The Great Comeback Tour Starts in San Antonio
The Road Calls
The
Great
TEXAS Pileup
2021 Buyers
Report
Recovery with
Self-loaders and Carriers
SMART
Wreckers
Showcasing the Tower as Incident Commander
TowIndustryWeek.com
APRIL 2021 AmericanTowman.com
$10
Contents
Cover Feature
Volume 45 Issue 4
April 2021 66
Texas Pileup
6
The Walkaround
8
News Share
10
Road Tools
by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
11
Zoom In
12
Tow Manager
Beard’s Towing & Recovery and several other towers lifted cars and trucks of all weights and sizes in clearing the Texas Pileup.
19
Tow Engineer
24
Safety
34
Ad Index
36
Tow Boss
86
Towman’s Market
88
My Baby
90
Lowdown
92
Legislation
The tower as incident commander takes center stage in one of the nation’s worst pileups.
Features
30
Self-Loader Recoveries
Departments
The self-loading wheel lift shows its versatility with these two recoveries. by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
51
Buyers Report
Towers tout the products they use. by George Nitti
4 • April 2021 | Towman.com
First on the scene since 1977
The Walkaround Spring Ahead
Dennie Ortiz Publisher
Spring has finally sprung and so has the sales activity for towing equipment. In determining what type of equipment your business needs contributing writer, Paul Stephens tackles the age-old question (at least in towing) of which to purchase … carrier or wrecker. Paul suggests the best decision will be based on knowing the mix of business your company will service and the core business on which you will focus. He then leads you down the path of discovery with an overview of the variety of choices and options to consider as you plan this important purchase. Additional help in planning an equipment purchase (or for that matter, the purchase of any other service your company may need) can be found within our Buyers Report section. This unique resource allows you to get an idea of the quality of products/services and reputation of the supplier from whom you are considering doing business with. You can gain a certain insight into how dealings with the business will be directly from the mouths of other tow business owners. Another timeworn towing question is addressed in Terry Abejuela’s article about whether a carrier can or should be used for recovery work. Terry does not offer judgement instead he suggests techniques to consider if using a flatbed for recovery applications. As carriers are the most prolific and most used piece of equipment in our industry, Operations Editor, Randall Resch reports on how to stay safe when loading and offloading vehicles from the carrier bed. No surprise, Randy recommends training is the best way to counter any dangerous mishaps. Coming full circle on wreckers versus carriers, one of our featured recoveries showcase two recoveries performed with a self-loading wheel-lift. You must’ve seen the harrowing scenes of the horrific multi-car pileup in Texas that made international headlines this past February. Take a look at the graphic photos of this massive recovery scene and the challenging job multiple towing companies performed working together. In a special look at the technological advances in towing equipment, Brian Riker takes a closer view at the various enhancements and safety features now available from manufacturers. We then round out the issue with our My Baby department featuring Chaz Towing and their stand-out fleet of well maintained vehicles. Be sure to take a look at their eye-catching branding. On a final note, it is with much regret to inform the ardent fans of AT Armada and Pops that for the first time in over 15 years Adventures of the American Towman is absent from the issue. Famed illustrator and creator, Don Lomax, has retired. Going forward we plan to revisit earlier episodes for the foreseeable feature. Many thanks and appreciation to Don for helping to create this unique and memorable part of towing history. Stay safe out there!
6 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Mark Lacek Brian Riker
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson
Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.
American Towman Staff Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. Customer Service Subscription Manager Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President
Gina Johnson Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri
American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546
E-Mail: Publisher Editor-In-Chief AT’S Digital Edition AT’S Website AT’S Weekly ATTV
dortiz@towman.com scalitri@towman.com itowman.com americantowman.com towindustryweek.com americantowmantv.com
Copyright ©2021 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc.
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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.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 7
News Share Repo Leads to Firearms Arrest
A repossession of a Mercedes in San Francisco led to the discovery of cache of firearms and explosives. The perpetrator, who had a criminal history, was eventually arrested. The sequence of events started when 31 year old Cameron Ybarra shot at a repossessor, missing him and putting a bullet in the driver’s side of his car. After he retrieved items out of the car, he went into his residence, where he retrieved an assault rifle and pointed it at the repo man. The driver “disconnected the vehicle, fled the area and called 911.” According to a police report, “SFPD investigators from the Crime Gun Investigations Center (CGIC) and Gang Task Force (GTF), along with special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded to the suspect’s residence to arrest the suspect and serve a search warrant.” After officers arrested him, they found inside the house an assault rifle, ammunition, body armor, a silencer, bomb making materials and other things. Source:crimevoice.com/2021/03/09/ firearms-explosives/
Leo Rinwalske Honored
with Tow Truck Procession
A procession was held in Elmira, NY for Leo Rinwalske, the owner of Rinwalske Towing. He owned and operated Rinwalske Towing for over seventy-five years, succeeding his father who founded the company in 1945. Rinwalske passed away on February 3. Several tow trucks drove through the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon with sirens flashing and beeping horns in honor of him. “He lived and breathed Rinwalske Towing, old cars, and especially his family. He deserved to be honored. We want to thank everyone that participated and came out and supported the family and the industry.
8 • April 2021 | Towman.com
The love was wonderful. He was our hero,” said his daughters, Michelle Dart, Terri Roberts, Cheryl Rinwalske, and Christine Couse. Source: weny.com
Wrongfully Imprisoned Tower to be Freed
More Tow Legislation Coming to Ontario
Ontario, which has gotten a bad rap due to “mafia-like tow practices,” is moving toward enacting various reforms, including the licensing of drivers and cracking down on tow violence. Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney and Solicitor General Sylvia Jones unveiled the suite of measures after a provincial task force on the industry was struck. “Tow truck drivers are a vital part of keeping Ontario moving, but they are operating in an industry that lacks oversight, structure and where too many criminals are making their own rules,” Jones said. OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique said incidents of violence (e.g. shootings, assaults and arsons) have been escalating more recently, attributing it to turf wars between “criminal networks seeking to gain control over drug trafficking, frauds and corruption schemes being perpetrated by illegitimate tow truck operators.” A new restricted tow truck zone pilot project on multiple 400-series highways was also announced. Source: msn.com
Tow Truck procession in Elmira, NY gives tribute to Leo Rinwalske.
Ken Nixon, center, who was found innocent of a crime 15 years ago, was freed from prison.
Ken Nixon, who was a tow truck operator at the age of 18, is being exonerated 15 years later for a crime he did not commit. He was freed on February 18, thanks to the Cooley Law Innocence Project, which has been credited with the release of over 375 wrongfully convicted prisoners. In 2005, Nixon was wrongfully charged and convicted of taking the lives of two children, 10 year old Raylord McCulley and his sister, 1 year old Tamyah Vaughn. Allegedly he threw a Molotov Cocktail through the window of a home in Highland Park, Mi., causing the fatal fire that would lead to their horrible deaths. Nixon, who lived near-by, was discovered by police to have gasoline on his clothes. Although he maintained that the gas was due to
his job, police acted on the evidence, along with the testimony of a 13 year old eye witness. However, with the evidence thin, they then turned to a jailhouse informant. Ultimately, Nixon was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life without parole. In 2018, the Cooley Law School Innocence Project delved into the case, finding the informant unreliable and that the conviction may have been obtained unlawfully. Prosecution is asking the case to be dismissed and that Nixon awarded compensation. “He is entitled to over threequarters of a million dollars,” said attorney Wolfgang Mueller. “That will at least help him get a head start on repairing the damage that happened.” Source: fox2detroit.com
News Share Massive Pile-up in Ft. Worth/Dallas
Track Provides
Training track in South Raleigh, NC for practicing incident management.
Incident-Management Training
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has created a multi-discipline training track that provides a lifelike classroom for incident responders to practice reallife situations with goals of decreasing incident response time, improving air quality, and helping save the lives of responders. According to NCDOT communications representative Marty R. Homan, “It gives first responders a chance to practice together without traffic.” The track was designed to
incorporate a broad range of geographic characteristics found throughout the state that allow local agencies to practice responding to various incident types and practicing complex vehicle maneuvers. The track also gives responders the opportunity to try out new technology, such as the use of drones and new equipment like vehicle mounted message boards. As well, the facility has the capability of recording training exercises to be used for discussion during classroom work. Source: Ncdot.gov
Tower Downed in Orlando Tow truck driver Austin Gayne of Johnson’s Wrecker Service succumbed to injuries after he and another worker were seriously injured working roadside on February 1. They were both hit by a car in Orlando while removing a dump truck from the roadway. A red Buick Century drove through emergency vehicles, leading to an emergency response that involved all parties. Johnson’s was joined by a fleet of towers later that week, giving tribute to Austin while praying for his recovery. But that was not to be. On Johnson’s facebook page, it was stated, “Please pray for his family and everyone whose life he touched. The world is less bright without him in it...
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
Florida tower Austin Gayne succumbed to injuries after a month-long battle fighting for his life.
Rest In Peace Austin. You will forever live in our hearts.” Source: towforce.net
Winter storms and dicey weather conditions in Dallas-Fort Worth early 1/11, led to a 133-car pile-up on Interstate 35, leaving at least 6 people dead in car crashes. It was one of numerous pile-ups reported throughout the area. Fire Chief Jim Davis said at least 65 people sought medical treatment at local hospitals. Matt Zavadsky, spokesman for the MedStar ambulance service, said numerous patients were treated and released on the scene. Also injured were four officers, three of whom were involved in the crash as they were heading to work. One was injured while working the scene, according to the police chief. The pileup was over a 1.5-mile area, requiring multiple sectors to be set up including extrication, triage, treatment and transport, Davis said. Many people were trapped in their vehicles, requiring hydraulic equipment to free them, according to Davis. Zavadsky said 13 ambulances were at the scene along with critical care paramedics and supervisor units. Source: edition.cnn.com
Portions of Michigan Tow Law Struck Down
In Michigan, a law viewed as favorable to the towing industry, was struck down by U.S. District Judge Judith Levy. After hearing stories from low-income Detroit residents of high fees and frustration in finding vehicles, the judge mandated Detroit to notify the state within 24 hours after police call for a vehicle to be towed. In the past there was no limit, only a notice sent to the car owner. Vehicle owners can also ask a local court to suspend the immediate payment of towing and storage fees before they get a hearing to object to a car’s impoundment, the judge said. “You have an opportunity to get into court and fight it,” said Attorney Jason Katz. “I don’t think first asking for $1,000 is fair.” The judge ruled in favor of 3 complainants, monetarily compensating each. While the case only involved Detroit, Levy’s decision could be applied elsewhere in Michigan, according to Katz. Source: crainsdetroit.com ccxmedia.org
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 9
Road Tools Hands-Free with RoadKing’s New CB Radio
RoadKing has introduced the first of its kind Bluetooth® CB radio that provides complete hands-free communication bringing the CB Radio into the 21st century. This is the first CB radio to provide a seamless transition between the CB radio, smartphone, and Bluetooth headset with one touch. Pushing the multi-function button on the Bluetooth headset allows the user to switch between a conversation on the CB radio to an incoming call and talk handsfree. Making for an effortless transition between a CB conversation and an incoming call. It is ready to go right out of the box. It includes the best in class RoadKing CB Radio, the RoadKing 940 noise-canceling Bluetooth headset, which is already paired to the radio, and a dynamic 4-pin handheld CB microphone, and an optional push-to-talk button. This industry-first CB radio system also features a 7-color display, NOAA weather alerts, PA function, and talkback. The new RoadKing voice-activated hands-free CB radio is available now at travel centers and truck stops throughout the US and Canada. RoadKing® is part of the RoadPro Family of Brands.
RoadProBrand.com
Keep It Shut
Southco’s M5 Magnetic Catch provides a robust and attractive solution for keeping doors and panels open or closed. The M5 is constructed of corrosion resistant stainless steel and combines a highly polished finish with the holding power of rare earth magnets. The product creates a reliable alternative to door stays, are well-suited for high vibration environments and can be configured to provide nominal holding powers from 50-118 N (11-26 lbs) to accommodate multiple door sizes and weights with a significant tolerance for misalignment. The M5 Magnetic Catch holds entry doors, hatches, cabinet doors, and lids open or closed, while preventing damage caused by swinging into adjacent surfaces. The M5 Magnetic Catch replaces conventional door stays, straps and mechanical detents and is an ideal solution for RV, Bus and Boat doors or cabinet panels used in RV, Bus and Boat design, and access panels used in Off-highway, Truck and Industrial Machinery applications.
Southco.com/M5-7
The Time-Tested STTR Light Gets a Modern ECCO Upgrade The stop-tail-turn light is one of the oldest safety devices still used on every vehicle on the road today. With modern LED technology and advancements in engineering, ECCO introduces the next generation of this tried and true warning light. The ED3040AW and ED3060AW combine stop-tail-turn, reverse and warning functionality into compact housings. ECCO’s newest lighting products are available in either a circular (ED3040AW) or oval shape (ED3060AW) and feature identical capabilities. Each are designed to easily install in standard taillight applications with grommet or flange mount options. Choose between PL3 or AMP connectors that simplify the install. Mount, connect and go without missing a job. When it is time to get back to work, ECCO has drivers’ backs with reliable LED lighting that is designed to flawlessly operate under the most extreme working conditions. The ultrasonically sealed housing and tough polycarbonate lens prevent moisture ingress while resisting wear and tear from prolonged vibration and heavy use. Beyond the ruggedized design, the integrated warning light provides an added layer of visibility to alert work crews and the public while on the job. The dual-color light heads produce 69 flash patterns, with white and amber colors, that are sure to grab their attention. The ED3040AW and ED3060AW are economical, all-in-one solutions for workers and fleet managers that require enhanced safety lighting and have limited vehicle surface area with which to work. Backed by a five-year, no-hassle warranty with unparalleled customer and technical services, customers can upfit with confidence and get back to work with minimal lead time.
