Women in Towing: Part 2; Why I Stayed

When I stepped into the towing industry, I didn’t do it to prove a point.  I did it because the work needed to be done — and I was capable of doing it.

Still, it didn’t take long to realize this industry wasn’t built with women in towing in mind.

The trucks were big.
  The hours were unforgiving.
  And the assumptions came quickly.

I learned early on that in professional towing services, you don’t earn respect because of who you are — you earn it because of what you do, consistently, when it matters.  Especially when no one is looking.

Earning Respect in the Towing Industry

I’ve been underestimated more times than I can count. Sometimes politely. Sometimes openly.

Instead of arguing, I focused on learning the job from the ground up — equipment, safety procedures, customer interaction, and high-stress roadside situations. I showed up for difficult calls, late nights, and moments when reliability mattered most.

In towing and recovery work, credibility isn’t announced. It’s built through consistency, skill, and accountability.

That’s when things started to change.

Strength Looks Different in Towing and Recovery

Yes, towing is physical work. Anyone who’s worked roadside knows that.

But strength in the towing industry goes far beyond muscle. It’s decision-making under pressure, managing accident scenes, and communicating clearly with customers during stressful moments. It’s staying calm when a recovery doesn’t go as planned.

As a woman in towing, I’ve learned that awareness, patience, and steady leadership are just as valuable as physical strength. These qualities don’t just help — they improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes on every call.

Balancing Life With a 24/7 Towing Business

Towing companies operate around the clock. Breakdowns, accidents, and recoveries don’t wait for convenient times.

For women working in towing and recovery, especially those balancing family or business responsibilities, this can be one of the hardest parts. Balance doesn’t look perfect in this industry — it looks intentional.

For me, that’s meant setting boundaries where possible, recognizing burnout early, and understanding that rest is part of doing the job well. Sustainable success in towing requires taking care of the person behind the wheel, too.

Why I’m Still in Towing

I stayed because I belong here.

Not as an exception.
  Not as a novelty.
  But as a professional in the towing and recovery industry who understands the work and the responsibility that comes with it.

Across the country, more women are building careers in towing — operating trucks, managing dispatch, running towing companies, and leading recovery operations. Every woman who stays helps shift the industry forward and redefine what leadership in towing looks like.

A Message to Women Considering a Career in Towing

If you’re considering a career in towing and recovery or questioning whether you belong — you do.

If you’ve had to work harder to be taken seriously — you’re not imagining it.

If you’re tired but still showing up — that’s resilience.

There is room for skilled, committed women in towing. Not someday. Right now.

— Stephanie Randall, Owner/Operator