As we approach the midpoint of 2026, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an active and encouraging first half of the year across the towing and recovery industry.

We had a busy stretch on the road this spring, highlighted by two of the industry’s biggest events: The Orlando Tow Show and the Las Vegas Tow Show. Both events delivered strong attendance and meaningful engagement, reinforcing the resilience and commitment we continue to see across this market.

In Orlando, we had the opportunity to showcase our JD35/40T rotator, complete with live demonstrations. These demos were a great platform to highlight not only the unit’s capabilities but also what truly differentiates it in today’s market. The response from operators and owners alike was extremely positive, and it’s clear there’s strong interest in equipment that pushes performance and versatility forward.

Las Vegas offered a different, but equally valuable, opportunity: A customer event to celebrate our partnerships. These relationships are so critical, and the conversations we had there were so meaningful. They give us real insight into what the industry is experiencing day to day and will help us shape how we can better provide support.

From a market standpoint, things remain steady. Our distributors are actively working through inventory, and overall activity is up year over year. Inventory levels are healthy, backlog remains strong and we’re seeing what looks like a return to more normalized consumption patterns across the industry. At the same time, we’re all keeping a close eye on interest rates and how they may impact purchasing decisions, as well as trade-in values and the used truck market.

Out in the field, one thing is clear: Towers are busy. Vehicles on the road are aging, and with that comes increased breakdowns and higher service demand. The volume of work is there.

However, that doesn’t mean the environment is without challenges. The cost of doing business remains high. Fuel and insurance, in particular, could cause significant headwinds. Many operators are evaluating fuel surcharges to offset rising pump prices. At the same time, we recognize the complexity of that conversation, especially in an industry where getting paid can already be a challenge, and pricing is often negotiated on-site. It’s not an easy balance.

On the advocacy front, February’s Hill Day in Washington, D.C. was a strong and productive effort in partnership with the TRAA. It’s critical that our industry has a voice, and we were there with four key priorities in mind. First, we focused on reinforcing the importance of enforcing existing laws — specifically the “Slow Down, Move Over” initiative — to improve safety for operators working roadside.

Second, we discussed outdated DOT regulations, particularly those related to truck weights and dimensions. Equipment continues to evolve, but regulations haven’t always kept pace. That gap needs to be addressed.

Third, we brought attention to concerns around predatory rate pressures. Unlike EMS, fire or police services, towers rely on billing customers directly, which often leads to on-site negotiations and downward pressure on rates. The industry’s priority should be clearing the scene safely and efficiently, not negotiating compensation in the moment.

Finally, we discussed the potential for towers to obtain first-responder status. Given the risks towers face and the role they play on accident scenes, this is an important step toward aligning safety classifications with reality.

It’s also worth noting that others in the industry, including our largest competitors, were present at Hill Day as well. While we compete in the marketplace, we share a responsibility to support and strengthen the industry. That united front is something we hope to continue building on.

As always, I want to thank you for the work you do every day. This industry plays a vital role in keeping roads safe and traffic moving, often under challenging conditions. We remain committed to supporting towers with the equipment, advocacy and partnership needed to succeed.

Stay safe out there,

Bob Nelson
Vice President and General Manager, Jerr-Dan

The biggest transformation already underway is the digitization of dispatch and operations. Historically, towing companies relied on phones, radios, and human memory to manage fleets. That model is rapidly being replaced by cloud dispatch platforms, GPS fleet tracking, and automated call routing. Modern systems allow dispatchers to instantly see:

• Truck location and availability
• Estimated arrival times
• Equipment capabilities
• Traffic conditions

Instead of guessing who is closest to a scene, software can automatically dispatch the nearest qualified truck and provide real-time updates. GPS-based Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems already allow dispatch centers to track and deploy trucks more efficiently. Machine learning systems are also beginning to analyze past incidents and traffic patterns to pre-position tow trucks in high-probability crash zones, reducing response times and congestion. In the extremely near future, the industry will increase on data instead of instinct. Companies that still rely on manual dispatch systems will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage when competing for contracts with police agencies, insurance companies, and highway authorities. The towing business is expanding beyond towing. Motorists increasingly want immediate roadside solutions, not just transport to a repair shop. This has created a surge in mobile services such as:

• Mobile battery replacement
• Tire changes
• Lockout services
• Fuel delivery
• Minor mechanical repairs

These services solve problems without requiring a tow, which is often faster and cheaper for consumers. This shift is changing how roadside fleets are built. Many companies now operate:

• Tow trucks
• Service vans
• Mobile repair units

The future towing company will look more like a mobile automotive service provider than just a transport operator. Electric vehicles are already forcing significant operational changes. EVs introduced new challenges that traditional towing companies did not have to consider:

