American Towman Magazine - January 2023

Towman

of the Year

Ron Myers of Pine Tree Towing is not only a veteran tower, but also progressive and passionate. Read about his significant contributions to the tow industry, especially when it comes to Quick Clearance. Photo courtesy of Pine Tree Towing.

Dennie Ortiz Publisher

Honoring Towers and Staying Warm and Safe

Here at American Towman we are looking towards a prosperous year for our industry.

Firstly, I’d like to congratulate American Towman’s 2023 Towman of the Year, Ron Myers. Having known Ron for several years, he is much deserving of this honor. His is a story of grit, determination and success wrapped in a bow of humility and passion to help the industry.

As winter takes hold of the majority of the country, Brian Riker’s article on the hazards faced by towers in extreme weather conditions is timely, and should be read right away to ensure tow operators make it safely through this season.

Shifting gears slightly to other weather-related events, George Nitti’s speaks with Guardian Fleet Services about their tremendous effort and response in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian this past September.

Moving into less harrowing narrative, be sure to check out the 1972 El Camino Service Patrol car. Not only is it a very rare LPG-fueled vehicle, but also really cool.

The featured recovery this month was challenging and executed with precision by New England Truck Center, so much so that it received the 2022 Donnie Cruse Memorial Recovery Award.

With the new year comes the expected New Year’s resolutions. Not one to shy away from hard-hitting commentary, Randy Resch, gives towers nine safety aspirations to achieve in order to keep safe and survive the perils of working the white line.

Putting a final touch to this issue is the fine-looking “over-grown” flatbed that is part of Frisco, Texas, LW’s Towing’s extensive fleet.

As always be safe out there while enjoying a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

A Moveable Feast

Steve Temple Editor

Famed writer Earnest Hemingway coined the phrase “A Moveable Feast” as a reference to how living in Paris is like a celebration that remains with you wherever you end up next. I would add to that the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. After all, it literally is moveable, with a large array of tow trucks driven many miles, along with taking time off from handling recoveries, to participate in the Wrecker Pageant. Also, truly celebrating towers’ devotion to their profession, with festive graphics and gleaming equipment neatly stored in toolboxes. It was an impressive gathering this year, and we plan to feature as many as possible in upcoming issues, along with some surprising trophy winners in our next issue. So stay tuned for a feast for your eyes!

Chattanooga City Council Voting on Higher Tow Rates

According to chattanoogan.com, Chattanooga, Tennessee’s City Council is set to increase rates that towing companies can charge, after unanimously passing a vote in a first reading. Officials said the last increase was 18 years ago.

If approved by the City Council, daytime tows will go from $125 to $250, night/weekend/holiday tows from $135 to $275, daily storage (after eight hours) from $15 to $35 per day, and extra winching from $50 to $100 per hour flat rate.

For B Class, daytime goes from $250 to $550 per hour, night/weekend/ holiday goes from $285 to $550 an hour, and extra winching from $150 to $300 per hour.

For C Class, daytime goes from $425 per hour to $700 per hour, and night/weekend/holiday goes from $500 per hour to $700 an hour.

Meetings between Mark Shackleford, owner of Shackleford Towing and Recovery who has been representing the towing industry, and City Council Member Raquetta Dotley resulted in the proposition for new rates, which were agreed upon by the towing companies.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Auto Loan Delinquencies Rise

Despite a 19 percent decline in auto sales over the last three months, according to www.wolfstreet.com, balances on auto loans and leases are surging due to higher priced vehicles and constrained supply. Auto loans also surged because used-vehicle prices had spiked.

Balances on auto loans and leases increased by 2.2 percent in Q3 from Q2, and by 6.1 percent year-over-year, to a record $1.52 trillion, according to data from the New York Fed’s Household Debt and Credit Report. Also, this data indicates that the rate of all auto loans and leases, both prime and subprime, which were 30 days and more past due, rose to 6.2 percent in Q3.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Attendees packed the aisles at the American Towman Expo in Baltimore.

American Towman Expo’s Strong Showing

Attendance at the American Towman Exposition maintained an audience on par with the show’s strongest years, up by several hundred attendees over last year, and the 2019 draw in Atlantic City as well. The world’s premier towing industry event is proving the resiliency of tow business owners to weather all challenges, whether economic, social or health related.

“The attendance grew over the three days,” said AT Expo Corp president Doc Calitri, “and the exhibit hall was literally bursting with towing professionals on Saturday. The enthusiasm on the floor was amazing.”

It was the same for the other exposition events. AT’s Academy

saw most seminar rooms filled to capacity. One of the Academy star presenters was John Borowski, who conducted four different seminars, a record for the industry’s leading educational program.

“My rooms were packed,” said Borowski. “These people came hungry for information that could improve their profitability.”

One of the seminars debuting for the first time in Baltimore was the Quick Clearance Certification course, presented by Borowski and Ron Myers.

“They devoured the content of this three-hour course and wanted more,” Borowski added. “It’s great to see.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Tower Credited for Saving Woman in Burning Vehicle

A tow truck driver, along with a police officer and university professor, were credited by KWTX.com with rescuing crash victims who were trapped in burning vehicles on Highway 6 in College Station, Texas. On November 20, an SUV collided with a shuttle bus, and the impact resulted in both vehicles catching fire.

Tower Raymond Charanza, also a volunteer fire fighter, saw the crash and jumped into action. He said he missed his exit just before coming upon the chaotic scene.

“When we rolled up on the vehicles on fire, we immediately stopped, jumped out, and rushed over to assist the citizens that were already there,” Charanza related. “I encountered a young lady in a vehicle screaming that she needed help to get out.”

The woman he helped rescue was the passenger of an SUV driven by her boyfriend who died at the scene.

“I found a way into the vehicle and was able to unbuckle her and pull her out of the vehicle safely,” said Charanza. “I cannot take full credit for any of it because it took all of us in the community. We all joined together to help these folks in their time of need, and hopefully you know change these people’s lives for the better, show that the community is strong and we’re here for each other.”

The driver of the shuttle bus that was hit from behind by the SUV was a high school coach and was rescued by the police officer and university professor.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Texas tower

Raymond Charanza saved a woman from a burning car.

“Tow for Life” In Central Alabama

Towers gathered in central Alabama, driving in procession in order to remind motorists to slow down/move over, according to www.wvtm13.com. The annual event, called “Tow for Life,” took place on Sunday, December 4, and gave honor to the life of tower John Hubbard, who was hit and killed while answering a call on Interstate 59-20 in Tuscaloosa in December 2016.

“It was very tragic,” recalled Wes Passmore, Hubbard’s boss. “You know, we miss him every day. I think

about him at 2:00 in the morning when he would generally call me, excited about a recovery. I’m still thinking about him. I’m waiting for that phone call. It never comes.”

Commenting on her work history, “I’ve been doing it 35 years,” said Lynn Hurst, president of Hurst Towing. “…I’ve been hit twice by drunk drivers. I’ve had three drivers hit. Now, we haven’t lost anybody.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

NYPD Officers’ Tow Scheme

Justice.com reported that James Davneiro, a former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, and Giancarlo Osma pleaded guilty to conspiring to participate in a tow-truck scheme to steer vehicles damaged in automobile accidents to a licensed tow truck and automobile repair business owned by retired NYPD Officer Michael Perri. The two officers took thousands of dollars in bribes from the tow truck business owned by Perri.

These actions were against NYPD’s Directed Accident Response Program (DARP), which requires the NYPD to identify appropriate licensed tow truck and automobile repair businesses to respond to automobile accident scenes and remove damaged vehicles.

“These three officers abused the public’s trust and disgraced their NYPD badges by lining their pockets with bribes,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and prosecute corruption by those who are sworn to enforce and uphold the law.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Highway Memorial Marker Honors Florida Tower

Florida’s state legislature passed a measure to have a highway memorial marker placed roadside in honor of 24-year-old tower Austin Gayne, according news source www. clickorlando.com. Gayne, who was a tow truck operator for Johnson’s Wrecker in Orlando, was struck and killed by a driver while assisting at the scene of a crash on State Road 408.

To commemorate, the Orlando Fire Department held an event that included Gayne’s mother, Brooke Lawrence, who unveiled the marker that will be placed near the exit off of 408.

“This is something that his children, when they start driving, they’ll be able to see,” Lawrence said. “It’s just about keeping his memory alive.”

The unveiling brought together local legislators, law enforcement officials, state representatives, family members and those who worked with Gayne.

“He was a great guy, the kind of guy that a dad’s proud of, a mom is proud of, and us at Johnson’s, we were

proud of,” said Eric Lucas, a coworker of Gayne.

Sen. Tom Wright, Rep. Anna Eskamani and Capt. Mark Castleberry of Florida Highway Patrol attended the event, speaking on the Slow Down Move Over Law.

“It is not only the law, but it’s the right thing to do,” Castleberry said. “Our law enforcement, tow truck drivers, first responders, sanitation workers and utility service vehicles need space and safety when responding to calls for service.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Killer of Tower Sentenced

Patrick McAdoo, the man who shot and killed Oregon tower Patrick Sanford, owner of Titan Towing of Hillsborough, was sentenced to life in prison on December 5 according to www.kptv.com.

