted enforcement. I really like that idea as well. We are looking into a traffic control/blocker vehicle to use in these type situations. As you know, when there is an incident, the fire department normally provides a blocker. For these average, everyday tows, we have no coverage, thus our interest in a traffic assist vehicle of some sort.
We are actually taking part in a nationwide SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER campaign that includes all the emergency services. Here is a link if you would like to check it out. It may even come close to or through your area. atspiritride.com/
Thank you, sir, and God bless.
On a scale of 1 to 10? About 37...
Some days a 5 and other days, I agree with Matt_Waddy, it's a 37. God bless
In Oklahoma we have a "slow down, move over law" and they enforce it, The set traps to catch people not moving over and will chase them down and give a fat ticket for it, there have been alot of bad accidents from people not slowing down or moving over. I fyou can't move over slow down. I seen a sign on Texas in a school zone no cell phone use in school zone or its a 200 dollar ticket.
Honest to goodness, a rollover or other major incident is in the 5 neighborhood, while straight road tows from the interstate are about a 37. At least on a major incident, the road or part of it are closed. Then again, towing big trucks on the hills of New England in the snow runs somewhere between the two. Love the videos Ron, I've picked up some neat tips and tricks.
I have so much respect for you and love your videos so much because you are not cocky at all and so awesome at what you do. A lot of people can learn from you.
A very humble and sincere thank you. Thanks for watching and God bless.
petry knapele hi
@Relic Spiess Every job in every field, if you are not learning, you are going backwards.
Funny how they slow down when fines can be issued.
Then, they really get angry when they get a fine for doing something that they know is wrong and know better.
Chris Gordon yea no one likes spending money
@DFuller even then, most of them still don't adhere to the rule.
Yea they can just get mad. What if it was one of their family members or even them that was is a risky situation. Their point of view would change dramatically. They’d prolly even be way more frustrated than he is.
At 13:07 just a casual Big Bud tractor passing by lol great video keep up the great work
Gunslinger Rocks lol
I was wondering if anyone else noticed the bud lol
I have to take my hat off to you regarding your policy on safety. It is refreshing to see someone putting safety before the job.
That was so good of the officer to give you such good protection by closing that lane off to traffic. What a huge difference it made too, and gave you that bit of added safety.
That Officer deserves a raise.
He is a veteran police officer, but is new to our local force. He definitely earned my respect that day. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Easy choice for the sensible ones: 20-30 minutes in air conditioning catching up paperwork or an hour or two out of the car dealing with a pileup.
I can see how the driver would be embarrassed running out of fuel. Just can't trust those gauges, lol That officer was awesome to help you. That got the rude drivers under control. Great Job Ron as always. Hope it cools down soon for you. 1:30 pm CT it is 72 degrees.Hugs and God Bless.
Yes, the officer potentially saved my life by risking his. I made a point to inform his supervisors and the Mayor of his assistance. And, yes, we finally got a break from the intense heat. Yesterday was a high of 91. Today is suppose to be around the same, but with some much needed rain. God bless.
Thanks. Tough people doing tough job. I enjoyed and appreciate very much.
I think it is safe to say the local PD considers you a precious commodity.
It's funny how one police car makes a huge difference
Can you get an inflatable police car with flashing lights to stick in the slow lane to move the clueless jokers over?
Love the idea. It would have to come with the blower motor like on the "bouncy" houses for kids, because I'd never get it blown up otherwise.....lol. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Well, then there's the 3d holographic projector with a policeman and cop car stopprd in the slow lane, but that would work best at night.
Something like this? www.alibaba.com/product-detail/portable-led-moveable-battery-light-tower_60052359085.html
Yikes, you have to buy 10 and they are up to $890 each.
i bet someone would murder that light tower thing for fun
I was really impressed (and horrified) how the officer dealt with the traffic. Great job.
Horrified? Explain
he kind of put himself as a human shield with his police car... there's a lot of texting and driving here in California maybe it's just different in Missouri.
