American Towman Magazine - January 2019 by dortiz-towman

Resch Calls for Real Change Mower off the Freeway Testing Equipment Myths

Departments

FEATURE CONTENTS

The Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tow Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .26 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .54 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Towman of the Year B/A Products’ “Little John” test bed applies load to equipment to test for working load limits.

Over the past two years, the Spirit Riders have worked tirelessly to support one another’s safety in educating the public to Move Over. by Brendan Dooley

Mowed Down, Picked Up Careful planning and rigging are needed to recover a rolled industrial mower off the interstate. by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Exam Time Putting equipment myths to the test during a day at B/A Products testing lab. by Terry Abejuela

Thank You, Spirit Riders by Dennie Ortiz

American Towman is always faced with a challenge during the selection process of the Towman of the Year. This year, unintentionally echoing “Time” magazine (who selected a group of journalists to be recognized), AT also recognizes a group for our annual recognition— a very deserving group for this special honor. I’d like to give my heartfelt thanks to all the towing professionals that participated in the Spirit Ride over the past two years. The Spirit Ride campaign brought awareness to the motoring public of the dangers that all first responders face on the roadways and of the Move Over laws.

Many accolades are due to the hundreds of towers and first responders who gave of their time and resources to contribute to the success of the Spirit Ride. The Riders remind me that there are still plenty of good people doing good things in the world. The towing profession itself provides a platform for those people that wish to help others. I believe this is an integral part of the characteristics of being a towman. The vocation beckons people with this type of mettle—the unsung heroes of the road. I am proud to be part of this industry that does its share to make the world a safer place. With those same thoughts, may you all have a safe and prosperous year to come.

The Road Called for the Corbins by Brendan Dooley

As I talked with Mike and Ilce Corbin about their stories from the Spirit Ride and their role in it over the past two years, I thought about everything they did to make the Spirit Ride a success. While the Spirit Riders throughout the country are recognized as American Towman’s 2019 Towman of the Year, Ride ambassadors Mike and Ilce were integral to the effort. Taking to the road for two years to escort the Spirit casket in the Spirit Ride RV, managing hundreds of ceremonies, building the casket … and, generally, putting their own home life on hold for the Ride to be successful should be commended. The road called, and they followed, to improve the lives of towers everywhere. Thanks, Mike and Ilce, for all your hard work. 6 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Emily Oz Mark Lacek

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run Editor

Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

American Towman Staff Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Jimmy Santos Toni Vanderhorst Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner William Burwell Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Bob Aglione Steve Calitri

Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts General Manager Publisher’s Assistant Customer Service Subscription Manager TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer Communications Director President

American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2019 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: Single Copy: $10 1 yr: $60 – 2 yrs: $110 International: $75 & $135 All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT.

Alleged Price Gouging Probed Police in Ramapo, New York, said they are investigating price gouging after numerous cars were towed following a snowstorm that left abandoned cars scattered throughout the lower Hudson Valley. Police said they received complaints about tow truck companies jacking up prices as they removed cars that were in crashes or were abandoned during the storm. The department said it dispatched several of its authorized towing companies to remove cars. Source: lohud.com.

N.J. Seeks to Stiffen ‘Move Over’ Penalties

New Jersey lawmakers are seeking to increase penalties for drivers who don’t move over for first responders. The new measure was approved by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee in November. It would stiffen the penalties for violators of the state’s decadeold ”Move Over Law,” and would require the state Division of Motor Vehicles to create a public-awareness campaign about the issue as well. The proposed measure must be passed by the full state senate and assembly and then signed by Gov. Phil Murphy to become law. A radio host’s opposition to the measure has sparked backlash. Judi Franco, a radio show host, wrote a column calling the bill “silly.” The headline: “Dead cops make bad laws.” She blamed the original law for creating “a hazardous trend of drivers noticing the activity too late and panicking and stopping short or trying to move over too quickly.” In a statement, Wayne Blanchard, president of the State Troopers’ Fraternal Association, dismissed Franco’s column as a “poorly written ‘opinion’ piece” designed to “stir the pot for ratings.” Source: nj.com. 8 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Billboards Placed on Competitor’s Lot One tow company’s PR campaign is causing outcry in Minnesota. kimt.com image.

In Rochester, Minnesota, Virgil’s Auto Care recently posted a billboard on its competitor’s lot at Pulver Towing. “We’ve had hundreds of phone calls … [from people that] just cannot believe the unprofessionalism that’s occurring here on this billboard.” One of Virgil’s new co-owners, Royal Johnson, said it’s all strictly

business, saying they don’t feel it’s unprofessional as it’s part of a larger campaign. “If we were only doing this one billboard and we were taking both sides of it ... then, yeah, that would be probably maybe unprofessional because it has a specific message to it,” said Johnson. Source: kimt.com.

FMCSA Denies

Towing ELD Exemption Requests The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced in November in a Federal Register notice that it denied 10 ELD exemption requests from various trade organizations and associations, including TRAA. The agency officially denied the requests last summer, but it is required to publicly announce the denials in the Federal Register. Included in the denials was a petition from Towing and Recovery Association of America. TRAA requested a five-year exemption on behalf of the towing industry, saying at the time its operations warrant an ELD exemption and the industry planned to continue using and reviewing paper logs to verify their accuracy.

Towers are not exempt from using ELDs. trucks.com image.

FMCSA’s denial said though the use of paper logs would have been comparable before the ELD mandate, it’s not equivalent to the safety that ELDs provide. Source: ccjdigital.com.

...Bill had a great passion for this industry... Towman Killed in Hit-and-Run Police detectives in Fort Worth, Texas, are asking for public assistance in locating a driver and vehicle involved in a deadly hit-and-run. The victim was standing beside his tow truck on I-35 when a vehicle struck both last November, killing the victim. The suspect vehicle continued without stopping to help. A witness described the vehicle as a white semi that was pulling a “grain-type” trailer with a gray tarp. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 817-3924892. Southwest Tow Operators with Dave’s Hi-Way Wrecker and TowKing are offering a $2,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the suspect who is responsible for this tow operator’s death. Source: Southwest Tow Operators.

Life Sentence for Killing Tow Owner A man accused of killing a tow company owner over $285 was sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences plus 15 years recently in Orange County, Florida. Tremain Polk was sentenced for killing Paul Gren in May 2017. He was convicted of shooting Gren after his car was towed and he was trying to retrieve it without paying. Employees said they intended to let Polk leave without paying to deescalate the confrontation, but Polk pulled a gun and shot Gren. “These sentencing days on these types of cases are never happy days. This was a needless and savage attack at a place of business where someone had just gone to work for the day,” Judge Lisa Munyon said. The judge sentenced Polk to serve two consecutive life sentences, plus 15 years. Source: wftv.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Industry Remembers an Icon: Bill Bottoms

A&M Towing in Albany, New York, was one of dozens of companies to submit a #boomsupforbillbottoms photo at the B&B Industries facebook page after Bottoms’ passing last month.

William “Bill” Bottoms, 77, passed away at his Indiana home with his family by his side, on Dec. 7, 2018, after suffering a stroke earlier in the week. He was born Aug. 18, 1941, in McMinnville, Tennessee. Bill was a U.S. Air Force veteran; in his younger years he raced dirttrack cars and was a pipe-fitter and welder. He started building tow trucks and opened B&B Industries in Chicago, Illinois. In 1979, he moved his company and renamed it Challenger Wrecker Manufacturing. He sold that company, but missed the work, so he reopened B&B Industries in Elkhart, Indiana. “Bill Bottoms was a remarkable innovator and creative engineer. He also was humble, modest and kind,” said Dennie Ortiz, publisher of American Towman. “Bill had a great passion for this industry of which he was still very involved even though he could’ve retired comfortably long ago.” “I worked for Bill at Challenger for about five years in the mid-’80s,” said Randy Olson of Worldwide Equipment Sales. “Challenger at that time built a reputation as he referred to it, we were like Burger King which ran ads with a jingle, ‘You can have it your way’ and ‘Special orders don’t upset us.’ That was Challenger back then; if you wanted extra toolboxes, special pylons, custom paint, you name it, anything in reason and Challenger would modify the units they built. … Bill loved wreckers and car racing and I feel fortunate that I got to visit with him in Baltimore.” “I remember Bill’s sparkling blue eyes and how humble he was about being an ‘industry icon.’ Truly a great man who will be missed by all that knew him,” said Ellen Rosengart, senior account executive. Bill is in the International Towing Museum Hall of Fame in Chattanooga. He is survived by his wife, Judith Ann Matson, children Randy (Rosa) Yarbrough, Bill (Shelley) Wassom, Kenny (Laurie) Peek, Maria “Lisa” (Lee) Hirschfield, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Transfer Flow 55-Gal. Diesel Tank for 2017-’19 GM/Chevy Transfer Flow introduced a new 55-gal. high-capacity replacement tank for 2017-’19 GM/Chevy 2500/3500 crew cab short bed diesel trucks. Fully baffled to prevent fuel slosh, the tank system is completely legal and won’t void customers’ truck warranties. The tank system affords drivers significantly increased capacity and driving range. Features include: • Tank sits above the differential; no skid plate needed. • Fits in the same space as stock fuel tank. • Comes with required straps and mounting hardware

transferflow.com

Stamp Works Light-Up Key Tag

The all-new custom tow truck light-up key tag from Stamp Works just may be the ultimate key tag. Get your tow truck images placed on the tag that lights up its headlights. Just squeeze the tow truck and the headlights come on, featuring super-bright LEDs. The key tag is die-cut for precision.

