American Towman Magazine - February 2023 Corrected by dortiz-towman

AT EXPO XXXIII RECAP

TROPHY TRUCK! FULL THROTTLE TRANS PO RT

The Road Calls

NZ RECOVERY WONDERS FROM DOWN UNDER

CUSTOM-BUILT

SNOWMOBILE ROTATOR AVOIDING

DRIVESHAFT REMOVAL MISTAKES

TowIndustryWeek.com

FEBRUARY 2023 AmericanTowman.com

$10

Contents

Volume 47 Issue 2

February 2023

Cover Feature

In the Pink

The Walkaround

This Trophy Truck is a Tribute to Mom

News Share

Road Tools

Full Throttle Transport’s award-winning Dodge Ram is one of many superb standouts highlighted in our coverage of the Wrecker Pageant from AT’s Expo in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Stafford, High.Res.Kev Photography.

Zoom In

Beacons On!

An American Towman

Safety

Tow Boss

Ad Index

Tow Engineer

My Baby

Classic Wrecker

Towman’s Market

Case Closed

Lowdown

Adventures of A.T.

by Steve Temple

Features

AT’s Expo Gallery

Departments

New Zealand Towmen A Wonder From Down Under by Steve Temple

The Towmobile

Custom-Built Snowmobile Rotator by George L. Nitti

6 • February 2023 | Towman.com

First on the scene since 1977

The Walkaround Hitting the Highlights Take a walk with us back in time to the American Towman Expo in Baltimore this past November through our Expo Recap photo gallery section. Here you will have a chance to experience the sights of the show and all the events that took place. As of this writing, crazy weather has been wreakDennie Ortiz ing havoc across the country, so tune into Terry Publisher Abejuela’s timely article on how to prepare and drive safely in various severe weather conditions. Continuing with the safety theme, Randall Resch’s piece discusses in detail specific steps to take to keep your wheel-lift slides and receivers secured while driving. As we all know a towing company is a difficult business to run. An inspiring story of how an electrician became a successful towman can be read in the An American Towman department authored by Charles Duke III. You think you know how to remove a driveshaft of a broken-down truck? Well, test your knowledge through Paul Stephens article detailing the proper techniques and tools for this procedure. As in the States, sometimes a job is too big for one company to handle. Check out the challenging recovery performed by three cooperating New Zealand towing companies. And just when you thought you’ve seen it all, take a look at the Towmobile featured in this issue. That’s right I said Towmobile, a novel solution to traverse the snowy terrains of Northern Canada to assist and rescue stranded snowmobilers. Not only is this a cool rig, it looks really fun to drive! The tow truck featured in this month’s My Baby department is an absolute beaut that won 1st place in the light-duty class at the American Wrecker Pageant in Baltimore. Be sure to feast your eyes on this tricked-out tow truck. Completing the issue, with attorney Josh Brown, are some words of legal wisdom that may help protect you and your company from a defamation suit. Hope you enjoy the issue. Stay safe out there!

Covering the Waterfront While this expression about the waterfront usually refers to including everything about something, its origins are a mystery. No matter, as it’s been a longtime motto of mine for all the automotive magazines I’ve been editor of over the years—and also now American Towman. The highlight of this issue is our recap of the Steve Temple AT Expo in Baltimore, but we also have extended our Editor reach to New Zealand to see how towmen handle their recoveries “Down Under.” The same but different. And we also checked out a custom-built rotator for handling heavy snow called the Towmobile. Yet we’d be remiss in not recommending some hands-on safety tips, plus a couple features about what inspired two different towmen to succeed in their businesses. Overall, let us know if you have some other unusual topics of interest to our readers, so we don’t leave anything out!

8 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Steve Temple Charles Duke Randall Resch Terry Abejuela David Kolman John Borowski Mark Lacek Brian Riker George Nitti Henri “Doc” Calitri

President Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor

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

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

American Towman Staff Art Director Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. Customer Service Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer

Anne Ruzsilla Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Henri Calitri Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz

American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546

E-Mail: President Editor-In-Chief Editor Subscriptions

dortiz@towman.com scalitri@towman.com stemple@towman.com subscriptions@towman.com

AT’S Digital Edition AT’S Website AT’S Weekly ATTV

itowman.com americantowman.com towindustryweek.com americantowmantv.com

Subscription: Single Copy: $10 1 yr: $60 – 2 yrs: $110 International: $75 & $135

All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT. AT reserves the right to not publish advertisements that disparage competitors or call into question the integrity of a competitors product or service.

News Share Connecticut Towers Pushing for Higher Rates Connecticut towing companies are seeking a 60 percent increase in their rates for removing and storing vehicles taken away from crashes or violating private parking rules. Tow owner Michael Festa, who owns Watertown-based myhoopty.com and Piggie Back Towing, LLC, reportedly is supported by other tow operators, including the Towing Recovery Association of America. The current basic towing charge of $105 plus $4.75 per mile would increase to more than $167 and $7.58 per mile. Tow operators said they need higher rates to keep up with rising costs. They cited utilities, employee pay and maintenance of wreckers, which now ranges from over $100,000 to a million dollars for huge wreckers capable of removing overturned tractor-trailer trucks involved in crashes on interstate highways. Source: ctinsider.com

CARB Law Takes Effect in California On January 1st, 2023, the latest California Air Resources Board (CARB) Law goes into effect, affecting heavy diesel trucks and buses. The regulation states that commercial vehicles with a Gross Vehicles Weight Rating (GVWR) of 14,001 pounds and above must be powered by an engine with a model year of 2010 or newer. Just like with any law, there are some exceptions, options, and exemptions. For a tow company, it means that they will have to replace or retrofit their diesel-powered vehicles with ones having an engine and emissions control system that is at least a model year 2010 or newer. Since this applies to any diesel-powered vehicle above 14,000 pounds, even their light-duty trucks will need to be replaced. Source: tfltruck.com

10 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Senator Richard Blumenthal (center) and Cindy Iodice (center, left) received AAA honorary plaques for traffic safety leadership.

Traffic Safety

Heroes Recognized

AAA Northeast honored US Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) Connecticut and Cindy Iodice, the sister of fallen tower Corey Iodice, for their efforts in promoting Slow Down, Move Over awareness and other outstanding traffic safety efforts. The ceremony, which took place on January 6 during a ceremony at AAA Northeast’s Milford, Connecticut location, recognized both individuals as the club’s 2022 Traffic Safety Leadership “Heroes.” Sen. Blumenthal, a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution (S. Res 734) last

year to raise awareness of the state’s Slow Down, Move Over laws. The resolution also recognizes the role emergency responders, including tow truck drivers, play in road safety, and promotes the reduction of injuries and fatalities on the nation’s highways. Iodice has tirelessly developed Flagman, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c)(3), (FlagmanSafety.com), a grassroots campaign created after the Slow Down, Move Over-related fatality of her brother Corey Iodice, a tow truck operator. Source: AAA Northeast

Moving Towards Blue Lights Law Washington State legislator Sen. Jeff Wilson (R), pre-filed legislation on December 6 that would allow tow truck operators to use rear-facing blue lights while performing recovery operations along the side of a road. The bill, in process for nearly a year, has bipartisan support, co-sponsored by Sen. John Lovick (D). “The big part of the bill is to support the existing ‘Move Over, Slow Down,’ requirements for drivers when encountering roadside accidents,” Wilson said. The legislation, Senate Bill 5023, would not permit tow trucks to use front-facing blue lights or use blue lights while going to or from the scene of an accident, but would allow tow truck operators to use the blue lights while accelerating back into traffic after

Washington State Senator Jeff Wilson (R) spearheaded bi-partisan legislation supporting the use of blue lights on tow trucks. leaving an accident scene. The bill would be known as the Arthur Anderson and Raymond Mitchell Tow Operators Safety Act, in honor of two tow operators who died in the 19th District while performing their jobs. Source: thereflector.com

News Share

Highway User Fee

to Hit Towers in Connecticut

Beginning January 1, Connecticut is imposing a highway user fee (tax) on commercial vehicles weighing 26,000 pounds or more. The tax will range from 2.5 cents to 17.5 cents a mile depending on the weight of the vehicle. Companies operating such vehicles will need to register and pay fees on a monthly basis and make sure to account for their mileage. According to TIW’s business editor Brian Riker, this user fee will have a serious impact on the towing industry. “Basically, every tower that is based within or travels through Connecticut with anything heavier than a light-duty truck will be subject to the tax,” pointed out. According to Riker, that includes medium- and heavy-duty wreckers, industrial carriers, tractor trailers (like their Landoll or RGN units) and even

Tow trucks weighing 26,000 pounds or more will have to pay a user fee. those operating certain light-duty wreckers while towing anything that makes their actual or gross weight over 26,000 pounds. American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said the new law “will have devastating consequences for businesses and families across Connecticut.” Sources: portal.ct.gov ccjdigital.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

The American Towman Showplace – Las Vegas during Tow Industry Week took place in September the past two years, a shift in date pattern caused by the pandemic. Now the West’s premier tow show is scheduled once again in May (16-18) at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa’s convention Center, where it had enjoyed success for several years. South Point has it all under one roof: restaurants, movie theater, bowling lanes, show lounges, casino action, and more. The exhibit hall is right there. This year’s educational program is accented with the premiere of American Towman’s Recovery Theater, presented by Bobby Tuttle (CIRT), and War Games, presented by James Bennett II (Beard’s Towing). In another seminar, Bennett will also dissect the Great Texas Pileup in which Beard’s Towing played a major role. For more information go to atshowplace.com.

Chattanooga to Pass New Tow Rates

Towmen Reap Rewards of Awards Local news sources are publishing the extraordinary efforts for which towmen were recognized at the 33rd annual American Towman Exposition in Baltimore during two key ceremonies: The Order of Towman, which gives honor to towers for their dedication to the towing trade and service to the community; and The American Towman ACE Award, recognizing the achievement of tow providers for their service performance. The Enterprise Press, a Wisconsin community news source, spotlighted tower Daniel S. Dolson of Lodi Shell Inc., as he was pictured being pinned with the Cross of The Order, with a unique towing icon sculpted inside. Tap Into Basking Ridge, an online newspaper in New Jersey, highlighted the achievement of Charles A. MacLellan of Value Towing. The publication included mention of local deputy chief John Sable of the Basking Ridge Fire Company, who nominated MacLellan for the esteemed Order of Towman award, a requirement to receive the award. In the far northern

Las Vegas Tow Show Moves Back to May

William Merritt of Southern Maryland Towing, Inc., shown here with Dennie Ortiz, president of American Towman Media, was receiving an ACE award. reaches of Maine, The County headlined “Towing Professionals Earn National Honors,” referring to Order of Towman award recipients Mike Nadeau and his father Mark Nadeau, of Mark’s Towing Service. The Baynet recognized tower William Merritt of Southern Maryland Towing, Inc., for the American Towman ACE award, given to top service providers as nominated by major motor clubs and dispatch centers. As these cases demonstrate, towmen and their respective towing companies receive prominent publicity from these awards. Source: hngnews.com

Tow companies in Chattanooga, Tennessee will receive higher tow rates, after mayor Tim Kelly agreed to a deal that amends an ordinance passed by the city council. In early December, the City Council voted to double the max rate that tow companies could charge, but the mayor vetoed it, saying it was too much. After negotiations, they have settled on a daytime rate of $225 with a night/weekend rate of $250. The agreement is $25 less than what city council originally proposed. Also in the deal, the city will update the rates each year to account for inflation. Currently in Chattanooga, tow companies can charge a maximum of $125 to tow passenger vehicles in the daytime and $135 during the evening and on weekends. “I am glad our negotiations with the towing industry and City Council resulted in a fairer deal for Chattanoogans,” said Kelly. “And I look forward to signing the amended ordinance to ensure tow fees remain fair and reasonable in the years to come.” Source: wdef.com

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 11

Road Tools Getting Access Towers in need of car-opening tools will be interested in the new Essential Long Reach Kit from Access Tools. This package includes the required items needed for the majority of vehicle openings. For both functionality and convenience, it features the Quick Max Long Reach Tool, the Button Master, the One Hand Jack Tool, the Super Air Jack air wedge, and the 60-inch Long Heavy-Duty Carrying Case. To make things even easier for towmen, the kit has the Quick Instructional Manual and videos. This new tool set emphasizes both functionality and convenience for towers looking for a quick way to open locked vehicles.

