All Tied Up And Bogged Down

[@danielrichardson5068]

Unhook the trailer and move it back, then pull the tractor to the side and out of the whole

[@RonPratt]

No offense....in my experience it is rarely a good option to separate the truck and trailer when they are stuck. You then have twice the problem or worse in most cases. Unfortunately a lot of drivers believe dropping the trailer first is their best option to not have to call for a tow. In my experience it only makes things much worse. Poor ground conditions. Driver has no traction anyway. Even if he did get out from under the trailer, the trailer would sink. Generally, when the driver attempts to unhook they will only make it enough to unlatch the fifth wheel and then they are stuck AND uncoupled. Then I have to use the winches to recouple the two before I can begin the recovery. Just my opinion based on my experience. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@annmaryIM]

@@RonPratt If I could, I would "pinned" this answer 👍👍👍

[@RonPratt]

@@annmaryIM Just did. I had a different comment pinned, but this suggestion/question is coming up a lot. Thanks for the suggestion. God bless.

[@RichardMLowe]

@@annmaryIM 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣✌️💯

[@nswiss19751]

How much does a heavy operator earn in a year doing this job approx?

[@thomasgarwell8214]

When Ron said not making the 3 horn reverse blast to avoid waking up people. I had to smile, with all the airbrakes hissing, the reversing alarms going, the engines thrumming. Its a wonder people hadn't come out anyway :)

[@joshchambers4968]

Most dad moment ever. "Are those my light up gloves? That are supposed to be in MY truck!" Lol, absolutely fantastic.

[@ivan0idea]

That’s what you call lightfingered...

[@cody_janssen831]

16:02

[@dadams5040]

Total dad and son moment I was cracking up as well... been there for sure!!

[@deeryalex179]

I agree I was cracking up

[@Dan-uv5lw]

Something tells me Ethan got in trouble that day.

[@jeanbobolts3877]

I would have called him back and said.. See you in the morning after sun rise.. Ron's driving skills are amazing..

[@austinniederjohn9813]

gotta love father and son working together

[@markfergerson2145]

This channel is way better than any stinkin' "reality TV".

[@eccentriceric]

I know. and no commercials and having to pay for cable TV service or buy or rent videos.

[@ethanchen5477]

Oh yeah

[@tomrausch7014]

Professional as always. ( I only gotstuck once in 9 + years of local truck driving at a rural homesite delivering their windows). I was pulled out by a neighbor’s farm tractor. He charged our company $50. No cell reception and no phones available. Found out later several other delivery trucks had gotten stuck there B4 me.

[@johnsiu2529]

Ethan, "That light is replaceable, we aren't". You taught him well Ron.

[@pinleyterry7667]

Enjoying my four days off @ Pontotoc County Justice Center here in Ada Oklahoma & Enjoying a Ron Pratt Video. Love Watching Your Videos my God continue to bless you and your Family

[@ronhill2108]

Just spent 10 days in hospital and between yours and a couple other sites it kept me sane and not thinking of where I was. Great entertainment and really nice people

[@robertvertacnik9989]

I really commend you for your helpful and non judgmental behavior towards a driver who found himself in a bad spot. Too many times, instead of someone like you, there's some jerk with a smart phone or go pro whose purpose in life seems to be to ridicule others. God bless you and keep you and your family and co workers safe.

[@JacksonGuitarsPlayer03]

Really happy to see that your son wants to work with you can continue the company. I hate people who say that you can’t take a young one with you to work. As long as the adult teaches and helps him/her out, and the young one knows what to do, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Your son is old enough to work too. I’m really glad to see that he goes to work with you. My Nephew wants to go to work with me too. I take him every once and while along in the truck with me. He really enjoys it. He’s 13 years old. He is under age, but he knows what to do and is a great help. Great job you and your son 👍🏻

[@abuubaydullah1]

Nicely done Ron Pratt , as all ways nicely executed , you would think by now they would put a rear light bar on the trailers for night work, helping the driver and it would save a lot of insurance claims, but my thinking ;-)))

[@williambankard2794]

Good to see Ethan come up with his own ideas and turned out to be the best course of action. After you told Ethan and I am guessing his friend to back up just in case the chain became loose, I heard one of them say they are not worried about the chain. I kind of chuckled, shows he is still new at the business but is willing to learn. Us old guys know not to take what seems to be a sure thing for granted. Complacency kills. As always great instruction and explanation will be looking for more. Should have plenty of videos after this storm system pushed through today and tomorrow. 10 and 11 Jan.

