A. Compliance: Each emergency tow company shall comply with all safety provisions, rules and regulations required to be observed by motor carriers, and, in addition thereto, shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
B. Equipment: Each tow truck shall be equipped with only those winches and booms that have been produced and constructed by a manufacturer of such equipment that regularly produces winches and tow equipment of guaranteed quality and be used with the size tow truck for the class for which the equipment is designed. All related equipment shall be commensurate with the total rating of booms or other towing devices. A winch or boom will not be prohibited by this chapter if the owner submits to the Ada County sheriff a verified statement from a reputable testing laboratory regularly engaged in the testing of such equipment or similar equipment certifying that the capacity of the winch or boom is not less than that mandated for the class for which the equipment will be used. All costs of such testing and certification shall be at the expense of the emergency tow company.
C. Classes Of Tow Trucks: Each emergency tow company shall operate and maintain a minimum of one class A, class B, class C or class D tow truck, as described below:
1. Class A Tow Trucks: Tow trucks that are capable of towing and/or recovery of passenger cars, pickup trucks, small trailers, or equivalent vehicles. Class A tow trucks shall have:
a. Weight Rating: A minimum manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand (10,000) pounds or equivalent.
b. Boom Rating:
(1) Minimum: A minimum of four (4) ton boom rating with single or dual booms. A minimum capacity of not less than four (4) tons, single line pull is required.
(2) Exception: Tow trucks that are equipped for and used as "wheel lift" tow trucks shall have a minimum three thousand (3,000) pound manufacturer's lift rated and minimum seven thousand (7,000) pound tow rated wheel lift assembly.
c. Cables: A minimum three-eighths inch (3/8") continuous length cable, as described below, or its equivalent, in safe working condition on each drum.
(1) Each cable shall be capable of being fully extended from and fully wound onto its drum.
(2) All cable and/or wire ropes shall be in good working order and shall have:
(A) No more than six (6) randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay or no more than three (3) broken wires in one strand on one rope lay;
(B) No evidence of heat damage from any cause;
(C) No cables with indication of being pinched or crushed; and
(D) End attachments that are not cracked, deformed, worn or loosened.
(3) Cable end connections shall be wedged or, if clamped, shall have a minimum of three (3) clamps spaced a minimum of six (6) rope diameters apart and attached with the base or saddle of the clamp against the longer or live end of the cable. The "U" bolt will be placed over the short or dead end of the rope and will be of the proper size for the cable being clamped.
2. Class B Tow Trucks: Tow trucks that are capable of towing and/or recovery of medium size trucks, trailers, motor homes or equivalent vehicles. Class B tow trucks shall have:
a. A minimum manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of seventeen thousand (17,000) pounds or equivalent.
b. A minimum of ten (10) ton boom rating, single or dual booms, and a single or dual winch with a minimum capacity of not less than ten (10) tons single line pull.
c. A minimum seven-sixteenths inch (7/16") cable in safe operating condition as described in subsection C1c of this section.
3. Class C Tow Trucks: Tow trucks that are capable of towing and/or recovery of large trucks, trailers, buses, motor homes or similar vehicles. Class C tow trucks shall have:
a. A minimum manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of forty thousand (40,000) pounds or equivalent.
b. A minimum twenty five (25) ton rated single or dual boom and winch.
c. A truck chassis with tandem drive axles.
d. Air brakes and system capable of supplying air to towed vehicles.
e. A minimum nine-sixteenths inch (9/16") cable on each drum in safe operating condition as described in subsection C1c of this section.
4. Class D Tow Trucks: Tow trucks that are designed and intended to transport other vehicles by loading the vehicle entirely onto the truck. These tow trucks may be of a flatbed or roll bed design or may be a rail type truck. Class D tow trucks shall have:
a. A minimum manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of nine thousand (9,000) pounds or equivalent.
b. Dual tires on the rear axle.
c. A car carrier bed with a minimum length of sixteen feet (16') and a load rating of four (4) tons.
d. One winch drum and cable in safe operating condition as described in subsection C1c of this section, and a minimum length of not less than twenty six feet (26').
D. Specifications:
1. Each tow truck whether class A, class B, class C or class D, shall be not less than one ton in size and shall be equipped as follows:
a. Heavy duty transmission;
b. Dual rear wheels;
c. Power assisted brakes constructed so as to lock and hold drive wheels, unless ABS equipped;
d. Revolving or strobe overhead amber and/or red emergency lights with three hundred sixty degree (360°) visibility. White emergency lights may be used in conjunction with amber and/or red lights. These emergency lights shall be used while a tow truck is standing on a roadway for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in the preparation for and transportation of a disabled or wrecked vehicle;
e. Spotlights mounted behind cab capable of lighting scene of disability; and
2. Each tow truck shall carry as standard equipment:
a. One towbar cradle, sling or other comparable device made of material and used in such a manner so as to protect vehicles being towed;
b. Towing dollies or other auxiliary devices, provided that such auxiliary devices are specifically designed for the towing or transporting of a vehicle for which the auxiliary devices are used. No auxiliary devices shall be used unless to prevent further mechanical damages to the vehicle being towed, and unless the nature of existing vehicle damage prohibits movement otherwise. No auxiliary devices shall be used when such use could jeopardize the safety of the public;
c. At least two (2) safety securing devices, which may be chain, cable, nylon strap or steel strap, with a minimum breaking strength of fifteen thousand (15,000) pounds;
d. One fire extinguisher having a minimum capacity of five (5) pounds ABC dry chemical;
e. A four foot (4') wrecking bar, three-fourths inch (3/4") in diameter;
f. Broom, a minimum of twelve inches (12") wide and four feet (4') long;
g. Shovel, a minimum of seven inches (7") wide and three feet (3') long;
h. Two (2) red flags, and six (6) 20-minute fuses;
i. Jumper cables;
j. Five (5) gallon bucket of sand or absorbent material;
k. A minimum of six (6) traffic cones or triangles with a height of not less than eighteen inches (18");
l. Magnetic or plastic base portable tail, stop and turn signal lights for the vehicle being towed;
m. A two-way radio or the ability to communicate with the office or answering service; and
n. A minimum of two (2) chocks or blocking devices that are capable of chaining to the tow truck, securely holding the tow truck while the truck is recovering a disabled or wrecked vehicle.
Exception: Class D tow trucks may have one chock or blocking device.
3. Each tow truck and all of its equipment shall be maintained in a safe and good working order at all times. Law enforcement tow truck operators, within one year of employment with any licensed law enforcement towing company, must receive a nationally recognized operator's certification of training.
4. Each tow truck shall be permanently painted and lettered with company colors and company names, address, city and telephone number, on both sides of the tow truck, within a reasonable time after purchase. Said company colors shall be provided to the Ada County Sheriff. No magnetic stripping and/or signs may be used.
E. Requirements To Receive Dispatch Calls: Those emergency tow companies wishing to receive dispatch calls for a heavy duty tow truck must comply with the requirements of this chapter, and in addition:
1. Each heavy duty tow truck must be not less than five (5) tons in size.
2. Each heavy duty tow truck shall be equipped with a power operated winch, winch line, and boom, with a factory rated lifting capacity or a County tested capacity of not less than thirty thousand (30,000) pounds, single or double line.
3. Each heavy duty tow truck must be equipped with portable air lines for towed vehicles.
4. Each heavy duty tow truck must be equipped with tandem drive rear wheels. (Ord. 453, 5-21-2002)