AccessToolsUSA.com

Move Over Warning To help improve the safety of towmen, first responders and roadside workers, Mobile Video Computing Solutions (MVCS) is introducing the new, patent-pending Move Over Awareness Warning System (MOAWS). Due out in 2023, it’s designed to prevent roadside fatalities and injuries, by detecting collision-imminent traffic and warning towmen with both an audio siren and visual strobes. The proprietary system combines radar and LIDAR detection capabilities that alert to potentially dangerous traffic situations. The on-board algorithm monitors data from the environment to identify potentially risky conditions created by on-coming traffic. The integrated wireless Nite Beams safety vest also broadcasts the operator’s location with pulsing LED lights. A system like MOAWS that could give an operator a warning of five to ten seconds could be lifesaving.

mvcsol.com/moaws

Rapid Rear Hub Replacement With wheel hub assembly taking up a large proportion of service-time demands, SKF has introduced its new Brute Force medium-duty rear wheel hubs for Class 4 and 5 trucks. Engineered to simplify repairs, these units come ready to install, cutting repair time from 2.5 hours to as little as 45 minutes. Besides getting tow trucks out of the repair shop and back on the road faster, SKF Brute Force’s lightweight hub design and integrated seal help reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Featuring an integrated lock nut and seal, pre-mounted studs, inboard and outboard bearings, and a retaining ring, Brute Force comes fully assembled. Now 10 percent lighter, SKF’s unique design provides a simple two-step process: slide it onto the spindle and tighten the integrated lock nut to factory spec. This reduces the complexity, service time, and safety risks associated with assembling a unit before installation. Technicians can also remove the assembly as a single unit for easy brake rotor service without the risk of damaging the seal or disturbing the bearing. Another notable benefit is an integrated, non-rotating seal that not only delivers better sealing performance, but also lower friction that reduces drag and heat, fuel consumption, and emissions.

vehicleaftermarket.skf.com 12 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Working the Angles

Zoom In

Titan ZLA 30-series LCG carrier Miller Industries’ Titan ZLA 30-series LCG carrier provides the lowest load angle possible, plus other features for increased versatility. It starts with a patented hinge system located along the front of the bed that allows the carrier bed, when deployed, to lay completely flat on the ground. “This feature alone will be incredibly beneficial for increased convenience while loading, securing and unloading equipment,” pointed out Greg Robbins, Director of Strategic Accounts for Miller Industries. So this industrial carrier can not only serve as a conventional-style equipment carrier, but also allows for loading and unloading of equipment while keeping operators on the ground throughout. This feature helps minimize the risk for injury when transporting heavy equipment. And speaking of heavy loads, the Titan ZLA has a 29-foot long, reinforced steel bed with a 30,000-pound capacity. The bed is equipped with a powerful gear-driven planetary drive system that helps to power through even the toughest mud and gravel during the bed deployment. Other features of the ZLA include a 20,000-pound planetary winch and a standard combination dock stabilizer/pintle hitch.

millerind.com Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 13

Beacons

On!

Road Worrier Driving in Inclement Weather By Terry Abejuela

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

riving a tow truck in bad weather can be one of the most challenging aspects of our job. Lousy weather often creates treacherous road conditions that will stress even the best and most experienced drivers. Fog, heavy rain, snow, ice, hurricanes, tornadoes, and mud slides result in road conditions that are so dangerous that most safety experts recommend staying home in such weather. But tow truck operators don’t have that option. Depending on the region you operate in, you should be prepared in advance for driving in the type of weather you might encounter. Keep in mind that according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), “Each year, 75 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on wet pavement and 47 percent happen during rainfall.”

PREPARATION TIPS

One of the most important and easy ways to be prepared for inclement weather is to ensure your truck is in good operating condition. Inspect your truck frequently. 14 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Good tires and brakes are important during good weather, but they are critical in poor weather. Don’t forget details such as windshield wipers and washer fluid level for good visibility. Maintain proper air pressure levels in your tires for optimal performance. Make sure the heating and defrosting systems are working properly as well. Keep your truck clean. The window glass, headlights, emergency lights, mirrors and reflective tape will perform their jobs much better when they are clean. Use a rain repellent on the windshield, side windows, rear window and mirrors to clear standing raindrops. It’s all about visibility. Make sure that you can see well and that you and your truck are visible to other motorists. Also, each time you wash your truck, clean the inside of the window glass and in particular the inside of the windshield. This is critical to good visibility during inclement weather. Before driving on a call, properly adjust your seat, mirrors, climate controls and seatbelts. Proper seat position and use of safety equipment will aid you in performing the gentle, smooth and precise movements required for safe driving in inclement weather.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT

If you are in a region where you experience a significant amount of heavy storms, consider having weatherspecific tires that can be mounted on the truck when needed. Winter-weather tires significantly improve tire adhesion, braking and cornering performance. Also equip your truck for inclement weather with extra cold-weather clothing, an adequate supply of drinking water, essential medicines, blankets, backup battery for cell phone, ice scraper, first aid kit, snow chains, rain gear, rain boots, sunscreen and other essential items. Prior to hitting the road, check road condition reports, storm warnings, and weather advisories. These reports can provide important information on the proximity and severity of the weather as well as precautions drivers should take.

HANDLING WET ROADS

Heavy rain reduces visibility, tire traction and maneuverability. Most weather-related collisions occur on wet pavement and during rainfall. Heavy rainfall reduces visibility and causes road hazards such as flooding, potholes and mudslides. Be aware of hydroplaning. This hazard occurs when the tires of your truck are not able to funnel enough water from between the tires and the roadway, reducing traction because the tires are actually riding on a layer of water. Hydroplaning results in reduced steering and braking. When these occur, remain calm, take your foot off the accelerator to reduce your speed. Do not slam on the brakes, and don’t try to make any sudden turns. Keep a good grip on the steering wheel and steer in small movements to correct your course. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur at higher speeds because the tires have to channel more water more quickly to maintain traction with the roadway. Road conditions during rainfall are most dangerous during the first ten minutes of a heavy downpour as oil on the roadway rises up creating even less traction until it washes off. Be ready to take evasive action in poor weather conditions. Steering around an obstacle may be safer than trying to stop when the roadway is wet. Note that the coefficient of friction between rubber tires and dry asphalt is approximately 0.72, but on wet asphalt it drops to approximately 0.53.

SNOW AND ICE CONDITIONS

According to the FHWA, 70 percent of the population of the United States live in a region of the country that experiences snow and ice conditions during winter. And the AAA points out that it takes ten times longer to bring a vehicle to a complete stop when driving in snowy conditions. In addition, more than 150,000

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 15

collisions occur every year due to icy road conditions according to data from the FHWA. Black ice is a very dangerous condition that is often difficult to identify visually. Black ice can be anywhere but is often formed in shaded areas and on bridges and overpasses. What helps to identify this hazard? When the roadway looks wet but there is a lack of spray from other vehicles, that may indicate the presence of black ice. Reducing your speed and increasing your following distance will help you maintain better control of your vehicle on snowy and icy roads. Do not use cruise control or traction control on icy road surfaces. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Avoid stopping when possible by slowing down enough to roll up to a traffic light until the light changes. Also avoid stopping on hills as it may be difficult to start moving in icy road conditions. The co-efficient of friction between rubber tire and ice is only about 0.15. And the stopping distance required on ice at zero degrees is twice that required on ice at 32 degrees.

REDUCED VISIBILITY

Fog can occur at any time, causing visibility to deteriorate quickly. Slow down before entering foggy conditions. Use low-beam headlights and fog lights for the best visibility even during daytime. Watch out for slow vehicles or vehicles parked on the shoulder. Use roadside highway reflectors as guides of where the road may curve ahead of you. Driving with your lights on, reducing your speed and increasing following distance are easy and effective ways to reduce the risks of being involved in a collision caused by inclement weather. Don’t forget the basic speed law: you cannot drive faster than is safe for the conditions. It is very important to maintain adequate weight on the steer axle of your tow truck when you are towing a vehicle. During inclement weather it is critical. The industry standard is to maintain at least 50 percent of the unladen weight of the steer axle. Make sure you know how much weight your tow truck can lift and still maintain 50 percent of the axle weight. If you find yourself in a skid in inclement weather, steer in the direction you want your truck to go and avoid slamming on the brakes.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS

When the weather becomes too severe, exit the roadway and park some place safe until conditions improve. If they feel unsafe, follow your instincts and wait them out. This approach might feel counterintuitive for a tow truck operator because someone is depending on you to respond to their situation. But you may never arrive to help them if you are involved in a collision. Also, if you encounter an intersection where the traffic lights are out, treat it like a four way stop. Driving hazards increase in inclement weather. To maximize your safety as well as that of other motorists, reduce your speed, increase your following distance (especially when in tow) and be prepared for challenging situations. 16 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 17

An American Towman cartoon character of him with a trucker’s hat on. “I was barefoot giving the thumbs-up sign with my leg kicked out and my big toe hooked to a car,” he added. As fate would have it, Joe noticed on their ride together an old tow truck sitting at an Exxon with a “For Sale” sign on it. “I said, ‘I better buy a truck—this thing’s going to work.’ So, I started doing research on trucks, wreckers JOE MITCHELL and rollbacks to see what would be best suited for me. I decided the Owner, Mitchell’s rollback would be the best thing as Towing & Recovery I could haul hay, haul scrap metal, Roanoke, Virginia help people move furniture and make a living towing cars.” The industrious type, Joe first made business cards and went around to local garages and shops, handing them out just to see if he could get the phone ringing— and it worked! he title of this article could’ve easily “That’s when I knew it was time to make been “Divinely Inspired,” since Joe a move,” he noted. “I searched Craigslist up Mitchell, owner of Mitchell’s Towing and down in my spare time until I finally and Recovery in Roanoke, Virginia, found the truck I wanted. It was a 1996 Ford credits his faith for a large part of his success. F-Super Duty, with a 7.3-liter diesel, 5-speed Over a period of ten years, Joe has built his and an aluminum 19-foot Jerr-Dan rollback company into one of the area’s finest. Today, bed. It had 256,000 miles and it was $14,500.” Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery boasts But now he had to figure out how he of a fleet of 20 units, four locations and 17 was going to pay for it. After getting turned employees. And to think, it all started with a away by several banks, Joe found financing dream one night in August 2012. from a bank that he previously had a loan Joe was working as an electrician, and with, and had paid it off. To get a new loan, on his days off he would often help a friend he wrote a very detailed business proposal that owns a landscaping business to make with estimated expenses and income. some extra money. It was while riding along With the tow truck funded and now in with his friend that Joe told him about an hand, Joe taught himself the controls and elaborate dream he had the night before the nuances of his first carrier. A few weeks regarding seeing his name on the side of a later, he was able to get on the Virginia State tow truck. Police towing list. “I had a very detailed dream about a “This is when my story really is the work logo on the driver’s door of a tow truck, of God and only him,” he shared. “My very and that’s where it all started,” Joe recalled. first state police call in September 2012 was “Never rode in a tow truck before, never for a young man who ran off the road and even had to get a vehicle towed before, and jumped a ditch while heading to catch a never had any interest in it.” flight at Lynchburg airport.” Even so, the dream had a logo outside Long story short, his mom called Joe a of a truck saying, ‘Joe’s Tow,’ and it had a couple of days later and wanted to buy her

Dreams Do Come True by Charles Duke

American Towman Magazine Senior Editor Charles Duke has written and served as editor for trade, music and nonprofit publications. He also serves as the editor for AT’s online sister publications Tow Industry Week and Tow Industry Today.