10 • April 2021 | Towman.com
ECCOesg.com
Zoom In
Jump Starting Power Pack from Weego
MyWeego.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
Weego unveils the latest in portable power with its allnew N44s Jump Starter. Rugged, purpose-built and incredibly compact – no bigger than most cell phones – the Weego Jump Starter 44s can start boats, motorcycles, and almost all of the cars and trucks on the road today. Building on the success of its popular N22s the new jump-starting power pack features the very latest in power management and delivers nearly 50% more power at the same low price. Offering peak/ cranking current of 1,700A/440A, the Weego 44s can start vehicles with up to 7L gas engines or 3.5L diesel. Users can get over a year of standby power on a single charge and enjoy reliable operation for 1,000 charging cycles. While lead-acid batteries drain at a much faster rate, the lithium technology of the Weego 44s offers a much longer charge retention. In addition, the advanced preconditioning functionality provides voltage support to a lead-acid battery with low voltage or chemical issues like stratification where a battery voltage collapses under load. This typically causes other lithium jump starters to not recognize the battery. Providing minimal trickle charging to boost the voltage of very low batteries prevents this from happening and gives the Weego 44s the ability to effectively jump a battery as low as 0.5 volts. The Weego 44s comes with Smarty Clamps, a micro USB cord for recharging the unit, a carry bag and a quick start guide. The ergonomic, easy-to-hold and patented design of the Smarty Clamps offer a tapered tip that reach well into tight battery compartments. The extra-wide opening jaws make for an easy and secure connection, while the delivery of power on both sides of the clamps ensures a quality jump. Connection Detection technology indicates proper connections, and lights and sounds guide users through the jump. Anti-spark, reverse polarity, overheat and power surge protections are built in for added safety. The 44s is UL approved, conforms to UL Standard 2743 and is rated IP65 for water, dust and dirt resistance. The Weego 44s is protected by a two-year extended warranty and an extended satisfaction guarantee of 180 days.
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 11
Tow Manager
Carrier vs Wrecker Deliberate on Your Options 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.
Business decisions for a wheel lift or carrier purchase should be just that, buying for need and necessity.
T
hinking of jumping into the towing business or adding to your fleet? Decisions on carrier or wheel lift equipment can be a bit of a challenge with all the equipment availability. What is right for you, and what type of business will this equipment bring for new revenue? With so many choices, the difference in a carrier or wheel lift can be huge if you do not know your customers. My suggestion is to explore your potential core business opportunities prior to deciding on a piece. Will you be balancing a mixed base of business such as police calls, motor clubs, retail customers, commercial accounts, or private property towing? Knowing what your core business will require and what percentage of mix, such as tow, recovery, and transport will help send you towards the right purchase of a carrier or wheel lift.
12 • April 2021 | Towman.com
If your business is going to do police calls, depending on the area and terrain you are based, then it is more likely you will look to purchase a carrier if there is less than 5 percent recovery. If the recovery number is much higher, you will have to consider a wheel lift for the boom and extra winch capabilities. If you are going to be working with a motor club, then you might be considering a flatbed with all the various types of distance towing that might be available, and the many types of drivetrains in todays vehicles. The volume of work you anticipate handling with the wheel lift or carrier type equipment will dictate the first step in the purchase plan as a wheel lift and dollies might do the same job for you, with much greater access to limited areas, however
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Searching for the right rollback can still be challenging even when you have the right concept already in your head.
the dollies have a distance and speed limitation. Searching for the right rollback can still be challenging even when you have the right concept already in your head. I know that looking for the right carrier for me is always a bit of a search due to the spec our company has developed. We look for a certain deck length and load angle, extra key slots in the bed to accommodate multiple different tie down methods, removable rails, and a movable head board. To explain why we choose the way we do is related to being on the side of the highway. The spec allows operators to move quickly and freely to expedite removal and back to a somewhat safer environment. This spec is different than a lot of others so when choosing a rollback or carrier, be thinking of your specific needs. Will you need a 19.5 deck, or 21, 22, maybe even longer? The bed length will help with the length of vehicle being transported. Think about what your needs are with a carrier. If you are moving lower vehicles then the bed angle becomes a key factor, 14 • April 2021 | Towman.com
manufacturers are building several different units to accommodate the end user. Larger size bed capacity is available, with upgrades for the winch, lighting, and width. All these are great however, buying the right carrier, regardless of the model. It is important to buy off need so unless you are going to spec a truck, and have it built than you may want to research the used carrier before jumping forward. Is the angle right for you, will the width accommodate? These are questions you need to address and with today’s internet sales knowing the carrier deck model number will allow you to reference the manufacturers website. Size and capacity are a standard consideration but do not forget the convenience features that are available from the distributors as well, such as remote controls, air free spool winch releases, and many more. This brings us to a wheel lift set up, if you are doing work in tighter areas, such as parking lots, garages, shopping centers, or gas stations then you want something with
a substantially reduced turning radius, quick loading, and the ability to throw on some dollies then the standard wheel lift will suffice. The ability to have more recovery work helps as well. Being in this business for many years has taught me a few things about buying equipment. The basics are the foundation of the purchase. There are a lot of trucks out there and many might fit your application but defining that application based upon your current business plans or customer base will help build a solid foundation. I have purchased equipment in the past, acquiring equipment that was almost showroom new due to a past buyer not being happy or not really understanding their needs. This resulted in them looking to offload the piece quickly to be able to move forward to more suitable equipment they originally needed or that was not available at that time. Business decisions for a wheel lift or carrier purchase should be just that, buying for need and necessity, not the adage of I really want it. The biggest business decisions
can make or break a company by overextending, not buying the right equipment, or buying to maximize the purchase potential. We as an industry are usually focused on buying a particular unit based mainly off price. Using this analogy, will the cheapest be the best fit, will a higher priced unit suit your needs better? Some buy exclusively off brand which can limit options. Many things need to be considered and they start with identifying the company’s direct need. With many options available today on carriers or wheel lift models, ordering a new truck seems to be an easier choice however not everyone can afford a shiny new unit or may not want to burden their business with additional cost. That initial identifying of your direct need will help the decision process by outlining what your core business is related to equipment in your fleet. The more you know the better educated you are prior to starting the process. So, in theory, if your business is doing internal dealership transport and most of those vehicles are used cars and SUV’s than the chassis you choose might need to be air ride to assist with the added regular weight on the wheel lift. If you are going to do parking lot enforcement or parking garages, then the wheel lift you choose might need to have height limit. Replacing a truck? It is easier to identify your needs. The more you understand about the chassis you want then the easier it is to spec your body. If buying something already at a distributor, or a used piece then you can fine tune the search. The length of the body will matter, purchasing a rollback, then you need to look at several things that can make the job easier. If replacing a truck, did your truck perform as well as expected or was it sometimes lacking in areas? Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
Depending on your tow vs roadside mix of calls, choosing the right unit for a replacement truck can really pay off here. The option of one winch vs two, and the winch size can really justify the upgrade as more complex recoveries can offset the cost. Deciding on self-loader capabilities is another option, as well as wheel lift capacities. Choosing the right unit is always a bit difficult as some used equipment may have the wheel lift capacity however it may be lacking in truck
length or storage capacity. Each item on each truck will potentially be slightly different as customers order customer-built trucks, tow truck distributors build trucks, and now other truck sellers are getting into the arena. The truck might have a different size pto, lift capacity, cable length, fuel tank, or box configuration. Ask yourself, when looking into a wheel lift setup for the first time, what are the key things that will help me maximize my units potential and allow me
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 15
to service my customers. Speaking with a regional truck salesman, he advises would be purchasers to know what you are looking for, do some research, and know what your bank is willing to loan you VS. what your expectation of monthly payment is going to be. This will help with a salesman understanding what he can assist with such as equipment availability, locating equipment from outside resources, or sending you to someone who does have the piece. Compare before you buy as one truck may be better suited for your business than another. The flatbed vs wheel lift question is always on our minds, no matter the size of the company. If I want to do parking garages than the choice is pretty cut and dry as a carrier is not going to clear the height. If all my tows are wrecks and salvage than I would want a carrier or rollback to handle those. Deciding on the right piece of equipment will require some research unless you are just replacing an older piece. These decisions should be made with business improvement, equipment capacities, and truck conditions as the cement in your foundation. Many companies make mistakes with truck purchases and doing that prepurchase research will pay off in the end.
16 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Tow Engineer
NRC Recovery Roller Guide attaches to the approach plate and allows the operator to utilize the car carrier winch to perform recovery work.
Recovery with the Car Carrier by Terry Abejuela
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.
T
here has long been a debate among tow truck operators about whether or not you can use a car carrier to perform recovery work. Some say you should not use a car carrier to perform recovery work and others say I do it all the time without any issues. In this article I am not trying to convince anyone to do one or the other but just to provide some food for thought on this subject. I believe that it is risky to use equipment in a manner that is not consistent with the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) intended use for the equipment. Manufacturers design equipment for an intended use. They design the equipment and conduct testing to ensure that it will perform the job safely and as intended. When equipment is used in a manner that is not consistent with its intended use it may cause stress in areas where stress was not anticipated and
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
cause damage or a catastrophic failure of the equipment. I recommend you consult the manufacturer before using any equipment in a manner that is not described in the OEM operation manual or other OEM published information. Whenever possible I recommend that a tow truck that is designed and intended to perform recovery work should be dispatched to recovery jobs. However, I realize that we are not always provided enough information and may respond in a car carrier only to discover upon arrival that the vehicle must be recovered back to the roadway or up-righted before transport. First let’s look at using a car carrier that was not intended to perform recovery work and does not have any additional equipment intended for recovery work. The deck winch on a car carrier was intended and designed to load and unload vehicles for transport on the car carrier
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 19
Miller Industries Approach Plate Roller Guide Attachment is designed to work on 2018 and newer 10, 12 and 16 series steel car carriers. The guide is easily attached to the approach plate on the bed with a bolt and allows side pulls when the bed secured in the bed locks. Inset: Zip’s Side Puller Recovery Tool is designed to work on Miller 10, 12. and 16 series steel decks. It easily attaches to the steel deck, utilizing the standard key hole slot, a hitch pin and a hairpin cotter pin. It will also work on Miller aluminum decks but requires the drilling of a mounting hole.
deck. Many are equipped with a 50 foot long winch rope limiting the reach with the winch line. Of course, if you intend to use your car carrier for recoveries you can carry additional rigging including chains, straps and/or ropes to extend your reach. On most car carriers the winch is mounted at the front center of the deck and low to facilitate loading and unloading vehicles. When the line pull is parallel with the length of the deck the winch is stable even when the deck is not secured in the bed locks. Winching when the line pull is not parallel with the deck and the deck is not secured in the bed locks is more unstable. The deck sub-frame is only secured to the frame of the cab and chassis at the deck pivot points and at the hydraulic tilt rams. At the rear of the car carrier sub-frame are pivot pins that allow the deck to tilt. Care must be taken to avoid damaging these pivot pins when performing recovery work with a car carrier. When the deck is lowered and securely held by the bed locks this pin is not likely to be damaged. However, if the deck is not secured in the bed 20 • April 2021 | Towman.com
When equipment is used in a manner that is not consistent with its intended use it may cause stress in areas where stress was not anticipated and cause damage or a catastrophic failure of the equipment.
This is a custom made side puller designed and manufactured by Crockett Interstate Towing in Eugene Oregon. The unit utilizes synthetic rope.
locks damage can occur. One way tow truck operators protect this pin is by placing a 4X4 piece of lumber between the sub-frame of the car carrier deck and the frame of the trucks chassis to prevent the sideways movement of the deck during a side pull using a snatch block at the end of the deck. I have also seen tow truck operators use a ratchet and strap to prevent the twisting of the deck. This could also be done using a chain and chain binder. A chain may be even better than a synthetic strap since there will be some stretch in a synthetic strap. Multiple tie down locations with multiple slots at different angles increases the options for different angle pulls from the deck using snatch blocks. Equipment is available for car carriers to improve their ability to effectively, efficiently and safely perform recovery work. Side pullers are an excellent way to provide recovery capability on a car carrier. This equipment is designed and intended for use in recovery work. It is mounted directly to the frame of the truck chassis separate of the deck and it has its own winch. Side pullers are equipped with stabilizer legs and attachment points for snatch blocks or securing the winch rope hook. Most side pullers have a wide range of options for direction of pull. Elevated center The use of lumber, shown here, to prevent the twisting of the deck is a technique that is taught in WreckMaster classes to perform a single lane upright.
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Ratchet strap to minimize twist in deck.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 21
Side pullers
are an excellent way to provide
recovery capability
Jerr-Dan SRS (Side Recovery System) on a Somerset Hills Towing car carrier to enhance the recovery capability of their car carrier. This side puller features a boom on the mast that is capable of swiveling 180 degrees.
on a car carrier. This equipment is
designed and intended for use in recovery work.
pulls from the mast in a 180 degree arc to the rear and the ability to pull multiple angles to the front, side or rear of each side of the truck and at multiple heights including ground level for the stabilizer leg foot. Some car carrier manufacturers make an attachment with rope sheaves that is secured to the approach plate of the car carrier and allows the rope to make side pulls at the end of the deck. These are designed to be used with the deck secured in the bed locks. There are also after market attachments that attach to the side rails or are secured in the removable side rail stake pockets to facilitate side pulls. Some equipment manufacturers offer a car carrier that is capable of swiveling the deck to either side of the truck. This can significantly improve the recovery capability of the car carrier. A winch mounted at the front of the car carrier would allow light recovery work from the front of the truck. Some tow companies have mounted winches on the sides of the cab and chassis frame to perform side pulls. 22 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Law enforcement may insist that an overturned vehicle be loaded on the car carrier on it’s roof to avoid the extra time it would take to up-right the vehicle first. Make sure that you know your companies policy on this so you will be prepared ahead of time when this happens. Some companies have a policy of notifying law enforcement that this should not be done and the vehicle should be up-righted before loading and if law enforcement still insists follow the instructions of law enforcement and notify your employer afterwards. Some have a strict policy of never loading vehicles on the deck on their roof. Tow truck operators often use the wheel lift to stabilize the truck for recovery winching. I do not recommend this unless the manufacturer approves this. Some manufacturers make scotch blocks that allow the wheel lift to be used to anchor a car carrier for recovery work. If you decide to use your car carrier for recovery work make sure you consult the original equipment manufacturer first and take all precautions to ensure a safe, efficient and effective recovery.
