1
00:00:05,463 --> 00:00:08,675
This time
on Highway Thru Hell...
2
00:00:09,551 --> 00:00:10,884
...off-road...
3
00:00:10,885 --> 00:00:11,844
Oh!
4
00:00:11,845 --> 00:00:13,137
That was my leverage.
5
00:00:13,138 --> 00:00:14,388
...and up a tree...
6
00:00:14,389 --> 00:00:15,180
Oh, buddy!
7
00:00:15,181 --> 00:00:17,474
...Reliable gets tricky.
8
00:00:17,475 --> 00:00:19,351
Oh, look at this guy.
9
00:00:19,352 --> 00:00:20,811
...on a blind curve...
10
00:00:20,812 --> 00:00:22,187
Come on, come on, come on!
11
00:00:22,188 --> 00:00:24,314
...Jamie heads upstream.
12
00:00:24,315 --> 00:00:25,190
Ah!
13
00:00:25,191 --> 00:00:27,026
Merry Christmas!
14
00:00:27,027 --> 00:00:28,861
And holiday cheer...
15
00:00:28,862 --> 00:00:30,279
I got
more of a beard like him.
16
00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:32,948
...for the biggest
toy run ever.
17
00:00:32,949 --> 00:00:34,701
Feel like
I need some hair spray.
18
00:00:40,874 --> 00:00:43,208
In Hope, B.C.,
19
00:00:43,209 --> 00:00:45,962
Christmas is in the air.
20
00:00:53,845 --> 00:00:56,139
Drivers on Highway 1...
21
00:00:59,059 --> 00:01:01,144
...push to get home
for the holidays...
22
00:01:04,898 --> 00:01:07,192
..but stuck
on a blind corner...
23
00:01:09,361 --> 00:01:13,156
...a disabled utility truck.
24
00:01:20,246 --> 00:01:22,289
Called to the scene...
25
00:01:22,290 --> 00:01:23,999
It's a little bit
of a sketchy job.
26
00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:25,751
...Jamie Davis...
27
00:01:25,752 --> 00:01:29,046
See, even here, there's
not much shoulder, right.
28
00:01:29,047 --> 00:01:30,631
...is on a mission
to retrieve it...
29
00:01:30,632 --> 00:01:31,924
Okay, let's go.
30
00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:33,634
We gotta be quicker, too.
31
00:01:33,635 --> 00:01:35,886
...with swamper Martin Stefek.
32
00:01:35,887 --> 00:01:37,263
Yeah.
33
00:01:38,556 --> 00:01:40,933
A service truck
has lost its back wheels.
34
00:01:40,934 --> 00:01:43,269
It's on an off-ramp
and on a bad corner.
35
00:01:46,022 --> 00:01:48,274
With drivers racing by...
36
00:01:51,027 --> 00:01:52,111
...Jamie...
37
00:01:52,112 --> 00:01:53,445
I want a road flare out.
38
00:01:53,446 --> 00:01:56,198
...takes control
of the traic.
39
00:01:56,199 --> 00:01:59,201
For me, this job
is all about safety.
40
00:01:59,202 --> 00:02:01,245
We're on a bad corner,
41
00:02:01,246 --> 00:02:02,705
we don't have
good line of sight here...
42
00:02:04,290 --> 00:02:06,166
No, more, more.
43
00:02:06,167 --> 00:02:07,793
...I'm going to oversee
everything.
44
00:02:07,794 --> 00:02:09,629
There.
That'll keep it.
45
00:02:12,465 --> 00:02:14,592
Okay, let's go.
46
00:02:16,594 --> 00:02:19,138
But on the narrow
six-foot shoulder...
47
00:02:19,139 --> 00:02:20,514
It's dangerous, you know?
48
00:02:20,515 --> 00:02:24,852
...in
a 100-kilometre-per-hour zone,
49
00:02:24,853 --> 00:02:27,604
drivers on the holiday rush...
50
00:02:27,605 --> 00:02:29,815
They don't seem
to slow down for us,
51
00:02:29,816 --> 00:02:31,358
and they should move over.
52
00:02:31,359 --> 00:02:33,652
...pose a close threat.
53
00:02:33,653 --> 00:02:35,739
It's our lives, too,
you know, that matter.
54
00:02:37,824 --> 00:02:40,200
Very easily this truck
could be hit by another truck,
55
00:02:40,201 --> 00:02:41,076
coming around the corner.
56
00:02:41,077 --> 00:02:44,830
Oh, my lord.
57
00:02:44,831 --> 00:02:45,749
Doesn't see it. Bang.
58
00:03:16,321 --> 00:03:18,280
On Highway 1
through Hope...
59
00:03:18,281 --> 00:03:21,617
So just take that one up
as far as you can go.
60
00:03:21,618 --> 00:03:23,536
...just
five minutes from his yard...
61
00:03:24,788 --> 00:03:27,081
We're gonna block
the whole off-ramp off.
62
00:03:27,082 --> 00:03:29,041
...Jamie and his team
63
00:03:29,042 --> 00:03:31,378
handle their own
traffic control...
64
00:03:34,464 --> 00:03:36,882
...to remove a utility truck
65
00:03:36,883 --> 00:03:39,635
from a bad spot.
66
00:03:39,636 --> 00:03:42,554
I want you to stay
about right in here.
67
00:03:42,555 --> 00:03:43,472
Yeah.
68
00:03:43,473 --> 00:03:45,140
...but with no rear axle...
69
00:03:45,141 --> 00:03:47,476
they can't lift it
from the front.
70
00:03:47,477 --> 00:03:49,478
In order to pick this thing up
by the back end,
71
00:03:49,479 --> 00:03:50,354
the tow truck's
actually gotta be facing
72
00:03:50,355 --> 00:03:52,898
the wrong way in traffic.
73
00:03:52,899 --> 00:03:54,024
Signaling to drivers
74
00:03:54,025 --> 00:03:55,442
ahead of the corner,
75
00:03:55,443 --> 00:03:58,612
Jamie will block off the exit,
76
00:03:58,613 --> 00:04:01,990
enabling his wrecker
to drive the wrong way
77
00:04:01,991 --> 00:04:04,703
down the off-ramp to the wreck.
78
00:04:07,497 --> 00:04:10,250
Okay, you guys,
you can come up now.
79
00:04:11,251 --> 00:04:13,877
With the off-ramp closed...
80
00:04:13,878 --> 00:04:16,547
Oh, here we go.
81
00:04:16,548 --> 00:04:19,675
...longhaul expert
Mark Richards
82
00:04:19,676 --> 00:04:24,054
drives against the flow
in a 35-tonne wrecker.
83
00:04:24,055 --> 00:04:27,182
I could not hook up
to the front of this vehicle,
84
00:04:27,183 --> 00:04:29,184
because
it's his rear that's gone.
85
00:04:29,185 --> 00:04:31,478
I'm left with no choice.
86
00:04:31,479 --> 00:04:34,440
I have to go the wrong way
on the highway.
87
00:04:34,441 --> 00:04:36,066
Let's do it.
88
00:04:36,067 --> 00:04:38,110
Also pitching in tonight,
89
00:04:38,111 --> 00:04:40,321
Jamie's latest recruit,
90
00:04:40,322 --> 00:04:42,407
Maxime Chamberlain Normand.
91
00:04:46,995 --> 00:04:48,455
Oh! Look at this guy.
92
00:04:49,706 --> 00:04:50,707
Wow!
93
00:04:57,464 --> 00:04:58,715
Whoa!
94
00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,092
Safely in position...
95
00:05:02,093 --> 00:05:04,428
Gotta make sure
she lines up.
96
00:05:04,429 --> 00:05:06,638
...they move quickly...
97
00:05:06,639 --> 00:05:08,182
Stop.
98
00:05:08,183 --> 00:05:10,059
Bring it back a little.
Whoa!
99
00:05:10,060 --> 00:05:11,478
...to hook up...
100
00:05:13,063 --> 00:05:14,647
...and get off the highway.
101
00:05:14,648 --> 00:05:16,399
- Okay! Whoa, whoa...
- Okay, stop.
102
00:05:17,817 --> 00:05:18,818
Okay, now go up a bit.
103
00:05:20,111 --> 00:05:21,905
Yeah, there you go.
There you go.
104
00:05:23,073 --> 00:05:24,323
I'm good on my side.
105
00:05:24,324 --> 00:05:25,657
Me too.
106
00:05:25,658 --> 00:05:27,452
Yeah, it's gonna be a tricky,
tricky haul.
107
00:05:28,328 --> 00:05:29,620
With the wreck loaded up...
108
00:05:29,621 --> 00:05:30,996
Put the straps on.
109
00:05:30,997 --> 00:05:32,331
Yep.
110
00:05:32,332 --> 00:05:36,043
...ratchet straps
lock it down.
111
00:05:36,044 --> 00:05:38,796
You're good on your side.
112
00:05:38,797 --> 00:05:39,798
We are good to go.
113
00:05:42,217 --> 00:05:44,885
Utility truck in tow,
114
00:05:44,886 --> 00:05:47,388
Jamie will escort Mark's wrecker
115
00:05:47,389 --> 00:05:49,848
against the flow of traffic...
116
00:05:49,849 --> 00:05:51,476
to the nearest turnaround.
