One document that covers the whole tow
The tow manifest is your record of the job and your proof if anyone disputes it later. Here is what belongs on it — and how to fill it out from the cab.
What a complete tow manifest includes
Date, time and job number
When the call came in and when the vehicle was actually hooked. Time stamps settle most arguments on their own.
Vehicle and VIN
Year, make, model, color and VIN. Scan the VIN instead of typing it so the number on the document matches the plate on the car.
Owner or driver details
Name, phone, address and ID. Scanning the license fills these in and keeps the spelling exactly as it appears on the document.
Pickup and drop-off locations
Where the vehicle came from and where it ended up, including the lot, shop or residence that received it.
Truck, unit and operator
Which truck ran the call, its USDOT number and which driver was behind the wheel.
Charges
Hook fee, mileage, storage or extras, listed line by line so the customer sees what they are signing for.
Photos at pickup and drop-off
Condition of the vehicle before you touch it and after you release it. Print them on the same page as the signature.
Signatures
The customer's signature authorizing the tow, and the signature of whoever takes possession at drop-off.
Why the manifest matters more than the invoice
An invoice says what you charged. A manifest says what happened. When a customer calls three weeks later claiming the bumper was fine when you picked the car up, the invoice is useless — the photos, the VIN and the signature on the manifest are what close the complaint.
The same document is what an insurer, a shop or an attorney will ask for. Incomplete manifests — missing VIN, missing signature, no photos — are the ones that cost towing companies money.
Filling one out in the truck
EzTowForm walks the driver through the manifest in order: scan the customer's license, scan the VIN (the year, make and model fill in automatically), add the locations and charges, take the photos, and hand the phone over for the signature. The finished PDF is in English, downloadable by the customer on the spot, and saved under their name. Drivers who prefer Spanish can run the whole app in Spanish — the document still prints in English.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tow manifest?
A tow manifest, often called a tow bill, is the single document that records one tow from start to finish: who owned the vehicle, what was towed, where it was picked up and dropped off, what was charged, and who signed for it.
Is a tow manifest the same as a tow bill?
In day-to-day use, yes. Some companies call it a tow bill because it carries the charges; others call it a manifest because it lists everything about the job. EzTowForm produces one PDF that serves both purposes.
What has to be on it?
At minimum: date and time, vehicle year, make, model, color and VIN, the owner or driver's name and ID details, pickup and drop-off locations, the truck and operator who ran the call, the charges, and the customer's signature.
Do photos belong on the manifest?
They should. Photos of the vehicle at pickup and at drop-off are the fastest way to end a damage dispute. EzTowForm attaches them to the same PDF as the signatures.
Can I keep paper manifests instead?
You can, but paper gets lost, smudged and left in the truck. A digital manifest is stored, searchable, and can be emailed to the customer the moment it is signed.