Tow Truck Windows: Repair vs. Replacement

Tow trucks and their operators offer a service to our communities that’s not only convenient—they’re essential. When a car is stranded on the side of the highway, or an unlucky trucker discovers their rig won’t start, it’s the tow truck operators who save the day.

Damage to the windshield of your tow truck can put you and that truck out of commission, just like any other piece of heavy equipment. It all depends on certain factors, which we’ll get into below.

In this blog, we’re going to go over windshield repair and replacement for tow trucks to educate owners and operators about both processes.

Tow Truck Windshield Repair

For a chip or crack in a windshield to be repaired, it has to meet the following requirements:

• Chips should be less than one inch in diameter.
• Cracks should be less than six inches long.

The rule of thumb for many auto glass repair and replacement services is that if you can cover the chip or crack, then it should be repairable.

However, the chip could be small but located near the edge of the windshield, which compromises structural integrity even more. Or it could interfere with the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), which control your safety features.

If the technician agrees that the windshield can be repaired, here’s what they’ll do:

1. Clean the damaged area of the windshield.
2. Inject resin into the chip or crack.
3. Use a UV light to cure the resin.
4. Smooth the dried resin until there is no visible sign of the damage.

For the most part, repairing a damaged windshield on a tow truck shouldn’t take longer than an hour. It could take as little as thirty minutes.

What Does It Cost to Repair a Tow Truck Windshield?

While we can’t give you a quote that applies to your specific situation, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 and $100 to repair the windshield on your tow truck.

Windshield Replacement for a Tow Truck

If the damage to your tow truck’s windshield exceeds the repair requirements, your truck will need a full windshield replacement to be operational. Below is the process for replacing a tow truck windshield—or the windshield of any other heavy equipment:

1. The technician will remove any trim pieces, such as the rearview mirror.
2. They will use specialized tools to remove the damaged windshield. If it breaks into pieces, the technician will remove each one with care.
3. They’ll clean the frame where the damaged windshield sat. If they find any rust, damage, or debris, they’ll address it before moving on. They will also remove any old adhesive.
4. The technician will apply urethane adhesive—a type of polyurethane designed to be highly durable and create a strong bond.
5. Using specialized tools, the technician will place the new windshield into the frame and press it into the adhesive.
6. The technician will inspect the installation to ensure the new glass is secure, then reinstall any removed trim pieces.
7. If your tow truck has any safety features, they will perform an ADAS calibration to ensure the system communicates properly with your truck.
8. Finally, the technician will give you post-installation care instructions. One common instruction is to avoid driving the truck for at least an hour to allow the adhesive to cure. Driving too soon could misalign the new windshield and cause leaks.

The replacement process typically takes one to two hours.

What Does It Cost to Replace a Tow Truck Windshield?

As with repairs, specific quotes are difficult to provide without seeing the damage. Generally, you can expect to pay between $200 and $500 to replace the windshield on a tow truck.

Does Your Tow Truck Have Windshield Damage in Charlotte, Belmont, or Gastonia, NC?

If you’re a tow truck driver working in Belmont, Charlotte, Gastonia, or any of the surrounding areas in North Carolina, and you need a windshield repair or replacement, contact us at All Action Auto Glass. We offer both in-shop and mobile services to give you options. We’ve been repairing and replacing all types of auto glass in this area of North Carolina for thirty years.