Ladies and Gentlemen, as always, thank you for watching. I have been reluctant to make this request, but I must. Unless you are calling the shop for business purposes, PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SHOP TO SPEAK WITH ME. I understand that people want to speak with me and I am working on ways to make that happen, but it cannot be through the shop phone lines. We have a business to run and the number of phone calls of people asking to speak with me regarding TH-cam have reached a level where they are disruptive to our business. If you want me to continue making videos, I have to be able to do my job. When I'm at work I have to focus on my job. Please don't misunderstand me. I appreciate all my viewers and, as I said, I am working on ways to to involve my viewers and give them an opportunity to speak with me. I want to continue making videos. I plan to do some LIVE videos and I welcome suggestions anyone may have. So, I respectfully ask that you please do not call the shop unless you need our business services. I pray that you will understand and not take offense by this request. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Ron, I am a bit surprised, or maybe not, that you have to ask this of the viewers. I guess some folks don't think about the entire situation, that you are running a business and the shop phone is for that only. If people get snarky about this request, well then......
You seldom use the green winch. As I was watching this it occurred to me if you had a pully attachment for the wheel lift you could run the green winch cable under the pulley than out. Do you think that would be feasible for your needs?
I'd like to say that would n't happen over here, but it would. 'Little people' my son kindly calls them. Otherwise known as bears of little brain. Still, at least the cleats work! BobUK.
I was stationed at Scott AFB IL across the river from St Louis, and I’m from Davenport, Iowa and very familiar with the weather, I.e. the snow and sub zero winters.after 20 years in the military, I have to live in Arizona. I watch all of your videos and wish you the best.. I saw 33 BELOW zero one cold morning in Davenport and you’re lucky it doesn’t get that cold there!
Ya know Ron; if you lick the suction cup on the camera mount it'll stick better. Your truck was like the Simon and Garfunkel song, Slip Sliding away LOL.... Thanks for taking us along !!!.
Those suction cups are unreliable in both hot and cold weather. I ended up screwing them to the A-post. Might be an idea to have a couple of bases bonded in fixed positions, or at least sticking them onto horizontal surfaces wherever possible.
Ron, You could carry a can of starter fluid spray to clean the spots to get good suction for the GoPro mount. It will wash the ice and wet gunk and leave a clean surface.
I was surprised you were able to get any videos up during this bad weather.... and more to come Feb 15th.... I am sorry I had to laugh when you got out to remove the camera...after driving out...when it would not stay on sitting still. God bless you and all your crew and family during this horrible weather in Missouri. We will be keeping you and all the emergency people in our prayers...
Deliver bridges pieces for a while. We routinely back up 5 or 6 miles in the mountains. Takes over an hour to back in that far, on twisting and curving roads.
well I always say it aint' night time and the next day until I go to sleep... and being as you didn't go to sleep I'd say you were still right! and I was almost thinkin with as many calls you were getting lined up, you'd have enough videos for a couple weeks for us, but I was pretty sure you probly would have had to have quite a stockpile of batteries and flash cards to record everything without running out of storage and battery power
Ron those tire cleats, we used to call chalks are one super great feature. Recall pulling the heavy one’s off back of truck and putting back on. Great design! & Video!
I had a Motorcoach slide on me in Colorado when I was on an incline and was out of it and was fortunate to be able to jump back in it before it rolled away.
When your'e truck started sliding i bet that made your'e heart beat a little quicker!! We haven't had a real winter in Missouri for quite a few years, i bet these storms are keeping you and the crew more than busy.
Hey Ron i just found you're utube videos a few days ago. I am from Doniphan and i enjoy the videos . It's nice to see someone from southeast Missouri with a successful utube channel.
I dont remember watching this video back in february, how comes? But nice as alway, Ron. I like the way you keep audio and video as it was recorded. No useless music or speaking of you. Great job as a recovery and video operator. Have a nice and well year 2020
DEAR RON PRATT, i hope you manage to read all your comments from folk ,, i,m in uk and found you two or three months ago , i used to work in your feild as a tiltbed pickup driver , but got my lungs frozen one night caught pnumonia and had to quit working for a couple of years ,, anyway i,m typing to tell you i love your vids greatly and in my opinion you are one of the nicest blokes i ever came across ,, if i ever get out to states ( its planned ) i will definately make footmarks to come see you and bring you something clever from uk ( dont know what yet but hey :) )
I do read all the comments. I may not have time to respond to every comment, but I do read each and every one. I'll be glad to meet with you if you ever make it across the "pond". Thanks for watching and God bless.
That's the longest reverse I have ever seen, you made it look both easy and serene. Hope you all have had a break in call outs in this weather?. That's a very capable truck just in its driving ability. Thanks for sharing and best regards from the UK.
GPS is a handy tool but I've never trusted it when the road ahead doesn't feel right. And NEVER make that turn down a road I'm not sure of. I always make the phone call for specific directions for a truck. Plus now days one can always check the roads by using google earth. Just looking at the road from above would always tell me more than taking that chance delays and/or being on the wrong road. I have to also say, you do a fantastic job getting drivers back on the right road and headed the right direction.