stampworks.net

Talbert Offers Versatile 60CC/55SA-LD Trailer Talbert Manufacturing introduced its 60CC/55SA-LD, a hydraulic detachable-gooseneck trailer featuring a non-ground-bearing hydraulic gooseneck design, 108” swing radius, 26’ deck length and 8’-6” deck width trailer. It pairs with Talbert’s optional E1Nitro axle extension, allowing for 60-ton capacity with a closecoupled configuration or a 55-ton hauling capacity with a spread-axle configuration. This design gives customers flexibility to switch between a close-coupled and spread-axle configuration gives operators the ability to meet the many varying state requirements

talbertmfg.com 10 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Jerr-Dan Debuts JD10XLP Carrier

err-Dan Corp. recently unveiled its all-new JD10XLP Carrier. A press release said the JD10XLP is “steering in a new enthusiastic era [that] reflects the company’s years of accumulated engineering innovation and industry experience and is available for ordering now.” “We are thrilled to introduce a new carrier for our customers in the towing and recovery industry, showcasing productivity, versatility and durability,” said Mike VanAken, Jerr-Dan director of product management and marketing. Standard features of the JD10XLP include a dual operating box located on each side of the carrier that allows operators to effectively identify functions and operate the carrier; all-steel deluxe headboard with integrated 24”-long grab handles and chain racks;

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Apitong hardwood decking available in 24’, 26’ and 28’; anti-skid yellow paint treatment; four-function wireless remote control, LED lighting and a deck-mounted threestep fold-out ladder. “These are standard features instead of options that require add-on pricing,” VanAken stressed. “Jerr-Dan has made the decision to include these key features on our carrier equipment fleet to ensure that our customers are getting the full spectrum of our engineering innovations. In turn, end users get a truck that is ready to tackle work on day one.” The JD10XLP Carrier features a lower deck height, exclusive No-Lube technology, and Jerr-Dan’s new oneyear (full) and five-year (structural) warranties.

jerrdan.com

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 11

It’s Time for Real Change

If police vehicles were employed during the time of the towing event, their presence may have prevented towman Nader Chehadi’s death in Michigan. mlive.com image. by Randall C. Resch

start the New Year reporting on results that spilled over from last year’s fatality count of 14-plus towers killed working highway scenarios, including three tow operators from the U.S. and Canada killed within four days of each other at the end of November. Recent news reports piqued me about the Move Over laws nationwide, which have been in effect for more than 15 years … yet in that time, more than 220 tow operators have been killed on America’s highways. On June 25, 1979, fellow police officer Dennis Gonzalez made a routine stop on a dangerous stretch of a major highway in San Diego, California. His patrol car was tactically parked with overhead lights on when struck by a teenager who later said, “I didn’t know I hit anything.” In 1979, Move Over laws weren’t on anyone’s radar, but Gonzalez’s death prompted departments to change how vehicle stops were conducted on the highway. On Sept. 9, 2017, in Wayzata, Minnesota, police officer Bill Mathews, a 19-year veteran, was clearing debris off U.S. Highway 12 when he was struck and killed. Prosecutors charged

12 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

the 54-year-old woman with vehicular homicide in his death. She allegedly drove under the influence, on a revoked license, while distracted by her cellphone. News reports said Mathews turned on his police car’s emergency lights indicating traffic should move over. One witness, who was behind the suspect vehicle, stated the driver didn’t swerve or move to avoid hitting the officer.

If the police will not give you a lane, pack up your gear and go home. On May 29, 2018, a 25-year-old Michigan motorist lost control of her SUV and plowed into towman Nader Chehadi as he prepared to tow a disabled school bus. The SUV’s driver reportedly had three alcohol-related convictions over a 10-year period and her license revoked twice since 2009. At the time of the incident, she was unlicensed. An adult passenger died

and three children riding in her vehicle were seriously injured. Edwards should have never been on the road. (From that crash, a news video showed the presence of as many as 10 police vehicles blocking view of the tower’s body from passing motorists. To me, that’s an incredible waste of police resources occurring after the fact. Why wasn’t one police vehicle used to slow traffic at the time of tow with one positioned on the shoulder providing blocker assistance with red and blue lights? If police vehicles were employed during time of the towing event, their presence may have prevented the Chehadi’s death.) These fatal scenarios represent 39 years and span across the U.S. Have you seen any indication that motorists are making positive strides in their driving habits? Do Move Over laws work? It seems to me, over nearly 40 years, nothing’s changed for the better. I don’t think Move Over laws work. Sure, there are locations where sporadic safe movements are noticed, but as a whole to the entire process of

Continued on p. 14.

... continued from p. 12 safe driving, the media continues reporting tow operator and first responder strikes; many of them during the middle of the day where weather and traffic aren’t contributing factors. Through continued review of operator fatalities, I also believe there’s sufficient evidence to show that a large percentage of tow operators are placing themselves in harm’s way by not heeding simple on-scene practices. As the motoring public still fails in its responsibilities on Move Over, I’m inclined to wonder if tow operators are doing anything to protect themselves. Are you working off the white line? Or do you still change tires on the highway? Do you use peek-a-boo techniques to enter your tow truck? Do you help fellow towers by providing blocker truck assistance? I see towers everywhere working white-line controls, working with their back to traffic, taking reckless actions

14 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

that place them directly in harm’s way. There’s a multitude of online videos where towers produce short footage of white-line dangers to show that traffic doesn’t move over. Why? We towers already know that. (I understand and appreciate their motives for trying to make motorists aware of the dangers we tow operators face, but I guarantee, unless that video hits prime-time news, not one motorist is looking at TowForce or reading the world’s news to appreciate the video’s message.) Since 1990, I’ve instructed on operator safety; in those 29 years, my emphasis of topic has changed drastically. In the early days of towing and recovery training (before distracted driving was so blatant), the focus was on the mechanics and techniques of towing and recovery work. The towing and recovery industry has secured the distinction as being the most deadly of all first responder categories. That’s nothing to be proud of. My classroom focus now has much

more to do with operator safety than the mechanics of towing and recovery. Accordingly, I train a full module on tow operator fatalities and stress their importance. During a convoy for one tow operator’s funeral, a tower said, “It shows that no matter what shirt you put on, what truck you drive, what company you work for … we’re all there for each other.” While a nice sentiment, that isn’t reality. Reality shows tow companies are too busy complaining about each other and hating on competitors, while associations don’t seem to be hitting difficult issues head on. Albert Einstein is broadly credited with exclaiming, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but, expecting different results.” Do we as an industry continue to conduct the same deadly services and expect different results knowing nothing will change? The industry would seem to be standing at the edge of insanity. Several prominent industry per-

sonalities have suggested it’s time for towers to wake up and face the issue of survival. Tow forums are rife with comments about the current state of “deadly affairs.” Here’s a sampling of what towers are saying: • “Being unprotected on the side of a highway isn’t safe at any time of day.” • “Does the chump change you towers make justify the lives of your operators?” • “Perhaps towers shouldn’t respond to calls on the highway where it ultimately becomes a government issue.” • “Is getting killed an acceptable part of doing business?” • “I called Pennsylvania State Police numerous times to assist me on the interstate hooking up a tractor-trailer on the white line and they never once showed up to help.” • “I’m from Texas and local PD doesn’t assist or all they do is pass by.”

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

• “I’m boiling mad at this preventable loss of life and you should be too.” • “If you don’t want to get slaughtered on the side of the highway, stop pissing and moaning about the carnage, do something now, effective immediately; don’t tow anything from the highway unless you are protected.” • “If the police will not give you a lane, pack up your gear and go home.” • “All towers working the highways should re-evaluate their on-highway response.” It’s time the industry—towing associations, owners, operators, managers—in all states take a stand against the loss of life. Part of that stand suggests taking direct responsibility to work away from approaching traffic. Towers should stop blaming motorists for their wayward actions; you can’t control their distracted driving. But you do have control as to

where you walk, stand and work; get off the white line. I believe a police presence should be on scene during all highway tows and be mandatory and standard practice. To cite cost over saving lives is not sensible. Unless towers stand together, we’re doomed. Why are there police vehicles parked at highway construction projects, but not on scene to provide lighting, blocking and presence for tow operators? Why were as many as 10 police vehicles on scene after the fact when Nader Chehadi was killed in Michigan? Towers shouldn’t be dispensable at the sake of keeping traffic moving. Until we towers get united on this industry problem, we’ll see no solution and tower fatalities will continue.

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek.com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM -January 2019 • 15

Professionalism: Career Vs. ‘a Job’ by Brian J. Riker

hat, exactly, is professionalism? What does it mean? While reading an Internet forum a few weeks ago, one poster suggested that no one in towing will ever be a true professional as there is simply too much to learn in our ever-changing industry to truly master the skills required to be a “professional” tower. Personally, I take exception to this. A true professional doesn’t necessarily know it all; rather they know —and have mastered—the fundamentals of their chosen career and understand how to apply these fundamentals on the job. However, I find most “know-it-alls” to be the opposite of professionals. These are the dangerous ones because they cannot be taught anything new, nor are they open to different point of views about their job. A key aspect of being professional is continued education and training, two similar goals that do have their differences. Training is the routine practice of fundamental skill sets to reinforce their application. Continuing education, however, is the growth, development and introduction of new skills and ideas. It’s like the difference between doing routine maintenance on your current truck vs. upgrading to a newer one with different features and capabilities.

Training Training is always a good idea no matter the form. There are many organizations dedicated to training that serve the towing industry, and they all present good material. It is in your best interest to take advantage of as many of these programs as your budget allows for. (I would even dare to make the assertion that as the level of training provided to your team increases, your nuisance claims for minor damage will exponentially 16 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

decrease; meaning training pays for itself many times over.) In-house training programs are a must. It astounds me that so many towers will simply hand the keys to someone and say, “Go get ’em.” Yes, this is how I was introduced to the industry almost three decades ago, but it still is wrong.

