When Things Go Sideways. Literally
There’s no such thing as a routine recovery when a fully loaded quad axle dump truck rolls onto its side across both lanes of traffic. Out there on Hwy ALT-264 in Zebulon, NC, it looked like a giant had knocked the truck over mid-stride and left it blocking everything in sight. Gravel was scattered like shotgun spray across the asphalt. The dump bed rested at an angle no machine’s built to survive. And the only way forward was to get it upright, off the road, and out of the way. Our tow truck operators needed to complete this Zebulon truck towing fast!
Rolled Off the Road
When a truck veers off the pavement and hits an embankment at speed, it rarely ends well. This particular truck slid AND rolled. The entire rig ended up on its side, stretched across both lanes with its cargo spilled all over the road. That turned Hwy ALT-264 into a closed zone fast.
DOT, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and the Nash County Sheriff were already on scene when we arrived. Our job was clear: clear the wreck, recover the truck, and reopen the highway.
The Right Tools for the Job
For a recovery like this, there’s no cutting corners. We dispatched our 50-ton wrecker and 16-ton wrecker with two of our experienced operators. No extras needed, just a crew that knows exactly what to do.
From Chaos to Clearance
Every heavy-duty recovery is different. But the way we approach it stays the same: assess, stabilize, and recover. Here’s how we handled this Zebulon truck towing operation:
- Step 1: Rig the 50-ton on the uphill side. We started by running one line over the truck body, then split that line with chains—one forward behind the front axle, and another rearward between the drive tires. That stabilized the unit and set us up for a controlled roll.
- Step 2: Set up the second line for lift. We ran a line from the 50-ton wrecker down to the frame and under the body. This gave us lift to initiate the roll.
- Step 3: Plant the truck with the 16-ton. Using two low lines off the back of the 16-ton, we rigged rim slings to the steer and rear drive tires. This helped “dig” the truck into the ground, keeping it in place as it rolled back over.
- Step 4: Roll and recover. Once the truck was back on its wheels, we cleared the remaining debris and loaded up for the tow.
We stayed on scene for about two hours—start to finish—including the Zebulon truck towing, recovery and cleanup of the spilled material.
The Aftermath of the Rollover
Not every truck survives a crash like this. Unfortunately, this one was a total loss. After rolling it upright, we towed it back to our customer’s yard for storage and further inspection.
There’s a reason why incidents like this demand a Zebulon truck towing team that’s prepared for anything. From the embankment to the overturned load, every step had to be planned and executed without delay. No second chances. No guesswork.
Coastal Towing Handles Zebulon Truck Towing & Recoveries
Every Zebulon truck towing call is different, but the pressure is always on. Roads need to reopen. Trucks need to move. And we need to get in and out without wasting time.
At Coastal Towing, we’ve got the equipment and the know-how to handle high-risk recoveries like this Zebulon truck towing. When a fully loaded quad axle dump truck rolls off an embankment and shuts down Hwy ALT-264, we respond and get to work.