About Us
About Our Victoria, BC Towing Company
TOTEM TOWING was founded in 1973 by Neil Clarke. Neil purchased one tow truck to service his three Service Stations in the Victoria area. Other garages in the area were also calling Totem to service their towing needs. After a year went by, the towing demands from his and other garages warranted the purchase of a second truck.
In 1976, Neil seized an expansion opportunity when the owner of Tolmie Towing had to sell due to a conflict of interest with his job at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Neil quickly purchased Tolmie Towing and initially operated as Tolmie-Totem Towing before rebranding to “Triple T Developments Ltd., dba Totem Towing.”
By 1989, Neil’s company had expanded to twelve trucks. That year, he acquired four more from Autocraft Collision and Colwood Sooke Towing. In 1990, he promoted Dan Bird to manage the towing divisions, which included Totem Towing in Greater Victoria and Colwood Sooke Towing, serving from Victoria to Sooke. The fleet also got a fresh new paint scheme.
The upgrade of the Trans Canada Highway in 1999 significantly reduced travel time between Victoria and Colwood. By then, Totem Towing and Colwood Sooke Towing merged into one division. By 2000, Totem Towing had a fleet of fifteen tow trucks and was the largest contractor for the British Columbia Automobile Association, serving Greater Victoria for 27 years.
The upgrade of the Trans Canada Highway in 1999 significantly reduced travel time between Victoria and Colwood. By then, Totem Towing and Colwood Sooke Towing merged into one division. By 2000, Totem Towing had a fleet of fifteen tow trucks and was the largest contractor for the British Columbia Automobile Association, serving Greater Victoria for 27 years.
BELMONT TOWING JOINS THE TEAM IN 2002!
The Trans Canada Highway upgrade in 1999 reduced travel time between Victoria and Colwood, leading to the merger of Totem Towing and Colwood Sooke Towing. By 2000, Totem Towing had grown to fifteen tow trucks and was the largest contractor for the British Columbia Automobile Association, serving Greater Victoria for 27 years.
BELMONT TOWING JOINS THE TEAM IN 2002!
The new century saw significant growth in the Western Communities, now called the “Westshore.” The highway to the Westshore is becoming congested, complicating travel between Greater Victoria during rush hours. In 2002, the owner of Belmont Collision (1975) Ltd. decided to focus on collision repairs and offered to sell his towing business. On May 1, 2002, Triple T Developments Ltd. expanded their fleet by acquiring Belmont Towing, increasing their fleet to 23 trucks and trailers, with a team of 21 drivers and 10 office staff.
2003 BROUGHT ANOTHER GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR TOTEM TOWING!
In 2003, Audy Auto Body & Towing sold their towing business for fleet expansion. We became “Totem Towing” and split into Westshore, from View Royal to Sooke, and Victoria, covering the rest of Greater Victoria.
In 2013, Totem Towing celebrated 40 years in Greater Victoria. Despite challenges, we proudly operated with 35 professionals and 30 tow trucks, remaining the top choice for towing services.