Sanford was killed on June 17, 2021 after releasing McAdoo’s car, who confronted him 30 minutes after his car was released. The D.A.’s Office said Sanford, afraid for his safety, peppersprayed McAdoo who responded by shooting Sanford three times.

Although McAdoo claimed he was acting in self-defense, he was found guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm.

McAdoo was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before parole. If ever released, McAdoo will have lifetime post-prison supervision, according to the D.A.’s Office.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

In central Alabama, towers gathered in a safety procession.

In honor of fallen tower Austin Gaynea, a memorial marker will be placed on Highway 408 in Orlando, Florida.

The Great Communicator

Eartec’s Evade E-Pack offers a new class of full duplex headsets designed for professional work crews that need hands-free, simultaneous-talk wireless communication. Single- and dual-ear Evade units feature deluxe padding and a sleek, fully adjustable headband for comfortable wear. The Evade XTreme is a heavy duty, dual-ear model that can be worn with a hard hat. All Evade headsets are self-contained and feature a compact full-duplex transceiver built inside the ear cups, eliminating wires and belt packs. Complete intercoms include one main unit that relays the digital signals generated by up

to eight remotes. The headsets link automatically without a hub or base station, making them easy to operate and affordable. Evade

eartec.com

wireless can connect up to nine users within a 400-yard range enhancing coordination, productivity, and safety.

Get Some Support

DICA has expanded its product line to include square one-inch thick RoadWarrier Jack Pads, designed for commercial trucking markets. These new 12x12 and 15x15 pads are an economical solution that provide excellent support, and are virtually indestructible. RoadWarrior Jack Pads are constructed from engineered thermoplastic materials that are waterproof and chemical resistant, and will not crack, break, or splinter like wood blocks or brittle injection-molded plastic pads. Comfortable TuffGrip Handles and light weight construction make them easy to handle and store in your toolbox. All RoadWarrior Jack Pads are made in the USA, and are designed for use with all jack types. The square shape increases contact area, reduces pressures to give users support, stability, and peace of mind. rvjackpads.com

Getting Organized

Dynamic tool brand now has a new line of tool organizers for storing sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers and other small tools. Manufactured with industrial quality and offered at budget-sensitive prices, each Dynamic tool organizer comes with a lifetime warranty, backed by Gray Tools, a well-known North American hand tool manufacturer.

Dynamic’s offering includes three types of socket organizers. One stores sockets in an upright position with a magnetic base, and is available in red for SAE, and blue for metric sockets. The next product features a slim profile design for placement within shallow toolbox drawers, and also uses magnets to hold sockets in place. The third product is an aluminum socket organizer rail with clips and spring-loaded bearings to hold up to 20 sockets in place. Also available from Dynamic is a two-piece wrench holder, and a magnetic screwdriver and small-tool organizer. ShopDynamicTools.com

Severe Weather Protection

Eliminating Harsh Environmental Exposures

By Brian J. Riker

Enduring a cold snap involves more than merely trying to stay warm. Complying with OSHA guidelines is also required. As part of your workplace safety program, it is your duty to protect your employees from recognized hazards.

Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 26 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

Environmental hazards are all around us. Most folks are well aware of hearing protection for noise, safety glasses for flying debris, gloves for cut protection and so on. But what about extreme weather conditions while working outdoors?

As employers you must make sure your team has appropriate schedules to reduce exposure times to extreme weather (hot or cold) as well as someplace to seek shelter and warm up or cool down as necessary.

Proper clothing also plays a huge roll in worker safety. Keep in mind you may be required to provide some clothing at no cost to your employees as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

IDENTIFYING AND ELIMINATING HAZARDS

The first step to providing a safe work environment is to conduct a job hazard analysis (JHA). This can be as simple as a single-page document that identifies the potential hazards associated with any given task, and lists the required steps to reduce risk while performing this task. A JHA for a towing operator would include atmospheric environmental exposure concerns such as rain, snow, ice, outside air temperature, blowing dust, smoke, and other inhalation hazards. It would also include traffic and other exposure concerns (but those are topics for another article).

Once you have identified the types of environmental exposure your employees face your next step is to determine the best ways to reduce or eliminate their exposure while still allowing them to complete their work. This may include requiring gloves, waterproof footwear and appropriate layers of clothing to act as insulation. In the most extreme temperatures you might also need to schedule extra personnel to allow for breaks.

TEMPERATURE SPECIFICS

This aspect is very important in extreme

The human body is very temperature sensitive, so even just rainfall can pose an environmental hazard, slowing you down. Make sure water rolls off your back on your next call with a Class 3 raincoat, such as this one from Tough Duck Safety.

heat or cold conditions to prevent heat stroke, or hypothermia and frostbite. While heat stroke can occur when the human body reaches an internal temperature of just 104°F, hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F. Point is, the human body is quite temperature sensitive given that the normal body temperature range is 97-99°F.

As such, frostbite can result with long exposure to temperatures only slightly below freezing. The risk of frostbite, as well as other cold-related illness, increases drastically below 5°F or with higher wind speeds. Wind chill can be more damaging than purely cold temperatures, since the wind cools the skin quicker. Exposure of bare skin to temperatures at or below 5°F for 30 minutes can result in severe frostbite.

HEART PROBLEMS

There are also cardiovascular concerns while working in extreme temperatures, especially when they are a result of an unseasonal weather pattern, and your body has not had time to acclimate to the changing temperatures.

When the human body is cold it naturally changes blood circulation patterns in an attempt to keep the core temperature within an acceptable range. ◀

Your blood thickens and your heart works harder, because your body simply can’t produce enough energy to keep warm. Physical exertion during cold weather events (such as shoveling snow) is a leading cause of heart attacks, especially among the overweight and smokers. What all this means to you as

an employer is simple. Employee health is a paramount concern and you company’s policies, training and daily expectations must reflect that. Some towers, especially younger ones eager to “prove their worth,” will work an entire 24-hour day or even more without a break. They have a mindset that, “I don’t

Not all towmen are fair-weather operators, prepare for any wintry forecast with insulated coveralls.

quit when I’m tired, I quit when I’m done!” While an admirable work ethic, this attitude can take a severe toll on their body and well-being.

Speaking from personal experience at a company that had an employee suffer a cold-weather related heart attack, it can be very expensive to deal with—and we were very fortunate that the employee survived.

Besides the Department of Labor and Worker Compensation Board investigation, we had to deal with a customer relations nightmare. Since this happened at one of our customer’s facilities, there was also multiemployer liability to deal with, which almost cost us our client, due to liability for the workplace injury.

As an aside, multi-employer liability is a real troublesome issue, especially when working on construction sites, since OSHA typically holds the general contractor responsible for the actions of all the sub-contractors.

Ultimately, we changed our policy to prevent a reoccurrence, the customer changed their snowremoval policy and we helped the employee get back on his feet and into a new career since he can no longer drive. This incident could have had a much worse outcome, so it literally pays to be prepared and eliminate environmental exposures.

After the Storm Towers Pull Together in the Wake of

By George L. Nitti

TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

Hurricane Ian

On September 28, Hurricane Ian swept into southeast Florida, bringing with it 150-mph winds that caused devastation and ruin. Fort Myers was ground zero, as Ian leveled the city, gutting buildings, demolishing homes, overturning cars and trucks, and tossing boats onto shore.

Much of the recovery work in this path of destruction would fall into the lap of Alligator Towing and Transport, as the exclusive towing provider for Fort Myers. Alligator has a long-standing relationship with the city and is actively involved in the community. As the hurricane approached, Alligator was deployed as an official member of the Hurricane Emergency Response Team.

However, they were not working alone, but under the umbrella of their parent company Guardian Fleet Services, the largest towing, recovery, and specialized transportation provider in the Southeast United States. Concentrated in Florida, Guardian’s other enterprises participated, including A Superior Towing, Ace Wrecker, Crockett’s Towing, Kauff’s Transportation Systems, and Professional Towing and Recovery.

With Guardian supporting Alligator, tow forces were mobilized both before and after Ian’s arrival. Alligator’s terminal manager,

Anthony Pasqualini pointed out that, “Team members from Tallahassee to Jacksonville to Miami supported Alligator with additional manpower and trucks into the Fort Myers markets to facilitate recoveries and aid community efforts.” This included a Century 100-ton rotator used for specialized recoveries and their severe incident recovery team.

In preparation for the storm, the company handled a variety of things throughout the city and surrounding areas to ensure that the city’s and customers’ equipment was properly secured. Operations included machinery transports, and assisting and moving large pieces of equipment.

George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009. He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on

M100 Century Rotator with 2022 Peterbuilt 389 on Fort Myers Beach

142,000 pound transformer

“Ten days prior to Ian, we were at the height of getting ready,” said Pasqualini. “We were bringing equipment in and staging it.”

Since the hurricane, the breadth of the recovery was staggering, some of which has included the steady transport of massive transformers, generators, and propane tankers. In addition, uprighting overturned vehicles and trucks, and recovering more than 50 boats of all sizes, with transport to tow or salvage yards.