Hauling Hauling it’s not.
Hauling Hauling if you’re over the age of 21 and not in a commercial vehicle, it is 100% legal to text in drive in Missouri (dumb but that’s how it is)
But people pay more attention to police cars way less likely to hit a cop than a tow trucj
Too many stupid people on the road that have no idea what hazard lights represent and what you should do when you see them!!
I would say not to many but all of them.
Some of the drivers could not get over because of a car beside them going the same speed as them ive had issues where I could not get over for a tow truck because of someone being a idiot and slowing down when I wanted over.
There was this dude cutting off a fire truck the other day
@@charlieretro how about using the brakes... or if it's a somewhat decent car, the gas pedal. if he's going the same speed you are what's he doing on the overtake lane anyway, but besides that, you can just hit the brakes and go behind him or accelerate and go in front of him (and then slow down to annoy him back a bit ;)
Now that's scary - them cars flying by with no concern for anything - Thank you SCPD for keeping Mr. Pratt Safer. The Red/Blue flashers on the light bar are genius -
Thank you for the nice comment about the officer Ron. From one from Northern NJ I appreciate that. Stay safe! God Bless!
A very professional towing company, am from Northern Ireland, United Kingdom and we don't have wreckers like rons on the roads over here and I watch every video I possibly can, another job well done
Thanks for watching and God bless.
Nice job on the lightbar.... Also a good idea for you or any one else.. If your phone is having issues with loading an app or even making a simple call... Instead of turning it off then on... "some phones take forever to restart" just turn on airplane mode on and then turn it off after 10 sec... IT resets your data and reconnects to a new tower
Yes, airplane mode CAN be faster than waiting on a phone to cycle down and up, but it doesn't hurt to cycle your phone off once a day (or once/week at least). Do it before you need to use it, and it'll be refreshed for when you need it.
I noticed in a few of your other videos that you do a bit of yelling to communicate with your crew. I used to work for a big Pyro outfit doing fireworks shows and we used cheap lightweight wireless headsets to communicate on site. They have a vox setting and fit well underneath a hardhat. love your work! Stay safe!
The cooperation of the police is great. The kindness and respect you show everyone is amazing. In today's society both of those traits are very rare. On behalf of the general public, Thank you. Keep on keeping on.
So many people out there dont understand the whole slow down an move over , I say a prayer every morning before i head to work for all the people like you Ron out there putting their lives on the line literally to help or save someone else i pray God blesses you an your family ....
You could pick up a surplus M-60 tank to use as a blocking vehicle. Wouldn't even need warning lights...
Yeah , and how long would it take to get there ? Lol !
I love the idea as long as the cannon and guns are still live.....just in case I have to make an example out of a driver that doesn't get over. Guarantee the rest would move. Just kidding. I'd never hurt anybody intentionally. A tank may be what is required to move them over though. Wouldn't that be a sight??!! Thanks for the chuckle, friend. God bless.
Ron Pratt 3
A nice cheaper alternative would be a nice little used M113 the good ol' aluminum box on tracks that we've been using since the '60's, nice power and it doesn't weigh too much comparatively but rest assured it can still drive over and crush truck if you need it too ;) lol. And it's good for off road extractions too like that U-haul van from the past.
@@GoldPicard i think rhats a good idea
I noticed right away that when a police officer is present with their lights on, traffic slowed way down.
Things get real when the law enforcement shows up. We are grateful for their support. God bless.
Yea they just don't wanna get into it with the law
You makes me feel like I'm in training
Every video seems like I learns something different
Even though I have never done any towing I'm addicted to this channel.
Not only for your towing experience but how you approaches each situation. CDL for over 20 years and seeing from your eyes is an amazing aspect.
Great video! I like it that you don't swear when things don't go perfect and you're respectful and treat others the way you want to be treated. God bless.
Whole new level of respect for what you guys do! Thank you for being extra safe out there!
Pretty simple to move over even without emergency lights, I give my fellow truckers respect and move over.
