International Towing & Recovery Museum, Chattanooga

About International Towing & Recovery Museum

The International Towing & Recovery Museum in Chattanooga displays the history of the towing industry through its collection of vehicles and artifacts. Visitors begin with a theater presentation on the invention of the tow truck and the museum's evolution, then proceed on a self-guided tour through the showroom. The museum houses over 24 tow trucks spanning from 1913 to 2002, including a 1913 Cadillac, a 1929 Chrysler, a 1950 Mack A Model, and a 1935 Ford with a Weaver crane. The collection also features the world's largest toy tow truck collection, vintage gas pumps, and pedal cars. Interactive exhibits include Tator Tot, a mini tow truck for children, and displays about the World's Fastest tow truck. The museum also maintains The Wall of the Fallen, a memorial honoring towing professionals lost in service. Located in downtown Chattanooga, the birthplace of the U.S. towing industry, the museum operates daily and welcomes school groups, car clubs, and bus tours alongside individual visitors.