Relive the 2017 AT Expo in Baltimore with 28 pages of show coverage!
Cross -Training Brings Towers, Responders Together
Morton’s Towing, Coleman’s Towing and B/A Products helped educate Maryland first responders on tow companies capabilities.
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Mud Wrestling Recovery Wire Rope 101 A Voodoo Repo AmericanTowman.com
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The wreckers and people were plentiful on the show floor at the American Towman Exposition in the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland last November.
FEATURE CONTENTS
28
Joint Training in Maryland Towmen and first responders worked together for a day last December to learn from each other and solve problems. by Fritz Dahlin
37
AT Expo Recap
Departments The Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .22 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .88 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .97
4 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Records were set again at the 2017 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. Take a look back through the products, events and equipment.
66
Mud Wrestling Eagle Service Center sent two medium-duty wreckers to recover a vacuum truck stuck where a heavy couldn’t go. by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
Baltimore Rewind by Dennie Ortiz
In this month’s issue, we flash back to give everyone a look into the American Towman Exposition this past November in Baltimore, Maryland. This last show was the bestattended Expo to date; 2018 is gearing up to be even better as the trade show takes over the entire Baltimore Convention Center. The picture gallery, beginning on page 37, takes you through the show highlighting the major tow truck, trailer and chassis manufacturers along with suppliers of all types aligned to the towing industry. Don’t forget to check out the list of suppliers who exhibited at the trade show, as also advertise in this issue, to learn more and discover how they can help you in your business.
First On The Scene! The most compelling feature of the Expo Recap is the gripping accounts of the American Towman Medal recipients, honored during Festival Night for their heroic deeds. Great photos of the American Wrecker Pageant showcase the winning vehicles in various classes. You will be awed and inspired by the work put into these beauties. Be sure to mark your calendar for the 30th American Towman’s Exposition Nov. 16-18 of this year. Though, you don’t have to wait until then to see the latest of what towing suppliers are offering. Join us in Las Vegas, May 9-11 at the American Towman ShowPlace that will feature 170-plus exhibitors, dozens of seminars and live recovery demonstrations—all located under one roof.
Working Together by Brendan Dooley
Several years ago sometime into my first year with American Towman, I attended and covered a cross-training in New Jersey between area first responders and local tow companies, including some direct competitors. In 2016, I was able to attend and report on a similar event in Florida that exposed both flanks of roadside rescue and recovery to working cooperatively for the increased safety of all and benefit of entrapped victims. This month, Fritz Dahlin of B/A Products Co. writes about a recent similar exercise with plenty of instruction and training for all concerned (page 28). I know these examples are not isolated incidents; yet, the practice doesn’t seem exactly prevalent yet across the industry. The recoveries that have life-and-death implications happen every day. Shouldn’t that outplay any lingering doubts about training together—whether with first responders who don’t seem to respect what you can do (yet), or with that competing tow company across town—for the benefit of all?
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Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor
Randall Resch
Operations Editor
Terry Abejuela
Field Editor, West
Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Emily Oz Mark Lacek
Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson
Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.
American Towman Staff Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Jimmy Santos Miriam Ortiz Henri Calitri Toni Vanderhorst William Burwell Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Helen Gutfreund Emily Oz Steve Calitri
Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts General Manager Subscription Manager Customer Service Publisher’s Assistant TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager Communications Mgr. ATTV Producer President
American Towman Media Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2018 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: $50–1 yr; $95–2 yrs • US $65 and $105 • International
All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT.
Donations Sought for Injured Boy A tragedy last December injured an employee’s son at Skeeter ’s Wrecker Service in Lewisville, Texas, when a four-year-old was struck by his father’s truck. The boy was transported to the hospital where the bottom part of his right leg had to be amputated. He also suffered several other injuries that will require numerous surgeries. “At Skeeter’s Wrecker Service we are one big family and we are so heartbroken that this happened to Cole, Bryan and their family,” a release from the tow company said. “We would like to thank all of our fellow tow companies, customers, friends, and family that have reached out to us with support and prayers.” A page has been created at YouCaring/ColeIngrum to help cover the cost of therapy, medical and living expenses for the family. Source: TTSA.
ISIS-Supporting Tower Charged
The FBI said that it found a martyrdom letter and several guns in the home of a former Marine who said he wanted to carry out a Christmas Day attack on a popular San Francisco, California, tourist destination. Everitt Aaron Jameson, 26, a Modesto tower, told an undercover agent he believed to be associated with the Islamic State group that he wanted to conduct a violent attack on Pier 39, according to an FBI affidavit. Jameson had posted radical jihadist messages online, including support for the Halloween terror attack in New York City in which a driver used his truck to kill eight people, the FBI said. Jameson offered to use his tow truck to support the cause, the affidavit says. He was arrested and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Source: nydailynews.com. 8 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Towman Rescues Driver from Fire standing there on the side of the Towman John Michulka was drihighway and have them come over, ving his tow truck in the southbound and we just pulled the gentleman lanes of the Roosevelt Expressway in out of the car and pulled him to the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he side of the highway.” came upon a minivan that burst into “I am definitely flames after a worried this thing is crash in late going to blow,” one December. witness said. “I immediOne of the ately spun Samaritans hit the around to check seatbelt release and on the guy Michulka and because there another Samaritan was literally no A towman witnessed a fiery crash grabbed the injured one else on the and rushed to help in Philadelphia, and semi-conscious h i g h w a y , ” Pennsylvania. 6abc.com image. driver, pulling him Michulka said. to safety. The driver is in critical condition “Sixty seconds later, the car like after Michulka and two other blew up,” Michulka said. bystanders pulled him from the wreck. Police say the driver is expected “My first reaction was to get him to make a full recovery. out of the car,” said Michulka, “so I Source: 6abc.com. literally yelled to two other guys
Salvaged Produce from
Wreck Goes to Nutrition Program Star Body Works and Star 24 Hour Towing in Medford, Oregon, salvaged produce from a semitrailer crash on New Year’s Day and donated it to a local shelter. “When we got there, there was a spill all over everywhere but we were able to salvage 12 palettes which is quite an amazing amount. I would say that’s somewhere in the region of 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Philip Yates, the director of the area’s ACCESS Nutrition Programs. “It’s a blessing in disguise in a way because we don’t want anyone to be injured in those kinds of accidents, but we want to get in there as soon as we can to salvage as much as we can. So this is an extra bonus for
After a semitrailer rolled over with a load of produce, towers in Oregon were able to salvage some of the goods. kdrv.com image.
us at this time of the year when there are not as many fresh fruits and vegetables.” Star 24 Hour Towing said the nonsalvageable produce would be donated to a pig farmer. Source: kdrv.com.
. . . the fortunate towman only witnessed the scene . . .
Chamber, Towers Work Together In Virginia, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is working to ensure there is no backtracking on a towing regulation it helped overturn in 2018. “In a community such as Arlington, where space is at a premium, responsible parking management is a vital component of private-property rights,” the business organization noted in its policy positions. Last year, the chamber sought to overturn a “second signature” mandate adopted in late 2016. The towing industry and Arlington chamber won General Assembly approval of a bill that not only neutered the changes, but further restricted the ability of Arlington and other northern Virginia localities from regulating towing. Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed the legislation into law. Source: insidenova.com.
Man Arrested in Towman Shooting A Louisville, Kentucky, man has been arrested for a late-2017 shooting that sent one man to the hospital. Police arrested 43-year-old Dylan Leslie on a first-degree assault charge after he allegedly shot a tower following a dispute in a gas station parking lot around 1 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, they found the tower, Billy Craven, had been shot in the arm. Craven said he stopped at the gas station to tow a truck that wouldn’t start. Craven said the driver of an SUV was upset his vehicle was blocked, eventually moving his vehicle to block the tow truck’s bed. An argument between the two ensued, and Leslie pulled out a gun. Source: wlky.com.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
Winter Hits Tow Companies Hard Recent winter weather extremes have struck all across the U.S., from Florida and Georgia to the Midwest and across the Great Plains. In Indiana, heavy snow in mid-January kept towmen hopping from call to call. In Terre Haute, local news talked with towers and police A snowy day in Indiana kept tow about the snow’s impact on businesses hopping. whtitv.com image. business after an overnight snowfall created slick roads and slippery intersections. “It’s been non-stop for every truck all day long,” towman Jason Wilson said. Police responded to nearly 15 crashes and more than 10 slide-offs in one day. Sgt. Joe Watts said people were driving too fast for the road conditions. “People are in a hurry,” Watts said. “They see this little bit of slush on the road and they want to increase their speed. It’s deceiving and it causes a number of crashes.” Durr’s Towing Services in Terre Haute has 15 tow trucks. They say they didn’t have enough trucks to meet demands for the day’s calls. Source: wthitv.com.
No Injuries after Cop Car Pushed into Tow Truck No injuries were reported after a recent crash on I-86 in Elmira, New York, involving a New York State Police vehicle. State police Sgt. Jay Stubbe said a state trooper was driving in the left lane of I-86 at 2:46 p.m. to respond to a burglary in A police car was struck, sending it into a progress. The trooper’s lights tow truck in New York State recently. and sirens were on, Stubbe stargazette.com image. said. At that time, a white van entered the lane in front of him and slowed down. Both vehicles then moved into the right lane, causing the van to strike the trooper’s car. The trooper’s car then reeled into a disabled vehicle and a tow truck. Stubbe said the tow truck and disabled vehicle were empty; the fortunate towman only witnessed the scene from the opposite side of the guardrail. No injuries were reported. Source: stargazette.com.
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 9
Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Miller Adds High-Pressure Air Bag Kit Miller Industries Towing Equipment now offers a highpressure air bags lifting kit, manufactured by MatJack. The kit includes both 22-ton and 32-ton lift bags designed to lift the heavy weights commonly found on overturned tractor-trailers and other challenging recovery situations. The air bags help provide access when there would otherwise be no space to place a strap or chain under the load. The air bags operate off the service air found on the back of a heavy-duty tow truck.
millerind.com
Enclosed Vehicle Transport Modules Ernest Dandridge Carrier Design Services said its hydraulic, self-contained vehicle transport modules can be quickly slid into or out of trailers or be repositioned in trailers to provide a quick, mechanically simple method of enclosed vehicle transport. The modulated, enclosed car-hauling equipment is for new Kentucky trailers or used/existing drop-frame electronics van trailers. The upper decks go flat to the van floor, raise flat or pivot on any angle desired. Various options and vehicle stacking layouts are available.
facebook.com/RADautotransportmodules
ECCO 12+ Series Vantage Lightbar ECCO recently released its 12+ Series Vantage Lightbar that now comes standard with an integrated Safety Director and is available in 48”, 54”, 60” and 72” lengths. The 12+ Series features 48 standard flash patterns, and 11 new flash patterns in the integrated Safety Director, that are ideal for towing and safety applications. Patent-pending singleor dual-color ICE optics, standard stop-tail-turn capabilities and additional worklamp and alley light options make the 12+ Series extremely functional. The SAE Class I lightbar has been tested above and beyond industry standards and is backed by a three-year warranty.