117
00:05:52,435 --> 00:05:55,020
We've got a little bit
of a scary thing here
118
00:05:55,021 --> 00:05:56,022
to back up in traffic.
119
00:05:57,190 --> 00:05:59,191
Oncoming drivers...
120
00:05:59,192 --> 00:06:00,651
Okay,
so you're gonna follow me,
121
00:06:00,652 --> 00:06:02,528
and back up
and stay over that side...
122
00:06:02,529 --> 00:06:04,321
...continue to race by
123
00:06:04,322 --> 00:06:06,824
at over 100 kilometres an hour.
124
00:06:06,825 --> 00:06:08,826
Keep my lights off
until I get to the other side?
125
00:06:08,827 --> 00:06:11,537
Yeah, till you go
to make the right turn.
126
00:06:11,538 --> 00:06:13,122
Okay.
127
00:06:13,123 --> 00:06:15,416
It's a fairly tricky maneuver
128
00:06:15,417 --> 00:06:16,583
to do what we're doing here.
129
00:06:16,584 --> 00:06:17,961
This isn't something
we do every day.
130
00:06:19,337 --> 00:06:22,006
Well, I've never done it
this way before.
131
00:06:22,007 --> 00:06:23,966
You ready to go there, Mark?
132
00:06:23,967 --> 00:06:24,843
Yup.
133
00:06:28,012 --> 00:06:30,681
It's a very scary feeling
134
00:06:30,682 --> 00:06:33,560
going the opposite way
on traffic.
135
00:06:57,250 --> 00:06:59,919
400 kilometres northeast...
136
00:07:03,381 --> 00:07:05,592
...near Revelstoke, B.C...
137
00:07:09,512 --> 00:07:12,639
Visibility is not great.
138
00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,100
...a Ben's Towing 50-tonne
139
00:07:15,101 --> 00:07:17,519
hurtles along Highway 1,
140
00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:21,441
with lead operator
Mike Toporchak.
141
00:07:22,317 --> 00:07:23,484
This section of highway
142
00:07:23,485 --> 00:07:25,444
is known to be
a little bit foggy at times.
143
00:07:25,445 --> 00:07:26,738
That doesn't help matters.
144
00:07:28,239 --> 00:07:29,907
It's been a busy night
up here tonight.
145
00:07:29,908 --> 00:07:31,825
Highway crews
are trying to keep up,
146
00:07:31,826 --> 00:07:33,703
but there's only so much
you can do on a day like this.
147
00:07:34,496 --> 00:07:35,621
Every available hand is out,
148
00:07:35,622 --> 00:07:38,499
uh, making sure
the highway stays open.
149
00:07:38,500 --> 00:07:40,334
Mike is the Operations Manager
150
00:07:40,335 --> 00:07:43,587
for the day-to-day functions
in Revelstoke.
151
00:07:43,588 --> 00:07:46,298
Very focused, highly skilled.
152
00:07:46,299 --> 00:07:48,593
Definitely the right guy.
153
00:07:52,889 --> 00:07:54,140
Just ahead...
154
00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:00,396
...a refrigeration trailer
155
00:08:00,397 --> 00:08:02,816
knocked clean off its hitch.
156
00:08:06,319 --> 00:08:08,112
Travelling eastbound,
157
00:08:08,113 --> 00:08:10,823
the loaded semi lost traction,
158
00:08:10,824 --> 00:08:12,616
crossing lanes,
159
00:08:12,617 --> 00:08:15,078
decoupling as it crashed.
160
00:08:18,206 --> 00:08:19,581
It's well in the ditch.
161
00:08:19,582 --> 00:08:21,417
Arriving at the site...
162
00:08:21,418 --> 00:08:22,668
So...
163
00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:23,711
...Mike...
164
00:08:23,712 --> 00:08:26,296
...let's see here.
165
00:08:26,297 --> 00:08:28,215
...gets a peek
166
00:08:28,216 --> 00:08:31,635
at the trailer's frozen goods.
167
00:08:31,636 --> 00:08:32,804
French fries!
168
00:08:36,307 --> 00:08:37,600
This thing's probably
a write-off...
169
00:08:38,643 --> 00:08:40,352
...but we also need
to get that cargo salvaged
170
00:08:40,353 --> 00:08:41,478
as quickly as possible,
171
00:08:41,479 --> 00:08:43,647
especially with
a perishable load like this.
172
00:08:43,648 --> 00:08:46,985
While he waits
for an unload crew...
173
00:08:48,737 --> 00:08:50,571
...the Highways foreman
174
00:08:50,572 --> 00:08:53,866
is determined
to clear the tractor.
175
00:08:53,867 --> 00:08:55,034
Their job is to make sure
176
00:08:55,035 --> 00:08:55,909
that the road is flowing
177
00:08:55,910 --> 00:08:57,704
as freely and smoothly
as possible...
178
00:09:00,290 --> 00:09:02,208
...and, uh, we're an obstruction
on that road right now.
179
00:09:03,168 --> 00:09:05,837
Okay, ready to start
pulling here.
180
00:09:11,051 --> 00:09:12,926
Mike winches
181
00:09:12,927 --> 00:09:15,638
with a line
to the tractor's frame...
182
00:09:18,058 --> 00:09:20,476
...but the rear axles...
183
00:09:20,477 --> 00:09:21,643
Not really great, eh?
184
00:09:21,644 --> 00:09:24,063
...are deep in the ditch.
185
00:09:24,064 --> 00:09:25,606
As I'm pulling,
186
00:09:25,607 --> 00:09:27,524
I'm watching
how the wreck's reacting.
187
00:09:27,525 --> 00:09:30,069
I need to put down
and re-rig somewhere better
188
00:09:30,070 --> 00:09:31,695
to get a better angle.
189
00:09:31,696 --> 00:09:33,490
It's gonna be a little bit
of a head scratcher.
190
00:09:39,996 --> 00:09:41,205
It's, uh,
it's not pretty.
191
00:09:41,206 --> 00:09:44,333
On Highway 1,
near Revelstoke,
192
00:09:44,334 --> 00:09:46,919
Mike from Ben's Towing
193
00:09:46,920 --> 00:09:49,296
adds a second line...
194
00:09:49,297 --> 00:09:50,422
Yeah, that'll work.
195
00:09:50,423 --> 00:09:53,760
...to dislodge
a mangled wreck.
196
00:09:59,391 --> 00:10:00,599
I'm going to try
and bring the tractor up
197
00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,310
without bending
or breaking the frame.
198
00:10:03,311 --> 00:10:04,520
Right now the problem's
199
00:10:04,521 --> 00:10:05,604
just gonna be
getting it to the road, yeah,
200
00:10:05,605 --> 00:10:06,606
in one piece.
201
00:10:07,691 --> 00:10:09,609
Swapping a line
to the far side...
202
00:10:13,238 --> 00:10:15,490
...makes for
a more gentle lift...
203
00:10:17,367 --> 00:10:18,784
It's going along pretty good
204
00:10:18,785 --> 00:10:20,160
for a buggered up unit...
205
00:10:20,161 --> 00:10:22,497
...and Mike's
quick thinking...
206
00:10:25,166 --> 00:10:27,167
...gets the damaged unit
207
00:10:27,168 --> 00:10:29,169
back on the road...
208
00:10:29,170 --> 00:10:30,546
Perfect.
209
00:10:30,547 --> 00:10:31,715
They don't usually
get folded up quite this bad.
210
00:10:32,674 --> 00:10:35,300
...but
his tractor troubles
211
00:10:35,301 --> 00:10:37,302
are just getting started.
212
00:10:37,303 --> 00:10:38,345
There's no really good way
213
00:10:38,346 --> 00:10:39,889
to tow a twisted truck
like this.
214
00:10:41,474 --> 00:10:44,101
There's not really
much choice.
215
00:10:44,102 --> 00:10:46,312
How am I gonna pick this up?
216
00:10:49,858 --> 00:10:50,941
There's a lot of loose pieces,
217
00:10:50,942 --> 00:10:52,818
a lot of loose trim,
loose plastic.
218
00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:55,612
There you go.
219
00:10:55,613 --> 00:10:56,655
In this case,
220
00:10:56,656 --> 00:10:57,948
the frame is also
bent and cracked.
221
00:10:57,949 --> 00:11:00,200
My biggest concern right now
222
00:11:00,201 --> 00:11:01,994
is that if we go down the road,
223
00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:03,704
that crack will get worse,
224
00:11:03,705 --> 00:11:04,997
and we'll end up with us
dropping the wreck
225
00:11:04,998 --> 00:11:07,124
on the highway.
226
00:11:07,125 --> 00:11:08,917
Adding to the pressure...
227
00:11:08,918 --> 00:11:10,335
Highways' authorities
228
00:11:10,336 --> 00:11:12,922
urgently want
the blocked lane cleared.
229
00:11:14,132 --> 00:11:16,175
Pain in the ass, aren't ya?
230
00:11:16,176 --> 00:11:18,177
This needs to be
off the road...
231
00:11:21,473 --> 00:11:22,681
...so we're gonna truss it up
the best way we can
232
00:11:22,682 --> 00:11:23,683
to take it away.
233
00:11:27,020 --> 00:11:29,522
Right there.
234
00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,066
With a 10-kilometre drive
235
00:11:32,067 --> 00:11:33,359
back to home base...
