Issues of Owning a 5 ton wrecker

[Westex]

Am thinking seriously about buying a 5 ton wrecker. To those that have one, is insurance expensive? My use will be for farming/ranching. I have no intention of hauling cars or anything with it. Any landmines to watch out for in buying/owning one off the top of your head?

 

[NDT]

Over 26,000 GVW means state and federal DOT registration in Texas. State requires $500,000 liability policy.

 

[area52]

If you are only gonna use it on the farm/ranch, see if you can get a "farm use only" registration.

Not sure if TX has those or not.

When/if they break down, who yea gonna call?

 

[Alredneck]

They are heavy!

I have storage insurance on the company wrecker and its not but $80 a month I think for replacement value if someone vandalises it or a storm mess it up, or someone steals it! It doesnt leave the yard so, until we need it to we use the storage insurance. ( This is through our commercial policy, Progressive ) There are better commercial policies out there and we are looking into that.

 

[Westex]

Over 26,000 GVW means state and federal DOT registration in Texas. State requires $500,000 liability policy.

I can figure out what the insurance runs, but what is the cost of state and federal DOT registration? This is exactly the type of stuff I'm trying to factor before I even get my hopes up of buying one of these. Texas has a "machinery" plate, for trucks liker water well service trucks, etc.. which is what I'm shooting for.

 

[wreckerman893]

When I had the M816 insured (before the engine issue) with Progressive my cost was $630.00 every six months. I had a farm tag on it and the agent told me if I had an accident while towing anything on a public road that my policy would be voided...even if I was towing my own stuff. Towing insurance is very high since you are considered commercial.
As useful as mine is around the yard it is a money pit......I have another engine for it but I will prob not put it back on the road as there is no way to break even on it.
I'll just use it around the Motor Pool for lifting and moving stuff.

Concerning the care and feeding of 5 ton wreckers:

(1) A lot of stuff, filters and such, can be crossed or replaced with civy stuff.

(2) A lot of stuff, mechanical and hydrolic stuff, cannot be and will cost you out the wazoo when it breaks. One hose on the crane set me back over $100.00 and there are a lot of them.

(3) It cost me over $100.00 bucks to change the oil and filter (using Rotella).

(4) The big cannister fuel filter cartridge cost over $50.00 at NAPA. I replaced mine with a spin on with drain cock on it for $85.00

(5) The big hydrolic tank holds about 50 gals of oil...if you blow the right hose all of it will end up on the ground.

(6) The 250 Cummins is a good engine but the wrecker weighs about 36,000 dry...it is slow on the road....54 MPH is about tops...that's downhill with a strong tail wind.

(7) At road speed it will suck the bottom out of the fuel tank....prob 4-6 MPG going off a cliff in neutral. It also sucks fuel when using the crane.....you have to idle it up to around 1200 RPM to make everything work right.

If they sit for a while the seals on the fuel tank selector valve (located next to the drivers seat) dry out and will allow air into the sytem....causing starting issues and generally making you crazy while trying to crank it.
I bypassed mine and run off the left tank only.

In spite of the above I love the big beast (I call it Hugh G. Rection) and will prob keep it in the stable.
I always wanted one.....since I was a young Private in the army....now I have one.

Be careful what you wish for

 

[Westex]

Wreckerman--I was hoping you would chime in. That is extremely useful info to me. I thank you for the details. I'm developing my 'motorpool' (which ain't nothing like yours), but the allure of one of these wreckers is just.....addictive. And to be brief, I know about being careful what you wish for. Getting it and all. I'm pretty good with hydraulics and a $100.00 oil change and what not doesn't scare me. What does is getting a CDL at my age and all the paperwork associated with it. Thanks again for the elaborate post.

 

[poppop]

I don't know about Tx but in Ga. a heavy truck used for farming and driven less than 7500 miles a year is exempt from the road taxes and a lot of other highway stuff. I have to file an IRS form 2290 each July as any other Semi truck owner is required to do. I declare less than 7500 miles on both my Macks to get my tags and pay no tax. My wrecker is just insured under my Farm fleet policy as a farm truck but I don't do anything for hire with it. It very seldom leaves the farm unless I have something broke down I need to bring home. It also has never been tagged.

 

[papabear]

Westex...unless you have a specific NEED for a wrecker it will never pay for itself. All of the things WM said are true.

We have a very nice one here that has been used exactly 4 times in about 3 years. We do display it though.

My commercial insurance carrier will not insure it due to age etc. so if we really want to use it off the compound we have to haul it.

