THE WORLD'S GREATEST TOW TRUCKS VOLUME IV
1988 Kenworth W900 With Dewalt 50 Ton Hydraulic Under-Reach
Clinton Highway Wrecker Service, Powell, Tennessee
"Serious Business" was purchased from Glenn Hill Motors in Rockwood, TN, a local Jerr-Dan DeWalt dealer. The truck was stretched and double framed. The under-lift unit was mounted and custom painted in our own shop, Rick's Collision, a time-consuming operation due to the size of the truck: 38 feet long with a wheelbase of 346 inches. The truck was custom-striped and lettered in silver-leaf by Signs & Lines, Fred Profitt of Powell, TN.
"Serious Business" is our unit #40, a 1988 Kenworth W-900 with a 425 Caterpillar engine, 13-speed transmission, 48,000 rears on a KW 8-bag air-ride suspension equipped with a Jerr-Dan DeWalt 50 ton hydraulic wrecker. The wrecker has two 45,000 lbs. 2-speed planetary winches with 53,000 lbs. 3-stage under-reach with a towing capacity of 80,000 lbs. and radio remote control features. The truck has received much attention due to the three color scalloped paint scheme with custom pin striping and lettering. Many chrome accessories set off the many light bars and bolts in stainless steel. The tool compartments have been custom built with chain and snatch block racks. All four axles are supported by polished aluminum wheels with chrome hub cap centers and spinners. There are over 120 clearance and marker lights along with other work lights to complete the show. The three sets of beacons have strobes mounted inside, and additional equipment includes a 3K hydraulic generator with two 500 watt halogen lights.
This unit has extra work lights mounted on the rear of the bed. Chrome steps have been mounted up the rear of the truck for easy access to the top of the bed. The tool compartments are custom designed. Featured in the tool compartments are chromed, spring-loaded clamps to hold tools securely in place along with custom-built snatch block hangers. Also located in the tool box is a chrome 20 pound fire extinguisher. There is a five pound chrome fire extinguisher located beside the driver's seat. The larger extinguisher is a foam extinguisher for gasoline and chemical fires. There is also a twenty pound ABC extinguisher in this unit's tool box.
Stainless steel light bars are mounted under each tool box and underneath the sides of the cab. The light bar under the front bumper is stainless as are all external bolts with exception of the chrome ones. All other bolts are chrome capped. The light bar pylon is encased in aluminum with extra marker lights on both sides across the rear of the pylon. The truck features polished aluminum wheels on all four axles. Chrome hand rails run the full length of the wrecker bed. With 120 clearance and marker lights, this unit is a rolling light show. The unit carries two "Accident Ahead" warning signs with custom made aluminum tripods along with orange cones to block off traffic for operator safety.
The truck cab on this unit sports twin chrome exhaust stacks, twin stainless breathers, twin chrome fender mirrors and a chrome outlined bug deflector mounted on the hood. Twin polished aluminum 150 gallon fuel tanks and a polished aluminum battery box with steps finishes the picture. The unit is the star in the company's crown. It took us 26 years, but we are here!
1996 Peterbilt With Century 4024
Hendrickson Towing
Huntington Station, New York
Hendrickson Towing shows here the latest addition to their heavy duty fleet. Purchased in 1996 at the Florida Tow Show, the truck was brought home to Long Island, New York, the light pylon was installed and the truck painted to perfection by Hendrickson Fleet Services, the company's sister company. The mural is of "Petey the Dog" saying, "If you can't comPETE with the big dogs, stay on the porch." Powered by a 3126 Caterpillar engine and a 9-speed transmission, the back end is a Century 4024 body. Other useful equipment on this unit is the Vector light bar, chrome visor, well-stocked Snap-On toolbox located in the tail compartment, 3 sets of controls (in cab, wire remote, and manual controls on the wrecker body), a bench passenger seat that seats two. This Miller Industries product is a very profitable addition to the Hendrickson fleet. The unit comes with two different size wheel lifts and a fifth wheel plate adapter. This versatile unit often does both towing a medium duty box truck in one direction and returning with a car.
Hendrickson Towing is a RoadOne company with two locations on beautiful Long Island. One facility is in Huntington and the second is in Smithtown. Hendrickson's welcomes visitors, and invites customers as well as industry colleagues to tour their facilities.
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