236
00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:34,527
Perfect.
237
00:11:36,154 --> 00:11:37,696
Well, we're gonna see
if that's gonna hold it.
238
00:11:37,697 --> 00:11:40,074
...Mike does what he can
239
00:11:40,075 --> 00:11:41,533
with the chains he's got.
240
00:11:41,534 --> 00:11:42,910
Are you taking it
to your yard,
241
00:11:42,911 --> 00:11:45,287
or you just going to dump
in the pullout?
242
00:11:45,288 --> 00:11:46,789
No,
it'll come to the yard.
243
00:11:46,790 --> 00:11:48,874
If I can pick it up here,
and it rolls,
244
00:11:48,875 --> 00:11:50,000
it's gonna keep going.
245
00:11:50,001 --> 00:11:51,628
I'm not stopping.
246
00:11:52,712 --> 00:11:55,339
Well, let's see
if that's enough.
247
00:11:55,340 --> 00:11:58,217
Now his improvised rigging
248
00:11:58,218 --> 00:12:00,720
will be put to the test.
249
00:12:03,264 --> 00:12:05,516
Oh, why is that?
250
00:12:05,517 --> 00:12:07,309
Any guy in this business
likes his twisted metal,
251
00:12:07,310 --> 00:12:08,602
likes a puzzle,
252
00:12:08,603 --> 00:12:09,770
and this one is no different.
253
00:12:09,771 --> 00:12:10,939
Watch your toes.
254
00:12:16,820 --> 00:12:17,737
Nope.
255
00:12:20,824 --> 00:12:23,493
I think that was the frame
letting go.
256
00:12:29,374 --> 00:12:31,334
Four
and a half hours southwest...
257
00:12:33,294 --> 00:12:35,338
...on Highway 1
through Hope...
258
00:12:36,464 --> 00:12:38,716
...Jamie and his team...
259
00:12:38,717 --> 00:12:41,427
It does
play on your nerves.
260
00:12:41,428 --> 00:12:45,556
...are extracting
a disabled utility truck.
261
00:12:45,557 --> 00:12:48,225
I can't do a three-point turn
on the highway,
262
00:12:48,226 --> 00:12:51,145
so I have to come
up the highway the wrong way
263
00:12:51,146 --> 00:12:52,855
to get him off the road.
264
00:12:52,856 --> 00:12:55,942
Now, this is where
it gets kind of dangerous.
265
00:12:56,901 --> 00:12:59,486
With Jamie
in the guide truck...
266
00:12:59,487 --> 00:13:01,822
Mark's wrecker
will tow the wreck
267
00:13:01,823 --> 00:13:02,948
half a kilometre
268
00:13:02,949 --> 00:13:04,616
against traffic,
269
00:13:04,617 --> 00:13:07,537
crossing
at a nearby turnaround.
270
00:13:09,956 --> 00:13:11,081
Yup, we're good.
271
00:13:11,082 --> 00:13:13,500
People ain't used to
seeing a truck,
272
00:13:13,501 --> 00:13:16,211
or any other vehicle
coming towards them
273
00:13:16,212 --> 00:13:17,546
when they're going one way,
274
00:13:17,547 --> 00:13:19,174
and I'm coming at 'em this way.
275
00:13:26,181 --> 00:13:27,639
Like, "Honey, what's this?
276
00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:29,183
How come the truck is going
this way on the road?
277
00:13:29,184 --> 00:13:30,267
He's going the wrong way."
278
00:13:30,268 --> 00:13:31,144
That scares people.
279
00:13:34,981 --> 00:13:38,734
I want to make sure
we don't have any problems here.
280
00:13:38,735 --> 00:13:41,028
Jamie leads the way...
281
00:13:41,029 --> 00:13:43,530
in reverse.
282
00:13:43,531 --> 00:13:45,407
This is the scariest part
right here.
283
00:13:45,408 --> 00:13:46,867
This is the kinda job
284
00:13:46,868 --> 00:13:49,286
that puts the hair up
on the back of your neck.
285
00:13:49,287 --> 00:13:51,246
You have to have
all these moving parts there,
286
00:13:51,247 --> 00:13:52,540
everything has to work
just perfectly.
287
00:13:55,460 --> 00:13:56,920
Another semi coming.
288
00:13:58,713 --> 00:14:01,548
It's the person
who's not paying attention
289
00:14:01,549 --> 00:14:02,676
that scares me the most.
290
00:14:03,593 --> 00:14:05,010
Here's a guy here right now.
291
00:14:05,011 --> 00:14:06,553
Waiting
for a break in traffic...
292
00:14:06,554 --> 00:14:09,139
Driving
a million miles an hour,
293
00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:11,392
doesn't slow down.
294
00:14:11,393 --> 00:14:14,520
...as they approach
the turnaround...
295
00:14:14,521 --> 00:14:15,604
There's a car coming
right now.
296
00:14:15,605 --> 00:14:17,064
...Mark picks his window...
297
00:14:17,065 --> 00:14:20,192
Soon as
that vehicle goes, we go.
298
00:14:20,193 --> 00:14:22,569
...and crosses over.
299
00:14:22,570 --> 00:14:25,031
Okay, go, go.
300
00:14:26,700 --> 00:14:27,784
Come on, baby.
301
00:14:29,995 --> 00:14:32,371
...but the 40-foot
combined unit...
302
00:14:32,372 --> 00:14:33,455
Oh...
303
00:14:33,456 --> 00:14:35,374
...overshoots
the turnaround...
304
00:14:35,375 --> 00:14:36,875
Ah!
305
00:14:36,876 --> 00:14:38,252
...and risks being hit
306
00:14:38,253 --> 00:14:40,337
if it has to reverse.
307
00:14:40,338 --> 00:14:41,755
He should have done
a wider turn.
308
00:14:41,756 --> 00:14:44,091
Hard right, hard right.
309
00:14:44,092 --> 00:14:45,760
Come on, come on, come on!
310
00:14:49,472 --> 00:14:51,141
You got 'er.
311
00:14:52,183 --> 00:14:53,434
At last,
312
00:14:53,435 --> 00:14:57,855
Mark pulls back
into the flow of traffic.
313
00:14:57,856 --> 00:15:02,609
Now I'm a normal truck,
driving down the highway.
314
00:15:02,610 --> 00:15:05,612
We got the job done, perfect!
315
00:15:05,613 --> 00:15:07,031
See how touchy that was?
316
00:15:07,032 --> 00:15:09,533
The moment that he's across
317
00:15:09,534 --> 00:15:11,035
and the right way in traffic,
318
00:15:11,036 --> 00:15:12,703
I'm happy.
319
00:15:12,704 --> 00:15:14,831
My stress level drops
right then and there.
320
00:15:17,167 --> 00:15:18,792
Amazing, right?
321
00:15:18,793 --> 00:15:21,087
Risky business, but it's done.
322
00:15:23,840 --> 00:15:26,509
Merry Christmas!
323
00:15:28,887 --> 00:15:30,471
Near Revelstoke,
324
00:15:30,472 --> 00:15:31,764
on Highway 1...
325
00:15:31,765 --> 00:15:33,724
I think that was the frame
letting go.
326
00:15:33,725 --> 00:15:36,226
...Mike
is struggling to hook on...
327
00:15:36,227 --> 00:15:38,979
to a tractor in rough shape.
328
00:15:38,980 --> 00:15:40,648
This is definitely
one of the more twisted ones
329
00:15:40,649 --> 00:15:41,900
I've seen in a while.
330
00:15:42,776 --> 00:15:45,111
They don't usually
bend the frame that way.
331
00:15:48,990 --> 00:15:52,327
I'm worried about
dropping on the way there.
332
00:15:53,411 --> 00:15:54,787
Uh, actually, you know what,
333
00:15:54,788 --> 00:15:56,497
we're gonna put it down
and rework this.
334
00:15:56,498 --> 00:15:57,831
I'm not at all happy with that.
335
00:15:57,832 --> 00:15:59,542
Adjusting his rigging...
336
00:16:01,169 --> 00:16:02,629
Awesome.
337
00:16:03,755 --> 00:16:06,965
Gonna truss this up enough
that it might...
338
00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:08,717
might maybe hold.
339
00:16:08,718 --> 00:16:10,803
...Mike
reinforces the frame
340
00:16:10,804 --> 00:16:12,096
with a chain binder...
341
00:16:12,097 --> 00:16:13,764
Either it's gonna
hold together,
342
00:16:13,765 --> 00:16:15,724
or it's gonna cut itself apart
for us, one of the two.
343
00:16:15,725 --> 00:16:17,643
...for
the 10-kilometre trek
344
00:16:17,644 --> 00:16:19,269
to the yard.
345
00:16:19,270 --> 00:16:20,729
We wanna bring it up
in one piece,
346
00:16:20,730 --> 00:16:22,857
rather than have it break
on the way up.
347
00:16:24,109 --> 00:16:25,068
Okay, watch yourselves.
348
00:16:27,737 --> 00:16:30,489
The re-rig
with the chain binder...
349
00:16:30,490 --> 00:16:32,783
holds.
350
00:16:32,784 --> 00:16:34,618
If we can
shut down westbound,
351
00:16:34,619 --> 00:16:36,495
and I'll slow crawl
down the hill.