R.J. B In some place on LONG ISLAND NY,,there IS a road, PARALLEL to railroad tracks, , yoy are to turnRIGHT, after the tracks, DAMNED if 3 A HOLES, ACTUALLY TUNERIGHT ONTO HE TRACKS, 1 died, but makes me wonder if they had the old types that said ‘turn right’ rather than displayed a visual, but onto the tracks? How good was their brains ? From Maplewood NJ
That got my heart pumping watching the truck take off from you there. I've been there! I used to do a recycling route for a large trash corporation that had a major metropolitan contract in a very hilly city. SO many white-knuckle stories, but only a few stand out as I think of them. One time I set my brake, jumped out of the truck (driving on the right-hand stand-up position in the side-loading recycling truck), bent down to pick up a bin, turned around to dump the bin and the truck wasn't there! The thing was skidding down the hill, thankfully slowly, but I still had to run and jump in! Had to release the brakes to keep it from going sideways across the road (cars parked on both sides of the hill, which they're not supposed to do after a snow event). Luckily there were only a few cars illegally parked, so I was able to drive into the curb and ride it and the snowbank down to the bottom. Talk about a white-knuckle ride!! My heart was pumping pretty good after that one! Had another instance of sliding backwards down a hill once - that was probably the most frightening experience behind the wheel ever. Thought I was going to kill someone. I grabbed that lanyard and blasted the horn the whole way down. Did the same thing - directed the truck to the curb (only backwards) and rode it down. Thank God there were no parked cars there! No, I DO NOT miss that job one bit! 🤣 Been out of that 11 years now. Sorry about your camera! Those things usually stick like crazy! I watch aviation videos where guys stick those things to wings and underbelly of aircraft traveling at over 150 MPH! Shocked they hold on in those conditions, not to mention the pressure & temperature drop with altitude. Amazing! Glad you had a nice easy one here. Always a bonus with no sleep! Take care and God bless - we'll see you on the next one!
Hey there Ron and Talon. I bet these relatively 'simple' jobs feel like a holiday in the sun after dealing with rollovers, a jackknife or two and pulling vehicles out of ditches. Simple, but still the ultimate in professional, gentlemanly expertise. God bless you and yours, from a beautifully sunny Scotland!
Who handles your dads responsibilities now Ron! I marveled how he quietly Went about the recovery each time very gracious! I was glad to see you pass words of love to him! You were busy and he was tired yet he jumped into the job! I feel confident he was also grateful for someone to fill his shoes! Mike, Raymond and Taylon you will soon wonder how you could do the job without them! Another faithful man is Kenny! You should thank God Daily for having the help you have! I’m almost 80 and have spent most of my life running a crew of good men and looking at what is happening around you will keep me watching your channel!
Jeffrey Burnett that is why you need to ‘DOUBLE CLUTCH, ‘BEEN THERE DONE THAT .LOTS of ENGLISH vehicles like that , picture a loaded truck, uphill, with corners, can’t screwup, took my license in one., examiners choice of the route.. from Maplewood NJ.
I saw on the video about this isnt a roll over or big accident , still an important job. I always enjoy Your videos. Stay safe out there. God Bless You and Your employees.
R.R.R&T Rescue,Retrieval Ron and Talon. Great Vid as Always Keeps safe you two and we NEED more Talon Cam !! Might need to put a winch on the front of the Rotator just in case you do end up getting bogged..
Your videos remind me of when I used to have a full size van in the 1980's, use the side mirrors. My husband says if I do that, I can pretty much park anywhere. Even today, when I drive my Firebird, I use the side mirrors.
I was grossing 98k on ice, pulling lowboy using a 6x2 Kenworth (if you can imagine), north of Seattle with bumper to bumper cars in front of me when my truck began sliding downhill...it was a pucker moment, for sure! That was scary seeing your tow rig sliding.
Ron,not only do you help educate and share the importance of safety,you also help in other ways as well. I'm fairly new to your channel (subscribed less than two weeks ago.) As I watched your video of the woman who needed your help with her semi,your compassion and caring demeanor really touched my heart. Hearing you say "do you have enough food/water" and "feel free to sit in my truck to keep warm";while you gentlemen worked to free her truck, spoke volumes. Few weeks ago,I took in a childhood friend of mine (we've been friends since before grade school) who is trying to overcome the trauma of an abusive (mental) relationship. I, myself, went through a very similar situation (its been 9 yrs since I left) and knowing what she's been through,I stepped in. Both of us girls have our "days" where its rough,but watching your videos helps us a lot. Your kindness,compassion and empathy is what we need more of in this world. Neither of us are religious,but we do pray daily for you and your crews safety. Thank you Ron for being you and for what you do. Much love to you all from Florida.
Thank you for the prayers. They are greatly appreciated. I try not to push my beliefs on others. However, it is very simple to be kind to anyone. It costs nothing, but could mean the world to someone in need. Thank you for taking in someone in need. I will also pray for you and your situation. May the God that I believe in bless and protect you.
@@RonPratt With compassion,comes respect and that's why I'm grateful to have come across your videos. As for me and her,I wouldn't have it any other way. Like you said "it costs nothing" and I made a promise back then,to be there no matter the situation any of us were going through (all 6 of us childhood friends.) Thanks again Ron for the support and I'll be sure to show her this.
We bought a new car with built in GPS that can't find our own home. They updated it once a month old and now say we have to pay $100 + for a update. Update twice in 4 months ? Has never worked right. Use the old Garmin on the windshield with free updates for life. No issues. Some units are junk.
I learned my lesson when I bought a new 2015, drove from Ga to College Station, Tx and all the exits in Houston and College Station had been moved a year before, but the built in GPS still had the old locations. I now travel with my 12 year old Garmin 1390T that gets free quarterly updates. Never had it direct me wrong.
@ Richard Bricker Never buy the factory "built-in" navigation, they are next to useless. And not only do they charge you an arm and a leg each time they update them, in general they are also very slow compared to a stand-alone navigation or a phone app.