These are the dangerous ones because they cannot be taught anything new, nor are they open to different point of views about their job. Our brothers in the trucking industry understand this. On average, truckload carriers spend three days with all new hires in orientation, spending even more with inexperienced drivers. They invest in this time even though they know the statistics show their average hire stays with them for six months or less. This seems crazy: spend thousands of dollars on orientation training for an employee that is going to jump ship in a few months? However, they understand the risk they take if training isn’t provided, even for experienced drivers. Taking the time to develop a comprehensive in-house training program is not wasted time. Such a program should cover the basics of company policies and procedures, rules and regulations as well as how to operate

the specific type of equipment the job requires.

Education Continuing education is another important part of professional development. Investing in your team’s skill set helps keep you ahead of the average tower and builds loyalty as well as a sense of expertise among your team. If you show them that you care enough to invest in their personal level of skill development, they will show added pride in how they perform their tasks. Companies with collision centers or mechanical repair shops fully understand the importance of keeping their certifications current. Without current certifications, which translate into educated and proficient technicians, they simple don’t receive the best possible work or return on investment. This is especially true in the collision industry since many insurance companies won’t give preferred work to shops without currently certified technicians. Cars and trucks are increasing in complexity with each new model year, meaning updated training on new models is a must. Why would we think our tow operators don’t need to update and improve their skills? Don’t they deal with the same changes in vehicle design? Yes they do … with the added challenge of figuring it out in less than ideal, often unsafe, working conditions. What about traffic incident management and safe roadside work procedures? These are also in the category of professional development as continuing education? As an industry we desire to be recognized as emergency or primary incident responders, yet many tow bosses refuse to invest in even the most basic of professional development. Until such time as we all start calling out the towers that

Continued on p. 18

... continued from p. 16 refuse to better themselves, our industry will be looked upon as less than professional. Doctors, lawyers and even cosmetologists have state certification boards. To pick on my home state of Pennsylvania, we require cosmetologists to attend a state accredited school, take an exam and even apprentice in their field; yet all a tower needs to do is pass a criminal background check and possess a driver’s license. The background check isn’t even required if you’re not performing police towing. There’s no form of industry training, outside certification or state board review in Pennsylvania. This means no education or practical skill is required. As an industry, we are failing miserably in our quest for professionalism. To keep it simple and easy to become a tower, we have fought most all attempts at mandatory training, certification and other measures that raise the bar. Although they will increase the cost of doing business, these measures will make the industry

18 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

more professional and, hopefully, more respected. Dare I even say more profitable? If you are a tow boss, now is the time to take a hard look at how you train and qualify your team. Do you provide adequate new-hire training, routine refresher (practice) and updated training on new issues as needed? Are you hiring bodies to fill a seat or developing true professionals that will lead the industry for the next two or three decades? Attitude and willingness to grow with the team are much more important than coming to you with previous experience. As my good friend D.J. Harrington would ask, “Are you hiring eagles or turkeys?” If you are an employee reading this, ask yourself what you can do to increase your knowledge and skill set, resulting in increasing your value. Ask yourself if your employer truly cares about your abilities, well-being and has your future in mind as a longterm part of their business success. Or, are you just another “driver” filling a J-O-B. I beg of you to evaluate your

skills honestly and seek improvement where needed … even if you have to pay for it yourself. I took my first training classes while I was only a part-time tower even though my employer refused to pay for them. It was tough, and a lot of money for an 18-year-old kid working part-time to invest. However, it laid the foundation for me to become a professional rather than just have a job. Bottom line: If we want to be elevated to the status of professional and earn the title of first responder rather than be viewed as the highway janitor or necessary evil, we need to earn it. Simply showing up and putting our life on the line is not enough; we must train like our fellow incident responders do to gain their respect.

Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 25 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator, and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. He specializes in helping navigate the complex world of federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net

Understanding Luxury OEM Guidelines by Paul Stephens

here is a misconception in our industry that the original equipment manufacturers’ engineers turn a blind eye to towing and serviceability issues. The challenges I face every day as a liaison trying to communicate between towers and OEMs is mind-blowing to say the least. It seems like OEMs make it difficult to find info on new vehicle procedures, but this is far from the truth. That doesn’t help, though, when on the side of the road with a customer who is complaining about how long it’s taking to load up their ride. The area of ultra-luxury vehicle towing usually had been reserved for the most skilled operators at a company or one select company that specialized in a particular manufacturer. Today, any operator can be dispatched on any vehicle at any time. Tow truck manufacturers have tried to keep up with the changing dynamics due to the newer luxury models’ limited attachment points, rigidity and structural integrity complexity, and low clearances. The vehicles have become much more complex and the towing equipment has evolved to assist as best it can with options in low-profile trucks, lower bed angles, over-the-wheel straps, skates, etc. When instructing a class, it surprises me how many towers only think they are towing the vehicle properly or how quick they are to discredit the idea that improper towing contributes to damaging a vehicle’s structural integrity through chassis flex.

Patience Is a Virtue The first thing you need to know about luxury vehicles is that they take a little more effort; exercising patience 20 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Luxury vehicles have become much more complex for towing; the towing equipment has evolved to assist as best it can.

is a priority and a complete vehicle inspection is critical. The simplest task can take a few minutes longer to perform, but finding what steps to take can at times be like pulling a tooth. The standard rule for towing luxury vehicles is to locate the proper manufacturer’s attachment points, or the area you would most likely attach to tow the vehicle. Every model is different and manufacturer designs change regularly, so knowing where to hook onto a vehicle can be all over the place. There are many sources to find the accurate information and guidelines on vehicle towing, but knowing how to differentiate between fact and myth can be a challenge. The best place to start is usually the owner’s manual. This was the go-to source for many years to assist an operator on the side of the road. Over the past several years, a majority of manufacturers have gone away from paper manuals and posted them online … but this doesn’t help if you’re in the middle of nowhere with no data coverage.

A lot of owner’s manuals have a section on emergency towing procedures; many simply state, “If emergency towing service is required, contact a professional towing service.” Gee, thanks—this is truly beneficial when you were struggling enough to look in the manual for help in the first place.

Online … Help? You can find help through online searches and video uploads, but you must be able to trust your source. The most common thing I hear during an investigation after things went wrong is, “I saw it on YouTube and tried it the same way.” Some videos are much better than others; choose wisely and cautiously. If you couldn’t find the owner’s manual in the vehicle, check the manufacturer’s website too. Don’t rely solely on the info being there, so have a Plan B. Some other reliable sources can be found through dispatch services such as motor clubs, training

Continued on p. 22

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 21

... continued from p. 20 sites and apps. Once you find an accurate source for you, be sure to bookmark the site for future reference. At industry events and Expos, I’m often asked about certain scenarios or previous tows followed by, “How can I improve or where can I get the most information?” I always advise that any time you have access to a shop tech or dealer shop foreman, ask as many questions as they will take time to answer for you. They can be a wealth of information. Most of today’s luxury vehicles have complex systems for ride stability, computers, crash absorption, etc., and the complexity of these systems can include the structure; this is where a lot of towers and roadside providers run into problems. There are always techniques to tow a vehicle, but some can have adverse impacts that can’t be seen by the naked eye.

Pay Attention Paying attention to details, such as why a manufacturer requires a flatbed

22 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Staying up to date on important OEM info is crucial as models and platforms change yearly.

only or why a wheel lift and dolly is preferred, could save you lots of money down the road. There are many hours spent in testing that include shock-loading, drag factors, load force, etc., so sometimes it might be better to take the manufacturer’s advice on

which is the best way to tow their vehicles. Low-power situations also can be a challenge with little direction on how to supply power. Looking under the hood can be daunting nowadays, so a lot of operators go to the trunk to locate

the battery to perform a boost. However, roughly 85 percent of the luxury OEMs prefer that an operator utilize the remote jump points under the hood to protect the electrical system. Tow pins/tow eyebolts also are a commonly misunderstood item used in luxury-vehicle tows. The tow pin is used for loading and unloading the vehicle, however certain rules must be followed for the pin to work properly. Many think it’s not safe to attach underneath to the lower control arms. This is an unwise decision if the model is tow pin-equipped. More and more OEMs are going to sealed rack and pinions, aluminum control arms, etc. Most now require no under vehicle attachment and some dealers have authority to refuse vehicles improperly towed or secured. This can lead to other areas of concern such as making sure the tow pin is completely secure and tight. Inspect the pin prior to use and confirm it isn’t bent from previous overloading. Remember that the tow pin can only take 15 degrees of angle in any direction before the

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Paying attention to details, such as why a manufacturer requires a flatbed only or why a wheel lift and dolly is preferred, could save you lots of money

who say they can go against the manufacturer’s recommendations due to their experience, but times are changing. Staying up to date on important OEM info is crucial as models and platforms change yearly, so whatever has worked for the last 5-10-15 years might change tomorrow. Gather as much info as you can about all luxury vehicles so you are better prepared when the call comes in that you can solve for your company. Take a seminar at an Expo to learn more about these changing vehicles and better protect yourself and your company from liability exposure. As an industry, we need to stay current with the fluctuating environment.

down the road. metal begins to fatigue. Using a snatch block in the line can help center the load on the pin. These tow pin tips can help save your wallet, but also keep you and your customer safe while loading or unloading. There will always be the towers

Paul Stephens is a towing industry trainer with more than 34 years of towing experience. He has served as a consultant for many automobile manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, and companies for service provider education, towability and road service procedures.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 23

An Association’s Value “Why should I join?” “What’s in it for me?” These are questions associations across the country hear multiple times every day. According to the American Society of Association Executives, association membership is trending downward across all industries. Member companies are cost-cutting, social networks have made it easier than ever for professionals to connect, lots of industry content is available online, and millennial workers put less worth on traditional networking. Yes, the world has changed, but associations can still bring tremendous value to your business. The general types of benefits offered by associations are wide-reaching. Many associations offer access to educational and licensing opportunities. They keep you upto-date on industry news from legislation to innovations and new technological developments. They help you save money through discount and benefit programs. They help you locate quality vendors and supplies via their membership directories. They offer privileged access to industry events and conferences. They look out for your company