18 • February 2023 | Towman.com

son a replacement car, so she mailed him the key and title to her son’s damaged vehicle, a Ford Escort. Joe got the car fixed up and drove it for a short time, and then listed it for sale on Craigslist. “A guy by the name of Joe Hatcher came along and he bought that car,” Joe said. “He and I became close friends and he came to work for me in 2013.” Hatcher still works for Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery to this day and still has the Ford Escort. Joe continued to work as an electrician and do towing on the side as a hobby up until 2016. It was at this point that he ventured out to California to chase a dream that, unfortunately, didn’t work out. After returning back to Virginia with just $300 to his name, and no personal vehicle, Joe found assistance in the form of his girlfriend Amanda, who would later become his wife. She gave him $1,000, and along with the $300 he had, Joe went back to the bank who provided the first loan back in 2012. After explaining what was going on and that he made the decision to pursue towing full time, he once again was able to secure the financing he needed. Joe found a 2012 Dodge Ram 5500 rollback with a 20-foot Jerr-Dan aluminum bed in Chicago for $30,000, and Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery was off and running. “I didn’t have a job, a personal vehicle, or really anything,” Joe

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 19

recalled. “My girlfriend and I would ride up and down the road looking for people broken down and just stop and offer them some help. We may have gotten a tow out of it in one of eight tries, but it was something. Once business started picking up, Amanda would ride with me on tows like it was a date. Not a complaint in the world.” Today, Joe and Amanda are married and are the proud parents of two-year-old Joe IV and three-year-old Mia. “I’m at the point now where I’ve got a manager, an assistant manager, and dispatchers,” Joe pointed out. “I’ve kind of ‘disconnecting’ myself to a place where I’m enjoying some family time In March 2019 Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery was featured on a local news broadnow. I’ve made the sacrifices; now I’m trying to cast for work Joe did in helping a deaf customer retain his disabled truck. Text of Joe’s note: reap the benefits of it.” “After I picked up your truck, I noticed I had two flat tires on my tow truck. So, I came Outside the shop, Joe said that what he most straight to Snider Tire to have them repaired. While I was waiting, Walter Smith and I enjoys is going to his church and doing a little bit repaired your transmission line and filled it back up with fluid. We filled up your fuel of hunting. He also appreciates any spare time tank and even put a new set of windshield wipers on it for you. I hope this will help you out as we all have hard times. he has being with the kids. Best of luck to you and God Bless–Joe Mitchell, Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery” “It’s very rewarding to help people out,” he shared. “God has had a lot to do with this—this whole story is because of Him. Towing is a pretty good steady source of income for my family, and Joe Mitchell of Mitchell’s Towing and Recovery recalled I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

Good Samaritan

a memorable job he worked in 2019. His deeds were so impressive, it even got TV coverage. “I got a call for a guy who had backed into some mailboxes on the side of the highway,” he recalled. “I got there, got his truck; but he’s deaf and not able to communicate at all.” Joe took the man’s truck to where he lived. His wife, also deaf and unable to communicate, came out with a pen and paper. She wrote that they didn’t have any money, and that Joe would just have to take the truck. “After I left there, my truck got two flat tires on the same side,” Joe said. “I had to go straight to the tire shop to get my tires fixed. I dropped his truck off in the parking lot. While I was sitting there waiting for my truck to get fixed, I was looking at his truck, thinking about this old man. I found out the reason that he had backed into the mailboxes is because he had taken trash to the dump and his transmission went out on his truck—and all he had was reverse. So, he was trying to ‘back it home,’ which was only about a couple of miles away.” Joe went out to look at the man’s truck and found that his transmission line had become loose. He told his friend in the shop who was fixing his vehicle about it, and they decided that they would repair the man’s truck for him. “We fixed it up, put some fuel in his tank, placed new wiper blades on it,” Joe said. “I just wrote the man a note saying that everyone needs a break once in a while. I was having a bad day myself, and I know that he was, so I just decided to try and make his day better. His son ended up putting the story on Facebook, so it was pretty rewarding for me.”

20 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 21

Safety bouncing wheel-lift grid is bad news to motorists following behind. Note that a 35-pound object falling from a truck traveling at 55 mph creates approximately 1,000 pounds of force.

DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS

A broken or missing plunge or screw pin is a disaster waiting to happen.

No Loose Gear Securing Your Wheel-Lift Slides and Receivers By Randall C. Resch

I 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.

magine you’ve been requested by the highway patrol to expedite to a crash scene. In your haste to get headed to the call, you detach the customer’s car, hurriedly stow L-Bars while banging the wheel-lift’s receiver’s to center. In your haste to get rollin’ towards the crash, one of the receivers wasn’t secured and unknowingly ejected away from your tow truck, and dropped into the path of following traffic. A serious collision occurs and you’re held accountable for causing it. Was this incident preventable or simply a freak happening? When wheel-lift receivers, scoops, or L-Bars come loose on a crowded highway at drive time, they can create a potentially deadly incident. Worse yet, a loose and

22 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Just for clarity’s sake, a wheel-lift’s receiver is a sliding, tube-mounted grid plate that attaches to a wheel-lift’s T-Bar. This device allows adjustability, to slide and spread when accommodating a towed vehicle’s width. L-Bars, scoops, or retainer arms are inserted into the receiver’s openings and are positioned (straightforward or swing-in) rearward behind tire faces. With retainer arms in place, safety pins are inserted while ratchets, straps and tow chains keep the towed vehicle on the wheellift. When the lift is raised to tow position, the towed vehicle’s weight causes receivers to bind on the T-Bar. (Note: A loose receiver is a tow-related misfortune not typical to autoloader type tow trucks.) While the operable word in the above description is “towed,” this safety topic is actually keeping receivers secured and on the truck as it travels empty in compliance to federal and state laws.

CASE HISTORIES

Consider two scenarios that dramatically illustrate the potential dangers: 1) On a Florida highway, a full-size, wheel-lift receiver fell off a wrecker and dropped directly into the path of following traffic. The receiver allegedly came loose from the tow truck’s lift, and bounced across highway lanes before impaling a Ford

Unsecured receivers are a common problem that’s been around ever since wheel-lifts evolved in the industry. pickup’s windshield. The receiver stopped short of smashing the pickup driver’s face, showering him with broken glass. Delray Beach Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Todd Lynch commented that, “He’s lucky to be alive.” 2) A light-duty tow operator from southern California swerved hard to avoid crashing into a slowed semi. The swerving action caused the unsecured, driver side receiver to laterally eject from the tow truck’s T-Bar, dropping it into traffic. The receiver skipped across traffic lanes while a teen driver, also not paying attention to slowed traffic, rapidly jerked his pickups steering to avoid hitting the wayward receiver. Because the teen’s “swerving” wasn’t perfectly timed, his pickup struck the receiver’s ramped-side, causing the truck to turn over. Making matters worse, he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was ejected. Similar to scenario one, the teen was real lucky that he wasn’t killed.

SAFE AND SOUND

The word “lucky” is actually an understatement in both scenarios, knowing how bulky retainers, scoops and L-Bars are, and how much they weigh. Unsecured receivers are a common problem that’s been around ever since wheel-lifts evolved in the industry. Although manufacturers include “capture safety devices,” they’re only as good as the new or working condition they’re in. For obvious reasons, wheel-lift equipment must be removed and inspected on a regular basis. If a wheel-lift receiver departs from a T-Bar, it wasn’t Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

secured for travel, or the catch device was cracked, broken or missing. In scenario 2, an investigation determined the inner capture safety bar was rusted and broken. Tow operators are responsible to ensure receivers are capable of remaining with the tow truck or carrier that they’re part of. In all reality, though, when operator error can’t be 100-percent controlled, it demands immediate re-evaluation as to what better ways would prevent this occurring in the future. The following is a safe alternative for securing wheel-lift receivers.

Straight Chain Secure

RETENTION MADE EASY

Because states require safety chains to be connected to towed vehicles, securing receivers is an easy process to be applied after each tow is completed. To help avoid losing unsecured receivers, the technique of “straight chaining” helps retain receivers using the tow truck’s safety chains in six easy steps: Step One: Having completed the previous tow, return the wheel-lift to its travel position. Reposition safety pins, and tighten T-bolts, 45-degree Cam-Locks, or Plunge Pins according to manufacturer recommendations. T-Bolts have flattened ends that screw through wheel-lift receivers and sit flat on the T-Bar’s superstructure. When tightening T-Bolts, use the opposite hand while moving the receiver grid’s up-anddown to fully seat T-Bolts. If not fully tightened, T-Bolt’s may loosen via turns or road vibration, allowing receivers to eject. Plunge Pins should lock in place. Step Two: With the wheel-

◀

Cross Chain Secure

Christmas Tree Secure

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 23

When properly stowed and secured, wheel-lift receivers remain attached to the wheel-lift’s T-bar until positioned by the operator.

lift stowed and safety devices in place, pull a sufficient length of chain from left and right chain boxes. Drape chain out and across the top of the wheel-lift’s slide receivers. Step Three: Depending on make and model wheellift, pull left and right chain-ends over the top of wheellift receivers, under the T-Bar, then drop hook ends into the outer-most welded clevis hook on the wheel-lift’s receiver. Step Four: Remove remaining slack by slipping links back into the chain stow-box. Repeat both sides “even Steven”, making left and right side chains equal lengths.

24 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Step Five: From the controls, slowly and slightly push the wheel-lift “out” to tighten slack. This motion causes receivers to bind similar to a towed vehicle’s weight when loaded into the wheel-lift. With left and right safety chains secured in position, the tightened straight-chain allows no more than two to three inches of outward slide to stop lateral motion. This retention keeps receivers from ejecting. Step Six: Another technique is called, “Christmas Tree.” To retain fork receivers on larger sized wreckers, connect a rated shackle to the welded (top) eyelet at the far end of the boom’s head. Thread recovery chain through the shackle, draping it to the wheel-lift’s T-Bar. As noted in Step Three, bring chain over the outward receivers and under the T-Bar back to the welded clevis hooks. Remove slack by slightly “lowering” the wheellift to tighten chain in the shape of a triangle.

FIVE FINGER DISCOUNT

For towers taking trucks home, unsecured receivers tend to disappear. Some local tow companies park tow trucks outside overnight, and tow operators forget to prepare necessary security. When the straight-chain technique is used to secure wheel-lift retainers, it not only ensures receivers stay on the truck, but also prevents theft. There’s nothing worse than arriving on-scene to find both wheel-lift receivers were liberated from their mounted positions. Some companies add bungee cords as a quick fix. These can rot and break, causing serious face and eye injuries. Another creative fix used by some tow companies is to add a length of chain that’s positioned under the T-Bar and welded to receiver ends. This “fix” is guaranteed to gouge and damage hot asphalt when operators aren’t careful lowering wheel-lift’s to the pavement.

MORE IS BETTER

Securing receivers, scoops and L-Bars requires a change in operator practices, but it’s a progressive alternative that works. Once receiver training is completed, it should be documented in operator files as evidence of following proper procedures. Considering the total miles your tow trucks roll throughout the year, this loose receiver situation could happen to you. Safe connections demand that all components are in proper condition and capable of being secured. While it’s true new equipment should retain the weight of a sliding, unsecured receiver, it’s paramount that the “human element” be augmented. In a world where, “more safety is better safety”, why not make it happen? It’ll make you feel way more secure! Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 25

Tow Boss

Getting Disconnected Avoiding Driveshaft Removal Mistakes By Paul Stephens

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

everal key considerations need to be kept in mind when deciding to remove a driveshaft. Each one has its own reasons, outside of simply knowing the drive wheels are on the ground. An individual tow operator’s or company procedures might vary, but there seems to be some common ground within our industry, as removal of either the driveshaft or axles to disengage the transmission is becoming the standard.

PROPER PROCEDURES

The first consideration is what type of requirements are recommended by the manufacturer of the transmission or drivetrain. These usually are determined by the type of transmission, fluid content flow, and fluid viscosity breakdown duration. If the internal components are selflubricating (versus relying on the pump to move fluid back and forth), often the manufacturer will indicate a mileage and speed rating to adhere to when towing

26 • February 2023 | Towman.com

The above product safely cradles the driveline during transportation to the final destination. The suspender bar adjusts to fit most frame widths, and the included ratchet rope temporarily lifts the driveshaft so it can be secured onto the cushioned cradle with the T-Bar inserted into the U-Joint.

the vehicle with the drive wheels on the ground without removing any driveline components. This recommendation is only for a new vehicle that has fresh fluid and no wear on the components. Even so, leaving the drivetrain connected when towing a truck even for the shortest distances can be hazardous. As one example, a fellow operator lost a legal battle in which he followed the manufacturer recommendations for towing, yet he still had a failure that cost him. This instance goes back many years when it was common practice to tow vehicles equipped with manual transmissions in neutral, or to leave them running for longer distances. But it dramatically demonstrates why removing the driveshaft or axles when the drive wheels are touching the ground can be much cheaper than paying for damages. While every company can make its own policy of course, compare how much will it cost to fight a legal battle compared with the effort required to pull the driveshaft or axles.

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 27

of attaching the tow truck to the casualty, releasing the brakes and placing the unit in neutral. Once done, the driveshaft torque should be released to the point of allowing a rocking movement. Another method is to jack up one wheel to take pressure off the rear differential. Either way, always make sure you have control of the casualty vehicle so that it can not roll away. Towers have been killed by vehicles rolling away while disconnecting their driveshaft.

VARIOUS YOKE BOLTS If a driveshaft has to be removed from an automatic transmission’s tail-shaft, position a catch basin to capture escaping fluid.