I took my 5 ton driving test while on winter maneuvers in Grafenwoehr Germany. The Sargent had me take a rout that has a steep down hill grade to it. This is in the dead of winter in the northern German mountains. The truck started sliding on the ice and snow and the Sargent started yelling at me to "down shift", I told him that you can't down shift while the back wheels are sliding and he didn't believe me.
I was waiting for talon to grab the wrong M/D bottle and drink out of it at the end of the video. Haha,Good video Ron, Please keep them coming and be safe.
Our local tow man was my school bus driver during my early grade school days. We were the last stop on the take-home run. One fine spring day he cruised right past our road, and didn't realize what he had done until I tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't want to admit that he had allowed himself to get caught in a moment of wool-gathering, so he said that we were being so well behaved that he wanted to take us home ... then grinned. He stopped, a quarter mile or less short of a perfectly safe place to turn around, turned on the stop lights (no yellow advance warning lights back then) and backed the bus up to our road, nearly a mile. Mirrors only, across two narrow (one lane) culverts. As kids, we hadn't seen that done before, so we were bewildered and fascinated and had something new to talk about when we got home. Most people we knew couldn't back more than 50 feet before winding up in the ditch if they tried using only mirrors ... or so it seemed at the time.
About 35 to 40 miles north from me, there still is 3 feet of snow. National guard had to be deployed to get people out. Real fun. Getting to my appointments hasn't been a problem. I see a lot of the issues here though, people don't prepare their vehicle for this stuff. They slip and slide . Even though there are quite a few hills here, it is still passable if people prepare the vehicle with snow tires and chains if necessary.
Even those with chains or spiked tires will slide and slip on ice or in snow if icy enough, seen it first hand how good those two things are despite what is shown on advertisements.
@@Joshua79C It depends on how they drive on it. If you overpower/spin the tires, they will. Going at it slowly, they won't. A lot of inexperienced drivers think they need to spin the tires to get going. I never have done that and get moving with no problems, even up/down steep inclines. Most drivers will only install chains on the outside tire on 1 axle on a dually configuration whether on a single or tandem axle. Having a set of dually chains on all drive axles will increase the traction over the single axle outside tire chain configuration. One year I chose to chain up my steer tires on a vehicle I had, mostly for braking and steering (outside the required chainup the DOT would require on a highway). That year we had 3 feet of snow.
Take it easy, Ron, it is 19 deg here and snowing. Have about 2 inches right now. Hope you don't get it. Take care and may God bless you all and keep you safe. Dennis in Raytown
Hi Ron. I rarely miss any of your videos. Keep them coming, please. You have some serious kit here and I am sure many people would appreciate information about the cost of the machines, the running costs, the maintenance liability, life expectancies of the equipment etc. Without giving away any trade secrets you could do a great video. Regards Ralph Dyson
You all do a awesome job! When we get notification when you have a new one on we watch it. God bless you all. Praying for safety through the crazy weather.
As always Ron, Thank You, and Talon for the video, when the Rotator slid, it made me jump, I'll bet that was one driver more than pleased to see you, I did enjoy Talon just walking up the hill like it was a nice summers day, and no cleats either, and you had to throw a cleat, tut tut, I don't know, promise I didn't laugh, much, ha ha, God Bless & stay safe
.....and now for the bonus footage....(shows blank screen)! i always hated suction mounts, they never hold, suggest clamp mounts or magnetic mounts. there are so many places that one could mount a camera on the rotator. maybe try the rail around the back of the boom carriage and see how that looks. another place would be near the green drag cable or on the under reach.
Gravity can be a friend or foe. If you learn to use it, it can do half the job for you, but if you fight it, it will beat you every time. The older I get, the more I'm thinking that I seem to have developed an allergy to gravity. I talked to the doctor about it, but he wasn't much help just sitting there laughing at me.
Just getting caught up on my viewing.This VID brought to mind something that happened to some guys I worked with.During the winter of 1958 my Army unit went on an alert in Germany.The route to our assembley area was down hill on a cobblestone road.Had several inches of snow and ice on the road,our tank recovery tractor and trailer tried to go down the hill.Being empty it started sliding driver managed to keep it on the road but could not make a turn at the bottom.Truck wound up bottomed out in a potato field,trailer was still on the road.We pushed the trailer over to the side waited until the first day without ice before recovery.
Ron love your videos keep them coming nice see to fellow believer but I have struggling lately with nervous breakdown it's been so bad I nearly ended it all questioning my faith in Him but I still here thanks for One watching over me who has kept me and your interest in souls in videos is out standing God bless you and may others find Him today
That's ok. I'd rather turn around where it was clear, dry pavement than risk getting stuck. I'm pretty good at driving in reverse......lots of experience....lol. Thanks for watching and God bless.
I never had a GPS when I was doing OTR, but really, that driver should have figured out that was not a through route! I lived in the Boonville area and learned certain roads were for farm equipment only! Just glad to know the driver and his rig is okay. Great video; just be safe on the job, Ron!
As for skipping gears. I drove for MidWestern Distribution in 1986 and 1987. I did hit 43 of the 48 states. In 1988, I started working at Goodwill. To drive their semi-truck, I had to do a driving test for the company they leased the tractor from. While out on the road in just the tractor, I skipped gears. The guy said "You drove a semi before?" I said Yessir!" He said "Go on back to the facility. You passed!"
Ron some day when you have time it would be great if you could show us how that touch screen works. And a general idea of how everything works in the truck. When I watch other tow videos I say to myself “ that’s not as nice as Ron does it “ . Most of the time there equipment is not working as well as yours is.
