Overloading & Braking
Over Loading & Braking
Loading your wrecker up to and beyond its capacity for towing has implications that go beyond wear and tear on your equipment. Always stopping safely requires that you have the means to do so. We’ve identified that the tow truck’s axle weight ratings can be easily exceeded when towing at or near calculated tow capacity. It’s important to understand that these ratings are there for a reason.
The axle’s themselves and the connected hardware are designed to carry, accelerate and stop a certain amount of weight. Therefore WreckMaster’s position is to install a remote braking device when towing a heavy casualty such as a loaded commercial vehicle.
The weight remains on the tow truck, that isn’t avoidable in most cases. But the braking effort is now shared between the wrecker and the casualty. The brake buddy is a great device to help stop air brake equipped commercial vehicles that are in tow. Additionally, an operator who has been trained and certified in air brakes will have the knowledge to enable the casualty’s service brakes by interrupting the control circuit to the service brake relay valve and connecting it to your wrecker’s trailer service air hose.
When overweight conditions are present, it is up to the operator to make the decision that is going to make it possible for him and those around him to go home safely at the end of the call. This means leaving plenty of stopping distance and having adequate brakes on the combination vehicle.