Using snatch block to minimize winch line fleet angle.
The SP 9000 Sidepuller from In The Ditch demonstrates recovering a car from the side of a carrier.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 23
Safety
Preventing Load & Off-Load Tragedies By Randall C. Resch
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.
F
latbed carriers are considered “specialty equipment” requiring specialty training. When it comes to simple, carrier operations one safety fact exists; where tower’s work and stand is key to the inherent risk of being run-over. Rollaway danger is always present. The intro photo is a clear visual example why carrier operators are repeatedly killed. “Having tracked operator fatalities for years, dozens of tow operators were killed in rollaway, run-over, or pinned-between incidents; all categorized as industrial accidents. Although this should be a nobrainer training topic, the fatality numbers prove differently. This operational danger is also referred to as a, “The Topside Factor.” Consider three “International” fatality incidents: Scenario 1: August 2020, an Australia carrier operator was run-over and killed attaching chains. Australia’s, SafeWork NSW, commented, “It appears that when the driver raised the tilt tray to place tiedown chains around the chassis of the prime mover (van), it rolled backwards off
24 • April 2021 | Towman.com
the tilt tray and crushed him.” Scenario 2: September 2019, a Trinidad Island operator was off-loading a Nissan pickup truck when the vehicle rolled off the carrier pinning its operator underneath. He died days later. Scenario 3: July 2019, a well-known, Canadian, tow owner/operator was offloading a vehicle when it, “managed to roll off the carrier”, fatally crushing him. Dozens of carrier operators were injured or killed because they positioned themselves in deadly locations. As reported in subsequent investigations, cases determined that winch-cables snapped, tow hooks broke, the truck’s hydraulics failed or no top-side safety was applied. Many rollaway incidents occurred when operator’s failed to re-engage the winch’s free-spool lock.
WHAT TRAINING PROGRAM?
The pain and embarrassment of enduring an operator killed on-the-job is a horrific experience. I’m especially thankful this situation never happened to one of my
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operators and I’m truly sorry for tow owners who’ve ever experienced an operator’s avoidable death. While the industry’s environment is inherently dangerous, there’s definite reasoning why training must be specific and repeated. It’s not that we towers are ignorant to acceptable industry techniques, towers, experienced or not, oftentimes become complacent and lose sight of proper safety practices. Could it be the company doesn’t support solid safety practices? In a like-type fatality, one OSHA investigator commented, “The Company had a written safety and health program, but, procedures for this activity were not included in the program.” Little details, like these, surface during official investigations. Note: I didn’t refer to example scenarios as “accidental” situations. I believe that standing walking and working must be an ingrained safety mindset of each individual carrier operator. The way I see it, it’s not an accident when it’s preventable.
WHO’S TO BLAME?
Tow owners should know that lack of safety training for employees is a gamble to their livelihood and assets. Fact: When investigations commence, “Training” always is the first element that is attacked. Inquiring investigators typically ask; 1. Did the operator attend formal or manufacturer training specific to the equipment being operated? 2. Did the company have a written operation’s manual or employee handbook? 3. Was there a written safety manual for task specific operations? 4. Did the operator (recently) attend update safety training regarding work of a specialty nature? 26 • April 2021 | Towman.com
DEMAND BEST PRACTICES
I believe it is important tow companies include load/off-load safety as a special “hands-on” component for carrier operations. Pro-active companies typically hold monthly safety meetings. Handson training is far different than conversation, videos or hand-outs. Hands-on training should be reality based regarding time, weather and a realistic environment that includes the industry’s best practices. Warning: Short-cuts and Hollywood-tricks should never come into play. As a basis to carrier operations, I teach seven safety specific components: 1. Work off the Traffic-Side Carrier operators are most vulnerable to pedestrian strike when working near flowing traffic. You’re reminded to work off the whiteline whenever possible. Be aware of approaching traffic. Work quickly; move-through strike-zones. Maintain focus on dangerous approaching traffic always present on highway’s and inner-city streets. 2. Ensure Free-Spool is Fully Engaged Danger: When free-spool is released to pull cable, ensure freespool is re-engaged. Confirm the free-spool tab is in full “locked” position while giving the winch cable a solid tug. 3. Avoid the Rollaway Zone Vehicle code law puts towers in harm’s way. State and federal regulations require carrier operators attach safety chains to attain fourpoint tie-down. Regardless what size carrier is being operated, work away from the carrier’s tailboard especially while attaching safety chains or straps. Move quickly to avoid being crushed or pinned between vehicles during load and off-load activities. Best depicted in the opening photo, never stand at the rear and in-
line of a vehicle during load and offload. To do so is a deadly possibility. When attaching rear safety-chains or ratchet straps, work to the vehicles outside secure-points; reach under and don’t stand where a runaway vehicle can run over you. 4. Avoid the Pinch-Zone Don’t position behind the deck’s tailboard When securing vehicles for fear of being pinned by a same direction vehicle or should a vehicle run off the deck. 5. Apply Top-Side Safety Danger: Rollaway can happen at any time. Operators typically fail to attach a topside safety device as part of their loading process. As casualty vehicles are winched to transport position; immediately apply topside safety chain or ratchet strap to stop an unannounced rollaway. For training, safety and operational purposes never ignore its importance. 6. Practice Ground-Safety Operators are repeatedly killed by rollaway vehicles during carrier operations. When casualty vehicles get delivered to its destination, chockblocks shall be situated in-front of or behind the parked vehicle’s tires to prevent accidental rollaway. This technique must be part of the offload process. 7. Clear the Rollaway Zone When load off-load processes commence, towers shall not begin winch operations until clearing the rollaway zone of workers, Lookie Loo’s, and first responders. Never allow police officers and fire-fighters to stand behind casualty vehicles.
READY, SET, REPEAT
FACT: On-going safety training is never ending. Management is responsible to hold periodic safety training. Should an injury or death occur, OSHA (or the country’s safety entity) will conduct a thorough investigation; an accidental death
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 27
will be aggressively pursued where careless activities, processes and lack of training determines fault and accountability. Accordingly, tow owners should
28 • April 2021 | Towman.com
know that “vicarious liability” goes full-circle when investigations are conducted. This narrative isn’t an attempt to practice law, but make aware to owners one simple
premise; to help lessen the impact of enforcement, liability and responsibility in event of a catastrophic workplace event. Training and documentation is hugely important. Because rollaway dangers, carrier safety and prevention demands ongoing emphasis, I recommend carrier training is repeated quarterly (and documented) for all operators, not just the newly hired. Accidents are a product of the unknown where more than a few “experienced” towers were killed because of inattentive or improper actions. And, if you’re working in-the-field and see another tow operator, firstresponder, or casual observer standing where he or she just shouldn’t be; a friendly reminder could help save their life.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 29
RECOVERIES WITH A
Self-Load Wheel-lift By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
“I used both the left and right winches with snatch blocks off the tail board D rings.” 30 • April 2021 | Towman.com
O
n Saturday January 2nd 2021 Wayne Hall of Mountain Towing & Recovery received a call to recover a pickup from a ditch. Wayne informed, “We got a morning request to recover a 1980 Toyota 4x4 pickup that had hit a deer the night before and veered off of Hwy 56 onto its side into the flood control ditch.”
Wayne responded alone to 4000N Hwy 56 in Cedar City, Utah with his 2019 Ford 4x4 F-550 with a Dynamic 755. This Dynamic 755 is an integrated twin line unit equipped with a 5,000-pound self-loading wheel lift and two mini spool 8,000-pound winches. When Wayne arrived he found the Toyota was in a 4to 5-foot deep flood canal on its driver’s side. He said, “You could barely see the truck from the highway. The police had cleared the wreck with yellow tape. Luckily nobody was hurt. I parked the Dynamic wrecker approximately 40-feet to the east at an angle, but not interfering with traffic. Working this Toyota 4x4 recovery I used both the left and right winches with snatch blocks off the tail board D rings.”
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This Dynamic 755 utilized its integrated twin line and two mini spool 8,000 pound winches to recover a 4x4 pickup.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 31
Snatch blocks were used off the tail board D rings.
First Wayne rigged the pickup and pulled it back over onto its wheels. Once he had the Toyota back on its wheels he winched it back to the road where it was loaded on a car trailer by family members of the Toyota owner and taken home.
My
Dynamic is a very capable, versatile wrecker.
A few days later on Thursday afternoon, January 7th, 2021, Mountain received a call for another vehicle in a ditch. Wayne informed, “We got a call from a tourist from Detroit who had slid on ice into a ditch after trying to access a popular 32 • April 2021 | Towman.com
hiking area in Kanarraville, Utah.” Wayne arrived alone at the location with his 2019 Ford F550 4x4 with a Dynamic 755 twin line. He pulled the wrecker up above the Chevy Malibu approximately 50-feet. He used a shovel to dig underneath the front of the car and remove large jagged rocks from under the oil pan and fuel tank. Than he rigged it. Wayne explained, “I ran one winch line down to the area that I dug out where I could get a strap around the sub frame of the Malibu and not damage anything.” After Wayne winched it back to the road and recovered the Malibu without any damage, the tourist was able to continue on to Detroit. Another job well done and another satisfied customer. Wayne stated, “My Dynamic is a very capable, versatile wrecker. I bought it used and it was all messed up. Nothing worked and the bed wasn’t even on the frame. I took it to the closest dealer, which for me was Casanova. George Casanova took the bed off and started over. George did a bad a–– job and installed a wiring protection box, super springs and a full function Lodar remote.” Casanova Towing Equipment is a family owned and operated towing company in Compton, California. They are a Dual-Tech and Dynamic distributor serving customers in Southern California, the surrounding Los Angeles area and from all over the Western United States.
Mountain Towing & Recovery Wayne and Melanie Hall are the owners of Mountain Towing & Recovery based in Cedar City, Utah. The couple started the company in 1995. They celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2020. Mountain Towing & Recovery offers towing and recovery for all vehicle sizes, foreign or domestic, gas or diesel, auto, light truck, RV, or semi along with complete automotive and truck repair and mobile tire service. They cover light, medium, and heavy towing, 4×4 off road recovery and FAA licensed A&P aircraft recovery.
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Mountain Towing & Recovery positioned its Dynamic 755 fifty feet from this Chevy Malibu.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 33
AD INDEX AAA...........................................................37 Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................39 Allstate Roadside.......................................16 American Towman Expositions...................85 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................78 Austin Insurance.................................... S 95 AutoReturn.................................................28 B/A Products..............................................25 Beacon Software........................................29 Bolt On Technology......................................3 Captain Recovery................ N 95, S 94, M 96 Chevron Commercial..................................27 Collins Dollies........................................ S 95 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip. Sales................79 Custer Products.........................................80 DewEze.....................................................16 DP Winch...................................................17 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers...................34 Durabilt......................................................82 Dynamic Towing Equipment.......................75 East Coast Truck & Trailer.............. N 91, S 93 EasTract North America..............................41 EdgeTec.....................................................74 Elizabeth Truck Center................................81 Enzo’s Cleaning Solutions.......................M 93 ESTRA.................................................... N 93 Fayetteville Ford.........................................44 Ginn Carrier & Wrecker Sales.....................76 GSI........................................................M 93
34 • April 2021 | Towman.com
April 2021
G.Stone Commercial.............................. N 95 Guniwheel Distributed bu LKQ....................78 Hawkeye Truck & Wrecker........S, M 94, W 92 Hino Trucks..............................................100 Integrated Veh. Equip. Leasing....................46 Intek Truck & Equipment............................27 ITI..............................................................22 Jerr-Dan Corp..............................................2 Kenworth of South Florida..........................73 Landoll Corp. ............................................82 Len Zermenos............................................80 Lodar USA..................................................84 Lynch Truck Centers...................................71 Matheny Towing Equipment........................83 Matjack Jumbo Safelift..............................73 McMahon Truck Center..........................M 91 MercurySend........................... N, M 94, S 92 Metrocom..................................................74 Midco Sales...........................................W 93 Miller Industries...........................................7 Mobile Control Systems..............................76 New England Truckmaster...................... N 92 North American Bancard............................35 Northeast Wrecker Sales........................ N 93 Nottingham Insurance................................41 OMG Tow Marketing...................................84 Pacific General Insurance.......................M 95 Peak Auto Auctions....................................50 Peak Wrecker Sales...............................W 95
Performance Advantage Company..............81 Phoenix USA, Inc........................................45 Progressive Commercial.............................45 Quick Draw Tarpauline...............................46 RimSling....................................................21 SafeAll Products.........................................28 Santander Bank.........................................99 Sea Crest Insurance Agency...................W 94 Select Truck & Equipment......................M 95 Sierra Pacific Insurance..........................W 92 Smyrna Truck & Cargo...............................72 Specialty Vehicle Equip. Funding................13 Steck Mfg. Co............................................69 Towbook Management Software.................43 Tow Brokers Insurance.......................S, W 91 TowExpo San Antonio........................... 47-50 Tow Industries.......................................W 94 TowMate....................................................50 Trail King Industries...................................77 Trucks for Sale..........................N, S, M, W 98 Truck Source..........................................W 95 Urgent.ly....................................................29 Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX......................W 93 Warn Industries............................................5 West End Service.......................................77 Winches Inc...............................................70 Wrecker Warehouse......................... W 96-97 XInsurance............................................. S 97 Zip’s/AW Direct....................................15, 18
Tow Boss
Jerr-Dan’s Touchlink™ system features in-cab electronic controls that come standard with overhead switch panel.
