Heavy Lifting on Del Rio Detour
When big trucks run into trouble on a detour route, recovery efforts become a crucial operation. Recently, we handled a Del Rio load recovery near the Tennessee-North Carolina line on Highway 25/70. This case involved a tractor-trailer carrying 42,000 pounds of block zinc, which lost its load after the driver hit the brakes. The challenges for our tow truck operators? Narrow roads, steep terrain, and a tight timeline.
The Scene on 25/70
A truck detouring around the I-26 and I-40 found itself in trouble on the winding stretch of 25/70. The trailer, a Conestoga model, suffered significant damage. Its bulkhead was ripped off, and its curtain torn. Complicating the situation, four blocks of zinc weighing approximately 2,600 pounds had slid down a 20-30-foot embankment over a guardrail. The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Del Rio Fire Department, and Cocke County Fire Department were on-site to assist in securing the area.
Deploying the Right Equipment
For this Del Rio load recovery, we sent out:
- Peterbilt 1075 75-ton rotator for heavy lifting.
- Freightliner Holmes 750 25-ton wrecker for initial response.
- Freightliner tractor with a 53-foot flatbed trailer to transport the zinc blocks.
Five team members dispatched to handle the recovery and ensure safety on the narrow, guardrail-lined road.
Tackling the Job Step by Step
The Holmes 750 wrecker arrived first, assessing the scene and securing the area. Recognizing the scope of the task—with blocks scattered around the truck and on a steep embankment next to the road—we called in the rotator and flatbed. Both wreckers worked in tandem to move the damaged truck and trailer away from the guardrail. We repaired the damaged air lines on-site to make the unit towable.
Our operators set up the Peterbilt rotator on the narrow roadway, using its power to lift the blocks. The flatbed was positioned alongside to allow for loading.
Four of the zinc blocks had to be carefully lifted from the steep embankment. Each block was loaded onto the flatbed trailer and securely strapped down, ensuring nothing shifted during transport. We then brought the recovered load and damaged trailer to our Cocke County location. There, a skid steer helped reload the zinc for its final transport to the customer in Morristown.
A Long Day’s Work
This Del Rio load recovery took two hours to load and six hours from port to port. Despite the trailer’s extensive damage, including exhaust system issues and bulkhead loss, we salvaged and delivered all 42,000 pounds of zinc.
Casper’s Wrecker Service: We Tackle Your Del Rio Load Recovery
With I-26 now partially reopened, detour routes like 25/70 remain a vital alternative for heavy trucks. Our Casper’s Wrecker Service team brought the experience and equipment needed to resolve the situation efficiently and safely. Truly, no job is ever like the other. And our team I can handle whatever comes its way. At Casper’s Wrecker Service, we tackle your Del Rio load recovery with professionalism and grit. Whether it’s a steep embankment or a tight roadway, we’re ready to take on tough recoveries like this. Trust us for all your Del Rio load recovery needs.