Up Righting

When a heavy duty vehicle overturns—whether it’s a fully loaded semi, a cement mixer, or a commercial bus—it can shut down entire lanes, endanger motorists, and risk environmental hazards. 

At Riverside Towing, we provide expert Up Righting services across Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, and the entire Quad Cities region, responding 24/7 to rollovers, accident scenes, and weather-related incidents. Our recovery crews use advanced rotator wreckers, air cushion systems, and multi-point rigging strategies to safely up right vehicles of all sizes—minimizing damage and restoring road safety as quickly as possible.

Click to Call

Restoring an overturned semi or heavy-duty vehicle is a calculated operation that demands expertise in load physics, vehicle design, and scene coordination. In the Quad Cities, factors like soft shoulders, sloped terrain, and extreme weather events create additional recovery challenges. From icy overpasses on I-80, to wind-blown rollovers near US-61 or congested conditions on Kimberly Road, every incident site requires a strategic, safe approach.

At Riverside Towing, our Up Righting crews operate from our central dispatch near Indian Road, enabling rapid deployment across Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, and cross-river into Moline and Rock Island. Whether it’s a tipped grain hauler near Blue Grass, a box truck flipped in a roundabout off Brady Street, or a commercial vehicle downed in a tight industrial alley, we arrive prepared—with rotator units, certified rigging teams, traffic control support, and all necessary permits to resolve the scene safely and efficiently.

Precision Equipment for Professional Up Righting in the Quad Cities

Up Righting an overturned vehicle—especially one weighing 40,000 pounds or more—requires more than a standard tow. It demands advanced stabilization systems, proper rigging angles, and powerful lifting technology that can safely reposition a vehicle without causing further damage or environmental risk.

At Riverside Towing, our fleet is built for exactly this type of precision work. We operate:

  • 50-ton and 75-ton rotator wreckers with 360-degree boom rotation for exact lifting control
  • High-capacity winch trucks with dual-line capability for controlled tensioning
  • Air cushion recovery systems to gently raise overturned trailers without structural strain
  • Landoll trailers and rollback beds for post-recovery transport
  • Hydraulic stabilizers and lift mats to ensure balance on uneven or unstable terrain

Whether it’s a livestock hauler tipped on a gravel shoulder near Eldridge or a reefer trailer overturned in a downtown Davenport delivery bay, we deploy the right equipment, weight-rated rigging gear, and trained professionals for a safe, damage-controlled Up Righting operation—every time.

Up Righting Scenarios We Handle Weekly in the Quad Cities

When large vehicles roll over, the consequences can be severe—blocked highways, traffic delays, cargo spills, and major safety hazards. At Riverside Towing, our Up Righting team responds to these high-risk events regularly, using advanced equipment and coordinated response protocols. Just a few common scenarios we manage every week:

  • Overturned grain hauler on US-67 near LeClaire, requiring coordinated livestock protection
  • Jackknifed semi blocking both lanes on I-80 during early morning fog
  • Concrete truck tipped on an incline at a construction zone in Northwest Davenport
  • Tanker rollover near Duck Creek Parkway, requiring environmental hazard containment
  • Delivery truck flipped in a retail lot near Jersey Ridge Road in Bettendorf

These aren’t routine tows—they’re recovery operations that involve load management, road safety, and environmental risk mitigation. Our crews bring the tools and training to stabilize, lift, and reposition each vehicle safely, without further damage to the rig or cargo.

Certified Up Righting Technicians and a Proven Process

Our operators are more than drivers—they’re certified heavy recovery specialists trained in vehicle dynamics, rigging physics, and Iowa DOT safety protocols. We treat every rollover as a safety-critical event, and our multi-step recovery process ensures:

  • Comprehensive site assessment, including terrain, vehicle condition, and cargo sensitivity
  • Strategic rigging and stabilization plans, tailored to vehicle weight and position
  • Scene safety controls, including traffic coordination and fluid containment
  • Strict adherence to “Slow Down, Move Over” laws and OSHA-compliant recovery protocols

Our dispatchers are based in Davenport and understand local geography, weather trends, and traffic flow—ensuring we send the right equipment, route, and personnel for every Up Righting call.

Vehicles We Recover and Up Right in the Quad Cities

Riverside Towing’s Up Righting division is equipped to handle the most challenging recoveries across all types of heavy vehicles, including:

  • Tractor-trailers, reefers, flatbeds, and lowboys
  • Dump trucks, tankers, and mixers
  • Tour buses, RVs, and passenger coaches
  • Fire trucks and emergency service vehicles
  • Farming and construction machinery
  • Fleet delivery vans and box trucks

We also provide cargo re-securing, load shifts, decking/undecking, and on-site trailer transfer support when needed. If it’s overturned, we can upright it—safely, legally, and efficiently.

24/7 Emergency Towing

Roadside Assistance

Up Writing

Emergency Up Righting and On-Site Safety Protocols

When a heavy-duty vehicle overturns—especially on a highway or in an urban zone—every second matters. At Riverside Towing, our up righting crews follow a strict multi-point safety protocol designed to protect drivers, first responders, bystanders, and the environment while restoring road access as efficiently as possible.

Our Up Righting safety process includes:

  • Coordinating with local law enforcement, fire departments, and EMS to manage scene control

  • Deploying OSHA- and HAZMAT-compliant signage, cones, and beacons to ensure full visibility

  • Using air cushion systems and synchronized winching to gently lift and rotate vehicles upright

  • Containing fluid leaks and hazardous materials to protect surrounding land and waterways

  • Minimizing recovery time to reopen lanes, reduce congestion, and prevent secondary collisions

We don’t just focus on the vehicle—we focus on scene-wide risk management, ensuring every recovery is executed with caution, speed, and professionalism.

