Tow It Back: 4 Interesting Facts About Tow Trucks

In 1913, a mechanic named Ernest Holmes tested the first instance of towing technology when removing his vehicle from a creek. After undergoing hours of manual labor, Holmes decided to come up with a solution to revolutionize the crane system that evolved into the modern tow truck we recognize today. Whether you’re a tower or truck enthusiast learning about the art of recovery straps and tow chains, anyone working with a tow truck should know the evolutionary story behind the modern tow truck. Explore these four interesting facts about tow trucks to understand how the distinct features of the modern tow truck developed.
The Cadillac
The world’s first tow truck was a 1913 Cadillac modified by Ernest Holmes. Holmes first developed a crane system and mounted it onto the back of his vehicle to develop a pulley system. The first tow truck produced for the market came out in 1916.
The Old-but-Gold Design
The 1916 tow truck design is still in use to this day. While the design has modified and advanced over the years, the hook-and-chain principle is the widespread model used for the tow trucks we drive today.
The Five Tow Truck Types
While the hook-and-chain design remains, the tow truck industry evolved newer models to meet different towing solutions. As of today, you can purchase five types of towing vehicles:

The Boom

The Flatbed

The Wheel-Lift

The Hook and Chain

The Integrated Tow Truck

The Tow Truck Hall of Fame
The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum is a hall of fame dedicated to tow trucks. The museum exists in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the town where Ernest Holmes worked. The museum exhibits restored wreckers, historical towing equipment, tow truck tools, and historical findings about the tow truck industry.
Seeing a tow truck passing by is an ordinary site for many of us. As we explored these four interesting facts about tow trucks, it’s important to see how the towing mechanism of these trucks is a historical solution that continues to serve our roadside needs today.