If you already have not viewed them yet. Raptor Controls Overview: th-cam.com/video/BmSjubKKuD4/w-d-xo.html Side panel controls aka Touchscreen MMO: th-cam.com/video/YVvF32k9ZD0/w-d-xo.html He will eventually get around to updating said videos, hopefully into a single overview of both, when he has time.
My family was in the autobody and frame straightening business for 80 years, I worked for the shop part time for around 15 years. I remember fondly, how some tow truck operators could play the PTO and hydraulics, in much the same way, as Leopold Stokowski conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra. I remember one car dealer had a 1957 "Holmes Wrecker" that had twin booms, and looked brand new, in 1988, sadly, it lost out to flatbed wreckers.
muja28 , yes I look at Sydney on my phones weather daily,, but I was surprised about the western temps,given Calif, ARIZ& Nevada, those are near NORMAL,.so many animals died,,no water either. From Maplewood NJ
Ron great JOB I'm sure you'll busy with all The SNOW and ice, down here in NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, very GRATEFUL we don't get much SNOW or ice, I'd lived in Baltimore Maryland for 50years and RETIRED and moved down here in NORTH CAROLINA and had a custom built home and loving The mild winter season, but hate The bruttle HOT WEATHER IN THE SUMMER.
Hi Ron. Another great video. I am retired from over the road trucking and 20 + years driving class A tow trucks. You have a beautiful truck. Sure is a lot different than a 750 Holmes. Take care my friend. Bill from Seattle
Ron hope you and the crew are able to get some rest after that storm I bet after two Jack knives and all the cars that you all had to pull out of the ditches and snow banks a pull like that was like a walk on the beach take care and everybody stay safe
Thanks for sharing, still a great video. I noticed when you got out of the truck when on scene you had traction devices on your footwear. Was going to ask if you had any and if not send you some if not. Be safe out there and always make it home to your family.
So glad that you are using your mirrors rather than that camera as your primary points for backing up that long. I think people lose their ability to back up when they get their back up cameras. IMO - those things are best for only parallel parking.
Just a heads up we are having a snow storm again in Kansas City, Mo it's bad a 15 car pile up happened in Oak Grove with one fatality just over an hour ago on I 70 I don't know if it will come your way or not, If it's coming please be ready
Ladies and Gentlemen, as always, thank you for watching. I have been reluctant to make this request, but I must. Unless you are calling the shop for business purposes, PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SHOP TO SPEAK WITH ME. I understand that people want to speak with me and I am working on ways to make that happen, but it cannot be through the shop phone lines. We have a business to run and the number of phone calls of people asking to speak with me regarding TH-cam have reached a level where they are disruptive to our business. If you want me to continue making videos, I have to be able to do my job. When I'm at work I have to focus on my job. Please don't misunderstand me. I appreciate all my viewers and, as I said, I am working on ways to to involve my viewers and give them an opportunity to speak with me. I want to continue making videos. I plan to do some LIVE videos and I welcome suggestions anyone may have. So, I respectfully ask that you please do not call the shop unless you need our business services. I pray that you will understand and not take offense by this request. Thanks for watching and God bless.
Ron, I am a bit surprised, or maybe not, that you have to ask this of the viewers. I guess some folks don't think about the entire situation, that you are running a business and the shop phone is for that only. If people get snarky about this request, well then......
@@keithallen3119 Ron, Im happy your still making videos, and I hope people stopped calling you just to say Hi or to tell you how great you are.
You seldom use the green winch. As I was watching this it occurred to me if you had a pully attachment for the wheel lift you could run the green winch cable under the pulley than out. Do you think that would be feasible for your needs?
Hire VA to answer these type calls plus handle product orders. Shirts hats etc
I'd like to say that would n't happen over here, but it would. 'Little people' my son kindly calls them. Otherwise known as bears of little brain. Still, at least the cleats work! BobUK.
I was stationed at Scott AFB IL across the river from St Louis, and I’m from Davenport, Iowa and very familiar with the weather, I.e. the snow and sub zero winters.after 20 years in the military, I have to live in Arizona. I watch all of your videos and wish you the best.. I saw 33 BELOW zero one cold morning in Davenport and you’re lucky it doesn’t get that cold there!
Ya know Ron; if you lick the suction cup on the camera mount it'll stick better. Your truck was like the Simon and Garfunkel song, Slip Sliding away LOL.... Thanks for taking us along !!!.
Those suction cups are unreliable in both hot and cold weather. I ended up screwing them to the A-post. Might be an idea to have a couple of bases bonded in fixed positions, or at least sticking them onto horizontal surfaces wherever possible.
I think after it’s been on there a few times, it’s probably better to spit on it, rather than lick it 😂😂
Wow! Thank God the cleats stopped the truck from sliding! God is good all the time! We're praying for ya! God blessings.
Talon’s age? Seems very young. Hard worker! May the Lord watch over you all.🙏😇
Ron Pratt sure knows his job love watching him.
Ron, You could carry a can of starter fluid spray to clean the spots to get good suction for the GoPro mount. It will wash the ice and wet gunk and leave a clean surface.
I was surprised you were able to get any videos up during this bad weather.... and more to come Feb 15th.... I am sorry I had to laugh when you got out to remove the camera...after driving out...when it would not stay on sitting still. God bless you and all your crew and family during this horrible weather in Missouri. We will be keeping you and all the emergency people in our prayers...
At least you had Mater along in case you needed any advice about backing up. The best backwards driver in the world.