“For the crew, obstacles abounded,” Pasqualini recalled, “as secondary roads were impossible to travel and it was difficult to navigate around

Some of the tow operators who labored long days in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian included, from left to right: Marshall Hendrix, Mike Swanson, Derek Plaster, Kurtis Davisson

Guardian’s M100 Century Rotator lifted a 142,000-pound transformer onto a 13-axle trailer.

low-hanging power lines.”

Particularly useful during the emergency response was Alligator’s M100 Century Rotator, purchased in April of 2022. With 8300 square foot working space, and a lift capability of 200,000 pounds, it came in particularly handy working with the utility companies and moving transformers weighing more than 100,000 pounds.

“We had to work really closely with electrical providers for safety reasons,” said Pasqualini. “One transformer weighed over 142,000 pounds. With the M100, we loaded the transformers onto our transport 13-axle trailers such as the Landolls and detachable low boys. We also trailered huge generators for the power companies.”

In Cape Coral, a seven-mile stretch of high-tension power lines folded to the ground, necessitating the company transport transformers, power lines and rolls of wire. Another job entailed uprighting 30 semi-tractor trailers a couple of days after the storm which had been blown over by the force of the winds.

Dozens of boats also needed retrieving from unusual locations.

“Boats and barges floated over construction sites and landed inside concrete buildings that weren’t finished,” Pasqualini noted. “We recovered 15 Nortek boats that had floated to a construction site, and 60-ton Silverton boats that went into people’s homes, and lifted them back in the water.”

One difficult situation involved tractor tankers full of propane that floated from Fort Myers Beach back over to the mainland into somebody’s backyard, Pasqualini recalled. “You couldn’t access all but a side street, and reach over power lines. That was a sixhour recovery job.”

All told, the towmen’s efforts were a superb example of teamwork. “Our team is really about helping each other,” Pasqualini concluded. “They were doing all of this while thinking about their own homes and families. Everybody was so dedicated to the overall goal, restoring Fort Myers and getting it back up and running.”

Guardian’s 100-ton Century Rotator was also used to recover a heavy-duty boat. Over 50 personal watercraft of various sizes had to be relocated from unusual locations.

Auto Club’s “Elco”

An Early Adopter of Alternative Fuel

By Steve Temple

Although not a “Classic Wrecker” in the usual sense, this Chevy El Camino Service Patrol car marks a point in the long evolution of Auto Club

Fittingly, El Camino is Spanish for “the road” (and was originally used for a vehicle name on a 1954 Cadillac concept car). It premiered in 1959 as a response to Ford’s successful

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

have become popular collectibles today due to their rarity and distinctive configuration.

The Auto Club fielded it along with its Ford counterpart during the 1960s, and into the 1970s as an ideal vehicle for its Service Patrol. The El Camino could eat up the highway miles and still carry the equipment needed to help stranded

The 1970s also brought a greater emphasis on mitigating automotive air pollution. Long before electric vehicles came on the scene, the Auto Club converted its fleet of Rancheros and El Caminos to run on Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to test the feasibility of this alternative fuel. In addition to monitoring emissions levels, the Club also evaluated maintenance costs and mileage performance with LPG as compared with gasoline.

This 1972 El Camino has been restored to match the fleet version of the original vehicle. It features a periodcorrect (but deactivated) LPG conversion kit and tank. And even though it’s technically a work “cruck”, this Elco is one cool-looking ride too.

TOWMAN YEAR OF THE

Ron Myers of Pine Tree Towing –Quick Clearance Pioneer

By Charles Duke

It was about time that someone in our industry created standard operating procedures for a towman arriving to the scene of a highway incident. So, Ron Myers teamed with towing veteran John Borowski to write one up. The result was the Quick Clearance Certification Course that was successfully conducted in Baltimore this past November. In talking to Ron Myers, one is immediately taken by his progressive approach to the towing industry. He is the owner of Pine Tree Towing in Cambridge, Ohio, and a founding member of the Association of Professional Towers— Ohio (APTO). This organization has had a mighty impact on towing legislation in the state since its inception in 2015. Myers is one of the most knowledgeable men in the industry, and willingly shares his expertise with anyone through trainings, conferences and seminars which he facilitates. He has fought successfully fought legislative battles on behalf of the towing and recovery industry on the state and national level. Peers speak glowingly about him as an industry ambassador, his professional efforts and as a person.

It is for these reasons that Ron Myers has been chosen American Towman Magazine’s 2023 Towman of the Year.

Myers is one of the most knowledgeable men in the industry and is a regular instructor at American Towman seminars and conferences.

Righting of this tractor trailer was complicated by 10 inches of wet, heavy snow and a heavy load, but Ron Myers’ quick clearance strategy overcame all the difficulties on scene.

a gift to our industry.”

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

By way of background, Myers started Pine Tree Towing in 1991 as a light-duty towing business with a rollback. When asked how the business has survived and enjoyed success over 31 years, he replied simply, “It comes back to faith and family.” Myers added that the company has been blessed with great employees and great customers; but the thing that has propelled the company forward is that they have never been “hooked in a rut.”

“We’ve always tried to see what was around the corner,” he noted. “At some point, you have to take a measured risk to expand. We tried to watch what the future was bringing, and we tried to attend educational seminars. Anytime we could get information; many times I got information from peers who were willing to share.”

LOBBYING ORGANIZATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Of course, his impact in the industry transcends his company. Myers is one of the industry’s prime movers and shakers through his work with APTO on a statewide and even national level. Borne out of merging the former Professional Towers of Ohio with Myers’ former Quick Clear Professionals, the association currently has “roughly 140 members,” according to him. In addition, APTO is now working in conjunction with the Towing

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

and Recovery Association of Ohio (TRAO) under the Ohio Towing and Recovery Legislative Committee (OTRLC).

In the six years of its existence, the association’s accomplishments have been many. Among them: getting increased PPI rates, and support for transferring the rulemaking authority to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. The rates, representing a recent 44 percent increase, had not been raised since 1994.

Other achievements include publishing the industry’s first-ever towing and recovery compliance manual, plus playing a major role in influencing in expansion of the size and weight limits for Ohio towing and recovery vehicles responding to an emergency.

“It was huge that we got that exemption—no more tickets for overweight tow trucks in Ohio,” Myers stated. But he doesn’t take personal credit for these accomplishments.

“I look at our directors as some of the ‘best of the best,’” he continued. “And they’re all willing to share to help the industry. None of them are self-serving. We help the industry, and in the process we help our own business; but in the process of helping the industry, we help others. We want to help others succeed, we want them to do it the right way— that is our goal.”

DEFEATING HARMFUL LEGISLATION

Myers added that APTO also recently teamed up with the Emergency Road Service Coalition of America (ERSCA) to successfully represent towers across the nation in Washington, D.C. to fight against a harmful proposed legislative measure. This proposed amendment to the Federal Infrastructure Bill (HR 3684) would have had devastating impact on the towing industry by removing a specific federal protection for towers that would have impacted profitability, liability and the enterprise value of towing and recovery companies in every state.

“The amendment never got added into the transportation budget,” Myers pointed out. “ERSCA, with its lobbying firm, has been working with legislators trying to educate them on how harmful this would be to our industry. We’ve been talking to (U.S. Congressman) Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) about that. We want to help them solve the perceived price gouging that everyone is concerned with. But there’s a different approach that can be done to get the ‘bad guys’ and not everybody. We were working diligently to ensure that it didn’t make it in.”

Myers also said that although “it still lurks in the background,” he believes that it will be a more “stable environment” for the

“Ron’s

Myers was a part of the Roadside Safety Commission meeting that took place during American Towman’s TowXpo in San Antonio, Texas, August 2021.

towing industry in regard to predatory towing legislation once the Republican Party takes control of the House of Representatives in January 2023.

Such is the respect for APTO that the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association reached out to the association to work on alleged price gouging in the general assembling beginning January 1. “This will be one of the biggest things we’ve worked on,” Myers observed. His peers in the towing industry appreciate his efforts.

BUILDING UP THE IMAGE OF TOWERS

“Ron has a special way to communicate our message and tell our story,” noted Dave Clark, owner of United Towing Service in Cleveland and a fellow APTO board member. “Our story is so untold, especially here in the state of Ohio. The perception of a tower is one thing; when they figure out what we’re really doing, they have a better appreciation for us. Ron’s done a great job of changing our image. I’m blessed that Ron and I have crossed paths, especially with all of the APTO members.”

Clark says that Ron is willing to spend his time to spread the message to the industry, and he’s fortunate that he can.

“There’s a hidden expense to everything we do at APTO— nobody’s paying Ron’s way to tell

our story,” he notes. “Ron’s a gift to our industry.”

EFFORTS FOR OPENING THE ROAD

In addition, Myers has always had an interest in quick clearance. He expressed that he was when he started Quick Clear Professionals, his focus was to concentrate on lawenforcement towing and all entities involved in opening the road.

It was a natural progression for Myers to pioneer the quick-clearance certification course, as sanctioned by American Towman magazine. The course is benefitted by the sixty plus years of towing experience between Myers and John Borowski.

“The course educates towers on integrating with incident command at the scene, and doing their part alongside police and fire professionals. John has a wealth of knowledge, and I’ve been consumed with the quick clear principals in opening the highways,” Myers stated.

“The purpose is to reduce secondary crashes with regards to safety. And I believe that is the segue for the towing industry to be recognized as an emergency responder. That’s the place where we can shine and highlight the professionalism within our industry.”