Remote Controls, Not Just for Toys Anymore
By Brian J. Riker
Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 26 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator, and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. He specializes in helping navigate the complex world of federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net
T
here is no doubt that technology has changed how we do almost everything in our world and operating a wrecker or carrier is no different. As a young kid I remember how cool I thought it was when my dad put a remote winch control lever inside the cab of his wrecker to allow him to raise the tow bar up and down without getting out of the cab when needing to put some weight back on his steer axle to make corners. Ahh, short wheelbase single axle wreckers towing loaded tractor trailers brings back memories of the good old days! Fast forward to today and we have the option to remotely monitor and control nearly every function on our equipment. From in-cab telematics that allow dispatch to monitor speed, PTO usage and even diagnostic trouble codes for maintenance
36 • April 2021 | Towman.com
We have the option to
remotely monitor and control nearly every function on our equipment.
to wireless controls that allow operators to stand in the safest possible position while working complex recoveries. These options not only increase efficiency, which is very important with the slim profit margins towers face, but more importantly they increase safety.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 37
Let’s start in the cab. By now I am sure many of you have seen the press releases highlighting the redesigned Peterbilt dashboards for their 389 series chassis. Gone are the analog style instruments replaced with a digital display screen that can give the driver more data than ever. This trend has been spreading across all manufacturers and models and while some, myself included, love the style of the analog dashboards most understand the value of having all this data at our fingertips. Modern trucks have standardized communications built in that allow
for an amazing amount of data to be shared between body components, the driver and fleet management back at the office. Gone are the days of guessing what a driver is doing with the truck or hoping they are obeying the speed limit and wearing their seat belt, today all that data is just a keystroke away on a computer or smart phone. Managing this data allows the modern tow boss to coach their drivers into the extraordinary superstars they can be all while helping to keep claims costs (and insurance by default) lower than their less connected competition. Even more important are the
redundant safety features now built in as standard on most wrecker upfits such as PTO interlock that senses when the PTO is on and can require the parking brake to be set or automatically disable the PTO when the truck moves to prevent transmission damage. No more driving down the highway and burning up a transmission, or worse having a body come up in the air and strike an overpass or dump a load because the hydraulic pump was engaged and a control lever allowed something to move. Perhaps the most important part of the connected vehicle
Raptor® Remote Control system from Miller Industries
Raptor allows the operator to easily maneuver through operations at the unit control stations at the rear of the toolboxes, which can be extended away from the vehicle to enhance operator sightlines during use, or by using the wireless remote. Joystick controllers on the control station and wireless remote allow for smooth operation of the boom and winch functions. A display screen offers a variety of information including load sensing, winch free spool, and 2-speed operations. Raptor® Controls from Miller Industries are available with either a TD3200 wireless remote or the new, more compact TD3100 remote. The Raptor® Remote Control system is available as optional equipment on all rotator models from Miller Industries and is standard equipment on the Century 1150R and Century M100. * USPN 9440577, D751,963 S and D752,492 S
38 • April 2021 | Towman.com
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and remote controls is the ability to operate the wheel lift or carrier body from the safety of the cab. Beginning with the advent of the self-loading wheel lift towers have been slowly taking advantage of remote controls for their own safety. While common on most wreckers today, remote controls for carriers are less common and when installed usually only control the winch. Remote control of the winch is an important function however it is this author’s opinion that all functions on a carrier should be remotely controlled as standard equipment as an effort to reduce
Gone are the days of guessing
what a driver is doing with the truck or hoping they are obeying the speed limit and wearing their seat belt. white line fatalities in the industry. I ask, why do we still have manual control levers at the rear corners of our carriers forcing a driver to be smack in the middle of the impact zone if the carrier is struck by an out
of control vehicle? Imagine if the tower did not need to exit the relative safety of their cab until they were required to physically attach the vehicle to the tow truck or carrier? With rear facing cameras
Jerr-Dan® Smart
Found in the truck’s cab, as well as at each control station, the Jerr-Dan exclusive Touchlink ™ system provides increased lighting control functionality, with greater ease of use. This system features in-cab electronic controls that come standard with an overhead switch panel, as well as an additional underlift control panel as an option. Available on all Jerr-Dan heavy duty wreckers and rotators, Touchlink increases operator functionality and safety by allowing control of the light-bar, front, side and rear strobes, and flood and work lights without ever having to leave the cab. This CAN-Bus based system reduces complexity and the need for additional wiring. Along with the rest of the heavy duty wrecker and rotator bodies, created with the operator in mind, the Touchlink system has built-in troubleshooting with smart keypad indicator lights.
40 • April 2021 | Towman.com
and wireless remote controls any tow vehicle can safely be put into the load position and ready to attach from inside the cab of the truck without placing the operator into harms way. Remote control isn’t just for load and go situations. They allow for an extra measure of control and safety with all types of recovery operations. Modern heavy wreckers and rotators are equipped with excellent wireless controls with advanced features such as proportional control, user programmable sensitivity and even data displays on the remote to show the operator what their truck is doing when they are not right next to it! Some of the best features I have experienced in my field use include the ability to adjust the remote to my own touch since I tend to have a heavy hand on the controls. This allows me to slow things down and have precision when needed. Other great features include being able to “hot swap”
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 41
batteries with fully charged spares in seconds so as not to slow down the progress on a complex job and even reengage the winch free spool from the remote instead of climbing back up to the truck. All options taken for granted only a few short years ago. Advanced load sensing technology has recently become affordable for the tow truck world and no longer is a crane industry exclusive. Incorporated into the fly by wire controls used by some manufacturers (Miller and NRC), this information can even be displayed on the remote control allowing the operator to know exactly what they
are lifting from anywhere around the scene. Maintaining great sightlines is very important to the safety of all involved and the success of the lift, something that required multiple people just a few short years ago. There are even remote controlled load cells that can be placed in line with the load and transmit actual force being applied in real time to the operator so they know exactly what is happening as they winch or lift a load. No more guessing or listening to the wire rope “sing” to know what is happening. Technology has made the job of a professional tower much safer
today than even just ten years ago. Technology is great but what about those times you want to “feel” what your truck is doing? Wreckers, rotators and carriers are still equipped with manual controls and will be for the foreseeable future. These manual controls range from primitive (simple is good, right) to very complex with more data than imaginable at the operator’s fingertips. Each design has it’s own merits. On wreckers I like the simple hydraulic valve body without remote cables or solenoids but understand that I sacrifice some pretty sweet advanced features by forgoing
The Radius Rotating Flatbed by Dynamic Tow Equip. and Mfg.
The Dynamic Radius Rotating Flatbed has a wireless proportional handheld remote. This gives the operator speed control of the unit. With the the amount of pressure press on the buttons on the remote, the speed of the unit can be controlled. This gives the operator better control of the unit when needed.
42 • April 2021 | Towman.com
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Dual-Tech Pneumatic Actuated Winch Free Spool System
To actively encourage driver safety, Dual-Tech has made available a pneumatic actuated winch free spool system. This system will allow the driver to operate the winch free spool from driver or passenger side of the equipment. It is also available in full functioning remote operation.
44 • April 2021 | Towman.com
a fly by wire approach. In the end it comes down to the users preference and budget when selecting among the options available for controls when designing your next new truck purchase. One thing I can say for sure is the user interface has come a long way from the “crash box” winch control I used on my first Holmes 750 or the Ortiz wrecker with the clutch lever to release the clutch and allow a smooth engagement of the winch. Remote controls are not just for new wreckers and carriers, no, there are many great retrofit options available for equipment of all ages. Air and electric actuated parts can be mechanically attached to nearly any manual control lever on a wide variety of equipment to add wireless control for ease of use and safety. I encourage towers to consider adding these aftermarket systems to their older trucks to provide a safer workplace for their operators.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 45
Today even trailers come standard with remote control options from the manufacturer or can be retrofitted with aftermarket options. No more standing along the traffic side to prepare your trailer for loading or running back and forth from the winch control to the steering wheel to load a coach bus or RV onto the deck. Not only is this safer for the operator, it is also more efficient and can reduce loading times significantly. Bottom line, remote controls, data sharing and electronic controls are here to stay and help to make the tower’s job quicker and safer when used properly. I strongly encourage anyone ordering a new wrecker, carrier or trailer to upgrade to the full remote options when available. Not only does this make life simpler for your operators but when used properly it allows them to be in the safest possible place while using the equipment.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 47
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Buyers Report what the users say
Product reviews of participating advertisers compiled by AT Staff in speaking directly with the users themselves.
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AAA’s Whole Package Makes them the Best Motorclub
“I own four companies that service AAA and the benefits that come with it are instrumental in the success of my business. Being a preferred service provider for AAA comes with plenty of perks while the AAA Network of Savings partnerships are utilized everyday by my team. When we need a new truck, tablet, phones, tires, uniforms, and supplies we get special pricing from these partnerships. People may complain about the compensation from AAA; however, when you look at the whole package, including the perks and discounts, this makes AAA by far the best motor club to work with.”
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Allstate Roadside is Attentive with Efficient Dispatching
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Mark Lamielle, Canton Towing; Canton, Ohio
Nicholas Van, Fox City’s Towing; Greenville, WI
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Akins Body & Carrier Sales Look Out for You
“This is my 8th flatbed purchase from Akins. I continue to do business with them because they look out for you and are only 45 miles away. I can’t say enough about their service. The 24 ft. Chevron bed is perfect for us. We haul a lot of forklifts, some being too heavy for other beds. Some trucks are so long now that they need to be on this longer flatbed. The controls are in a good place. The electric winches work by remote. It’s dependable and looks good. Why not stick with a winner?”
James Wilson, Wilson Auto Body; Watkinsville, Georgia Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
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Atlanta Wrecker Sales Showcase Jerr-Dan
“Performance, dependability, and quality are the three things that come to mind when I think of JerrDan. One of the rollbacks, purchased new, in 2014, has over 600,000 miles with all original parts and is still used daily. After the success with Jerr-Dan since 2006, I purchased a new Jerr-Dan 50/60 rotator in 2017. This has been a game changer for my company. The service and quality of Jerr-Dan extends to Lee Giles and family at Atlanta Wrecker Sales. Without their compassion and dedication, my company could not be what it is today.”
Keith Davis, Davis Towing; Greenville, South Carolina AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 51
Buyers Report
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Austin Insurance was the Best Decision
“The best insurance decision we have ever made. Great customer service and great people! Couldn’t ask for a better company to do business with.”
Byron Anderson, I-40 Truck Repair; Dickson, Tennessee
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Auto Return Provides Opportunities
“Auto Return has been good for my business and for the city of Kansas City. It keeps the level of play fair, gives us a platform for distributing calls to towers, keeps pricing competitive and cuts down on the average response time to below eight minutes. The fact that we get paid on a weekly basis is also a huge plus for the system. Do your homework on Auto Return and see whether it’s right for you.”
Ryan Richardson, All City Tow Service; Kansas City, Missouri
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B/A Products Stand Up to Harsh Elements
“We rely on tough, long lasting equipment that can stand up to our harsh Canadian winters. That`s why we use B/A recovery straps. They stand up to the elements, they are easy to clean and we love that we have the ability to custom order any size we need.”
Eric Goddard, Coxon’s Towing; Essex, Ontario, Canada
52 • April 2021 | Towman.com
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Beacon Software/Tow Lien Improves Efficiency
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Jacob Patton, Patton’s Towing; Olmstead, Ohio
Chevron Commercial with Impeccable Build
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Mike Reller, Reller’s Transport, Easley, SC
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Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip Treats You Like Family
“We’ve been using Crouch’s for at least 12 years. We work with sales rep Zack Hartley, who is an amazing guy and honest salesman. We keep going back because of the customer service. They make you feel like family. It’s not always about sales when they call. We also do a lot of business with them hauling their transport equipment. So it’s a win/win for both of us.”
Tim Kling, Kling Towing; Fruitland Park, Florida
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
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Collins Manufacturing for Equipment You Can Trust
“I do a lot of long-distance tows in remote areas and need equipment I can trust. The long-term reliability of Collins, along with the fact that they are the only dolly rated for highway use, makes them an obvious choice for me and they’ve never let me down.”
Casey LaDelle, Cascade Heavy Rescue; Bend, Oregon
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Custer Products Does Due Diligence with Lighting
“Between Barb, Todd or Lois, I have yet to find a lighting question that Custer can’t answer. We buy all of our lighting from them, whether it’s a strobe or a 4-inch round. Recently, one of our drivers left a wireless light bar on a truck we were towing. Weeks later someone found it, called Custer, and they were able to use their serial number to recognize it was ours and get it returned to us. Thanks Custer!”
Bryan Whittenberger, Hook-n-Haul Trucking, Towing, and Service; Litchfield, Ohio
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 53
what the users say
See Ad Page 27
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 16
DewEze Customer Support Second to None
“Deweze is by far the simplest clutch pump kit to install. The instructions are very easy to follow even for the unexperienced installer, and only require simple hand tools most of the time. The customer support is hands down second to none. The folks are very knowledgeable about the product and eager to help with all situations.”
Curtis Sanchez, EdgeTec Parts Warehouse; Dallas, Texas
See Ad Page 75
Dynamic Towing Equipment & Mfg. Offers the Radius
“The Radius Rollback enables you to load a bed on an angle. Instead of blocking an entire lane, you block only half of it so that way traffic can keep going through. I have found I can do anything with it that I could do with a regular wrecker or rollback. As for customer service, they get back to you within 24 hours and are glad to share their knowledge. I have never had a problem with them.”
Wayne Gavis, Colonial Garage; Winchester, Virginia
See Ad Page 34
Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers Have Features We Love “Dual-Tech is my primary equipment when purchasing new chassis trucks. I currently have six Dual-Tech beds. We like smooth texture beds, no diamond plate and stationary headache rack with chain pockets. We tend to see less rust issues than other manufactured beds. There are many more features we also like. Customer service is the key factor in my decision to remain with Dual-Tech.”
