Power, Polish and Precision: A Standout Rotator
By George L. Nitti
A 45-foot rotator is hard to miss, but when it arrives wearing a distinctive combination of bold graphics, sweeping stripes and gold-leaf look, it makes an even bigger impression. That was the case during a recent bridge recovery involving Precision Towing & Recovery of Manchester, New Hampshire. The company’s 2018 Peterbilt 389, equipped with a Jerr-Dan 50/60-ton Jerr-Dan rotator and riding on four axles, delivers the heavy-duty recovery capability to tackle demanding jobs while showcasing the signature style that distinguishes Precision’s fleet.
Owner John Sylvia indicated that the rotator is part of a fleet-wide identity that he has carefully developed since starting Precision Towing in 2002.
“Almost every single truck in our fleet looks the same,” he said.
A Signature Look
The color scheme immediately catches the eye: black, blue, green and yellow accents, with the familiar Precision Towing & Recovery lettering dominating the side of the truck. The name also became the foundation for the company's long-running slogan: “Make the right decision. Call Precision.”
The truck's graphics feature sweeping green and blue elements, racing-style stripes and a distinctive gold leaf appearance. While the lettering looks like traditional gold leaf, Sylvia explained that it is a modern printed reproduction.
“For years that was 24-karat gold leaf,” he said, “and was on all of my trucks. In 2022, I stopped using the gold leaf because it got so expensive. But now this is the new world right here. It lasts a lot longer and it will stay like new for years to come.”
The modern graphics are also easier to maintain. “The gold leaf was hard to keep up,” Sylvia said.
However, there are still touches of traditional craftsmanship on the truck. The blue pinstriping around the cab and near the exhaust stacks is hand-painted.
Outside the distinctive graphics are added customizations designed for serious work. One feature John particularly appreciates is the truck's synthetic rope system rather than conventional wire rope.
“A lot of old-school guys really prefer cables over the rope,” he said, noting that synthetic rope requires careful handling. “You have to be very careful with these ropes because you can't cut it. It will cut. It will break if you don't use it properly.”
Another highly visible feature is the load-angle indicator mounted on the boom. The markings allow the operator to monitor the boom's angle and, in conjunction with the truck's load charts, determine how much weight can safely be lifted at a given position.
Perhaps one of the truck's most useful features is a remote operated light tower mounted behind the cab, a compact unit that folds and telescopes upward approximately 18 to 20 feet.
“If we're doing recovery at nighttime, there's a remote control in the toolbox,” he said. “It folds up and then it telescopes up in the air about 18 to 20 feet, and it lights up the whole recovery, like Fenway Park.”
For Sylvia, the Peterbilt 389 represents more than a powerful recovery unit; it reflects the identity he has built for Precision Towing & Recovery over more than two decades. From its 60-ton Jerr-Dan rotator and elevated lighting system to its distinctive graphics and hand-painted details, the truck combines functionality with a personal touch.
And with no plans to part with a rotator he describes as amazing, Sylvia intends to keep this standout unit working wherever the job takes it.
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