§ 25-5. Wrecker requirements.

Wreckers shall be classified as Class I or Class II and shall meet the following equipment requirements for Class I certification:

CLASS I

(1)

Shall have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) of eight thousand six hundred (8,600) pounds to twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds or less, as reflected on the State of Texas registration or title, or by certification by a mechanical engineer licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Texas.

(2)

Shall have brakes that meet reasonable braking performance requirements under all loading conditions. May be equipped with air brakes.

(3)

Wreckers with a GVRW of ten thousand (10,000) or less shall be equipped with a winch, winch line and boom with a lifting capacity of not less than eight thousand (8,000) pounds, single-line capacity or a hydraulic wheel lift with a lifting capacity of not less than thirty-five hundred (3,500) pounds. Wreckers with GVRW of ten thousand (10,000) to twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds shall be equipped with a ten-thousand-pound winch capacity per winch line and boom with a rated or tested lifting capacity of not less than twenty-four thousand (24,000) pounds capacity. Car carriers (flatbeds) are not required to be equipped with a boom.

(4)

Shall carry as standard equipment at least: a tow sling or hydraulic lift which is sufficient to prevent the swinging of any equipment being transported; five-sixteenths-inch steel safety chains, minimum; rope, wire or straps suitable for securing doors, hoods, trunks, etc.; outside rearview mirrors on both sides of the truck. Any truck towing from the scene of an accident must be equipped with the following: tow truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of eight thousand six hundred pounds (8,600) to twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds or less shall carry a five-pound fire extinguisher, properly filled, operable and located so it is readily accessible for use; one (1) crowbar or wrecking bar; one (1) set of dollies; a broom; three (3) portable red emergency reflectors, orange safety cones or flares; a container to carry glass and debris cleaned from streets when picking up a damaged or disabled vehicle; a spotlight or flashlight; set of wired or wireless tow lights; alternately flashing warning lights that comply with V.T.C.A. Transportation Code, Ch. 547, which allows the use of red and/or amber lenses only (red lenses may be used only under the direction of a law enforcement officer or while hooking up a disabled vehicle in the roadway).

(5)

If a tow truck is pulling a vehicle, the tow truck operator must supply the towed vehicle with functioning tow lights. The tow lights must provide safe lighting of the towed vehicle.

(6)

If a tow truck uses a winch, a safety wrap must be performed.

(7)

Safety chains must be used on all tows.

(8)

Each tow truck must display a tow truck license plate issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles under V.T.C.A. Transportation Code, § 504.508.

(9)

Each tow truck shall have the tow truck owner's business name, address, telephone number, and permit number issued by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as reflected on the permit permanently inscribed or affixed on each side of the truck in letters no less than two (2) inches high. The lettering should be of a color sufficiently different from the color of the truck to make it clearly and readily visible.

(10)

Shall be in such condition that it can safely and reliably be used as a wrecker.

(11)

Shall comply within the regulations adopted by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(12)

No tow truck shall tow more than the combined capacity of the equipment and the GVRW of the tow truck.

All Class II wreckers shall meet the following additional requirements:

CLASS II

(1)

Shall have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) of twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds or more, as reflected on the State of Texas registration or title, or by certification by a mechanical engineer licensed as a professional engineer in the State of Texas.

(2)

Shall be equipped with air brakes.

(3)

Shall be equipped with twenty-five thousand (25,000) dual winch lines and boom with a rated or tested lifting capacity of not less than twenty-five thousand (25,000) pounds capacity.

(4)

Shall carry at least two (2) snatch blocks.

(5)

Shall carry a ten-pound fire extinguisher or two (2) five-pound fire extinguishers.

(6)

No tow truck shall tow more than the combined capacity of the equipment and GVWR of the tow truck.

(Ord. No. 14-100, 2-24-14)