eccoesg.com 10 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
NRC Adds CSR65 to Its Composite Sliders
D
uring the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland, last November, NRC Industries debuted the newest model in its composite slider rotator series. The NRC CSR65 is a 65-ton wrecker the company said is well-suited for tough recovery jobs. Maxime St.-Pierre, NRC sales and marketing manager, told American Towman on the show floor that the CSR65 “was a ‘Mission: Impossible’-type assignment” to the team’s engineers earlier in 2017, to have the new heavy rotator developed in time for the 2017 AT Expo. But the mission clearly wasn’t impossible, he added, pointing to the new model in their booth. The company said that its engineering team produced a robust truck, full of innovative, practical upgrades to help operators with recovery jobs. Among the new features, the CSR65 includes a
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
quad-rail slide system for more torsional strength, which means a larger load-bearing surface. The overall weight remains the same as the current 50/65 model due to the composite body. There’s also an additional rear compartment and 15 percent overall more storage capacity. The operator interface has been upgraded with retractable control panels, electronic proportional controls on both sides of the wrecker, new touchscreens and wireless multiplexed communication with the turret. Other improvements included more outrigger pad storage, a quick-detach hydraulic coupler and a stronger, smaller underlift crossbar using tempered steel casting. The new CSR65 is scheduled to begin deliveries this fall.
nrc-industries.com
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 11
The Importance of Job Descriptions by Randall Resch
W
riting job descriptions was once considered an arduous task and/or a basic waste of time. However, tow business owners and HR directors can develop creative job descriptions, with some readily available advice online. The descriptions can become more solid in showing how an owner wants their varsity players to perform. Writing job descriptions isn’t a difficult task as long as there are a pre defined set of business goals and a company philosophy. In order to attract the best or most qualified individuals to your company, accurate job descriptions identify your company’s core requirements and expectations for designated positions. In today’s workplace, job descriptions also are your company’s first line of legal defense. When companies don’t clearly identify what their expectations are, orchestrated chaos oftentimes takes over that results in lost income, lost productivity, low employee morale and a tangible sense of having no direction. Employees should know and understand firsthand what kind of work they’re expected to perform, starting from their initial meeting with a company owner, supervisor or HR rep. It’s important that employees fully understand what’s being asked of them. Landing the right job can be beneficial to employees in many ways other than financially.
Write It Down A written job description is a first introduction as to what a position entails. Perhaps the best value of a well-written job description is that it helps lead to employee retention. When employees know what’s expected of them, they tend to work in a manner that pleases the company. Varsity players like operating under a set of welldefined guidelines that gives them 12 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
direction and a path to success. When writing job descriptions, varying categories will be essential to different positions. Understanding their importance will help identify what each position needs and what skills are necessary. You know what you want your employees to do or what the typical activity entails, so customize each description to the tasks each position requires. Consider the following areas when it comes to preparing your company’s job descriptions.
Position The job description refers to a designated position within a given organization. A job description is a formal, written statement that introduces an applicant to what positions the company is seeking and what skills or specifics the applicant should have in order to meet the needs of the company. As it regards towing and recovery, writing each description must be specific to the individual positions. Job descriptions detail the duties and responsibilities of the work. Each description may include what kind of additional experience, education or training may be necessary to fill a position.
Communication Job descriptions communicate expectations to applicants and employees. A job description refers to what’s expected of each employee and provides them direction to accomplish successful job tasks. These job descriptions are oftentimes used and related during periodic performance reviews that include determining pay raises and promotions. Posting new job announcements on the company’s bulletin board enables existing employees to compare their skills. If advancement is possible, an upgraded job announcement identifies what’s required of that position.
Requirements Although an individual may not have the exact training in the field you are trying to fill, an applicant may have life, education or military experience that’s similar or parallels the position. When the exact requirements of the position are spelled out, the applicant is better suited to match their abilities to the position being offered. Whether for driving positions, sales, supervisor, light-duty, mediumduty, heavy-duty, rotator and even forklift operator, each should have an individually prepared description.
Experience Job descriptions must be a clear, concise, communication tool with the purpose of relaying job requirements to individuals seeking employment with your company. Because reaching qualified applicants is important in filling job opportunities, a well-written, descriptive statement about the job itself is important in reaching target audiences, e.g., “Qualified, heavyduty wrecker operator, with Class A driver’s license and formal industry training required,” for heavy-duty operators, eliminating employees who work light-duty towing operations with lower CDLs.
Pay, Benefits A written position description may include a snapshot as to potential earnings for the position. The job description may include a written dollar amount the employee should expect. Job descriptions should also identify and assist with Fair Labor Standards Act compliance. By spelling out the FLSA status of a position (exempt vs. non exempt) you set the parameters for work hours, pay type, overtime, etc.
Legalese Descriptive, complete job descriptions become a component in ensuring
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... continued from p. 12 the company’s legal compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the FLSA. There may come a time where an employee must be retrained or fails to meet the expectations of the company. When documentation is accurate, detailed and ongoing, the separating employee may have no recourse against the company should they fail to meet expectations. Job descriptions are important in determining reasonable position requirements.
Job Risks Administratively, job descriptions typically identify workers’ compensation classifications. Each job title in your organization is associated with a Workers’ Compensation code that reflects a “Risk Classification” in which the position is categorized. The wording that identifies potential work hazard or risk must be specific to a target audience of specific employees. Mention of risk should include inside/outside work, environment, chemicals, sitting, standing, lifting, driving, hours
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of work, days off, holidays, shift work, potential PTSD, etc. … everything that might apply to the position. Because companies report payroll to Workers’ Comp carriers for each WC code, premiums are typically calculated based on that data. If employees aren’t coded correctly, the company could pay more or less than required to maintain WC coverage for your organization. In the event of a claim, the carrier first will check to ensure your coverage is up to date. Companies should never allow Worker’s Comp insurance to fall out of good standing. To avoid this, create job descriptions for each position (inside and outside) and determine the appropriate code that reflects the position accurately.
Company Interests If an employee becomes disenchanted with the company or their work, or if the company dismisses the employee, separations oftentimes get ugly. Should the company get subpoenaed to unemployment court, wellwritten job descriptions become the
company’s best defense against an employee’s sometimes not-so-truthful statements. If an employee is dismissed for poor performance, job descriptions identify the nature and expectations of the position. As a tow business owner, if you’ve ever attended unemployment court to represent your company, you most likely will have learned that administrative judges are typically sympathetic to an employee’s story. The bottom line: having a well-written and straight-forward job description is to your company’s advantage when it’s included in your comprehensive employee handbook. At some point, the company’s representative may speak to the employee’s performance (or lack thereof) and whether or not the employee was performing in the best interests of the company. It’s common for company representatives to expound upon position requirements, only to have an employee claim they didn’t know what tasks were required of them.
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... continued from p. 14
Is it Legal? Job descriptions identify what a position entails and what’s required of an employee. Written job descriptions should be part of the initial application process and a copy is given to the applicant during hiring interviews. I recommend that all job descriptions are included as part of your company’s hiring process and Employee Handbook. While job descriptions don’t have to be pages and pages long, the more specific in detail they are, the better they identify employee tasks. Solid job descriptions help your company attract the best-qualified applicants. It tells them what the position requires and other pertinent information. Writing them should be easy because you already know what you want and expect for your business. Author’s note This article is not intended as legal advice because employment laws vary from state to state. Be sure your company’s attorney reviews your position descriptions to ensure its accuracy and conforms to your state’s laws.
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.
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How Well Do You Know Your Wire Rope?
by Terry Abejuela
S
ince the days of twisted vines, man has sought perfection in rope making. Early ropes were an art form, assembled by hand by skilled crafters. Today, rope manufacturing requires a tremendous amount of scientific and technological knowledge to meet the needs of various industries. Even with today’s advanced technology, the same basic principles are involved as those used in the primitive era of twisted vines. Wire rope is a machine with moving parts that are able to transmit a force. In the towing and recovery industry, we use wire ropes to transmit the force exerted by a winch to lift, support and recover loads. To obtain optimal safety, efficiency and service life, the user must have a fundamental understanding of wire rope characteristics. Knowing the basics of wire ropes will assist us in selecting the most appropriate wire rope for the job, and realizing the maximum benefit in performing our work. If the rope is called “6 X 25 FW PRF RRL XIP IWRC,” would you know what this means? Wire rope is a very exact combination of wires assembled in a way that their individual properties will produce an effective machine to perform a specific function. Many individual wires are used so that a pulling force
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can be applied that will bend around a sheave or drum. One big wire could be used to apply a pulling force, but it could not bend. The ability to bend is accomplished by using a combination of smaller wires so each one is able to bend repeatedly. It is this process of manufacturing wire ropes that that will bend repeatedly that the process becomes more sophisticated. There is no one combination of wires that will be best for all jobs. A wire rope made with many small wires will bend more easily than a wire rope of the same size made of fewer but larger wires. However, a wire rope with smaller wires is more susceptible to abrasion damage. Wire ropes consist of three basic components known as the wire, strand and core. These three components
vary in complexity and configuration. The basic building block of a wire rope is the wire. Although made of several different materials and types, high-carbon steel is by far the most common. High-carbon steel rods are heat treated to prepare the rod to be cold drawn. Cold drawing is a metalworking process where the rod is pulled through a series of smaller and smaller dies to reduce the diameter of the rod to the size needed. What the wires are made of will affect the strength and flexibility of the wire rope. Most steel ropes are made of two different grades of steel called Improved Plow Steel and Extra Improved Plow Steel. Wire ropes can be made of other grades and with other metals, but IPS and EIP are the most common.
Style Over the years, many different strand designs have been developed in an effort to build ropes with special working characteristics. However, there are relatively few strand types that are in popular use and are known by their common names such as Seale, Warrington, Filler Wire or a combination. The Seale principle features two layers of wire around a center wire with the same number of wires in both layers. The outer layer is the same number of wires, but a larger diameter. The outer wires rest in the valleys of the smaller inner layer wires.
Right regular lay is found in the widest range of applications. The Warrington principle features a two-layer construction with uniform-size wires in the inner layer and two diameters of wire alternating large and small wires in the outer layer. The large outer layer wires rest in the valleys and the smaller outside layers rest on the crown of the inner layer wires. The Filler Wire principle features a strand construction that takes its name from the smaller wire that fills the valleys between the inner and outer layers of wires. The Combination principle, as the name suggests, is a strand construction that features two or more of the other principles.
Core The core of the wire rope is the foundation for the strands, holding them in a predetermined position so they can all move together. Three common types of cores are fiber core, independent wire rope core and wire strand core. The core provides proper support for the strands under normal bending and loading conditions. The wire-rope manufacturing process is known as Closing. The
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 19
... continued from p. 19 strands are laid together simultaneously around the core in a helical manner by a machine called a Closer.
Lay The manner in which the strands are laid together in this process is what determines the personality of the rope and results in the lay of the rope. The lay of a wire rope can be confusing as it refers to three different things: • Lay is … the direction of the strands in the rope. All wire ropes have either a left- or a right-hand lay, referring to whether the strands spiral around the core to the right or left. • Lay also is … the relationship between the direction of the wires in the rope and the direction of the strands in the rope. In a regular lay, the wires in each strand are laid in a direction opposite to the way the strands lay in the rope. In a lang lay, the wires lay in the same direction of the strands. Ropes can be laid in an alternating regular and lang lay. • Lay also is … the distance in
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which one strand makes one complete spiral around the rope (measured parallel to the centerline of the rope). Right regular lay is found in the widest range of applications. Immediately before the wire rope is wound around the core and is passed through the closing machine,
it is preformed to allow the wires and strands to slide and adjust when the rope bends. This process passes the strands through a series of precision rollers to build in a continuous helical shape into each strand. As a result, the strands and wires are at rest when the rope is straight, which reduces the internal stresses. The wires and strands will now more easily slide and adjust when the rope bends. Every rope has a name. As an example a “6 X 25 FW PRF RRL XIP IWRC” would mean a six-strand rope with 25 wires per strand of Filler Wire construction, with preformed strands laid in a right regular lay made of Extra Improved Plow steel laid around an independent wire rope core. The more you know about wire rope the better decision you will make on your next purchase.
Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 30plus years of light-duty towing-andrecovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.
New Austin Towing Rates Regarding “Towing Association Seeks Fee Increase” (Dec. 2017 American Towman, p. 9): The last rate increase in Austin, Texas, was in 2012. On behalf of the Austin Towing Association, there were initially four companies who approached the Travis County Sheriff’s Office about increasing the tow rates from $175 to $275. My wife and I were the two primary persons who pursued getting the tow rate increase. We presented the reasons for a tow rate increase to the Travis County Commissioners (including the recent insurance rate jumps). This had nothing to do with giving tow companies incentive to respond faster, but to help cover overhead costs to operate a towing service. On Dec. 19, 2017, the Travis County Commissioners approved the tow rate increase from $175 to $275. With regards to AutoReturn (who dispatches from out of state): when a wreck drops, towers are able to look at a traffic report and see where collisions are or listen to a scanner. This somewhat has opened up “wreck-chasing” in Austin, because AutoReturn will “ping” the closest driver to respond. So, yes, this has reduced the average time for a wrecker to be on scene, but doesn’t include a collision scene to be cleared any quicker until police or fire OKs a tow truck to start clearing the collision scene. — James Kokel, owner Lone Star Towing; Pflugerville, Texas
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Fee increase article on p. 9 of the December 2017 issue.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 27
Training inMaryland Joint
Fire Rescue and Towing get together for an exchange of ideas and techniques
by Fritz Dahlin
O
Following a cross-training of fire rescue and towing personnel last December in Columbia, Maryland, attendees gathered in front of Morton’s Towing's 2016 Peterbilt 388 twin-steer/Century 1150R rotator.
n Dec. 2, 2017, about 40 members of the fire/rescue and towing communities gathered at Howard County Fire and Rescue Station 10 in Columbia, Maryland, to exchange ideas, knowledge and techniques. Fire rescue personnel from Howard County, Anne Arundel County, and Fort Meade, Maryland, all got some hands on experience The day was built upon the strong working relationships in the area, particularly between the Howard County’s Special Operations division and John Collins of Morton’s Towing (formerly of Ultimate Towing). This has allowed an exchange of ideas, techniques and real-world training scenarios that focus on safety and better ways to utilize the equipment on hand.
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“Myself, coming from having a firefighting background and then coming to the towing industry, I noticed there was a lot the towing side could bring to heavy rescue operations. I started cross-training about eight years ago on a consistent basis, with several different fire and rescue departments in different counties,” Collins said. Years ago, Collins introduced me to the Special Ops group, and another relationship formed through testing and trying out new products and ideas. Station 10, being “back in the woods” a little bit, is frequently the scene of specialized training. Collins, Capt. John Zour (Howard County Fire Special Ops), and Capt. Michael Mattison (Anne Arundel County Fire Special Ops) organized
the training day, with additional support from Paul Stephens, Hunter Stephens and Akeem Washington (Coleman’s Towing, Fredericksburg, Virginia), and myself and B/A Products Co. After some introductions and a safety briefing, Zour listed the day’s goals that included educating the firefighters of the capabilities of heavy tow trucks and their benefit in heavy rescue, and the difference between rigging for a rescue and rigging for a vehicle recovery or uprighting—and how to combine the two. I followed with a brief presentation on working load limits. These sessions give me an opportunity to answer questions as the products are being used, and to teach and encourage proper practices, and give real world
examples of why things like working load limits are important. Then it was right into the handson learning. Two scenarios were presented: A garbage truck overturned on a car, with a second car trapped between the truck and a jersey wall, and a mixer truck on a hill with a vehicle underneath. The first demonstration covered shock loads. A 100-lbs. weight was dropped 6’; the load when it stopped was more than 4,000 lbs. The take away was how quickly a load’s force multiplies when it gets away. Another benefit of the training was being able to insert load cells in the rigging to verify the actual load and determining if the rigging was sufficient. “I enjoy being able to see the look on the people’s faces while they watch 100 lbs. of weight fall 6 feet and in doing so turn into 4,000-plus lbs.,” Collins said. “They get a real look at how fast things can go wrong by not using the proper rigging or grade of rigging, and for not rigging for the correct load.” Time was taken to brainstorm, come up with a plan and execute. During the various steps, each group commented, asked questions and offered critiques. Discussions included
securing the body of the garbage truck to the chassis, attachment points (with pros and cons), preferred rigging methods, protecting webbing from corners and sharp edges, weights under load and being within the WLL of the equipment. “Heavy vehicle accidents … present unique challenges to both safety, training and equipment,” said Capt. Zour. “Being able to deliver appropriate resources in a timely manner to an emergency incident is a common goal for any fire service organization. The subjective, often overlooked, principle is what is appropriate? … For us, it has been to make improvements in both equipment and training. Not surprisingly, firefighters and tow operators go about their jobs with different objectives and techniques. On the overturned garbage truck scenario, the garbage truck was on a hill with about a 30-degree slope. The truck was stabilized, then the car on its side was stabilized and removed, so then the car under the garbage truck could be attacked. Air cushions lifted the garbage truck, but without enough clearance to remove the car. After trying several different cushions (high and low pressure) in differ-
ent locations, the tow truck was called in. The rigging was agreed upon, and the rotator made short work of lifting the garbage truck off the second vehicle. It is one thing to say it is going to take say 30,000 lbs. of force to lift a truck off its side, but then doing it with load cells in place and showing the forces on each of the lines reinforces the lesson. The load cells were installed, and the estimate to lift of 20,000 lbs. was shown to be closer to 28,000 lbs. Another interesting aspect was the effect different lift points of the air cushion had on the garbage truck and the stabilization lines. One point lifted a portion of the truck, but pushed another section into the second trapped car, as well as putting slack on the stabilization lines. The garbage truck demo also got us into discussions on how to best hook a grab hook on a chain, protecting round slings from corners and edges, matching wire rope to snatch block sheave diameter and groove pitch, basket vs. choker vs. vertical hitches, and how to identify chain grades.
Continued on p. 30 ... The Morton’s Towing Century 1150R rotator was essential to the crosstraining in demonstrating to first responders what towers can bring to the table in heavy-rescue situations.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 29
One scenario involved an overturned semi on top of a vehicle, with another casualty wedged between the wreck and a jersey wall.
... continued from p. 29 “The value of conducting regular training drills of this nature cannot be overstated. There were many opportunities, as rigging was performed, to ask both John Collins and Fritz Dahlin about how to handle specific situations: twists in straps, side-loading chain, hook orientation, working load limits, etc. were all situations that presented themselves during our training drills. Although we discussed many
of these topics inside prior to starting the practical portion, the hands-on learners inherent to the fire service needed to ‘see it to believe it.’ ” “Howard County Fire & Rescue has taken this cross training to a new level, and sees a bigger picture other than just vehicle rescues. Training side-by-side on a regular basis has opened the door to other types of rescue situations like heavy machinery, and collapses, etc.,” Collins said. “They have put into effect a policy
that when there is a rescue with entrapment involving any vehicle over 10,000 lbs., a Special Operations Heavy Rescue assignment is dispatched, which also includes dispatching a heavy wrecker to respond, thus there is no more time wasted. This has proved to be beneficial on several accident scenes already. … “This type of consistent crosstraining has cut down the extrication time greatly. A lot of times the Special Operations team has the casualty rigged for lifting before I arrive.” One of the great benefits was the chance to ask questions while the work was in progress. We even found a Grade 40 chain with Grade 80 hooks on one of the rescue trucks (which was quickly taken out of service!) The garbage truck scenario took us past lunchtime. There was more talk than action, but that was the point—to ask, try and discuss. During the lunch break, several actual rescues in Howard and Anne Arundel counties where tow trucks were utilized successfully to extricate trapped victims were discussed. The shadows were starting to get long when we got to the mixer truck, so rather than doing a mock rescue, strategies were discussed, the rotator was deployed, the lift rigged and completed. “The importance of having a highly trained rescue team is well documented, but including the recovery operators in that team can open up an entire new world to the local fire and rescue operators. … Towing and recovery operators can gain a tremendous amount of knowledge by working closely with their local departments,” Stephens said. “This training was well thought-out, well planned and incredibly helpful in communicating with individuals who want to work towards a common goal and not worry about who knows more or who has better equipment. … “This class-structure cross-training event allowed the fire and rescue companies to work as hard as possible to handle the extrication, then allowed the recovery operators an opportunity
Continued on p. 32 ... 30 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
... continued from p. 30 to step in and work alongside,” Stephens said. “The difference in time and manpower reduction was substantial, thus allowing all to see where each other’s weaknesses were to better facilitate a safe, controlled extrication.” The overall outcome of the day was an understanding of other points of view, techniques and capabilities. Lots of good, practical knowledge was shared and exchanged. It also gave me a chance to see the products in use in an actual overturn or rescue, and the problems faced by the tow operators, fire and EMS personnel must overcome to perform their jobs and what we as a manufacturer can do to help. “We can never stop training and educating ourselves, because we never know when that one call may be lifechanging,” Stephens said. “The principles that were learned will extend for years to come as these agencies and recovery companies can now move forward with a clear understanding of what a tow truck is capable of doing and what it is not.” The best part is that once everyone is aware of the others capabilities and willingness to share that information, how open everyone is to trying new things. Temperatures during the training drill started in the low 30s and didn’t rise much throughout the day. With that being said, the feedback from the fire service folks was universally, “When can we do it again?” About the author Fritz Dahlin is the vice president of B/A Products Co.
