OAR 257-050-0200
Mandatory Equipment Standards for Tow Trucks/Safety Related Requirements
(1)
All tow vehicles operated by a qualified tow business under a letter of appointment under these rules shall have the following minimum equipment:(a)
Minimum of two (2) lights mounted behind the cab of the tow truck controlled by a dedicated on/off switch. This lighting must be capable of illuminating the area of the tow under darkened, foggy or dangerous conditions;(b)
An FCC licensed two-way radio, in conformance with Part 93 FCC Regulations, or cellular phone (citizen band radios so not meet this requirement);(c)
Cables or wire ropes as called for in each class. Cable/wire rope lengths shall be measured from the point of attachment on each drum. Cables/wire ropes shall meet the following requirements.(A)
Each cable shall be capable of being fully extended from and fully wound onto its drum;(B)
Cables or wire ropes shall be free from the following defects or conditions:(i)
There shall be no more than six randomly distributed broken wires in one rope lay, or more than three broken wires in one strand in one rope lay;(ii)
There shall be no evidence of any heat damage from any cause;(iii)
There shall be no end attachments that are cracked, deformed, worn or loosened;(iv)
Where a wire rope is attached to a hook with clamps instead of being swaged, a minimum of three clamps shall be used on end attachments. Clamps shall be spaced at least six rope diameters apart and attached with the base or saddle of the clamp against the longer or “live” end of the rope. The “U” bolt will be placed over the short or “dead” end of the rope and will be of the proper size.(d)
Two revolving or intermittent red or amber lamps with 360 degree visibility. The truck may also be equipped with flashing amber lights, which may be used in conjunction with the red lamp(s). Such lighting will not be used when responding to a call, but only at the scene when necessary to warn approaching traffic of impending danger.(e)
A broom and a shovel. The broom shall be at least twelve inches wide and have a handle at least four feet long. The shovel shall be flat scoop type with a minimum width of seven inches and overall length of a least three feet. Tow truck driver shall clean accident/incident scenes of all vehicle glass and debris required by ORS 822.225 (Failure to remove injurious substance).(f)
A tow sling, wheel lift, car carrier or other comparable device made of a material designed to protect vehicles.(g)
Motorcycle Tows — A tow sling, wheel lift, car carrier or other comparable device that has the ability to tow motorcycles.(h)
One fire extinguisher, 25 BC rating or equivalent.(i)
One snatch block, or equivalent block, in good working condition for each working line.(j)
Commercially manufactured dollies on all class A recovery vehicles and class B recovery vehicles up to 26,000 GVW. Commercially manufactured dollies are required for all tow class categories when dollies are used and/or defined for use up to 26,000 GVW.(k)
All class A and B tow vehicles that are inclusive of class DA and DB tow vehicles shall carry at least one pinch bar, or an equivalent device. The bar or equivalent device must be 4 feet in length and 3⁄4 inch in diameter, and the ends may either be tapered or flattened.(l)
Portable lights for unit being towed including, but not limited to, tail lights, stop lights and directional signals.(m)
All tow vehicles must have a minimum of two “wreck ahead” signs to be placed by tow truck drivers as required by ORS 822.220 (Authorization to obstruct traffic). The signs shall confirm to all specifications as set forth in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s publication “Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook” (OTTCH) as adopted by OAR 734-020-0005 (Traffic Control Devices) and the “Manual Uniform of Traffic Control Devices.”(n)
All tow trucks and equipment used to perform services under these rules shall be maintained in good working order. Failure to maintain equipment shall be cause for suspension and removal of the defective equipment from the non-preference list. If equipment does not meet the Department’s criteria for non-preference tows under these Administrative Rules, the Department may suspend and remove the equipment from the non-preference list.(2)
Class A Tow Trucks (Small): Tow trucks shall be provided that are capable of towing and recovery operations for passenger cars, pickup trucks, small trailers or equivalent vehicles. All equipment used in conjunction with the tow truck must be compatible with the manufacturer’s basic boom rating and must comply with current state laws and Oregon Administrative Rule 735-154-0040 (Minimum Safety Standards). In addition to the equipment required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in this class shall have:(a)