What To Do If Your Vehicle Overturns in or Around Davenport

If your semi, bus, or heavy-duty vehicle has tipped or rolled over:

  1. Turn on hazard flashers, and if it’s safe, exit to a secure location away from traffic.

  2. Call Riverside Towing at (563) 449-2367, and give your location, vehicle type, and any cargo details.

  3. Do not attempt to re-enter or stabilize the vehicle—leave that to our certified up righting team.

  4. Avoid standing near the overturned unit, as cargo shifts or fuel leaks may pose hidden dangers.

Our response time typically ranges from 20–35 minutes, depending on site access and traffic conditions. We’ll secure the scene, control traffic, and begin safe recovery without delay.

Serving Davenport, Bettendorf, and the Entire Quad Cities

Our Up Righting coverage area includes rapid-response service throughout:

  • Davenport: Including NorthPark Mall, Brady Street hill, and Kimberly Road

  • Bettendorf: Near Duck Creek, Devils Glen, and the I-74 bridge corridor

  • Eldridge & Blue Grass: Rural roads, industrial parkways, and soft shoulder zones

  • Moline & Rock Island: Cross-river rapid deployment in 30 minutes or less

  • Regional highways: Full coverage on I-80, I-74, US-61, US-67, and truck routes

We know the terrain, the traffic flow, and the best access points—because we’re local, and we’ve done this before.

Need Up Righting Now? Call Riverside Towing 24/7

If your truck, trailer, or heavy vehicle has overturned anywhere in the Quad Cities, call (563) 449-2367 now. You can also request service online for scheduled extractions or DOT-supervised recoveries.

We’re available around the clock—bringing the tools, training, and calm professionalism needed to restore your vehicle and the roadway, safely and efficiently.

Our Fast Response Services Include: 

At Riverside Towing, we offer a full spectrum of professional towing, transport, recovery, and roadside assistance services throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, Eldridge, Blue Grass, and the entire Quad Cities region. Our 24/7 dispatch team is always ready to deploy certified operators and specialized vehicles for fast, safe, and reliable service—no matter the weather or road conditions.

Heavy Duty Services

  • Heavy Duty Towing

  • Heavy Wrecker Towing

  • Heavy Wrecker

  • Rotator Crane Service

  • Heavy Cargo Services

Medium Duty Services

  • Medium Duty Towing

  • Medium Duty Wrecker

Roadside Assistance

  • Lock Outs

  • Tire Changes

  • Fuel Delivery

  • Jump Starts
Towing Services
Truck & Commercial Vehicle Towing

  • Dump Truck Towing

  • Box Truck Towing

  • Work Truck Towing

  • Motor Coach Towing

  • Rivian Truck Towing

Recovery Services

  • Off Road Recovery

  • Winching

  • Up Righting

  • Mud Road Recovery

  • Ag Implement Recovery

  • Sunken Trailer Lifting
Additional Services

  • Semi Towing

  • Long Distance Towing

  • Transport Towing

  • Motorcycle Towing

  • Mobile Tire Change

  • Battery Replacement
  •  Load Shifts and Restacks
  • Semi Breakdown Assistance
Specialty Equipment Services

  • Decking & Undecking Services

  • Bunking & Unbunking

  • Equipment Storage

Other Specialty Services

  • Truck Decking

  • Trailer Stacking

  • Mud Extractions

  • Mobile Car Repair

Storage Solutions

  • Semi-Truck Storage

  • Tractor-Trailer Storage

  • Cargo Storage

Up Righting: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Up Righting in heavy duty towing?

Up Righting is the process of returning an overturned vehicle—such as a semi-truck, bus, or heavy equipment—to its upright position using specialized recovery equipment. In the Davenport and Quad Cities area, this service is critical for clearing roadways quickly and preventing secondary accidents, especially along major corridors like I-80 and US-61.

Up Righting is required after rollovers, jackknife accidents, extreme weather events, or off-road incidents where a vehicle ends up on its side or roof. Riverside Towing responds to these emergencies regularly throughout Davenport, Bettendorf, and rural areas around Eldridge and Blue Grass.

We use a combination of rotator wreckers, air cushion systems, and multi-point rigging to safely lift and rotate overturned vehicles. Our certified operators assess weight distribution, terrain, and cargo type before executing the recovery—always prioritizing safety, legal compliance, and minimal damage.

Riverside Towing typically arrives within 20–35 minutes of dispatch, depending on traffic, location, and weather. Our dispatch hub near Indian Road allows fast access to all major routes in the Quad Cities, including I-74, US-67, and Kimberly Road.

We can upright a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles, including:

  • Tractor-trailers and doubles

  • Dump trucks and tankers

  • RVs and buses

  • Emergency service vehicles

  • Agricultural and construction equipment

Each scenario is assessed for proper recovery strategy, based on size, weight, and rollover conditions.

Many commercial insurance policies do cover up righting as part of accident recovery services. We provide detailed documentation and billing breakdowns to assist with claim filing. For immediate questions about cost or coverage, call (563) 449-2367.

Yes. Proper up righting techniques help prevent structural damage to the vehicle, loss of cargo, and environmental spills. Riverside Towing’s use of air lift systems and stabilizers helps minimize additional impact during the recovery process.

Scroll to Top