That's a good one
No that would be me, 22 female had to back a truck and trailer for 1 1/2 miles in a storm at night on a country road coz the bridge was washed out.
Deliver bridges pieces for a while. We routinely back up 5 or 6 miles in the mountains. Takes over an hour to back in that far, on twisting and curving roads.
@@kartikshankar5790 M
Correction to one of my comments/sub-titles: This was take 2 days after the storm, not the following morning.
Well we getting here again in KC this morning. That's ok my cab will be warm on the CAT as I push off maybe another 5 inches worth
Hi Ron how many feet of cable do you have on your winch drums
With all the work all y'all seem to have been doing recently, a couple of typos are sorta to be expected. Stay safe & warm up there brother.
Does the state not make you all chain up
well I always say it aint' night time and the next day until I go to sleep... and being as you didn't go to sleep I'd say you were still right! and I was almost thinkin with as many calls you were getting lined up, you'd have enough videos for a couple weeks for us, but I was pretty sure you probly would have had to have quite a stockpile of batteries and flash cards to record everything without running out of storage and battery power
Good to see that you use the mirrors so much instead of just relying on the backup cameras.
Ron those tire cleats, we used to call chalks are one super great feature. Recall pulling the heavy one’s off back of truck and putting back on. Great design! & Video!
I had a Motorcoach slide on me in Colorado when I was on an incline and was out of it and was fortunate to be able to jump back in it before it rolled away.
Greetings from Brazil, Mr. Pratt! Here is summer now. 30/32C (86/89F).
When your'e truck started sliding i bet that made your'e heart beat a little quicker!! We haven't had a real winter in Missouri for quite a few years, i bet these storms are keeping you and the crew more than busy.
I like when the guy stay close for make sure if need more help..
Others wrecker just leave...
The best channel on TH-cam. Keep up the great work Ron!
Hey Ron i just found you're utube videos a few days ago. I am from Doniphan and i enjoy the videos . It's nice to see someone from southeast Missouri with a successful utube channel.
I dont remember watching this video back in february, how comes? But nice as alway, Ron. I like the way you keep audio and video as it was recorded. No useless music or speaking of you. Great job as a recovery and video operator.
Have a nice and well year 2020
Another safe rescue, thank you for your time to put these out for our viewing..God Bless
I really enjoy watching you and Talon working together so well. Talon hustles!
DEAR RON PRATT, i hope you manage to read all your comments from folk ,, i,m in uk and found you two or three months ago , i used to work in your feild as a tiltbed pickup driver , but got my lungs frozen one night caught pnumonia and had to quit working for a couple of years ,, anyway i,m typing to tell you i love your vids greatly and in my opinion you are one of the nicest blokes i ever came across ,, if i ever get out to states ( its planned ) i will definately make footmarks to come see you and bring you something clever from uk ( dont know what yet but hey :) )
I do read all the comments. I may not have time to respond to every comment, but I do read each and every one. I'll be glad to meet with you if you ever make it across the "pond". Thanks for watching and God bless.
I came for the backing up but stayed to watch the recovery.
Ron thank you for sharing with us GOD bless everyone
Looks like you are getting it again today. We have got some here in northeast Oklahoma today. You'll stay safe out there. God blees you'll.
Just don't hurt your foot while on the job, Ron, otherwise you'll have to call a toe truck!...I'm here all day.
Ba da bump....
We totally understand, any job you do is fine with us. We just like to watch you work.
That's the longest reverse I have ever seen, you made it look both easy and serene. Hope you all have had a break in call outs in this weather?. That's a very capable truck just in its driving ability.
Thanks for sharing and best regards from the UK.
GPS is a handy tool but I've never trusted it when the road ahead doesn't feel right. And NEVER make that turn down a road I'm not sure of. I always make the phone call for specific directions for a truck. Plus now days one can always check the roads by using google earth. Just looking at the road from above would always tell me more than taking that chance delays and/or being on the wrong road. I have to also say, you do a fantastic job getting drivers back on the right road and headed the right direction.
R.J. B In some place on LONG ISLAND NY,,there IS a road, PARALLEL to railroad tracks, , yoy are to turnRIGHT, after the tracks, DAMNED if 3 A HOLES, ACTUALLY TUNERIGHT ONTO HE TRACKS, 1 died, but makes me wonder if they had the old types that said ‘turn right’ rather than displayed a visual, but onto the tracks? How good was their brains ? From Maplewood NJ
It's not every day you watch a million dollars in equipment slide away from you.
Man that ice sure changes the dynamic of a “simple winch” nice job as always
Ice can be friend or foe. The thing to remember is that gravity always wins!!!
That got my heart pumping watching the truck take off from you there. I've been there! I used to do a recycling route for a large trash corporation that had a major metropolitan contract in a very hilly city. SO many white-knuckle stories, but only a few stand out as I think of them. One time I set my brake, jumped out of the truck (driving on the right-hand stand-up position in the side-loading recycling truck), bent down to pick up a bin, turned around to dump the bin and the truck wasn't there! The thing was skidding down the hill, thankfully slowly, but I still had to run and jump in! Had to release the brakes to keep it from going sideways across the road (cars parked on both sides of the hill, which they're not supposed to do after a snow event). Luckily there were only a few cars illegally parked, so I was able to drive into the curb and ride it and the snowbank down to the bottom. Talk about a white-knuckle ride!! My heart was pumping pretty good after that one!
