Thinking of working in roadside assistance? Then you will need to know what equipment you need when you set out to work with a vehicle of this kind.
We usually wait for them with a certain anxiety. They are the traveller assistance vehicles that come to the rescue, sometimes in very extreme and serious situations, if not stressful or unpleasant ones. But these vehicles, the ones carrying the V-24 plate, are special for more than just the tow truck itself. They must carry specific equipment: what amounts to the tools of the roadside assistance operator. Let's take a look at them:
High-visibility workwear (EN-471, class II or III)
- The tow truck service must have high-visibility workwear which, of course, serves to increase the safety of an operator who has to walk on a carriageway where vehicles may be passing at the same time. The safety level of the workwear must be certified as Level II or Level III depending on whether the operator also works on high-speed roads, since on fast roads with speeds above 80 km/h the operator's uniform must be Level III.
Signs
- V-24: vehicles providing roadside assistance services must display this sign in a clearly visible place.
- V-20: indicates that the vehicle's load projects beyond the rear; if it projects across the full width of the rear of the vehicle, two panels are placed crosswise forming an inverted V shape.
- V-2: indicates a vehicle for works or services, special transport or special vehicles.
- Portable auxiliary panel: must be carried if the vehicle's technical data sheet lists an approved towing hitch or a device for lifting and towing vehicles. It must include at least position, brake and direction indicator lights.
- V-6: indicates that the vehicle is more than 12 metres long, and may be combined with the portable electric auxiliary panel.
- V-16: indicates that the vehicle has been immobilised on the carriageway or that its load has fallen onto it.
Tools
- Set of open-ended spanners
- Set of socket spanners
- Set of screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Adjustable spanner
- Cross wheel brace
- Hydraulic jack
Other
- Fire extinguisher
- Auxiliary lamp
- Booster jump starter
Images courtesy of Grúas La Bruja