[@cjbrim1601]

Hey Ron I’m a huge fan I was just wondering if you ever considered doing a maintenance video so show all of us that isn’t in the towing industry just how much it takes to maintain all of your trucks to make sure that the trucks are ready to go when the call comes in

[@MrJRod891]

I like this idea. I'd be interested in this.

[@jerryburdick8051]

Ethan's smirk as he's caught with the merch...while Dad stands next to a police officer: priceless.

[@gorillaau]

Police officer should have quipped: Do you want to press charges?

[@RandomPerson-sb5mw]

You guys are the best I have ever seen. I had a guy tow my truck from triple a who put chains on my alloy rims to hold it down and destroyed the rims. it's always better to think before you act. God bless brother!

[@kurtwright7830]

As much fun as you had getting into there ,ill bet he was pulling his hair out getting in, plus he must a heck of a good driver

[@floydbeard5073]

Pretty cool seeing the sparks under the truck from the chain pop.

[@mokiemona1962able]

I'm sorry but that smile when you said," Are those MY light up gloves?" Gotta love our kids. At least Nathan knows the value of good PPE. 🤣🤣

[@billybobharrison8005]

Hey Ron I drove cross-country for 27 years I don't understand how some of truck drivers get in to some of the situation that they didn't get out of the truck and walk a round the truck you do a great Job keep yourself and your son safe out there

[@carlogambino2160]

I drove truck for about a year and people that haven’t always wonder how these guys get in these positions but I’m telling you from experience that these dispatchers and trucking companies push you so hard that you don’t have time to pre plan you just have to go and gps is worthless in most cases be safe guys and thanks to people like ron

[@williammatthews2948]

GPS should be called getting people stuck. Have a blessed and safe weekend.

[@jeauxbleaux618]

With all respect, the navigation system didn't get him stuck - he got himself stuck by blindly following it without using his brain to determine if he should go that way in a truck. Too many people blindly trust the blinking box without using their organic computer. That's what got him into trouble.

[@gorillaau]

GPS: Got Pretty Stuck (Sorry best I can do at 7:30AM)

[@gorillaau]

@@jeauxbleaux618 probably one of those idiots that can not read a paper map also.

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

William Matthews I’m sure that at a certain GPS company there are people cackling in their cubicles with how they program the routes. Ours will have us turn right, go a couple blocks, turn left for 4 blocks then left again for a couple of blocks & we can see were we turned off! Does this routinely

[@flybyairplane3528]

William Matthews , hello, but only my very first GPS, did NOT call, out or show streets ,,’turn left in 800 feet, Now the one I have is my 4th,or 5th one, but , it tell you what street, turn in 3 block, alarms 5mph Orr the speed limit, speed cameras,,,

[@robertbowling8393]

Greetings, and thoughts and Prayers from Ohio ... Another absolutely perfect recovery. Perfect assessment of the situation, then your strategy was spot-on. You 'planned your work's, then 'worked your plan'. The 'choices' soon became 'one choice', and you made it, ending in a perfect job. Again, God's Blessings on you, your family, the staff and families at Midwest, and, to subscribers and viewers! Continued thoughts and prayers for all.

[@FB-tq5ln]

Ethan you are blessed working with your DAD. His experience is your way to training and improvement. Working with family can be challenging for any young man, but your time with him is special and very short in a life time believe me. I wish I could have had more time with my Dad. Ron thanks for sharing your Video's and the safety actions you always introduce on a daily bases.

