How Many Tows a Day Does a One-Truck Business Need?
If you're planning to start a towing company, one of the first questions you probably have is simple: how many tows a day does a one-truck business need to survive?
The honest answer is that most one-truck towing businesses don't need a huge number of daily calls to stay busy. What matters is the type of towing you're doing, your operating costs, your service area, and whether you're running efficiently.
I've insured thousands of contractor and service businesses over the years, and one pattern is consistent: owners who understand their numbers early make better decisions than owners who chase volume without understanding profitability.
The Short Answer
A one-truck towing business often needs a handful of completed jobs per day to cover operating expenses and create room for owner compensation, equipment maintenance, and future growth.
The exact number varies based on local pricing, truck payments, insurance costs, fuel expenses, labor, and whether you're handling breakdown calls, accident recovery, roadside assistance, or commercial accounts. The goal isn't maximizing the number of tows. The goal is generating enough revenue per day to support a sustainable operation.
Why the Number of Tows Isn't the Real Question
Many new operators make the mistake of focusing entirely on call volume.
A better question is:
How much revenue does each tow generate after costs?
Two companies may each complete five calls in a day. One may operate profitably while the other struggles because its jobs are poorly priced or located too far apart.
Several factors influence how many tows you actually need:
Average ticket value
Distance traveled
Fuel costs
Truck financing expenses
Insurance costs
Driver wages
Dispatch efficiency
Local competition
Storage yard expenses
Licensing and regulatory compliance costs
The operators who understand these numbers gain a significant advantage over owners who simply count calls.
Understanding Different Types of Towing Work
Not all towing jobs are created equal.
Roadside Assistance Calls
Roadside services may include:
Jump starts
Lockout assistance
Tire changes
Fuel delivery
These jobs can often be completed relatively quickly compared to longer tow jobs. Some operators build entire businesses around high-volume roadside assistance work.
Breakdown Towing
Breakdown towing is what many people picture when they think about the towing industry.
These calls typically involve:
Disabled vehicles
Mechanical failures
Vehicle transport
Emergency roadside situations
The revenue and time commitment vary significantly depending on distance and vehicle type.
Accident Recovery
Accident-related towing can sometimes command higher service fees due to urgency, specialized equipment requirements, or recovery complexity.
However, these calls also bring additional challenges, including coordination with law enforcement, traffic management concerns, and higher operating risks.
Commercial Accounts
Commercial customers can include:
Fleets
Delivery companies
Municipal contractors
Property management firms
Many experienced operators eventually prioritize recurring commercial accounts because they provide more predictable work than relying entirely on consumer calls.
Building a Realistic Daily Revenue Target
Before worrying about tow volume, calculate your monthly expenses.
Common costs include:
Truck payment or lease
Commercial auto insurance
General liability insurance
Fuel
Maintenance and repairs
Dispatch software
Phone service
Licensing fees
Office expenses
Once those expenses are understood, you can establish a daily revenue target.
For example, if your business requires a certain amount of monthly revenue simply to cover operating expenses, owner's compensation, taxes, and future equipment replacement, you can work backward to determine your average revenue requirement per operating day.
This approach is much more useful than copying another company's tow-count goals.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest mistake I see is assuming more calls automatically mean more profit.
Many struggling towing companies stay busy all day while making very little money.
Meanwhile, some of the healthiest operations are selective about their work, carefully price their services, build commercial relationships, and keep expenses under control.
Busy and profitable are not the same thing.
A one-truck operator who carefully manages routes, pricing, and customer acquisition can often outperform a competitor handling significantly more calls.
The Importance of Utilization
A tow truck only generates revenue when it is working.
That sounds obvious, but new owners often underestimate how much time gets lost to:
Deadhead miles
Dispatch gaps
Equipment issues
Administrative work
Poor scheduling
Improving utilization frequently creates more profit than buying another truck.
Before expanding, maximize the efficiency of the truck you already own.
Scaling Beyond One Truck
Most towing companies eventually face the same question:
"When should I add a second truck?"