Thank you. God bless.
Anyone on the side of the road should be given that kind of respect imo. They may just be trying to change a flat tire to get to the next exit and a long ways from home on top of that.
That police officer really knows his job. He and that police car show so much autority. Stopping on the middle of a highway lane and just sit there calmly to block the traffic, a lot of guts :-) Entertaining video to watch again, thanks for sharing!
Agreed, though he was just doing his job I was just waiting to see a secondary accident. You could see that even Ron was a bit worried about totally blocking a lane of traffic on a busy highway.
Xcaliber Trekker Maybe it would have been smarter to get out of the blocking vehicle indeed. But it's the officer's choice and he lived another day.. :-) He probably has a lot of experience with controlling traffic.
Yeah I remember a few years back I passed by a State Trooper who had stopped someone. Big Dodge sports car with red/blue lights on.
1 hour later I come back on the service road and I notice traffic is all backed up....someone had plowed into the Trooper's car....
Oh, I haven't got that far yet, now you have me excited
@@briancreegan827 you deserve way more than 3-4 likes in one year, I wish I could give you as many likes as a truck can haul, certainly over 9000!!
Great PD to work with you!! Good to complement someone for helping always. Stay safe Ron !
I don't remember how I stumbled across your channel, but I LOVE IT!! Not many people with this huge and very interesting piece of technology know how to record very well! Even though you're a very nervous guy. I still love your videos. I would like to see more of when you're driving away like you did here. It's pretty cool to have a job like yours I'd say. Great job Ron Pratt, I hope you reach a million subscribers soon because you deserve it with the quality of your videos. I'll watch the hour long videos all day long because they are JUST that valueable honestly! And on top of all of this you are VERY humble and not arrogant, very genuine! Your family should be proud of you I know I would be! Much respect my good man!
Greatly appreciated. Thanks for watching and God bless.
I am impressed by Mr Pratt`s operation. Everything on the truck is in its place before the tow and is put back in its place afterwards cleaned and ready for the next tow. Safety minded and polite. Few operations in the country can match this level of professionalism.
Thank god for the amazing officers that we have, great video as always!
I made certain that his superiors and the Mayor were informed of his assistance. He potentially saved my life by risking his own. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Ron I appreciate that you actually care about us and your customers
I'd say get yourself a spike strip, chuck it into the near lane. It'll get 'em slowed down AND drum up business xD
it'll increase sales on run flat and 'honeygrate' rims. :P
Brilliant
And say oops dropped ‘em
😂😂😂😂😂
VIHAAN
Two thing I can say, as a 20 year veteran with my local Sheriffs Office. # 1. You are a valuable asset to the wrecker business and to your community. # 2 You explain yourself way to much, when your giving orders or directions.
Personal felling, I really enjoy watching your videos, brings back a lot of memories. Thank you for what you do, you definitely have your heart in the right place. 🙏🏻
Can’t lie, you are the nicest driver I’ve ever seen. Here in CT/NY we have mostly grumpy folks. I dream of having a towing company one day with my own rotator. The Pete is beautiful. You inspire me to follow my dreams. Much Love!
It's great to see local LEOs assist you and provide a reasonably safe work area.
It's sad,the only reason people slow down and move over for a cop is because if they don't,it can cost them money.what a shame
And sometimes the squad car gets hit because someone isn't paying attention. It is very dangerous out on the highways. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Love how you care for the other guy as well and you make yourself clear that your not being a pain to him love that about you you’ve earned my respect stay safe & god bless
I agree with you!
One thing I like about watching these videos is that you call everyone 'Sir' that is big sign of respect, something you hardly ever ever hear of in England
Let me tell you something, Not many dudes impress me! Ron does over and over again in pretty much every video! Every aspect of Ron's mannerism's is very impressive! His professionalism, his work ethics, his family values! His parents, Im sure are very proud how he turned out. Now hes grooming his son to follow in the same foot steps! Every family should have a touch of what the person has to offer the world. Keep up the good work Ron!! God bless you and your family!