POTENTIAL INJURIES

Removing a driveshaft should be done by someone who has been trained or educated in the proper safety procedures. Do not attempt to remove a driveshaft without proper training, and a full understanding of the dangers involved. To start with, is the location safe to remove the driveline or should the truck first be relocated? Also, is the vehicle’s drivetrain under load? Several items contribute risk to removal of a driveshaft such as driveline torque, driveline angle, and terrain. Always chock the wheels before attempting to remove the driveshaft— even when the truck brakes A specific tool is required for drivelines with the caps pressed into the yoke, and two bolts holding the lock are locked. in place. Operators have been the driveshaft to disconnect without seriously injured when removing driveshafts, so each step in springing out of the yoke lock and the safety process is very important. striking the person removing it or A driveshaft should never be doing damage to the underside of removed under load. The driveline the truck. This procedure can be must be free to rock back and forth accomplished a few different with minimal pressure. This will allow the bolts to be removed and ways, but the easiest one consists 28 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Pressed-in drivelines have the caps pressed into the yoke and have two bolts holding the lock in place. The safest way to remove these is using a driveline removal tool. Gone are the days when there were only two different bolt types. Today nearly every manufacturer has its own bolt size and style to attach to the rear yoke. The most common still are Spicer or Eaton units, which usually use the standard 3/8- or 1/2inch, 12-point heads. These are easily removed with a wobble socket or 12-point box wrench. There are others that use a 12-point, 12mm bolts, such as Volvo trucks. These can be difficult to pull if they have been removed previously because they seem to get over-torqued when the driveshaft is reinstalled, making them susceptible to stripping out. Almost all driveline component manufacturers require the U-joint strap bolts to be replaced after removal every time. They are only one-time-use parts, designed to stretch when installed. This was a standard practice when the strap kits were readily available, however since the beginning of 2021, components have become harder to acquire, which has led to many shops reusing these strap kits. Reusing these strap bolts presents problems when

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 29

Be sure to have a wide variety of tools in your tow truck for handling all types of driveshaft fittings.

the re-installer applies too much force. The next unlucky person that attempts to remove them, usually a tower at roadside, starts to turn the bolt-head splines, causing the head to strip out. Note that Freightliner has two or three different types of driveshaft bolts and, if tow operators are not well equipped, they could be stuck on the side of the road awaiting tools. The newer models can have an 18mm or 21mm bolt that can be difficult to access when attempting to attach a socket. We could go on and on about different styles and types of wrenches and sockets needed to remove the different styles of fasteners that are currently in use, but overall it’s better to just have a good variety of driveline tools on hand.

ADDITIONAL TOOLS

Some things to consider with the tool variations: Will you need to remove the slip yoke collar to get the shaft all the way out? If so, then you will want to have a small oil filter-style wrench to loosen the lock. If it is a press-style, then you might need a small screw driver and hammer to tap the collar off. These are things to consider prior to arriving on scene so you are well prepared. Marking the driveshaft before removal is always a good idea, since the shaft portion is balanced before being installed for the first time. This

◀

Prior to removal, the driveline should free to rock back and forth with minimal pressure.

30 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 31

simple step will allow the shop to know exactly where the shaft was aligned by the manufacturer, allowing them to reinstall it without fear of introducing vibrations due to an out of balance condition. Always prepare yourself for unique situations such as seized bolts, stripped bolt heads, missing needle bearings, etc. These problems can be overcome with the right preplanning. Remember to follow safety guidelines from the manufacturers to adequately prepare and equip yourself to remove a driveline. That way you’ll avoid any troublesome issues when getting disconnected.

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

32 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 33

AD INDEX

February 2023

AAA ..........................................................33

Intek Truck & Equipment ...........................32

Santander Bank ........................................31

Akins Body & Carrier Sales .......................63

Jerr-Dan ........................... Inside Front Cover

Sea Crest Insurance Agency ...................W91

All American Jerr-Dan .................. N, S, M 91

Len Zermenos ......................................... 4-5

Smyrna Truck & Cargo...............................24

Allstate Roadside ......................................71

Lodar USA .................................................72

Speak Easy Communication ......................71

American Towman Expositions ..................96

Lynch Truck Group ....................................67

Steck Mfg. Co. ..........................................72

Atlanta Wrecker Sales ...............................76

Matjack ....................................................79

Talbert Manufacturing ............................ N93

AT ShowPlace-Las Vegas ........................3, 9

McMahon Truck Center ..........................M93

TDI Repair Facility .....................................71

Chevron Commercial .................................34

MIller Industries ........................................27

Tow Brokers /Mckamie Insurance ...........W94

Crouch’s Wrecker & Equipment Sales ........85

Mobile Control Systems ............................84

Tow Industries .......................................W92

Custer Products ........................................84

North American Bancard ...........................21

Towbook ........................... Inside Back Cover

Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers .................73

OMG Tow Marketing ..................................89

TowMate ...................................................70

Dynamic Towing Equipment & Mfg. ...........29

Online Impound Auctions ...........................30

Tracked Machines .....................................16

Eartec Co. .................................................25

Pacific General Insurance Agency ...........M94

Trail King Industries ..................................78

EdgeTech/Hooks ....................................W91

Peak Wrecker Sales ...............................W93

Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas ........W93

Elizabeth Truck Center ..............................79

Performance Advantage Company .............32

West End Service ......................................77

G. Stone Commercial ............................. N93

Progressive Commercial Insurance ..............7

Winches Inc. ..........................................W92

GM Consultants ........................................16

PWOF ................................................. 80-81

Wrecker Warehouse ...............................W94

Hino Trucks ................................. Back Cover

RimSling ...................................................20

Zip’s AW Direct ...................................15, 17

ITI Skates .................................................24

SafeAll ......................................................19

34 • February 2023 | Towman.com

AT EXPO XXXIII GALLERY

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 35

Traffic was brisk, doubling in numbers each day, culminating in a Saturday crowd that literally packed the house.

The Grand Entreé – Marching band opens the exhibit hall on Saturday.

36 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Miller Rocks the Hard Rock!

Captains of Industry Luncheon.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 37

Towing’s Troubador, Mike Corbin, salutes ACE Award recipients.

The pinning of the Cross at the Towman Order ceremony.

Nicolette Auto Body won first place in the Car Carrier category

38 • February 2023 | Towman.com

ACE Awards ceremony.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 39

WreckMaster’s Bruce Campbell instructs full classroom.

James Bennett, Jr. talks on Road Clearance during AT Academy seminar. ERSCA Quick Clearance hands-on training with Shane Coleman.

WreckMaster Rotator Training.

40 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Clinics on show floor open to all attendees.

AT’s Randy Resch teaches towing business strategies.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

WreckMaster Rotator Training.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 41

American Towman Publisher, Dennie Ortiz (second from right), hosting exhibitors.

Presentation of the Donnie Cruse Recovery Award.

42 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Transactions topped $100,000,000 with equipment sales, motor club/service provider discussions, and total business consummated among the 225 exhibitors and thousands of tow bosses on the floor.

Danny Horton at Calitri’s Cuba.

2022 Order of Towman recipients.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 43

TOWMAN HEROICS

44 • February 2023 | Towman.com

RECOGNIZING COURAGE UNDER FIRE AND ACTS OF BRAVERY

The Towman Commendation bronze medal is awarded for Courage Under Fire with a life hanging in the balance. MARYLAND STATE TROOPER

JASON REID

ROCKVILLE “N” BARRACKS; ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND

First time a law enforcement official received a Towman medal.

On May 23, 2022 Maryland State Trooper Jason Reid helped to save an operator’s life when he got trapped under an SUV in Montgomery County, Maryland. The incident happened shortly before 10:30 a.m. when the operator was towing vehicles from a crash on the ramp from eastbound Interstate 495 to southbound Colesville Road in Silver Spring. The 51-year-old towman was working to get a Chevrolet Equinox involved in the crash loaded on the bed of the tow truck. When he went

to attach the winch to the underside of the vehicle, the SUV slipped off the truck bed and fell on him. Trooper Reid immediately recognized the impending danger to the tow operator. With no previous tow-truck training, Trooper Reid, got into the tow truck, figured-out the carrier’s controls, repositioned it underneath the front of the SUV, and was able to use the truck’s bed to lift the vehicle off the tow operator. The towman survived the incident and was transported to the hospital.

The American Towman Medal, portraying a grab hook swinging by a star, is awarded to a tower who has put his or her life at risk while trying to save the life of someone else. The words cast on the rim of the nickel-alloy Medal: For The Simple Act of Bravery.

JT SAGUN

NICK’S TOWING SERVICE; RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY JT Sagun of Nick’s Towing Service in Rutherford, New Jersey, was on his way to work when a tri-axle vehicle loaded with fill tipped onto the driver’s side in the eastbound fast lane at the Totowa/ Little Falls border on Route 46 in New Jersey. Turning on his tow lights, he seized the moment, and headed towards the driver, finding him pinned within the steering wheel, the dashboard and the shifter, bleeding from his face. With the door locked, the windshield had to be removed. Sagun climbed on the cab, and another good Samaritan offered a knife to cut away the rubber gasket holding the windshield in place.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Sagun opened the driver’s door and freed the driver’s leg. The concern was getting him out in case a fire started. Sagun and another towman, Edward Spina, Jr. of ECRB Towing of Bloomfield, New Jersey, brought the driver to the curb, where another good Samaritan gave them a bottle of water so they could wash the blood from his face and determine how seriously he was injured. Police and local firefighters also jumped into action, assisting by taking the driver to a local hospital, where they discovered only minor injuries. Sagun, a former Rochelle Park firefighter, credits his training for his knowledge of basic first aid.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 45

JOHN JAY TASHJIAN

NICK’S TOWING SERVICE; RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY As John Jay “JJ” Tashjian of Nick’s Towing Service was traveling northbound on the New Jersey Turnpike in the early morning hours of January 23, 2022, he noticed a vehicle that had crashed off the roadway. It came to rest in a tall grassy area approximately 50 feet into the meadows—and was on fire. Tashjian was the first person on scene and immediately contacted Nick’s Towing dispatch, who in turn contacted NJ Turnpike Operations and informed them of the situation. Tashjian ran to the burning car and rescued the driver from the vehicle by pulling him out and getting him to safety and warmth inside his tow truck.

Once they were clear of the vehicle, the car became fully engulfed in flames. When the fire was extinguished and the owner of the vehicle was given assistance by the EMS, Nick’s Towing team recovered the vehicle back onto the roadway, where it was safely loaded onto a flatbed and transported to Nick’s Towing Service. “I couldn’t be more proud of John Jay’s efforts,” remarked Nicholas F. Testa, owner of Nick’s. “He is a courageous young man. In this day and age when most people would simply drive by a scenario like this, he instead jumped into action and put himself in jeopardy to save another person.”

ANTONIO JOSEPH

MOON’S TOWING; JEFFERSON, LOUISIANA While traveling on his way home from work on April 2, 2022 along Interstate 10 in Louisiana, Antonio Joseph noticed a car leaving the highway. The car, which had blown a back tire on the passenger side, came across the lane and went into a canal. Four people were in the car: two females, a male, and a young child. Antonio pulled off the highway and ran down into the swampy waters. He yelled to the car’s inhabitants who were in the rushing waters of the canal to establish they could hear him and to assure them that he was going to get

46 • February 2023 | Towman.com

them out. He first instructed the child to roll his window down and to reach his hand on top of the hood. Joseph pulled him to safety and walked him out of the swampy waters, instructing the child to go sit by his tow truck out of harm’s way. Meanwhile, the car continued to sink while Joseph pulled the remaining passengers out of the car. “In some parts of these swamps,” Joseph said, “they go down at least 14 feet deep. So when I saw the car go in, I was just like, ‘I’m gonna get them out’.”

AMERICAN TOWMAN

SILVER STAR THE JOE DOBLMEIER MEMORIAL AWARD The namesake of the Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award overcame the crippling effects of polio and raised a family by operating a trade-show business. Joe was the experienced hand that American Towman’s Steve Calitri called on in 1989, and together they launched the wonderful American Towman Exposition. It quickly became and still is the greatest tow show in the world.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Joe is most remembered for his big warm smile and the sun that seemed to shine upon every day of his life, no matter what the weather brought. The words cast on the Medal known as the Silver Star, were inspired by Joe’s life: “Overcoming Adversity, and, Inspiring an Industry.” On March 25, 2022, Towman Matt Roberts of Curtis Garage and Wrecker Service in Stilesville, Indiana, was helping stranded motorist Joseph Jackson on I-70 in Hendricks County, Indiana, when Jackson shot him and drove off in his tow truck. The shooting happened after the 22-year-old gunman had a mechanical issue with his vehicle and pulled to the shoulder of the interstate near the rest park. Roberts arrived to assist and loaded the vehicle onto his carrier bed. He placed Jackson and his four-year-old daughter in the cab. When Roberts attempted to pull to the side of the road, that’s when Jackson fired shots at him, hitting him five times with a 9 mm handgun. Roberts couldn’t fight back as the gunman’s daughter was in the gunman’s lap.

