Specifications include, but are not limited to: (1) Contractor shall equip and maintain tow trucks to be used for services under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions set forth in the California Vehicle Code (VC), Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 13), these Specifications, and in a manner consistent with industry standards and practices. (2) All tow trucks shall have recovery and wheel lift capabilities meeting these specifications and the most recent electronic version of the CHP 234B, Tow Truck Inspection Guide (Attachment 2). Class D tow trucks (if applicable) used exclusively for salvage and recovery operations are not required to possess wheel lift capabilities. A car carrier is exempt from the recovery, wheel lift, and boom capability requirements, however; the car carrier must be an additional unit and shall not be used for recovery. (3) A violation of the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and/or safe loading requirements of a tow truck may be cause for termination of the Agreement. This includes exceeding the tow truck's GVWR, front axle weight rating (FAWR), rear axle weight rating (RAWR), maximum tire weight ratings, or not maintaining 50 percent of the tow truck's unladen front axle weight on the front axle when towing. The total weight of the truck, including the lifted load, shall fall within the GVWR and not exceed either the FAWR or RAWR. (4) Tow truck and car carrier classifications are based on the truck chassis GVWR, and the classification system used by the American Trucking Association (ATA) and truck manufacturers. Tow truck and car carrier classifications shall meet all applicable state and/or federal standards. (5) Each piece of towing equipment shall have a label or identification tag permanently affixed to the equipment in a prominent location to identify the manufacturer, serial number, model, and rated capacity. (6) The basic performance rating of the recovery equipment is the weight the equipment can lift in a winching mode, when the boom is static at a 30-degree elevation with the load lines vertical and the lifting cables sharing the load equally, measured with a live load (weight or load cell). The structural design of the recovery equipment must have a higher load capacity than the performance ratings. Winches shall conform to or exceed the specifications set forth by the Recovery Equipment Rating, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Handbook, SAE J706. All ratings for cable and chain assemblies are for the undamaged assembly condition. All cable and chain assemblies should be the same type, construction, and rating as specified by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for the equipment. (7) All controls shall be clearly marked to indicate proper operation as well as any special warnings or cautions.