The lack of respect that you get from the drivers not moving over is baffling to me. Please try and stay safe out there.
Thank you for your support and God bless.
CanadianRob in Pennsylvania it's a law to move over.
It's the law in all but one state but people seem to have some sort of brain disease when it comes to obeying it. If ignorance is bliss many drivers seem to have created their own little heaven.
Richard Cline, the problem is that the police don't enforce the move over law
Most are distracted by food, phone, radio that they don't even see it. Some get tunnel vision and drive straight towards the lights. Here in Utah you are required to move out of the right lane for any emergency vehicle. If you can't safely move over you are required to slow down and carefully pass. I love it when idiots get pissed that you are slowing down and assume it's just to be nosey and see what happened. Usually it's the same idiots that will camp in the left lane holding up traffic because they feel entitled to control the speed.
Hi Ron, great work out there. I grew up around the business, I currently don't operate but would like to, besides that it's great to see how your so helpful to everyone and that's what the industry needs more operators like you. Your an inspiration to new operators. I do have one question about your updated tow light, what make and model LEDs (red/blues) did you use on it? I like the idea and I like how you could still see them from the distance that the officer had stopped at. Thanks for being out there helping.
National Weather Service has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for Southcentral Alaska starting Friday and running through Saturday. The warmest day will be Saturday with temperatures climbing into the lower 70s along the coast and mid 70s to lower 80s inland.
These temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above "normal" high temperatures for early August.
Please take appropriate precautions for your children and pets, and have a fun-filled weekend!
Ok....I'm moving north to Alaska!!!
Thought you'd get a chuckle out of this. I copy and pasted this, when I saw your 106. I've hauled a lot of melons out of your neck of the woods in that kind of temperature, but I sure am enjoying my retirement up here.
Ron Pratt are u really
Ron Pratt people are so ignorant today maybe you should close of a lane so they must slow down or stop it I saw someone like you I would reduce my speed by 10-20 mph and move in the other lane
That's the temperature here lol
Brilliant videos Ron, its the same here in uk .
Anyone who breaks down on motorway or dual carriageways. Take their life in their hands trying too affect a rescue, you would think all the lights and cones would be enough, but people just ignore them. You done exactly the right thing getting a traffic officer out, for own safety and the customers. 👍👍
As a professional truck driver in New Zealand, I enjoy watching the episodes Ron posts. An eye opener for sure.
Thank you and may God bless and keep you safe on the road.
You need to buy that officer a beer. He did great keeping y'all safe.
I made certain that his superiors and the Mayor were informed of his assistance. He potentially saved my life by risking his. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Sith Yarael i
I love that light bar
matthew cottrell me too
I used to deliver hot tubs with a 40ft flatbed truck- I always set cones out any time I parked on public roads. Had one driver intentionally hit my cones, scattering them all over the street. It's like a game to some people...
Sad but true. And getting worse with "distracted" driving. Thanks for watching and God bless.
There's a foundry down the road here, and I've been wondering how much it would cost to get a cast iron traffic cone made. Good coat of paint, put it second in the cone line, and make sure you have a good HD camera to get the video for TH-cam.
Joe Bramblett With cast iron, I think it would turn into a frag grenade when someone hits it. Too much shrapnel
@@appleintosh we need a hollow soft steel shell filled with concrete, just like those poles in front of wallmart doors, hollow shell bends, concrete explode but a combination of the tensile strengh of steel with compressive strenght of concrete is just impressive, just look at that totaled car vs that saved life
@@kd5nrh fill it up with concrete...
I hate it when people talk about emergency services as police fire and ambulance!! Yeah they put their lives at risk but so do many other people such as you as a tow company. Your great at what you do and I'm happy you do it on TH-cam so we can all watch and learn and also teach. Happy 2020 to all those reading.