26 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

and the overall industry they serve. A world without associations would be a scary, lonely place. Some companies think they don’t need to join because they’ll reap the benefits even if they don’t, particularly legislative. Wrong. Those legislative changes that your business needs to be successful won’t happen without members and volunteers. As a professional towing company, it is important that you cover your bases by belonging to both your state towing association and the industry’s only national association, the Towing and Recovery Association of America Inc. If your state doesn’t have an active towing association, re-engage or start one. Join, share your ideas, run for a board position, host a meeting, start a local chapter and engage with other towers. The success of your business and the overall towing industry depends on it. “Why should I join?” “What’s in it for me?” The answer is simple: value, benefits and opportunities. Joanne Blyton, TRAA 1st Vice President Elizabeth Martineau-Dupuis, TRAA Director of Certification

Towmen of theYear

2019

The Spirit Riders advanced public awareness of Move-Over and the risks towmen face

by Brendan Dooley

hat the Spirit Ride has done for towers across the country over the past two years—creating bonds between competitors, strengthening relationships with police and other first responders, gaining traction for towers with media and legislators—from the simple mission of increasing roadside safety through raising motorists’ awareness of Move Over is nothing short of extraordinary. While the Ride was led by American Towman Magazine, it took the efforts of thousands of towers to make it a resounding success. The backbone of the Ride was the relay station, where tow companies organized participation for the ceremonies and processions. Through their efforts, the American Towman Spirit Ride relayed the Spirit casket through more than 310 cities, involving thousands upon thousands of first responder vehicles, from towing to EMS, fire and police units. In that time, the Ride was covered by more than 700 news reports across all media and succeeded in its mission to raise public awareness of the Move Over law and the importance of roadside safety for towers and other first responders. Between live exposure in the ceremonies, processions on the road and media and online coverage, it’s estimated the Ride reached upwards of 20 million motorists. Perhaps, most importantly, the Spirit Ride got towmen to work together for a common cause to increase safety on the roadside; yes, often-fierce competitors worked together to advance an industry all too while gaining professional respect from other first responders. For all these reasons, the Spirit Riders—each and every one—are American Towman’s 2019 Towmen of the Year.

The Ambassadors As the ambassadors of the Spirit Ride, Mike and Ilce Corbin have been at every one of the hundreds of ceremonies (save just a few). They’ve read the scripts, sung the songs, documented the events in video and photo, been interviewed by local media and driven thousands of miles in the Spirit Ride RV shepherding the casket along its route crisscrossing the country for two years. Mike even built the Spirit casket. So it comes as no surprise that they, better than anyone, 28 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

can speak to the indomitable nature of all the Spirit Riders they’ve met as they traveled throughout the hundreds of cities, towns and villages in escorting the Spirit casket. (In the stories that follow, we are leaving out the names to emphasize that the scores of Riders really acted as one in contributing to the success of the Spirit Ride’s mission.) One of the things that struck Mike

and Ilce the most was the constant dedication of Spirit Riders to make it work, whether that was ensuring participation or offering to take the Spirit casket several hours, one way, just to get it to its next relay. They recalled one California towman who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer from anyone. “He was really involved since we started working on the schedule. He was constantly calling us and recom-

mending more companies in his area to get involved. He called all of them to make contact after we’d contact them,” said Mike. “If he didn’t get a response from someone, he’d drive to their shop.” Even the mayor wasn’t immune. “He got no response from the mayor by phone, so he drove to his office. The mayor ended up being a participant at the ceremony.”

Tow company bosses and managers organized the Spirit Ride events at the Official Relay Stations. These dedicated men and women of the companies listed on these pages are Towmen of the Year.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 29

Mike and Ilce said he put the Ride ahead of his shop’s needs while it was there. “He was constantly following up with all the companies, media and everyone involved and giving us updates. … He even hosted a barbecue at his house that was wellattended by towers from all over and he fed them all.” “You hear all these stories about how towers don’t get along, but when it came to Spirit Ride, we saw so many towers that were competitors manage to come together for the cause and be friends and support each other,” Ilce said. In Washington state, there was a 3.5-hour drive between two locations, but a big procession of tow trucks persisted with the casket regardless. “It was amazing to see all the towers involved going with us all that way,” said Ilce. “They did it because of the cause, that they really cared about the campaign and to promote the law. It was beautiful!”

Roadside Safety “The ‘Spirit Ride Experience,’ as I like to call my time on the road with it, was an amazing journey,” said Charles Duke, AT’s senior editor, who gave the Corbins a week off in 2017. “We met some wonderful towmen along the way, and you can tell that the Spirit Ride was something that truly resonated with them. We heard many, many stories that week of near-misses from each of the host towing companies we encountered. … “American Towman General Manager Jimmy Santos and I were in Robesonia, Pennsylvania, when we physically got the feel of what Move Over was truly about as we were parked on a narrow shoulder at one point with the whoosh and vibration of traffic speeding by.” Mike and Ilce said they heard many, too many really, stories of close calls by participants in the Spirit Ride ceremonies, whether their own or fellow drivers. “There were so many stories of close calls, like being hit by mirrors and so forth, or being out on the highway and being in a nightmare of close calls and how every time they get out there on the highway they see the danger,” Mike said. It struck a chord in so many and that drove their dedication to the Ride. There was so much heartfelt emotion for the cause and what it represented, Mike said. They understood the importance of the Spirit Ride mission. There was a tower in the Missouri area who transported Spirit multiple times across both years of the ride. “He drove a lot, and he was always ready for more. He said he would like to drive the casket all around the country with us; if we’d asked him to drive 1,000 miles, he’d say, ‘Let’s go—I’ll take it.’ He was honored to be carrying the casket,” Ilce said. Aside from the close calls and near misses, so many companies were dedicated to the cause because of their own tragedies. One company in Kansas City hosted a Ride ceremony to coincide with a vigil for the owners’ son who was struck down at 18. Unfortunately, that company was hit by

30 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

tragedy again just recently, as another operator was struck and killed by a drunk driver in November. He had driven the Spirit Casket earlier in the year from Missouri to Iowa. Tragedies like these, unfortunately, are not uncommon in the industry and underscore the Ride’s importance.

First Responders At each ceremony and in each procession though, towmen haven’t been the only participants. Police, fire and EMS personnel joined in. The Spirit casket emphasized to many in law enforcement that towers are more than a cleanup crew. It was obvious in how many members

of law enforcement and EMT/firefighters attended the ceremonies, usually on their own time. There were few processions of the casket that didn’t involve the spinning red-and-blue lights of police, sheriffs’ and state troopers’ squad cars and motorcycles, or additional escort of a fire engine or EMS vehicle. First responders in dress uniform were often photographed helping to escort the casket onto a truck’s bed at the conclusion of a ceremony.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Mike and Ilce talked about the reception they got in Washington, D.C., where police weren’t able to authorize traffic control at intersections, but unofficially gave them leeway to use tow trucks in the procession through the city to do so. “They realized what we were doing and supported it,” Mike said. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mike and Ilce were speechless as police closed down the interstate for the procession as it moved to downtown

and Three Rivers Stadium. “It was incredible—it felt like as if the president was coming through town,” Mike said. “They treated the Spirit casket special and with the respect that it deserves. … “Law enforcement and police became such an integral piece of the whole thing and escorting us and seeing everything was in place. It stood out to us,” Mike said. Like the song says, “Bless the Spirit Riders.” Indeed they’ve earned it.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 31

Agero Names Horvat as COO Agero Inc. (agero.com) recently announced George Horvat as its new Chief Operations Officer. He will be responsible for end-to-end operations of network and contact center functions, including management of its ecosystem of thousands of service providers. He brings more than 25 years of Fortune 500 experience as a resultsdriven executive in manufacturing, quality and maintenance.

Mastronardi Joins Beacon Software Beacon Software (beaconsoftco. com) recently announced the appointment of industry veteran Laura L. Mastronardi to the Beacon leadership team as Director of Partner Relations. She will manage Beaconâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic relationships with motor clubs, GPS companies, survey com-

32 â&#x20AC;˘ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

panies and other technology firms that integrate with its different towing software solutions. Prior to joining Beacon Software, she served as Director of Service Provider Networks at Driven Solutions/Innovation Group-USAC-MD, and before that was Client Relations Manager at National Motor Club/Coach-Net. She serves on various Towing and Recovery Association of America committees.