352
00:16:36,496 --> 00:16:37,579
...and with a sign-off
353
00:16:37,580 --> 00:16:39,164
from the highway foreman...
354
00:16:39,165 --> 00:16:41,667
Yeah, he cleared that one up
really quick.
355
00:16:41,668 --> 00:16:42,918
...Mike...
356
00:16:42,919 --> 00:16:44,378
We're gonna roll outta here.
357
00:16:44,379 --> 00:16:46,256
...is ready to go.
358
00:16:51,261 --> 00:16:53,929
You're just gonna wanna
watch out when I go by
359
00:16:53,930 --> 00:16:55,348
'cause I'm not sure
how stable this thing is.
360
00:16:56,891 --> 00:16:59,810
The name of the game
is to get the road open, so...
361
00:16:59,811 --> 00:17:02,188
push, pull or drag,
she's leavin'.
362
00:17:03,481 --> 00:17:05,607
The first mangled piece...
363
00:17:05,608 --> 00:17:07,568
Well, it's still on there.
364
00:17:07,569 --> 00:17:09,236
...is headed to the ya
365
00:17:09,237 --> 00:17:10,529
Any recovery's
a good recovery, right?
366
00:17:10,530 --> 00:17:11,905
Every one's a challenge,
367
00:17:11,906 --> 00:17:14,241
and every one's
a little bit different.
368
00:17:14,242 --> 00:17:15,868
This one's a little different.
369
00:17:15,869 --> 00:17:19,122
But with
the trailer still on its side...
370
00:17:21,458 --> 00:17:25,045
...the job is far from over.
371
00:17:34,512 --> 00:17:37,057
10 kilometres
east of Revelstoke...
372
00:17:40,602 --> 00:17:42,395
...on Highway 1...
373
00:17:43,938 --> 00:17:47,232
...last night's
sideways semi-trailer
374
00:17:47,233 --> 00:17:48,902
awaits recovery.
375
00:17:53,198 --> 00:17:54,990
Here to prep the scene,
376
00:17:54,991 --> 00:17:57,242
a Ben's Towing one-tonne...
377
00:17:57,243 --> 00:17:58,285
All right.
378
00:17:58,286 --> 00:17:59,453
...and an operator
379
00:17:59,454 --> 00:18:02,206
hailing from
the other side of the globe...
380
00:18:02,207 --> 00:18:03,374
Give it a go.
381
00:18:03,375 --> 00:18:05,417
...Max Mitchell.
382
00:18:05,418 --> 00:18:07,670
I'm 28,
383
00:18:07,671 --> 00:18:09,129
and I'm originally
from New Zealand.
384
00:18:09,130 --> 00:18:11,131
I'm an engineer back home.
385
00:18:11,132 --> 00:18:14,718
Came over here to holiday,
386
00:18:14,719 --> 00:18:17,054
and there was
this job available.
387
00:18:17,055 --> 00:18:19,306
Three days later, I had a job.
388
00:18:19,307 --> 00:18:21,851
The plan here is just basically
get the bogies out of the way.
389
00:18:26,398 --> 00:18:28,440
Earlier today,
390
00:18:28,441 --> 00:18:32,112
an offload crew emptied
the load of french fries.
391
00:18:36,282 --> 00:18:38,325
Now...
392
00:18:38,326 --> 00:18:40,035
I take it
you're grabbing full axles?
393
00:18:40,036 --> 00:18:41,412
Yeah.
394
00:18:41,413 --> 00:18:43,622
...only
the offload company's owner,
395
00:18:43,623 --> 00:18:47,127
Bill Bremner, remains.
396
00:18:48,753 --> 00:18:50,713
You've never done
one of these?
397
00:18:50,714 --> 00:18:52,589
Not one of these, no.
398
00:18:52,590 --> 00:18:53,966
When you're starting out,
399
00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:55,552
you don't really know
the limits of the truck...
400
00:18:56,428 --> 00:18:58,011
It's gonna be the strongest,
I think,
401
00:18:58,012 --> 00:19:01,932
because I don't think
it's gonna slide too much.
402
00:19:01,933 --> 00:19:04,852
...so you're just sort of
being thrown into it.
403
00:19:04,853 --> 00:19:07,146
Using
doubled-up winch lines
404
00:19:07,147 --> 00:19:09,189
from his one-tonne...
405
00:19:09,190 --> 00:19:14,029
Max tries to peel the axles
away from the trailer...
406
00:19:15,113 --> 00:19:17,281
You might have to rotate
the back end around.
407
00:19:17,282 --> 00:19:18,949
...but something...
408
00:19:19,868 --> 00:19:21,452
...is catching.
409
00:19:21,453 --> 00:19:23,245
Just hold there
for a second, bud.
410
00:19:23,246 --> 00:19:24,371
Sure.
411
00:19:24,372 --> 00:19:25,414
The front end of the bogey
412
00:19:25,415 --> 00:19:26,790
is digging into the frame rail,
413
00:19:26,791 --> 00:19:29,502
which is kind of stopping
this corner from coming over.
414
00:19:30,462 --> 00:19:32,421
Luckily for Max,
415
00:19:32,422 --> 00:19:37,093
Bill still has
his offload excavator on site.
416
00:19:40,805 --> 00:19:42,766
You're free now.
417
00:19:43,516 --> 00:19:45,185
That'll work better.
418
00:19:46,770 --> 00:19:48,896
A gentle nudge...
419
00:19:48,897 --> 00:19:51,191
and the bogies...
420
00:19:52,734 --> 00:19:53,651
There you go.
421
00:19:53,652 --> 00:19:55,152
...are free...
422
00:19:55,153 --> 00:19:56,153
All right.
423
00:19:56,154 --> 00:19:59,616
...from the eight-foot ditch.
424
00:20:02,994 --> 00:20:04,871
Went pretty smoothly
in all honesty.
425
00:20:06,331 --> 00:20:08,499
With the bogies out,
426
00:20:08,500 --> 00:20:11,460
Max faces the real challenge.
427
00:20:11,461 --> 00:20:13,922
Like, okay, you've got
that stuck down there...
428
00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:17,801
...how are you gonna
get that out?
429
00:20:36,653 --> 00:20:39,572
250 kilometres southwest...
430
00:20:42,033 --> 00:20:45,662
...in the mountains
near Kelowna...
431
00:20:51,793 --> 00:20:53,711
...a Reliable Towing 50-tonne
432
00:20:53,712 --> 00:20:56,255
ventures far from homebase...
433
00:20:56,256 --> 00:20:57,715
Road trip!
434
00:20:57,716 --> 00:21:01,468
...with John Dods
on a solo mission.
435
00:21:01,469 --> 00:21:02,845
Little bit
more snow up here
436
00:21:02,846 --> 00:21:04,638
than I thought there would be, actually.
437
00:21:04,639 --> 00:21:07,057
I love working by myself.
438
00:21:07,058 --> 00:21:08,392
I am a team player,
439
00:21:08,393 --> 00:21:09,810
but sometimes it's just better
440
00:21:09,811 --> 00:21:11,271
to be in charge
of the scene yourself.
441
00:21:12,105 --> 00:21:14,690
I had about four people
try to tell me
442
00:21:14,691 --> 00:21:16,900
that I'm gonna need a rotator
for this job,
443
00:21:16,901 --> 00:21:18,361
and I don't feel I'm going to.
444
00:21:22,449 --> 00:21:23,657
Not too sure
445
00:21:23,658 --> 00:21:25,993
what the back road's
gonna be like up here.
446
00:21:25,994 --> 00:21:27,911
Just off the highway,
447
00:21:27,912 --> 00:21:30,290
on a private back road...
448
00:21:32,751 --> 00:21:35,210
...a 30-foot camper
449
00:21:35,211 --> 00:21:38,464
hangs on a river's edge.
450
00:21:38,465 --> 00:21:39,506
You just never know
451
00:21:39,507 --> 00:21:42,092
what you're gonna
show up to, man.
452
00:21:42,093 --> 00:21:43,887
We're gonna have
quite the adventure today.
453
00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:51,560
John...
454
00:21:51,561 --> 00:21:53,979
Quite the truck.
455
00:21:53,980 --> 00:21:55,647
...is greeted by the owner...
456
00:21:55,648 --> 00:21:56,690
It's gonna be home
457
00:21:56,691 --> 00:21:57,524
until you build something
up here?
458
00:21:57,525 --> 00:21:58,859
Yeah.
459
00:21:58,860 --> 00:22:00,611
...who plans
to live in the camper
460
00:22:00,612 --> 00:22:03,655
while building
an off-grid home.
461
00:22:03,656 --> 00:22:06,241
She almost
went in the creek.
462
00:22:06,242 --> 00:22:08,035
We were towing the 5th-wheel
up the hill here,
463
00:22:08,036 --> 00:22:10,037
and she just started spinning,
464
00:22:10,038 --> 00:22:13,540
and then just slid right back.
465
00:22:13,541 --> 00:22:15,793
This is his home,
it's his livelihood.
466
00:22:15,794 --> 00:22:19,546
Thank God, it only went
where it did, right?
467
00:22:19,547 --> 00:22:21,341
We gotta try to get this out
in one piece.
468
00:22:22,342 --> 00:22:25,260
But before
John can get to work...
469
00:22:25,261 --> 00:22:26,053
He barely fits.