HIS GOAL IS CLEAR AND SPECIFIC:

“We should take opening the

highway very seriously,” he insisted. “The principle is to let everyone understand that there are guidelines and there are research-founded principles that absolutely allow you to open the highway quickly. The advantages of that are numerous.”

He also mentioned that there’s huge economic impact for the local communities that can’t be ignored, as well as the safety aspect of what Myers called getting “off-target”— meaning that towmen are a target every time they’re on the highway.

“Currently, there is no minimum standard in the industry,” he pointed out. “When it comes to opening our highways, you only want the best— it’s that important.”

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Myers believes that this hasn’t been done previously due to law enforcement not being diligent enough regarding who they allow to handle quick-clearance situations. He said that there are many companies that simply buy a tow truck and get on rotation lists to handle certain calls—but they may not have the skills and training to clear the roads. Because many of these companies not only lack the training, skills and the business acumen to adequately run a business, Myers said they tend to look at such calls to quick-clearance situations as “hitting the lottery.” He said this leads to price gouging and makes the industry look bad overall.

“They end up charging more than they should because that’s the only way they know how to pay their bills,” Myers said. “It’s a vicious cycle. If they were forced to have a towing business rather than a rotation business, it would stabilize prices.”

TEACHING BETTER BILLING PRACTICES

Along with Borowski, Myers also facilitated a three-hour seminar

“I don’t think there’s another line of work like (that of) a towman. It’s a very unique business: you’re out there at all hours of times and weather, and you’re helping complete strangers.”

at the 2022 Exposition in Baltimore titled, “Recovery Business Success.” It covered a really broad spectrum, providing information that he said most people don’t get access to.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be recognized as an expert witness and have testified in court cases,” he admitted. “I have people send me invoices to look at and ask me what I think about them. I just get a big pool of information. What I’ve learned is when these companies are trying to negotiate these bills they don’t care if you have a good bill or not; they’re just trying to get a discount—and that’s what frustrates me with them.”

HOW DOES HE HANDLE THIS SORT OF ISSUE?

“We go over a whole variety of things,” he stated. “We try to show the proper way to write a bill, how to present your bill and how to back your bill up. If you’re challenged, there’s no law anywhere that says you have to discount your bill. We also talk about in the class that there is a time to negotiate your bill, and there is a time not to.”

GOVERNOR’S APPOINTMENT TO HELP SAVE LIVES

Adding to his accomplishments, Myers was appointed to the Ohio Traffic Safety Council by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine in 2020 and was placed on the Distracted Driving Council subcommittee. This committee has been trying to get a distracted driving bill passed that calls for motorists being handsfree on their phone, as Ohio is one of the few states that doesn’t have that law. Myers worked with law enforcement, Allstate Insurance, Nationwide Insurance, AAA, and the Ohio Biking Association to make recommendations and do public outreach to educate the public. The bill was due to be voted on before

the end of 2022; and Myers felt that the bill, if passed, would be a step forward in reducing the hazard of distracted driving. He said his greatest satisfaction in doing the work that he does is the opportunity to provide knowledge that could potentially save lives.

“I don’t think there’s another line of work like (that of) a towman,” Myers concluded. “It’s a very unique business: you’re out there at all hours of times and weather, and you’re helping complete strangers. I love

this business so much I would do it for nothing just because I like doing it. I feel good about the fact that I’m doing what I can to make sure that other towers and other people in the motoring public make it home safe.”

In what way?

“When I look at police towing and rotation towing, our job should be about opening the highway; and we should be opening the highway as quickly and safely as possible, because it matters.”

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

SNOWBOUND SEMI

Recovery From a Steep Ravine

By New England Truck Center

2022 Donnie Cruse Recovery Award

Presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster

2022 Winner: New England Truck Center

The semi was laying on its side, and had come to rest down in a deep ravine, over a small but deep-flowing river.

Initially recovering this truck casualty sounded like a fairly routine job, but it turned out to be far more challenging—and worthy of a special Donnie Cruse Memorial Award from Wreckmaster. Called by New Hampshire State Police at 0145, New England Truck Center was asked to respond to an accident involving a tractor-trailer unit on its side, located on I-89 southbound at mile 51 in Enfield. The company, which has more than 60 years of experience, sent out two heavy-duty NRC rotators, an emergency response manager, incident support unit, and a road-service unit.

Access to the semi in the ravine required a belaying system with ladders.

On arrival, New England’s towmen found that the unit was off the right shoulder, and had come to rest down in a deep ravine, over a small but deep-flowing river. Due to the sheer slope, chest-deep snow, and running water, the fire department had set up a belay system with ladders and harnesses, and were assisting the driver out of the unit when we arrived on scene. (Surprisingly enough, he was able to walk away with no injuries.)

A member of New England’s team on site donned a safety

ALL Recovery Specialists Qualify:

Choose the most challenging recovery your company has performed with excellence. Send in your photos or video of the recovery along with your name, company, address, phone # and email, and you may be contacted for further details. Recovery must have been performed between 2001 and 2022. Send submissions to stemple@towman.com.

harness, and used the fire department’s belay system to make his way to the bottom of the ravine with the assistance of fire personnel to survey the casualty. He found that the tractor axles were all dislocated, and the unit would not be towable from the scene after being recovered. So a lowbed trailer and tractor were dispatched to the scene as well to haul the damaged tractor away after it was recovered.

A recovery plan was devised and discussed with law enforcement and

Co-Sponsored by:

RECOVERY PERSONNEL

Jesse Smith Chris Williams Patrick Hayward DJ Lovett Luke Keniston David Curtis Joseph Emery

Also on Scene: New Hampshire State Police, Lebanon NH Fire Department

fire personnel on scene. The New England towmen advised that they would be able to perform the recovery from the shoulder and right lane, without closing the left lane to travel. Due to the positioning of the casualty in the ravine with sheer walls, all recovery equipment and rigging had to be lowered down to the bottom using one of the rotators as a crane.

The fire apparatus was repositioned, and one of the heavyduty rotators was set up at the front end of the scene. A fuel transfer pump, hoses, drums, and other equipment were loaded into a bag dumpster, which was attached to a winch line on the rotator boom and lowered down into the ravine. The fuel tanks of the casualty were drilled, and the remaining fuel pumped into a steel drum to prevent any release during the recovery. The pump and other equipment were loaded back into the bag and lifted out of the ravine and packed back into the support unit. The full drum was lifted out with a drum clamp and set down on the road.

The next step in the recovery was to remove the tractor. The rigging required to lift the tractor was

A Long History of Full-Spectrum Service

New England Truck Center has been in the towing, automotive, and truck repair business for over 60 years. Originally known as Al’s Automotive, the business opened in the early 1960s as an auto parts store in downtown Exeter, NH. The business quickly expanded to include a repair shop and towing services, and became known as Al’s Automotive and Truck Service. In 2012, the business moved to its current location on Epping Rd in Exeter and over the years has expanded its services and its facilities, eventually becoming New England Truck Center (NETC). Today NETC’s Exeter location is a 40,000 sq ft facility that offers an array of services and products. NETC’s services include specialized transport, mobile truck repair, heavy- and light-duty towing and recovery, heavy-duty truck repair, and commercial collision services. NETC is also a dealer of NRC Industries Towing Equipment, Autocar Trucks, and an Authorized Landoll Parts and Repair facility. A second location added in Pembroke, NH in 2019.

Currently NETC is running about 30 power units, including rotators, heavy-duty wreckers, heavy carriers, and light-duty carriers and wreckers. Also in the company fleet are road-service units, tractors, along with lowbed, sliding axle, container, flatbed, and step deck trailers. Other support equipment includes skid steer loaders and front-end loaders.

Chest-deep snow thrown down by the plows from the highway hampered access to the casualty.

lowered into the ravine using the rotator. The tractor was then rigged for a vertical lift. The tractor was lifted enough to remove pressure on the 5th wheel, which was then released. Personnel in the ravine moved away from the tractor, which was lifted with the rotator, then slid

forward to disconnect the 5th wheel from the trailer, picked out of the ravine, and set down on the roadway behind the rotator. At this time, the tractor was still laying on its side as it had been in the ravine. The tractor was re-rigged and uprighted with the rotator, back onto its wheels.

Rigging was reconfigured once more to be able to lift the tractor vertically in its new orientation.

New England advised NHSP and NHDOT on site that the open left travel lane would need to be closed for approximately five minutes to get the tractor set onto the low-bed

Due to deep snow and no solid ground at the rear of the trailer, New England’s towmen had to be lowered down into the ravine in a safety harness.

Initially a rotator was rigged to the kingpin of the trailer for lifting up the front, so a second line could be passed underneath. And then the rear of the trailer was rigged to the winch lines of the second rotator.

trailer. With the lane closed, the lowbed trailer was put into position. The tractor was rotated around, set on the trailer, and unhooked from the rotator. Then the low-bed was driven to the front of the scene, onto the shoulder where the casualty was then secured for transport as the left travel lane was reopened. The bag dumpster was lowered down to the site one last time to remove any additional small pieces of debris that were left behind from the tractor. The bag was raised back up with the accident debris, along with the fire department’s equipment that had been used at the bottom of the ravine.

