Powerful engines, adverse weather conditions and steep descents are just some of the elements that have defined Highway Thru Hell. The Canadian docuserie, first presented in 2012, follows the daily operations of truck drivers working in British Columbia. Much of the show takes place along the Coquihalla Highway, a 201-mile stretch of road that connects Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies.
As the Coquihalla climbs into the mountains, temperatures drop and driving conditions worsen. During the winter months, it is considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in North America. When snowstorms occur or ice forms on the road, vehicles risk slipping out of the lane and getting stuck in a ditch, or worse. Accidents can block traffic for hours and leave motorists stranded along the road in arctic temperatures. In critical situations like this, rescue workers from Highway Thru Hell are called to the scene to clear the road and open up for traffic.
During its seven seasons, Highway Thru Hell managed to break both spectator records and stereotypes. The show informed the audience about how the trailer industry works and the importance of what it does. A key factor in bringing the work of the towers to the screen is, of course, everything that takes place behind the scenes. Filming real-time rescue operations in hostile weather conditions requires experience and innovative thinking. To shed some light on how this is done, this list breaks down the tricks and techniques behind making Highway Thru Hell.
Here are 20 details behind the Highway Thru Hell making.
Thanks to the freezing Canadian winters, the cast of Highway Thru Hell usually have a lot of work to do. However, towing can be unpredictable and workers never know when they will be called for a job. The tow truck operators are on hand around the clock, which means the film crews following them have to be too.
To make sure nothing is ever lost, executive producer Mark Miller has split his employees into two teams that cover 12-hour shifts. In this way, the cameras always turn when something exciting happens and the audience has a complete view of the life of a tow truck driver.
Getting stuck on the freeway in the middle of winter is no joke and no one knows it better than Jamie Davis’ team. The Highway Thru Hell star explained that his trucks are always loaded with snacks and survival supplies before they hit the road. When traffic stops or cars drive into snow, motorists can find themselves stuck on the road for anything from a few hours to a couple of days.
Davis also points out that his trucks always refuel as often as possible. A car’s fuel tank is quickly emptied when the heating system is running, so it’s important to make sure you don’t run out of gas. If you’re going to cross a mountain pass, Davis recommends filling the tank as often as possible and packing some blankets just in case.
Documentary series are usually interspersed with serene scenes in which the cast unwinds and opens up. As a viewer, you often wonder how directors manage to capture intimate moments and get close and personal with someone they are filming.
On Highway Thru Hell , Leia Hutchings captures these kinds of shots by operating the sound and camera herself. Hutchings functions as a so-called ‘ one-member musical group; ‘A self-sufficient crew member who can jump wherever needed. A one-man band is less of an intrusion into the lives of the cast and can be easily dispatched if production is in a rush. If the Highway Thru Hell cast has to rush towards a wreck, Hutchings doesn’t need the help of other crew members to capture what they need for the show.
For entertainment purposes, the team behind Highway Thru Hell are always looking to capture the most impressive towing missions. Most of the work that Jamie Davis does, however, involves smaller vehicles and doesn’t necessarily make television compelling.
To get a wide selection of material to work with, Highway Thru Hell filmed for the entire winter season. They are usually found in British Columbia for four to six months of the year. Summer, on the other hand, is a much quieter time for show tow drivers. During the warmer months, the Highway Thru Hell cast can focus on repairing their gear and preparing for the next snowfall.
Acting in a docuseries may be a golden ticket for many small business owners, but the pendulum swings the other way too. As new competitors started popping up in town, Jamie Davis realized there’s a drawback to reality fame. Due to increased competition and decreased workload, Davis decided to expand to Alberta during the third season.
Davis also admitted that the show’s publicity had a direct impact on his assignments. In an interview with Truck News, Davis revealed that several companies have refrained from calling him because they don’t want their scrap to end up on television.
Highway Thru Hell makes an honest attempt to represent the tow truck industry, but they still dabbled in some imaginative reality editing. In an interview with Auto Dealer , the Quiring family complained about how they were portrayed on the show.
According to the family, the Discovery Channel concocted a drama between Al Quiring and Jamie Davis for the show’s first season. This depiction got the Quiring in dire straits with some of their clients and made them a target for outraged fans. The Quirings have since been shown in a more nuanced light on the series, but it remains clear they disagreed with how they were initially presented.
Show creator Neil Thomas first came into contact with Jamie Davis’ rescue workers when his moving truck broke down in the summer of 2010. The experience clearly left an impression, because the co – creator Mark Miller and cameraman Kevin Mills returned the following year to talk to Davis and pitch their idea for a show.
Davis was initially a little reluctant to star in a reality series, but saw the potential benefit the show could have on the towing industry’s reputation. Before appearing on the show, Davis was an industry spokesperson and never hesitated to express his opinion to the media. His previous media exposure likely helped him understand the benefits of having a large audience and prepared him for a global stage.
