Towing Outside the Box
Some recoveries follow a familiar playbook. But others throw every rule out the window. That was the case when our towing team responded to a St. Paul semi truck recovery at the intersection of French Prairie Road NE and McCay Road NE. By the time we arrived, the scene was clear of other vehicles, but the damage told the story. The truck had suffered a front-end impact on the passenger side of the cab, pushing the steer axle—the very front axle—so far back that a standard hookup was impossible. To make matters more challenging, the tractor-trailer was loaded down with 40,000 pounds of palletized agricultural product. With no easy way to separate the truck from the trailer, we had to get creative with our approach.
Arriving on Scene
We dispatched Nick in Heavy Wrecker Truck 220, with Jon assisting on-site. Local law enforcement had already secured the area. The Marion County Sheriff, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and local police all responded to ensure safety. With the semi’s nose still sticking out of the ditch, we assessed the best way to get it out without causing further damage.
A Non-Traditional Hookup
Normally, we hook up to the steer axle, but with the front pushed back so far, that wasn’t an option. Instead, we had to use a non-traditional front hookup, securing the truck with chains and binders to hold everything in place. The weight of the trailer added another layer of complexity. Splitting the truck and trailer would have made the job easier, but in this case, it just wasn’t possible. That meant we had to recover both as a unit.
Step-by-Step Recovery Process
Securing the Rig
- Since a typical steer axle connection was out of the question, we used chains and binders to create a stable front-end hookup.
- The weight distribution was tricky, so we double-checked everything before attempting the pull.
Lifting and Extracting
- With the chains in place, we carefully lifted the tractor to reposition it.
- The trailer’s weight made this process slow, requiring precise control to avoid damaging the load.
Towing to the Dealership
- Once the truck was free, we towed the entire combination to the closest Freightliner dealership, where the owner of the load had a forklift waiting to offload the product.
- The trailer was left in Aurora, while the tractor was taken to NE Columbia Blvd in Portland for further repairs.
St. Paul Semi Truck Recovery by Baker & Baker
From the moment we arrived to the time we dropped off the truck, the job took 5.5 hours. A St. Paul semi truck recovery like this one demanded focus. This wasn’t a simple tow. It was a carefully planned operation that ensured the truck, trailer, and cargo were all handled properly. No two recoveries are ever the same, and when a routine hookup isn’t possible, we find a way to get the job done. This St. Paul semi truck recovery was an exercise in problem-solving on the spot, helping drivers get back to business as quickly as possible. At Baker & Baker Towing, we take pride in tackling tough St. Paul semi truck recovery jobs with the skill and expertise needed to handle even the most challenging jobs. For our team, every St. Paul semi truck recovery we undertake is about ensuring the safety of the driver, the road, and the cargo. With years of experience and top-of-the-line equipment, we’re always ready to respond when duty calls. Every St. Paul semi truck recovery job is different, but our dedication to doing the job right never changes.
