Al Quiring Wiki Bio: Age, Family Legacy, Wife, Children, Highway Thru Hell Career, Net Worth & Key Facts

On the Coquihalla Highway, where winter storms often bring traffic to a standstill, one of the most trusted names in heavy‑duty recovery is Al Quiring. With more than three decades of experience, he has built a reputation for taking on rescues that others might consider impossible. From pulling jackknifed rigs out of blizzards to guiding Quiring Towing & Recovery into the spotlight of Highway Thru Hell, his career has been defined by skill, resilience, and commitment. Beyond the flashing lights and twisted metal, Al’s story reflects the grit of a family business, the responsibilities of being a first responder, and the determination to keep traffic—and lives—moving forward. This biography explores his career, family, and legacy, offering a fact‑based look at the man who turned one of the toughest jobs on the road into international recognition.

Early Life and Background

Al Quiring was born on December 22, 1967, and raised in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in a family whose livelihood was built on towing and recovery, a trade introduced by his grandparents, Elmer and Ann Quiring, when they founded Quiring Towing in 1962. The family’s 20‑acre property became both home and workplace, surrounded by machinery, tow trucks, and salvaged vehicles. This environment provided Al with early exposure to mechanical work and the demanding realities of towing. His father, Bob Quiring, carried on the family tradition, and Al naturally followed in his footsteps, assisting with the business from a young age. By 1994, he had officially taken on a full‑time role in the company, marking the beginning of his professional career in heavy recovery. The foundation laid in his childhood not only instilled practical skills but also a strong sense of duty and responsibility that would later define his career. A memorable part of those early years includes a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm, where Al, still a boy, learned persistence and determination while rowing a boat—an anecdote his family fondly recalls and has shared publicly on his birthday.

Career and Progression in Heavy Rescue

For more than 25 years, Al Quiring has worked along British Columbia’s Coquihalla Highway—one of the most dangerous and unpredictable stretches of road in Canada. Known for brutal snowstorms, avalanches, and treacherous conditions, the Coquihalla became the ultimate testing ground for his towing and recovery expertise. He has rescued thousands of drivers in extreme conditions and has long been relied upon by highway maintenance officials to respond when weather turns severe.

Al also played a role in developing and implementing “snowshed protocols,” which coordinated snowplows, traffic signals, and chain‑up areas to improve safety and reduce fatalities. His extensive on‑the‑ground experience gave him unique insight into how accidents unfolded and how preventive measures could be designed.

Over the years, he has become especially associated with the Kenworth T800 high‑hood wrecker, a heavy‑duty machine that the family first leased in 2007 and later purchased in 2017. The 85‑ton wrecker is equipped with 630 horsepower and an 18‑speed transmission, making it the go‑to rig for some of his most demanding recoveries.

Highway Thru Hell Television Career

Al Quiring rose to international fame as a standout cast member on Highway Thru Hell, the Canadian documentary-style reality TV series that premiered in September 2012 on Discovery Channel. The show follows towing and recovery operators as they battle treacherous conditions on the Coquihalla Highway and beyond, and now airs in over 180 countries and has been translated into more than 400 languages.

Spotlight in Season 1
In Season 1, Episode 5 — titled No Tears in Towing — Al was introduced to viewers as the “lone wolf, tough‑as‑nails wrecker.” The episode highlighted the rivalry between Quiring Towing and Jamie Davis Towing, particularly when Jamie’s signature Rotator was out of commission and Al stepped in to handle jobs, showcasing his independence and skill. This appearance solidified his image as Jamie’s main competition early in the series. 

Global Reach & Persona
Over more than 13 seasons and 190+ episodes, Al’s calm under pressure, independent approach, and technical precision have made him one of the most respected and recognized figures on the show. Fans worldwide have come to admire not only his expertise but also the way he embodies the grit and determination required in heavy rescue operations.