Had another instance of sliding backwards down a hill once - that was probably the most frightening experience behind the wheel ever. Thought I was going to kill someone. I grabbed that lanyard and blasted the horn the whole way down. Did the same thing - directed the truck to the curb (only backwards) and rode it down. Thank God there were no parked cars there! No, I DO NOT miss that job one bit! 🤣 Been out of that 11 years now.
Sorry about your camera! Those things usually stick like crazy! I watch aviation videos where guys stick those things to wings and underbelly of aircraft traveling at over 150 MPH! Shocked they hold on in those conditions, not to mention the pressure & temperature drop with altitude. Amazing!
Glad you had a nice easy one here. Always a bonus with no sleep! Take care and God bless - we'll see you on the next one!
My heart would be pumping too if I saw a 750k piece of machinery sliding down an icy hill too! Great video as usual, Ron.
Hey there Ron and Talon. I bet these relatively 'simple' jobs feel like a holiday in the sun after dealing with rollovers, a jackknife or two and pulling vehicles out of ditches. Simple, but still the ultimate in professional, gentlemanly expertise.
God bless you and yours, from a beautifully sunny Scotland!
Who handles your dads responsibilities now Ron! I marveled how he quietly
Went about the recovery each time very gracious! I was glad to see you pass words of love to him! You were busy and he was tired yet he jumped into the job! I feel confident he was also grateful for someone to fill his shoes!
Mike, Raymond and Taylon you will soon wonder how you could do the job without them! Another faithful man is Kenny! You should thank God Daily for having the help you have! I’m almost 80 and have spent most of my life running a crew of good men and looking at what is happening around you will keep me watching your channel!
Used to miss a gear once in awhile in the landlord’s 1929 nonsynchro Bentley too !!!
Jeffrey Burnett that is why you need to ‘DOUBLE CLUTCH, ‘BEEN THERE DONE THAT .LOTS of ENGLISH vehicles like that , picture a loaded truck, uphill, with corners, can’t screwup, took my license in one., examiners choice of the route.. from Maplewood NJ.
I have a new found respect for wrecker drivers. You guys are amazing👍👍
Bet the Tator sliding made a pucker factor of 10 really quick. Glad it stopped. Stay safe fellas and god bless!
You should get some Microspikes. Use them all the time here in BC mountains. Way simpler than those big things you have
After you clean the truck you should put a 3M GoPro mount where you want it on the back of the truck instead of the suction mount.
I saw on the video about this isnt a roll over or big accident , still an important job. I always enjoy Your videos. Stay safe out there. God Bless You and Your employees.
This what I call a professional job keep up the good work
R.R.R&T Rescue,Retrieval Ron and Talon. Great Vid as Always Keeps safe you two and we NEED more Talon Cam !! Might need to put a winch on the front of the Rotator just in case you do end up getting bogged..
Your videos remind me of when I used to have a full size van in the 1980's, use the side mirrors. My husband says if I do that, I can pretty much park anywhere. Even today, when I drive my Firebird, I use the side mirrors.
Nice to see you all weather the storm! Great video...
I was grossing 98k on ice, pulling lowboy using a 6x2 Kenworth (if you can imagine), north of Seattle with bumper to bumper cars in front of me when my truck began sliding downhill...it was a pucker moment, for sure! That was scary seeing your tow rig sliding.
Pucker factor level 100+ !!! Thanks for watching and God bless.
Ron,not only do you help educate and share the importance of safety,you also help in other ways as well. I'm fairly new to your channel (subscribed less than two weeks ago.) As I watched your video of the woman who needed your help with her semi,your compassion and caring demeanor really touched my heart. Hearing you say "do you have enough food/water" and "feel free to sit in my truck to keep warm";while you gentlemen worked to free her truck, spoke volumes. Few weeks ago,I took in a childhood friend of mine (we've been friends since before grade school) who is trying to overcome the trauma of an abusive (mental) relationship. I, myself, went through a very similar situation (its been 9 yrs since I left) and knowing what she's been through,I stepped in. Both of us girls have our "days" where its rough,but watching your videos helps us a lot. Your kindness,compassion and empathy is what we need more of in this world. Neither of us are religious,but we do pray daily for you and your crews safety. Thank you Ron for being you and for what you do.
Much love to you all from Florida.
Thank you for the prayers. They are greatly appreciated. I try not to push my beliefs on others. However, it is very simple to be kind to anyone. It costs nothing, but could mean the world to someone in need. Thank you for taking in someone in need. I will also pray for you and your situation. May the God that I believe in bless and protect you.
@@RonPratt With compassion,comes respect and that's why I'm grateful to have come across your videos. As for me and her,I wouldn't have it any other way. Like you said "it costs nothing" and I made a promise back then,to be there no matter the situation any of us were going through (all 6 of us childhood friends.) Thanks again Ron for the support and I'll be sure to show her this.
We bought a new car with built in GPS that can't find our own home. They updated it once a month old and now say we have to pay $100 + for a update. Update twice in 4 months ? Has never worked right. Use the old Garmin on the windshield with free updates for life. No issues. Some units are junk.
I learned my lesson when I bought a new 2015, drove from Ga to College Station, Tx and all the exits in Houston and College Station had been moved a year before, but the built in GPS still had the old locations. I now travel with my 12 year old Garmin 1390T that gets free quarterly updates. Never had it direct me wrong.
Richard Bricker I had a similar issue with my new car.
what car was it? please let us know so others do not fall into the same trap ;)
Personally I use my mobile phone as GPS. Then again also not a heavy vehicle operator.
@ Richard Bricker
Never buy the factory "built-in" navigation, they are next to useless.