New Site for Weego Weego just launched its new website, myweego.com, making it easier for people to find the compact, portable, safe jump-start unit. The company markets units for consumer through professional grade.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 33

AD INDEX January 2019

Page#

To receive free information on products and services from our advertisers go to www.TowExtra.com

Page#

Access Tools

Ginn Carrier & Wrecker Sales

Pacific General Insurance Agency

Akins Body & Carrier Sales

Gravity Payments

Progressive Commercial Insurance

PWOF

American Safety & Supply Atlanta Wrecker Sales Atlantic Emergency Solutions AT ShowPlace – Las Vegas

42 S 59 N 63 24, 25

Intek Truck Equip. Finance & Lease International Trucks

Gatefold, 2

Sanderson Truck Equipment

M 63 13 48, 49 51

Iron Horse Safety Specialties

Santander Bank

Kenworth of South Florida

Sea Crest Insurance Agency

W 61 M 63

Auto Data Direct

Legacy Plus Insurance

Select Truck & Equipment

AutoReturn

45 33

Smyrna Truck Center

S 61

Len Zermenos Manufacturer Express

Sterling Bank

W 64

Matjack Jumbo Safelift

Swoop

Chelsea Division of Parker

McMahon Truck Center

M 59

Chevron Commercial

Miller Industries

Crouch’s Wrecker Equip. & Sales

Mobile Create USA

Danco Products

New England Truckmaster

N 64

TowMate

Deep South Wrcker Sales

New England Wrecker Sales

N 59

TruckMax

Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers

North American BanCard

Elizabeth Truck Center

Northeast Wrecker Sales

N 59

Environmental Chemical Solutions

NRC Industries

Nussbaum Equipment

B & Z Sales Casanova Towing Equipment

First Business G. Stone Commercial

N 61

34 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

OMG

5 23

17 N 61

N 60, S 64, M 62, W 59

towbook Tow Industries TowLien/Beacon Software

Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX

S 63

4 W 63 45 33, 51 22 W 61

WorldClass Insurance Serv. M 61, W 59 Worldwide Equipment Worldwide Equipment Sales XINSURANCE Powered by EIB

27 W 63 S 61

Mowed A veteran company recovers a new, expensive rolled-over brush cutter in Indianapolis

by Jim â&#x20AC;&#x153;Buckâ&#x20AC;? Sorrenti

n Monday, July 2, 2018, the operator from an Indiana property-maintenance company was brush-hogging a property with a Caterpillar 279D mower when the front of the brush cutter caught on something at the edge of the embankment, causing it to rollover into a creek. The local CAT rental store in Indianapolis called Interstate Towing to handle the recovery. Operations Manager Matt Bartlett and operators Jared Dubie, Adam Landel and Tracy Davis responded with a 2016 Kenworth T880/Century 1150 50-ton rotator and a 2015 Freightliner/Century 16 Series flatbed.

Down,

We were able to place the rotator in an accident investigation site on I-465 in Indianapolis and anchored to a tree.

36 â&#x20AC;˘ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

An industrial mower rolled down an embankment just off the interstate in Indianapolis, Indiana (above). The crew from Interstate Towing rigged the CAT to a zip-line to move it from the embankment back to the road (facing page).

Picked

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 37

The mower was loaded and secured on the Century 16 Series flatbed and transported to the local CAT dealer for repairs.

The 279D CAT and attachment large enough to recover it on the path.” over ownership after a tragic plane Once the Interstate crew had the crash that killed Interstate’s founder. weighed approximately 12,000 lbs. mower safely uprighted and on the Under the Gilbert’s reign, Interstate combined and was on a remote path. “We were able to place the rotator path, it was loaded and secured on became one of Indianapolis’ top towin an accident investigation site on I- the Century 16 Series flatbed and ing and recovery companies. In 1997, United Road Towing 465 in Indianapolis and anchored to a transported to the local CAT dealer bought out the Gilberts. United Road tree,” Bartlett said. I-465, also known for repairs. Towing also acquired as the USS Indianapolis Delaware & South Towing Memorial Highway, is the The value of the machine was and consolidated both beltway circling Indianapolis. near $100,000 and we wanted to businesses under one roof. Its current ownership After doing their walkaround to get a better look at recover it without further damage. took the helm as of June 2012. The owners, manthe casualty and area, “It was a brand-new rental agement and staff of professionals at Bartlett and the team started rigging. “We rigged two straps initially to machine with only 2.65 hours on it,” Interstate Delaware & South have upright it, using the floating snatch Bartlett said. “The value of the more than 100 years experience in the block, then re-rigged with two more machine was near $100,000 and we towing and recovery industry. straps to lift and recover the unit. We wanted to recover it without further zip-lined it in reverse towards the tree damage … and we did.” Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, a longtime editor of American to set the machine down on the path Towman, has been our field editor for the past few years. He is a freelance writer and photographer so we would be able to load and Interstate Towing with more than 40 years of experience covering transport it from the scene. Interstate Towing has been serving motorcycle, hot rod, truck and towing culture. He “We chose this method as there the Indianapolis community since writes weekly for TowIndustryWeek.com. was no way to get any equipment 1963. In 1972, the Gilbert family took 38 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 39

Proper Reporting of Junk, Salvage Vehicles by Ron Myers

ny company involved in police towing has received calls to impound vehicles with little or no value. If you have a scenario where you take the vehicle to a city/municipal yard and get paid for your tow, consider yourself lucky! However, there are thousands of vehicles being towed monthly that go unclaimed, left abandoned on the tow lot. When a vehicle is abandoned, most times the towing company is not compensated for their initial services or storage fees. (How we as an industry have allowed this to be the “standard” is another topic.) Now the tower is faced with a vehicle taking up space, in some cases leaking hazardous fluids, that becomes a tangible liability. In addition to the burden of providing our services for free, towers are tasked with disposing of unclaimed vehicles under burdensome lien laws. These laws differ from state to state. If the responsible agent for a company does not dot their i’s and cross their t’s just right, it could turn into felony charges of conversion or theft of a motor vehicle. Towing companies across America are cleaning up public highways. As an extension of public safety, they’re providing a public service without getting paid. Law enforcement, the Department of Transportation and fire personnel rely on wreckers to clear roadway restrictions caused by motor vehicle accidents. Tow operators respond timely, clear the highways and have no guarantee of payment. Insurance companies are hiring third-party services in an attempt to avoid paying legitimate claims. Police Towers of America recently testified for a tower in Ohio resulting in a unanimous jury decision in favor of 40 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Towers often are branded as villains when inheriting vehicles for “free.” But the truth of dealing with junk and salvage vehicles is much more complicated.

the tower for a nearly $40,000 recovery invoice. While PTA believes there is some price gouging going on, it’s also experiencing stereotyping, where good tow companies doing good consistent invoicing are being attacked in efforts just to reduce total costs of claims. Some insurance companies are analyzing and disputing 100 percent of tow invoices good, or bad. It’s time for the towing industry and insurance industry to get together and resolve these issues, so the motoring public can continue to receive the best highway clearance in the world. When

tow companies respond for free it’s the same as a shoplifting scenario. The consumer who pays at checkout is covering the cost of the shoplifter. There is always debate as to whether or not tow vehicles and their operators are considered first responders. The fact is trained professional tow companies are essential to a good Traffic Incident Management plan. While the powers to be work that out, tow bosses will continue to open highways and in many cases save lives.

Continued on p. 42 ...

... continued from p. 40 Did I mention tow bosses do this without a guarantee of payment to cover costs of labor, fuel and equipment that has tripled in costs over the last couple of decades? Now that the tow companies have opened or cleared a highway for free, the company also has to dispose of junk or salvage vehicle in accordance with their state laws. If you’re not informed of what is legally required, PTA recommends contacting your state towing association for guidance. (In Ohio, for instance, the Association of Professional Towers-Ohio put together a towing compliance manual based on legal input it solicited.) If a tow boss is still unsure, PTA highly recommends contacting an attorney to keep you on the correct side of the law. A 2011 policy from the U.S. Department of Justice remains the most unknown and neglected requirement to junk or salvage a motor vehicle. On Jan. 27, 2011, the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice Assistance issued a Policy Clarification regarding Tow Opera-

tors/Towing Companies Reporting Requirements of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. Under the anti-car theft acts and NMVTIS regulations, tow companies are included and must report salvage and junk vehicles. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is an electronic means to verify and exchange titling, brand and odometer data among motor vehicle administrators, law enforcement officials, prospective purchasers and insurance carriers. The NMVTIS definition of a “junk vehicle” is an automobile that is incapable of operating on public streets, roads and highways, and has no value except for parts or scrap. The NMVTIS definition of a salvage vehicle is an automobile that is damaged by collision, fire, flood, accident, trespass or other event to the extent that its fair salvage value—plus the cost of repairing the automobile for legal operation on public streets, roads, highways—would be more than the fair market value of the auto-

Resources: Auto Data Direct: add123.com eimpound: eimpound.com LienTek Solutions: lienteksolutions.com NMVTIS: vehiclehistory.gov Police Towers of America: policetowers.com TowLien.com/Beacon Software: TowLien.com mobile immediately before the event that caused the damage. Salvage automobiles include automobiles determined to be a total loss under the law of the applicable jurisdiction or designated as a total loss by an insurer under the terms of its policies, regardless of whether or not the ownership of the vehicle is transferred to the insurance carrier. Towers often are branded as villains when inheriting vehicles for “free.” In police towing, this is not the case. The overlooked reality is the true costs involved with obtaining and handling of such vehicles. A tower incurs two tow fees, an initial tow plus a secondary tow to the scrap facility, without compensation. The tower has to prepare the vehicle for the scrap facility to accept. Sometimes gas tanks are required to be removed, plus tires and batteries. The tower is burdened with personal belongings left behind and the responsibility to properly store the vehicles for the term set forth by their state rules and regulations for proper disposal. The scrap value of a motor vehicle does not cover the costs involved with properly disposing of a salvage vehicle. Tow companies are required to obtain an NMVTIS reporting ID and report the required data to NMVTIS. If not reported, tow bosses face heavy fines up to $1,000 per violation. Imagine: 100 junk or salvage cars unreported could result in a $100,000 fine! About the author Ron Myers, owner of Pine Tree Towing in Cambridge, Ohio, is president of the Association of Professional Towers-Ohio as well as president of the Police Towers of America board.

42 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Exam Time Testing Equipment for a Day at B/A Products by Terry Abejuela

ollowing the 30th Anniversary of the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland, last November, I had the pleasure of spending a day at nearby B/A Products to answer some questions I had about product testing and limits. B/A’s Fritz Dahlin and AT contributor Paul Stephens welcomed me to the B/A facility to see if we could answer some questions using their testing equipment.

It was one of those theories that have been around for a long time that we all believed … but I knew no one that could say they had tested it. Back in 2012, Fritz helped me with a prop I needed for a pulley seminar I was teaching at the American Towman Academy during AT Expo that year in Baltimore. I wanted to use some type of stand that provided an overhead beam for me to lift some small loads and demon-

Continued on p. 46 ... 44 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

The chain under load at a 45-degree angle in a keyhole slot (above). Full chain failure in a tie-down slot (below).