When Roberts attempted to leave the cab, the gunman shot him three more times before he got on the driver’s side of the cab and drove off. Roberts was in critical condition when medics took him to the hospital, but Indiana Police Officer Jake Smith was able to keep him alert and talking long enough to get details about Jackson. That helped other officers find him, since he had driven off. He was located a short time later by police and apprehended. Investigators also found the man’s child in the truck. Roberts was shot in his back, forearm, suffered a shattered pelvic area, right lung and nerves. He spent a total of 17 days in the hospital, including four days in ICU. Although his recovery is ongoing, Towman Roberts went back to work on October 3rd. “I wanted to get back to work as soon as possible to support my family,” Roberts said. “I love what I do and who I work for. Curtis Garage is an extension of my family.” For overcoming adversity and inspiring an industry, American Towman awards Matt Roberts The Silver Star.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 47

NOVEMBER 16 - 19, 2022

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER

EXHIBITOR ROSTER

*Supplier names in bold are display advertisers in this issue with their ad page number cross-referenced 360 Payments 5Star Specialty Programs AAA - pg. 33 Access Tools Advanced Emergency Products Agero All American Jerr-Dan - pg. N, S, M 91 Alliance Funding Group Allstate Roadside - pg. 71 Amell Insurance Agency American Petroleum Institute American Safety & Supply American Towman Magazine AmeriDeck Anchor Graphics ARI-Hetra Ascentium Capital AT&T - The Wireless Experience Atlanta Wrecker Sales - pg. 76 Austin Insurance Auto Data Direct Autogod Azuga, A Bridgestone Company B/A Products Bad Dog Tools Baremotion Battelini Wrecker Sales BBSI Beacon Funding Benchmark Payment

Brown & Brown Insurance Car-Part.com CardConnect Century Chevron Chevron Commercial - pg. 34 Chevron/WEX Business Fuel Card Collins Dollies Copart Auto Auctions Core Holistics Crouch’s Wrecker & Eq. Sales - pg. 85 Curbside SOS Custer Products - pg. 84 Custom Built MFG DewEze Mfg. DOT Tie Down DRIVE Driverlocate.com Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers - pg. 73 Dynamic Towing Equip. & Mfg. - pg. 29 East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales East Penn Truck Equipment EdgeTec/Hooks - pg. W91 Emergency Responder Safety Institute Emergency Road Service Coalition of America / ERSCA Energy Security Agency Enviromotive Environmental Chemical Solutions Epulse

48 • Februaryr 2023 | Towman.com

Excel Sportswear ExxonMobil FCar Tech USA Federal Signal First Business Bank FirstNet, Built with AT&T FleetNet America Flitz International, LTD FlowStop Frontline Agencies FULLBAY Repair Shop Software Galactic Global Belink Skyexpress Gantt Insurance Agency GEICO Guniwheel Haas Alert Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel HD Trailers Highway Angels Hino Trucks - Back Cover Holmes Honk Technologies Hunter Engineering Huntington Bank i Buy Remotes IAA ICW Group Insurance Illusions Wraps Independent Auto Transporters Alliance Int’l Towing & Rec. Hall of Fame & Mus.

Integrated Vehicle Leasing Intek Truck & Equipment - pg. 32 International Recovery Systems International Trucks J & R Products & Towing Accessories JB Towing Jerr-Dan - Inside Front Cover Joyride Autos Kalyn Siebert Landoll Corporation Lift And Tow Lift Marketing Group Light Safe Apparel Lighthouse Insurance Services Lodar USA - pg. 72 Lynch Truck Group - pg. 67 Madison Capital Marshall & Sterling Insurance Maryland Core Matheny Towing Equipment Matjack - pg. 79 MD Carrier Wrecker Menzel Technologies Metro Tow Trucks Metrocom Miller Industries - pg. 27 Mobile Battery Solutions, A Wrench Co. Mobile Road Service Solutions Mobile Video Computing Solutions Myers Benner Corp.

2022 SPONSORS Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) National Automobile Club National Interstate Insurance Company National Recovery USA Nite Beam Products Nottingham Insurance Novawinch USA NRC Industries NTTS Breakdown Directory OMG Tow Marketing - pg. 89 On Call GPS Video On The Scene Supply / Matheny One Team One Goal / SDMO Foundation Online Impound Auctions - pg. 30 OnlineParkingPass.com Paccar Winch ParkByPlate ParkingPermits of America (PPOA) Parkva Peak Auto Auctions Peddle Penny Pockets Phoenix USA Podium Corp. Pop - A - Lock Pruuvn Purpose Wrecker Sales QuakeLED Questx Towing Services Quick Cash for Remotes R&A Insurance Ramsey Winch Company Ranger SST Razor Wraps RC Industries Recovery Title Solutions Ricky’s Sales & Service Roadside Protect RoadSync Robert Young’s NRC Sales & Service Royal Truck & Equipment RP Recovery RRCATS.com RRL Insurance Safety Vision

Specialty Vehicle Equipment Funding Group Spill Tackle Stamp Works

Events and Specialty Items

Steck Mfg. Co. - pg. 72 Superwinch T-Mobile for Business Talbert Manufacturing - pg. N93 The Hilb Group Tiger Payment Solutions Time-Out Seated Massage Corner TJR Equipment Tow Buddy Tow Life Towbook - Inside Back Cover Towing & Recovery Association of America Towing.com TowingWebsites.com TowMate - pg. 70 TowToolz Trail King Industries - pg. 78 Transit Pros Traxero North America Traxero North America Truck Crane Solutions Tulsa Winch-dp Winch TW Products Two Way Radio Gear U-Haul International UHS Hardware Urgently US Fleet Tracking Vehicle Management Solutions Verdant Commercial Capital Vulcan Warn Industries Webfleet Wellnex Group

Santander Bank - pg. 31 Sepson US ServiCase

West End Service - pg. 77 Whelen Engineering Co. Whiterail Will-Burt Worldwide Wreaths Across America / INA WreckMaster Xpress-Pay Ynot Services Zacklift International Zellner Insurance

Speak Easy Communication - pg. 71

Zip’s AW Direct - pg. 15, 17

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 49

American Wrecker Pageant

BEST OF SHOW BARBOUR’S TOWING & TRUCK REPAIR RALEIGH, NC 1963 MACK 861/HOLMES 750

50 • February 2023 | Towman.com

PRE 2021 LIGHT DUTY

AIMES COLLISION

FREEPORT, NY FORD F550 CHEVRON AUTO LOADER

nd CASINO AUTO BODY, INC.

ROCKAWAY BEACH, NY FORD XLT F550/CENTURY AUTO LOADER

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

rd ALL COUNTY TOWING FREEPORT, NY FORD F550/CHEVRON

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 51

LIGHT DUTY 2021-2022

FULL THROT TLE TRANSPORT OXFORD, MA 2021 DODGE 5500 CHEVRON 408

nd HORTON’S WRECKER SERVICE MANASSAS, VA 2022 FORD F600/JERR-DAN HPL 60

52 • February 2023 | Towman.com

BILL’S SERVICE OF STAMFORD STAMFORD, CT 2021 FORD/CHEVRON

MEDIUM DUTY

LIL PETE’S AUTOMOTIVE MAHOPAC, NY INTERNATIONAL VULCAN V3O

HEAVY DUTY SINGLE

ROBINSON’S TOWING & RECOVERY MECHANICSVILLE, VA 2021 PETERBILT CENTURY

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 53

HEAVY DUTY TANDEM

PRIORITY WRECKER SERVICE BATAVIA, IL 2021 DODGE 5500 CHEVRON 408

4 POINTS TOWING & ROADSIDE SERVICE

CAMDEN, DE 2023 PETERBILT 389/CENTURY 54 • February 2023 | Towman.com

MINNICKS TOWING & RECOVERY WINCHESTER, VA 2022 T880/CENTURY 9055

CAR CARRIER

NICOLET TE AUTO BODY

BELLEVILLE, NJ 2023 PETERBILT 567 NRC 40T

BILL’S SERVICE OF STAMFORD STAMFORD, CT 2021 KENWORTH T880/CHEVRON LCG

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

NON-STOP TOWING & RECOVERY FREEPORT, NY 2022 PETERBILT 337/NRC 20TB

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 55

SERVICE & SUPPORT

FIRST RESPONSE EMERGENCY LIGHTING HANOVER, PA 2015 FORD F550 CUSTOM WORKS BOX

UNTOUCHABLES TOWING

MIDDLETOWN, CT 1996 PETERBILT 379 3-AXLE TRAC TOR

56 • February 2023 | Towman.com

ROTATOR

BILL’S SERVICE OF STAMFORD, CT STAMFORD, CT PETERBILT 389 CENTURY 1150

nd PRIORITY WRECKER SERVICE

BATAVIA, IL 2022 KENWORTH T 880/CENTURY 1075 Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

rd JOEY’S TOWING

DETROIT, MI KENWORTH W990/CENTURY 1140 AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 57

VINTAGE CLASS

RED KING’S INTERSTATE GARAGE EMPORIA, VA 1972 FORD F-350 HOLMES 500

HIBLER & SON’S DBA AL’S GARAGE

BINGHAMTON, NY 1985 CHEVROLET C30/1976 HOLMES 500 58 • February 2023 | Towman.com

BARBOUR’S TOWING & TRUCK REPAIR

RALEIGH, NC 1963 MACK B61/HOLMES 750

BEST WORKING CLASS

EAST COAST AUTO BODY STAMFORD, CT 2019 FORD/CHEVRON

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 59

60 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Once again, the American Towman Wrecker Pageant proved to be the world’s greatest showcase of the towing industry’s amazing wreckers.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 61

See You Next Year At AT EXPO XXXIV November 16-18, 2023 Exhibit hall open Thursday, Friday and Saturday

62 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 63

A Wonder

From Down Under By Steve Temple

he terms used by towmen in New Zealand might differ a bit from those used here in the States, but the recovery methods used are pretty much the same. For instance, a Kenworth K200 tractor unit and six-axle “B-train” had left the road on a winding, hilly Kaikoura backroad. (A “B-train” in New Zealand refers to a tractor unit towing a semitrailer that has a dolly with a fifth wheel on the back end of it, to which another semitrailer is attached.) Some B-trains have short-front/ long-rear configurations, or in the case of this accident, it was a long-front, short-rear type, with a total length including the tractor unit of 23 meters or 75.46 feet. The reason it left the road was put down to speed, and the driver was unhurt except for his pride.

A “B-train” (double trailer) left a hilly New Zealand backroad due to excessive speed.

RESPONDING EQUIPMENT

A Tow Works’ Cormach Knuckleboom crane reached out to remove the steel building frames from the two trailers.

64 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Kenworth K100G with Century 7035 Kenworth K104 with a Vulcan V70 Freightliner Argosy 8x4 with Cormach crane NRC Quickswap DTU JCB Telehandler Hino Transporter Side Puller

Since it was completely off the road at 1600 hours, a decision was made to make a start early the next morning. The job site was 3.5 hours from BTR International’s base in Canterbury, on the south island of New Zealand. (The main base is in Broadfield Christchurch, while a second depot is in Timaru, South Canterbury.) Owned by Nigel Hope, BTR has a staff of four, and equipment includes some names familiar to U.S. operators: a five-axle Kenworth K100G with Century 7035, and a Side Puller, five-axle Kenworth K104 with a Vulcan V70. Also in his fleet is a Freightliner Argosy 8x4 with an Italianmade Cormach crane, and a NRC Quickswap DTU, plus a Volvo FH12 tractor unit, two low-bed transporter trailers, an International 784 winching tractor, Hino 4x2 with HIAB 100 crane and RESPONDING flatdeck/turntable. PERSONNEL Since BTR was real busy, a decision was made Bruce Harris to job-share the recovery to Allan Taylor enable a quick extraction Jake Taylor and delivery of the freight and casualties. The owner Andy Lindstrom of the casualty wanted

◀

While the casualty truck went well off the road, the driver was fortunately unhurt.

BTR’s Nigel Hope organizes training sessions for towers and first responders to help everyone be accountable for their own personal safety.

Safety Matters All Over the Globe One big thing New Zealanders have common with American towmen is a problem with roadside safety. Governmental agencies are trying to drop the max speed across New Zealand from 60 mph to 50 mph, but as Nigel points out, this doesn’t address motorists’ lack of driving skills. As for injured towers, how are they cared for? “In NZ we have a government-funded organization called ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation),” Nigel notes. “If you get hurt anywhere in this

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

country, your medical care is taken care of by the government. We all pay into it with our weekly tax. I’m not saying its outcomes are always good, but is better than no ambulance at all.” He adds that part of the Worksafe NZ organization’s efforts is to make everyone accountable for their own personal safety. The next level up is employer commitment, and corporate comes in at the top. The legal system is different down under, too. “You can be fined here for not taking

any action to prevent an incident or not taking steps to minimize harm in any form,” Nigel points out. “We can’t sue people here in New Zealand for things like you guys do.” There’s another difference as well. In a country of four million, the actual number of tow truck operators is not high, Nigel says. And at any one time there may be only 40 heavy units spread throughout the country, and coverage means some areas are four to five hours from a suitable unit.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 65

Hauling the B-train back on the roadway required teamwork with several operators, since the number of New Zealand tow companies is fairly small.

the truck and trailers taken north to his depot, which was about a threehour trip, so Nigel enlisted TRl Kenworth from Blenheim with its NRC Quickswap, and from the south was Tow Works’ K200 and Miller DTU, along with BTR’s Kenworth K100G and Century 7035. Also supplied by Tow Works was a JCB Telehandler and Hino transporter. With traffic management in place, a start was made using Tow Works’ Cormach Knuckleboom crane to reach out and remove the steel building frames from the two trailers. These were landed on the road and scooped up by the JCB and

stacked on the owner’s flatdeck unit. What the team didn’t know was that when the Kenworth went over a concrete retaining wall, its front axle had been seriously compromised by shorn-off bolts that had once connected the suspension to the chassis. With all the loose frames removed, a start was made to haul out the rear trailer which went well. The next step was to remove the truck and first trailer. The Century 7035 provided the pull, while the other two units used “Holmes trees” for extra rigging to enable the Kenworth to clear the wall as it was pulled back. Once back up on the

Tow Works’ K200, hooked up to the rest of the company’s fleet, assisted in the recovery.

