Graphics That Take Towing to the Next Level

By George L. Nitti

When attendees gathered at the 2026 Tow Show in Las Vegas, one truck stood out from across the show floor. The bright blue Ram 5500 from Next Level Towing & Transport combined vivid green graphics, custom-painted recovery equipment and meticulous detailing into a package that earned owner Jose Balthazar the award for Best Custom Paint.

In an era when many companies rely on vinyl wraps, Balthazar chose a more traditional route.

"The only thing we decided when doing the truck was that we wanted to be the best," he said. "We wanted unique trucks that you won't see around."

At first glance, the vivid blue bodywork immediately commands attention. Large "Next Level" lettering in bright green dominates the doors, while matching green accents appear throughout the Chevron 408 self-loader recovery unit. The design creates a seamless appearance that visually connects the truck chassis and towing equipment into a single cohesive package.

The color combination wasn't originally planned as a branding strategy.

Balthazar explained that the company's first truck was purchased from a towing company in Michigan. The truck already wore a blue-and-gray paint scheme. Rather than abandon the colors, he embraced them and added the distinctive green accents that have since become the company's signature look.

"We kept the colors from the first truck," he said. "Then we added the green. Since then, we've painted all our trucks the same way."

Today, the colors have become instantly recognizable throughout Ventura County, where Next Level Towing operates from Oxnard, California.

The graphics themselves demonstrate the advantages of hand-painted artwork. Smooth color fades, custom shadowing, layered outlines and pinstripe-style accents create depth and dimension that give the truck a custom-show appearance. Unlike many digitally produced wraps, the artwork carries subtle variations and brushwork details that showcase craftsmanship and individuality.

The truck's extensive lighting package further enhances its visual impact. Amber LEDs run along the rocker panels, body sides and front bumper, creating a glowing outline that makes the truck highly visible at night. Beyond the safety benefits, the lighting transforms the truck into a rolling billboard after dark.

According to Balthazar, the paint project required nearly two months to complete.

"We took everything apart," he said. "The toolboxes came off. Everything was painted the right way. We didn't want any black spots or places where you could tell it had been another color."

That commitment to doing things properly reflects the same philosophy behind the company's name. When Balthazar launched the business, he wanted a name that represented the level of service he hoped to provide.

"We wanted to be different," he said. "We're trying to build the next level for the towing industry in our county."

For Balthazar, "next level" means faster response times, better customer service and a commitment to becoming the premier towing provider in the area.

As more fleets move toward standardized wraps and corporate graphics, hand-painted show-quality wreckers have become increasingly rare. That rarity is precisely what makes Balthazar's truck so memorable. From its custom color palette and award-winning paintwork to the painstaking attention to detail invested in every component, the truck delivers the same message as the company behind it: if you're going to do something, do it at the next level.