“One Truck, Two Jobs”: The Power of the Miller Detachable Wrecker

By George L. Nitti 

For Eddie Smith, owner of Wrenches & Wreckers in Hagerstown, Maryland, his 2014 Kenworth W900 outfitted with a Holmes DTU (made by Miller Industries) and Landoll trailer has become a powerhouse of versatility and profit. 

“It’s equal to a 25-ton wrecker,” Smith said of the detachable unit. “It works really well.” 

Nicknamed Snowman — a nod to Jerry Reed’s character in Smokey and the Bandit, the truck’s color scheme was inspired by the movie that sparked Smith’s lifelong love for trucks. “I was like six or seven when I saw it. That movie pointed me toward this direction,” he said. 

Smith spec’d the Kenworth with heavy-duty rears, a double frame, and the same build integrity as a 50-ton wrecker. “That way, we’re able to put a detachable wrecker on it that’s very stable and safe — and not abusive to the truck.” 

One Truck, Many Jobs

What sets this build apart is its ability to transform. “The same guy can come back to the yard, unhook the tow body, and hook to a lowboy trailer to do another job. It turns one truck into two. That’s versatility,” Smith explained. 

The transition is simple: “It just has legs. You unhook it, unhook the hydraulic lines, and drive out from underneath.” 

That flexibility translates into real profit. “Back in the day, that truck was averaging $30 a mile,” Smith said. “It was our most profitable truck — even over the rotators. It’s about two-thirds the cost of a rotator and just as stout.” 

A Niche That Pays 

Wrenches & Wreckers focuses strictly on heavy-duty towing — no cars. That niche, combined with a smart approach to equipment, gives Smith’s business an edge. He emphasized that the detachable wrecker isn’t for every operator. “Some guys stick it on a regular bobtail tractor, but that doesn’t work the same. You need the right wheelbase, the right frame capacity.” 

He added, “You see some setups that are Jerry-rigged. That hurts the truck and doesn’t tow well.” 

And it’s not just about performance. It’s about legality and mobility. “In certain states, if we’re overweight, we’ll get fined. This detachable setup is a lot lighter than a conventional wrecker. We can run it across the country — swap out trucks, do bobtail jobs.” 

Though not a recovery vehicle per se, the detachable rig includes a 20,000-pound winch — ideal for lighter winch-outs or separating trailers during swap-outs. “It’s not designed as a frontline recovery piece,” Smith said, “but it’s a strong tool for what we do.” 

So why don’t more companies adopt the model? 

“Some of it’s ego,” Smith admitted. “Big wreckers are impressive. I have nine of them myself. But this detachable setup — it's the smartest, most versatile truck in our fleet.” 

For smaller outfits, the detachable option also offers an affordable way in. “The detachable wrecker cost me about $80,000. That’s a lot less than a $450,000 new wrecker. It’s not cheap — just less expensive.” 

At Wrenches & Wreckers, the investment has paid off — mile after mile.