470
00:22:26,054 --> 00:22:27,805
...he must find a way
471
00:22:27,806 --> 00:22:30,099
to get
his eight-foot-wide wrecker
472
00:22:30,100 --> 00:22:32,184
to the other side.
473
00:22:32,185 --> 00:22:35,145
I gotta lift the trailer
over outta my way...
474
00:22:36,022 --> 00:22:37,189
...and then I can
get around it.
475
00:22:37,190 --> 00:22:40,359
John's only option...
476
00:22:40,360 --> 00:22:42,987
I gotta try to get up
into this tree here.
477
00:22:42,988 --> 00:22:45,365
...is to get resourceful.
478
00:22:46,533 --> 00:22:48,659
By your right foot,
there's a nub.
479
00:22:48,660 --> 00:22:51,161
Your knee's basically on it,
yeah, right there.
480
00:22:51,162 --> 00:22:54,289
I like doing
these backroad recoveries
481
00:22:54,290 --> 00:22:55,874
with limited room.
482
00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:57,918
It gives you the ability
483
00:22:57,919 --> 00:22:59,336
to show off your skill
a little bit more.
484
00:22:59,337 --> 00:23:01,881
Yeah, so, basically,
I gotta get to here, so...
485
00:23:02,674 --> 00:23:04,383
Oh, yeah, you got 'er.
486
00:23:04,384 --> 00:23:05,676
Most of the time,
487
00:23:05,677 --> 00:23:09,388
you would think of a tree
being in your way
488
00:23:09,389 --> 00:23:10,764
as an obstacle.
489
00:23:10,765 --> 00:23:12,599
Don't fall...
490
00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,393
Don't fall.
491
00:23:14,394 --> 00:23:15,519
I pride myself
492
00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:16,812
on making sure I can get
something done
493
00:23:16,813 --> 00:23:18,981
using my head
and thinking outside the box.
494
00:23:18,982 --> 00:23:21,942
20 feet up the tree...
495
00:23:21,943 --> 00:23:23,819
Oh!
496
00:23:23,820 --> 00:23:26,280
That was my leverage.
497
00:23:26,281 --> 00:23:28,032
Oh, buddy!
498
00:23:28,033 --> 00:23:30,492
...John rigs a snatchblock
499
00:23:30,493 --> 00:23:33,830
to redirect his winch line.
500
00:23:34,622 --> 00:23:36,916
There you are.
501
00:23:38,668 --> 00:23:41,879
That's right,
more risk, more reward.
502
00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:43,423
I couldn't work in an office.
503
00:23:44,466 --> 00:23:47,134
By rigging
snatch blocks to trees,
504
00:23:47,135 --> 00:23:51,180
John will direct his pull
from the opposite side,
505
00:23:51,181 --> 00:23:53,433
clearing the way
for his wrecker.
506
00:23:54,851 --> 00:23:56,143
Okay, pull a bit.
507
00:23:56,144 --> 00:23:57,102
See what happens.
508
00:23:57,103 --> 00:23:59,439
With
remote control in hand...
509
00:24:00,648 --> 00:24:02,900
This tree's a little thin.
510
00:24:02,901 --> 00:24:06,278
...and a safety line
to the owner's truck...
511
00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:09,573
to stop the camper
from sliding into the river...
512
00:24:09,574 --> 00:24:10,741
Watch your head
and stuff there.
513
00:24:10,742 --> 00:24:11,825
Oh yeah.
514
00:24:11,826 --> 00:24:14,162
...John tightens up.
515
00:24:15,914 --> 00:24:17,790
We're gonna
give 'er a shot
516
00:24:17,791 --> 00:24:19,042
and see how she goes.
517
00:24:25,215 --> 00:24:27,383
Once we got enough room,
we'll get around it.
518
00:24:27,384 --> 00:24:29,219
There she goes.
519
00:24:30,261 --> 00:24:33,347
John's
sequence of snatchblocks...
520
00:24:33,348 --> 00:24:35,015
Oh, there's a shift.
521
00:24:35,016 --> 00:24:36,183
There it is.
522
00:24:36,184 --> 00:24:37,309
...does the trick.
523
00:24:37,310 --> 00:24:40,854
Okay,
I can get around that now.
524
00:24:40,855 --> 00:24:42,773
If it looks good,
it looks good, you know?
525
00:24:42,774 --> 00:24:44,817
Okay, I'll back up.
526
00:24:46,361 --> 00:24:49,990
John's 50-tonne
squeezes through.
527
00:24:51,491 --> 00:24:53,617
You can do anything
with a straight stick
528
00:24:53,618 --> 00:24:55,035
that you can with a rotator.
529
00:24:55,036 --> 00:24:58,288
It just takes
more use of your brain.
530
00:25:00,959 --> 00:25:03,420
The hard part's
still ahead of us here.
531
00:25:06,297 --> 00:25:09,049
Oh, yeah,
she hit the rock hard.
532
00:25:09,050 --> 00:25:12,678
The home-on-wheels
took a hit going in...
533
00:25:12,679 --> 00:25:13,971
Oh yeah.
534
00:25:13,972 --> 00:25:16,223
It's bent right up almost
into the floor.
535
00:25:16,224 --> 00:25:17,933
...and one wrong move
536
00:25:17,934 --> 00:25:21,812
could turn the rescue
into a write-off.
537
00:25:21,813 --> 00:25:23,355
She don't gotta go far.
538
00:25:23,356 --> 00:25:24,565
Nope.
539
00:25:24,566 --> 00:25:25,691
It's down,
540
00:25:25,692 --> 00:25:29,486
hung up on a large section
of rip-rap rock.
541
00:25:29,487 --> 00:25:31,780
If I just run a low line across,
542
00:25:31,781 --> 00:25:32,823
it's just gonna rip
the whole bottom
543
00:25:32,824 --> 00:25:33,867
out of this trailer.
544
00:25:34,784 --> 00:25:36,160
Rather than winching...
545
00:25:36,161 --> 00:25:38,162
About eight inches!
546
00:25:38,163 --> 00:25:41,124
...John reaches out
with his underlift.
547
00:25:42,375 --> 00:25:44,085
She's in there.
548
00:25:45,003 --> 00:25:46,295
Moment of sketchiness.
549
00:25:46,296 --> 00:25:49,548
Booming up gives him lift...
550
00:25:50,967 --> 00:25:52,135
It's cracklin'.
551
00:25:53,928 --> 00:25:56,472
...but as he pulls in...
552
00:25:57,599 --> 00:25:58,892
As a tow company...
553
00:26:00,185 --> 00:26:01,894
No.
554
00:26:01,895 --> 00:26:03,312
...we are held responsible
555
00:26:03,313 --> 00:26:05,440
for any damages that we do
to people's units.
556
00:26:07,025 --> 00:26:09,903
Don't like the sound of that.
557
00:26:13,198 --> 00:26:14,281
It's cracklin'.
558
00:26:14,282 --> 00:26:17,035
In the hills
southeast of Kelowna...
559
00:26:18,119 --> 00:26:21,038
This is gonna be
the sketchy-sketchy part.
560
00:26:21,039 --> 00:26:23,249
...an off-grid
camper rescue...
561
00:26:24,209 --> 00:26:25,793
Little dodgy.
562
00:26:25,794 --> 00:26:27,461
...is banking...
563
00:26:27,462 --> 00:26:28,921
Something's crunching.
564
00:26:28,922 --> 00:26:31,757
...on John Dods' underlift.
565
00:26:31,758 --> 00:26:35,719
What I am worried about
is all the noise I'm hearing
566
00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:38,472
up at the front tongue
of the trailer.
567
00:26:38,473 --> 00:26:39,890
To be someone's actual home,
568
00:26:39,891 --> 00:26:43,310
especially with how fragile
these things are,
569
00:26:43,311 --> 00:26:45,521
it's very important
we get this out in one piece.
570
00:26:45,522 --> 00:26:47,773
Just keep an eye
on this little crack,
571
00:26:47,774 --> 00:26:49,317
- and this little crack.
- Yeah.
572
00:26:52,570 --> 00:26:53,654
What's happening is
573
00:26:53,655 --> 00:26:56,699
we're getting a bite
into this rock here.
574
00:26:56,700 --> 00:26:58,284
I wanna add more of a lift...
575
00:27:00,036 --> 00:27:03,706
Yeah, I'll go one on this side
and one on that side.
576
00:27:03,707 --> 00:27:05,959
...so we gotta get
really creative.
577
00:27:07,168 --> 00:27:09,295
Needs a little extra pull.
578
00:27:12,590 --> 00:27:15,342
With his underlift
still attached,
579
00:27:15,343 --> 00:27:17,553
John will run lines to trees
580
00:27:17,554 --> 00:27:19,847
on either side of his wrecker,
581
00:27:19,848 --> 00:27:23,350
routing them
to the camper's rear axles
582
00:27:23,351 --> 00:27:26,104
to overcome the rocky bank.
583
00:27:28,690 --> 00:27:30,983
All righty,
584
00:27:30,984 --> 00:27:33,485
let's see how this goes for us.
585
00:27:33,486 --> 00:27:35,655
Loading his lines...
586
00:27:39,659 --> 00:27:44,538
...John puts his winches
to work.
587
00:27:44,539 --> 00:27:47,708
Yeah, she's coming.
