Full-Time flatbed towing business
Run a flatbed tow truck full-time, with motor club, insurer and repair shop work alongside local motorists.
- $60k-150k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
10,566 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.1% in a year
NAICS 488410 “Motor vehicle towing”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A full-time towing business built around a flatbed truck that can safely carry most cars, including low or all-wheel-drive vehicles. You take on contract work, local calls and accident recovery, with room to add a second truck and driver.
Your first three steps
- Form an LLC, get an EIN from the IRS, and check with your state and city about tow operator licensing and any vehicle storage lot rules
- Get quotes for commercial auto, garage keepers and on-hook coverage, then price a new or used flatbed with financing
- Apply to local motor club networks and introduce yourself to repair shops, body shops and property managers
Who pays
Motor clubs and roadside assistance networks, insurance companies, repair shops, dealerships, fleet managers and individual motorists.
How it makes money
Per-job tow and mileage fees, with additional charges for recovery, winching and storage. Steady contract work from dispatchers and shops fills the gaps between private calls.
Skills that help
- Safe heavy-vehicle driving
- Vehicle loading and securing
- Customer service under pressure
- Dispatch and scheduling
- Business management
Watch out for
- Startup and insurance costs are high, so plan for slow months while you build contracts
- Check whether you need a CDL, USDOT number or state motor carrier registration, depending on truck weight and routes
- If you store vehicles, check zoning, lot requirements and your state's rules on lien sales and storage fees
- Towing from private property and police rotation calls are heavily regulated, so check local rules first
- Once you hire drivers, you will need workers' compensation insurance and may need drug testing programs
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: full-time flatbed towing business
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a flatbed towing business?
Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on the truck, equipment and insurance. Costs are high, so plan for slow months while you build contracts. These figures are estimates only.
How much can a flatbed towing business make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on motor club, insurer and repair shop contracts, local calls, and whether you add a second truck. These are estimates of revenue, and the idea assumes about 40 hours a week.
What licences and rules apply to towing in the US?
Check whether you need a CDL, USDOT number or state motor carrier registration. Check zoning and your state's lien sale and storage fee rules if you store vehicles, local rules on private-property and police rotation calls, and workers' compensation once you hire.
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