Becoming a tow truck driver?? In Vic

Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Location: Forest Hill Melbourne

I have been thinking lately about becoming a towy.. Getting sick of the 9-5 hours and not been able to do things during the day....So what i have been thinking is becoming a towy... just had some questions for any fellow towys out there?

I would be working for a company like nation wide towing and will be getting my medium rigdet licence and also the tow licence from vic roads.

What are the shifts like with work??? long long hours set shift or how does it work??

Pay?? by the hour or by he tow or by the km's

any companys i should stay away from ??

thanks for your help
steve

Joined: 07 Aug 2003 Location: Townsville

Well if you think you can be a towie by night and have all day to "do things", I would seriously reconsider your options.

Anyone here that has worked shift work of any sort including nights will attest to the continual condition of sleep deprivation, inconvenience, social isolation, decreased health, and family stress that it imposes on you.

I would seriously just look at taking more holidays or dropping to part time on the job you have now.

Trust me, it aint no picnic.....

Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Location: Forest Hill Melbourne

oop's i think i might of said that wrongly.... what i meant was like work sat and sun then get like tuesday wednesday off... ect type deal... not too worried about family ( still only young) social life well you dont have one when your a panel beater.... 7 days a week on call from people

Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Location: Melbourne Australia

I've got some weekend panel beating work you can do instead Smile

Joined: 29 Oct 2002 Location: Empire Bay Australia

Been there done that , Heavy towing and light .

Used to be on call 24 seven truck parked in the yard.

Don,t know about now days , But the storys you have heard are mostly true.

Nothing like finding a star picket through the radiator in the morning ,
or nice confrontation or a little nudging on the side of the road Wink

Trade is OK ,

Accidents suck , stuff like keep your eyes open for that missing body bit Confused

Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Location: Forest Hill Melbourne

they have cleaned he trade right up these days. just wondering what the conditions are like now...

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

steveoo wrote:

they have cleaned he trade right up these days.

they cleaned it up in 1990 too...

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Location: western district

Was a panel beater for 20 years . Got out of the trade 2 years ago and went fencing, never looked back. Have a life now with no shitty fumes or dust and love it. I use to drive the tow truck to , hated it . Note knowing whether it could be won of your freinds or relitives you are about to pick up .Its job where theres more sorrow than not.