Next step in the recovery was to remove the trailer from the ravine. New England’s survey had shown that the trailer appeared to be structurally sound other than some damage to the right front corner, and the landing gear was found to be badly bent. The driver had advised that the unit was empty. The towmen repositioned the first rotator into place to lift the front of the trailer, then turned the second rotator around and placed it into position to lift the rear of the trailer.

The first rotator was rigged to the kingpin of the trailer for lifting. The front of the trailer was lifted clear of the ground so a second strap could be passed under it. Both straps were attached to the winch lines of the rotator, and rigging was tightened up in preparation for the lift.

At the rear of the trailer, the rock wall was vertical, and had no solid ground at the base to utilize a ladder, as was done at the front of the casualty. There was no access from the front to the rear of the trailer by walking along the base of the wall, since there was no solid ground over the flowing river on that side, only deep snow that had been thrown down by the plows from the highway. A member of our team donned a safety harness, attached himself to a winch line from the second rotator, and was carefully lowered down the rock wall to the bottom to rig the rear of the trailer

To prevent any spill during recovery and lighten the load, the tanks of the casualty were drilled, and the remaining fuel pumped into a steel drum.

for a vertical lift. The rear of the trailer was rigged to the winch lines of the second rotator, and the rigger was carefully winched back up the rock wall with his safety harness.

All personnel were moved back to a safe distance, and the trailer was lifted with both rotators working in tandem. The booms of the rotators were positioned such that the bottom of the trailer was held away from making contact with the wall, and it was lifted vertically until it was completely clear of the ravine. The trailer was rotated to an upright position in midair, and then swung over and set down on the ground between the two rotators on the right shoulder.

The rigging for both rotators was broken down and packed away. The second rotator cleared the scene and returned to base, and the first rotator was hooked to the front of the trailer to tow it away from the scene. All small pieces of debris were picked up from

the roadway, and all safety equipment, ladders, ropes, and other gear were stowed. It was noted that the trailer did have a flat left front tire, which was removed by the road-service tech on site, and that axle was chained up for transport. Traffic control was then picked up and stowed.

All towing and recovery units cleared the scene and returned to New England’s facility in Pembroke, New Hampshire. On arrival, the trailer was disconnected from the first rotator and placed into storage. This rotator was then rigged to the tractor casualty, lifting it off the low-bed trailer and placing it into storage.

After about 4.5 hours of recovery work, all units used in the were cleaned, inspected, inventoried, restocked, and prepped for return to service. Travel times of all units were extended due to winter storm conditions on the route. But they never got snowbound!

the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Once the trailer cleared the ravine, it was rotated to an upright position in midair.

Truth or Consequences?

7 Legal Myths About Asset Protection

By Larry Oxenham

Many financial and legal myths circulate through society. Believing in these myths might result in serious problems. Mark Twain echoed this thought when he said, “It isn’t what we don’t know that kills us, it’s everything we know that ain’t so.” Here are a few examples to keep in mind.

You need to have them in place before the disaster hits. Once a lawsuit is filed against you, the transfer of assets to protective legal entities may be interpreted as “fraudulent conveyance” and can be unwound.

Therefore, it is essential to have the legal structures for lawsuit protection and prevention in place before you are sued. If you are not properly structured, it only takes one lawsuit to lose everything.

MYTH 2: “I SHOULD OPERATE MY BUSINESS AS A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP”

Larry Oxenham is one of America’s top asset protection experts, having helped thousands of professionals achieve financial peace of mind by teaching them how to properly structure their assets for lawsuit protection and tax reduction. He has authored and co-authored several articles and books on the subject including The Asset Protection Bible and How to Achieve Financial Peace of Mind through Asset Protection. Larry Oxenham is a nationally recognized speaker who has trained thousands of professionals at hundreds of conventions, conferences and seminars across the country.

MYTH 1: “I WILL NEVER GET SUED”

If you own a towing business, you have exposure to many types of lawsuits even if you personally have done nothing wrong. If you have employees, you could be sued for workplace accidents, negligent entrustment, wrongful termination, gender bias, racial bias, sexual orientation bias, religious bias, sexual harassment, and racial harassment. A big risk in this category for tow companies is an accident. For example, one employee received an award of $86.7 million to compensate him for an accident at work that left him paralyzed (Miraglia v. H & L Holding Corp.). You are liable for any injury caused by your trucks. Last year the average award in a motor-vehicle case was just under $1 million, but if the injuries are severe or result in a death, the judgment can be much higher. Last year the average wrongful death award was $11,804,650. In one case, a truck was backing up and hit a person walking in the area causing permanent disabilities. A lawsuit followed which resulted in a $55 million verdict (Ritter v. Stanton).

Being in the towing business and not having protection against lawsuits would be like living in an earthquake, hurricane, or flood zone and not purchasing the necessary insurance. Once the disaster hits, it is too late to buy insurance.

Likewise, once a lawsuit hits, it is too late to set up the needed legal structures.

Many attorneys and accountants recommend that their clients operate their businesses as a sole proprietorship because of the simplicity it presents when they file their tax returns. However, there are two major problems with operating as a sole proprietor.

First, while a sole proprietorship allows a person to deduct most business expenses, there are tax deductions and reduction strategies that apply to S-Corps and C-Corps which cannot be used as a sole proprietor.

The second major problem is that a sole proprietorship provides little protection against lawsuits. If your sole proprietorship is sued, all of your business and personal assets could be taken to satisfy the judgment. Even if you are sued personally as a result of a car accident or injury at your home, all of your business assets are at risk of being taken.

MYTH 3: “A CORPORATION PROTECTS MY ASSETS FROM LAWSUITS”

The corporation is a good management and tax reduction tool, but it is a poor lawsuit protection tool. If your corporation is sued, all of the assets (with equity) owned by your corporation can be taken to satisfy the judgment. The corporation does provide some protection of personal assets with what is called the “corporate veil.” The corporate veil is supposed to prevent a creditor from going after personal assets to satisfy a business debt. However, the corporate

veil is often pierced, enabling your personal assets to be seized to satisfy a judgment against your business.

MYTH 4: “ASSET PROTECTION IS NOT POSSIBLE”

We live in a very specialized world. For example, doctors often specialize in a specific area of medicine (orthopedics, radiology, cardiology, etc.). There is no difference in the legal world. There are specialists for every part of our legal lives. There are attorneys who specialize in patents, family law, bankruptcy, personal injury, prosecution, estate planning, etc. Asset protection is a highly specialized area of law. A survey by the American Bar Association showed that less than one percent of attorneys claimed asset protection as their specialty. As a result, most attorneys and accountants are unfamiliar with the strategies and tools available to protect 100 percent of your business and personal assets from being seized in a lawsuit.

MYTH 5: “I SHOULD PUT MY ASSETS IN MY LOWER-LIABILITY SPOUSE’S NAME”

One of the strategies recommended by less-experienced advisors is to put assets in a lowerliability spouse’s name. This approach may provide a modest amount of protection in the event of a lawsuit, but there are four significant drawbacks to this strategy. First, it must be realized that courts carefully scrutinize conveyances between

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

relatives, and can invalidate the transfer of property regardless of when the conveyance took place. Second, your spouse may be declared an implied officer in your business and be named in a lawsuit. Third, your spouse could get sued personally. For example, if your spouse were involved in a car accident and someone was killed, a lawsuit would most likely follow; and every single asset in the spouse’s name would be at risk. Finally, having assets in your spouse’s name can cause serious problems in the event of a divorce.

MYTH 6: “I ONLY NEED A SINGLE ENTITY (LLC OR CORPORATION)”

Typically, a combination of entities will be the best course to take, rather than the use of one corporation or LLC. Most advisors are unaware of how to gain the best tax advantages and ensure 100 percent asset protection through the use of multiple entities. To ensure your assets are protected, you must separate your safe and risky assets into separate legal entities. The strategy of using multiple entities will minimize taxes and protect all of your assets.

MYTH 7: “LIABILITY INSURANCE WILL PROTECT ME AGAINST LAWSUITS”

You might feel you are protected from lawsuits because you have liability insurance; however, insurance is like a hospital gown— you only think you are covered.

Liability insurance does provide some protection against lawsuits, but it is limited in its coverage. Juries often will award judgments in excess of liability insurance coverage. Exclusions in your policy may also result in your insurance company denying coverage and leaving you liable. As judgments have increased over the years, some advisors simply tell professionals to get more liability insurance. This is problematic, as larger policies are costly and often serve as homing beacons for trial attorneys, who look for the deepest pockets in which to reach.

OVERCOMING MYTHS

The authors of the book The Millionaire Next Door did an extensive study of millionaires to find the determining factors that resulted in a high net worth. The research concluded that hiring high-grade financial advisors was directly related to the propensity to accumulate wealth. An attorney who specializes in asset protection is a high-grade advisor that towing professionals need. An asset protection attorney will ensure you avoid the myths in this article and that your assets are properly structured for lawsuit protection, tax reduction, and estate planning.

Liability insurance is like a hospital gown—you only think you are covered.