I would say get a nice backhoe if ya don't already have one

 

[NDT]

I would say get a nice backhoe if ya don't already have one

Or a pneumatic tire forklift. My 4000 lb Cat V40B does everything, from pulling engines from D-7 dozers to setting S-280 shelters on cargo beds. With a easily fabricated fork boom, a lift truck can do 90% of the wrecker work and a lot faster.

 

[case-basketcase]

I dont have a wrecker either, but I do have several medium-duty vacuum trucks. My advise FWIW... follow the rules and then get your wrecker. Have peace of mind that you followed the rules and dont let a potential DOT stop next year spoil your hobby. Life it too short. Do exactly what you're doing. Blow off any naysayers. Find out what you need to do, then do it, and get one...... and have a blast with it.

Best of luck.

 

[Fort rogers]

Sounds like a money pit where can I get one?

 

[Andy1234]

I currently have (2) M816's. Bought them both and drove them home. I have used them for lifting and placing many things.
Operating costs are as to be expected, they're not the cheapest to use, but I like them
Insurance and licensing are both relatively inexpensive, compared to commercial vehicles. One thing to remember...if anybody asks if you charge for anything you do w/ the wrecker, even offering rides, the answer is NO. A very emphatic NO. You will not even accept a free beer from the fire department after winching their ladder truck out of a ditch. To say otherwise puts you into commercial operator land.
Is a Gradall-style lift better? Yes. Is it as much fun? No.
I bought mine to enjoy. When I get tired of them (if ever), I can sell them and recoup my investment.
Cost to operate? In the long run, what does it matter?


FWIW,
Andy

 

[zb39]

 

[rwbrown72]

If money is the issue... buy farm ground and stocks and bonds then live a long and boring life. I already quit smoking.... I'm not going to worry about a couple of bucks for my "Toys". I have already explained to the wife that I could pay for several more toys at $50 a carton. Have fun man.... enjoy life... make babies and grow fat and happy!!!!

 

[halftrack]

You don't buy wreckers for investments or to make money off of. Trust me. You buy it because it is a hobby and you want one. If you strictly look at it from a finacial point of view, then 99% of use wouldn't own a MV at all.

 

[dmetalmiki]

full use wrecker

My M62 loads and lifts things in the yard (radio body off a check praga onto an M54 5ton!) tows ex-military vehicles home we purchase fom mil sites, the isurence per Annum is HORRENDOUS! ...............(sit down)...........£80. (yes 80 squid!) ..no road tax no tests...use it for it's purpose ONLY if driver has L.G.V. licence. otherwise...no tow lift or transporting. ..we just altered the stance on ours to make it (even) more appealing/agressive!..stance- appearence.

 

[AMGeneral]

Hmmm,I guess I can chime in on this thread,having owned a 816 and now a M62A1.

I use the heck outa mine,rarely a week goes by that it doesn't get used,granted the 816 got lots more "road time" vs "yard time".

I did several recoveries with the 816(5000+ miles in 3 years) and have towed everything from a M37 to a M123 10 ton tractor behind it,they ain't cheap by ANY means,expect between 6 and 4.5 mpg at best!!!

Insurance is expensive,I carry a 1 mil($1,000,000) business policy on my MVs at any rate,so I can use them to recover what I buy.

I ran regular commercial tags,till I paid $800 for my last tag on the 816,now I run transporter tags($15 a year in NC),tow what you want,as long as it isn't for profit( I quit doing off road recoverys).

All that being said,I find my wrecker indespensable around here,then again I work by myself most of the time.

I already have a Class A CDL for work,so a liscense isn't a problem.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[wreckerman893]

My intention was not to deter anyone from owning a wrecker......I love mine even if it is "yard art" right now.

I bought mine because I wanted it and because (at the time) I was financially able to.

They are money pits but it sure beats putting dollar bills in a strippers G-string.

At least I have something to show for my addiction.

If you want one, take the lessons learned from us in the "Wrecking Crew" and join the madness.

 

[Westex]

My intention was not to deter anyone from owning a wrecker......I love mine even if it is "yard art" right now.

I bought mine because I wanted it and because (at the time) I was financially able to.

They are money pits but it sure beats putting dollar bills in a strippers G-string.

At least I have something to show for my addiction.

If you want one, take the lessons learned from us in the "Wrecking Crew" and join the madness.

Never took it as a deterrent, sir. Glad I got this post going. Man O' Man, I can't wait to start hoisting things once I find one......