• High-voltage battery systems
• Specialized lifting points
• Regenerative braking systems
• Manufacturer towing restrictions

Many EVs must be transported on flatbeds to prevent drivetrain damage, and operators require specialized training and procedures to handle them safely. As EV adoption accelerates, towing companies will need:

• EV-specific recovery training
• Specialized equipment
• Flatbed and low-angle loading systems

Companies that invest early in EV capability will have a major advantage, because demand for EV-capable tow providers is expected to increase significantly. At the same time, the towing fleets themselves are beginning to electrify. Electric tow trucks are emerging as a lower-emission alternative to diesel units. One of the most powerful forces shaping the future of towing is roadway safety policy. Tow operators work in one of the most dangerous environments in transportation. Increasingly, government agencies are recognizing towing as a critical component of traffic incident management. The next decade will see:

• More standardized training programs
• Stronger “Move Over” enforcement
• Greater coordination between police, DOT, and towing companies
• Increased emphasis on rapid incident clearance

Quick clearance programs aim to remove disabled vehicles and wrecks as quickly as possible to prevent secondary crashes and congestion. As traffic volumes increase and cities become more crowded, towing companies will play an even more significant role in maintaining traffic flow and public safety. Another major shift is the corporate evolution of the towing industry. For decades, the industry consisted primarily of small family-run businesses. While many of those businesses remain strong, the industry is now seeing:

• Private equity investment
• Regional towing networks
• Multi-location towing companies
• Enterprise-level fleet management

Insurance companies and motor clubs are also pushing providers toward higher levels of accountability and reporting. New contracts increasingly require:

• Digital dispatch integration
• GPS verification
• Performance reporting
• Response time metrics

This is pushing the industry toward professional management structures like logistics companies.

Vehicle size and complexity are increasing across the transportation sector. More delivery trucks, commercial fleets, and heavy vehicles on the road means growing demand for heavy-duty recovery capability. Industry forecasts expect increasing investment in:

• Rotator wreckers
• Advanced winching systems
• High-capacity recovery equipment
• Specialized heavy-duty towing units

Market projections show the global tow truck sector continuing to expand through 2030 as vehicle fleets grow and urban congestion increases. Companies that can handle complex recoveries will command higher revenue and contract opportunities. The towing industry is no longer just about trucks and chains. It is becoming a technology-enabled transportation service that combines:

• digital dispatch
• mobile roadside services
• advanced recovery equipment
• EV expertise
• data-driven operations

At the same time, the market itself continues to grow as vehicle ownership, traffic congestion, and roadside service demand increase worldwide. The companies that embrace these changes will lead the next generation of the towing industry. Those that resist them may find themselves struggling to compete in a business that is quickly becoming faster, smarter, and far more technologically advanced. If you want, I can also help you add one powerful “future prediction” section to your article, something like “What the towing industry will look like in 2035.”

Looking forward to another decade, the towing industry is likely to look quite different from the one many operators entered years ago. While the core mission will remain the same, helping motorists and clearing disabled vehicles from roadways, the tools, technology, and expectations surrounding that mission will evolve dramatically. The towing company of 2035 will operate in a far more connected, automated, and professional environment than most fleets operate today. One of the most significant changes will come from connected vehicles. Many modern cars already have built-in telematics systems that automatically notify manufacturers or roadside assistance services when a crash occurs. By 2035, this capability will become universal.

When a vehicle breaks down or is involved in a collision, the car itself may automatically send its location, diagnostic information, and severity data to a dispatch center. Artificial intelligence systems will instantly determine what type of assistance is needed and assign the nearest qualified tow provider. Instead of a motorist calling a dispatcher and explaining the situation, the process will happen automatically in seconds. Tow operators may receive assignments that already include detailed vehicle diagnostics, allowing them to arrive with the proper equipment before even seeing the vehicle.

This level of integration will dramatically reduce response times and eliminate much of the confusion that currently occurs during roadside calls. Artificial intelligence will also begin to play a larger role in managing towing fleets. Dispatch systems will increasingly use predictive analytics to determine where trucks should be positioned before incidents even occur. Traffic data, weather conditions, historical crash patterns, and real-time congestion monitoring will allow systems to predict where incidents are most likely to happen. Tow trucks may be strategically staged throughout a city or highway system to shorten response times. Instead of reacting to calls, towing operations may begin to operate more like emergency response networks—always positioned and ready for the next incident. This shift will significantly improve traffic clearance and could dramatically reduce secondary crashes caused by congestion around accident scenes.