Mathew Riddle, Riddle’s Towing; Cadiz, Kentucky
See Ad Page N 91, S 93
East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales Means Commitment, Integrity, and Service
“East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales has always been there for our team. I purchased a 2018 International Rollback from them and used it to transport all our repossessions to the local auctions in the area. In cases where we secure low profile vehicles such as Corvettes or Teslas, we can load vehicles without any issues. They also service our equipment, from truck service to dollies. East Coast Truck and Trailer has a high level of integrity. When I bring trucks or equipment in for service, they have always met the deadline to complete services.”
Corey Pathfinder, Pathfinder Auto Recovery; Suffolk, Virginia 54 • April 2021 | Towman.com
EasTract North America Saves on People and Labor
“We use the TowTract for a lot of underground parking and low clearance areas. It’s a touch free way to do towing. Many police departments want no touch transport for vehicles in order to preserve all evidence. It saves on people and labor. I used to send out multiple trucks; now I don’t have to. These machines are a great investment and asset. We get a lot of use out of it in South Florida, as it goes out multiple times per week.”
DJ Bingel, A Superior Towing Company; Davie, Florida
See Ad Page 74
EdgeTec Well Stocked with Quality Wrecker Parts
“EdgeTec has one of the largest selections of quality wrecker parts that I have seen anywhere. David and Curtis have always been super knowledgeable and helpful getting me the parts I need throughout the 15+ years I’ve been dealing with them. EdgeTec’s service department recently got me in and out the same day when one of my carriers had an electrical wiring issue during a recent ice storm.”
Brian Bell, Bell’s Towing & Recovery; Keithville, Louisiana
See Ad Page 81
Elizabeth Truck Center is the “Real Deal”
“We purchased a 5130 from Elizabeth Truck Center. We could not be happier with the versatility of this unit from small trucks to tractor trailers. It is primarily used for towing but it has superior recovery capabilities as well. Adding the drop axle allows us to safely and legally tow larger units with smaller equipment. Any unit that is #builtbyjimpowers is the real deal and so is his service.”
See Ad Page M 93
GSI Goes the Extra Mile
“GSI Tow Insurance has provided years of service for our business needs from general liability to worker’s compensation. Skip & Erin always go the extra mile and are there for us 24/7. We are proud of our continued business relationship with GSI Tow Insurance and look forward to many more years!”
Mike Barck, Olson Towing; Rapid City, South Dakota
Pat Sisbarro, Sisbarro Towing & Recovery; East Union, New Jersey
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 55
what the users say
See Ad Page 41
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 78
GUNIWHEEL Revolutionizes Towing TM
“Easy to use, this product has made challenging tasks quick and efficient to perform. The product itself is a perfect tool that not only fits one vehicle but is customizable for multiple applications due to its universal and quality design. We strongly believe that this device can revolutionize the towing industry and become a game-changer when dealing with vandalized vehicles. We are beyond satisfied with our investment in this innovative product.”
Kevin Chavez, Chaz Towing; Watsonville, California
See Ad Page 46
Integrated Vehicle & Equip. Leasing Goes Above and Beyond
“Dawsons Towing & Recovery has been towing for 30 + years. We recently purchased a 2021 Peterbilt w/ Century 1150 Rotator and a 2022 Kenworth NRC 50 CSR Rotator. Both trucks were financed through Integrated Vehicle and Equipment Leasing. We have been working with Integrated for over 10 years. Doreen Aragona goes above and beyond getting our deals done.”
Ronald Dawson, Dawson’s Towing & Recovery; Watervliet, New York
56 • April 2021 | Towman.com
See Ad Page 100
Hino is the Best Manufactured Truck on the Market
“With 45 years of experience in the towing industry, I think Hino is the best manufactured truck on the market. I have 650,000 miles average on my seven trucks. I’m going for a million! Comfort and the ride is amazing. If you just service and maintain the vehicles, they are amazing across the board.”
Steve Simon, A-Always Towing Co.; St. Louis, Missouri
See Ad Page 27
Intek Truck & Equip. Leasing Treat Us Like Family
“The Pearce family is pleased to be a customer of Intek. They give us a quick response on loan applications. They offer suggestions to help our business and treat us like family. They always know us by name.”
Joe Pearce, Pearce Truck & Auto; Martin, Tennessee
ITI Skates are Amazing at Protecting Towed Vehicles
“Nothing compares to Zip’s Aw Direct and their customer service. I have developed a true friendship with Nancy, my account representative, which cannot be replaced. As a fellow business owner this is something that we all strive for. Their ITI Control Arm Skate is amazing! We have used it multiple times and will continue to use it because it saves damage to towed vehicles and is easier on our equipment.”
Cody Charlton, Hooked Up; Granger, Wa
See Ad Page 2
Jerr-Dan Rotator is the Best on the Market
“The Jerr-Dan 50/60 JFB Rotator has many attractions. It’s body is made of a non-corrosive poly-body, its aluminum roll-up doors allow the operator to safely maneuver around the truck on the roadways, its 3-stage recovery boom reaches a whopping 41 feet, while the S130 outrigger system keeps the truck stable no matter where the operator positions the boom. We feel that the Jerr-Dan Rotator is the best one made in the market.”
Jay Fox, Bob’s Garage & Towing; Painesville, Ohio
See Ad Page 73
Kenworth of South Florida Follows Through
“The Kenworth T270 has plenty of power. You can put two cars on it – a car on the bed and a car in a tow lift. The motor runs really well. It has 300 HP engine. The driving is comfortable. It has nice wheels and tires. I dealt with Nick at Kenworth and everything he told me he was going to do, he did.”
Billy Jo Oxendine, B and J Auto Sales; Pembroke, North Carolina
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
See Ad Page 82
Landoll Lives Up to Expectations
“The Landoll Trailers have been trouble-free and a good addition to my fleet. They have good load angles and any options that you might need for that type of equipment trailer such as a container option that will help load a container. They have a decent lighting system. The trailers have lived up to our expectations.”
Paul Bressi, Nisqually Automotive & Towing; Olympia, Washington
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 57
what the users say
See Ad Page 22
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 80
Len Zermenos Builds Cost Effective Tow Trucks
“Ford 550 Car Carriers with Kilar Beds have had many improvements since I started purchasing the trucks and there are no operating issues. Lenny puts together a very cost-effective package and was a pleasure to do business with.”
Rick Stewart, Buddy’s Auto Center; Willow Creek, California
See Ad Page 71
See Ad Page 84
Lodar USA Gives Remote Powers
“I bought the 755 Dynamic new in late 2019. It was the first time I went with an autoloader and I felt I needed the Lodar wireless remote. I went to Compton L.A. to the Dynamic Guru (George Cassanova) to have custom work done to it. The Lodar remote made the truck an animal with the ability to get close-up and carefully get under vehicles with low clearances. I wouldn’t have one without it.”
Wayne Hall, Mountain Towing & Recovery; Cedar City, Utah
See Ad Page 83
Lynch Truck Centers is Where People Make the Difference
Matheny Towing Equipment Are Like Family
Scott Mann, Snowdance Auto Repair & Towing; Seneca, Illinois
Kelly Genoe, Genoe’s Towing and Recovery; Pine Knot, Kentucky
“The Miller Rotator will handle anything that comes along. I have bought more than a dozen trucks from Lynch over the years. It’s not just the trucks, trailers, and equipment that you are buying, it’s also the people. When I have a problem of any kind, I call Jimmy or the Weasel and they will bend over backwards to solve my problem.”
58 • April 2021 | Towman.com
“Our 2021 Kenworth 1150 rotator provides safe and fast service. What’s not to love? It has five winches, raptor controls, and load-sensing 3 stage boom. Living in a national forest and rural area where the highways are narrow and along cliff lines, it makes the work much easier. My sales-person Janice Habermel-Baker and Matheny tow trucks treat us like family and continue to stay in touch.”
Matjack Product and Service Second to None
“The best airbag I’ve ever used. Been in business for over 40 years and have had airbags 30 years plus without one failure. We have all three products – hi pressure Matjack, low pressure Jumbo and their landing bags. Dealing with John Sweezy, the owner and designer of Matjack, is unbelievable. If you need any fitting, hoses, a compressor – you would have it within a few days. Their product and service is second to none.”
Robert and Eric Fouquette, Big Wheel Towing; E. Freetown, Massachusetts
See Ad Page N, M 94, S 92
MercurySend.com Gets Positive Online Reviews
“MercurySend has saved us time in communicating with the customer and dramatically changed our review status on every online platform. We needed an easy way for our regular club customers to have an option to click and review fast. MercurySend has a solution for this exact problem, taking it to the next level. We saw results within the first 30 days of using this software.”
David McClure, Roy and Dot’s Towing; Rialto, California
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
See Ad Page M 91
McMahon Truck Center Delivers with Ease and Efficiency
“Working with Paul Blackston at McMahon Truck Center of Columbus has been a great experience. He is truly knowledgeable of the trucks, beds, and accessories, listening to my needs and delivering. Over the last two years I have purchased three new tow trucks and each time the process has been easy and efficient without any surprises. I highly recommend McMahon to anyone wanting to purchase a truck hassle free!”
Glenn Eaton, Complete Towing & Recovery; Wytheville, Virginia
See Ad Page W 93
Midco Sales for Flawless Execution and Peace of Mind
“Barnett’s Towing has been using Midco Sales for many years. We have purchased XL Specialized and other trailers from them, utilizing their parts and service department to keep our equipment in great condition. We recently purchased our third Jerr-Dan 50/60 tandem-tandem with tag axle rotator and the process was flawless. It is a good feeling to know there is a Jerr-Dan dealership in Arizona we can rely on for sales, service, and parts for our three Jerr-Dan 50/60 tandem-tandem rotators, heavy-duty Jerr-Dan wreckers, and trailers we have in our fleet.”
Troy E. Barnett, Barnett’s Towing; Phoenix, Arizona AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 59
what the users say
See Ad Page 73
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 7
Miller Industries Nails it with Superior Service, Product and Reputation
“Miller takes the same sense of pride and integrity that Ten-West Towing operates on: service, image and reputation. With tight deadlines to perform at a high level for both ourselves and multiple agencies, the Miller rotator product line enables my operators to meet deadlines and exceed expectations while providing a superior level of operator comfort and ease of use. When I made the switch to Miller industries over two years ago, I was treated like a lifetime client. I would have not had the recent success of growing our geographical footprint and market share without them in my corner.”
See Ad Page 76
Mobile Control Systems Unparalleled
“TowMate has a great line of quality products for all your lighting needs as well as the remote controls for your tow truck. All made here in America. It’s a great product and we love them. On the rare occasion that we do have a problem, Joe in service is great to work with and gets the customers taken care of. We’ve used many other brands before we found MCS and they all come up short in comparison.”
Tom Tracy, Kilar Fabrication; Hubbard, Ohio
JR Cady, Ten-west Towing; Bakersfield, California
See Ad Page N 92
New England Truckmaster is Built on a Long-Lasting Relationship
“Strollo Bros and Sons, established in 1949, has done business with New England Truckmaster since 2005. Truckmaster’s Chris and Diana Lambiase are always a pleasure to work with, professional, knowledgeable and accommodating. From NE Truckmaster, we have purchased 15 tow trucks, 11 of which are heavy duty wreckers. Recently we ordered a 2022 Peterbilt 9055XL, our 4th 9055. These trucks always get the job done.”
Sean Strollo, Strollo Towing Service; Cheshire, Connecticut
60 • April 2021 | Towman.com
See Ad Page N 93
Northeast Wrecker Sales Offers Great Relationships
“LTS Enterprises has been in the Heavy Diesel Repair and Towing business for 38 years. We connected with Northeast Wrecker Sales and formed a great business relationship with a great company. Patrick and Paul have sold us our entire fleet consisting of a V-100, a DTU, an 1150 Rotator, a 1600 LCG Carrier, 2 V-70’s. I highly recommend all the Miller Industries products.”
Ricky Paterson, LTS Enterprise; North Syracuse, NY
Nottingham Insurance for Lowest Rates Possible
“We have been with Nottingham Insurance for three years. Our agent, Andrew Meinster, is amazing, going above and beyond to secure the lowest rates possible, which is critical in the towing Industry. Karen Fabio, our account manager, is always on top of our filings, certificates of insurance, and any endorsements we may need. We look forward to many years of continued service with Nottingham Insurance.”
See Ad Page 84
OMG Tow Marketing Grows your Business
“OMG Tow Marketing’s Tow Marketing Essentials is one of the best tools you will need to grow your company. They make it easy for you. We all want cash calls and OMG played an important part!”
Pablo Matos, Matos Towing & Recovery; Reading, Pennsylvania
Michael Otterson, South Philly Towing; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
See Ad Page 50
Peak Auto Auctions Drives Abandoned Vehicle Sales
“If abandoned vehicle sales are not an important part of your company’s revenue, you need to talk to Peak Auto Auctions. This professional and free auction service has driven our abandoned vehicle sales through the roof!”
Trevor Forbes, Wyatts Towing; Denver, Colorado
See Ad Page 46
Quick Draw Tarpaulin Systems For Superior Protection of Vehicles
“Our Quick Draw Tarpaulin system on our flatbed carrier has allowed us to better serve our high-end vehicle and electric equipment customers. Specialty vehicles and equipment no longer have to endure the salt and snow of our winters, or the rain of spring and summer. Completely enclosed keeps things clean and neat. Operating the Quick Draw unit from either end is simple and effective, adding that extra touch to our “white glove” service. Thank you Quick Draw!”
Kipp LeMarbe, Hadley’s Towing; Novi, Michigan
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 61
what the users say
See Ad Page 41
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 21
RimSling the Perfect Choice for Winching and Lifting Applications
“We use all different sizes of Rimslings. They are on every truck in our fleet, from our rollbacks to our rotator. We use them for all types of winching & lifting applications. When using soft rigging, with the protective sleeve & covering, they are the perfect choice.”