And not only do they charge you an arm and a leg each time they update them, in general they are also very slow compared to a stand-alone navigation or a phone app.
I took my 5 ton driving test while on winter maneuvers in Grafenwoehr Germany. The Sargent had me take a rout that has a steep down hill grade to it. This is in the dead of winter in the northern German mountains. The truck started sliding on the ice and snow and the Sargent started yelling at me to "down shift", I told him that you can't down shift while the back wheels are sliding and he didn't believe me.
There are sadly still some who think you can do any down-shifting going down hill already.
bag of cat litter works wonder ron enjoyed watching
I was waiting for talon to grab the wrong M/D bottle and drink out of it at the end of the video. Haha,Good video Ron, Please keep them coming and be safe.
If ya can't keep 'em straight, buy a MudJug.
Our local tow man was my school bus driver during my early grade school days. We were the last stop on the take-home run. One fine spring day he cruised right past our road, and didn't realize what he had done until I tapped him on the shoulder. He didn't want to admit that he had allowed himself to get caught in a moment of wool-gathering, so he said that we were being so well behaved that he wanted to take us home ... then grinned. He stopped, a quarter mile or less short of a perfectly safe place to turn around, turned on the stop lights (no yellow advance warning lights back then) and backed the bus up to our road, nearly a mile. Mirrors only, across two narrow (one lane) culverts. As kids, we hadn't seen that done before, so we were bewildered and fascinated and had something new to talk about when we got home. Most people we knew couldn't back more than 50 feet before winding up in the ditch if they tried using only mirrors ... or so it seemed at the time.
About 35 to 40 miles north from me, there still is 3 feet of snow. National guard had to be deployed to get people out. Real fun.
Getting to my appointments hasn't been a problem. I see a lot of the issues here though, people don't prepare their vehicle for this stuff. They slip and slide .
Even though there are quite a few hills here, it is still passable if people prepare the vehicle with snow tires and chains if necessary.
Even those with chains or spiked tires will slide and slip on ice or in snow if icy enough, seen it first hand how good those two things are despite what is shown on advertisements.
@@Joshua79C
It depends on how they drive on it. If you overpower/spin the tires, they will. Going at it slowly, they won't. A lot of inexperienced drivers think they need to spin the tires to get going. I never have done that and get moving with no problems, even up/down steep inclines.
Most drivers will only install chains on the outside tire on 1 axle on a dually configuration whether on a single or tandem axle. Having a set of dually chains on all drive axles will increase the traction over the single axle outside tire chain configuration.
One year I chose to chain up my steer tires on a vehicle I had, mostly for braking and steering (outside the required chainup the DOT would require on a highway). That year we had 3 feet of snow.
Take it easy, Ron, it is 19 deg here and snowing. Have about 2 inches right now. Hope you don't get it. Take care and may God bless you all and keep you safe.
Dennis in Raytown
Hi Ron. I rarely miss any of your videos. Keep them coming, please.
You have some serious kit here and I am sure many people would appreciate information about the cost of the machines, the running costs, the maintenance liability, life expectancies of the equipment etc. Without giving away any trade secrets you could do a great video.
Regards Ralph Dyson
You all do a awesome job! When we get notification when you have a new one on we watch it. God bless you all. Praying for safety through the crazy weather.
Loves these my dad does heavy duty towing as well in New Jersey
As always Ron, Thank You, and Talon for the video, when the Rotator slid, it made me jump, I'll bet that was one driver more than pleased to see you, I did enjoy Talon just walking up the hill like it was a nice summers day, and no cleats either, and you had to throw a cleat, tut tut, I don't know, promise I didn't laugh, much, ha ha, God Bless & stay safe
I would actually like to see a video of cleaning/lubing and possibly rewrapping the cables...
.....and now for the bonus footage....(shows blank screen)! i always hated suction mounts, they never hold, suggest clamp mounts or magnetic mounts. there are so many places that one could mount a camera on the rotator. maybe try the rail around the back of the boom carriage and see how that looks. another place would be near the green drag cable or on the under reach.
🎵 🎶 _"Slip slidin' away, Slip slidin' away, You know the nearer your destination the more you're slip slidin' away."_ 🎵 🎶
Hey Ron I was sad when I was still driving that GPS and DEF was the best thing to ever happen in the tow industry Ha! God Bless..stay safe.
GPS fail on ice, sounds like a Disney production.
I saw the road he was on and wondered how the crap he was walking soo easily on it until he said he had the ice picks strapped to his shoes
🤦♂️
Gravity can be a friend or foe. If you learn to use it, it can do half the job for you, but if you fight it, it will beat you every time.
The older I get, the more I'm thinking that I seem to have developed an allergy to gravity. I talked to the doctor about it, but he wasn't much help just sitting there laughing at me.
DEB Unfortunately as we age....we all develop that ailment LOL
Love watching your videos the simple to the hard ones
Ron, of all the towing videos, your are the best. Keep up the good work. God bless.
Thank you very much. God bless.
Thanks Ron Stay safe.
Just getting caught up on my viewing.This VID brought to mind something that happened to some guys I worked with.During the winter of 1958 my Army unit went on an alert in Germany.The route to our assembley area was down hill on a cobblestone road.Had several inches of snow and ice on the road,our tank recovery tractor and trailer tried to go down the hill.Being empty it started sliding driver managed to keep it on the road but could not make a turn at the bottom.Truck wound up bottomed out in a potato field,trailer was still on the road.We pushed the trailer over to the side waited until the first day without ice before recovery.