[@acemobile9806]

Subbed on this one. I've got a 1998 Binder/Vulcan 20-ton that I tow U-Haul, FedEx & UPS with here in S. Florida. It's interesting to see how others approach a pick. So far, yours are definitely the best. I pick up a little pointer or 2 every time from your videos, always a learning experience. Keep the shiny side up! Beautiful equipment you got there, that rotator is something I aspire to get into someday.

[@RonPratt]

Glad to have you as part of the community. Stay safe down there. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@markcasillas2166]

Ethan so lucky I wish my dad new towing and showed me,that’s so cool he’s learning so much from you Ron speacially the rotator,I started at 19, I’m 34 now have my class a and towed tractor trailers but,never have the privilege nor opportunity to operate one,keep up the good work Ron and Ethan take it all in bud,one day if you want it enough you can be good or if not better then your day

[@briangleason75]

Ron this video really shows what a pro you are. God Bless you and you're family. Thank You for what you do.

[@BearCat459]

I just about to come and comment if you was ok Ron I haven't been notified about the new videos for the last few weeks. Love the videos and I love seeing Ethan out working with his farther. Keep up the great work you 2 and stay safe.

[@redapron5795]

This is why I'm not ready to give up paper maps. Having an overview of the area and an idea of the size of roads you're going on makes a huge difference when driving a large vehicle! (I drive an RV and my GPS insists that I drive a small car!)

[@KnightRanger38]

There are some GPS that are designed for use in larger vehicles like trucks or RVs. You might need to go to a truck stop or an RV supply store to get one though.

[@josedejesus6185]

Very nice Ron! No matter what mistake the driver made he is a real good driver! I am pretty sure that he was very thankful for all your help!

[@delvonhall3469]

It's amazing that your son wants to fallow in his dad footsteps. Some young men these days just want to sit around and playing video games. It seems to me that he is not that type. He really wants to be involved in what dad is doing. Love the video. Take care sir and God bless you...

[@passtimer]

Thanks for taking us along!! That’s what happens doing things in the dark in unfamiliar territory!! He could have done better waiting for daylight!! But good business for you!! Thank you again for sharing!!!

[@41dodgee300]

Ron I love your video's. I don't normally make comments as others usually cover it all. Because of the abundant narrow roads in your service area, maybe adding some LED under carriage side lights mounted to flood the sides might help. I do off road recovery and snow removal and under carriage and work area lighting helps seeing things a must. As always keep up the excellent work!!!

[@rowansinger3876]

I really like seeing you talk out the problem, it gives a nice insight to working the situation.

[@bond1j89]

My dad use to say in situations like this remember this ken you only have to lift half the weight, the rest will take care of it's self. The stressful part was trying to get him out of there under his own power. Stay safe out there Ron and God bless.

[@jameshickey9393]

That driver did a heck of a job getting that spread axle back in there. Another great video Ron!

[@lonniegrimes3665]

Watching your Videos Ron, I drove for 40 years. When I see where some of these drivers end up and you are called to help them, I start to think. At any time during their screw up do they ever think? Wow, I am in the wrong place. But they seem to just keep going until there is no out for them. I am thankful that in all my years driving I only ended up on the hook one time. And that's when The previous Driver had put beach towels into both fuel tanks. In fact, Midwest is who towed me to a Freightliner shop. Love your Videos, Ron. And I think it's great your son has decided to follow in the family business. Be safe and God Bless Ron

[@roydavis2242]

You made me remember something I once heard my boss say. That was, "this is the kinda stuff ulcers are made from." Some situations take a lot of thought and effort to overcome.

[@bethbailey7720]

''Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around"...Holy sheet rock that was some darn close quarters you guys had to deal w/Ron.Great job :)

[@azfroggiesrcandmore6727]

That was a tight situation for sure....he almost made as many small moves as you had to going in...have to say, for this job the boom cam is awesome! May God Bless and protect you and your family and crew Ron! You are such a great witness!

[@ghostofthehouse1]

its grate to see farther and son working together my farther left me and my brother win I was 2yrs one and I growed up with out a dad and I had to learn everything on my own I have grate respace for Ron and his family

[@michaelwoodruff1644]

It is nice to see you guys joking around it makes it a stress of doing the job go a way.