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 45

The contraption Fritz Dahlin at B/A built for the author for teaching seminars.

... continued from p. 44 strate mechanical advantage. (Flying in from California, I couldn’t bring much of what I needed on the plane.) Fritz eagerly took on the project and built a great prop for my seminar, along with providing synthetic rope, snatch blocks and varying sizes of shackles to use for weights. Since then, I contact Fritz whenever I have a question that he may know based on B/A’s testing. He is a wealth of knowledge about towing equipment and usually has an answer for me. When he doesn’t, he always said I should visit the facility for a day to do some testing to answer my questions. I finally took him up on his offer and spent a day testing steel chain, synthetic chain and banjo eyes. My questions included: • Is the welded side of a steel chain stronger than the nonwelded side? • What effect does twisting have on the capacity steel chain? • What effect does using a chain in a tie-down slot on a car carrier have on the capacity of steel chain? (This question was provided by Operations Editor Randy Resch.) 46 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

• What effect does using a chain in a continuous loop have on the capacity of a steel chain? We sought answers using “Little John,” B/A’s 150,000-lbs. test bed. Little John has two parallel steel beams with a hydraulic ram at one end, an adjustable anchor at the other end, a heavy-duty steel mesh cover, a load cell and computer that archives the reults. There are variables that can change the results of the test, such as the diameter of the attachment point at the hydraulic ram or the anchor and shock-loading vs. gradual loading, so the results are not a perfect scientific test; they gave us a general idea. In my classes over the last 35 years, I’ve taught that a grab hook should go to the non-welded side of the chain when using a choker hitch, because it is stronger than the welded side of the chain. Some students who were experienced welders would tell me that the welded side is just as strong. I could only say that most trainers I knew were teaching the same thing. It was one of those theories that have been around for a long time that we all believed … but I knew no one that could say they had tested it. Our first test consisted of a 6’ length of 3/8 Grade 70 chain with regular grab hooks at both ends and a

choker hitch attachment at both the hydraulic ram and the anchor. One end had the grab hook attached to the non-welded side of the link and the other end the grab hook was attached to the welded side of the link. Grade 70 3/8 chain has a working load limit of 6,600 lbs. The test resulted in the chain breaking at 28,889 lbs. This is a little more than four times the WLL. The chain failed at the link where the grab hook was attached to the non-welded side of the chain. In the picture you can see the damage to the link where the grab hook was attached to the welded side of the link. We only did this test once so I don’t know if the non-welded side of the link would fail every time but it did in this test. To me this means it doesn’t really matter as far as strength goes which side of the link the grab hook is attached to. This also verified for me that when using a choker hitch, the weakest part of the chain is where the grab hook attaches back to the chain. Using a choker hitch lowers the WLL by 20 percent if there is a 120-degree choke angle. It will lower the WLL if the choke angle is less than 120 degrees. Another test consisted of a 10’ length of 3/8 Grade 70 chain with five complete twists of the chain attached in choker hitches at both ends. The test resulted in the chain breaking at 28,609 lbs. (We did not test different lengths of chain but a different length may change the results.) We did a second test with 10 full twists that resulted in the chain breaking at 16,789 lbs. This is only 2.5 times the WLL. Twisting of the chain does reduce the WLL of the chain. Another test consisted of a 5/16 Grade 70 chain attached to a keyhole slot, trying to simulate a tie-down chain attached in keyhole slot on a car carrier. The test resulted in the chain breaking at 24,123 lbs., which is just under four times the WLL. Using chain in a keyhole slot does reduce the WLL. The angle in the chain at the keyhole slot will significantly reduce the WLL. At a 90-degree angle the chain broke at 11,964 lbs. (The interesting thing that we found as we tested this a few times in the same keyhole slot was that as

the keyhole slot was damaged from each test, the edge of the keyhole slot became more rounded and resulted in the chain breaking at a higher load. One test resulted in the chain breaking at 29,129 lbs.) One of our last tests was to see when the chain fails while used in a continuous loop. The test consisted of a 10’ length of 3/8 Grade 70 chain in a continuous loop around a 2” pin using regular grab hooks. The test resulted in the chain breaking at 32,884 lbs. This is almost five times the WLL, or 3,995 lbs. higher than using a straight chain with choker hitch attachments at both ends. My day at B/A was a great learning experience that I hope to do again soon, but with a little more prep on my end for a more scientific finding. Thanks to Fritz, Paul, and B/A for creating this great day of learning.

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 40plus years of light-duty towing and recovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 47

Never a Day Off by Mark Lacek

he life of a repossessor is, well … let me rephrase: A repossessor has no life. It’s Sunday morning and I’m on my way to the local public golf course. It’s been a couple of months since I took the time to play a round of golf. Seems every time I try to take a day off, something comes up. I’m not a very good golfer, but I have a nice set of custom clubs, my golf shoes are well made and the rest of my outfit … well, let’s just say I look like I can play with the pros. I might be the second-worst golfer in the world, though. On this day, joining me is my younger brother Glenn. He is a few years younger than me and has worked with me on and off for a few years. His job is to coordinate the repo assignments, communicate with the clients when they need progress reports and manage the multi-piece repo assignments. Glenn is the worst golfer in the world and the only one I can beat. Pulling into the clubhouse, I notice a landscaping trailer with a familiar name on the side. Right away my mind defaults into work mode. I realize I have a repossession assignment with the same name that’s on the side of the trailer. (To protect the guilty, I’ll call them Pay No Mow Lawn Service.) The assignment, sent to my office just a few days prior was for an Isuzu flatbed, a 20’ cargo trailer and four John Deere zero-degree-turn mowers. A quick look at the truck pulling the trailer is a BINGO—it’s an Isuzu stakebody flatbed. Glenn abruptly looks at me. “We’re looking for that equipment.” I had my pick set on me. “I’m taking it now!” Now, at that moment, I could have walked to the back of the cargo trailer and closed the door while Glenn jumped into the Isuzu to drive away. “The trailer looks empty,” I said.

50 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

I knew it was one of the best shots of my golf career; in just a few minutes though, I grabbed both his and my golf bags and headed to the parking area. American Towman GM Jimmy Santos tries to recreate the author's perfect tee shot.

“We have to wait, we need the four mowers. Be patient, we’re here to relax and take the day off.” Objecting all the way to the first tee, Glenn reluctantly agreed to wait until we finished our round of relaxation. To completely understand Glenn, one must respect his “finish the job” work ethic. We had an assignment on 120 Freightliner trucks and reefer trailers a few years back. It was three days before Christmas and the company was shutting its doors, voluntarily surrendering the equipment. A repossession assignment of this magnitude has its challenges. Trucks often have dead batteries, flat tires or other conditions that make the vehicle not road worthy. Safety is always the No. 1 priority, while making sure all the collateral is accounted for. The collateral had to be moved to

our yard, which was 30 miles from the trucking company. Florida is a wonderful place; good people from up north retire and move to Florida every day. Glenn had a list of retired union truck drivers now living in the area. I think he hired about 20 of those guys, all of whom were happy to make some extra money. He hired a mobile mechanic with a jump-start unit and an air compressor to handle any mechanical challenges. A VIN expert at the repossession site as well as at the delivery location was critical in keeping the paperwork in order. Glenn was able to recover and deliver all 120 pieces of collateral in less than 48 hours, without taking a break. The guy is a repo maniac. With Glenn, it’s always about getting the job finished and keeping the client happy. Now back to our day on the links. The first tee on this course was a short 136-yard par 3. When my eight iron made contact, I knew it was one of the best shots of my golf career. The ball was hit high in the air and, surprisingly, straight. I watched as the ball landed two feet in front of the hole. It bounced once and rolled right up to the edge of the cup, stopping about three inches short of the hole. With a big smile, I turned around, ”Did you see” I trailed off. Glenn was gone. I noticed a green blur hitting top speed as it crossed over the cart path heading towards the clubhouse parking area. As Glenn rounded the corner, he turned and looked at me and with a crazed look on his face. “Nice shot,” he yelled. “I guess that’s all the relaxation golf for the day,” I thought, as I grabbed both his and my golf bags and headed to the parking area. I arrived back at the office to see Glenn backing the landscaper’s Isuzu and cargo trailer into a parking space. “You got my clubs?” Glenn asked.

“We’re trying to take a day off,’ I said. “It’s Sunday, a day of rest, I asked you to be patient.” Glenn explained his side. While I was preparing my shot on the first tee, he noticed a John Deere mower sitting under a tree unattended. “I couldn’t help myself,” Glenn said. “I had the serial numbers in my head and it matched. I walked over to the mower and the key was in it. It was calling out to me, ‘repo me, repo me.’ … “Check this out,” Glenn said as he opened the cargo trailer rear door; the other three mowers were also in the trailer. “You would have missed the putt, you’re a lousy golfer,” Glenn said. “But you looked like a pro.” Be safe … and take a day off.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience. He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 51

Florida Sues Marlin Financial Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office is suing online auto lender Marlin Financial for what it says are unfair and deceptive trade practices. In a civil lawsuit filed in late November, the state’s legal arm alleged that an add-on the lender said was optional “was in fact a mandatory feature of loans made to consumers.” That add-on, known as a “debt

cancellation product,” was marketed to customers as an insurance-like product that would wipe out a customer’s remaining debt if their car was totaled. Instead it dramatically increased the cost of the loans. This led to some customers’ cars being improperly repossessed and later sold, the lawsuit says, as customers defaulted when they could not make their high payments. The attorney general is asking for a $10,000 penalty for every unfair and deceptive trade practices act, and

$15,000 for instances that affected senior citizens. Source: tampabay.com.