66 • February 2023 | Towman.com

The owner of the truck requested transporting the tractor to his yard.

roadway, the Kenworth was chained up and all the loose bits secured for its tow back to the owner’s yard. The trailers were towed by the other two Kenworths back to a nearby yard for further onward travel. Considering the original info supplied, the team did well to get it all out in a timely manner, by building on teamwork from different companies many miles from each other. All told, these recovery procedures from “down under” are what any experienced American Towman can relate to.

The front axle had been seriously compromised by shorn-off bolts that had once connected the suspension to the chassis.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 67

Tow Engineer

The Towmobile An Innovative Custom-Built Snowmobile Rotator By George L. Nitti

I George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009. He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

n northern Ontario, where more than 20,000 miles of groomed snow trails are connected and maintained by a federation of snowmobile clubs, it takes a unique vision and dedication to rescue stranded snowmobilers. “A lot of people break down and get stuck and don’t have anyone to call,” noted Domenic Lacaria, owner and designer of a unique snowmobile with the essential functions of a tow truck. “I wanted to combine my love for designing with my love for snowmobiling. When I was snowmobiling and broke down a couple of times, I had no one to rescue me.” With a little help from Lacaria’s Facebook page, plus word of mouth and some clever ads on tourist billboards around surrounding snowmobile communities like Timmins, Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls, and Kapuskasing, somehow stranded snowmobilers found Lacaria’s service. The Towmobile an 800-pound boom and three-feet wide outriggers.

68 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Part of Lacaria’s snowmobile recovery fleet includes a “star unit,” you might say. With a background in engineering, Lacaria designed and patented a specially operated snowmobile rotator he calls the Towmobile. And he labeled it with a fitting business name, the acronym S.T.A.R, which stands for Snowmobile Towing Assistance and Recovery. Sitting four feet wide by 18.5 feet long, this bright red unit is powered by a car engine that came in the Alpina Sherpa snowmobile. It is a Ford 1.6L, 4-cylinder, 16-valve motor that’s computer controlled and fuel injected, with dual O2 sensors and a catalytic converter for low emissions. It delivers 115 hp and 114 lb/ft of torque. The transmission has both high gear and low gears, neutral, and reverse. The top speed is about 40 mph. The rotator has an 800-pound boom, hydraulic pump system, winch and cables, custom built toolboxes, threefeet wide outriggers, a heated cab with heated seats, and other devices common to the towing and recovery trade. To fabricate his Snowmobile, Lacaria removed a service crane off a pickup truck that was used to lift out big tires and modified it. “I took off the original winch motor and pulley and added four winches,” he explained. “I had to custom build all the pulley sheave housings, and cable guides.” How does this unique rig handle now with all these modifications?

◀

Although the boom can lift 3200 pounds, in this application it is designed to lift 1000 pounds, with the heaviest of snowmobiles weighing 600 to 700 pounds.

Sitting four feet wide by 18.5 feet long, Towmobile is powered by a car engine that came in the Alpina Sherpa snowmobile.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 69

With more than 20,000 miles of snow trails in northern Ontario, the Towmobile has a lot of territory to cover for recoveries.

“The Towmobile is more like a transport truck. You don’t take it off road because it is heavy, weighing 4500 pounds,” noted Lacaria. “It’s designed with a lot of pulling power and dual wide tracks. I extended the whole thing by seven feet. The tracks, motor and hood are all original.” Although the boom can lift 3200

70 • February 2023 | Towman.com

pounds, in this application it is designed to lift 1000 pounds, with the heaviest of snowmobiles weighing 600 to 700 pounds. He said most snowmobiles that he recovers with his Towmobile average 500 pounds. Getting stuck on a snowmobile could be an all-day affair if not for Lacaria, who will travel a radius

of two hours to recover stranded drivers. He pointed out that, “You can run snowmobiles for two to three hours between cities, and if you break down in the bush you may have a 30-mile walk to the main road. You are in bare land.” Not where you want to be stuck, particularly as night approaches and

temperatures really dip down! “Sometimes snowmobilers get their machines stuck in a creek in freezing conditions,” Lacaria related. “One guy last year lost three of his fingertips trying to get it out. That’s one of the main concerns—not just towing the sled, but also getting the people out of the cold and back to town.” The Towmobile’s heated cab is an essential feature, providing warmth in a seriously cold environment. Since the Towmobile is a big unit, it is not frequently used for many of the jobs that Lacaria will do. Many of his recoveries require a nimbler approach with a smaller machine and sleigh. “If the recovery is more than 300 feet off trail, then I will take another snowmobile,” Lacaria explained. “I will find out where the person is and drive along with the trailer and bring it to the nearest road crossing and

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 71

The STAR logo stands for “Snowmobile Towing Assistance and Recovery,” and this rig also handles accident cleanup and trailside repairs.

leave the truck and trailer on the side of the road and offload it, go down the trail and do the recovery, take it back to my truck and then drive them and their snowmobile back to town.” As for the work, Lacaria notes that he goes out every other day, sometimes two times a day, and calculates his fees on a rough hourly rate, the distance he has to travel, how far down a trail he will need to go, and the weight of the machine. Word of this novel wrecker is now spreading.

72 • February 2023 | Towman.com

The custom winch setup was added to a service crane for lifting big tires off a pickup truck.

The cab is heated and has heated seats, essential features in the Great White North.

“Actually, I’ve been getting calls across the northern states as well as Canada looking to purchase the Towmobile,” he said. As for the future, Lacaria would like to expand

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

his business.“I want to grow and encompass the whole province,” he related. “I want to work with existing towing companies and add to their list of things that they can do.”

Meanwhile, should you find yourself stranded in Lacaria’s neck of the woods on your snowmobile, keep his number handy: 1-833-SNOW-TOW.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 73

My Baby

Photos by Kevin Stafford, High.Res.Kev photography

In the Pink This Trophy Truck is a Tribute to Mom By Steve Temple

Bobby DeMarco applied intricate pin striping both inside and out.

74 • February 2023 | Towman.com

dam Essex has hit a few rough spots in the road of life. His father died when he was only nine, so it was “Me and my mother against the world.” Mom Ann Marie Essex was later afflicted with both MS and breast cancer several years ago—but the latter is fortunately now in remission. As for her son Adam, his work as a tower began at the age of 18, working for his uncle’s company, and he later took that over. Yet he frankly admits that at the time, he

was “young and dumb” and ran into some money problems, so he took a couple years off. Adam later got back on track, though, and founded Full Throttle Transport. As the name implies, he’s now got his pedal to the metal, with plenty of business to afford this trophy-winning 2021 Dodge Ram 5500 with a Chevron 408TA wrecker body by Miller Industries. He bought the tow truck about a year ago from Purpose Wrecker, and is quick to point out that he wouldn’t be where he’s at today without Ann Marie. Drawing on his background on the truck and car show c i rc u i t ,

◀

TECH HIGHLIGHTS 2021 Dodge Ram 5500 Laramie Edition Engine: Cummins 6.7L Body: Miller Industries Chevron 408TA with dual 9,000-pound winches and 16,000-pound capacity on boom Custom Features: 26-inch Liberty Forged rims with Lexani tires; Katzkin leather upholstery with stitched embroidery; Mobile Car Pro audio; lasercut mud flap weights; pink synthetic rope; 24 pink “rock lights” under the truck; vinyl wrap and pinstriping, watermelon-style LEDs and Ecco light bar Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 75

he decided to dress up his new Ram as a tribute to all the love and support she’s given him over the years. So in addition to pink ribbon graphics for breast cancer awareness,

76 • February 2023 | Towman.com

meticulously painted on ornate pin striping throughout, even on the door jambs and T-bar. This combination of a wrap with custom paint made it a real standout at American Towman’s Expo in Baltimore. Other upgrades included pink synthetic wire rope, laser-cut mudflap weights, Katzkin embroidered leather Extensive custom illumination includes underbody pink “rock upholstery, and lights" to match the body color. underbody pink “rock lights” to match the he had Graffiti Wraps apply his his body color. He also company logo, and Illusion Wraps added custom lighting, installing covered the body in vinyl. For stainless panels with protruding extra detailing, Bobby DeMarco watermelon-style multicolored LEDs. of DeMarco Truck Lettering Mounted above the headache rack is

Full Throttle Transport isn’t just a company name—it’s a tow business mindset too.

an Ecco light bar. Some of Adam’s fellow towers question whether those snazzy 26-inch Liberty Forged rims are too pretty for towing, but he points out that while it’s a show truck, “It’s not going to make me any money if it’s parked.” Note that some of his tow business includes recovering skid steers for landscapers, so

he’s not worried about getting a little bit of mud on his rims. (And during snowy weather he can switch them out to factory 19.5-inch wheels.) He’s also found that the vivid visuals help to promote his business. Indeed, at American Towman’s 2022 Baltimore Expo where he won 1st place in the light-duty truck category,

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

◀

Custom-stitched Katzkin leather upholstery dresses up the cockpit.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 77

Those snazzy 26-inch Liberty Forged rims wrapped with Lexani rubber aren’t just for show, as Adam points out that his wrecker, “is not going to make me any money if it’s parked.”

U-Haul reps couldn’t help noticing his wrecker and arranged to have Adam tow the company’s rental trucks. And he also gets lots of praise and recognition on the road from potential customers. “It’s a giant billboard,” he grins. Some onlookers think that due to all the vibrant graphics on his wrecker, he must be a high-dollar operator, but

78 • February 2023 | Towman.com

he says he’s actually more affordable than many competitors. So how did Ann Marie react when she saw all the effort Adam went to? “She got a little emotional,” he shared. “It was a speechless moment.” He also enjoys sharing the truck with the rest of his family, cruising around with son Wyatt, age two, and wife Jessica, who’s part

owner of Full Throttle Transport. What does the future hold for Adam? He plans to grow his fleet, which includes a Jerr-Dan carrier right now, and get into medium-duty wreckers. And they’ll likely receive the same sort of special treatment as his light-duty Ram, since “Everything gets the Full Throttle touch!”

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 79

80 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 81

Classic Wrecker

The Secret of My Success How a ’58 Chevy Wrecker Became a Driving Inspiration By Steve Temple and Heather Miles Austin

ore than 70 years ago Jerry Brock was a young teenager working in his father Lemar’s auto salvage yard in Tempe, Arizona. Jerry pulled parts from wrecked cars, and sliced them up with a cutting torch. Back then the company got $35 a ton for scrap metal.

Later on he became responsible for towing wrecked vehicles that he had bought for the salvage yard, using a ’58 Chevy and a Holmes 525 Split Boom setup. Soon, with the addition of a radio that was unusual back then, Jerry was busy towing for the Tempe Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff's office and the Arizona Highway Patrol. As word spread of his responsiveness and availability,

demand for his services grew. Nobody else in town had a radio, and he took calls at all hours. "I didn’t miss a call day or night,” Brock explained. "Even if we went out to dinner we took the tow truck. We simply bundled up my six-year-old daughter Alex and the whole family would go along for the pickup.” Little did he know how those early days of towing would lead to a much bigger success in the aftermarket parts business. While towing was a source of extra income for the young father, it also

Jerry Brock’s tribute truck was nicely restored with a Holmes 525 Split Boom setup, but the nameplate on the headache rack took some extra effort to find.