[@johnneal1102]

As a truck driver (22 yrs of driving and I'm still a rookie) it really irritates me when a driver can't take a suggestion on how to get out of a situation and just HAS to do it his way. Cudos to him for getting out but if he would have listened he probably could have been a lot farther down the road. Thanks for another great video Ron and Ethan. Can't wait for the next one. Would also love to see what Talon has been up to or to see him out getting some "tater" time.

[@annmaryIM]

My translation says aftercare In the text in this video you already said it yourself The most work probably was helping him get back on the road And you did it !! Great respect and admiration God bless you all 💟🌈

[@Ddabig40mac]

That was a good maneuver working the 'tator carriage forward while pulling with the drag winch to gain advantage for yourself. Having time to talk through the situation with the young men there is excellent problem solving training. Really happy to see that Ethan observed the fuel tank was in a vulnerable position.

[@90762709]

Nice to see Ethan showing great initiative. You have a great son Ron.

[@alanbishop332]

Ron thank you for what you do... Towtrucking has always been interesting to me even as a boy I want to own my a tow truck business... You have shown the human side of the job... Keep doing what you do brother...

[@bellum128]

"Whoooooa!", Ron's universal word for "stop" haha

[@dcherney]

Ahh, yes. Friday morning breakfast with some cereal and a Ron Pratt video. Love it!!

[@SIGINT007]

“Are those my light up gloves?!” (cop hands Ron his taser) You can’t buy that kind of respect...

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

Diatomic Potato 🤣🤣 it looked like the officer actually had his taser out!,🤣🤣

[@gatorgogo2742]

this old lady loves watching you work! Your equipment is fantastic!

[@garethifan1034]

In the UK & Europe we have super singles on our Triaxle semi trailers. Never on the unit drive axles though. Good weight saving option..nice video of an awkward job

[@mfc4591]

Its one thing seeing the recovery on a video, but it up to the operator of the recovery unit in real life to sort it out. every recovery without an injury and damage is a good one, oh and everyone makes mistakes, the driver was in the dark, a strange place using GPS its not easy, but hey, win win for everyone.

[@brendabennett3662]

Wow that was awesome Ron, and having Ethan working with you is great too! It’s nice to see fathers and sons working together! God Bless you and your family and crew.

[@deanlabbe9952]

It's not truck drivers that get in trouble thanks to a GPS. Here in Maine our better maintained trails are numbered with Interstate numbers because they go into New Hampshire and Canada. A couple of years ago a woman calls county dispatch because she is stuck in the center of I 75. She was three miles up a snowmobile trail because her GPS told her to take that road. Hard to believe someone driving on asphalt road onto a snow covered road, but there she was. It took a small dozer to pull her out. Another great video Ron.

[@larrylent4663]

Great to see Ethan thinking of strategies out loud and being more involved. GPS really stinks for truckers, I use one and check my route before hand.

[@milantrcka121]

It's not GPS. Look at satellite view - it will show you that you will be running in the middle of a residential area where 10 tons is the absolute max.

[@ahgfl007]

Very good problem solved by knowing the capabilities of your vehicle and your willingness to explain to Ethen and the other young man with him. So they both learn as we did by your knowledge. We are looking into having the gr8 possibility of having a tornado with hail and sleet in a storm front coming through here in NW FL. Something I'm not looking forward to having since I'm still a CERT qualified member of our community. I'm qualified for hurricanes and tornados, go figure, but it is the winds involved and the damage that they bring on.

[@7curiogeo]

Thank you Ron, the time you spend to let us see the jobs do. Always polite, always professional and safety aware. You rock sir.

[@michaelalloway2736]

I love watching you work . You make it look so easy and I know it can't be . I also like it when you show it from different angle

[@CooltommyguyRealm]

You have a smart son, Its awesome to have seen him grow up through the years.

[@davidboyd7494]

I am not in any business remotely close to what you do - I drive a computer. But examining every possibility and weighing the the plus and minus of each is always good. Smart operator.