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AD INDEX February 2018
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4 State Trucks (Bawer Tool Boxes) 84 AAA 17 Access Tools 65 Advantage Funding 34 Agero 13 Akins Body & Carrier Sales 35 Allstate Roadside Services 32 American Safety & Supply 78 Atlanta Wrecker Sales S 91 Atlantic Emergency Solutions N 91 AT ShowPlace Las Vegas 24-26 AT Spirit Ride 74 Austin Hinds Motors S 95 AutoReturn 77 AW Direct 19 B/A Products 79 B & Z Sales S 94 Beacon Software 78 Captain of Recovery N 94, S M 96, W 87 Casanova Towing Equipment W 96 Chelsea Division of Parker Industries 22 Chevron Commercial 70 Crouch’s Wrecker Equip. & Sales 73 Danco Products 20 Deep South Wrecker Sales 85 Driveline Buddy M 94 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers 14 Dynamic Towing & Equipment Mfg. 77 Eartec Co. 69 34 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
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eimpound.com 81 Elizabeth Truck Center 81 Environmental Chemical Solutions 81 FlowStop S 93 Futura Trailers 83 G. Stone Commercial N 93 Ginn Carrier & Wrecker Sales 69 Hino of Fort Pierce Florida 16 Intek Truck Eq. Finance & Lease 19 Jerr-Dan Corp. 100 Kalyn-Siebert 27 Kenworth of South Florida 76 Len Zermenos 23 Lift &Tow 76 Lodar USA 84 Lynch Chicago 33 Matjack Jumbo Safetlift 99 Manufacturer Express 27 Matheny Motor Truck 71 McMahon Truck Center M 91 Miller Industries 5 New England Truckmaster N 91 North American BanCard 21 Northeast Wrecker Sales N 93, S 91 OMG National N S M W, 96 Pacific General Insurance Agency M 93 Prime Industries S 94 PWOF 86, 87 Recovery Billing 82
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Renew Truck Body N 95 Rick's Truck & Equipment M 95 Rochester Truck N 95 Sanderson Truck Equipment 72 Santander Bank 3 Sea Crest Insurance Agency W 91 Select Truck & Equipment M 94 Sheffield Towing 7 Smyrna Truck Center S 93 Specialty Vehicle & Equip. Funding 15 Spill Tackle M 93 Steck Mfg. Co. 82 TJR 32 Towbook Management Software 31 Tow Industries W 95 TowMate 30, 70 Transfer Flow 83 Triple K Industries 2 Truck Body Sales W 93 TTSA W 95 USAC/MD 85 Urgent.ly 27 Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX W 92 West End Service N 94 WorldClass Insurance Service W 93 Worldwide Equipment 36 Worldwide Equipment Sales W 92
Billed as “One for the Ages,” American Towman Exposition XXIX lived up to expectations. Overall attendance from towing companies approached 15,000 from November 17-19. Approximately $100 million in business transactions took place, a figure estimated from exhibitor statements on sales activity, including motor club-tower contracts.
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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 39
With more than 50 equipment manufacturers, tow business owners and managers zeroed in on the manufacturers and sellers of wreckers, carriers, trailers and truck chassis. A manufacturer’s show since its inception, AT Expo fielded 21 manufacturers of these primary body and chassis categories. Towers were researching products and they were buying!
40 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 41
2017 American Towman Medal Recipients
Bobby Unruh, All-Rite Towing & Repair; Tucumcari, New Mexico (receiving the Medal for her son was Linda Unruh, the owner and founder of All-Rite Towing) On February 19, 2017, Bobby was dispatched with his service vehicle to do an oil cleanup where All-Rite’s heavy-duty operator Chad Becerra was preparing to tow a heavy-duty truck on Interstate 40. Bobby took a trainee with him. At the scene, he positioned the trainee on the non-traffic side of the vehicles, then got behind the trucks to direct traffic to move over a lane while Becerra was working. Just moments before, Linda Unruh had learned from the dispatcher where Bobby was, and called him, urging him to take all precautions out there. He told her “Mom, no one is going to get hurt on my watch.” Then, looking down the near lane, he could tell an oncoming tractor-trailer wasn’t going to move over. Becerra had just come out from under the truck that was leaking the oil and had moved to the toolbox. He was grabbing for the air hose when he heard Bobby shout a warning. Becerra looked up and saw the oncoming 18 wheeler. After shouting his warning, Bobby bolted toward to his fellow operator, a friend he had known for 10 years, instinctively intent on protecting him. At 37 years old and a 20-year veteran of working the white line, Bobby was fully aware he had thrown himself into jeopardy. Seeing the truck roaring towards them, Becerra turned his back to the wrecker just before Bobby pushed him into the toolbox compartment, then sprinted to the front of the wrecker. The oncoming semi ripped the toolbox door off its hinges and then clipped Bobby at the hip, sending him airborne, his head coming down on the truck’s mirror. When Becerra stood back onto the road, he saw Bobby was gone. “If it wasn’t for Bobby,” Becerra told American Towman, “It would have been me.” American Towman Medal
Eddie Whiteman, Eddie’s Collectibles; Erie, Pennsylvania On December 11, 2016, Eddie was doing paperwork close to 3 a.m. after some police tows when he heard a popping sound coming from the yard. He checked the security cameras and saw some cars were on fire at the fence line. 42 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
(A disgruntled man set the fires after his vehicle had been impounded in the weeks prior. He has since been arrested on arson and other charges.) Eddie’s girlfriend called 911; she pleaded with him not to go out. He said he had to do something because a family lived in a building on the other side of the fence from the flames. He hopped into his truck, backed into the fire, got his wheel lift under a flaming 2016 Infinity and pulled it away, still blazing. Moments later the fire department showed up and took control of the scene. American Towman Medal
Aaron Palacios, Western Towing; San Diego, California On July 8, 2017, Aaron was driving his tow truck on Interstate 5 when he suddenly was confronted with a wrongway driver in a sports car that hit him head-on. The impact caused the vehicles to explode in a ball of flame. Without regard for his own injuries, Aaron got himself out of his tow truck and ran towards the burning sports car. Witnesses said they saw Aaron attempting to free the driver from the burning sports car even as his own clothing was on fire. As the fire raged, it became too much to continue rescue attempts. Aaron ran up a nearby embankment to save his own life from additional burns and explosions. He suffered burns to more than 50 percent of his body and was in a medically induced coma for many weeks. American Towman Medal
David Lowery, Lowery’s Wrecker Service; Dyersburg, Tennessee On July 19, 2017, on Interstate 155, a semitrailer crashed with a mowing tractor whose operator was unresponsive; the semi was on its side over an embankment with the driver pinned inside. The vehicle was unsteady as well. Within minutes of his arrival, troopers said David was able to secure the tractortrailer for a rescue of the driver to begin. David also climbed into the cab and freed the driver’s legs from under the dash and steering wheel. The trucker was then airlifted to the hospital. “I truly believe that with the speed of his arrival time and knowledge of his wrecker, Mr. Lowery saved this man’s life,” said
State Trooper Sgt. William Butler III. The mower operator who died was a lifelong friend of his, and David assisted the trooper in delivering the death notification to family. American Towman Medal
Al Pinheiro, Active Towing; Kitchener, Ontario, Canada On May 17, 2017, Al Pinheiro helped police catch a murderer by intervening during a gunfight. While listening to a police scanner, he heard reports of a police shootout following a routine traffic stop. Al drove his truck into the suspect’s car as the man was shooting at police officers. The collision dazed the man, and gave police enough time to arrest him. Not only did Al’s actions aid officers under fire, the shooter they arrested was a suspect in a murder case that was quickly going cold. That criminal has since been sentenced to life in prison. Al was honored by Waterloo Regional Police for his courage in protecting officers. American Towman Medal
Jeffrey Bell, Nick’s Towing Service; Rutherford, New Jersey On June 2, 2017, Jeffrey was on a tow assignment, traveling west on Route 80, when he saw a large puff of dust and debris fly up about 100 yards down the road in front of him. A woman driving a small SUV, accused of driving drunk, struck a man on a motor scooter. “I immediately turned on my emergency lights and positioned my tow truck to protect the scene,” Bell said. He told the woman to stay at the scene and found the scooter rider knocked clear to the woods past the shoulder. He immediately called state police, and helped perform CPR with the first trooper there until more troopers arrived. Unfortunately, the man did not survive. American Towman Commendation
Richard “Bubba” White, White’s Gulf County Wrecker Service; Panama City, Florida On September 3, 2017, the Florida Highway Patrol called Whites to an accident that closed down all eastbound lanes of travel after one semitrailer had rear-ended another, causing his rig to rollover and careen down an embankment into a ravine. Bubba, a 2012 American Towman Silver Star recipient, backed his 75-ton rotator down close enough to rig and stabilize the cab; then he showed rescuers the cut points they needed to free the trucker. “We had to cut the seat apart with a Sawzall, and we had to spread the cab open to get the man’s feet out,” Bubba said. Firefighters gave Bubba total credit for saving the trucker’s life. “It was a team effort, all working against the clock,” Bubba said. American Towman Commendation Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
Fred Deluca, Sterry Street Towing; Attleboro, Massachusetts On May 25, 2016, a tractor-trailer crashed on Route 95 and state police requested swift response from the Sterry Street Towing to assist the two fire companies already on scene. Firefighters were using hydraulic tools, cribbing and chainsaws to free the heavily entrapped driver, with little progress. After he formulated a plan and shared it with firefighters, Fred quickly began rigging a snatch block off a tree and a main line to the truck’s cab to secure it to where firefighters could extricate the trucker, who survived. One fire captain said Fred was “instrumental in freeing the trapped driver.” American Towman Commendation
John Abel, Abel Brothers Towing; Malvern, Pennsylvania On September 19, 2017, a large quarry transporter truck fell about halfway down the wall of an enormous quarry and was resting upside down with the operator still in the machine. Abel’s was called in to secure the transporter for rescuers to get the driver out safely. “They used my truck to rig off of and used my line to go down,” Abel said. “The speed with which I arrived and helped to secure was essential to the driver’s survival.” “As always John Abel and his crew can be counted on to assist us,” the police chief said. American Towman Commendation
John Collins, Jason Sullivan and Ronnie Doss, Morton’s Towing and Recovery; Clarksburg, Maryland On March 16, 2017, a cement truck flipped while navigating a curve, crashed into a utility pole and knocked down power lines, pinning the driver inside. The Shock Trauma Go Team was called to the scene. The trauma team worked around the pole, downed wires and remnants of the truck cab to cut metal while Morton’s stabilized the mixer and lifted weight off of the driver. “We had to bring it up perfectly straight, couldn’t tweak it at all because of the way the driver was trapped,” Collins said. “His head was pinned under the top of the door with the roof pinched down on him.” It took more than two hours to free the driver, successfully.
John
Jason
American Towman Commendation
Ronnie AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 43
Silver Star The Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award
Address Read by Martin Doblmeier on Festival Night, November 18th, 2017 by Steve Calitri
T
he namesake of the Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award overcame the crippling effects of polio to raise a family by operating a trade show business. Joe teamed with American Towman back in 1989 to found the Exposition that became, and still is, the greatest tow show in the world. The words on the medal known as the Silver Star, were cast by Joe’s life: Overcoming Adversity, and, Inspiring an Industry. When our Silver Star recipient was 14, he and his older brother pulled the car over for a stranded motorist, and the younger proceeded to attach jumper cables to the stalled car’s battery. That’s when the vehicle was sideswiped by a 2016 Silver Star Recipient, Eric Luchini, passing car, landing this 14-year-old in congratulates 2017 Silver Star, Mike Corbin the hospital with a busted fibula and tibia below the knee, broken kneecap campaign of his life. Fast forward to 1999, when a delivand fractured pelvis. Little did he know then that this life-threatening experi- ery truck plowed into his car, putting ence would prime his character for the him in and out of the hospital repeat-
edly for a year while he mended two broken vertebrae, a broken hip and a cracked pelvis again. He was finally released with a bolt of titanium in his spine and a protective metal cage screwed into his back. To this day, his hip has barely enough bone to hold his leg. He continued providing for his family as a building contractor, having learned the carpentry trade in his twenties. He engaged in this physical work during the week with severe pain in his back and hip, and during the weekends he pursued the career that was his passion, composing songs and performing them. American Towman sought him out in 2011 for help in creating the firstever Towman Ballad, “The Road Calls.” Other songs with a towing theme followed, including “Booms in the Sky,” which became the anthem for the Spirit Ride.
