As an owner or manager of a towing company, you have to manage a fleet of vehicles and drivers, coordinate your drivers and plan schedules, ensure your workers are safe, and provide good customer service. By improving these facets of your business, you can increase efficiency, performance, and get more returning customers.
1) Provide continued training.
Do you keep up with regular training to ensure drivers are always following the rules and doing their best to get the job done right and stay safe?
Providing regular training for tow truck drivers will reduce the likelihood of incidences happening on the road and ensure your workers keep their skills sharp.
2) Keep vehicles well-maintained.
Ensuring proper vehicle maintenance is an effective way to reduce breakdowns on the road, keep drivers safe, and keep costly repairs to a minimum. Drivers should log miles and hours driven and you should schedule regular checkups to ensure all tow trucks are in good shape.
3) Don’t skimp on equipment.
Orange traffic cones, reflective warning signs, and flashing lights ensure that workers are visible while they’re working, thereby reducing the chances of another vehicle crashing into them or their vehicle.
4) Give customers a lift.
Sometimes customers will be stranded in a remote area and they’ll be unable to get a taxi or a ride from a family member.
When giving customers a lift, ensure that the passenger seat is cleared of clutter.
5) Be kind to customers.
We’ve all been in a situation where a customer is angry and rude to us, and it can be a real challenge to keep your cool, smile, and try to address their concerns. But remember to ensure drivers understand the importance of being kind.
6) Screen customers and ensure payment.
Some customers will try to rip you off or be unable to pay. To ensure you don’t get ripped off, have all drivers verify their identity before providing your towing service. Then, have a clear payment policy in place that drivers must always follow. This could be payment upfront upon arrival or at the delivery of the vehicle.
7) Ensure vehicles are prepared for cold weather conditions.
All vehicles should be ready for the cold weather conditions. Outfit vehicles with winter tires or studded tires, the right snow and ice equipment, and working heaters inside the vehicle.
8) Establish clear safety protocols.
Make sure all drivers are aware of strict safety protocols and procedures to reduce liability and keep them safe.
9) Use reliable communication devices.
Communication with tow truck drivers on the road is vital to ensure they are on schedule, can be updated about changes to their route or a new customer, and can reach dispatchers with any questions or concerns. For the best communication solution for tow truck drivers use Peak PTT two-way radios.
10) Use GPS tracking.
GPS tracking is a great way to improve operational efficiency and increase driver safety. With the right Peak PTT two-way radio, you can provide a communication solution, emergency response device, and GPS tracking device all in one.
Read more about push-to-talk two-way radios for towing companies here.