588
00:27:47,709 --> 00:27:50,128
How's that tree holding?
589
00:27:51,379 --> 00:27:52,463
Geez...
590
00:27:52,464 --> 00:27:54,382
Putting quite a bit of weight
on that.
591
00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:57,301
Yeah, I know.
592
00:27:57,302 --> 00:27:59,220
Shifting.
593
00:28:07,562 --> 00:28:10,190
Okay, moment of truth.
594
00:28:14,069 --> 00:28:15,778
We don't do it
595
00:28:15,779 --> 00:28:17,739
if it doesn't work
for John Dods.
596
00:28:20,742 --> 00:28:22,034
Good.
597
00:28:22,035 --> 00:28:23,995
Yeah, we're good.
We're out.
598
00:28:26,331 --> 00:28:28,582
This one looks good.
599
00:28:32,087 --> 00:28:34,004
You fared
pretty good, buddy.
600
00:28:34,005 --> 00:28:35,547
To everyone's relief...
601
00:28:35,548 --> 00:28:38,425
For as big
as those boulders are
602
00:28:38,426 --> 00:28:40,844
that were underneath it?
603
00:28:40,845 --> 00:28:42,721
...the damage is minimal.
604
00:28:42,722 --> 00:28:44,223
Story ended really well.
605
00:28:44,224 --> 00:28:46,225
I was actually getting
really worried about it there
606
00:28:46,226 --> 00:28:47,268
for a second.
607
00:28:48,395 --> 00:28:50,479
Relaxing his grip,
608
00:28:50,480 --> 00:28:52,189
John offers a courtesy tow...
609
00:28:52,190 --> 00:28:54,900
Feels great.
610
00:28:54,901 --> 00:28:56,610
That took some creativity
611
00:28:56,611 --> 00:28:59,989
and a lot of teamwork
from both our parts.
612
00:28:59,990 --> 00:29:02,366
...to where the owner will live
613
00:29:02,367 --> 00:29:04,743
while he builds his new home.
614
00:29:07,539 --> 00:29:08,872
You're a good man, John.
615
00:29:08,873 --> 00:29:09,999
No problem, my friend.
616
00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:10,916
Good man.
617
00:29:10,917 --> 00:29:12,459
He came in
with the expectation
618
00:29:12,460 --> 00:29:13,752
damage was gonna get done...
619
00:29:13,753 --> 00:29:16,213
Saved my camper.
620
00:29:16,214 --> 00:29:19,174
...and seeing that
very little was done
621
00:29:19,175 --> 00:29:21,803
has definitely got him
feeling good.
622
00:29:22,721 --> 00:29:25,974
Definitely not
no rotator job, though.
623
00:29:28,476 --> 00:29:29,477
I feel good
to be able to help.
624
00:29:37,694 --> 00:29:40,071
Four and a half
hours northeast...
625
00:29:41,906 --> 00:29:43,949
...a Ben's Towing 50-tonne
626
00:29:43,950 --> 00:29:45,243
returns to the scene...
627
00:29:48,830 --> 00:29:50,789
I'm on this channel, yup.
628
00:29:50,790 --> 00:29:52,875
...with Mike...
629
00:29:52,876 --> 00:29:56,128
That looks like it went
pretty quick and easy.
630
00:29:56,129 --> 00:29:59,298
...back to help
finish what he started.
631
00:30:00,133 --> 00:30:01,633
Sometimes, jobs are quick.
632
00:30:01,634 --> 00:30:03,803
Some of these jobs like this
can just turn into a marathon.
633
00:30:07,307 --> 00:30:10,934
Headed eastbound
when it lost traction,
634
00:30:10,935 --> 00:30:14,104
the semi trailer
caught an edge
635
00:30:14,105 --> 00:30:16,483
and broke free from its tractor.
636
00:30:18,985 --> 00:30:21,695
One for you, one for me.
637
00:30:21,696 --> 00:30:23,614
I think you could probably
justo off the bumper there,
638
00:30:23,615 --> 00:30:24,865
that'll be enough.
639
00:30:24,866 --> 00:30:26,367
Okay, do you want me
high or low?
640
00:30:26,368 --> 00:30:27,951
Low.
641
00:30:27,952 --> 00:30:29,328
With greenhorn Max
642
00:30:29,329 --> 00:30:31,455
hooking to the rear...
643
00:30:31,456 --> 00:30:33,582
Mike hooks the front.
644
00:30:33,583 --> 00:30:35,334
Perfect.
645
00:30:35,335 --> 00:30:38,671
Working inside
a single lane...
646
00:30:38,672 --> 00:30:39,588
The shoulder
on this particular stretch
647
00:30:39,589 --> 00:30:42,091
is measured in feet,
648
00:30:42,092 --> 00:30:43,175
and not very many of them.
649
00:30:43,176 --> 00:30:45,886
...they must make use
650
00:30:45,887 --> 00:30:48,889
of every inch.
651
00:30:48,890 --> 00:30:50,225
- Am I still inside the line?
- You're good.
652
00:30:51,518 --> 00:30:53,185
I'm gonna
get ahead of you here,
653
00:30:53,186 --> 00:30:55,229
and then let you do your end.
654
00:30:55,230 --> 00:30:57,606
Max has been
a very good student
655
00:30:57,607 --> 00:30:58,524
over his time here.
656
00:30:58,525 --> 00:31:00,067
Yeah, I got a copy.
657
00:31:00,068 --> 00:31:01,694
This is gonna be
a bit of a challenge for him,
658
00:31:01,695 --> 00:31:02,654
but I know he's up to it.
659
00:31:04,155 --> 00:31:06,199
Alternating
between Mike's 50-tonne...
660
00:31:08,618 --> 00:31:10,411
...and Max's one-tonne...
661
00:31:10,412 --> 00:31:11,496
Pulling.
662
00:31:21,381 --> 00:31:23,590
...they bring the trailer up
663
00:31:23,591 --> 00:31:25,009
as far as they can...
664
00:31:26,928 --> 00:31:28,470
...in their cramped workspace...
665
00:31:28,471 --> 00:31:30,223
K, freewheel your line and...
666
00:31:34,477 --> 00:31:37,813
...but to get it
fully out of the ditch...
667
00:31:37,814 --> 00:31:39,189
So we're taking the lane, hey?
668
00:31:39,190 --> 00:31:44,028
...they'll need
to shut down a second lane.
669
00:31:44,029 --> 00:31:46,322
We're taking this lane only,
670
00:31:46,323 --> 00:31:48,241
so cut yourself hard over
when you come ahead.
671
00:31:49,492 --> 00:31:50,535
Okay.
672
00:31:54,289 --> 00:31:55,789
All yours.
673
00:31:55,790 --> 00:31:57,333
With the critical route
674
00:31:57,334 --> 00:32:00,085
down to a single
alternating lane...
675
00:32:00,086 --> 00:32:02,714
That's good! Right there!
676
00:32:04,674 --> 00:32:06,592
Okay, go ahead, start pulling.
677
00:32:06,593 --> 00:32:07,968
I'll keep up.
678
00:32:07,969 --> 00:32:11,472
...Mike kicks it
into high gear.
679
00:32:11,473 --> 00:32:14,433
Highway 1 is the main
commercial corridor
680
00:32:14,434 --> 00:32:15,893
between the B.C. Interior
and the rest of Canada...
681
00:32:15,894 --> 00:32:17,686
Get rolling!
682
00:32:17,687 --> 00:32:19,521
...and obviously they want
to have us cleared and gone
683
00:32:19,522 --> 00:32:20,398
as soon as possible.
684
00:32:31,701 --> 00:32:33,495
East of Revelstoke...
685
00:32:36,081 --> 00:32:38,040
...a tricky trailer recovery
686
00:32:38,041 --> 00:32:42,337
has the Trans-Canada Highway
down to one lane.
687
00:32:43,713 --> 00:32:44,506
- Keep going.
- Yeah?
688
00:32:46,257 --> 00:32:47,716
Mike...
689
00:32:47,717 --> 00:32:49,051
and Max...
690
00:32:49,052 --> 00:32:52,638
Bring 'er right
to your under-reach.
691
00:32:52,639 --> 00:32:54,390
...heave-ho...
692
00:32:54,391 --> 00:32:56,350
Good. Just hold it.
I'm gonna pull.
693
00:32:56,351 --> 00:32:58,644
...to bring
a toppled trailer
694
00:32:58,645 --> 00:33:00,562
back on pavement.
695
00:33:00,563 --> 00:33:03,108
The goal is to do this with
minimal traffic disruptions.
696
00:33:06,111 --> 00:33:07,862
That's more like it.
697
00:33:11,366 --> 00:33:13,284
There,
she's touching down, yup!
698
00:33:14,744 --> 00:33:17,329
That'll work.
She's sitting flat.
699
00:33:17,330 --> 00:33:19,457
Okay, Max, you just
set 'er down, get outta there.
700
00:33:21,376 --> 00:33:22,793
Traffic can go through.
701
00:33:22,794 --> 00:33:26,297
Max clears his wrecker...
702
00:33:28,758 --> 00:33:31,510
...and the backlog
on Highway 1
703
00:33:31,511 --> 00:33:33,221
is released.
704
00:33:35,890 --> 00:33:37,559
Now we load it up
and get it outta here.