Season 13 Presence (2025)
For viewers wondering if Al is still part of the series or what happened to him, Season 13 confirmed his continued involvement. In A Tow Man’s Worst Nightmare (S13E5, Feb 11, 2025), he wrestled a broken trailer with a fragile load on Highway 1, while in The Whole Coquihalla Is Relying on You, Buddy (S13E8, Mar 4, 2025), he coordinated Snowshed Protocol with highway maintenance teams during a major storm. Later in Hook, Line and Wincher (S13E11, Mar 25, 2025), he managed a large dump truck spill, and in the season finale Good ‘Ol Crusty (S13E12, Apr 1, 2025), he worked to free a farmer’s overturned dump truck from deep mud. His active role throughout the 2025 season makes it clear he remains a central figure on Highway Thru Hell, dispelling persistent rumors about his departure or even false claims of his death.

Personal Life: Wife and Children

Beyond his television fame, Al is a family man. He married his wife, Nancy Quiring, on August 26, 1995. Nancy, a former bakery manager at Safeway Canada and graduate of Aldergrove Community Secondary School, has generally maintained a private life, but her professional background and long-standing ties to the Aldergrove community reflect the same hard‑working ethic that defines the Quiring family. In a February 2025 Facebook post, she expressed excitement about celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary that August, proudly sharing her weight loss journey—having shed 10 lbs in 35 days and setting herself the goal of losing another 50 lbs to return to her wedding-day weight. This milestone reflected not only her focus on health but also her enduring bond with Al and their family.

Together they have two sons: Carrington A.K.A Cary, born on June 9, 1994, and Lucas, born on September 20, 1996. Cary has followed in his father’s footsteps and now works at Quiring Towing, also appearing on Highway Thru Hell. One notable moment captured on the show involved Cary managing a dangerous Greyhound bus recovery in a snowstorm, which left Al both proud and anxious as a father.

According to a 2017 profile in Business in Vancouver, Cary was already driving part-time for the company while Lucas, then a teenager, had just received his “N” license and was beginning automotive mechanics training. This indicated that both sons were being prepared to carry on the family legacy. By March 2020, Lucas was featured on the official Highway Thru Hell page while working toward his Red Seal mechanic certification. While following a slightly different path from towing, he remains deeply connected to the family trade—often found turning wrenches on heavy trucks and helping keep both his father’s and grandfather Bob’s fleets operational. This dual involvement reflects how the Quiring legacy is diversifying across generations while staying firmly rooted in the automotive and recovery industry.

Quiring Family Legacy: Elmer and Ann Quiring

The foundation of Al Quiring’s career can be traced back to his grandparents, Elmer and Ann Quiring, whose life stories reflect the resilience and community spirit that continue to define the family business today. Elmer Quiring was born on November 17, 1915, in Delmany, Saskatchewan, to John and Margaret Quiring. The family later moved to Vancouver in 1927, where Elmer found work as a messenger delivering CPR telegrams. On August 1, 1937, he met Ann Klassen at a youth conference in Abbotsford, immediately knowing she was the woman he wanted to marry. They wed on July 13, 1940, in Abbotsford.

Ann Klassen was born on November 25, 1919, in Gnadenheim, Russia, before immigrating to Canada with her family in 1926. Her family settled first in Manitoba before moving to Clearbrook, British Columbia, where Ann worked as a housekeeper before her marriage to Elmer. Together, Elmer and Ann raised six children—Barbara, Richard, Robert, Edward, William, and Deborah—while moving between communities like Namu Bay, Williams Lake, and eventually Aldergrove, where they would leave their deepest mark.

In 1962, Elmer and Ann purchased J.E. Scott Motors, transforming it into Quiring Motors and laying the groundwork for the towing and recovery business that continues today. Deeply engaged in the Aldergrove community, Elmer became a volunteer firefighter, eventually serving as Fire Chief, while Ann was active in church groups, the PTA, and community events. They also ran the service station until their retirement in 1975, when their four sons carried on the family enterprise.

Even in retirement, Elmer and Ann remained active, splitting their time between British Columbia and winters in California and Arizona. Elmer passed away in 2010 and Ann in 2018, leaving behind a large family legacy including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even a great-great-grandchild. Their lives and contributions not only shaped Aldergrove’s local history but also laid the foundation for the Quiring Towing tradition that Al proudly continues today.