Ten thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;(b)
Dual tires on the rear axle or duplex type tires, referred to as super single with a load rating that is comparable to dual tire rating;(c)
Six ton minimum boom rating dual or single boom with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;(d)
A minimum of one hundred (100) feet of 3⁄8-inch continuous length cable; and(e)
A wheel lift for this class of tow truck.(3)
Class B Tow Trucks (Medium): Class B tow trucks shall be capable of towing and recovery operations for medium size trucks, trailers, motor homes or equivalent vehicles. In addition to standard equipment required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in this class shall have:(a)
Seventeen thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;(b)
Ten ton minimum boom rating dual or single boom with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;(c)
Class B tow trucks in excess of 26,000 pounds GVW will not be required to carry dollies when used for heavy towing;(d)
A wheel lift for this class of tow truck; and(e)
A minimum of 150 feet of seven-sixteenths inch cable.(4)
Class C Tow Trucks (Large): Tow trucks that are capable of towing and recovery operations for large trucks, trailers, motor homes or equivalent vehicles. In addition to the standard equipment required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in this class shall have:(a)
Twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;(b)
Twenty-five ton minimum boom rating dual or single boom with dual or single winches to control a minimum of one service cable;(c)
Minimum of 150 feet of cable, five-eighths inch diameter;(d)
Air brakes and an air system capable of supplying air to the towed unit;(e)
Portable dollies are not required;(f)
Tandem rear axle truck chassis (three axle truck);(g)
May include an under-lift for this class of tow truck.(h)
Exception to commercially manufactured tow vehicles (for Class C recovery tow trucks/equipment only). Class C Recovery Tow Equipment that has been approved by the Oregon State Police to be used on the Department’s non-preference towing list prior to the adoption of these Administrative Rules, but does not meet the criteria outlined under these Administrative Rules, may continue to be used for the Department’s non-preference tows if the following conditions are met:(A)
The equipment must first be inspected and approved by the Oregon State Police;(B)
If a qualified tow business has the only “Class C” tow truck in a zone, then the qualified tow business must replace the equipment after 5 years from the adoption date of these rules. The Oregon State Police reserve the option to extend the time period for the use of Class C Towing Equipment under this exception based on operational need by the Department; and(C)
If it is determined at any time that the equipment does not meet Oregon State Police criteria for towing under these Administrative Rules, then the Oregon State Police can remove the equipment from the non-preference list.(5)
Class D Tow Trucks (Trucks and equipment in this class are not considered recovery vehicles):(a)
Tow trucks and other vehicles in this class are to be used for towing and/or hauling purposes only. No recovery can be performed by equipment in this class;(b)
Equipment in this class capable of towing/hauling passenger cars, pickup trucks, trailers, trucks or equivalent vehicles, and debris is based on the size and ratings of the Class D tow unit used. All equipment used in conjunction with the tow truck must comply with current state laws and Oregon Administrative Rule 735-154-0040 (Minimum Safety Standards). In addition to the equipment required for all trucks used to provide service under this rule, all trucks in this class shall have:(A)
Class D-A:(i)
Eleven thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;(ii)
Dual tires on the rear axle;(iii)
A minimum of fifty feet three-eighths inch continuous length cable;(iv)
May include wheel lift, if chassis GVW is over 14,500 pounds; and(v)
If a Metro unit, dollies and a wheel lift.(B)
Class D-B:(i)
Seventeen thousand pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent;(ii)
Dual tires on the rear axle;(iii)
A minimum of 50 feet of three-eighths inch cable;(iv)
May include wheel lift; and(v)
If a Metro unit, dollies and a wheel lift.(C)
Class D-C:(i)
Twenty-seven thousand five hundred pounds minimum manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating or equivalent.(ii)
Minimum of 50 feet of cable, five-eighths inch diameter.(iii)
Tandem rear axle truck chassis (three axle truck).(iv)
May include wheel lift; and(v)
Air brakes and an air system capable of supplying air to the towed unit.
Source:
Rule 257-050-0200 — Mandatory Equipment Standards for Tow Trucks/Safety Related Requirements, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=257-050-0200.