[@earnharvick]

Nice job especially talking though all the options and pointing out the pros and cons of each.

[@toddsimpson8690]

Im glad your safe in all your videos, but you said no horn when you backed up. If they didnt wake up with all the yellows the boom beeper would make sure.. Lol When i was kid any action like this in front yard was a thrill. Keep safe Ron, use the tools of your trade with no remorse.

[@daveyjones662]

Ron pratt I like your videos and it is good to see your son Ethan helping you and it is great to see your son following you in your footsteps another great video from Ron pratt

[@AndrewR2130]

i love how the cop took his tazer out to give it to ron lol stay safe ron love the videos

[@zanetaylor7776]

Andrew robinson i thought I was the only one who saw that.

[@williamwilkins3323]

They was a sleep till you turned on them led lights on top 😂

[@joshw1687]

Lol

[@daveyjones662]

Got to love the sense of humor between ron and ethan

[@karenlingefelt627]

You can handle it ron you got this

[@claytonabare1551]

It was awesome seeing you work with your Dad and it is awesome seeing you working with your son

[@GhostDrummer]

Got your son out on the job thinking. This is so critical for business. Too many times I’ve watched business owners allowing their children to make decisions that damage the company. You’re doing good Mr.Pratt. I’m binge watching your videos again...and there are a lot of newer ones. Stay safe Brother.

[@troygray2884]

First of let me say happy new year and many blessings to you and your family both related and extended. Secondly I would like to applaud you 👏 for teaching the next generation of tow operators the proper way to work and figure out a solution. I wanted to say thank you because of you and your profound professionalism I have been able to start working as a heavy operator. And I use your videos as a starting point with some of the calls I deal with. In closing " both your friends and enemies will know you by the actions you make both now and in the future" stay safe and god bless

[@turbotempest4095]

listening to you think out loud about the best safest approach is cool. Sharing experience derived knowledge.

[@rcatyvr]

You are one of the best working dad's I've ever seen.

[@jamesleake2121]

Another interesting video Ron glad to see you was able to get him out of there judging by the clothes I say it was around September when this happened but have to agree some tight streets in a residential area Keep up the good work Ron and you and the Midwest crew have a good weekend and stay safe out there

[@rh5776]

Out in Alaska. Seen some things. Slope, haul road, pipeline. Love your show; great!!

[@gingerbread6614]

Thank you. You always come thru. Always fun watching you. Thank you again.

[@fastst1]

Reason #3, you've also run out of arms! excellent wiggle turn there. I suppose if it was a real bind, maybe you could find a whole bunch of 6x10 cribbing, somewhere, to make a roadway temporarily :) Would love to see a video, spooling out the cables all the way, cleaning and lubing them all up. Equipent inspection and maintenance day.

[@Ethor98]

Being a driver myself. I have no idea how the hell he got in there....

[@erickoster152]

You can hear ron say he slid sideways

[@ToomasTelling]

glitch in the matrix.

[@Alucard45000]

GPS told him to go there.

[@alexosborne5629]

@@Alucard45000 " you have missed your destination " 🤦‍♂️

[@Zach-k2p]

Well if you watch the video all the tire marks. You can see he backed in there trying to turn around and slid cause of the mud. I hope your a new driver that’s learning as you aren’t very observant

[@jimpikul8551]

Thanks for posting your videos. Ex local driver and this is keeping me on my toes. But, that being said when you are giving hand signals to someone with a shaking mirror, please use exaggerated arm movements. Pretend like you are guiding an aircraft into place. I am sure your helpers do this too. Keep working safe!

[@2H80vids]

Some pretty decent driving skills on show, from both of you. If he didn't know the place, he might have been better waiting for daylight, depending on his driving hours. Nice job getting him out; had you thinking though.😀 Cheers for now, Dougie.

[@curtismathhues4728]

Looks like Ethan has some light up gloves

[@JWimpy]

LOL, typical boss's kid.