82 • February 2023 | Towman.com

provided tremendous salvage opportunities. Jerry capitalized by purchasing some vehicles from his towing jobs, and eventually opened up his own yard in 1963. After five or six years, though, Jerry had to make a decision. He had just implemented a new hotline service (long before internet technology), which eventually linked together a network of 150 salvage yards, and he needed to be traveling much more frequently. Jerry Brock owes his success to his decades of experience as both a tower and owner of a large aftermarket parts company, Brock Supply Company. He couldn't keep towing and meet the increased demand of both the hotline and auto salvage yard. “I enjoyed towing so much, but I had to make a decision to dedicate myself completely to the auto salvage business and capitalize on the opportunity the new hotline created,” Jerry recalled. So in 1967, “I sold my beloved truck for $2,500 and from then on focused completely on the new hotline and salvage yard.” Today he has built a reputation as a national leader in the wholesale auto parts industry through Brock Supply Company, with three locations and 85 employees. But he never forgot that good ol’ Chevy, which was the driving inspiration for his success. His wrecker and tow business taught him the importance of treating customers right, fairly and consistently, and instilled a lot of Upgrades to his ’58 Chevy included a 350 crate engine, and extra lighting. Plus he had detailed scale models made to match as well. tenacity in him as well. “That truck was so important to wondered if it would be possible to friend Ronnie Bauman of Bauman Services in Riverside, me early in my career and I loved the find and restore my truck from many Tow years earlier.” California, who had been collecting towing business,” Jerry related. “I Encouraged by long-time and restoring cars for decades have restored several cars and often

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 83

himself, Jerry started the long journey of tracking down his truck. Unbelievably, he located the original buyer, Marvin Tipton in Tacna, Arizona, and found out that he had sold it to another gentleman that had since passed away. From there the trail went cold for months. Jerry contacted customers and friends from all over the nation to try to find the original truck. In doing so, he enjoyed many stories and made new connections with other tow truck owners answering the call for information, but his original ’58 Chevy, 525 Holmes Wrecker remained out of reach. At Bauman’s urging, Jerry decided instead to restore another pickup as a tribute, using parts from other yards and his company Brock Supply, and three different trucks. He found a Holmes 525 in Yuma, Arizona, which didn’t have the nameplate on the headache rack, but he was able to find one in New Mexico after a diligent search. All told, the project received a frameup restoration, along with a fresh 350 Chevy crate motor, chromed rims, an array of 30 lights, and all the modern conveniences, such as power steering and air conditioning. The truck would eventually win many trophies and also participate in a number of parades. Coincidentally, just a month or so after the restoration was completed, Jerry got a surprising call from truck restorer Chuck McBee in Phoenix. After he described LITE-IT UP several unique characteristics of the WITH old wrecker, including the initials CUSTER PRODUCTS JB cut into the steel backplate, Jerry was finally convinced that it was his original truck. He met with Chuck and although the vehicle wasn’t for sale, he was able to come full circle and finally close the mystery as to what happened to his original truck. He looks back fondly on these experiences. “The entire restoration process has brought back so many memories of what this town and this industry used to be like,” Jerry recalled. “It is nice to remember all the individuals I've worked with and learned from over the years. This truck isn't just a tribute to my business success; it signifies the efforts of hundreds of individuals who have supported me through the years and reminds each of us about the values this industry was founded on—hard work, entrepreneurship and www.custerproducts.com • 800-490-3158 teamwork.” 84 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 85

Towman’s Market

TOWKING NETWORK Dispatch Dedicated towing dispatchers for night, weekend and holiday service.

www.ExcelTees.com

$6 per Hour Special Introductory Offer

562-306-5107

STRONG ARM YOUR AUTO-LOADER…

SLEEVE IT!!

The L-Arm Protector Sleeve • The only product designed to protect L-Arms of self-loaders. • No upgradable L-Arms available for sale or even manufactured. • Available in a variety of *colors-custom and hi-vis. • Patented, trademarked and manufactured in USA. • L-Arm Protector Sleeves made of A500 steel.

Anything stronger, and it would be armor plating. jrproducts2021@gmail.com

682-321-6227

*Custom colored sleeves require additional fee and delivery time.

To Advertise In Towman’s Market CALL

800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com

86 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Simple. Reliable. Efficient.

800-428-4715 www.traxero.com

Supplier Scoop More AAA Benefits

AAA now has several new suppliers in its network of industry-leading organizations offering exclusive benefits on products and services. Check out the following links: Blink networkofsavings.aaa.biz/blink/ Haas networkofsavings.aaa.biz/haas/ Mobile Video Computing Solutions networkofsavings.aaa.biz/mvcsol/ Visit NetworkofSavings.AAA.Biz for more information

Charging EVs With Ford F-150 Hybrid

When outfitted with Ford’s Pro Power Onboard Technology, the F-150 pickup features vehicle-to-vehicle charging capabilities, allowing them to lend power to EVs with dead batteries. The Ford F-150 PowerBoost hybrid features a 7.2 kW onboard generator. According to EV Pulse, a YouTube channel that specializes in EVs, it took three hours to charge a Tesla from 50 to 90 percent. The F-150 consumed a little over three gallons of fuel, translating to roughly 32 miles of driving range per gallon. EV Pulse points out that while a generator is a far more affordable option for charging an EV than a Ford F-150 hybrid, the truck’s generator capabilities have more than just one functionality. It can also provide power for campsites, power tools and other necessary electronics. In related EV news, Ford Motor Company has filed a patent published in January 2023 for a portable vehicle charging system. As depicted in this patent, the system would utilize GPS data to determine what sort of connection and charging current might be necessary, at which point the system could update its own settings to accommodate that information. In general, numerous patents have been filed for everything from portable charging solutions to those that depict other vehicles charging EVs while towing them, and even roads that are able to provide charge on the go. Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Cummins’ Hydrogen Fueled Engines

While the news is full of consumer EV applications, commercial trucks still don’t have a popular electric alternative yet. Big trucks could possibly use hydrogen to become zero-emission vehicles and offer the power required for heavy workloads. A new Cummins engine lineup that uses hydrogen instead of diesel will reduce harmful pollutants to zero. To fuel it, Cummins recently announced plans for a new 500-megawatt electrolyzer facility in Fridley, Minnesota, to produce hydrogen gas. This facility would be powered by renewable energy, making it a carbon-neutral facility. So we might be getting closer to seeing the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine become the B6.7H model, the hydrogen version of this engine which could replace many diesel models and still provide about the same output. The new 6.7-liter hydrogen engine is rated at 290 horsepower and 886 lb/ft of torque, similar to what we see in the 6.7-liter Cummins diesel engine. This new hydrogen engine would provide plenty of power for medium-duty trucks, and can be easily integrated with existing diesel drivetrain components. Source: cummins.com

TRAA’s Online Directory

TRAA has a new online directory which can be found on TRAA’s website. It was specifically designed to help the motoring public locate member companies in their area, and for members to locate their peers. Functionality includes the ability to search by location, service type, and/ or directory category. Tow companies are encouraged to (add to) take a look and check that your directory information is up to date. If you need to update or change your company listing, simply login to your online TRAA account. Source: TRAA

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 87

Case Closed

When Words Are Not So Cheap By Josh Brown, Esq.

Josh Brown is an attorney at Cassone Law Offices, LLC. where he represents dozens of small businesses throughout Ohio as business counsel and litigator.

hat do you do if you believe someone is doing something harmful, but you don’t want to invite a defamation lawsuit? To illustrate, in Ohio, a pastor ran into such a situation. A member of his congregation admitted to sexual abuse of a minor. The pastor felt a duty to make sure everyone knew about it, and obviously, to stay away from him. The parishioner sued the Pastor for defamation. The trial court found in favor of the pastor, saying that he had a duty to make the disclosure to protect members of congregation. The alleged defamatory statements were protected by qualified privilege, and were based on a factual foundation, so therefore pastor did not act with malice. Meanwhile, in another case, the court dealt with a different situation. An accounting firm was auditing the books of another firm. When the auditors found out the accounting firm was insolvent, the auditors notified the firm’s clients and others in the industry. Turns out that the firm 88 • February 2023 | Towman.com

audited had a plan for how they were handling that matter. This firm had access to personal funds from an investor that the auditors were not aware of. So the auditors were liable for defamation because they did not have full information, and spoke too soon.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY?

The recovery and towing business is highly competitive and can be volatile at times. As a lawyer, I represent many companies that are upset with something the police said, or another company said, or something a customer said. The easiest situation is when you simply want to state your opinion. Generally speaking, you have a right to state your opinion.

What you do not have a right to do is state facts that are clearly not true. Sometimes an opinion is not protected if it is directly linked to or implies false assertions. In one case, a defendant accused the plaintiff of taking money corruptly by putting out a picture of two hands exchanging money under a table. The court found that this was an implied statement of fact, and the meaning was clear. The defendant admitted he was aware of no fact to justify his assertion of corruption.

WHEN CAN YOU SPEAK?

Another problem is when you have a duty to speak. Both the pastor and the accounting firm above felt they had a duty to speak. However, the pastor had an admission in hand. He had no agenda other than to protect his people. In contrast, the accounting firm did not have full information. They relied on an unreliable or incomplete source. When you have a duty to protect other individuals, you may have “qualified privilege.” According to one Ohio court, “The purpose of a qualified privilege is to protect

You do not have a right to state facts that are clearly not true. speakers in circumstances where there is a need for full and unrestricted communication concerning a matter in which the parties have an interest or duty. A qualified privilege exists when a statement is: made in good faith on any subject matter in which the person communicating has an interest, or in reference to which he has a right or duty, if made to a person having a corresponding interest or duty on a privileged occasion and in a manner and under circumstances fairly warranted by the occasion and duty, right or interest… Further, the essential elements

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

of a communication protected by qualified privilege are: [1] good faith, [2] an interest to be upheld, [3] a statement limited in its scope to this purpose, [4] a proper occasion, and [5] publication made in a proper manner and to proper parties only.”

MISSING THE MARK

As an example of not meeting these standards, an insurance agent stated her opinion to the police that a tow company’s rates were too high. However, her “opinion” was based on faulty information and it was discovered that she had another agenda. The agent had a bad history and relationship with the company. So the agent caused serious damages to the company. Did the insurance agent have qualified privilege? She could argue she was protecting the public interest by reporting overly high rates. She could argue that she limited her statements to just the issue of

the rates, and that she did it on the proper occasion to the proper parties only. But it was all just a pretext to her real desire, which was to inflict damage on the tow company. Even then, she would probably be protected. However, again, her fatal flaw was her failure to ensure that she had proper and full information. Rather than reporting overly high rates, she would have been well served to simply ask the police to look into the rates for themselves. Words are cheap. But if you are going to damage someone with your words, they may not remain so cheap in a defamation lawsuit. Thus, there is a good chance she will be liable for the damages she caused. If you are going to state something that causes significant harm to another, you should check with your attorney first, to be sure you state it in the best possible way.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • 89

Lowdown

The Value of Daily News By Steve Calitri

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

e were the first tow industry media to go online; in 1996, we were AmericanTowmanOnline.com, or ATOL. Each morning showed the latest news in towing. Most of the news was germane to a local area, though relevant in a broader sense to all towmen. ATOL back then ranged from 1,000 to 5,000 daily viewers. We created TowIndustryWeek.com with the goal of distilling the news around the country, and posting the week’s most relevant, or what every tow boss should want to be aware of. Beyond this, we would post news daily if a most recent news item gleaned from the Internet was deemed important enough. Monthly readership reached 30,000 tow industry personnel. Now Tow Industry Week has committed to posting news each day, Monday through Friday at the top of the Front Page, while still distilling the news for its weekly presentation. Why go the extra nine yards? Towmen have one of the most challenging roles in commerce, while the path to profitability is narrow. The more the tow boss knows, the better he is capable of navigating the business and towing service through the red tape, regulations, and other adverse forces.

