Transforming my Wrangler into a tow vehicle

[TucsonDuty]

Yes, dead on arrival. Financing an ~80,000 rig to beat up off-road for a niche market is a DOA business model.



The side-by-sides would be your current business.



Weight is a significant factor. A current RAM 3500 and similar trucks weigh in around 8,000 lbs, and once stuck you can easily double that to 16,000. A Tj comes in around 3,500 and has nowhere near the ass required to move that. Your Jeep couldn't even move a 3500 parked in a parking lot.

There is a tow service at a beach I frequent who pulls out the stuck 150/1500 and 250/2500 guys. This is what is used. Notice it weights quite a bit more that what is being recovered.
View attachment 370742

I'm not telling you to not start a business, just to think about things in a logical format, and go about it in a smart way. I'd rather see someone succeed than to be set up for failure from the start.

You're right. I will reconsider pursuing this as a business from the get-go.

However, I think the hobby part would be fun - and I'd make a little money too.

As far as weight, I could get around that depending on how I leverage myself versus the vehicle I'm pulling out. Yes, certain trucks may be out of my range. However, as far as momentum and leverage is concerned, I have no doubt I could jury rig a winch system which would do exactly what is needed. Especially if I include ballast tanks, anything could be moved.

Alternatively, I may end up fitting soft bumpers to the front or back end. I have seen them around town, and they do the job. I could push, where pulling is not an option. However, damage to the vehicle being pushed would need to be considered.

 

[Vtx531]

I see in your profile you are a pretty young guy - have you considered getting a job at a reputable tow company (if there is such a thing). The way the job market is right now and how much employers are paying for labor, it would be a great time to get in for anything as an employee. You could learn the business and get a steady income at the same time while using someone else's equipment and someone else's insurance policies.

Use the money for your Jeep as a hobby. You will learn a lot and probably have a more successful business in the future if you still want to do it later on down the road.

 

[tr21triton]

man this is a fine idear ! my last endeavor didn't work out so well ! I tried 10 years ago to start a delivery company with my Radio Flyer ! my 1st delivery was 5 tons of manure to a farm 500 miles away, I'm still pulling that red wagon full of shit trying to complete my 1st job !

 

[L J]

Is this a bad idea?

yes

 

[tr21triton]

man this is a fine idear ! my last endeavor didn't work out so well ! I tried 10 years ago to start a delivery company with my Radio Flyer ! my 1st delivery was 5 tons of manure to a farm 500 miles away, I'm still pulling that red wagon full of shit trying to complete my 1st job !
View attachment 370793

OP maybe we could work something out you can tow my wagon and well split the profit ! oh wait you said 4 cylinder, never mind I don't think you could pull my wagon full of shit

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Well, it's been done before.

 

[tr21triton]

thats a cute little boom ! like to see him try to pick up even a mini sized pickup truck.

 

[Moglocker]

You might get away with the 2.5 if your gearing was short enough but it’s always going to be a struggle.

The weight would be my main concern, you just don’t have the mass, never mind the axle or the suspension to go pulling F-250’s around. You could cope some with a winch but even then……. We’re talking about max 10K

Your going to struggle especially when you try and hook a trailer, if I remember a lot of Matt’s recovery’s had to ride the flatbed out even to the road - I tow some with my TJ and I wouldn’t try that.

I would try for an XJ or a gladiator, really any vehicle with more mass and power. Maybe use the TJ as a scout or camera car? You could probably make it work for towing, but very much the wrong tool for the job.

I always wondered why Matt used an xj?,I thought they were unibody?no frame?or I might be wrong

 

[Gilaguy23]

Yes, dead on arrival. Financing an ~80,000 rig to beat up off-road for a niche market is a DOA business model.



The side-by-sides would be your current business.



Weight is a significant factor. A current RAM 3500 and similar trucks weigh in around 8,000 lbs, and once stuck you can easily double that to 16,000. A Tj comes in around 3,500 and has nowhere near the ass required to move that. Your Jeep couldn't even move a 3500 parked in a parking lot.