[@waltermattson5566]

I thought the truck tire beads might break when you were pulling the truck sideways. Nice job getting him out of there.

[@nickrutland277]

Thank you for watching me sit in Washington God bless thank you I’ll meet you on the days we like you

[@alexosborne5629]

Compelling viewing Ron, good to see you got Eathans grey matter to work, starting to think like you!!!

[@ericgriffin7495]

Ron, hats off to you sir and great job!! Be safe, God Bless and keep up the great job y'all!!!

[@randycook4364]

Whenever I tow my 32 foot rv I tell my GPS I'm driving a 72' 100,000 lb 18 wheeler. It gives me the easy drive then.

[@sczorroc1552]

I agree Randy, if he had a truck gps then it would not have lead him down there in the first place.

[@b205pete]

Shaun Carson that’s not always the case . I’m an otr driver an I have a truck specific gps on the windshield and one that’s built into the truck and they will still put you on roads that is a good fit for a smart car. You just have to be smart about your surroundings.

[@Ryzomadman]

The hazards of driving at night it can go wrong so quickly I love the big rig Rotator as we say some bit of kit.

[@maxpacker5288]

ethans confidence getting better each time

[@paulstan9828]

Fun to see the next generation learning the trade. Lot to learn.

[@lironmtnranch4765]

A cool trick I came up with for screwing in eyes while setting up hammocks in hard oak. Chuck a hook into your drill and use the low speed high torque gear setting. When screwing in lag hooks, chuck up an eye. I'd move the smoker away from the other building unless you want it to become permanently infused with strong smoke smell. I have fond memories from over 40 years ago as a kid, when Granddad would smoke salmon and cubes of cheddar.

[@charleslassiter3528]

Ron that's a trucker nightmare an oversized truck n trailer on a small street at night without a lot of lights to see by😢 but that's trucking for the brave and young at heart, good good getting the trucker out an getting him back on the road again you're the god sent angel to all you've came to their recuse 😅 Slow Rider from Carolina

[@genkatqltr8517]

Wow, that was a stomach clencher the whole way! Great job Ron! Hope you and Ethan had a good day despite a late/long night of work. 👏😊

[@skyhawkpilot172]

I don't know how these guys end up in the places they end up. I have come across cube trucks, flatbeds, and occasional 18 wheeler all stuck in places I only take my Jeep. I drove a straight truck for a farm co-op for six years (mostly out of the lumberyard, but also seed and equipment parts). In that time I transitioned from county plat maps, to print outs of mapquest to early google map apps on my smart phone. At no point did I ever drive down a muddy road or goat path despite what the map source said. Had I blindly followed directions I would have needed a tow truck several times a month. I love these videos. I get to see the equipment, the skill, the strange circumstances, challenges, and all without the fabricated drama of "reality" television.

[@wbball15]

Just getting to the site was episode worthy. Thanks for sharing, Ron.

[@kat2641]

At 24: something HOLY CRAP did you see the flex of the boom?. Wow that was a package extended...but all went A-OK... Great job 👍

[@truckfreak1027]

Being that it's so close to your house, maybe a follow up video during the day to show us how small the area was??

[@xxkillerkane420xx8]

Im always impressed by Rotators. That was way less than ideal for a lift with that much boom out. The trick didnt seem to mind it too much. I did a lift similar to that with my 30 ton conventional wrecker and it did not appreciate the load. I ended up having to get closer and do multiple lifts and pull the truck a few feet closer every time. Took me around 2.5 hours.

[@RonPratt]

Been there....done that. I ran a Century 7035, 35 ton stick for many years before we got the rotator. I started out operating a Holmes 750 split boom with a Zacklift.....very glad I don't have to work with that truck anymore. It was a great truck in the day, but I'll take the rotator now simply for it's capabilities and versatility. The biggest asset and biggest drawback of the rotator is it's size. Thanks for watching and God bless.

[@k.steelman2584]

So proud of Ethan! You have a fine young man right there!!!!!!

[@williamwallace176]

I didn't know the Tator could lift that much on a long reach...Another great job.