I am thankful you share these vedio and the way you talk to people and your employees it shows you love what you do and was awsome the way you called the law to help keep you safe you are a out standing kind of guy God bless you and your family please stay safe
I appreciate that! Thank you for watching and God bless!
that was an expensive tank of gas.
Yeah, when I watched yesterday my first thought was just like a company man to run the thing out of fuel a mile from a fueling station. Kudos to Ron for his attention to detail like noting those low tires and stopping to call for traffic control. He's got the gift. Situational awareness.
Thanks it was a big petrol station. I remember a day some years ago when a bus and my semi (with double fuel tank) stopped for a complete refueling in a very very small gas station in nowhere here in Spain. We let the station tanks empty. The petrol company has fill them few hours before. When we continued our route the owner hanged the sign ⛔️CLOSED⛔️
Yes, it is always a bad day when someone runs out of fuel. At least nobody was injured or killed. Thanks for watching and God bless.
I once ran out of fuel some 500 yards from a fuel station. Yes, the low fuel light had come on, but the vehicle (Mercedes Sprinter, max 5 metric ton or 11K lbs) was using 14 liter per 100 kilometer (16.8 MPG) and the manual said the light would come on at around 2 gallon. I should have been able to drive 33 more miles, and the gas station was 10 miles out. Didn't make it...
That day I learned two things: One, I couldn't make two of my regular runs (I normally only had one per day) on only one tank of fuel even though the gauge told me I had more than half a tank left after the first run, and two, don't trust the warning light of that truck. It's a good thing the manual also told me it was self-priming, so after putting in some diesel it started right up after 30 seconds or so.
Paul Nieuwkamp I learned years ago, from watching my parents, to never trust *any* fuel gauge when you haven't personally run the vehicle empty to determine how much *real* reserve it has. My favorite car to drive, an old 280ZX, actually has 2 sending units and 2 gauges - one set only reads up to 1/4 tank, and when that gauge hits 0, the tank is *empty*. Even the with the digital bar graph display, that tells me to within 1/2 gallon *exactly* how low I am.
hey ron good video there is one thing I noticed that driver on the disabled truck didn't have safety triangles set on the road
Good catch. I didn't see any either.
I didn't catch that either. Good eye. Thanks for watching and God bless.
When ever I've driven in state's i automatically move over because i thought that was the law ? I even now do it in the uk most police men, recovery driver, & tyre fitters always show their appreciation with a nod or wave. But most of all a few other drivers follow me over. Once again another great video Ron.😳👍
Thank you for that. I understand from several other viewers in the UK that your drivers tend to be more courteous than drivers in the U.S. Thanks for watching and God bless.
You are such a kind caring person
i'm a railroader and i thoroughly am enjoying your videos thank you :)
Hi, I’ve recently just come across your videos and there great I love the work you do,
One thing I was wondering is traffics clearly a problem have you ever though of having maybe a truck with a large flashing arrow board stacked with cones and a crew as sort of an incident support
*Why Don't You Put Magnets On That Light Bar!???*
Some light bars come with magnets built in. We don't use the magnets for several reasons. 1---there are a lot of vehicles with very little metal in the area needed to mount the light bars. 2--the magnets tend to damage painted surfaces even if well protected. Thank you for the suggestion, though. Thank you for watching and God bless.
plus sometimes there is hardly any steel for the magnet to stick on magnets dont work on alluminum
Most trailers are aluminum they dont make magnets for that :( they'd come in hella handy tho
I am a new subscriber to follow you. I really like your videos, you have good explanations, prudence and security as well as a lot of respect. Congratulations, God bless you !
Ron as a former CD, tech and automotive instructor I appreciate all the lessons I'm learning from you. You are a blessing to me.
Awesome job for the Police and you Sir ! You guys never get enough credit for the service you do. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much and God bless.
In Australia, vehicles must , by law, slow down to 40kph/25mph when passing emergency vehicles when their flashing lights are switched on.
Ron can you use a flashing move over left arrow on the back of your truck?