90 • February 2023 | Towman.com

The news he finds on TIW often sheds light on critical issues: regulated nonconsensual rates, tow operator pay, procedural regulations, legal consequences… Occasionally there are news items pertaining to the legal consequences of failure to comply with red tape involved with selling off abandoned vehicles…failure to report cash revenues to the IRS…or the unfortunate tow boss caught by authorities for procuring a city contract by illicit means. Sometimes a tow boss will read about another tow boss across the country who stood up to city hall to regain his spot on the rotation list…or the towman who sued the city and won. Thousands of TIW readers have read news items of a city somewhere that hiked its rates paid for nonconsensual tows, and then asked themselves, “Why am I towing for half that?” It’s fair to say that the news in Tow Industry Week has spurred reactions in towers lobbying city councils for higher pay. More than any other entity in our industry, Tow Industry Week has increased the awareness of the toll that working the white lines takes. Towers, understanding the roads are a dangerous place to work, became aware of the breadth of the danger as TIW reported tow operators being struck and killed each week. The heightened awareness motivated towing’s leaders to push for the Slow Down, Move Over law, now a reality in all 50 states. It also eventually spurred our own activism and American Towman’s launch of the now legendary Spirit Ride. Beyond all the news that TIW has been delivering weekly, it includes exclusive features on business operations, recovery jobs, and our industry’s amazing contribution to the world of art with its wreckers, found on the Tow Illustrated page. For towmen of all stripes, TIW is the most exciting .com there is. Tow Industry Week has helped drive many tow business owners to the advertisers on its pages. I can tell you TIW has driven many readers to our show web sites and our digital American Towman Magazine. This is testament that industry news matters to the health of towmen and suppliers alike.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • North 91

News Flash on January 3 and 4 is putting tow truck drivers across the state in overdrive and working overtime. Tony Robinson, with Bobby and Steve’s Auto World of Minneapolis, reported working a nonstop schedule for several days. Robinson said at one point Wednesday afternoon he had more than 50 people who called needing help, and he Towers came to the rescue after a severe snowstorm. and his crew members Tow Company Frees were scheduled well past midnight to Buried Trucks try and reach as many customers as A major winter storm that hit Sioux possible. Falls on Monday, January 2 left sever“If you call to get a tow, we’re al truckers stranded in four-foot snow looking at, like, maybe five to six drifts at a rest stop off of I-90 where hours until we can get to you,” rethey were marooned for three days. called Robinson. “AAA is our No. 1 The truckers were waiting for the provider, and they just stack up the state to clear the rest area but they calls, and so we have to get to them never showed up. Finally, Dick’s Tow- first and squeeze in the other people ing of Mitchell, South Dakota arrived in between.” with a heavy-duty wrecker. Sources: “I pulled three of them out yesterkstp.com day, and they were in the ditch,” noted cbsnews.com tow operator Keith Crago. “We had to have another wrecker hold them up 2022 Winter Freeze so they wouldn’t tip over. It’s been Slams Towers crazy.” Yet one by one the frozen and Frigid temperatures sweeping snow-trapped trucks were set free by across the country stole the limelight a capable crew of towmen. this week, keeping towers working Source: keloland.com around the clock. Just before Christmas, Bellingham, Washington was hit with their third-worst snowfall on record in the last 22 years. Berk’s A record snowstorm that dumped Towing of Bellingham reported that over 12 inches of snow in Minnesota they were too busy to help most people, focusing most of their efforts on helping emergency vehicles such as ambulances and snowplows. “Things are really, really bad,” pointed out owner Rita Ratzlaff. “There are trucks all over the place, in the ditch, and Towman Tony Robinson hooked up a stricken car in Minneapolis.

Towers Deluged by Record Storm in Minnesota

North 92 • February 2023 | Towman.com

As Buffalo got hit by a blizzard, towers were challenged by the elements and their working conditions.

we are slammed. The phone just rings off the hook.” Further south, an ice storm in Portland, Oregon reportedly kept Anaya Towing going 24/7, as their call volume spiked from an average of five calls a day to more than 30. As arctic temperatures spread eastward, hitting America’s heartland, Seyer’s Garage in Missouri reported a spike in calls from stranded motorists, averaging 30 to 40 a day. In Western New York, the city of Buffalo was hit by a treacherous blizzard, claiming upwards of 44 lives. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the freezing event will “go down in history as Buffalo’s most devastating storm.” One headline read: “In Buffalo, First Responders had to Save Fellow First Responders.” Dan Rusiniak of Rusiniak’s Towing observed that, “We’re busy, busy. There are still cars and trucks everywhere.” One heartening story reported by the NY Times involved a tower who helped a stranded driver deliver insulin to her husband. On Christmas morning, Chris Giardina, who owns Jardys Towing & Recovery in Buffalo, received an urgent call from a woman stuck in a snowbank.“She called me panicking,” he said. Giardina revved up his tow truck and pulled her as close to home as he could get through roads that were nearly impassable with snow. “She does not have any power,” Mr. Giardina added. “But the main thing is he’s got his insulin.” Sources: nytimes.com kwch.com wdam.com bellinghamherald.com

Kind Words and Support for Fallen Towman Jonathan Begley

Jonathan Begley, a 41-year-old towman who died on the job in Columbus, Georgia, was put to rest as his loved ones and other towmen gathered at a Hilton Hotel to memorialize him on Wednesday, December 21. “We’re out here to really support the one last ride and lay our brother to rest, Jonathan Begley, and really show our support to the family and really show what he meant to us,” said Chuck Griffin, who hired Jonathan at Griffin and Griffin Towing. “He was an outspoken person,” said his co-worker, Danny Williams. “He

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • North 93

was loving. He was caring. And anything we would ask him to help us do, he did it.” During the service, State Representative Elect Teddy Reese presented Jonathan’s family with a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Skip Henderson. Begley’s employer, Griffin and Griffin Towing Company gave them a plaque and bought Christmas gifts for his children. One of his co-workers fought tears while remembering their final moments. “If you have someone that you love that you have not told that you love them, please reach out and do it ‘cus I lost a best friend,” shared an-

other co-worker, Chester Grantham. Source: wtvm.com

Tower Terminated Over GPS Tracking

North 94 • February 2023 | Towman.com

location appeared on a digital map used to manage the business’ entire tow truck fleet. “He left [the GPS app] on, and he got caught going someplace else. And that’s what he didn’t like,” said Miguel Matos, the owner of Aces Towing and Auto Repair. “We weren’t watching you. You said you were going to be home.” After discovering Leady was not at home, a termination letter was drafted that cited several prior offenses including attendance issues, damage to a tow truck, and a conflict with another employee. The “last issue” leading to Leady’s termination, according to the letter, was because “(during) the monitoring of other drivers, Gary was found not at home all day, but running around and then found at another towing company. “He wasn’t trustworthy. That was a problem,” Matos said. “We couldn’t trust him with anything.” Source: clickorlando.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • North 95

North 96 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 22

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

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • South 91

Towers Deluged by Record Storm in Minnesota

South 92 • February 2023 | Towman.com

As Buffalo got hit by a blizzard, towers were challenged by the elements and their working conditions.

Kind Words and Support for Fallen Towman Jonathan Begley

in anticipation of a continued increase in loan defaults. Source: nbcnews.com

Jonathan Begley, a 41-year-old towman who died on the job in Columbus, Georgia, was put to rest as his loved ones and other towmen gathered at Jonathan Begley, who was killed three weeks ago in Georgia, a Hilton Hotel to memori- was laid to rest and memorialized, December 21. alize him on Wednesday, payment for a new car is up 26 perDecember 21. “We’re out here to really support cent since 2019 to $718, with nearly the one last ride and lay our brother one in six new car buyers spending to rest, Jonathan Begley, and really more than $1000 a month on vehishow our support to the family and cles. “These repossessions are occurreally show what he meant to us,” ring on people who could afford that said Chuck Griffin, who hired Jona$500 or $600 a month payment two than at Griffin and Griffin Towing. years ago, but now everything else “He was an outspoken person,” in their life is more expensive,” obsaid his co-worker, Danny Williams. served Ivan Drury, Director of Insights “He was loving. He was caring. And at the car-buying website Edmunds. anything we would ask him to help us “That’s where we’re starting to see do, he did it.” the repossessions happen because During the service, State Repit’s just everything else starting to pin resentative Elect Teddy Reese preyou down.” sented Jonathan’s family with a procConsequently, the repo business lamation on behalf of Mayor Skip is having a hard time keeping up, as Henderson. 30 percent of repo firms left the busiBegley’s employer, Griffin and ness when repo rates plummeted in Griffin Towing Company gave them 2020. Jeremy Cross, the president a plaque and bought Christmas gifts of International Recovery Systems for his children. One of his co-workin Pennsylvania, said he can’t find ers fought tears while remembering enough repo men to meet the detheir final moments. mand. He said lenders are paying him “If you have someone that you premiums to repossess their cars first love that you have not told that you love them, please reach out and do it ‘cus I lost a best friend,” shared another co-worker, Chester Grantham. Source: wtvm.com

Tower Terminated Over GPS Tracking

Tow truck driver Gary Leady contends that his employer, Ace’s Towing and Auto Repair of Leesburg, Florida, terminated him when his GPS Towbook app on his phone alerted the company that he was at another tow company where he had filled out a job application. Leady had reported to his company early in the morning that he was taking the day off in order to stay at home with his kids. “I feel like my privacy was violated,” Leady said. “When I’m not working, on my personal time in my personal vehicle, that’s none of their business at all.” Ace’s insists the company was not specifically monitoring Leady when his GPS location appeared on a digital map used to manage the business’ entire tow truck fleet. “He left [the GPS app] on, and he got caught going someplace else. And that’s what he didn’t like,” said Miguel Matos, the owner of Aces Towing and Auto Repair. “We weren’t watching you. You said you were going to be home.” After discovering Leady was not at home, a termination letter was drafted that cited several prior offenses including attendance issues, damage to a tow truck, and a conflict with

◀

Car Repos Rising

Car repossessions continue to rise, as consumers fall behind on their car payments due to higher car prices and prolonged inflation, according to a report by NBC News. Loan defaults now exceed where they were in 2019, pre-pandemic. Economists are predicting 2023 to continue that trend, with increasing unemployment, high inflation and dwindling household savings. The average monthly

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Aces Towing and Recovery discovered an employee’s whereabouts because he forgot to turn off his GPS app.

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • South 93

another employee. The “last issue” leading to Leady’s termination, according to the letter, was because “(during) the monitoring of other drivers, Gary was found not at home all day, but running around and then found at another towing company. “He wasn’t trustworthy. That was a problem,” Matos said. “We couldn’t trust him with anything.” Source: clickorlando.com

Detroit Towman Shoots and Kills Armed Robber

In what police are calling self-defense, a Detroit tow truck driver shot and killed an armed robber on December 26 after an attempted robbery. The Detroit Police Department said the alleged armed robber was targeting the tow truck driver without realizing he had a concealed pistol license. The suspected robber was taken

to a local hospital, where he died. Nearby towing companies said the altercation is a sobering reminder of the dangers of the job. “t (sb It’s) is all about safety and going home at the end of your shift,” said Lenny Baldwin, owner of U Win Towing. The Detroit Police Department said it will hand the investigation over to the Wayne County prosecutor for review. There was no indication that the tow truck driver would face impending charges. Source: fox17online.com

Texas Tower Killed in Hit and Run

A tow truck driver was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday, December 10 near Goldthwaite, Texas. Authorities said Patrick Morin, 61, was loading and securing a vehicle onto his tow truck when an unknown pickup truck failed to move over or

South 94 • February 2023 | Towman.com

slow down and struck him. The pickup truck fled the scene after the accident. Morin was pronounced dead at the scene. The sus- Patrick Morin died after pect, 38-year- a pickup failed to slow old Kerry down and move over. Coates “KC” Kavanaugh, was later arrested and has been charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in death. Source: fox44news.com

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • South 95

South 96 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 22

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

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • Midwest 91

Towers Deluged by Record Storm in Minnesota

Midwest 92 • February 2023 | Towman.com

As Buffalo got hit by a blizzard, towers were challenged by the elements and their working conditions.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • Midwest 93

Supplier Scoop Photo Card Specialists’ Calendars A longtime supporter of the towing industry, Photo Card Specialists has launched a collectible line of transportation calendars featuring some of their favorite truck photos from decades in the business. This firm is known for providing photography services and print products at many truck and towing shows across the nation, and is proud to announce the launch of Calendars4You.com, featuring a line of six transportation-themed calendars for any vehicle enthusiast. The 2023 collection includes Antique Tow Trucks and Super Tow Trucks, among others. Shipping is included with each order, and quantity discounts are available. Calendars can be purchased at calendars4you.com or by calling 800-727-4488. As always with Photo Card Specialists, towing or trucking companies can create custom calendars featuring their own fleets.

Midwest 94 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • Midwest 95

Midwest 96 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 22

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

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • West 91

News Flash Towers Deluged by Record Storm in Minnesota

A record snowstorm that dumped over 12 inches of snow in Minnesota on January 3 and 4 is putting tow truck drivers across the state in overdrive and working overtime. Tony Robinson, with Bobby and Steve’s Auto World of Minneapolis, reported working a nonstop schedule for several days. Robinson said at one point Wednesday afternoon he had more than 50 people who called needing help, and he and his crew members were scheduled well past midnight to try and reach as many customers as possible. “If you call to get a tow, we’re looking at, like, maybe five to six hours until we can get to you,” recalled Robinson. “AAA is our No. 1 provider, and they just stack up the calls, and so we have to get to them first and squeeze in the other people in between.” Sources: kstp.com cbsnews.com

West 92 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • West 93

Tow Company Frees Buried Trucks

A major winter storm that hit Sioux Falls on Monday, January 2 left several truckers stranded in four-foot snow drifts at a rest stop off of I-90 where they were marooned for three days. The truckers were waiting for the state to clear the rest area but they never showed up. Finally, Dick’s Towing of Mitchell, South Dakota arrived with a heavy-duty wrecker. “I pulled three of them out yesterday, and they were in the ditch,” noted tow operator Keith Crago. “We had to have another wrecker hold them up so they wouldn’t tip over. It’s been crazy.” Yet one by one the frozen and snow-trapped trucks were set free by a capable crew of towmen. Source: keloland.com

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

West 94 • February 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | February 2023 • West 95

Episode 22

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