Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
(1)
Section
40-12-248,
Code of Ala. 1975, provides that a motor vehicle
wrecker, commonly known as a tow truck, which is used primarily to move, tow or
recover disabled motor vehicles or used for impoundment purposes, shall be
licensed and registered based on the gross vehicle weight of the wrecker only
without regard to the gross vehicle weight of any motor vehicle to be towed by
the wrecker.
(2) The license tax
and registration fee shall be based on the gross vehicle weight of the wrecker
which includes the empty (unladen) weight of the wrecker fully equipped and
serviced for operation including the weight of any add-on equipment, tools,
spare tires, fuel, and passengers.
(3) A wrecker will be issued a restricted
"wrecker" license plate for the proper weight classification declared by the
vehicle owner upon the payment of the license tax and registration
fee.
(4) Definitions.
(a) The term "wrecker" is a motor vehicle
constructed or permanently adapted and primarily used for the purpose of
moving, lifting, towing, transporting, and recovering a disabled motor
vehicle.
(b) The term "motor
vehicle" includes every vehicle which is self-propelled, every vehicle which is
propelled by electric power, and every vehicle that is drawn by a
self-propelled vehicle, including every trailer and semitrailer, as provided by
§
40-12-240,
Code of Ala. 1975.
(c) The term "disabled" means the motor
vehicle is incapable of being self-operated.
(d) The term "impound" means to seize and
retain in legal custody.
(5)
Types of
Wreckers. Five general types of wreckers are in common usage,
usually based on the type or size of vehicle to be towed:
(a) Boom - not specifically used for towing.
Many trucks are equipped with an adjustable boom winch for recovering vehicles
that are in a ditch, culvert, over an embankment, or any place the wrecker
cannot be safely backed-up to.
(b)
Hook and chain (also known as a "sling" or "belt lift") - chains are looped
around the vehicle frame or axle, which is drawn aloft by a boom winch to rest
against a pair of heavy rubberized mats so the vehicle can be towed on its
other axle. Slings are sometimes used for towing vehicles that have been in an
accident or have one or two of the front or rear wheels missing or for pickup
trucks and other vehicles that have steel bumpers.
(c) Wheel Lift - evolved from the hook and
chain technology to produce a large metal yoke that can be fitted under the
front or rear wheels to cradle them, drawing the front or rear end of the
vehicle clear of the ground by a pneumatic or hydraulic hoist so it can be
towed. This apparatus generally picks up the drive wheels of the vehicle (i.e.
the front wheels if it is front wheel drive, the rear wheels if it is rear
wheel drive) touching only the tires.
(d) Flatbed (also called a Rollback or a
Slide) - the entire back of the truck is fitted with a bed that can be
hydraulically inclined and moved to ground level, allowing the vehicle being
towed to be placed on it under its own power or pulled by a winch.
(e) Integrated (also referred to as a
"Self-Loader" Snatcher, Quick Pick or Repo Truck) - boom and wheel-lift
integrated into one unit. Used in light duty trucks to repossess vehicles or
move illegally parked vehicles. Most have controls for the apparatus inside the
cab of the tow truck to make quick pickup possible without the inconvenience of
exiting the truck to hook up the vehicle. Heavy duty trucks are also
manufactured with integrated lift.
These are the most common arrangements, but are by no means
exclusive, as there are flatbed units that offer a wheel-lift, boom trucks that
can recover but not tow, and wheel-lift units that offer a combination boom
with sling.
Author: James P. Starling
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
40-2A-7(a)(5),
40-12-240,
40-12-248.