We are researching many upgraded safety options. The viewers on here have been offering some fantastic advice/suggestions like yours. Thank you and God bless.
Hey mr pratt great videos 👍 I watch every upload I can
Amazing what the difference a cop on the scene does. I’m amazed at the power of your truck. It lifted that engine like it was a bicycle. Unbelievably strong 💪
This is what owning and operating a small yet heavy business is like! That’s whatsup! Living the American dream brotha, workin hard for the next generation, much blessings!
@Ron Pratt You should buy the safety flag that oversize loads use. Put it on the end cone. People might see it a little better. If not that buy a custom construction sign for yall.
I dont think visibility is the issue. Its impatient drivers who either dont understand or dont care about the risks.
I agree with both comments he needs a scout car say park 1mile back with big sign saying slow down move over in effect his own cop car
Lol
People just don't seem to take notice of signage. A couple of years back there was a breakdown in a tunnel on one of our motorways, For about 2 miles there were multiple illuminated warning signs saying "Lane blocked ahead, merge right" (we drive on the left here). But no, 10% of drivers stayed in the left lane right up to the obstruction, then tried to merge despite the traffic being light and plenty of opportunity to merge when driving at road speed.
We have that problem here in the States, too. It's aggravating at the least. With all those signs at least a 1/4 mile before the construction zones, people ignore them and try to cut in at the merge point. A lot of people, myself included will cut them off, since we've been the ones being patient and waiting in line like we're supposed to. The one thing that makes me mad is when the self entitled pricks drive down the shoulders bypassing everybody. But i get some satisfaction out of that when they get stuck behind someone who has broken down on the shoulder, it gets even better when there's a cop there. Karma then bites them.
Could you all use collapsible signs (the big orange and black ones that are cloth with aluminum struts) like construction/highway repair companies have that show the lanes moving from two down to one? Seems to me you should get at least as much signage as a road repair crew.
Julie Stevens actually the green ones you see better they say.
Agree they really help in traffic... Warning Signs are the law in my area
The signs alone wont be much more effective then his cones. What he needs is a dedicated traffic control vehicle that can do what the police did in this video, sit back with lights on and partially or fully block the lane. Lots even have traffic control lighting signage like construction trucks have. Ron actually mentioned in his snack truck video the other day that he is looking for such a vehicle. Lots of drivers seem to need a physical block to act.
Get me a Chevrolet Tahoe with enough yellow lights on it and a collisionbumper (pillow), and i will keep him safe and sound :-)
Couple of jersey barriers in the lane would do the trick. They'd move for that 😁 (haha)
I suggest sorting equipment the truck carries into commonly used equipment and less used gear and storing all the commonly used tools in the passenger side of the truck.
also taking out the passenger side seat so the driver can simply get out on the passenger side (easier anyway), maybe even ordering the next ones with the steeringwheel on the other side for that reason. (but that would kinda make it hard to see if no idiots are passing by when pulling back onto the road)
thanks for being an honest and considerate guy..
I lived in Nebraska, in 1971, long enough to experience a winter and start of summer. From Virginia, at 98 degrees with humidity at 105. Then to Nebraska with 110, dry air, felt like Virginia 99.
An experience. So I understand you and your weather.
getting a portable sign that says SLOW DOWN. MOVE OVER! IT'S THE LAW! Most trucking companies on TV have some form of that sign/livery on their truck.
You would be surprised at how many people don't care about signs if there are no enforcers around(i.e Law Enforcement) to give them a fat ticket.
Liked the cristmas tree remark....lol
Cones are def on my list of things to get, but my truck doesn't have a whole lot of room. There have been times I needed them, just like this. I've been looking at getting collapsible cones, that compact, but I think they may be too light and will blow around. $10 ea., I don't want them blowing into traffic and getting run over.
These collapse cones are fabric. I saw them at Autozone for about $10 each. You can store them anywhere on your truck, reall, even behind the seat. But will they live up to real world situations or be a complete waste of money? That is the question. If anyone has them, share a video of them in use.
