Heavy, Full, and Down
A loaded pig trailer overturned at Wurzbach Parkway and Buckhorn Road in San Antonio. The job site came to a halt. With over 80,000 pounds of material on its side, this Buckhorn Road trailer recovery required a calculated, heavy-duty response. We’ve dealt with heavy loads before, but pig trailers are a different kind of challenge. These oversized tank trailers are moved empty and filled with bulk material on job sites. Once loaded, they stay in place. Their structure isn’t designed for movement under full weight, which makes their heavy recovery tricky and potentially damaging.
Pig Trailers: Bigger, Heavier, Less Forgiving
When these trailers tip, the recovery process demands careful planning. The landing gear can’t handle the stress of a standard lift. If handled the wrong way, the trailer can buckle or suffer frame damage. But we approached this Buckhorn Road trailer recovery with an airtight plan.
The Setup: Two Rotators and a Dolly
We sent out two operators with our 50-ton rotator (Truck 360), 35-ton rotator (Truck 361), and a tandem axle trailer dolly.
Our first move was setting the dolly on its side and attaching it to the fifth wheel plate of the overturned trailer. This created a pivot point, relieving pressure from the landing gear. Without this step, lifting the trailer would risk collapsing the undercarriage.
Next, we rigged both rotators:
- The 50-ton rotator was placed on the top side to handle the reverse roll.
- The 35-ton rotator was on the wheel side to provide pulling power.
- We adjusted rigging to ensure even weight distribution and prevent frame stress.
The Lift: Clean, Controlled, and Fast
Once everything was set, we started the lift. The reverse roll was slow and deliberate. We calculated each move to keep the trailer steady and balanced.
The trailer came upright without damage. After 2 hours and 15 minutes on-site, the trailer was back on its wheels and operable. No damage. No tow required.
What Makes This Kind of Recovery Work
Recovering a pig trailer filled with 80,000 pounds of material takes more than raw power. Success depends on the right methods and a disciplined approach. For this Buckhorn Road trailer recovery, we relied on:
- Rotators built to manage high-capacity lifts.
- A dolly method that reduces risk to the trailer’s support system.
- A small, experienced team capable of working quickly under pressure.
Buckhorn Road Trailer Recovery: Mission Wrecker Leaves No Room for Guesswork
At Mission Wrecker, we don’t approach heavy recoveries as routine jobs. Every Buckhorn Road trailer recovery calls for focus, planning, and the experience to adapt in the moment. Pig trailers don’t respond well to rushed work. They require a method that protects the trailer, the load, and the Buckhorn Road trailer recovery crew.
This Buckhorn Road trailer recovery was no exception. But we used the right tools, made the right calls, and executed a clean recovery from start to finish.
We’ve handled more than one Buckhorn Road trailer recovery over the years, and each one reinforces the value of doing the job right the first time. From rigging to final roll, we don’t cut corners.
When a Buckhorn Road trailer recovery lands on our list, we show up ready: with the gear, the game plan, and the people to finish it without hesitation.