CARS Adds Operations VP Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems announced that Karen Engle has joined as vice president of operations. In this role, she will manage operations for the company’s national forwarding business and be responsible for call center operations including the repossession, remarketing and vendor services departments. “I am honored to be a part of the executive team at Consolidated,” said Engle. “As a customer I saw firsthand how impactful their servicing model and technology could be.” “Karen is a key player in our servicing strategy,” said Steve Norwood, president/CEO of CARS. “We have seen success and double-digit growth for the past several years by providing the best performance metrics in the industry. Karen brings over 20 years of experience managing collection operations will help us continue to provide superior results while building out a world class organization.”

Woman Sentenced for Stealing $400K

Our favorite towman Boomer Hayes gets called out on the most interesting jobs week after week. See where the road leads our “towman about town” every week in Tow Industry Week. And while you’re there, stay on top of what’s happening in our industry through News, Wrecks + Recovery, Tow Business & Operations, Tow Illustrated and Tow Industry Today. Everything you need to know … and it’s all online now at towindustryweek.com!

52 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

A Billings, Montana, woman was sentenced to a year in federal prison for stealing nearly $400,000 from her former employer. Jennifer Anne Thaw was sentenced on four counts of wire fraud for a term of 12 months and one day in U.S. District Court in Billings. Judge Susan Watters also ordered Thaw to serve three years on probation after she is released from prison. She is to pay $392,930.71 in restitution. Over the course of seven years, Thaw stole $390,000 from her former employer, repossession company J&S Recovery. While overseeing accounts receivable and accounts payable, Thaw had transferred money into her personal Wells Fargo checking account, court documents state. Source: billingsgazette.com.

Oshkosh a Top Place to Work Oshkosh Corp., parent company of Jerr-Dan (jerrdan.com), recently was honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2019. The award relies solely on the input of employees, who decide whether provide feedback on their jobs, work environments and companies via Glassdoor. In addition to being honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award for the second consecutive year, Oshkosh was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies (2016, 2017, 2018) by Ethisphere Institute and a Military Friendly Employer by Victory Media. Earlier in 2018, Oshkosh was named one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune, as well as one of Barron’s “100 Most Sustainable Companies.”

Silver Medal for U.S. Isuzu Techs Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) announced that its U.S. team of service technicians placed second in the 13th annual Isuzu One Grand Prix World Technician Competition. This marked the second consecutive year that Team USA won the silver medal in the event, a multi-stage competition requiring outstanding performance on written examinations and in hands-on tests of vehicle diagnosis and repair skills.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 53

USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 2015 Ford F550, Vulcan 19.5 carrier 2016 Ford F550SC, 19 ft. Vulcan, unit engine in back of truck 2015 Kenworth T270, Vulcan 21ft. carrier 2015 Freightliner M2, Vulcan 21 ft. carrier 2015 Freightliner M2, Century 21 ft. carrier 2016 Freightliner M2, Century 21 ft. carrier 2015 Cottrell, Car carrier combo

631-531-0673 For info please call Craig R. Nadolny “CALL FOR DETAILS” on all units

1-800-246-4785 540-797-2567 • • • • •

Sliders Quick Swaps Air Cushions Sliding Rotators Fixed Boom Rollbacks

robertyoungtrucks.com CALIFORNIA TOW TRUCK ASSOCIATION INTRO TO TOWING

The California Tow Truck Assn. presents INTRO TO TOWING. A new 5-part online course for towing beginners and new hires! Through five videos and corresponding quizzes, operators will learn the basics of towing. Students will receive a certificate of completion, and company owners are able to track their progress! Available now at: ctta@ctta.com

54 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 2015 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan MPL 40 2017 Cottrell, car carrier 2017 Western Star 4900 2013 Freightliner Cascadia, Sleeper, air ride 13 speed 2016 Kenworth T880, Century 5130 2017 Freightliner M2,Century 21 ft. LCG Carrier

631-531-0673 For info please call Craig R. Nadolny “CALL FOR DETAILS” on all units

To Advertise In Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 55

A Little Side Action

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

ill’s Towing & Auto Service of St. Clairsville, Ohio, has been providing auto repair and towing and recovery services to Belmont County, Ohio, and the Wheeling, West Virginia, metro area since 1981. Company founder William “Bill” Coulson’s sons Chad and Ty have grown up in the family business that they now co-own with their dad. Chad and Ty take great pride in carrying on the family towing and recovery tradition of professionalism. They now have 22 employees and 30 vehicles in their fleet; five heavies, six light-duties, three carriers, four service trucks, seven tractor-trailers, two Telehandler/Bobcats, one vac trailer, two emergency response trailers and this

56 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Tech Highlights Chassis: 2018 Peterbilt 389 tandem-steer. Wrecker: 2018 Jerr-Dan 50/60ton rotator. Engine: 600 HP Cummins CX-15. Trans: Eaton 18-Speed. Winches: Dual planetary twospeed 50,000 lbs., dual 20,000-lbs. auxiliary, 35,000-lbs. drag Builder: Rocky Mountain Wrecker Sales. Wrap: American Color Scans Inc.

awesome 60-ton five-axle beast. This truck, called “A Little Side Action,” is a 2018 Peterbilt 389 tandem-steer/2018 Jerr-Dan 50/60-ton rotator. A 600-hp Cummins CX-15 engine mated with an Eaton 18-speed transmission provides power to this brute. Rocky Mountain Wrecker Sales in Salt Lake City, Utah, built this impressive twin-steer ’tator. It is equipped with five winches: dual planetary twospeed 50,000-lbs. units, dual 20,000lbs. auxiliary units and a 35,000-lbs. drag winch. “American Color Scans did the wrap and it took two days,” Ty said. “Every truck is wrapped this way so it matches the rest of our fleet.”

‘Every job we handle is big weight. This unit has performed many memorable jobs.’

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

American Color Scans in Columbus, Ohio is a legacy prepress company with more than 30 years in the industry. ACS was an early adopter of wide-format printing. As the industry continued to evolve, they moved beyond digital printing and adopted screen-print technology. They are always seeking new dimension solutions driven to drive their creative ideas. This 60-ton five axle gets a lot of attention and the awesome Herd Super Road Train Grille Guard adds to the rig’s imposing no-nonsense look. This guard, made of high-quality aluminum, replaces the factory

bumper and has a mirror-like finish that brings bling to the front end. “The most important attribute this unit brings to our business is power. Every job we handle is big weight,” Ty said. “This unit has performed many memorable jobs. Every oilfield job is unique.” This impressive beauty is a true workhorse that has earned its place as the flagship at Bill’s Towing.

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, a longtime editor of American Towman, has been our field editor for the past few years. He is a freelance writer and photographer with more than 40 years of experience covering motorcycle, hot rod, truck and towing culture. He writes weekly for TowIndustryWeek.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • 57

Cruel Fate

he Spirit Riders are those in the towing industry who understand more than most the cruel fate that has struck down thousands of fellow tow operators. They were men out there by the white line simply doing their work. They woke in the morning not knowing Fate had scheduled the day that would end all days. They did what they habitually did to energize themselves, fueled up, said, “See you tonight,” to family members and went out the door and onto the highways. Then there was a moment, seconds really, when they never saw it coming. There may have been a notion, or a premonition, a quick sensation that there was an ill wind blowing. Unthinking folks will say they should have been aware of approaching vehicles. But when you are intent on the nuts and bolts of your work, such awareness can be compromised. Generally life is like that. You try to be aware of the surroundings, the people you work with, and the ones closest that are your foundation in life. But good will and dedication won’t stop the employer from blindsiding an employee that management has decided to fire in the best interests of the company. A spouse blindsides the husband or wife who has been

58 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

by Steve Calitri

devoted to the marriage with divorce papers. The dog is bewildered and frightened when left with the ASPCA because the owners do not want to care for it any longer.

You can be certain there were those blindsided who were undeserving of their fate. So the towman struck by the side of the road while changing a flat or winching a car onto the carrier bed … he or she was simply picked off. Like the cold heart of the sniper, the gods of fate do not allow justice or feelings to figure into the calculus of who gets picked off. The most dedicated family men could be struck, the least dedicated passed by.

The loved ones suffering from their loss are left with puzzlement and pain. And a certain sorrow, not just sorrow for the departed, but sorrow for the society that pays no attention to the welfare of those first responders working for us all. Sorrow for a world that perpetuates such cruelties. With all the ill winds of fate blowing down our highways, the towers with the biggest hearts responded to our call to honor the fallen and raise awareness of the law designed to protect all of you. In most cases, they were also highly professional towing operations. Together, the Spirit Riders of the two-year campaign raised public awareness of the Move Over law in more than 300 TV and newspaper markets across the nation, and beyond that on the Internet and through social media. Together the Spirit Riders earned greater respect from the other firstresponder communities in their towns. Fate can be cruel and most of us are resigned to this law of nature. But then you have men and women who dare to plot against those ill winds. Call them Fate Busters. And in this case, call them Spirit Riders.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • NORTH 59

Move Over Camera Brekford Traffic Safety announced it has successfully concluded field tests of its Argos Guardian slow down/move over enforcement technology in Ohio. The testing was completed in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and towing companies. Field tests were completed in two Ohio cities between September and November 2018 to identify and capture violations of the state’s Move Over Law. Encompassing 80 stops and approximately 14 hours of enforcement time, the field tests captured 545 violations for an average of 0.7 per minute. With an average stop time of 10 minutes, there were approximately seven violations per traffic stop during the testing period. “At nearly one violation per minute, it’s clear that there is a challenge both with enforcement and officer safety that law enforcement agencies struggle to combat on a

NORTH 60 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

daily basis,” said Rod Hillman, Brekford’s president/COO. Source: accesswire.com.