Road flares work just about as well as cones and don't take up as much room.
True, but it is very dry here, I'm about to put together a video on the smoke that has rolled in on us from Canada. Fires are a serious thing here. Cones don't cause massive property damage or evacuations.
If you can find a place to install a piece of pipe sticking up you can stack a bunch of cones in a small space. Lots of guys even mount them on the front bumper but that would be a mortal sin on a truck like the Rotator, :)
We use weighted collapsible cones in the fire service for emergency landing zones for the helicopters. They do sometimes get blown over but its a Maryland State Police/ Medical Evacuation helicopter. I don't think a car is going to get enough wind to do it,
I love all the big rig lifts and rotator stuff. As a fellow ex wrecker driver myself there is one video i would like to see if u can. Towing a smaller vehicle using the old tow dollies. Thats one thing i have seen plenty of wrecker drivers do very wrong. I believe that would be a pretty educational video as well all the rotator lifts. Excellent content! Yall do a fine and efficient job each time you go out. Very nice!!
That Officer was very nice I like when other members are very friendly to work with.
You need lights more visible and powerfull
Héctor Fernández de Lara Whelen is the front runner of the lighting market. Federal Signal, Code 3, all in the same market, but Whelen is tops.
Good vid. Just curious .... what is the charge (fee) for roadside service like that?
We gave the customer a great deal on the tow. I had already driven out to check on this driver and for multiple reasons towing it in was quicker and safer than fueling and attempting to restart the truck on the interstate. I don't discuss exact pricing on an open forum like this, but I do understand everyone's curiosity. Thanks for watching and God bless.
As Mr. Pratt said, wouldn't say exactly. There's list rate, contract rate (which only two people know) and discretion rate (bosses or tow drivers have some leeway)
You take your gloves off to operate the truck, so when you're ready to back up to the tow, drop your gloves on the ground exactly where you want the bar to be, easy to spot in the camera!!!
Hi Ron this is Neil from Arizona I used to do rollbacks and if I did a freeway tow I always had PD with me just for that reason that you went through with your dealings with PD and great CSI they will always be happy to help you
Hi Ron,
Thank you for taking the time to not only film the action but also to edit and show for our interest and education!
You have the same problem with fast traffic not slowing or moving over on many of your videos and wonder if you have thought of using a portable flashing LED ARROW light bar. They are widely used in Australia and run on SLA rechargeable 12v batteries. Just a thought and very visible extra help covering your back!
Many thanks again!
Derek Birch
Great video! Thanks Ron.
Last time I was broke down it was on flat ground like this is and someone still ran over my reflective triangle
You could put a couple flashing lights on the top your boom and raise it up that way people can see a light
Great idea
Ron,
I just saw your TH-cam channel a few days ago and I love it.
I came up with an idea after watching the episode with the railroad truck that lost it's duels.
If you made little metal brackets that would go from inside your traffic cones you could stick your LED road flares magnetically to them to make it more safe at night.
Hello Ron I really enjoyed watching the video of you showing your red&blue lights on your tow lights. That was real nice of PD to provide safety for you
spraying bug replant in the middle of the highway. LOVE IT LMAO!!!
What you should do is get an arrow bar put it on the back of the rotator so people can see you
If you could why don't you put some lights on some of you're cones
you could do that but there quite expensive you barely see the light on them durring the say plus theres a reason why there reflectors on the cones
Then they won't stack nicely.
He could do what he did that time on thw night video and get the magneting light things and balance them ontop of the cones, takes.more time to set up and pack down but worth it if it makes the job safer
Well done Ron and what a great help you had from the PD
Hi Ron. Great channel. When ever l had to recover a vehicle from a live carriageway. We were advised to get the police to help at the scene and provide a lane block for safety reasons. Blues and twos are only allowed to be used on emergency service vehicles over here. The public seem to take more notice to the blue flashing lights. Than our yellow flashing lights.
Good luck out there and stay safe sir.