New Year’s Safety and Survival Resolutions

The Crucial Value of Lessons Learned

By Randall C. Resch

Tow operators already know that working accidents and incidents on high-speed highways is a dangerous proposition. The manner in which towers respond to them makes the all difference between survival or becoming the next victim in a lengthy list of operators killed. Let this article start off the New Year right with an attitude of safety and survival!

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.

An LA Times article entitled, “Freeways are Perilous for Stranded Drivers,” prompted this narrative. It highlighted the tragic hit n’ run death of a California tower who worked as a freeway service patrol provider. Strangely enough, the storyline initially focused on the peril to motorists, side-stepping the dangerous reality of how this FSP operator was killed changing a car’s tire, disregarding the obvious reason he lost his life.

CRITICAL QUESTIONS

This news coverage begged the question, “Why are tow operators are killed working on-highway events?” And if the tow industry knows the obvious and primary factors why tow operators get killed, how come they haven’t learned to prevent reoccurring incidents and fatalities? Why are some towers so ignorant to continue working in the same, reckless manner? In an industry that’s described as one of world’s “most dangerous occupations”, what would help towers heed this message?

Since the first tow truck’s inception, more than 1,500 operators have been killed

on the job (counting all reasons) during tow-related events dating back to the 1920s. Specifically, that number includes more than 600 operators killed working high-speed highways. What’s seen at the Wall of the Fallen is only a fraction of all towers killed in the line of duty.

Industry-related websites and individuals provide many non-official, “tower down” lists that record operator fatalities. These lists represent only an approximate number. There’s no other industry that can claim losing this many personnel in such rapid succession.

Since operator fatalities and strikes were never part of law enforcement investigations until recently, it’s unreasonable to assume these numbers are accurate. So, getting back to our question above, why are tow operators repeatedly killed especially working high-speed highways?”

HEAR THIS MESSAGE

The manner towers respond to highway related calls can never be considered routine—there are no routine calls. Perhaps the message of survival and continued

The manner towers respond to highway related calls can never be considered routine— there are no routine calls.

safety begins with that “back to basics” look at nine categories that challenge how towers work shoulder scenarios? Consider the following:

1. Train to Survive: On-highway training is different than basic loadand-go considerations. Operators serving highway environments must completely understand the dangers high-speed highways represent. Part of new and weathered operator training must consist of TIM training with a Certificate of Completion in the tower’s file.

2. Don’t Send New Towers: Highspeed highways are no environment for new personnel. Tow owners have the responsibility for ensuring personnel are competently trained in on-highway response. And include time as ride-along or trainer/trainee shadowing. If a tow operator isn’t trained for on-highway response, they have no business being there.

3. Access and Equipment Setup:

Because there are differences in which niches tow companies serve, tow truck and carrier set-up is a tactical process. For companies serving highway environments, there’s a safety advantage in locating, storing and situating tow equipment. Best practices indicate that wreckers and carriers should have tow and recovery equipment stowed away from dangerous approaching traffic.

4. Identify On-Scene Presence: During arrival assessment, activate emergency overhead lights to initiate SDMO (Slow Down Move Over) responses by approaching motorists. Towers should know allowable lighting requirements, as not all states permit tow trucks to drive with emergency lights activated in traffic, as they may not be considered an “authorized emergency responder.”

For tow vehicles involved in tow and recovery activity, lights-on is the prime indicator for SDMO ◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

responses required of the motoring public. Unless state law prohibits using emergency lighting because of written law or freeway service patrol protocol, it’s highly advised to use emergency lights.

If a DUI driver or motorist runs onto a highway’s shoulder and strikes your tow truck, having no lighting provides an easy defense: “I didn’t see the tow truck.” Towers must understand their state lighting laws and the company’s procedures.

When emergency lights are activated, operators are provided a level of visual presence for motorists to see. Even so, keep in mind that emergency lighting can create a false sense of security not to be relied upon.

5. Be Seen: Drivers in all states have SDMO responsibilities to slow down and move over from the tow truck’s location. A common, associated factor that’s typically written in accident investigations, OSHA and NIOSH follow-ups commented that tow operators failed to employ triangles, flares, traffic cones and proper lighting. Being seen is a key element to survival.

One common tow operator excuse is, “They take too long to set-up and take down.” Sadly, not using triangles, flares or cones is a practice that many operators regularly omit, generally out of laziness.

6. Work Away from Dangerous Traffic: Especially true to carrier operations, a large percentage of operator strikes reportedly occurred while standing, walking, or working traffic-side controls. Repeatedly, working on the traffic-side is a leading cause why towers are struck. With modern carriers equipped with twin-side control stations, working away from white-line traffic becomes a conscious and critical decision.

7. Keep Out of Traffic Lanes: Operators fail to understand that no matter what age, level of experience, new driver, or tow company owner, one should never walk, work or stand in a live traffic lane. Don’t allow big egos or too much macho to cloud the way you work. An errant motorist cares nothing about who you are and what experience you have.

A solid rule of thumb says, “Don’t walk in traffic lanes.” Sure, there’s sometimes the need to work the white-line side, but limiting one’s on-scene exposure includes remaining out of live lanes.

So be sure to exit and enter the tow truck’s cab by using the TIM-taught “Peek a Boo” technique. Walk forward and around the tow truck’s front while looking back at approaching traffic. When it’s deemed safe, make that mad dash to safety when there’s a clear opening. The same movement is necessary when exiting the truck’s cab; be quick and cautious.

8. Law Enforcement Assistance: Towers, request on-scene assistance from the state’s highway patrol when obvious

danger exists. Example: A Wisconsin tower, working in freeway service patrol capacity, reportedly came upon debris during regular patrol. In his actions to remove the debris, he was struck by a semi-truck and killed.

While news accounts didn’t clarify if debris was in traffic lanes, danger is always present. Running into traffic lanes (to retrieve debris) is a pedestrian strike waiting to happen. Although DOT or FSP training typically provides protocol for debris removal, traffic breaks should be initiated.

When towers know a situation is potentially deadly, why do they

forego calling the highway patrol for assistance? There are many dangerous scenarios including debris removal, stalled vehicles in livelanes, vehicles stopped on narrow shoulders. Perhaps the most deadly are disabled vehicles parked in gorepoints. These scenarios demand highway patrol assistance.

9. Mentalities and Legalities:

Highway fatalities have steadily been on the rise due to the onset of cellphones, distracted driving, DUI motorists and the legalization of marijuana. In reality, these influences aren’t going away.

These fatalities happen every

day when tow operators continue to actively stand, work and walk at traffic-side controls while loading vehicles on highway shoulders. Perhaps due to that mentality, “It won’t happen to me”, towers consciously put themselves in harm’s way? Which might explain why experienced towers make up a greater percentage of fatality data. Some towers have aggressive mentalities that oftentimes don’t recognize the reality that this industry is a dangerous occupation. On a daily basis, towers readily and consciously put themselves in harm’s way and neglect obvious danger. ◀

The Wall of the Fallen at the International Towing & Recovery Museum is a solemn reminder of the dangers that tow operators face every day.

On the other hand, vehicle code laws require four-point safety attachments (for carriers), safety chain and strap requirements for wheel lifts, as well as attaching extension lights on towed vehicles. It’s these laws that put towers in harm’s way by forcing

them to work on the dangerous side of approaching traffic.

While the industry knows what reasons get towers killed, nothing has been done to allow “whiteline” exemptions for towers serving the nation’s high-speed highways. Deadly exposure is something towers of all ages are guilty of. And, when a live, on-scene, news reporter or family member comments, “He was an experienced tower with better than 30 year’s experience”, it’s infuriating to hear the inaccurate observation that the tower chose to be on the white-line side.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In an industry that’s poorly regulated, nor has an overseer for common safety, fatalities will continue. As of this writing, 21 U.S. operators were killed in pedestrian strikes and shoulder incidents (and one in Canada hit

by a snowplow) as they worked on high-speed highways. This industry won’t experience a better norm until it comes together to develop professional standards!

Safety is an individual endeavor not to be ignored.

For me personally, when working on-highway environments, my anxiety level jumps a hundredfold. How you ingest this safety message is your challenge—and personal responsibility. Towers make the same bad decisions again and again— it’s the tower’s choice to either consciously practice or avoid bad habits. Sadly, towers will continue to lose their lives because they’ve failed to heed the value of lessons learned.

Be honest with yourself and ask if you’re doing everything you can to be the safest you can be. If you’re that tower who believes nothing can ever happen to you, you’ve got your head in the sand.

LW handles just about any type of load.

Primo Heavy-Hauler

What it Takes to be Top Shelf

By George L. Nitti

Providing quality tow service, like any service, takes extra effort. Just ask Larry Haynie, owner of LW’s Towing and Recovery in Frisco, Texas. He compares his company’s approach to a Niemann Marcus rather than a Walmart: “We’re not the cheapest, but we are the most professional…”

Top shelf service includes an impeccable fleet of custom-painted wreckers. His newest addition has checkerboard, blue and pearl white graphics on a sparkling clean, 2021 T880 Kenworth with a 30-foot Vulcan Industrial Bed made by Miller Industries.

Haynie is a stickler for proper

maintenance of equipment and professional appearance of units, personally going through his fleet twice a week. This rig, with its expansive features, adds an additional layer of service for handling far-ranging jobs.