705
00:33:39,477 --> 00:33:41,812
But towing the trailer away
706
00:33:41,813 --> 00:33:43,689
is not an option...
707
00:33:43,690 --> 00:33:45,232
We're gonna need
a Landoll for the trailer
708
00:33:45,233 --> 00:33:47,152
because it's on its side,
and there's no wheels left.
709
00:33:48,403 --> 00:33:50,529
...and the tilting trailer...
710
00:33:52,907 --> 00:33:54,074
Don't break it!
711
00:33:54,075 --> 00:33:56,661
...needs a little help.
712
00:33:58,580 --> 00:33:59,663
Just see
if the excavator
713
00:33:59,664 --> 00:34:00,749
will give it
a little bit of a push.
714
00:34:01,750 --> 00:34:04,376
The excavator's a handy
little piece of equipment.
715
00:34:04,377 --> 00:34:05,420
It's got the blade,
it can push things.
716
00:34:06,379 --> 00:34:07,254
Ready?
717
00:34:07,255 --> 00:34:09,049
Yup.
718
00:34:09,966 --> 00:34:12,801
Just watch
that front corner, Max.
719
00:34:12,802 --> 00:34:16,097
Let me know when it's up
over the first axle.
720
00:34:20,435 --> 00:34:23,605
The extra muscle
from Bill's excavator...
721
00:34:27,359 --> 00:34:30,028
...pushes
the trailer all the way...
722
00:34:31,613 --> 00:34:33,030
...on deck...
723
00:34:33,031 --> 00:34:34,448
Good enough.
724
00:34:34,449 --> 00:34:37,701
Heads up, coming over.
725
00:34:37,702 --> 00:34:38,827
Yup!
726
00:34:38,828 --> 00:34:40,454
Still plenty to learn,
727
00:34:40,455 --> 00:34:42,164
but, yeah,
I think we're in a pretty...
728
00:34:42,165 --> 00:34:43,165
pretty good place.
729
00:34:43,166 --> 00:34:44,833
...and Team Reliable's
730
00:34:44,834 --> 00:34:45,959
Ben's Towing...
731
00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:47,753
Oh yeah.
732
00:34:47,754 --> 00:34:50,214
I'd call that a load.
733
00:34:50,215 --> 00:34:52,049
...takes the win.
734
00:34:52,050 --> 00:34:54,218
Okay, I'm outta here.
735
00:34:54,219 --> 00:34:55,344
The recovery we planned
went well,
736
00:34:55,345 --> 00:34:57,138
the highway's open,
and everybody's happy.
737
00:34:59,557 --> 00:35:02,017
Mike's built
a very good team in Revelstoke.
738
00:35:02,018 --> 00:35:04,144
They managed it all,
739
00:35:04,145 --> 00:35:05,980
and I'm very proud of them.
740
00:35:10,485 --> 00:35:13,154
500 kilometres southwest...
741
00:35:15,907 --> 00:35:17,409
...in the Fraser Valley...
742
00:35:19,327 --> 00:35:21,663
...Aggressive Towing...
743
00:35:23,248 --> 00:35:25,333
So
if you wanna use this table...
744
00:35:26,376 --> 00:35:28,752
...is decking the halls.
745
00:35:28,753 --> 00:35:29,962
Today we have
746
00:35:29,963 --> 00:35:31,630
our 6th Annual
Tow Truck Toy Run.
747
00:35:31,631 --> 00:35:34,883
Every year,
it gets a little bit bigger.
748
00:35:34,884 --> 00:35:37,928
Collecting toys
for kids in need,
749
00:35:37,929 --> 00:35:40,764
Jason Davis's daughters,
750
00:35:40,765 --> 00:35:42,433
Matia Davis
751
00:35:42,434 --> 00:35:44,184
and Jasmine Lewis,
752
00:35:44,185 --> 00:35:48,564
are aiming to outdo
their previous toy runs.
753
00:35:48,565 --> 00:35:50,691
This year, we actually had
the military reach out to us,
754
00:35:50,692 --> 00:35:52,526
and they wanted to participate,
755
00:35:52,527 --> 00:35:53,610
so they are here today.
756
00:35:53,611 --> 00:35:54,611
Sometimes,
757
00:35:54,612 --> 00:35:55,821
you don't know
how they're gonna top it,
758
00:35:55,822 --> 00:35:56,989
but they come up
with these ideas.
759
00:35:56,990 --> 00:35:59,366
Makes us strive
to wanna keep doing it,
760
00:35:59,367 --> 00:36:02,287
and making it bigger and better
every single year.
761
00:36:03,204 --> 00:36:04,288
This year,
762
00:36:04,289 --> 00:36:07,124
making a surprise
first-time appearance...
763
00:36:07,125 --> 00:36:08,667
You could be Mrs. Claus.
764
00:36:08,668 --> 00:36:11,712
...incognito Jamie Davis...
765
00:36:13,798 --> 00:36:15,299
You look funny, too.
766
00:36:15,300 --> 00:36:18,343
...and his wife
and business partner, Sherry.
767
00:36:18,344 --> 00:36:20,304
In past years,
768
00:36:20,305 --> 00:36:23,140
I've been out of town,
or working, or somewhere.
769
00:36:23,141 --> 00:36:24,141
I'm here this year,
770
00:36:24,142 --> 00:36:26,852
gonna hang out there for the day
771
00:36:26,853 --> 00:36:27,854
and enjoy it.
772
00:36:30,774 --> 00:36:31,982
Howdy.
773
00:36:31,983 --> 00:36:33,067
Hi.
774
00:36:33,068 --> 00:36:35,652
See, Merv,
I wanted to be like you.
775
00:36:35,653 --> 00:36:37,237
You wanna compare?
776
00:36:37,238 --> 00:36:38,614
The whole towing industry
777
00:36:38,615 --> 00:36:40,407
puts in a big effort
to throw this on,
778
00:36:40,408 --> 00:36:43,202
and just to watch
how many people turn up,
779
00:36:43,203 --> 00:36:46,372
and all the items we get
for donation is incredible.
780
00:36:46,373 --> 00:36:49,333
I got more of a beard
like him.
781
00:36:49,334 --> 00:36:52,169
It feels great,
and everybody is lovely.
782
00:36:52,170 --> 00:36:56,215
Lots of new faces
and lots of old dudes.
783
00:36:56,216 --> 00:36:58,008
The thing
is itchier than heck.
784
00:36:58,009 --> 00:36:59,009
- You wanna try it, Jase?
- No thanks.
785
00:36:59,010 --> 00:37:00,094
- Try it on.
- No.
786
00:37:00,095 --> 00:37:01,845
Just a little bit. Come on.
787
00:37:01,846 --> 00:37:03,222
- How are you?
- Good, good.
788
00:37:03,223 --> 00:37:04,306
I actually enjoy
789
00:37:04,307 --> 00:37:06,558
just talking to the guys
that you know there.
790
00:37:06,559 --> 00:37:08,602
We don't really see each other
as much as you would think,
791
00:37:08,603 --> 00:37:10,354
because everybody's busy
doing their thing.
792
00:37:10,355 --> 00:37:11,814
This is my main man right here.
793
00:37:13,149 --> 00:37:15,818
Every year, I say this,
but every year, it's true...
794
00:37:15,819 --> 00:37:17,486
Think it'll fit you?
795
00:37:17,487 --> 00:37:19,863
Okay.
Around the ears, yeah.
796
00:37:19,864 --> 00:37:21,073
Yeah, you gotta
bring it down a bit.
797
00:37:21,074 --> 00:37:22,616
Yeah, that's it.
798
00:37:22,617 --> 00:37:23,701
I'm so impressed
799
00:37:23,702 --> 00:37:26,036
with the ability to bring
the industry together.
800
00:37:26,037 --> 00:37:28,038
There you go.
801
00:37:28,039 --> 00:37:30,750
Convoy's almost here!
802
00:37:31,668 --> 00:37:34,169
Finally,
it's the main event...
803
00:37:35,255 --> 00:37:37,214
...a Christmas convoy...
804
00:37:39,384 --> 00:37:40,802
Merry Christmas!
805
00:37:43,263 --> 00:37:45,556
Ha ha!
Look at all the people!
806
00:37:45,557 --> 00:37:47,474
...and a strangely familiar
807
00:37:47,475 --> 00:37:48,976
guest of honour.
808
00:37:48,977 --> 00:37:51,020
Welcome to the toy run!
809
00:37:59,320 --> 00:38:00,779
At Aggressive Towing...
810
00:38:02,407 --> 00:38:04,241
There we go!
811
00:38:05,994 --> 00:38:09,288
...the 6th Annual
Christmas Toy Drive
812
00:38:09,289 --> 00:38:10,581
is underway...
813
00:38:11,916 --> 00:38:15,919
...and with over 50 tow trucks
from across B.C...
814
00:38:15,920 --> 00:38:18,797
Wow, that's a lot of trucks.
815
00:38:18,798 --> 00:38:20,507
...it's their biggest...
816
00:38:21,968 --> 00:38:25,179
...and brightest to date.
817
00:38:25,180 --> 00:38:26,388
All of us
in the industry, I think,
818
00:38:26,389 --> 00:38:27,973
take pride in that.
819
00:38:27,974 --> 00:38:30,101
It shows their dedication
to helping people.