Heroes saluted by Towman Order on Festival Night. 44 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
When he and his wife, Ilce, were approached to command the groundsupport team for the Spirit Ride, he understood that the schedule would be grueling and the driving hard on his back and hip. The job wouldn’t pay much, but he liked that he would get to sing his songs and play his guitar. He went to work building the custom casket that was called Spirit. When he got Spirit transported to artist Cecil Burrowes, he then got to work phoning the towers who had signed up for the Ride. Meanwhile, he collaborated in creating the song that would help rally the industry around the project, “Bless the Spirit Riders.” When the casket was delivered to Las Vegas, Mike was on-hand with his band for the concert that kicked off the Spirit Ride’s Maiden Run. The Ride officially began on June 1 in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the first of 134 Rides where Mike and Ilce performed, staging the ceremonies, participating in them, recording them and becoming the Ride’s ambassadors before TV cameras … all while engaging with the many first responders who showed up to participate, and of course, bringing up the rear with the Spirit Ride motor coach in all the processions that followed the ceremonies. Throughout the summer and fall, the Corbins led the towers in making the Rides happen. The Corbins averaged 10 ceremonies a week, two and sometimes three per day (and in New Mexico, presiding over six relays in
one day in 110-degree weather). In Michigan, the Corbins made the effort to include a tower in Muskegon who wanted in, having been struck himself while loading a car onto his flatbed a couple years ago. The impromptu detour cost the Corbins two scheduled days off, but earned valuable TV coverage in that area. When the Ride swung back up into Missouri, there was a call from Amy Gresham in Kansas City who said she’d do anything to have “Spirit” at the annual vigil for her son Blake, who was killed on the roadside three years earlier. She was told, however, the Ride couldn’t put the route in jeopardy, nor Corbin’s health, detouring 300 miles and back. Not only did Corbin’s bones need another scheduled two days’ rest, but he was under a doctor’s care for a racing heart. There was always the question hanging of how long he could hold together. Corbin was told of Gresham’s request and the explanation for turning it down. There may have been a slight pause in the phone conversation, and then, “Tell her we’ll go.” The Spirit Ride in Kansas City had 100 trucks in the procession from the Kansas City Speedway to the site of the vigil for Blake Gresham. It meant the Corbins would work the Rides through 12 days straight without a day off. But the Ride earned television coverage in Kansas City as it did in
most of the cities in that stretch. Mike has witnessed the Ride being embraced by first responders all around the country, and the action of police escorting Spirit onto the carrier bed, directed by the Corbins, has been a staple image of the Spirit Ride wherever it went. The songs that Mike sang in the ceremonies paying tribute to first responders has played no small role in the strengthening of ties among first responders and tow operators, and no small role in the decisions by TV producers to air the story on the nightly news. It may not be accurate to say that one man made this mission successful, for there have been many men and women around the nation who have contributed to the Spirit Ride’s success. But it would be accurate to say that no one has done more for the Spirit Ride and its mission than this one man. And so, for Overcoming Adversity and Inspiring an Industry, American Towman presents Mike Corbin the Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award: the Silver Star.
Towman Order “Black Shirts” salute the new Captains of the Order. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 45
46 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
More than 60 percent of tow bosses present own repair facilities; walking into AT Expo's "Garage District" was time well spent.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 47
AT EXPO EXHIBITOR ENCORE Mark Your Calendar for the 30th AT EXPO Nov. 16-18, 2018
360 Payments 4 State Trucks
AASP-PA Absolute Perfection Access Commercial Capital AAA pg.17
Access Tools pg. 65 Advantage Funding pg. 34 Agero pg.13
all-Grip Vehicle Recovery Sys. Alpha Innovations Amdor American Express Open
Allstate Roadside Services pg. 32
American Towman Magazine Amsoil Anchor Graphics Appalachian Lighting ARI-Hetra Arkon Mounts AT&T
American Safety & Supply pg. 70
Atlanta Wrecker Sales pg. S 91 Atlantic Emergency Solutions pg. S 91
Auto Data Direct Auto Source
Automotive Recyclers Association Automotive Training Institute AutoReturn pg. 77 AW Direct pg. 19 B/A Products pg. 79
B&B Industries Bad Dog Tools Badger Glove & Safety Beacon Funding Best Tools Capital One Services Car-Part.com Century CermaLube
Beacon Software pg. 78
Chesapeake Auto Equipment Chevron
Chelsea Products Div. of Parker Industries pg. 30
Clean Energy Heating Systems Comeup USA Commercial Fleet Financing Copart Auto Auctions Chevron Commercial pg. 70
Custer Products Custom Radio
Crouch's Wrecker & Equip. Sales pg. 73
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Dangelo's Custom Built Mfg. DAO-P Inc. DewEze Mfg. DK2 Warrior Winches DomTex Marketing DOT Tie Down Danco Products pg. 20
Driveline Buddy pg. M 94 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers pg.14 Dynamic Towing Equip. & Mfg. pg. 77
East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales East Penn Truck Equipment ECCO eComply Enovative Technologies Excel Sportswear Eye 3 Data FCar Tech USA Federal Signal Feniex Industries Find Truck Service Fleet Complete FleetDown FleetNet America Flitz International
Environmental Chemical Solutions pg. 80
Force America Ford Commercial Vehicles Free State Nam Knights Gantt Insurance Agency GEICO Globe Trailers GM Consultants GPS Pro Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel Hino Trucks Holmes Honk Technologies Hooks Towing & Equipment Horizontal Mechanic I Tow In IAA INA / Wreaths Across America Insurancehub Int'l Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum Integrated Veh. Equip. Leasing FlowStop S 93
International Trucks inTouch GPS InvenTel HD Mirror
Intek Truck & Equip. Leasing/Financing pg.19
*Supplier names in bold are display advertisers in this issue with their ad page number cross-referenced.
Jerr-Dan Corp. pg. 100 Kalyn-Siebert pg. 27
Landoll Corporation LED Lights
Lodar USA Lucky's Trailer Sales Lift & Tow pg.76
Magnetworks / Stamp Works Management Success Lynch Chicago pg. 33
Marlow Ropes Martens Johnson Insurance Maryland Carrier & Wrecker Sales Manufacturer Express pg. 27
Matheny Motors Truck pg.71 Matjack Jumbo Safelift pg. 99
MercurySend.com Metro Tow Trucks Midwest Keyless Midwest Wrecker
Millner-Haufen Tool MLS Direct Network Mobile Video Computing Solutions Motor Guardian Cam MTD Services Inc. Muncie Power Products Myers Benner Corp. Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) National Automobile Club National Interstate Insurance Co. National Purchasing Partners Ningbo Jiangbei Ton Lifting Industry Co. LTD Nite Beam NRC Industries Olson & Company Omadi Miller Industries pg. 5
OnlineParkingPass.com OnTrak Solutions OPS Wireless pdvWireless Penny Pockets Penske Truck Leasing People's United Equipment Finance Performance Advantage Company Phoenix USA Photo Card Specialists Pneu-Tek Tire Tools Pop - A - Lock Powerbilt Wreckers OMG National pg. N S W M, 96
Powerhouse Industries
Pro-Vision Video Systems Purpose Wrecker QuakeLED Quest Towing Services Ram Trucks Ramsey Winch Ranger SST Razor Wraps RC Industries Prime Industries pg. S 94
Recovery Billing Unlimited pg. 68 Renew Truck Body pg. N 95
Ricky's Sales & Service Road America Roadside Protect Robert Young's NRC Sales & Service Rotary Lift RP Recovery Consulting Rydin Sepson AB Shanghai Jinli Special Rope Co.,Ltd Shanghai Tough Industrial Co. SLEC Santander Bank pg. 3
SpeedTech Lights
Specialty Vehicle Equip. Funding pg. 15
Spirit Ride Square
Spill Tackle pg. M 93
Steck Mfg. Co. pg. 82
Stertil-Koni, USA SuperSprings International Superwinch sureFleet Swoop T-Max Hangzhou Technology Co. T.R.P. Maryland Talbert Mfg. TCF Equipment Finance The Barnacle Parking Enforcement Systems The Federal Highway Administration The Will-Burt Company Time-Out Seated Massage Corner TJR Equipment TLC Truck & Equip TOMAR TomTom Telematics Top Dawg Electronics Tow Canada Tow Life Tow Recruiter Tow Werx Towing & Recovery Assoc. of America Towing Payment Solutions Powered by Xpress Pay Towing.com TowProgram.com TowToolz TowTrax towXchange
Towbook Management Software pg. 31
TowZing Tracker Management Sys. Trail-Eze Trailers
Transit Pros Travis Barlow Insurance Truck Crane Solutions Trux Accessories TTN Fleet Solutions Turbo Solutions United Plastic Fabricating UPAS Group/ICOM North America Transfer Flow pg. 83
US Fleet Tracking Urgent.ly pg. 27
Verizon Telematics VF Image Wear/Red Kap High-Visibility Saf Apparel Vulcan Warn Industries We Buy Key Fobs Weego USAC / MD pg. 27
Wheel Collision Center Whelen Engineering Co. Whiterail Reviews Worldwide Equipment Sales/Parts West End Service N 94
WreckMaster Xinhua Yongqiang Vehicle Factory Zip's Truck Equipment
Worldwide Equipment Sales pg. W 92
Corporate Sponsors
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 49
Light-Duty 2016-2017 Class
Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Maryland 2016 Dodge 5500/Vulcan 892
2nd
1st Hawk’s Recovery & Towing Trenton, New Jersey 2017 Ford F-450/Jerr-Dan MPL-40
Laurel City Towing & Recovery Winchester, Connecticut 2017 Ford F-550/Chevron 408
3rd
2017 Towman of the Year Frank Gentilquore spoke at the Captains of Industry Conference after being toasted by the Captains. 50 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Light-Duty Pre-2016 Class
1st
Redman Fleet Services Lorton, Virginia 2012 Ford F-350 Super Duty/2012 Jerr-Dan HPL
Bill’s Service of Stamford Stamford, Connecticut 2006 Ford F-550/2006 B&B 12-ton wrecker
2nd
Southern Dream’s Recovery & Transport Browns Mills, New Jersey 2015 Dodge 4500/Century 312
3rd
The American Towman Academy was presented by the industry’s premier educators.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 51
Medium-Duty Class 1st Loyal Tire & Auto Center Monroe, New York 2015 Kenworth T370/ Century 16-ton
Rob’s Towing Bristol, Pennsylvania 2017 Kenworth T300/Vulcan V-35
2nd
Norton’s Tow Squad Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2015 Freightliner/Century EB4
3rd
Miller Industries sponsored the Industry’s legendary party, Miller Rocks, the Bull & Pig Roast at the Hard Rock Café. 52 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Carrier Class Pinehill Towing & Automotive King George, Virginia 2014 Kenworth T270/ Century Right Approach bed
1st
Non-Stop Towing & Recovery Freeport, New York 2012 Kenworth T270/2012 Century bed
2nd
Payne’s Towing & Recovery Ruckersville, Virginia 2008 Kenworth T270/2008 Jerr-Dan bed
3rd
Allstate Roadside Services’ Paul Stephens conducted Luxury Vehicle Education on the show floor.
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 53
Service/Support Vehicle Class
1st Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Maryland Ford F-650/Work Force Rescue Body
2nd Bellreng’s Towing Tonawanda, New York 2009 Ford Focus
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Vintage Class
1st Tauber Service Station Linthicum, Maryland 1963 Dodge D-500/1968 Holmes 600
2nd A-1 Towing Service Allentown, Pennsylvania 1969 Chevy C-30/Holmes 440
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2nd K&S Towing Havertown, Pennsylvania 2001 Mack MR6/WeldBuilt “Tunnel Truck”
Heavy-Duty Single Class
1st 3rd A-1 Towing Service Allentown, Pennsylvania 2018 Freightliner M2/Vulcan V-30 w/side puller
Chuck’s Towing Service Hamilton, New Jersey 1988 Peterbilt/ 1988 Bro 250 wrecker
Blue Grass at the American Towman Café (Food Court) perked the ears of show goers and enlivened their spirits.