Bob Quiring and the Next Generation

Another central figure in the family’s story is Al’s father, Bob Quiring, who carried forward the business started by Elmer and Ann. Bob was deeply involved in the Aldergrove community, serving 30 years with the Volunteer Fire Department as a Captain, in addition to decades working in the family towing company. On September 25, 2023, Bob passed away peacefully at the age of 79, with his family by his side. In tribute, his grandson Carrington remembered Bob as a mentor and teacher—recounting how he and Lucas earned their first $100 from Bob after washing a trailer, and how Bob’s expertise and presence on recovery jobs made the work feel secure. Bob’s legacy remains alive through his children, grandchildren, and the enduring success of Quiring Towing. A truck procession was planned in his honour, underscoring the respect he held within the community.

Just weeks later, on November 16, 2023, tragedy struck again when Bob’s wife Pam Quiring passed away at Langley Memorial Hospital at the age of 79. Married for 61 years, Pam was remembered by her family as a devoted grandmother, skilled seamstress, and loving partner who was inseparable from Bob throughout their lives together. In a heartfelt tribute, grandson Carrington recalled how Pam sewed personalized gifts for her grandchildren, taught them life lessons like tying shoelaces and patience in writing, and supported Bob in his work—including driving a 1964 Dodge Coronet as a pilot car for mobile home moves. Her passing, following Bob’s, was deeply felt by the entire family, who planned a joint celebration of life for both in the summer of 2024.

Al Quiring Net Worth

As of 2025, Al Quiring’s net worth is estimated to be between $2.5 million and $6.5 million CAD (approximately $1.8 to $4.8 million USD), with a realistic midpoint around $4 million CAD. His wealth comes primarily from owning and operating Quiring Towing & Recovery, a family-run business that has been serving British Columbia since 1962, and from his prominent role on the Discovery Channel’s hit reality series Highway Thru Hell.

Sources of Income

• Heavy-duty towing operations – Quiring’s fleet includes 85-ton and 50-ton rotators, 20-ton wreckers, and tilt-deck units. These specialized trucks can command $300 to $1,000+ per hour on difficult recoveries, with additional fees for specialized equipment like air cushions and loaders.
• Television exposure – Since joining Highway Thru Hell, Al has become one of the show’s most recognizable faces. While reality TV salaries in Canada are modest compared to U.S. productions, the show has brought extra stability and brand recognition to Quiring Towing.
• Business ownership – Beyond towing income, Al benefits from long-term equity in his trucks, equipment, and yard, as well as the goodwill of a company that has been trusted for over six decades.

Financial Snapshot

• Fleet and equipment equity: $600k – $1.2M CAD
• Operating business value: $400k – $2.4M CAD
• Personal and other assets: $500k – $2.5M CAD

When combined, these assets and income streams place Al Quiring among the most financially successful towing operators featured on Highway Thru Hell. His steady earnings, high-value equipment, and decades of business ownership set him apart from many of his peers in the heavy-rescue industry.

Al Quiring Wiki Bio Facts

Full Name	Al Quiring
Date of Birth	December 22, 1967
Age (2025)	57 years old
Birthplace	Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Profession	Heavy rescue operator, reality TV personality, owner of Quiring Towing
Famous For	International recognition on Highway Thru Hell (Discovery Channel)
Career Highlight	Over three decades in heavy recovery; known for tackling extreme rescues on the Coquihalla Highway
Signature Vehicle	Kenworth T800 high‑hood 85‑ton wrecker (leased 2007, purchased 2017)
Spouse	Nancy Quiring (m. August 26, 1995)
Children	Cary Quiring (b. June 9, 1994), Lucas Quiring (b. September 20, 1996)
Parents	Bob Quiring (father, d. 2023), Pam Quiring (mother, d. 2023)
Grandparents	Elmer and Ann Quiring (founders of Quiring Towing, est. 1962)
Residence	Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada
Notable TV Seasons	Featured since Season 1 (2012); active through Season 13 (2025), dispelling rumors of departure or death