There is a tow service at a beach I frequent who pulls out the stuck 150/1500 and 250/2500 guys. This is what is used. Notice it weights quite a bit more that what is being recovered.
View attachment 370742

I'm not telling you to not start a business, just to think about things in a logical format, and go about it in a smart way. I'd rather see someone succeed than to be set up for failure from the start.

I was thinking this was Pismo at first glance where I lived. Long ago anybody would give you a pull if you were stuck. As time went on the government got involved after a few injuries, a decapitations from a snapped winch cables,a few lawsuits, and now anybody recovery towing must be bonded and insured. Certainly something to look into.

 

[NskLJ]

Pick up a v8 4x4 tow truck or a pick up and convert it to a tow truck or maybe a 90’s era bronco and add a boom to it. Those you should be able to pick up for cheap has a v8 and shorter wheel base.

 

[toximus]

Insurance is probably going to create a situation where you're going to need to chase profit since you pay for it by the day, not by the tow. And yes, you want it.

Not being able to tow everything is fine, as long as you'll get enough calls for things that you can tow and know how to screen those calls so you aren't wasting gas checking out every stuck vehicle. Once you're making money, hire a buddy with a big old truck who can handle the bigger stuff.

Having some mechanical skills can also be helpful to make the vehicle even recoverable.

 

[Succentor]

 

[HDRider]

Yes, dead on arrival. Financing an ~80,000 rig to beat up off-road for a niche market is a DOA business model.



The side-by-sides would be your current business.



Weight is a significant factor. A current RAM 3500 and similar trucks weigh in around 8,000 lbs, and once stuck you can easily double that to 16,000. A Tj comes in around 3,500 and has nowhere near the ass required to move that. Your Jeep couldn't even move a 3500 parked in a parking lot.

There is a tow service at a beach I frequent who pulls out the stuck 150/1500 and 250/2500 guys. This is what is used. Notice it weights quite a bit more that what is being recovered.
View attachment 370742

I'm not telling you to not start a business, just to think about things in a logical format, and go about it in a smart way. I'd rather see someone succeed than to be set up for failure from the start.

I saw something like that on Kure

 

[BlueC]

I saw something like that on Kure

That's probably the same rig. I've seen them up on Carolina Beach where the drunk vacationers get stuck. It's always a good time to watch from a distance.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Insurance is probably going to create a situation where you're going to need to chase profit since you pay for it by the day, not by the tow. And yes, you want it.

Not being able to tow everything is fine, as long as you'll get enough calls for things that you can tow and know how to screen those calls so you aren't wasting gas checking out every stuck vehicle. Once you're making money, hire a buddy with a big old truck who can handle the bigger stuff.

Having some mechanical skills can also be helpful to make the vehicle even recoverable.

X2 to the mechanical skills. Sometimes vehicles get stuck because a major component broke and it's not often recoverable as-is.

 

[NskLJ]

Insurance is probably going to create a situation where you're going to need to chase profit since you pay for it by the day, not by the tow. And yes, you want it.

Not being able to tow everything is fine, as long as you'll get enough calls for things that you can tow and know how to screen those calls so you aren't wasting gas checking out every stuck vehicle. Once you're making money, hire a buddy with a big old truck who can handle the bigger stuff.

Having some mechanical skills can also be helpful to make the vehicle even recoverable.

A second driver and flatbed or trailer and trailer to meet you at the pavement. That way you get two tows

 

[NskLJ]

X2 to the mechanical skills. Sometimes vehicles get stuck because a major component broke and it's not often recoverable as-is.

 

[AndyG]

Seems like a realistic way to start and figure things out.

Why to start a small business small- basically working on a small scale-

Less cost

Less liability

Mistakes usually cost less

Finding something that is abundant, like SxS means you meet more people faster.

....it goes deeper, but in other words testing the waters is fine...sometimes you might see some things and end up with a business model that works good and is quite a bit different than what you envisioned.

You do have to remember you are touching other peoples’ property- so tread wisely.

 

[Vinman]

Using a 4 cyl TJ to start an offroad recovery business is like using a canoe to start a container shipment business.

 

[Hopper]

O.K.
where's the hidden camera?