Soaring Gas Prices Squeeze Tow Industry

As gas prices head to the moon, tow companies are feeling the brunt of it. 

In Southern California, where gas prices are reportedly the highest in the country, tow truck operators are seeking higher payments to cover rising gasoline prices.  

Tow truck operators have appealed for assistance to cover increased fuel costs from agencies with which they contract, like the California Highway Patrol, sheriff’s departments and the Auto Club, said Darius Pirnazar, 42, owner of two companies, Sea Country Towing in Lake Forest and Orange County Motor Club in Irvine. 

Pirnazar’s company also contracts with the Orange County Transporation Authority to provide free roadside assistance through the Freeway Service Patrol. The OCTA bases its payments on fuel costs, which are reset quarterly. Now, his company and others are seeking monthly revisions. 

“We can’t last the next three months based on the fuel prices,” Pirnazar said. 

Fuel costs used to represent a third of Pirnazar’s expenses, “and now, it’s definitely more. From Jan. 1 to now, our fuel bill has easily gone up about 60%.” 

In Lexington, Kentucky, Roberts Heavy Duty Towing is adjusting their workforce because of the gas increase.  

Kevin Flanigin says their larger heavy wreckers go through anywhere between 11,000 to 13,000 gallons a year.   

“It’s a major concern for us. You know the majority of our time is spent out on the road. The price of fuel going up has a direct impact on our business.” 

Telling employees to stay in the shop until needed, and driving when only necessary, Flanigin says fuel is one of the biggest costs in their industry. 

In North Carolina, All Over Towing Manager William Angel said "With the amount that it's rose, it's almost to the point where the prices that we have, it was almost costing us money to even operate.” 

Angel finds himself at the gas station often. The towing company has about 35 to 45 trucks and they constantly fuel up. 

"Personally, I go a couple of times a day, but all of our employees, every truck probably 20 of them a day are filling up again," Angel said. 

"It hurts your feelings, you know because you're out here trying to help people out, and it gets to a point where you can't help people out if we can't stay afloat," Angel said. "We got to do what we have to do to remain in business."