820
00:38:31,353 --> 00:38:34,104
Here's the Army
look at that.
821
00:38:34,105 --> 00:38:36,940
It's even
caught the attention...
822
00:38:36,941 --> 00:38:38,108
All the kids.
823
00:38:38,109 --> 00:38:40,110
...of the big man himself.
824
00:38:40,111 --> 00:38:41,987
I feel like
I need some hairspray.
825
00:38:44,449 --> 00:38:45,741
Jasmine and Tia,
826
00:38:45,742 --> 00:38:49,161
I've known those girls
since like that,
827
00:38:49,162 --> 00:38:50,037
and...
828
00:38:50,038 --> 00:38:52,122
Ho, ho, ho, ho!
829
00:38:52,123 --> 00:38:54,875
I'm very proud to see them
take the initiative
830
00:38:54,876 --> 00:38:59,129
to organize this whole toy run.
831
00:38:59,130 --> 00:39:01,423
How are you today?
832
00:39:01,424 --> 00:39:02,341
You're so cute!
833
00:39:02,342 --> 00:39:03,509
All they gotta do
834
00:39:03,510 --> 00:39:06,345
is walk up with a good fresh
chocolate chip cookie,
835
00:39:06,346 --> 00:39:07,429
and they're in.
836
00:39:07,430 --> 00:39:10,516
After
six years of toy runs...
837
00:39:10,517 --> 00:39:12,976
Being able to see
the trailer filled up
838
00:39:12,977 --> 00:39:15,104
is definitely
a rewarding feeling.
839
00:39:15,105 --> 00:39:16,980
...Santa will be leaving
840
00:39:16,981 --> 00:39:19,108
with his heaviest haul yet.
841
00:39:19,109 --> 00:39:20,984
It helps shed a better light
842
00:39:20,985 --> 00:39:22,611
on the towing industry
as a whole.
843
00:39:22,612 --> 00:39:24,113
It's kinda inspirational
844
00:39:24,114 --> 00:39:26,115
to see all these
tow truck guys come together
845
00:39:26,116 --> 00:39:27,616
and help Santa out.
846
00:39:27,617 --> 00:39:28,742
What's your name?
847
00:39:28,743 --> 00:39:30,869
It's all for a good cause.
848
00:39:30,870 --> 00:39:32,037
For me
to be able to go this year
849
00:39:32,038 --> 00:39:33,748
was a good thing.
850
00:39:35,500 --> 00:39:36,750
There you are.
851
00:39:36,751 --> 00:39:39,754
Merry Christmas!
852
00:39:44,092 --> 00:39:46,386
...But 600 kilometres north...
853
00:39:50,432 --> 00:39:53,184
...near Quesnel, B.C...
854
00:39:54,185 --> 00:39:56,395
...a tough-luck lumber hauler
855
00:39:56,396 --> 00:39:58,105
has Rob Barber
856
00:39:58,106 --> 00:40:01,775
and Kyle Langlois from Autow...
857
00:40:01,776 --> 00:40:03,402
This is new.
858
00:40:03,403 --> 00:40:05,280
...working the holidays.
859
00:40:07,949 --> 00:40:09,783
It's hard
860
00:40:09,784 --> 00:40:13,538
because someone's gotta work
Christmas day, Christmas Eve.
861
00:40:16,374 --> 00:40:19,043
Every
tow truck operator's wish
862
00:40:19,044 --> 00:40:20,502
at the end of the season
863
00:40:20,503 --> 00:40:22,547
is probably
a little vacation time...
864
00:40:26,968 --> 00:40:28,635
...but we're the only ones
that are out there
865
00:40:28,636 --> 00:40:30,471
to keep the traffic flowing.
866
00:40:30,472 --> 00:40:32,514
The super heavy Super B's
867
00:40:32,515 --> 00:40:33,641
back on the road...
868
00:40:35,310 --> 00:40:37,061
...with an improvised
869
00:40:37,062 --> 00:40:39,064
two-wrecker tow-up.
870
00:40:47,489 --> 00:40:51,283
...but despite
being "on-the-clock"...
871
00:40:51,284 --> 00:40:53,535
Does he look better
like that, or like this?
872
00:40:53,536 --> 00:40:56,538
...the team
back at the Autow yard...
873
00:40:56,539 --> 00:40:57,748
Like that.
874
00:40:57,749 --> 00:41:01,251
...does their best
to brighten holiday spirits.
875
00:41:01,252 --> 00:41:05,005
Is there any more lights then?
876
00:41:05,006 --> 00:41:06,423
Yeah, our days
during the wintertime are short,
877
00:41:06,424 --> 00:41:09,802
so it's nice when you see
the lights light up the yard.
878
00:41:11,262 --> 00:41:14,640
Good afternoon, Autow.
Kim speaking.
879
00:41:14,641 --> 00:41:15,766
It's hard, right?
880
00:41:15,767 --> 00:41:17,226
With the festive season,
881
00:41:17,227 --> 00:41:19,353
everybody wants time off
to do stuff,
882
00:41:19,354 --> 00:41:21,272
and you don't always get it.
883
00:41:26,194 --> 00:41:28,655
But the following morning...
884
00:41:32,659 --> 00:41:34,201
So what kind of tree
are we going to look for
885
00:41:34,202 --> 00:41:35,369
today, girls?
886
00:41:35,370 --> 00:41:37,830
I want one that's soft!
887
00:41:37,831 --> 00:41:40,249
...on a rare day off,
888
00:41:40,250 --> 00:41:43,460
Kyle's on a special mission
with his family.
889
00:41:43,461 --> 00:41:45,004
You don't want a pokey one?
890
00:41:45,005 --> 00:41:46,296
No! They hurt.
891
00:41:46,297 --> 00:41:48,716
- They're all gonna be pokey.
- Yeah.
892
00:41:48,717 --> 00:41:50,426
Every Christmas-time now,
893
00:41:50,427 --> 00:41:51,885
we go out,
and we get a real tree.
894
00:41:51,886 --> 00:41:53,846
Oh, wait, that one?
That one, that one?
895
00:41:53,847 --> 00:41:55,097
That one's nice.
896
00:41:55,098 --> 00:41:56,265
That one's nice.
897
00:41:56,266 --> 00:41:57,559
Okay,
let's go take a look.
898
00:41:59,728 --> 00:42:02,021
We found the tree!
899
00:42:02,022 --> 00:42:02,980
Think it'll fit?
900
00:42:02,981 --> 00:42:04,481
Hopefully.
901
00:42:04,482 --> 00:42:07,151
I actually look forward
to these and enjoy them,
902
00:42:07,152 --> 00:42:09,278
because they don't happen a lot.
903
00:42:10,322 --> 00:42:11,864
More throttle.
904
00:42:11,865 --> 00:42:13,157
There you go!
905
00:42:13,158 --> 00:42:14,658
I want to!
906
00:42:15,744 --> 00:42:18,287
Doesn't really matter
what the tree looks like.
907
00:42:18,288 --> 00:42:19,663
It's a family event.
908
00:42:19,664 --> 00:42:21,832
It grows memories for everybody,
coming out and doing this.
909
00:42:21,833 --> 00:42:23,709
- Up and over.
- It's hard.
910
00:42:23,710 --> 00:42:25,420
Today's haul...
911
00:42:26,338 --> 00:42:28,130
We got a tree!
912
00:42:28,131 --> 00:42:29,757
...is the kind of job
913
00:42:29,758 --> 00:42:31,133
every towman wants
914
00:42:31,134 --> 00:42:33,093
heading into the holidays.
915
00:42:33,094 --> 00:42:35,763
It's kinda nice
to be able to stop...
916
00:42:35,764 --> 00:42:37,056
Ready, girls?
917
00:42:37,057 --> 00:42:38,098
Yeah.
918
00:42:38,099 --> 00:42:39,308
...and make the best of it
919
00:42:39,309 --> 00:42:41,269
for the short amount of time
that I do get off.
920
00:42:50,362 --> 00:42:53,739
Next time
on Highway Thru Hell...
921
00:42:53,740 --> 00:42:55,616
Supposed to be
three or four semi trucks.
922
00:42:55,617 --> 00:42:57,660
...lumber mayhem...
923
00:42:57,661 --> 00:42:59,411
Damn.
924
00:42:59,412 --> 00:43:00,412
...causes carnage...
925
00:43:00,413 --> 00:43:01,955
- Whoa.
- ...on the Coq.
926
00:43:01,956 --> 00:43:03,207
Ambulance needs to get by.
927
00:43:03,208 --> 00:43:04,583
Smells like chickens.
928
00:43:04,584 --> 00:43:06,543
A farmer in the ditch...
929
00:43:06,544 --> 00:43:08,295
It's like
a smorgasbord of wreck.
930
00:43:08,296 --> 00:43:10,464
...has Aggressive on the line.
931
00:43:10,465 --> 00:43:11,716
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
932
00:43:12,634 --> 00:43:14,968
And Alexis shows Jamie...
933
00:43:14,969 --> 00:43:16,261
This is
the biggest thing
934
00:43:16,262 --> 00:43:17,346
I've ever towed.
935
00:43:17,347 --> 00:43:18,555
...how it's done.
936
00:43:18,556 --> 00:43:20,392
That's quite the ways down.