Ron: "I see him"
Talon: "is he rolled over?"
Love me some Talon
James V , yes Talon doesn't say too much. But when he does it's generally worth the wait!! 😂
16:25
Ron "You don't have yours on even......."
Talon "Yeah, I'm runnin old school today ;)"
hehehehehehehehehe
I love it!
I know that is what Talon really didn't say but it fit perfectly!!!!!!!!!! :D
Wow, you are getting some horrible weather over there! Stay safe ...and warm!
Ron love your videos keep them coming nice see to fellow believer but I have struggling lately with nervous breakdown it's been so bad I nearly ended it all questioning my faith in Him but I still here thanks for One watching over me who has kept me and your interest in souls in videos is out standing God bless you and may others find Him today
GPS has problems. And it is having even more problems with the North Pole shifting. Another great video Ron. Have a great day.
That sucks, you backed all the way there and there was a nice spot to turn around
That's ok. I'd rather turn around where it was clear, dry pavement than risk getting stuck. I'm pretty good at driving in reverse......lots of experience....lol. Thanks for watching and God bless.
I never had a GPS when I was doing OTR, but really, that driver should have figured out that was not a through route! I lived in the Boonville area and learned certain roads were for farm equipment only! Just glad to know the driver and his rig is okay. Great video; just be safe on the job, Ron!
Morning Ron. Be careful out there.
I always love all your videos. I am so glad you take the time to record for us. Hope you had a happy Valentine's day.
As for skipping gears. I drove for MidWestern Distribution in 1986 and 1987. I did hit 43 of the 48 states. In 1988, I started working at Goodwill. To drive their semi-truck, I had to do a driving test for the company they leased the tractor from. While out on the road in just the tractor, I skipped gears. The guy said "You drove a semi before?" I said Yessir!" He said "Go on back to the facility. You passed!"
Ron some day when you have time it would be great if you could show us how that touch screen works. And a general idea of how everything works in the truck.
When I watch other tow videos I say to myself “ that’s not as nice as Ron does it “ . Most of the time there equipment is not working as well as yours is.
If you already have not viewed them yet.
Raptor Controls Overview: th-cam.com/video/BmSjubKKuD4/w-d-xo.html
Side panel controls aka Touchscreen MMO: th-cam.com/video/YVvF32k9ZD0/w-d-xo.html
He will eventually get around to updating said videos, hopefully into a single overview of both, when he has time.
Probably a resistive screen. A Capacitive screen wouldn't work under these conditions with gloves on
@@Joshua79C Thank you sir.
A machine that big sliding away from you is a real moment of panic.
My family was in the autobody and frame straightening business for 80 years, I worked for the shop part time for around 15 years. I remember fondly, how some tow truck operators could play the PTO and hydraulics, in much the same way, as Leopold Stokowski conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra. I remember one car dealer had a 1957 "Holmes Wrecker" that had twin booms, and looked brand new, in 1988, sadly, it lost out to flatbed wreckers.
Thanks Ron, love your blogs, you do such a great job!
Well done Glad we dont get the snow in Western Australia we have to put up with the heat most days
muja28 , yes I look at Sydney on my phones weather daily,, but I was surprised about the western temps,given Calif, ARIZ& Nevada, those are near NORMAL,.so many animals died,,no water either. From Maplewood NJ
Good work you guys are doing out there in the bad storm get some rest
Another great recovery by Midwest Truck. Everybody does an outstanding job. Talon looks like either a Skoal or Copenhagen man.
Love to see talon with you, y’all work so good together
Ron great JOB I'm sure you'll busy with all The SNOW and ice, down here in NORTH CAROLINA SOUTH EASTERN PART OF THE STATE, very GRATEFUL we don't get much SNOW or ice, I'd lived in Baltimore Maryland for 50years and RETIRED and moved down here in NORTH CAROLINA and had a custom built home and loving The mild winter season, but hate The bruttle HOT WEATHER IN THE SUMMER.
Job well done once more
Thanks for sharing this video with us.
Another great job done by you Ron and Talon.
Sorry for the loss of your camera, thanks for sharing what you do. Stay safe.
Hi Ron. Another great video. I am retired from over the road trucking and 20 + years driving class A tow trucks. You have a beautiful truck. Sure is a lot different than a 750 Holmes. Take care my friend.
Bill from Seattle
May God bless you!!! May he keep you safe well you go rescue others you have an incredible tough job. Thank you for sharing
Ron, Greetings to you. I pray for you so as you will always have a safe mission as I know your job can be very dangerous.
Ok, that was a wee but of pucker factor with the truck sliding LOL
Ron hope you and the crew are able to get some rest after that storm I bet after two Jack knives and all the cars that you all had to pull out of the ditches and snow banks a pull like that was like a walk on the beach take care and everybody stay safe
Nice recovery. Doesn't matter if it a rollover or a flatbed tow I would watch it. Oh and all these videos with talon and no waddles cam 🤔.
Thanks for sharing, still a great video. I noticed when you got out of the truck when on scene you had traction devices on your footwear. Was going to ask if you had any and if not send you some if not. Be safe out there and always make it home to your family.
So glad that you are using your mirrors rather than that camera as your primary points for backing up that long. I think people lose their ability to back up when they get their back up cameras. IMO - those things are best for only parallel parking.
just glad you and your crew are safe ron that is the main thing
Just a heads up we are having a snow storm again in Kansas City, Mo it's bad a 15 car pile up happened in Oak Grove with one fatality just over an hour ago on I 70 I don't know if it will come your way or not, If it's coming please be ready