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Heavy-Duty Tandem Class
Sterry Street Towing Attleboro, Massachusetts 2017 Peterbilt 389/Century 9055
Kramer’s Wrecker Grand Island, Nebraska 2018 Peterbilt 389/2018 Century 9055
2nd
1st
Redman Fleet Services Lorton, Virginia 2011 Peterbilt 389/Century 7035
3rd
Calitri’s Cuba, the Cigar Smoker at Luckies Tavern, was sponsored by AutoReturn.
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 57
Rotator Class
1st Brinkley’s Wrecker Service Suffolk, Virginia 2018 Peterbilt 318/Jerr-Dan HDR 1000
3rd Duval’s Towing & Garage Goffstown, New Hampshire 2018 Peterbilt 389/NRC 40/50 CSR
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2nd
Road Runner Towing Sterling, Virginia 2018 Kenworth T880/ Jerr-Dan HDR 1000
Best of Show, Working Class
Waggy’s Towing Manassas, Virginia 2015 Peterbilt 388/ 2015 Century 7035
Best of Show American Auto Body Maspeth, New York 2016 Hino/2016 Vulcan 21’ bed
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 59
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AT Expo is the world’s largest marketplace bringing suppliers and end-users together to form alliances and partnerships and to transact business. The show is an actual who’s who of the towing industry. If you’re anybody in this industry, you show up in Baltimore. The most successful and progressive tow bosses are there each year ... and they were there in 2017.
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 61
AT Expo energizes the towing industry through the networking and the forging of relationships. Suppliers received a big boost in new activity. Tow business owners were inspired with new information and new directions, many returning home with solutions to issues that affect their
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survival. Academygoers were excited to learn they had options in controlling their rising insurance costs. Those wishing to expand operations saw assistance offered from a myriad of finance companies on the exhibit floor.
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Towers are truck people and AT Expo is not only the world’s greatest tow show, but many say the greatest trade show in America, period. The event was celebrated through song, monuments and art. There were moments recognizing excellence and heroic deeds, and of course there was American Towman’s legendary hospitality.
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Mud This off-road recovery is no place for a heavy wrecker.
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Wrestling A 66,000-lbs. vacuum truck gets stuck in muck off a small, dirt road.
The Vulcan 896 winches the casualty.
by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
O
n May 15, 2017, Eagle Service Center in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, was called to recover a vacuum truck that was stuck in the mud on a dirt access road. “This 66,000-pound vacuum truck was working off-road pumping out sewer lines near Marsh Creek Lake,” said Eagle’s Paul Woodward Jr. Marsh Creek Lake is a man-made lake that is the result of the construction of a dam across Marsh Creek that filled the valley and prompted the relocation of residents from Milford Mills to higher ground. “The operator of the vac truck called,” Paul Jr. said. “They were a first-time customer for us, but they knew us from seeing us around the area.” This vac truck was a bit off the beaten path. Apparently there were some underground sewer pipes that needed to be cleaned out. A small, dirt access road (little more than a hiking trail) was the only way to get to those pipes. “The truck was stuck in mud up to its rims and couldn’t climb the grade under its own power,” Paul Jr. said. “The driver backed up further to get a running start and became stuck further in the mud pit.” Paul Jr. and operator Bill Lusch, both WreckMaster 4/5 certified,
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Trucks On Scene • 1998 International DT466/Vulcan 896 • 2011 Dodge 5500/Jerr-Dan MPL40
The Jerr-Dan MPL40 has about 110’ of line to the load.
... continued from p. 67
A 66,000-lbs. vacuum truck is mired in muck.
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responded with Eagle’s 1998 International DT466/Vulcan 896 medium-duty and their 2011 Dodge 5500/Jerr-Dan MPL40 light-duty wreckers. The Vulcan 896 has a 12-ton recovery boom with dual 12,000-lbs. winches and the Jerr-Dan MPL40 has an 8ton recovery boom with twin 8,000-lbs. winches. “On arrival we surveyed the scene to see where we could best stage our wreckers for the winch out,” Paul Jr. said. “We walked back to where the vac truck was stuck and found it was loaded with an estimated 1,500 gallons of water. The passenger-side rear tires were mired tire depth in mud up to the rims.” Paul Jr. and Bill placed their wreckers into position on solid ground and began rigging with a two-part line from each truck. The lines on both trucks were married together and a traveling snatch block was used to get the distance. The wreckers worked in tandem to winch the vac truck back to solid ground. “Both wreckers are real recovery workhorses that can work in places where heavies couldn’t,” said Paul Jr. “There is 125-feet of wire rope on our JerrDan MPL40, and it was about 110 feet to the load.” After the vac truck was pulled from the mud pit,
it was driven away under its own power. It had no damage, rather just some filth from the mud wrestling. All that was left were its tire tracks leading out of the mud pit near the sewer clean-out lid.
About Eagle Service Center Paul Woodward started Eagle Service Center in 1989 in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. The family owned and operated company offers roadside assistance, auto repair and maintenance and towing and recovery services. All of Eagle’s operators are WreckMaster trained and certified. In 2008, Paul was inducted into the Towman Order for his dedication to the towing trade and the communities they serve. Paul’s son Paul Woodward Jr.. runs the auto shop and towing. “We are a small operation,” he said. “Dad is at the shop everyday doing his thing. He answers phones and runs police calls most nights. … “I don’t really have an official title. I am the one dealing with the phones, insurance companies, and customers. We have the auto shop too. So I take care of the estimating and billing for that as well. I manage to go out on some of our more involved jobs.”
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 69
Isuzu Breaks Sales Records Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) recently said it shattered two sales records in 2017, making a new benchmark for retail sales of Isuzu-brand trucks and parts sales. It was the third year in a row that Isuzu established records in these areas. Isuzu dealers retailed 22,633 Isuzu trucks to customers in 2017, while Isuzu dealers purchased 3.9percent more parts than in 2016. “Our 2017 results are a testament to the hard work of our dealer body and our field force—and, of course, the loyalty of our customers,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “The forecasts for our economy continue to be positive,” he said. “Medium-duty trucks are in demand, and as the retail environment changes to rely less on bricks and mortar, that demand is expected to grow even more. … 2018 looks to be another great year for Isuzu.”
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Spirit Ride Gets Key to City When the American Towman Spirit Ride passed through Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 22, 2017, local towman Bob Bolus was presented with a key to the city on American Towman’s behalf. Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright presented it; the Lackawanna County commissioners added a proclamation to the Spirit Ride. The inscription on says it is “Presented to American Towman Spirit Ride in honor of all towers and first responders.” Bolus discussed the ceremonial key and proclamation to those tow bosses assembled for the Captains of Industry conference that kicked off the American Towman Exposition last November.
Towman Bob Bolus presents the key to the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, to American Towman Publisher Dennie Ortiz during the Captains Of Industry conference last November. Evelyn Diaz photo.
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Founding Sponsors
Sponsors Contribute to the Spirit Ride at www.ATSpiritRide.com
Anonymous
AMERICAN TOWMAN
Carnaghi Towing & Repair
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Miller Industries and the Miller Family Foundation helped develop an inclusive mixed-use sports field in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Pictured from left are Debbie Whitmire, Miller Industries; James Whitmire, Miller Industries; Jan Moses (bent), Miracle League; Mike McGauley (standing), Miracle League; Donna McConnico (standing), Miracle League; Kim Chapman, Miracle League; Janet Dunn (bent), Chattanooga YMCA; Bill Wilder (standing), Miracle League; Jane Kaylor (standing), Miracle League; John Germ (standing), Miracle League; and Julie Hoover, Miller Industries.
Miller Helps Build Special Needs Field in Chattanooga In partnership with the Miracle League of Chattanooga (Tennessee), Miller Industries (millerind.com) and the Miller Family Foundation supported the development of a mixeduse sports field in Chattanooga. The specially developed field is constructed specifically for children and adults with special needs or disabilities to participate in sports and activities.
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“Miller Industries and the Miller Family Foundation is incredibly proud to be a part of such a noble cause for disabled children and adults in our community,” said Will Miller, co-CEO of Miller Industries. “The entire concept of the Miracle Field is something that we are enthusiastic about and we wanted to do everything that we could to help make
it a reality for the city of Chattanooga,” he said. The fields are designed with cushioned, rubberized surfaces that are latex-free and completely flat with no barriers. They allow easier access to those using wheelchairs, canes, crutches and prosthetic limbs.
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Will-Burt Marks Centennial in 2018 On Jan. 31, 1918, Burton W. Cope signed incorporation documents creating The Will-Burt Co. (willburt.com) in Orrville, Ohio. The company began performing contract-manufacturing work shortly after incorporation in 1918 and continues to offer these services today. “By investing in the latest technology and employing the best people, we are able to deliver high quality and innovative products and services to our customers,” said Richard Lewin, Will-Burt president/COO. Will-Burt has made several acquisitions over the years in support of its mobile elevation business while receiving numerous patents as elevation products have become Will-Burt’s primary product range. For its centennial this year, the company is planning several employee- and customer-focused programs, as well as a community celebration event open to all scheduled Aug. 25 in Orrville.
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The Voodoo that You Do … By Mark Lacek
M
y first draft for this month centered on rising insurance premiums, but you already know plenty about that. Let me tell instead a repossession story from about 25 years ago. After Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992, disaster relief companies piled into Florida from all across the country, ready to move the tons of debris left in Andrew’s wake; every truck dealer in Florida sold out their inventory of dump trucks. We were in Miami repossessing dump trucks like there was no tomorrow. Almost a year after the hurricane, we were still looking for a few stragglers. One of those was a white 1992 Ford LTL 9000. Purchased new, this LTL 9000 was probably one of about 1,000 white LTL models sold that year. The client was Ford Motor Credit; back in the day, FMC was a big-time commercial lender. The customer, Jean, was of Haitian descent. He was a hard-working guy who just didn’t seem to understand, “no pay-no play.”
or their home. Most of the time, if you’re looking for a dozer or a dump truck, it will not be sitting in the driveway of the customer ’s home. Chances are, the truck is parked at a job site or a storage yard. I have learned over the years the best way to find out where the truck is parked is to get your butt up early and follow the customer to see where he parks it. In south Florida, dump trucks hit the street about 4 a.m. and quit about 4 p.m. When you’re paid by the load, keeping out of rush-hour traffic is important.