Ryan Kegley, TDS Heavy Towing & Recovery; New Point, Indiana
See Ad Page 99
Santander Provides Quick, Flexible Options
“At Big Tows Auto, we value our equipment to be topof-the-line and ready to take on any situation that the mighty winters of Chicago may bring forth. This wouldn’t be possible without the help of Santander. They provided us with quick, flexible options ranging from light-duty service to heavy-duty units. With such a great service, we were able to lock in a fleet of tow trucks financed from Santander that haven’t disappointed since the day we turned the key into the ignition.”
Roc Ashkar, Big Tows Auto; Crestwood, Illinois
See Ad Page M 95
Select Truck & Equipment Provides Top of the Line Trucks
“The extended cab on the 2021 Freightliner we purchased from Select Truck & Equipment is wonderful to get your customers off of the highway and a good place for a cat nap when the day turns into night. The Jerr-Dan 22’ 6-ton floor is just what you need to grab a four door long bed dually with ease, also equipped with remote winch control that makes loading in a tight parking lot or loading a motorcycle solo a breeze.”
Gene & Julie Whittle, Gene’s Tire & Service Towing; Crocker, Missouri
62 • April 2021 | Towman.com
See Ad Page W 92
Sierra Pacific Insurance Saves Big $
“For years I was paying over $1,300 a month to another insurer. Then I met Brady and his team at Sierra Pacific! He saved me over $500 a month per truck. And since then it has been smooth sailing. Brady is not only our broker but also a friend. I’ve never had an issue getting a hold of him or his team! There’s no annoying automated services or long holds just to be transferred to the wrong department.”
Chris Soto, Texas Towing and Hauling; Cedar Hills, Texas
Specialty Vehicle Funding Is Simple, Fast, and Effortless
“I was introduced to Mr. Dick Fabian about 10 years ago. He told me to call him when I needed a truck financed and that he would take care of me. After dealing with several banks the first few years in business, I was very skeptical about any bank, but he made good on his word. The process was simple and fast and required very little effort on my end. We have been working with Dick ever since and currently bought a 2020 rollback financed a few weeks ago. Once again thanks for taking care of us.”
Paxton Grice, Press Yelder Towing; Oxford, North Carolina
See Ad Page 43
See Ad Page W 94
Tow Industries Takes Care of Everything
“I purchased the Century 1150 Rotator from Tow Industries. I have used Tow Industries many times in the past, having purchased a majority of our Century wreckers from them. They provide excellent service and anything you need for the truck. They take care of it, personally sending out a person to handle the situation.”
Javier Gonzalez, Edwin’s Towing; Upland, California
See Ad Page 50
Towbook Management Software is the Future
TowMate Lighting Outperforms the Competition
Reva Benefiel, Benefiel Truck Repair and Towing; Hamburg, Iowa
James and Hollie Cain, Comer’s Wrecker; Joplin, Missouri
“Switching to Towbook changed everything. No more writing down dispatches on paper, or texting information to drivers about calls. Since it is cloud-based, my people in multiple offices can all see exactly the same thing in real time, leaving out guesswork on ETAs, or where drivers are. Every day we learn a little more about all the features built into it. I believe Towbook has the most bang for your buck of any software that I currently use or have used in the past.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
“We started using the TowMate products in 2007 because we were looking for high intensity lighting, quality, and customer service. We use their wireless technology throughout our entire fleet of wreckers. In the towing industry good visibility equals safety when working. TowMate products from our lightbar to our work light system have outperformed all products we have tried in the past. Size does not matter, but intensity, lumens, and reliability do!”
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 63
what the users say
See Ad Page 13
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 77
Trail King Industries Defined by Quality and Performance
“Trail King Trailers have been my go-to trailer for all of my heavy hauling jobs for forty years. They are reliable, built with the best quality materials and are a cut above in performance. Currently, I have thirteen Trail King Trailers, several different models; RGN, Lowboy and a thirteen axle rig that hauls up to 150 tons. Trail Kings Sliding Axle trailer is the best on the market! At twenty-five years old, my oldest Trail King trailer is still dependable and used daily. When it’s in need of maintenance or repair, there’s never an issue getting parts!”
Steve Webb, Webb’s Towing & Recovery Services; Lake City, Florida
See Ad Page 17
TWG–Tulsa & DP Winch Always Evolving
“DP winch is a great partner that understands our customer’s needs and is instrumental in our ongoing product development in the heavy-duty market, domestically and worldwide. The winch is reliable and powerful. The M100 has dual 65,000 main winches which is a new product to the towing and recovery industry.”
Kipp Felice, Miller Industries; Ooltewah, Tennessee
See Ad Page W 95
Truck Source Finds the Perfect Fit
“Eldon at Truck Source takes a lot of pride in selling quality equipment. Recently the growth in our Fleet Division had us searching for a couple more heavy wreckers. Eldon was able to find us a Kenworth and Peterbilt within weeks that were a great fit for our fleet. The trucks were exceptionally clean, well maintained and 100% ready for work. Truck Source here in Oklahoma will earn your business with their price and selection but they will keep you with their customer service.”
Shane Swearingen, A-Z Towing; Yukon, Oklahoma
See Ad Page W 93
Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX Brings Knowledge and Friendliness to Service and Goods
“I have done business with Utility Trailer Sales Southeast Texas since 1980. They are 99% stocked with the parts I need, including wheels, suspension, trailers, trucks and even Cummins. Michael Garcia is just one of the salespeople I have had contact with and can tell you many stories of his helpfulness. All of their salespeople are extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. I have also used their service department, which is excellent. I truly enjoy doing business with them.”
Robert Taylor, Winston Trucking; Sealy, Texas 64 • April 2021 | Towman.com
West End Service Earns My Business
“I bought an International 21 ft. bed from West End Service, Inc. The rollback does what it’s supposed to do, is strong running and has no problem loading up to 12,000 pounds. I had a couple of issues with the check engine light, but never had any problems taking it to West End for prompt service. They have been phenomenal and have earned my business.”
Paul Kope, 4 points Towing and Roadside Service; Camden, Delaware
See Ad Page W 96-97
Wrecker Warehouse Proves Itself
“Texas Auto Towing has chosen the Dynamic 701 as our primary wrecker bed for repossession purposes. The unit is extremely durable and has never let us down in any application we have used it for. The negative tilt, under lift reach, and vertical oversized toolboxes have proven itself as an essential unit for our company!”
Joe Baker and Devon Lucza; Texas Auto Tow, Sanger, Texas
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
See Ad Page W 96-97
Wrecker Warehouse Offers So Much
“Brent is the key guy at Wrecker Warehouse, who sold me a Dual-Tech that had issues. But he took on the problems, fixing a cracked bed and creating custom L arms for it. He sold me a Dynamic bed in 07’ and it has a million miles on it. I respect him so much for all of his advice. Wrecker Warehouse also offers straps, chains, lights – anything you can think of, they have. In this business, when you need it, you need it now.”
Glen Esken, Woods Towing & Recovery; Rockwall, Texas
See Ad Page S 97
X-insurance with Exemplary Customer Service
“It has been our privilege to work with David Holmes. David has insured us since we opened our doors in early 2018. His customer service has been exemplary. We tend to have lots of questions and contact him frequently. We always get quick and helpful responses. He always assists us to ensure we have what we need. I would recommend David Holmes as an insurance agent to not only new startups but to anyone interested in being an owner in the repo industry.”
Paul Poenitsch, Run Recovery; Waukesha, Wisconsin
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 65
what the users say
See Ad Page 77
THE GREAT
TEXAS PILEUP Beard’s Towing Takes Command by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
Beard’s owner, James Bennett Jr., steps up as the incident commander and coordinates the recovery of 135 vehicles with a dozen tow companies working alongside 150 police officers and firefighters. 66 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Beards Towing Equipment:
2 - 75 ton Century 1075 rotators 4 - Century 9055 50-ton heavies 2 - Century 4024 20-ton wreckers 2 - 57-foot Landoll trucks and trailers 11 - Miller/Century LCG rollbacks from 12 series to 20 series 2 - John Deere 333G skid steer’s Beards service truck Total 22 units
Texas Towing
1-75 ton Century 1075 rotator 4-Century 9055 50-ton heavies 1- Century 4024 20-ton wreckers 2- 57 foot Landoll truck and trailers 8- LCG Miller/Century rollbacks from 12 series to 20 series Total 16 units
A-1 Wrecker Service
2- Century 9055 50-ton heavies 1- Century 4024 20-ton wrecker 4- Miller rollbacks Total 7 units
Edd’s Towing Texans are not accustomed to icy conditions. The Great Pileup challenged all the emergency first responders.
O
n Thursday, February 11th 2021 all hell broke loose on I-35W in Fort Worth just around the morning rush hour. Seems that Texas was in this frigid, horrific weather pattern and the highway became a sheet of ice from freezing rain that had fallen overnight and into the early morning hours. This led to a massive chain-reaction pileup, which appeared to have started at around 6:15 am, with cars slipping, sliding and crashing into each other. Multiple 18-wheelers, also involved in the pileup, crashed violently into and in some cases rolled over passenger vehicles. 135 vehicles were involved in the massive wreck, leaving six people dead and dozens injured. The scene stretched for nearly a mile in the southbound lanes of the interstate, north of downtown. The roads were so bad firefighters had to use their own salt and sand to get to the scene.
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
1- Century 1150 50-ton rotator 1- Landoll truck and trailer 5- rollbacks Total 7 units
ABC Wrecker 2- heavies 4- rollbacks Total 6 units
Cornish Wrecker 4- rollbacks
Perrfect Towing 3- rollbacks
Milliner Wrecker 2-heavies 4- rollbacks Total 6 units
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 67
Vehicles were stacked one on top of another.
Being able to lift two vehicles quickly saved the life of a trapped victim at the bottom of the heap.
68 • April 2021 | Towman.com
The emergency response was just as massive. In the midst of this tragedy towers answered the call responding with an awesome display of manpower and equipment and were on scene working alongside 80 police officers and close to 70 firefighters. Towers not only cleared the mangled wreckage, but lifted thousands of pounds of crushed vehicles so that firefighters could rescue people that were trapped. In charge of this effort was James Bennett Jr., the owner of Beard’s Towing, the biggest of the many tow companies on the rotation handling this mess. James Jr. is the “Incident Management Commander” for the Traffic Incident Management System in the area. He oversaw coordinating the response of close to 90 tow trucks that were on scene helping with the crash. James Jr explained, “We were called in by Fort Worth PD and Fire. “If you have something that weighs from 45,000 to 80,000 pounds on top of something that weighs less than a ton, we need to be able to remove that
carefully and safely so firefighters can get in there. We need to do our job so they can do their job.”
Cross-training has proven invaluable. It
improves working relationships between towers, firefighters, police and EMS
Southwest Tow Operators founder and executive director Tommy Anderson said, “James Bennett Jr. is one of the really good guys in this industry. He often hosts extrication training for DFW first responders and holds training sessions, incident management with fire, police periodically at his own expense.” Cross-training has proven invaluable. It improves working relationships between towers, firefighters, police and EMS, learning what
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
Towers and their equipment allowed other responders to do their work.
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 69
tools that each industry and every department has at their disposal. I-35 became a massive search and rescue operation with frigid temperatures making it challenging. People developing hypothermia was a concern and rescuers were slipping on ice while searching for survivors in the wreckage. Paramedics brought in buses to keep the survivors warm in the freezing temperatures and a reunification center was set up for people involved in the pileup to reconnect with their families. Fort Worth Police deployed more than 80 vehicles to block traffic and assist wrecker companies removing cars from the pileup. This was a tremendous undertaking with towers collaborating with other first responders in a coordinated recovery and rescue effort to clear the chaos with an impressive array of
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70 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 71
Rotators strutted their stuff, saving hours in road clearance.
equipment. James Jr added, “Other companies who assisted were Guy Simmons Towing, Bevins Wrecker Service, Lonestar Towing and Advanced Recovery. As far as individual drivers operating rollbacks, they
72 • April 2021 | Towman.com
were definitely too many of them to know all of their names. We reference all of our towers as “The Fort Worth Towing Alliance.” Heavy-duty wreckers and rotators lined the scene to lift vehicles stacked on top of other vehicles. All of the
heavy-duty rigging of the casualties that were on top of other casualties and victims was done by James Bennett Jr., Richard Knadle, Allen Knadle, Jac Clay and Chris Akers. For each of the fatalities involved the rigging was done by James
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 73
Logistical calls were made by James Bennet Jr., owner of Beard’s Towing, orchestrating the work of a dozen area towing companies.
Bennett Jr. He explained, “To rig some of the casualties I had to crawl over and actually lay on some of the victims to get the rigging in the right place so that it would not drop and damage the victim further.” James Jr. informed, “On the picture where you see the rotator
74 • April 2021 | Towman.com
lifting two vehicles at once...The reason for that was due to the victim underneath the white van. The driver side door was ripped open underneath the van with a corner of it going into the victim’s back. The black Toyota pickup was wedged on top of the van with another
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vehicle pushing down on the victim. The rigging was done so that we could lift the black pick up in the van simultaneously without it dropping and damaging the victim any further. If we had moved one of the vehicles at a time it would have dragged the victim.” In total they cleared 135 vehicles and recovered six victims in 16 hours. James Jr. and his crew were first on scene and were there for the duration. He stated, “We were out there the whole time. We were the last to leave.” All of the vehicles were transported back to the individual towing companies’ yards with the exception of the fatality vehicles, which went to police impound. James Jr. stated, “On behalf of Beards Towing we would like to take the time to thank all of our team members for all the hard work and first class professionalism they performed awesome under the pressure of yesterday‘s tragedy of the 135 car pile up. To the wrecker operators with boots on the ground to our amazing office girls/dispatchers. All of you were nothing less than magnificent. From the Beards Towing family our hearts go out to all of the families who suffered a loss in these catastrophic accidents. You have our deepest condolences as we continue to pray for your families.”
