New to Towing

[CarolinaTrucker]

Hi everyone, 

 

I am new to towing and wanted to know what are the average prices you charge motorclubs for towing. 

 

Thanks.

[EdsTowing]

Charge them till it hurts...cause once you're contracted you'll live at their mercy...

 

[Stubborn66]

12 minutes ago, EdsTowing said:

Charge them till it hurts...cause once you're contracted you'll live at their mercy...

LOL, Ed is right, once contracted getting a raise is tough

 

Welcome to the forum.

There is no "average" price we charge, it all depends on the competition in a given area. The more towers in your area the lower the prices the clubs will be willing to pay.  Supply and demand in its simplest form.

 

What you really need to know before you start negotiating with a club, or anyone for that matter, is what your operating costs are. 

To get to a true operating cost to run a truck or trucks, and your business, takes some real work, even if you are working out of your house.  If you don't know what those numbers are, you won't survive.  There are a lot of expenses involved in running a company that people miss when calculating operating costs.  

 

Then you need to figure out what your margins should be to get to a realistic profit that your area can support.  Then, break that down to retail, private company, club, etc. 

 

Once you have that, read through the posts on here, and elsewhere, to get an idea of what it is like to work for a club.  You will see a lot of negative comments about the clubs, but it really depends on your area and YOUR business model.  If you are going to be dependent on club work specifically, you have a tough row to hoe.  If you are in a competitive area, I would say it is very unlikely club pay will sustain your business.  If you have other customers to work for and club work will be fill in, then, your chances of survival increase.

 

Good Luck

 

 

 

  

[goodmichael]

Profit is your best friend. Your goal should be to make money, profit,  with each and every call. Far too many people buy trucks, run them hard, and either lose money or just break even. Then one day the become aware that they owe 50k on a truck with 300 k miles on the clock. Then it is just a matter of time before a catastrophic failure, transmission or engine failure, rear axle, or even a tire blowing to send them over the cliff to financial ruin. Know your cost to run a call, as well as your cost outbound and loaded. Do not be afraid to charge for extra equipment. There is no such thing as free. You do not get free diesel, there is not a tree in the Amazon where you can go pick "free" gojacks, straps, and bridles. They have to be paid for.

Edited August 13, 2022 by goodmichael

[Moose]

Welcome to TowForce, by far the best place to find answers to tow truck questions.

 

We just need to see a little more active and I need to find time get in here more.