The rise of electric vehicles will continue reshaping towing operations. By 2035, a sizable portion of the vehicles on the road will be electric or hybrid. Electric vehicles bring new challenges for recovery operators. High-voltage battery systems require careful handling, and some vehicles cannot be towed using traditional methods without damaging their drivetrains. As EV adoption grows, towing companies will need specialized training and equipment designed specifically for these vehicles. At the same time, autonomous vehicle technology is expected to mature. Self-driving cars may become more common in commercial fleets, delivery vehicles, and ride-share services. Even autonomous vehicles will still break down or be involved in crashes. But when they do, the recovery process may be different. The vehicle itself may transmit precise instructions for safe towing, including lifting points, battery isolation procedures, and drivetrain protection requirements. Tow operators will increasingly need to understand advanced vehicle electronics, not just mechanical systems.

Safety will remain one of the most critical issues facing the towing industry, and future equipment will reflect that priority.

Tow trucks are already becoming more sophisticated, but the next generation of recovery vehicles may include features such as:

• Remote-controlled recovery systems
• Advanced stabilization technology
• Integrated camera and drone support for scene assessment
• Automated winching systems
• Smart lighting systems that improve roadside visibility

These technologies will allow operators to perform recoveries from safer positions and reduce the time they spend exposing to passing traffic. The goal will be simple: clear incidents faster while keeping operators farther away from danger. Another major shift will be the continued professionalization of the towing business. The industry is already moving toward larger regional companies and integrated service networks. By 2035, this trend may accelerate significantly.

Fleet management platforms will allow companies to monitor every truck, every driver, and every call in real time. Response times, driver performance, fuel efficiency, and recovery metrics will all be tracked and analyzed.

Insurance companies, motor clubs, and transportation agencies will require this level of reporting. Contracts will be awarded not just on price, but on performance data. Many towing companies will operate more like logistics providers—using technology to manage fleets, analyze operations, and optimize performance.

The future towing company may spend less time towing and more time solving problems on the roadside. Mobile service units capable of performing quick mechanical repairs, battery replacements, and diagnostic services will become more common. With modern vehicles capable of transmitting diagnostic codes remotely, operators may arrive already knowing what the problem is. In many cases, the vehicle may be repaired on the roadside rather than towed to a repair facility. This shift will change how fleets are structured. Many companies may operate a combination of tow trucks, service vans, and specialized response vehicles designed for specific types of assistance.

Despite all these technological advances, one thing will not change: the importance of the tow operators. Technology can help dispatch a truck faster or provide better information, but it cannot replace the judgment, skill, and experience required to manage a chaotic crash scene or safely recover a damaged vehicle. Tow operators will still be the professionals standing on the roadside in difficult conditions, helping people in stressful situations, and restoring order to traffic incidents. The difference is that future operators will be supported by better tools, better information, and safer equipment. The towing industry has always been built on resilience. Operators have adapted to changing vehicles, changing highways, and changing demands from motorists and public agencies.

The coming decade will bring some of the most significant changes the industry has ever seen. Digital dispatch systems, connected vehicles, electric drivetrains, and advanced recovery technology will reshape how towing services are delivered. For companies willing to invest in new tools, training, and systems, the future holds tremendous opportunity. For those unwilling to adapt, the pace of change may prove difficult to keep up with. By 2035, the towing industry will look more technologically advanced, more coordinated with transportation agencies, and more professionally managed than ever before. But at its core, it will still be about the same thing it has always been about: showing up when people need help and getting the road moving again.

Who would have thought we would already be through the 1st quarter as this issue hits the scene. However, here we are! The PWOF Florida Tow Show is behind us, the show that seems to kick off the year. We enjoyed seeing our friends and owners in the industry that receive the magazine. We also attended the NARS show that same week and had an opportunity to see the format of the repossession shows and the amount of business and education that can be gleamed from attending. NARS was a great show that is worth the look next year, for anyone dealing with repossession and looking to find the tools and education to take the next step in growing your business!

DJ Harrington, in “Fuel for Thought,” always brings us information to process that will lead us to being the best steward of our business and employees. John Borowski’s “Under the Hood,” is all about the future of our industry, and keys to your success in your business. Michelle Sukow has another wonderful story, featuring Hannah Roane, a spotlight on another wonderful ” Woman of Towing.” You will enjoy reading this story about Hannah Roane!

Also in this issue, we look at the importance of using cameras for every Tow Professional. We have included information from companies, such as: Azugua, Autura, and Worldwide Equipment so you can be well-informed when this equipment is added to your business. Zips and Clore brings us solutions and the key products you need in your toolbox when it comes to performing jump-starts successfully every time.
Don’t forget to make sure you add Mid Atlantic Tow Expo Sept 11-12th in Raliegh, NC and the greatest family show Midwest Regional Tow Show Sept 24th-26th. Make sure you add these to your calendar. The top products, service providers, and training can be had at both shows and will be events that you don’t want to miss!

As always, we thank every one of our readers and vendors, but most of all pray your business continues to grow and flourish for you and your families!