“We haul a lot of the heavy trailers for the oil companies in Odessa and Midland, a 4.5-hour ride from where we are in Frisco,” Haynie said. “We’ll go all over the country.”

Beside transporting oil-field equipment such as cool bending units to far-flung locations, his company also moves a lot of equipment in town such as tractors and skid steers.

“Anything lower than nine feet

Truck: 2021 T880 Kenworth

Engine: 12.9-liter PACCAR MX-13 engine

Body: Vulcan Industrial 30-foot bed made by Miller Industries

Custom features: 35-ton heavy-duty wheel lift

LW’s signature custom painted two-tone graphics by David Moon

with a 54,000-pound payload, we can put on the back of the bed. We can trailer up to 90,000 pounds.”

Haynie points out that the versatility of the industrial bed enables his company to do anything that a standard bed can do. “I can haul a tractor trailer or a Volkswagen. It’s diverse,” he points out. And in some respects, with greater utility than a low-boy trailer.

“A low boy needs a truck and trailer,” he adds. “This unit also needs much less space to load, opening us up for police calls when needed.”

In addition to the bed is a 35-ton heavy-duty wheel lift, providing more options to haul, say, a dump truck or 18-wheeler on the back, while hauling something else on the bed. “It’s an overgrown flatbed,” Haynie observed.

Like the rest of their fleet, this wrecker was purchased at Texas Wrecker Sales and displays LW’s signature custom painted graphics executed by David Moon, a design that includes a large wave and a checkered, two-tone colored pattern.

The company name is prominent, diagonally tilted across the top of the doors and written in large letters across the boom of their wreckers. So LW’s clearly stands out from the crowd.

Wanna brag about your rig in American Towman Magazine? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at stemple@towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Equipped with a 35-ton heavy-duty wheel lift as well, LW’s Larry Haynie calls his Miller carrier “an overgrown flatbed.”

Tracking a New Name

EasTract now operates under one global worldwide brand with the new name of Tracked Machines. Also, north American operations will operate under the name of Tracked Machines North America, LLC, located in Atlanta, Georgia, and covering the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Tracked Machines, an Italian company based in Verona, Italy, manufactures the TowTrack Towing Robot, the Ercules Tracked Forklift, and the CarMover 2 and 4. Basically a cross between a forklift and a tow truck, these machines have changed the way the towing industry can move equipment and vehicles (including disabled EVs incapable of shifting into neutral) from tight spaces and off-road areas.

According to Syre Perkins of Tracked Machines, brand consolidation is needed since there are over 4500 Tracked Machines operating worldwide in over 125 different countries. Operating under one global brand will avoid the use of various confusing names throughout the world. This change will also help streamline financing and distribution for Tracked Machines with the international brand protections. Now everyone can associate with Tracked Machines and the TowTrack Towing Robot, Erucles Tracked Forklift and CarMover as one worldwide brand.

Tracked Machines North America can be reached at (770) 677-5766 or at sales@trackedmachines.us.

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Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com

The Supreme Title

By Steve Calitri

Towman. One can’t take a higher rank in this industry.

Tow Boss is certainly up there. Yet the tow boss who is a towman gains the most respect.

Soldier in the Army is a timehonored term by those in the military. It carries a lot of meaning, a lot of history, a lot of blood, sweat and sacrifice. A General is high up there in a soldier’s regard, but a general who spent duty on the front lines has more regard than the arm-chair general who never risked his own tush.

Trooper, officer, fireman, doctor, professor, mother, father … titles carry the weight of their meaning.

How we regard ourselves in this industry tells you how tall this industry stands.

Not only in the title of this magazine but on its pages, we most often refer to the tow operator or his boss as a towman. We have always cast respect upon the term. This year our expositions will incorporate the term appropriately into its ceremonies. Whenever a tower is called out in a ceremony to receive an award, “Towman” will be used before his name as a formal title.

The term “tower” is too casual, almost slangish, to be used when we want to treat tow operators with the respect they deserve. We needn’t kill the word, since it has its place. A tower is not a grunt. He’s a

skilled worker that risks life and limb every day at work. The exalted title, however, is “Towman.”

Yes, even if the operator is a woman (though tow-woman is fine to use). For those who would wish to argue this point, please note that one definition of “man” in the dictionary is “a human being of either sex; a person.”

The world’s first astronauts were strapped into capsules rocketed into outer space, sitting on tons of explosives. Their bravery is legendary.

Towmen work the white lines with eighteen wheelers zooming by them inches away. In American Towman’s world, their bravery is legendary.

Towmen also use equipment that can be dangerous if not operated properly and carefully. If wire ropes are not maintained they can snap and kill its operator. One false move and they may find themselves trapped under their own equipment.

The towman carries the responsibility of looking after the motorist and vehicle and the roadway he is working on. As much as he or she is at risk, a bonehead move could endanger passing traffic.

Towmen deserve their employer’s highest respect, and that of the nation. American Towman salutes everyone of you. Not least of all, our Towman of the Year!

Tow Procession Honors Fallen Oklahoma Tower

Fallen tower John Alic Mills, 31, of Oklahoma, was honored by family and friends at Trinity Baptist Church in Muskogee. Towers gathered in procession, with more than 80 wreckers parked outside the church, as reported on www.newson6.com.

Mills, who worked for Red Beard’s Towing, was struck and killed on November 26 when a driver went off the road and hit him. The cause is still under investigation.

To further honor Mills, his name is on display on tow trucks and other signage.

Bryan Albrecht, president of the Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association said that even with the “Slow Down and Move Over” law, people continue to let distractions put others’ lives at risk.

“Everybody has got a cellphone in their hand, they’re watching videos,” Albrecht said. “Technology has just led to that much more distraction for the driver going down the roadway.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

2022 Winners of the RABF Dynamic Slide

Ana Favela and her husband of Lalo’s Towing in Illinois are the winners of the Dynamic Slide in Unit, which was donated by Anthony Gentile and Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing. The drawing took place at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Nov. 16 – 19, and

benefits the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF).

Ana and her husband entered the drawing after purchasing two raffle tickets on November 19. They purchased two more tickets and ended up having the winning ticket drawn by a young volunteer. Ana said, “I’m happy to support the work of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund and excited to win this year’s raffle!”

The Recovery Agents Benefit Fund has disbursed over $44,000 in 2022 to nine families and over $685,000 to date. The unit is valued at over $10,000 and raises thousands of dollars annually, helping families affected by the dangers of the repossession industry and their unfortunate circumstances that can devastate a family.

For more information about donating to the fund, visit www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org, contact 703365-0409, or email at donations@ recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

TRAA Against Unique Electronic IDs for CMVs

TRAA submitted a public comment in response to a proposed rule-making change that would affect the towing industry as it relates to electronic identification.

The comments were solicited by FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), in response to amending safety regulations requiring every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with electronic identification (ID) technology. It is capable of wirelessly communicating a unique ID number when queried by a Federal or State motor carrier safety enforcement personnel. FMCSA maintains that it will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more fully enabling enforcement agencies to focus their efforts at high-risk carriers and drivers.

In their public comment, TRAA stated that, “As traffic incident management responders, towing and recovery professionals work tirelessly on the nation’s roadways to keep lanes of travel clear and safe for motorists and other commercial vehicles. Any proposal that potentially increases the time a responder is on the roadway only increases their risk of serious injury and death.”

TRAA understands the intention of FMCSA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and other groups to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program. But if enacted, TRAA indicates that the proposal would be burdensome, costly, and pose a serious safety risk.

Source: TRAA newsletter

TRAA says electronic IDs would be burdensome, costly, and pose a serious safety risk.

Signage honoring John Alic Mills with a message to Slow Down/Move Over was on display during a procession.

Ana Favela of Lalo’s Towing of Illinois and her husband (right) won a Dynamic Slide In Unit. Also pictured: Anthony Gentile (far left) and Ed Marcum (far right).

Georgia Tower Struck and Killed

Tow truck driver Jonathan Begley, 41, died after being struck by a vehicle on an entrance ramp in Columbus, Georgia.

Begley was hit while he was in the process of loading up a State Trooper’s vehicle that had broken down. He was pronounced dead on Friday night, December 2.

Source: wrbl.com

Jonathan Begley died while aiding a state trooper.

Memorial Tribute for California Tower Michael Micheletti

Over 150 towers gathered and drove in procession on Saturday, December 4, in San Bernardino, California to pay tribute to 41-year-old Michael Micheletti, who was killed on November 8. Micheletti worked for Statewide Towing & Recovery.

It was reported by the Sheriff’s Dept. that while Micheletti was trying to secure a tractor-trailer to his tow

truck, the tractor portion became detached from the lift of the tow truck. The tractor slid off, rolling backwards and trapping him under the tractor. Micheletti was then dragged approximately 50 feet before being dislodged from under the tractor.

Towers gathered in the parking lot of the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino around 10:30 p.m. to participate in a memorial procession, where they traveled several freeways including Interstate 215, I-10 and I-15.

They ended at the Pro Image Transport Yard where colleagues, other drivers and their families gathered to remember Micheletti.

Source: paininthepass.info

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Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Tow

Procession

Honors Fallen Oklahoma Tower

Fallen tower John Alic Mills, 31, of Oklahoma, was honored by family and friends at Trinity Baptist Church in Muskogee. Towers gathered in procession, with more than 80 wreckers parked outside the church, as reported on www.newson6.com.