This assignment was driving me crazy after I had been working it for almost three months without luck. A mentor of mine explained equipment payments best: “Imagine your truck as a money machine. It sits there on a shelf day in and day out rolling out cash. Twice a day you have to put quarters in it. If one day you forget to put quarters in it, the money machine will stop spitting out bills.” This metaphor helped remind me always to make my truck payment first. Apparently, Jean forgot to send his quarters to FMC. Now I was looking for his dump truck. Repossessing commercial trucks has its differences from repossessing a personal car. Most often a customer’s car can be recovered from their work 80 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
To follow a person, there are a couple of important things you need to know. Where they live and what they drive is a must. Following Jean from his home proved to be difficult. He lived in a four-story apartment building in Fort Lauderdale with a security gate in front of the large parking area. It was a rough part of town. The first two times I attempted to follow him, I followed the wrong car. (My fault.) The second and third times, drug dealers on bicycles kept trying to sell to me. On one occasion, I arrived at 3:30 a.m. only to realize I drank too much coffee. Surveillance is next to impossible with
an upset stomach. Another time the police almost arrested me for stalking. I had to figure out another way to repo this truck, and the client was on me big time to recover the truck. In those days I was on the board of directors of the state recovery association and I was publishing “Professional Repossessor Magazine.” Time management was important; I knew I needed to get this account in the barn. This assignment was driving me crazy after I had been working it for almost three months without luck. I was doing everything I knew to make this repo happen. It just seemed there was some kind of power working against me. I even went to the selling dealer of the truck and spoke to the salesman who sold the truck to Jean. Sometimes the salesmen get to know their customers, this time it was a dead end. One day I caught a break while working another assignment. I spotted the truck going south on I-95 by the Fort Lauderdale airport. I was going north and it was about 9:30 a.m., so it was impossible to turn around. Dump trucks follow the same routine, so the next day I planted myself on the southbound side under an overpass at 9:30 a.m. After about 30 minutes of looking in my rearview mirror, I spotted a white truck coming towards me. I squinted for a couple seconds and
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... continued from p. 82 was thrilled to identify Jean driving the Ford LTL dump towards me. As the truck passed, I carefully eased into the I-95 southbound traffic and began following the truck. This is when patience and experience come into play. If you follow too close, the driver gets suspicious. If you’re too far back, you risk losing him in traffic. It wasn’t long before Jean had exited the freeway and turned right at the bottom of the ramp, just as the traffic light turned red; there I sat as the Ford LTL got smaller and smaller in the distance. Just as I thought I was going to lose him, the light turned green and I was off to the races.
Within two minutes I was hot on his tail ... and then it happened: Jean turned into the 7-Eleven store and hopped out of the truck, leaving it running and the door unlocked! I made my move, parked in the lot next door and quickly walked into the 7-Eleven, just in time to see Jean entering the men’s room. Within 60 seconds (yes, truly gone in 60 seconds), I was traveling out of the store and down the road. I made a series of right and left turns to make sure nobody was following me. Within an hour, I was backing the Ford LTL dump truck into my secure yard. As I was backing into the parking space, something on the seat caught my eye. There was a small doll on the seat, and on the doll’s face
there was what looked like a photo with a bunch of stickpins through it to the doll. There were more stickpins stuck all over the doll. I picked it up and was shocked when I realized it was a photo of me taken from the editor’s page of PRM! In the days ahead, I was able to meet up with Jean when he came to redeem his personal property from the truck. I asked him about the doll and he told me the salesman from the dealership where he had the truck was a friend of his and warned him about me. The salesman even went as far as giving him a copy of PRM. Jean told me he cut my photo out of the magazine and attached it to the voodoo doll and put a spell on me so I couldn’t repossess his truck. I laughed and told him that I think it worked, but must have wore off. I gave him the doll back … without my photo attached. We both laughed. To this day, I’ve never again talked to salesmen about their customers. Be safe.
Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience. He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.
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Jeanne Bennett Passes Longtime repossession industry veteran Jeanne Bennett passed away on Jan. 6, 2018. I first met her in 1986 when a small group met in Orlando, Florida, to create the first Florida Association of Licensed Recovery Agents. By a unanimous vote, Jeanne was elected president and she immediately took charge in getting us started on association by-laws, a membership directory and a newsletter. We did not always agree, but we never lost our friendship over differences of opinion. I still have a copy of our first membership directory for 1987-’88 that included 55 Class 1 license holders, six Class 2 license holders, four sponsors and 26 affiliates (out-of-state members).
Jeanne recognized the need for minimal, effective, statutory regulations for recovery agents. By her unceasing efforts working with the board, FALR grew to more than 400 members nationwide, with 30-plus vendors. Jeanne was never too busy to help a FALR member or a nonmember, including her competitors. Jeanne recognized the need for minimal, effective, statutory regula-
tions for recovery agents who serviced repossession assignments in Florida. In 1987, 1988 and 1989, she and several more of us descended on the capitol in Tallahassee during legislative sessions and we walked the halls urging legislators to pass minimal, sensible legislation requiring licenses and training for recovery agents operating in Florida. Jeanne was tireless and relentless in her efforts to improve the industry, and never compromised on her ethics, professionalism or commitment to helping others who came to her for advice or assistance. And she showed us how to unlock an “unlockable” Mercedes with a wet Popsicle stick (really). —Joe Taylor, account executive American Transportation Insurance Group
‘Thor’ Shoots at Repo Agent Florida resident Thor Yarabek unleashed a fury of epic proportions on a repossession agent who tried to repossess his truck—storming his vehicle and firing several gunshots, according to a recent report. “The name of the individual that was shooting at me is Y-a-r-a-b-e-k, Thor Yarabek,” the repo agent said in a 911 call, according to local news. The repo agent had been hauling away the massive man’s GMC truck in Melbourne at 5 a.m. when he got out to turn off its emergency brakes, according to reports. He then saw Yarabek running toward him wielding a gun—instead of an enchanted hammer, authorities said. The agent, who was not injured, jumped back in his vehicle and “hauled ass,” he told the 911 operator. Yarabek later called 911, too, and reported that his truck and an attached trailer full of guns and hunting gear had been stolen from his driveway. Yarabek was arrested for aggravated assault with a firearm, shooting a deadly missile into a vehicle and other charges after cops found a Springfield XD .45-cal. gun on his kitchen counter. His own truck was left with a flat tire during his shooting spree, according to the site. Source: nypost.com. 84 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
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USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan 19ft NGAF Carrier Wheel Lift, 65,076 miles 2016 Ford F650 Jerr-Dan Gas/Auto Wheel Lift 21ft, 94,238 miles 2016 Ford F550 Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 98,446 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 77,353 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 82,077 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan, No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 71,953 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 74,702 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 62,510 miles 2016 Ford F550, Jerr-Dan No Wheel Lift Gas/Auto Jerr Dan 19ft, 76, 311 miles 2013 Ford F450, Jerr-Dan Wrecked front end MPL-NG rear 2012 Ford F650, Chevron 22ft LCG, 203,631 miles 2015 Ford F650, Jerr-Dan 21ft Carrier, 71298 miles
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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • 89
Where Your Safety Attitude Counts by Steve Calitri
T
he typical attitude of a tow boss is that the perils from working by the roadside are inherent to towing. There’s no way around it—it is what it is—and this work isn’t for the faint of heart. Men risk their lives building bridges and skyscrapers, being shot into outer space, fighting fires or criminals and going off to war. One way to maintain a professional team of tow operators is to recruit “a few good men.” Attracting the kind of person suited for the dangers of the job is a wise policy. But even these people want to work in safe quarters as a general practice. These “few good men” still have a survival instinct. Working for a boss that doesn’t acknowledge the roadside dangers, or provide training that reduces the risk, puts the employee on uncertain footing. The tow operator recognizes the risk certainly; he’s out there facing it day in and day out. But it doesn’t foster a feeling of well-being when the boss doesn’t seem to notice … or care. Why get killed for that guy! He’s never talked seriously about avoiding working the traffic side or given pointers about staying safe out there. If I’m killed, will this company provide for my family? Do I get AD&D insurance coverage at least? Working out on the road is a reality check for any human being with a survival instinct. How many tow bosses prepare a new recruit for this cold plunge? Very few, I would say. They don’t want to scare him out of showing up the first day. But this industry has one of the highest turnover rates of people who have been on the job less than two weeks than any other trade.
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Educating new recruits—along with current employees—to the dangers of working the roadside and measures to reduce the risk can build a wall of confidence and a feeling of being in control of one’s safety. It all starts with the Boss’ attitude and commitment to the well-being of his or her tow operators. That attitude carries over into other areas of employment and morale. The Boss who shows he cares will have less turn over. The tow bosses who participated in the Spirit Ride—relaying the Sprit casket and organizing for the Ride— are towers who are tuned into the dangers. They have had their operators struck, or they themselves were struck and were lucky enough to survive. By participating in the Ride, they showed their employees that they understand the risks they face. By participating, they turned the focus of everyone at the company on driver safety. Which was a good thing. The Spirit Ride has accomplished many good things in the areas it passed through. It achieved mass media attention and promoted the state Move Over laws to the public. It brought first responders together in this mission. It boosted the morale of company drivers. Yes, their lives mattered. That was the message that came across to them. There are many factors that play into driver turnover. If you’re bemoaning the fact that you can’t find or keep good operators, ask yourself what attitude you project to your employees on the issue of driver safety. Then ask what is being done to protect them.
It’s been a busy winter so far for towers, with cold and snow dipping much further south in the nation than usual. Towers everywhere have been affected by the abnormal dips in the mercury. When you do get a few minutes to warm up off the roadside, be sure to stay up-to-date with American Towman on Facebook. Sometimes when you have just a few minutes, Facebook can be your friend.
Check out the American Towman Magazine page on FB for the stories you didn’t get a chance to read yet, like the recoveries, products and more. Up-to-the minute news filters in too, like updates on the ELD exemption filed on behalf of towers by TRAA. You can also spend some time on the AT Spirit Ride FB page, and TowIndustryWeek.com to keep up with the coming schedule for this year and recap 2017.
You’ll also be kept current on the tragedies that keep happening in the industry all around us— operator Thomas Tripp was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver in Michigan just before press time—underscoring the need for Spirit Ride to continue on its mission of awareness and education.
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Stay Safe Working in the Cold
Towers in the south generally may need to take more precautions working in the occasional cold snaps and snowstorms they get, like pictured here in Raleigh, North Carolina, last month. However, those in the north who are “used to it” need to be wary as well in the freezing temps and frequent flurries. wncn.com image.
By Brian J. Riker
T
owers are often called upon to perform superhuman feats of endurance during periods of extreme weather. The cold affects all of us and right now so many are facing the extreme cold blanketing most of the United States. Even if you feel you have become acclimated to the cold, you still are not immune to its effects. Those operating in the normally warmer parts of the country generally have more difficulty with the cold as they are not acclimated, nor is their equipment usually prepared for extreme cold. However, those of us from the northern part of the country need to take extra precautions too. Hydration, diet and rest are just as
Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. important in the cold as they are in the heat. Without proper hydration levels, our body can’t process the calories we intake and convert them to heat. It is suggested to increase your daily caloric intake by 20 percent to 30 percent or more if you are going to spend extended periods outdoors.