◀
76 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 77
About Beard’s Towing Beard’s Towing is familyowned and operated business owned by James Bennett Jr. The company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, provides 24/7 emergency light-, mediumand heavy-duty towing and recovery and roadside assistance to Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Established in 1954, the company boasts a combined 100 years of experience. They have an extensive fleet of state-of-the-art equipment that is well-kept and well-maintained and operated by trained professionals. A strong believer in training, James Jr. has regular training sessions to keep his operators on top of their game and holds cross-training sessions with fire and police.
78 • April 2021 | Towman.com
LITE-IT UP WITH
CUSTER PRODUCTS
www.custerproducts.com • 800-490-3158
80 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Supplier Scoop TEC Equipment Becomes Jerr-Dan Distributor
Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE: OSK), has added TEC Equipment as a distributor of its complete line of towing and recovery vehicles. TEC Equipment, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a leading dealer of Mack, Volvo, Hino, and Isuzu trucks, as well as Wabash and MAC trailers. “We’re pleased that TEC Equipment is investing in the Jerr-Dan brand to provide our shared customers outstanding service and support,” said Hal Wyatt, Director of Aftermarket Support at Jerr-Dan Founded in 1976, TEC Equipment has grown from a single used truck center in Portland, Oregon, to 28 truck and trailer dealership locations with 1,200 employees across Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona. In addition to new and used truck and trailer sales, TEC provides full-service truck and trailer support through parts,
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 81
Supplier Scoop service, financing, insurance leasing and rentals. Towing and recovery equipment is a new business area for TEC, one that company leaders say will be welcomed by customers.
82 • April 2021 | Towman.com
“At TEC, our customers’ needs are central to how we operate. They asked for towing and recovery products, and we’re happy to partner with Jerr-Dan to deliver those
GSI Tow Insurance Welcomes NASCAR Driver Corey LaJoie
Garage Service Insurance LLC (GSI Tow Insurance) and NASCAR Driver Corey Lajoie have agreed on an endorsement contract; Lajoie will appear in various GSI Tow Insurance advertisements to endorse the company and its services. “We are very excited to have Corey join us as an endorsement partner,” commented owner of GSI, Skip Bargielski. “We feel that Corey understands our brand and represents the hard work, dedication, and winning spirit that we aspire to everyday. We look forward to a great working relationship.” .Lajoie has made a name for himself by winning his way through the NASCAR Cup Series ranks. This includes several top 10 finishes including a P-8 at The Daytona 500. For years, customers have come to GSI for insurance to protect their Tow Truck, Auto Salvage, Car Haul-
Supplier Scoop ing and Garage Businesses. As specialists in providing a total insurance solution, GSI has built a strong reputation across its customers in Western and Midwestern states. With LaJoie joining the team as an endorsement partner, the company plans to build upon an already strong reputation in tow truck insurance. “We’re avid supporters of the racing world. Our partnership with Corey made sense from many angles and we are optimistic about continuing to build our presence with Corey’s support.” Continued Skip.
84 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Joseph Kolodziej who owned and operated the family business, fifty years and running, Joe’s Towing and Recovery and also, Tri J Towing and Recovery, passed away last month. Joe was inducted in 2013 to the Towing Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He served on the board of the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida for over twenty years and was cited for heroism for his actions on May 9th, 1980, when he dispatched himself to the fallen Skyway bridge where he was quick to tie himself off, walking out to a single car which was positioned on a broken span of the bridge, aiding the driver to safety.
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800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com
86 • April 2021 | Towman.com
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 87
My Baby
Simplicity’s Complexity By George L. Nitti
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.
C
ompany branding is a critical component to starting and managing any business, and includes such elements as a strong logo, consistent colors that blend nicely, and fonts that are applied across the business. Strong branding leaves a lasting impression, helping a company stand out to customers who associate its product or service with the brand while attracting
88 • April 2021 | Towman.com
new customers with the clarity of that image. At Chaz Towing in Watsonville, Cal., established in 1987, the company has developed a strong brand with a “less is more” identity that exudes a professional image in its simplicity. According to Kevin Chavez, operating manager and son of owner Eduardo Chavez, “We wanted something subtle that would stand out. Something that was not overstated but with some complexity.” Fine tow truck graphics, like mid-coast California wines, harbor intensity wrapped in subtlety as illustrated on their 2014 Peterbilt389 with a 35-ton Vulcan. “This unit is a perfect fit for our company and the perfect application for any fleet. It’s easy to use and maneuver,” Chavez said. “The capabilities of the winches and its pulling power are incredible.” At the heart of the design is t h e
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
company name which is the primary element that stands out because of its large size, scripted/elegant lettering and contrasting colors that blend subtlety against its yellow and white background. Adding further distinction, the company name is applied in several key locations, including the side doors, the hood, and the large real estate across the wrecker body. Going the extra yard, however, lies in the fact that even their customized mud flaps restate the company name, not the wrecker company or dealership, a fine point that is often overlooked in branding. The company name is easy to remember as well. “Chaz.” Chavez said, “We wanted to be unique. Many tow companies go with their last name but we wanted a more memorable marking.” Which includes their colors of yellow and white. Chavez said, “Yellow grabs everybody’s attention. It represents emergency personnel and catches your attention, making it hard to miss.” Reflective lettering and an array of lights gives further enhancement.
Their brand, like their family heritage, was forged over time and proliferates on other company memorabilia, such as pens, backpacks, customized coffee cups, vests and rain gear. “My father, who started the company with his brothers, immigrated to the states in 1978, first living in Minnesota before moving to the Monterrey Bay area. He came with empty pockets with a dream to succeed,” said Chavez. “He saw the need and demand for towing.” Now with 11 trucks and family members entwined in the business, with a single-minded focus, company professionalism has become a prevailing theme wrapped in precise branding that strikes notes of simple tastes.
Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • 89
Lowdown
Haymakers, in the Ring or On the Road
D
Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com
reams have played a pivotal role in the history of the world. Day dreams, night dreams, and aspirational fantasies. Artists, politicians, world conquerors, all have been inspired by dreams in their sleep. I had a recent dream I will share here. In my dream I was a fight promoter. A big fight was coming up. My son, Henri, who is very safety conscious, came to me with a plea to promote a new way of boxing that wouldn’t knock the daylights out of those slugging it out in the ring. Henri, by the way, was the one who inspired the tagline at the bottom of AT’s pages, “Work the nontraffic side.” In my dream, collaborating with my son, we considered new rules for the boxers. Maybe we would allow a one-two punch but not a follow up punch to that. Maybe we would outlaw a knock-out punch, and if thrown, would disqualify the boxer. The goal of these deliberations, in the dream, was to make boxing less threatening to the fighter’s life and health. Skirting any logic that may get in the way of these reforms, I thought of promoting the next big fight. Then I awoke, amused at the whole prospect of promoting a boxing match that would be as safe as a pillow fight. My mind kept on churning in my awake state. I thought of my immediate concerns related to safety and the fact that nearly every week in American Towman’s online news venue, TowIndustryWeek.com, we report on a tow operator being struck and killed by a passing vehicle while working the white line. I thought of the various safety measures that have been tried by individual towers and collectively as well, like the Move-Over Law, and campaigns like The Spirit Ride. I thought of solutions to reduce the risk towers face that have been talked about or tried, and of products created for this purpose. I’m quite awake now and I believe it’s time to put together a brain trust on the issue of our industry’s health and survival. Maintaining a professional driver force for a towing company has never been more challenging
90 • April 2021 | Towman.com
I believe it’s time to put together a brain trust on the issue of our industry’s health and survival. than it is today, and the dangers on the road have never been more perilous. This fact alone makes it more difficult to attract people to do the work of a tow operator. So, from a dream in my sleep of reforming the sport of boxing, the daylight calls up reality the challenge of safety reform, the culture and conditions of the tower working on the white line. American Towman will orchestrate our industry’s first-ever Roadside Safety Commission. This commission will draw upon several industry veterans who are keen on the need for greater reform. Several will come out of American Towman’s orbit of writers and trainers, all towers themselves at one time and even today. The purpose of the commission will be to identify practices and products that the industry as a whole needs to get behind. This could even include new ideas brought forth by the commission. The commission will certainly discuss the move-over laws and how enforcement can be accelerated. Whatever the Roadside Safety Commission does or says, American Towman will broadcast it. If any initiative of merit springs from it, AT will help cultivate allies to boost it. I think bringing together industry men and women to discuss safety measures for those who work in dangerous conditions is worth more of my focus than reforming the fight game. Though, as a show promoter, I kinda like the prospect of promoting Madison Square Garden’s first prize pillow-fight!
Legislation
TRAA Legislative Workshop a Virtual Success By Brian J. Riker
D
espite the restrictions imposed due to the continuing pandemic the Towing and Recovery Association of America’s Third Annual Legislative Workshop was a huge success. Done virtually March14th this year via Zoom the atmosphere was different but the impact was even greater than in 2020 when their group was the last public group inside the Capitol Building when the decision was made to close the Capitol to visitors on March 12, 2020. Meeting with over 45 members of Congress representing 13 states as well as both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee the towing industry had their collective voice heard on key legislative issues with a national impact. This is critical for the future of the
North 92 • April 2021 | Towman.com
industry and couldn’t be accomplished without the support and participation of the membership. Next year the TRAA hopes to have members from all 50 states attend an in-person event in Washington DC to speak on behalf of the entire industry. The issue with the greatest impact to the tower is roadside safety. Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. This is why TRAA is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as in both the House and Senate to address roadside safety with a strong push to have language included in the soon to be introduced Highway Bill or other infrastructure
legislation this session. Already they have the support of Senators Deb Fisher (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in requesting the US Department of Transportation adopt and promote best practices in SDMO guidelines on a national level, including a national commitment to Move Over. This will include supporting a National Slow Down Move Over Day resolution, increased educational funding, including towers among other first responders in future legislation and support for the soon to be reintroduced Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, which will include allowing towers to access services and funding usually reserved for other Agencies. Another issue of concern to most towing company owners is the reintroduction of the INSURANCE Act. If passed this legislation will require interstate motor carriers, which includes most towers, to more than double the mandatory minimum public liability insurance coverage. Rising to over $2 Million from the current minimum of $750,000 for most motor carriers TRAA expects insurance premiums to increase by 40% or more. It is important to note that many towers already carry $1 Million in public liability with many also having blanket or excess coverage of two million or more however this legislation would require the base coverage to be at least $2.1 Million which could not be satisfied with our current excess or blanket policies. Keep in mind, this like most other Federal motor carrier legislation effects operations of any commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds gross weight rating used in interstate commerce. Thankfully TRAA learned that one of the cosponsors of the INSURANCE Act from last year, Representative
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • North 93
Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. Cartwright, will not be cosponsoring it this year. Given the difficulty most tow business owners face finding help today, and the fact that most towing companies are small family-owned businesses TRAA also was vocal in supporting the DRIVE SAFE Act. This
North 94 • April 2021 | Towman.com
legislation, if passed, will compel the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to create pilot programs to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of allowing drivers between the ages of 18-20 to operate in interstate commerce. Again, like the INSURANCE Act, the current prohibition on
under 21 year old drivers in interstate commerce applies to most towers, not just those that use CDL required vehicles or that physically cross state lines. Interstate commerce is any part of the trade or traffic of goods coming from or intended for other states or nations including any portion that is wholly within one state or even within one city. This means any services to out of state motorists can be interstate commerce when the strictest interpretation of the definition is applied. Simply put, an 18 year old could legally drive a 3/5 ton pickup truck to school or clear across the country on vacation but they could not drive the same truck to do a jump start or tire change on an out of state motorist because it has a gross weight rating of 11,000 pounds and therefore is a commercial vehicle engaging in interstate commerce.
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • North 95
TRAA finds this ridiculous and was very vocal in support for the DRIVE SAFE Act which will gather data regarding the safety of younger commercial drivers to put this issue to rest once and for all. The last major national issue addressed by TRAA at their 3rd Annual Legislative Event was a size and weight issue. Congress
to have the technical correction included in this session’s Highway Reauthorization Bill, TRAA is also proposing some language changes to allow towing of combination vehicles to appropriate repair or storage facilities in all states. TRAA argued that splitting of certain types of combination vehicles, most notably petroleum
Your fellow towers from across the Nation took two days away from their business to gather with lawmakers in an effort to address several high priority issues on behalf of all towers in the US. intended to grant some flexibility to the towing industry in the 2015 FAST Act. While well intended there was a technical error in the text of the Bill that resulted in the Federal language in 23 USC § 127 requiring a covered heavy duty towing vehicle to have a weight equal to that of the casualty it was towing to take advantage of the weight exemption granted when it was intended to read as “gross weight rating”. The omission of the word “rating” has caused grief for towers nationwide as several states updated their vehicle regulations to comply with the letter of the law contained in the FAST Act not the spirit. The discussion around this omission also resulted in TRAA recognizing that while the weight exemption is a good thing not all states allow a tower to tow combination vehicles as a unit legally which is also a safety issue. As part of their lobbying efforts North 96 • April 2021 | Towman.com
tankers and automobile transporters is not only problematic but often unsafe to accomplish roadside. Further, TRAA argues that given the current climate of roadside injury and death from inattentive motorists it is a safety issue when multiple pieces of towing equipment and their associated operators are required to be dispatched to tow a combination vehicle that could otherwise safely be removed from harms way by a single tow truck and operator. These are only a few of the legislative issues that were discussed during the TRAA Legislative Workshop, an intricate part of the entire Legislative Event or “Hill Day”. Other pressing issues facing the towing industry nationwide include the potential reintroduction of mandatory speed limiters on all commercial vehicles, changes to front, side and
rear impact guards, mandatory integration of automatic braking systems and other vehicle automation technologies on all commercial vehicles. Additional topics being monitored closely include the insurance and trucking industry’s attempts to force national regulations of the price and services of towers and major changes to the definition of employee vs. independent contractor and how that will impact our industry. In conclusion, your fellow towers from across the Nation took two days away from their business to gather with lawmakers in an effort to address several high priority issues on behalf of all towers in the US. Without folks like this, towers that at their own expense work for the greater good of the entire towing industry, our beloved industry would look very different. We might not even be a private industry anymore. There is already a push by insurance companies to transform incident management (police/non-consent) towing from a private industry to a public service operated by local and state governments much like the fire service and highway maintenance is operated. Re-read the last paragraph above and think about that for a minute. Our entire way of doing business is under threat in the US, not just for police towers, but anyone responding to a disabled vehicle on a public roadway should stand up and take notice. Without your State and the TRAA fighting on your behalf this could soon become reality.
Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • North 97
Legislation
TRAA Legislative Workshop a Virtual Success By Brian J. Riker
D
espite the restrictions imposed due to the continuing pandemic the Towing and Recovery Association of America’s Third Annual Legislative Workshop was a huge success. Done virtually March14th this year via Zoom the atmosphere was different but the impact was even greater than in 2020 when their group was the last public group inside the Capitol Building when the decision was made to close the Capitol to visitors on March 12, 2020. Meeting with over 45 members of Congress representing 13 states as well as both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee the towing industry had their collective voice heard on key legislative issues with a national impact. This is critical for the future of the
South 92 • April 2021 | Towman.com
industry and couldn’t be accomplished without the support and participation of the membership. Next year the TRAA hopes to have members from all 50 states attend an in-person event in Washington DC to speak on behalf of the entire industry. The issue with the greatest impact to the tower is roadside safety. Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. This is why TRAA is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as in both the House and Senate to address roadside safety with a strong push to have language included in the soon to be introduced Highway Bill or other infrastructure
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • South 93
legislation this session. Already they have the support of Senators Deb Fisher (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in requesting the US Department of Transportation adopt and promote best practices in SDMO guidelines on a national level, including a national commitment to Move Over. This will include supporting a National Slow Down Move Over Day resolution, increased educational funding, including towers among other first responders in future legislation and support for the soon to be reintroduced Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, which will include allowing towers to access services and funding usually reserved for other Agencies. Another issue of concern to most towing company owners is the reintroduction of the INSURANCE Act. If passed this legislation will require interstate motor carriers, which includes most towers, to more than double the mandatory minimum public liability
South 94 • April 2021 | Towman.com
insurance coverage. Rising to over $2 Million from the current minimum of $750,000 for most motor carriers TRAA expects insurance premiums to increase by 40% or more. It is important to note that many towers already carry $1 Million in public liability with many also having blanket or excess coverage of two million or more however this legislation would require the base coverage to be at least $2.1 Million which could not be satisfied with our current excess or blanket policies. Keep in mind, this like most other Federal motor carrier legislation effects operations of any commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds gross weight rating used in interstate commerce. Thankfully TRAA learned that one of the cosponsors of the INSURANCE Act from last year, Representative Cartwright, will not be co-sponsoring it this year. Given the difficulty most tow business owners face finding help
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • South 95
today, and the fact that most towing companies are small family-owned businesses TRAA also was vocal in supporting the DRIVE SAFE Act. This legislation, if passed, will compel the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to create pilot programs to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of allowing drivers between the ages of 18-20 to operate in interstate commerce. Again, like the INSURANCE Act, the current prohibition on under 21 year old drivers in interstate commerce applies to most towers, not just those that use CDL required vehicles or that physically cross state lines. Interstate commerce is any part of the trade or traffic of goods coming from or intended for other states or nations including any portion that is wholly within one state or even within one city. This means any services to out of state motorists can be interstate commerce when the strictest interpretation of the definition is applied. Simply put, an 18 year old could legally drive a 3/5 ton pickup truck to school or clear across the country on vacation but they could not drive the same truck to do a jump start or tire change on an out of state motorist because it has a gross weight rating of 11,000 pounds and therefore is a commercial vehicle engaging in interstate commerce. TRAA finds this ridiculous and was very vocal in support for the DRIVE SAFE Act which will gather data regarding the safety of younger commercial drivers to put this issue to rest once and for all. The last major national issue addressed by TRAA at their 3rd Annual Legislative Event was a size and weight issue. Congress intended to grant some flexibility to the towing industry in the 2015 FAST Act. While well intended there was a technical error in the South 96 • April 2021 | Towman.com
text of the Bill that resulted in the Federal language in 23 USC § 127 requiring a covered heavy duty towing vehicle to have a weight equal to that of the casualty it was towing to take advantage of the weight exemption granted when it was intended to read as “gross weight rating”. The omission of the word “rating” has caused grief for towers nationwide as several states updated their vehicle regulations to comply with the letter of the law contained in the FAST Act not the spirit. The discussion around this omission also resulted in TRAA recognizing that while the weight exemption is a good thing not all states allow a tower to tow combination vehicles as a unit legally which is also a safety issue. As part of their lobbying efforts to have the technical correction included in this session’s Highway Reauthorization Bill, TRAA is also proposing some language changes to allow towing of combination vehicles to appropriate repair or storage facilities in all states. TRAA argued that splitting of certain types of combination vehicles, most notably petroleum tankers and automobile transporters is not only problematic but often unsafe to accomplish roadside. Further, TRAA argues that given the current climate of roadside injury and death from inattentive motorists it is a safety issue when multiple pieces of towing equipment and their associated operators are required to be dispatched to tow a combination vehicle that could otherwise safely be removed from harms way by a single tow truck and operator. These are only a few of the legislative issues that were discussed during the TRAA Legislative Workshop, an intricate part of the entire Legislative Event
or “Hill Day”. Other pressing issues facing the towing industry nationwide include the potential r eintroduction of mandatory speed limiters on all commercial vehicles, changes to front, side and rear impact guards, mandatory integration of automatic braking systems and other vehicle automation technologies on all commercial vehicles. Additional topics being monitored closely include the insurance and trucking industry’s attempts to force national regulations of the price and services of towers and major changes to the definition of employee vs. independent contractor and how that will impact our industry. In conclusion, your fellow towers from across the Nation took two days away from their business to gather with lawmakers in an effort to address several high priority issues on behalf of all towers in the US. Without folks like this, towers that at their own expense work for the greater good of the entire towing industry, our beloved industry would look very different. We might not even be a private industry anymore. There is already a push by insurance companies to transform incident management (police/non-consent) towing from a private industry to a public service operated by local and state governments much like the fire service and highway maintenance is operated. Re-read the last paragraph above and think about that for a minute. Our entire way of doing business is under threat in the US, not just for police towers, but anyone responding to a disabled vehicle on a public roadway should stand up and take notice. Without your State and the TRAA fighting on your behalf this could soon become reality.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • South 97
Legislation
TRAA Legislative Workshop a Virtual Success By Brian J. Riker
D
espite the restrictions imposed due to the continuing pandemic the Towing and Recovery Association of America’s Third Annual Legislative Workshop was a huge success. Done virtually March14th this year via Zoom the atmosphere was different but the impact was even greater than in 2020 when their group was the last public group inside the Capitol Building when the decision was made to close the Capitol to visitors on March 12, 2020. Meeting with over 45 members of Congress representing 13 states as well as both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee the towing industry had their collective voice heard on key legislative issues with a national impact. This is critical for the future of the industry and couldn’t be accomplished without the support and participation of the membership. Next year the TRAA hopes to have members from all 50 states attend an in-person event in Washington DC to speak on behalf of the entire industry. The issue with the greatest impact to the tower is roadside safety. Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. This is why TRAA is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as in both the House and Senate to address roadside safety with a strong push to have language included in the soon to be introduced Highway Bill or other infrastructure legislation this session. Already they have the support of Senators Deb Fisher (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in requesting the US Department of Transportation adopt and promote best practices in SDMO guidelines on a national level, including a national commitment to Move Over. This will include
Midwest 92 • April 2021 | Towman.com
supporting a National Slow Down Move Over Day resolution, increased educational funding, including towers among other first responders in future legislation and support for the soon to be reintroduced Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, which will include allowing towers to access services and funding usually reserved for other Agencies. Another issue of concern to most towing company owners is the reintroduction of the INSURANCE Act. If passed this legislation will require interstate motor carriers, which includes most towers, to more than double the mandatory minimum public liability insurance coverage. Rising to over $2 Million from the current minimum of $750,000 for most motor carriers TRAA expects insurance premiums to increase by 40% or more. It is important to note that many towers already carry $1 Million in public liability with many also having blanket or excess coverage of two million or more however this legislation would require the base coverage to be at least $2.1 Million which could not be satisfied with our current excess or blanket policies. Keep in mind, this like most other Federal motor carrier legislation effects operations of any commercial vehicle over 10,000 pounds gross weight rating used in interstate commerce. Thankfully TRAA learned that one of the co-sponsors of the INSURANCE Act from last year, Representative Cartwright, will not be cosponsoring it this year. Given the difficulty most tow business owners face finding help today, and the fact that most towing companies are small family-owned businesses TRAA also was vocal in supporting the DRIVE SAFE Act. This legislation, if passed, will compel the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to create pilot programs to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of allowing drivers between the ages of 18-20 to operate in interstate commerce.
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • Midwest 93
Again, like the INSURANCE Act, the current prohibition on under 21 year old drivers in interstate commerce applies to most towers, not just those that use CDL required vehicles or that physically cross state lines. Interstate commerce is any part of the trade or traffic of goods coming from or intended for other states or nations including any portion that is wholly within one state or even within one city. This means any services to out of state motorists can be interstate commerce when the strictest interpretation of the definition is applied. Simply put, an 18 year old could legally drive a 3/5 ton pickup truck to school or clear across the country on vacation but they could not drive the same truck to do a jump start or tire change on an out of state motorist because it has a gross weight rating of 11,000 pounds and therefore is a commercial vehicle engaging in interstate commerce. TRAA finds this ridiculous and
Midwest 94 • April 2021 | Towman.com
was very vocal in support for the DRIVE SAFE Act which will gather data regarding the safety of younger commercial drivers to put this issue to rest once and for all.
These laws are
ineffective
if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let
alone tow trucks. The last major national issue addressed by TRAA at their 3rd Annual Legislative Event was a size and weight issue. Congress intended to grant some flexibility to the towing industry in the 2015 FAST Act. While well intended there was a technical error in the text of the Bill that resulted in the Federal language in 23 USC § 127 requiring a covered heavy duty towing vehicle to have a weight equal to that of the casualty it was towing to take advantage of the weight exemption granted when it was intended to read as “gross weight rating”. The omission of the word “rating” has caused grief for towers nationwide as several states updated their vehicle regulations to comply with the letter of the law contained in the FAST Act not the spirit. The discussion around this omission also resulted in TRAA recognizing that while the weight exemption is a good thing not all states allow a tower to tow combination vehicles as a unit legally which is also a safety issue. As part
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • Midwest 95
of their lobbying efforts to have the technical correction included in this session’s Highway Reauthorization Bill, TRAA is also proposing some language changes to allow towing of combination vehicles to appropriate repair or storage facilities in all states. TRAA argued that splitting of certain types of combination vehicles, most notably petroleum tankers and automobile transporters is not only problematic but often unsafe to accomplish roadside. Further, TRAA argues that given the current climate of roadside injury and death from inattentive motorists it is a safety issue when multiple pieces of towing equipment and their associated operators are required to be dispatched to tow a combination vehicle that could otherwise safely be removed from harms way by a single tow truck and operator. These are only a few of the legislative issues that were discussed
during the TRAA Legislative Workshop, an intricate part of the entire Legislative Event or “Hill Day”. Other pressing issues facing the towing industry nationwide include the potential r eintroduction of mandatory speed limiters on all commercial vehicles, changes to front, side and rear impact guards, mandatory integration of automatic braking systems and other vehicle automation technologies on all commercial vehicles. Additional topics being monitored closely include the insurance and trucking industry’s attempts to force national regulations of the price and services of towers and major changes to the definition of employee vs. independent contractor and how that will impact our industry. In conclusion, your fellow towers from across the Nation took two days away from their business to gather with lawmakers in an effort to address
Midwest 96 • April 2021 | Towman.com
several high priority issues on behalf of all towers in the US. Without folks like this, towers that at their own expense work for the greater good of the entire towing industry, our beloved industry would look very different. We might not even be a private industry anymore. There is already a push by insurance companies to transform incident management (police/non-consent) towing from a private industry to a public service operated by local and state governments much like the fire service and highway maintenance is operated. Re-read the last paragraph above and think about that for a minute. Our entire way of doing business is under threat in the US, not just for police towers, but anyone responding to a disabled vehicle on a public roadway should stand up and take notice. Without your State and the TRAA fighting on your behalf this could soon become reality.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • Midwest 97
Legislation
TRAA Legislative Workshop a Virtual Success By Brian J. Riker
O
n March 14th, America’s Third Annual Legislative Workshop was a virtual success. Meeting through Zoom with over 45 members of Congress representing 13 states as well as both the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee, the towing industry had their collective voice heard on key legislative issues with a national impact. The issue with the greatest impact to the tower is roadside safety. Although all 50 states have some form of a slow down move over law we all know these laws are ineffective if not flat out
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West 92 • April 2021 | Towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • West 93
These laws are
ineffective
if not flat out useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let
alone tow trucks. useless given most motorists are not even aware they are required to slow down or move over for police or fire let alone tow trucks. This is why TRAA is working with legislators on both sides of the aisle as well as in both the House and Senate to address roadside safety
West 94 • April 2021 | Towman.com
with a strong push to have language included in the soon to be introduced Highway Bill or other infrastructure legislation this session. Another issue of concern to most towing company owners is the reintroduction of the INSURANCE Act. If passed this legislation will require interstate motor carriers, which includes most towers, to more than double the mandatory minimum public liability insurance coverage. Rising to over $2 Million from the current minimum of $750,000 for most motor carriers TRAA expects insurance premiums to increase by 40% or more. It is important to note that many towers already carry $1 Million in public liability with many also having blanket or excess coverage of two million or more however this legislation would require the base coverage to be at least $2.1 Million which could not be satisfied with our current excess or blanket policies.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2021 • West 95