Mills, who worked for Red Beard’s Towing, was struck and killed on November 26 when a driver went off the road and hit him. The cause is still under investigation.

To further honor Mills, his name is on display on tow trucks and other signage.

Bryan Albrecht, president of the Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association said that even with the “Slow Down and Move Over” law, people continue to let distractions put others’ lives at risk.

“Everybody has got a cellphone in their hand, they’re watching videos,” Albrecht said. “Technology has just led to that much more distraction for the driver going down the roadway.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

2022 Winners of the RABF Dynamic Slide

Ana Favela and her husband of Lalo’s Towing in Illinois are the winners of the Dynamic Slide in Unit, which was donated by Anthony Gentile and Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing. The drawing took place at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Nov. 16 – 19, and benefits the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF).

Ana and her husband entered the drawing after purchasing two raffle tickets on November 19. They purchased two more tickets and ended up having the winning ticket drawn by a young volunteer. Ana said, “I’m happy to support the work of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund and excited to win this year’s raffle!”

The Recovery Agents Benefit Fund has disbursed over $44,000 in 2022 to nine families and over $685,000 to date. The unit is valued at over $10,000 and raises thousands of dol-

lars annually, helping families affected by the dangers of the repossession industry and their unfortunate circumstances that can devastate a family.

For more information about donating to the fund, visit www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org, contact 703365-0409, or email at donations@ recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Signage honoring John Alic Mills with a message to Slow Down/Move Over was on display during a procession.

Ana Favela of Lalo’s Towing of Illinois and her husband (right) won a Dynamic Slide In Unit. Also pictured: Anthony Gentile (far left) and Ed Marcum (far right).

TRAA says electronic IDs would be burdensome, costly, and pose a serious safety risk.

TRAA Against Unique Electronic IDs for CMVs

TRAA submitted a public comment in response to a proposed rule-making change that would affect the towing industry as it relates to electronic identification.

The comments were solicited by FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration), in response to amending safety regulations requiring every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with electronic identification (ID) technology. It is capable of wirelessly communicating a unique ID number when queried by a Federal or State motor carrier safety enforcement personnel. FMCSA maintains that it will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program by more fully enabling enforcement agencies to focus their efforts at high-risk carriers and drivers.

In their public comment, TRAA stated that, “As traffic incident management responders, towing and recovery professionals work tirelessly on the nation’s roadways to keep lanes of travel clear and safe for motorists and other commercial vehicles. Any proposal that potentially increases the time a responder is on the roadway only increases their risk of serious injury and death.”

TRAA understands the intention of FMCSA, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and other groups to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the roadside inspection program. But if enacted, TRAA indicates that the proposal would be burdensome, costly, and pose a serious safety risk.

Source: TRAA newsletter

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Georgia Tower Struck and Killed

Tow truck driver Jonathan Begley, 41, died after being struck by a vehicle on an entrance ramp in Columbus, Georgia.

Begley was hit while he was in the process of loading up a State Trooper’s vehicle that had broken down. He was pronounced dead on Friday night, December 2.

Source: wrbl.com

Memorial Tribute for California Tower Michael Micheletti

Over 150 towers gathered and drove in procession on Saturday, December 4, in San Bernardino, California to pay tribute to 41-year-old Michael Micheletti, who was killed on November 8. Micheletti worked for Statewide Towing & Recovery.

It was reported by the Sheriff’s Dept. that while Micheletti was trying to secure a tractor-trailer to his tow truck, the tractor portion became detached from the lift of the tow truck. The tractor slid off, rolling backwards and trapping him under the tractor. Micheletti was then dragged approximately 50 feet before being dislodged from under the tractor.

Towers gathered in the parking lot of the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino around 10:30 p.m. to participate in a memorial procession, where they traveled several freeways including Interstate 215, I-10 and I-15. They ended at the Pro Image Transport Yard where colleagues, other drivers and their families gathered to remember Micheletti.

Source: paininthepass.info

Jonathan Begley died while aiding a state trooper.

2023 Ford News

Since becoming available this Fall, the redesigned 2023 Ford Super Duty has racked up more than 150,000 orders at the end of October and in the entire month of November. The popular pickup remains a regular on Kelley Blue Book’s most considered vehicles list as well. The 2023 Ford Super Duty marks a complete redesign for the long-running model, with new exterior and interior styling, a host of tech features, and a brand new base engine.

New features include an option for an all-new head-up display (HUD), designed to allow the driver to keep their eyes on the road with vital information right in front. Also, a towing HUD displays engine speed, gear state, navigation, blind spot info, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance) info. There is even a separate screen for off-road

functions with telemetry displays for pitch, roll and other driveline data. Notably absent from the new 2023 Ford Super Duty, however, is BlueCruise, a semi-autonomous, driver-assist feature, because it can’t be used while while towing.

In terms of manufacturing timelines, initial Job 1 production will begin in early 2023 for XL, XLT, and Lariat trims in all cab configurations, engines, and series, from the F-250 up to the F-600. Meanwhile, Job 2 production for King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims will follow in the spring of 2023.

In other Ford news, the E-Transit is now part of AAA’s mobile service for charging electric vehicles. This expanded mobile electric charging service is currently being piloted in 14 markets all across the country. AAA has retired its previous fleet used for this purpose and replaced it with Ford E-Transit vans, and it

provides this service to its customers at no additional cost.

Road Safety Market Projection

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the road safety market is expected to grow from $3.7 billion in 2021 to $5.8 billion by 2026. The increasing number of road accidents and fatalities due to careless driving and poor weather conditions stimulate the need for the deployment of road-safety solutions. For details, download the PDF Brochure at: www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=93636585

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Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Tow Procession Honors Fallen Oklahoma Tower

Fallen tower John Alic Mills, 31, of Oklahoma, was honored by family and friends at Trinity Baptist Church in Muskogee. Towers gathered in procession, with more than 80 wreckers parked outside the church, as reported on www.newson6.com.

Mills, who worked for Red Beard’s Towing, was struck and killed on November 26 when a driver went off the

road and hit him. The cause is still under investigation.

To further honor Mills, his name is on display on tow trucks and other signage.

Bryan Albrecht, president of the Oklahoma Wrecker Owners Association said that even with the “Slow Down and Move Over” law, people continue to let distractions put others’ lives at risk.

“Everybody has got a cellphone in

their hand, they’re watching videos,” Albrecht said. “Technology has just led to that much more distraction for the driver going down the roadway.”

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

2022 Winners of the RABF Dynamic Slide

Ana Favela and her husband of Lalo’s Towing in Illinois are the winners of the Dynamic Slide in Unit, which was donated by Anthony Gentile and Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing. The drawing took place at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Nov. 16 – 19, and benefits the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF).

Ana and her husband entered the drawing after purchasing two raffle tickets on November 19. They purchased two more tickets and ended up having the winning ticket drawn by a young volunteer. Ana said, “I’m happy to support the work of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund and excited to win this year’s raffle!”

The Recovery Agents Benefit Fund has disbursed over $44,000 in 2022 to nine families and over $685,000 to date. The unit is valued at over $10,000 and raises thousands of dollars annually, helping families affected by the dangers of the repossession industry and their unfortunate circumstances that can devastate a family.

For more information about donating to the fund, visit www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org, contact 703-3650409, or email at donations@recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Signage honoring John Alic Mills with a message to Slow Down/Move Over was on display during a procession.

Ana Favela of Lalo’s Towing of Illinois and her husband (right) won a Dynamic Slide In Unit. Also pictured: Anthony Gentile (far left) and Ed Marcum (far right).

Georgia Tower Struck and

Killed

Tow truck driver Jonathan Begley, 41, died after being struck by a vehicle on an entrance ramp in Columbus, Georgia.

Begley was hit while he was in the process of loading up a State Trooper’s vehicle that had broken down. He was pronounced dead on Friday night, December 2.

Source: wrbl.com

Jonathan Begley died while aiding a state trooper.

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Favela of Lalo’s Towing of Illinois and her husband (right) won a Dynamic Slide In Unit. Also pictured: Anthony Gentile (far left) and Ed Marcum (far right).

2022 Winners of the RABF Dynamic Slide

Ana Favela and her husband of Lalo’s Towing in Illinois are the winners of the Dynamic Slide in Unit, which was donated by Anthony Gentile and Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing. The drawing took place at the American

Ana

Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Nov. 16 – 19, and benefits the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund (RABF).

Ana and her husband entered the drawing after purchasing two raffle tickets on November 19. They purchased two more tickets and ended up having the winning ticket drawn by a young volunteer. Ana said, “I’m happy to support the work of the Recovery Agents Benefit Fund and excited to win this year’s raffle!”

The Recovery Agents Benefit Fund has disbursed over $44,000 in 2022 to nine families and over $685,000 to date. The unit is valued at over $10,000 and raises thousands of dollars annually, helping families affected by the dangers of the repossession industry and their unfortunate circumstances that can devastate a family.

For more information about donating to the fund, visit www.recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org, contact 703-365-0409, or email at donations@recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.

Source: TowIndustryWeek.com

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.