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This does not mean eating an extra candy bar; instead eat high-carb, warm food like pasta. Warm drinks are best, but avoid caffeine. Water and juice are great choices as well. I strongly recommend always keeping some beef jerky, granola and bottled water in the truck. Even tow trucks can become stranded in traffic or stuck in a remote area for several hours awaiting help. Dress in layers with a sweat-wicking base layer. Hats, hoods and facemasks are very important. Almost 50 percent of body heat escapes through the head; be sure to keep it covered and dry. As our body sweats, we need
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... continued from p. N 92 to keep this moisture off our skin as wet skin reduces our core temperature almost twice as fast as dry. Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. Always carry extra clothes and blankets, socks and even extra footwear. Hands, feet, ears and face are most prone to frostbite and will appear as discoloration of the skin. Often someone experiencing frostbite will not realize it due to accompanying numbness. If you start shivering, do not ignore it! Shivering is the body’s first warning sign that your core temperature is falling. Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below 95 degrees F. It can kill you. Symptoms include lack of coordination, confusion, slowed reactions and sleepiness. Physical exertion during cold weather places extra strain on your cardiac system. Be extra careful if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac problems. Even the most robust individuals are already working harder just to stay warm, so be mindful of your own physical condition. There is up to a 53-percent greater risk of heart attack in cold weather. The extra effort required to maintain core temperature fatigues you much quicker than normal. Keep this in mind when scheduling; you simply can’t do as much as normal. Extra breaks are required for food and water, as well as getting out of the cold to warm up. Management should monitor employees for signs of exposure, require more frequent check-in calls, dispatch an extra helper for more complex jobs and allow longer rest breaks. Consider postponing jobs that are not critical until the weather allows better working conditions. About the author Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. With 25 years of experience, he specializes in helping non-traditional fleets with federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. Contact him at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • NORTH 95
NORTH 96 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • SOUTH 91
Stay Safe Working in the Cold
Towers in the south generally may need to take more precautions working in the occasional cold snaps and snowstorms they get, like pictured here in Raleigh, North Carolina, last month. However, those in the north who are “used to it” need to be wary as well in the freezing temps and frequent flurries. wncn.com image.
By Brian J. Riker
T
owers are often called upon to perform superhuman feats of endurance during periods of extreme weather. The cold affects all of us and right now so many are facing the extreme cold blanketing most of the United States. Even if you feel you have become acclimated to the cold, you still are not immune to its effects. Those operating in the normally warmer parts of the country generally have more difficulty with the cold as they are not acclimated, nor is their equipment usually prepared for extreme cold. However, those of us from the northern part of the country need to take extra precautions too. Hydration, diet and rest are just as
Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. important in the cold as they are in the heat. Without proper hydration levels, our body can’t process the calories we intake and convert them to heat. It is suggested to increase your daily caloric intake by 20 percent to 30 percent or more if you are going to spend extended periods outdoors. This does not mean eating an extra
SOUTH 92 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
candy bar; instead eat high-carb, warm food like pasta. Warm drinks are best, but avoid caffeine. Water and juice are great choices as well. I strongly recommend always keeping some beef jerky, granola and bottled water in the truck. Even tow trucks can become stranded in traffic or stuck in a remote area for several hours awaiting help. Dress in layers with a sweat-wicking base layer. Hats, hoods and facemasks are very important. Almost 50 percent of body heat escapes through the head; be sure to keep it covered and dry. As our body sweats, we need to keep this moisture off our skin as
Continued on p. S 94 ...
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • SOUTH 93
... continued from p. S 92 wet skin reduces our core temperature almost twice as fast as dry. Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. Always carry extra clothes and blankets, socks and even extra footwear. Hands, feet, ears and face are most prone to frostbite and will appear as discoloration of the skin. Often someone experiencing frostbite will not realize it due to accompanying numbness. If you start shivering, do not ignore it! Shivering is the body’s first warning sign that your core temperature is falling. Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below 95 degrees F. It can kill you. Symptoms include lack of coordination, confusion, slowed reactions and sleepiness. Physical exertion during cold weather places extra strain on your cardiac system. Be extra careful if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac problems. Even the most robust individuals are already working harder just to stay warm, so be mindful of your own physical condition. There is up to a 53-percent greater risk of heart attack in cold weather. The extra effort required to maintain core temperature fatigues you much quicker than normal. Keep this in mind when scheduling; you simply can’t do as much as normal. Extra breaks are required for food and water, as well as getting out of the cold to warm up. Management should monitor employees for signs of exposure, require more frequent check-in calls, dispatch an extra helper for more complex jobs and allow longer rest breaks. Consider postponing jobs that are not critical until the weather allows better working conditions. About the author Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. With 25 years of experience, he specializes in helping non-traditional fleets with federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. Contact him at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net. SOUTH 94 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • SOUTH 95
SOUTH 96 •February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Stay Safe Working in the Cold
Towers in the south generally may need to take more precautions working in the occasional cold snaps and snowstorms they get, like pictured here in Raleigh, North Carolina, last month. However, those in the north who are “used to it” need to be wary as well in the freezing temps and frequent flurries. wncn.com image.
By Brian J. Riker
T
owers are often called upon to perform superhuman feats of endurance during periods of extreme weather. The cold affects all of us and right now so many are facing the extreme cold blanketing most of the United States. Even if you feel you have become acclimated to the cold, you still are not immune to its effects. Those operating in the normally warmer parts of the country generally have more difficulty with the cold as they are not acclimated, nor is their equipment usually prepared for extreme cold. However, those of us from the northern part of the country need to take extra precautions too. Hydration, diet and rest are just as important in the cold as they are in
Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. the heat. Without proper hydration levels, our body can’t process the calories we intake and convert them to heat. It is suggested to increase your daily caloric intake by 20 percent to 30 percent or more if you are going to spend extended periods outdoors. This does not mean eating an extra
MIDWEST 92 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
candy bar; instead eat high-carb, warm food like pasta. Warm drinks are best, but avoid caffeine. Water and juice are great choices as well. I strongly recommend always keeping some beef jerky, granola and bottled water in the truck. Even tow trucks can become stranded in traffic or stuck in a remote area for several hours awaiting help. Dress in layers with a sweat-wicking base layer. Hats, hoods and facemasks are very important. Almost 50 percent of body heat escapes through the head; be sure to keep it covered and dry. As our body sweats, we need to keep this moisture off our skin as wet skin reduces our core temperature almost twice as fast as dry. Frostbite is caused by exposure to
cold and can occur in just minutes. Always carry extra clothes and blankets, socks and even extra footwear. Hands, feet, ears and face are most prone to frostbite and will appear as discoloration of the skin. Often someone experiencing frostbite will not realize it due to accompanying numbness. If you start shivering, do not ignore it! Shivering is the body’s first warning sign that your core temperature is falling. Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below 95 degrees F. It can kill you. Symptoms include lack of coordination, confusion, slowed reactions and sleepiness. Physical exertion during cold weather places extra strain on your cardiac system. Be extra careful if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac problems. Even the most robust individuals are already working harder just to stay warm, so be mindful of your own physical condition. There is up to a 53-percent greater risk of heart attack in cold weather. The extra effort required to maintain core temperature fatigues you much quicker than normal. Keep this in mind when scheduling; you simply can’t do as much as normal. Extra breaks are required for food and water, as well as getting out of the cold to warm up. Management should monitor employees for signs of exposure, require more frequent check-in calls, dispatch an extra helper for more complex jobs and allow longer rest breaks. Consider postponing jobs that are not critical until the weather allows better working conditions. About the author Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. With 25 years of experience, he specializes in helping non-traditional fleets with federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. Contact him at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net.
TowShow.com Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • MIDWEST 93
City Won’t Release Tow Records In Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, the borough continues to deny public records requests about towing practices, recently labeling requests from two local TV reporters as “disruptive.” In November, ABC27 aired an investigation into Camp Hill and West Shore Regional police favoritism of G.A. Smith Towing. Camp Hill denied the right to know requests ABC27 filed for that story, and appealed a decision from the Office of Open Records that ordered the borough to turn over public records. At one point, Camp Hill claimed requested towing emails to council members did not exist. ABC27 since has filed several additional right to know requests with Camp Hill about towing and issues surrounding transparency. The borough has denied the majority of those requests. The borough denied one reporter’s request for emails, text messages and Facebook messages to and from the police chief from 2011 through 2017 about a mechanic at G.A. Smith, towing and police vehicle maintenance and repair work. In the denial letter, Camp Hill says the records do not exist, labels the request as “disruptive,” and threatens to pursue reimbursement of legal fees. Under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law, a request is disruptive “if the requester has made repeated requests for that same record and the repeated requests have placed an unreasonable burden on the agency.” The reporter outlined concerns about the “disruptive” label when she appealed the denial to the Office of Open Records. A second reporter from the station then attempted to obtain the records in his own right to know request. The borough also labeled his request as “disruptive.” The reporter appealed. The borough did grant a request for itemized legal bills showing Camp Hill spent at least $3,334 over eight months fighting the station’s efforts to obtain public records. Source: abc27.com. MIDWEST 94 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • MIDWEST 95
MIDWEST 96 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • WEST 91
WEST 92 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • WEST 93
Stay Safe Working in the Cold
Towers in the south generally may need to take more precautions working in the occasional cold snaps and snowstorms they get, like pictured here in Raleigh, North Carolina, last month. However, those in the north who are “used to it” need to be wary as well in the freezing temps and frequent flurries. wncn.com image. By Brian J. Riker
T
owers are often called upon to perform superhuman feats of endurance during periods of extreme weather. The cold affects all of us and right now so many are facing the extreme cold blanketing most of the United States. Even if you feel you have become acclimated to the cold, you still are not immune to its effects. Those operating in the normally warmer parts of the country generally have more difficulty with the cold as they are not acclimated, nor is their equipment usually prepared for extreme cold. However, those of us from the northern part of the country need to take extra precautions too. Hydration, diet and rest are just as important in the cold as they are in the
WEST 94 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
Frostbite is caused by exposure to cold and can occur in just minutes. heat. Without proper hydration levels, our body can’t process the calories we intake and convert them to heat. It is suggested to increase your daily caloric intake by 20 percent to 30 percent or more if you are going to spend extended periods outdoors. This does not mean eating an extra candy bar;
instead eat high-carb, warm food like pasta. Warm drinks are best, but avoid caffeine. Water and juice are great choices as well. I strongly recommend always keeping some beef jerky, granola and bottled water in the truck. Even tow trucks can become stranded in traffic or stuck in a remote area for several hours awaiting help. Dress in layers with a sweat-wicking base layer. Hats, hoods and facemasks are very important. Almost 50 percent of body heat escapes through the head; be sure to keep it covered and dry. As our body sweats, we need to keep this moisture off our skin as wet skin reduces our core temperature almost twice as fast as dry. Frostbite is caused by exposure to
cold and can occur in just minutes. Always carry extra clothes and blankets, socks and even extra footwear. Hands, feet, ears and face are most prone to frostbite and will appear as discoloration of the skin. Often someone experiencing frostbite will not realize it due to accompanying numbness. If you start shivering, do not ignore it! Shivering is the body’s first warning sign that your core temperature is falling. Hypothermia means the body temperature has fallen below 95 degrees F. It can kill you. Symptoms include lack of coordination, confusion, slowed reactions and sleepiness. Physical exertion during cold weather places extra strain on your cardiac system. Be extra careful if you have high blood pressure or a history of cardiac problems. Even the most robust individuals are already working harder just to stay warm, so be mindful of your own physical condition. There is up to a 53-percent greater risk of heart attack in cold weather. The extra effort required to maintain core temperature fatigues you much quicker than normal. Keep this in mind when scheduling; you simply can’t do as much as normal. Extra breaks are required for food and water, as well as getting out of the cold to warm up. Management should monitor employees for signs of exposure, require more frequent check-in calls, dispatch an extra helper for more complex jobs and allow longer rest breaks. Consider postponing jobs that are not critical until the weather allows better working conditions. About the author Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. With 25 years of experience, he specializes in helping non-traditional fleets with federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. Contact him at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net.
TowShow.com
Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!
AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - February 2018 • WEST 95
WEST 96 • February 2018 - TOWMAN.COM
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