My Baby

The BIG Boss

One of two big twin-steer tators from one of Texas’ biggest tow companies.

By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Tech Highlights

Chassis: 2018 Kenworth T880 twin-steer Wrecker body: 2018 Century 1075S 75-ton rotator Engine: Cummins X15 Trans: Fuller 18-Speed Winches: Dual 60,000lb Planetary, dual 50,000lb, dual 35,000lb drag Built by: Mikel Johnson through Miller Industries Equipment: Dual spreader bars, Full Snap-On tool kit, Power saw Extras: Collapsible second pylon, Air recovery mats, Custom built mini fridge

Graphics/Lettering:

Artworks Graphics in Dallas, Texas Nickname: Boss There are 29 vehicles in the company’s extensive fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, which includes one lightduty snatch truck, three mediumduties, 13 carriers, six heavies, three service trucks, a Skidsteer with winch unit and two twinsteer 75-ton Century 1075 rotators. Unit 62 is “The Beast” and the one featured here is Unit 58 “Boss.” Boss is a 2018 Century Rotator 1075S 75-ton rotator mounted on a 2018 Kenworth T880 twin-steer. A Cummins X15 engine mated to a Fuller 18-speed trans moves it down the road.

This massive unit has plenty of pulling and lifting power. It is equipped with dual 60,000-pound Planetary 2-speed boom winches, dual 50,000-pound Planetary 2-speed drag winches and dual 35,000-pound Planetary 2-speed auxiliary winches. “This 1075S is completely loaded out with every option Miller offers,” stated James Jr. “My buddy Mikel Johnson of T-Wrecks LLC built this unit through Miller Industries.”

Mikel Johnson has been in the towing industry all his life. Starting out in the repossession industry at age 16, he went to work for Texas Towing in Fort Worth when he was 20. There he learned everything about the industry and became an expert at car carrier, self-loaders, mediumduty under reach, heavy-duty towing, 75-ton rotators and heavy haul equipment. In 2003 he went into management and learned how to dispatch on a large scale, managing over 27 pieces of equipment and operators. Mikel

has trained hundreds of operators and several dispatchers as well as owners throughout his career.

As an outside sales contractor for the Miller brand, Mikel works closely with Miller Industries Inc. He has an extensive knowledge of how wreckers are made and what they are designed to do. With the help of James Jr., Mikel and Catherine started T-Wrecks LLC in Poteau, Oklahoma, in September of 2018. This is their second successful wrecker business. Mikel is well-respected and has contacts in the wrecker industry across the US.

Artworks Graphics in Dallas, Texas did the graphics. James Jr said, “The graphics were inspired by my daughter. Her favorite color is green. It took two weeks to do.”

“This unit has performed many memorable jobs. Two that stand out are the Texas 135 car pile up during 2021 ice storm in Fort Worth, on February 11, 2021 and lifting a 75,000-pound natural gas engine inside a building on March 25th 2021,” said James Jr.

James Jr stated, “The most important attribute this unit brings to our business is that this unit makes the job a lot safer with utilizing less lanes of traffic, as well as its brute strength in tight spaces.”

The Boss has won several awards including first twin-steer T880 in Texas. James Jr’s entire fleet is well-kept and well-maintained and operated by trained professionals. A strong believer in training, he has regular training sessions to keep his operators on top of their game and holds cross-training sessions with fire and police.

About Beard’s Towing

James Bennett Jr. owns Beard’s Towing in Fort Worth, Texas. Beard’s is a family-owned and operated business founded in 1954. The company now has 40 employees and boasts a combined 100 years of experience providing 24/7 emergency light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing and recovery and roadside assistance to Fort Worth and surrounding areas.