Towman in Construction Yard Accident Santiago Perez Jr., co-owner of Thomas Towing in Santa Barbara, California, was killed in a construction accident last month, city police said. Perez, 35, was crushed by a 50’ steel beam at Kenney Construction. Cal/OSHA and County Coroner’s Bureau officials were called to the scene to investigate. Thomas Towing’s Facebook page announced his death, and a GoFundMe account was created to assist his family. “He loved his job and all of you who were part of it,” the Facebook post reads. “We appreciate those who have reached out and shown your love and support.” Source: independent.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • NORTH 61

Honoring an

Originator by Randall C. Resch

aving served in first responder capacities for 50 years, I fancy myself as being one of the industry’s self-proclaimed historians. In doing so, I’ve uncovered tow history and lore that’s helped to identify some of the persons responsible for creating modern-day training and techniques. I recognize there’s value in learning the roots of our past as well as upholding and saluting our founding forefathers. If you’re a true industry professional the name Bill Jackson isn’t new. Bill Jackson’s name is synonymous with professional industry training,

sales, and manufacturing of towing and recovery products worldwide. The industry legend was best known from 1976 to 1990 when he authored tow-related articles through a series of newsletters, fittingly titled, “Wrecker News.” As a kid, I remember reading Bill Jackson’s newsletters in my father’s tow business. Bill was credited for being the innovator of twin-boom tow trucks that first appeared in the British Isles. His accolades are many: creating the original heavy-lift air cushion system, starting towing and recovery training in the 1960s where he started accident recovery training in the United Kingdom. After that, Bill promoted the first tow shows in the United States while setting up tow equipment dealerships in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Nigeria, South Africa and the U.S. He was a well-known industry instructor who wrote as many as eight books on accidents and recovery, and making 23 accident and recovery training videos.

Pages of Gold

The book “Bill Jackson’s Wreckers International Newsletters 1976-1990” is available at BillJacksonLegacy.com.

It was my pleasure to recently meet with Bill’s son Bruce and his grandson Jonathan at the American Towman Exposition. The son and grandson of the late tow industry training legend were there with copies of “Bill Jackson’s Wreckers International Newsletters, 1976-1990,” a reference book written by Bruce. Bruce’s book is 155 pages loaded with hundreds of industry snippets,

NORTH 62 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

photos, diagrams and comments that are fun reading and historically valuable. Bill Jackson truly believed that knowledge was power, and felt worthy of sharing the progress and difficulties along the way. The book is a great representation of the journey our industry has taken. Bruce shares his father’s recovery stories, combining Bill’s personal take of the industry, and the many, many stories sent to him by tow friends and audiences relating to two very important things: tow operator professionalism and safety. It’s important to carefully read each mini-article in “Wreckers International Newsletters” to glean bits of technique and history while discovering just how far our industry has advanced. Bruce Jackson has created a longlasting and historically important document of the industry through his father’s words, with hopes to continue not only his legacy, but to preserve our industry’s precious past. “Bruce Jackson’s Wreckers International Newsletters” is a fun and wonderinspiring book. If you’re a tow history buff like me, you’ll appreciate the years of history and comments that make it a fun and fascinating read.

NORTH 64 â&#x20AC;¢ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • SOUTH 59

Honoring an

Originator by Randall C. Resch

Pages of Gold

The book “Bill Jackson’s Wreckers International Newsletters 1976-1990” is available at BillJacksonLegacy.com.

SOUTH 60 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Illinois Mayor’s Integrity Questioned A group of prominent Waukegan, Illinois, ministers took Mayor Sam Cunningham to task at a recent city council meeting over how his administration responded to their past concerns about which companies provide towing services for the city. Cunningham described the comments as shocking and disappointing, in particular because one of the ministers, Arthur Gass Sr., is the pastor at the church attended by Cunningham’s mother. Under the previous administration, Lake County Towing was the go-to company for the entire city of Waukegan, said Ron Rogers, the company’s owner. When Cunningham took office he changed that, replacing Lake County Towing with Whitmore’s Wrecker Services and JR’s Wreckers Service, both of which had previously provided towing services for the city until then-Mayor Wayne Motley ended the relationship. Cunningham said he decided to make the change because Lake County Towing had agreements with other municipalities, and to “just to be fair and to kind of balance it out.” Gass, who described himself as previously Cunningham’s “greatest cheerleader and supporter,” accused the mayor of making the decision because Rogers had supported Motley for re-election. Cunningham defeated Motley in the 2017 Democratic primary. The city does not have formal contracts with towing companies, city attorney Bob Long said. State bidding requirements do not kick in, because the city itself is not charged, just the owner of the vehicle. After Cunningham was approached by Gass, who is pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and Gideon Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Wade Stevenson, the mayor said he agreed to add

Continued on p. S 62... Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • SOUTH 61

... continued from p. S 60 Lake County Towing back to the call list, and the city divvied up which company received preference geographically. Rogers and Gass said the mayor had originally agreed to split up the city evenly, but after multiple delays, Lake County Towing ultimately received preference for less than 20 percent of the city’s roadways. “By not keeping your word as promised, your credibility, your integrity, your trustworthiness, your honesty is gone,” said Gass, who also serves as the president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Lake County, of which Lake County Towing is a member. Source: chicagotribune.com.

Towers Hold Tribute for Stewart

SOUTH 62 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

On Thanksgiving eve last year, many didn’t think they would find themselves consoling each other while remembering Spirit Rider John “Johnny” Stewart in Kansas City, Missouri. The 39-year-old towman lost his life Nov. 18 after a suspected drunk driver struck him on I-35. “It opens a lot of wounds,” said GT Towing co-owner Amy Gresham. “It really feels like a giant punch in the gut as a tow truck driver,” said Santa Fe Towing towman David Wilke. Earlier in 2018, Stewart drove a leg of the American Towman Spirit Ride. The twinkling of emergency lights served as a way to honor Stewart, decals that read “Tow Lives Matter” were another. “We thought about doing bracelets and stuff then we came up with these because everybody cares and stuff and it would be a lot easier to keep, so that’s why we decided to do these,” said Bailey Bennett, Stewart’s cousin. According to Stewart’s family attorney, the family has opened a memorial account at Citizens Bank and Trust to help pay for funeral expenses. Checks can be made out to Citizens Bank with reference to Brooke Stewart or Brooke Stewart directly. Source: kshb.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • SOUTH 63

SOUTH 64 â&#x20AC;¢ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Honoring an

Originator by Randall C. Resch

Pages of Gold

The book “Bill Jackson’s Wreckers International Newsletters 1976-1990” is available at BillJacksonLegacy.com.

MIDWEST 60 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • MIDWEST 61

MIDWEST 62 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Service, both of which had previously provided towing services for the city until then-Mayor Wayne Motley ended the relationship. Cunningham said he decided to make the change because Lake County Towing had agreements with other municipalities, and to “just to be fair and to kind of balance it out.” Gass, who described himself as previously Cunningham’s “greatest cheerleader and supporter,” accused the mayor of making the decision because Rogers had supported Motley for re-election. Cunningham defeated Motley in the 2017 Democratic primary.

“just to be fair and to kind of balance it out.” The city does not have formal contracts with towing companies, city attorney Bob Long said. State bidding requirements do not kick in, because the city itself is not charged, just the owner of the vehicle. After Cunningham was approached by Gass, who is pastor at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and Gideon Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Wade Stevenson, the mayor said he agreed to add Lake County Towing back to the call list, and the city divvied up which company received preference geographically. Rogers and Gass said the mayor had originally agreed to split up the city evenly, but after multiple delays, Lake County Towing ultimately received preference for less than 20 percent of the city’s roadways. “By not keeping your word as promised, your credibility, your integrity, your trustworthiness, your honesty is gone,” said Gass, who also serves as the president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Lake County, of which Lake County Towing is a member. Source: chicagotribune.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • MIDWEST 63

MIDWEST 64 â&#x20AC;¢ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • WEST 59

Field Tests of Move Over Camera Brekford Traffic Safety announced it has successfully concluded field tests of its Argos Guardian slow down/move over enforcement technology in Ohio. The testing was completed in cooperation with law enforcement agencies and towing companies to validate the efficiency of Brekford’s automated enforcement solutions as well as highlight the issue of consistent motorist violation of the law. Field tests were completed in two Ohio cities between September and November 2018 to identify and capture violations of the state’s Move Over Law. Encompassing 80 stops and approximately 14 hours of enforcement time, the field tests captured 545 violations for an average of 0.7 per minute. With an average stop time of 10 minutes, there were approximately seven violations per traffic stop during the testing period. “At nearly one violation per minute, it’s clear that there is a challenge both with enforcement and officer safety that law enforcement agencies struggle to combat on a daily basis,” said Rod Hillman, Brekford’s president/COO. Source: accesswire.com.

Towers Hold Tribute for Stewart On Thanksgiving eve last year, many didn’t think they would find themselves consoling each other while remembering Spirit Rider John “Johnny” Stewart in Kansas City, Missouri. The 39-year-old towman lost his life Nov. 18 after a suspected drunk driver struck him on I-35. “It opens a lot of wounds,” said GT Towing co-owner Amy Gresham. “It really feels like a giant punch in the gut as a tow truck driver,”

Continued on p. W 63.. WEST 60 • January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

Have a Wonderful New Year!

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • WEST 61

WEST 62 â&#x20AC;¢ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

... continued from p. W 60 said Santa Fe Towing towman David Wilke. Earlier in 2018, Stewart drove a leg of the American Towman Spirit Ride. The twinkling of emergency lights served as a way to honor Stewart, decals that read “Tow Lives Matter” were another. “We thought about doing bracelets and stuff then we came up with these because everybody cares and stuff and it would be a lot easier to keep, so that’s why we decided to do these,” said Bailey Bennett, Stewart’s cousin. According to Stewart’s family attorney, the family has opened a memorial account at Citizens Bank and Trust to help pay for funeral expenses. Checks can be made out to Citizens Bank with reference to Brooke Stewart or Brooke Stewart directly. Source: kshb.com.

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - January 2019 • WEST 63

WEST 64 â&#x20AC;¢ January 2019 - TOWMAN.COM

CopyrightÂŠ2019 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990