The answer isn't based on revenue alone.
A second truck usually becomes worth considering when:
Calls are regularly being declined
Dispatch schedules remain consistently full
Reliable drivers are available
Cash reserves exist for repairs and downtime
Existing systems are functioning smoothly
Adding equipment before operational systems are ready can create significant financial pressure.
Insurance and Licensing Reality Check
Towing is one of the more insurance-intensive service businesses you'll encounter.
Requirements vary by state, municipality, and operating authority, but operators commonly need:
Commercial auto insurance
Physical damage coverage
Workers' compensation coverage when required
Additional filings depending on jurisdiction
Licensing requirements also vary widely by location. Before purchasing a truck or signing contracts, verify requirements directly with the appropriate state and local agencies.
Learn more in this blog: Tow Truck Insurance for New Operators: The Startup Checklist as a related resource.
You should also review guidance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regarding commercial vehicle compliance and registration requirements where applicable.
Choosing the Right Type of Towing Work
Another major factor that affects daily tow requirements is specialization.
An operator focused on local passenger vehicles may have a very different business model than one focused on medium-duty or commercial work.
This is an excellent place to direct readers to Light-Duty vs. Medium-Duty Towing: Where New Operators Should Start, since the type of equipment and market you choose affects both startup costs and required call volume.
Likewise, operators interested in impound and property management relationships should also review Private Property Towing: The Controversial Niche Explained Honestly, since this niche comes with unique opportunities and regulatory considerations.
Building for Long-Term Sustainability
A lot of towing businesses fail because owners focus on immediate cash flow and ignore long-term expenses.
Tow trucks are expensive assets.
Eventually you'll face:
Transmission repairs
Engine work
Tire replacement
Hydraulic system issues
Equipment upgrades
Successful operators build these future costs into their pricing from day one.
If you only charge enough to survive this month, the future eventually catches up.
What About Seasonality?
Many markets experience seasonal fluctuations.
Weather, tourism, commuting patterns, and local economic conditions can all affect call volume.
This is why smart operators judge performance over longer periods rather than reacting emotionally to a slow week.
Focus on quarterly and annual trends instead of daily fluctuations.
A Quick Word on Business Planning
Before investing in a truck, spend time building realistic projections.
Estimate:
Monthly expenses
Expected call volume
Average ticket value
Maintenance reserves
The more realistic you are during planning, the fewer surprises you'll encounter later.
I cover the exact process of estimating startup costs, building service pricing, and evaluating equipment investments step-by-step in my e-book, How To Start a Tow Truck Business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one tow truck enough to start a business?
Yes. Many operators begin with a single truck and focus on building processes, customer relationships, and steady demand before expanding.
How many calls does a new towing company usually get?
There is no universal number. Call volume depends on market size, competition, marketing effectiveness, dispatch relationships, and service offerings.
Can a towing business operate without commercial accounts?
Yes, but many operators pursue commercial relationships because they can provide more consistent work than relying solely on consumer calls.
What is the biggest expense for most new towing companies?
Common major expenses include insurance, truck payments, fuel, maintenance, and payroll where employees are involved.
Should I buy a new or used tow truck?
Both approaches can work. The right choice depends on budget, repair reserves, financing terms, and the condition of the equipment available in your market.
Final Thoughts
The question isn't really how many tows a day a one-truck business needs. The better question is whether your pricing, efficiency, expenses, and customer acquisition strategy support a sustainable operation. Owners who understand these fundamentals usually make better decisions than owners who focus strictly on call counts.
If you enjoy practical startup guidance and want a step-by-step blueprint for evaluating opportunities, building realistic budgets, pricing jobs, marketing services, and avoiding common early-stage mistakes, check out my e-book, How To Start a Tow Truck Business.
It's designed for entrepreneurs who want a practical roadmap and a clearer understanding of what goes into building a service business. Like any business resource, it's not a promise of results, but it can help you make more informed decisions as you build your company.
For more straightforward business insights, subscribe to the Nate Jones Entrepreneur YouTube channel.
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