American Towman Magazine - September 2018 by dortiz-towman

Advance-register for the 30th AT Expo-Baltimore @ ATExposition.com

Precautions with Hazmat LD Toolbox Layout Tips Real Impact of ELD Denial AmericanTowman.com

TowIndustryWeek.com

Departments The Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Tow Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

FEATURE CONTENTS Cover: Composite photos of the Spirit Ride through the Rocky Mountain states. Photo of child pointing to a name on the Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga is superimposed.

Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .78 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Cantrell’s Body Shop and Scholle’s Towing, both from Illinois, worked together in Iowa after a March blizzard struck.

Unearthing Towing’s Past, part 2 Kenneth Ray Davis’ family and legacy after he was murdered in the line of duty in 1934. by Randall C. Resch

Tools to Go The right tools and organization are of considerable importance in the limited space of a LD wrecker. by Paul Stephens

30th Annual AT Expo Time to get psyched up for the 2018 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland. Prep for all the events here!

Team Effort In Iowa Two companies combine heavy trucks and air cushions in the recovery of rolled reefer unit. by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

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Always More to Learn by Dennie Ortiz

My mother always told me, no matter how much experience you have, there’s always something new to learn. Our aim, and mission, with each magazine is that you are able to glean some information that will help you in business and in life. In this issue, contributing editor Brian Riker offers his prespective on the forthcoming Electronic Logging Device legislation (and exemption denial), and how it may impact your business and the industry as a whole. If you have not met, or communicated with Brian yet, I suggest you do so as he is a wealth of towing industry information. He is a third-generation towman that strives to continually

educate himself and share his knowledge with others. His particular specialization is federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. With the new ELD regulations set to come into effect later this year, he is a well-versed voice worth hearing. We are privileged to have him as part of the American Towman team. Brian will be one of our featured speakers, along with Operations Editor Randall Resch and Field Editor Terry Abejuela, at the American Towman Academy during the AT Exposition Nov. 16-18 in Baltimore. These seminars are a few of more than 30 that are scheduled and attending them would be a perfect way to keep learning new ideas and increasing your own knowledge.

Investigative Journalism at Its Best by Brendan Dooley

American Towman is fortunate to have a contributor in Operations Editor Randall Resch, who shares his wealth of towing, training and law enforcement knowledge issue after issue, as well as bi-weekly columns on TowIndustryWeek.com and conducting regular seminars at the three annual AT Tow Expos. This month, his column is a follow up on towman Kenneth Ray Davis, who was killed in the line of duty on a CHP call … in 1934. He first uncovered the story early in 2018 and wrote about this earliest-known and verified towman death on the roadside for the May issue. At that time, he was educating the industry on part of its history while also campaigning to get Davis’ name added to the Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Since then, not only has the Wall committee approved adding Davis to the Wall during this month’s memorial ceremony, Resch has uncovered two of Davis’ relatives, grandchildren Cindy and John, and uncovered more of the story for a part two this issue (page 12). Randall’s dedication to the forgotten Davis on getting his story back into the light of day deserves acclaim and commendation for going above and beyond. Thank you, Randall, for your dedication to the industry.

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Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Emily Oz Mark Lacek

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run Editor

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

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

American Towman Staff Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Jimmy Santos Toni Vanderhorst Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner William Burwell Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri

Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts General Manager Publisher’s Assistant Customer Service Subscription Manager TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President

American Towman Media Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2018 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: Single Copy: $10 1 yr: $60 – 2 yrs: $110 International: $75 & $135 All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT.

California Towman Killed on I-10 A tower recently was struck and killed by a big rig on Interstate 10 in Cabazon, California. The 50-year-old victim was found by emergency personnel lying partially in the slow lane of the freeway, according to the CHP. The towman was on duty with Stagecoach Towing when he parked his flatbed on the north shoulder of the freeway and got out of the truck, according to CHP. It was unknown why the driver pulled over. As he was re-entering his truck, the man and the open tow truck door were struck by a semi driven by 52year-old Marco Rodriguez. The victim was thrown from the side of his truck onto the slow lane. The officer said a passing motorist stopped and pulled the victim out of the freeway lanes. No arrests or citations were announced at press time. Source: pe.com.

New Tow Fees for Drug Paraphernalia

Towing companies in West Virginia are coming together to check on the success of a relatively new rate that customers must pay, should needles or other drug paraphernalia be found in their vehicles. Last July, the public services commission approved a $250 fee for wrecker services to charge if any biohazard material was found in a vehicle, such as needles, blood, glass pipes and other items. Chris Reed, of Charleston Auto Towing and Recovery, said he’s using those funds to make sure his employees are as safe as possible. “We’re using the proceeds to pay for the guys’ vaccinations at the Health Department. We’ll pay to get their vaccinations for them,” Reed said. Source: wowktv.com.

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S.C. Towers Kept Busy with Flooding Recent storms in South Carolina left many roads, homes and cars flooded. Hawk Services Towing in North Charleston said the weather has been keeping its drivers very busy. Manager Dwayne Wadford said the inundated streets give him a lot of business, but heading out to a flooding job can put his drivers’ lives at risk. “You’re rolling the dice any time you go through one of those puddles,” said Wadford. “We’re gonna tell you, ‘We’re sorry that you’re in that situation you’re in, but as soon as the waters come down, we’ll come and get you.’ “ Wadford said the company’s

Cars were stranded across South Carolina after heavy summer rains. postandcourier.com image.

phones were ringing off the hook. “In total,” he said, “(we) probably had about 25 to 30 calls that were related to the flooding downtown. We had probably six that we were able to get to, that were at the edges of the borders downtown.” Source: abcnews4.com.

Multiple Trips for

Florida 45-Car Pileup Eight wrecker services joined dozens of highway troopers, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and other first responders in Tallahassee, Florida, recently for a 45-car pileup. Lake Jackson Towing picked up 11 cars that were involved in the crash on I-10. Management says some drivers made multiple trips to get cars off the interstate through the miles-long traffic backup. One tower said he hadn’t seen anything that bad since it snowed in Tallahassee. “There were a lot of wrecked cars and trucks basically littering the highway,” said Lake Jackson operator Jerry Rogers. “One of the vehicles that I helped get out of the way was one that came off the top of a car carrier. So it was pretty severely damaged.” Rogers said one of the biggest issues towers faced during the recov-

Towman Jerry Rogers describes the scene of a multi-vehicle cleanup from I-10 in Florida. wctv.tv image.

ery was drivers blocking the emergency lane to see what was going on. “The problem you have in a situation like that is people want to nose out to try and look around the vehicles to see what’s going on up ahead,” he said. “Westbound, but also going eastbound, I had to drive maybe eight miles down the shoulder of the road.” Source: wctv.tv.

… I couldn’t see because of the smoke … Michigan PSA Includes Towers Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson recently released a video public service announcement to educate the public about the Move Over law and the importance of protecting lives. It opens with state police video footage of a tower narrowly escaping with his life as a car smashes into his vehicle. The PSA features Johnson, Michigan State Police Director Kriste Kibbey Etue and several emergency responders. Johnson said that she noticed that it’s not teenagers but mostly older people who simply don’t know about the law. Johnson is hoping the 30-second PSA might help save a life or quality of life for tow operators, M-DOT workers, rescue and emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, and others. Source: whmi.com.

Cat at Ceremony

A cheetah from Wildlife Safari joined the Spirit Ride ceremony in Winston, Oregon, on Aug. 7. The Ride was led by Kokua Towing.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Towman Saves Infant from Burning Car

André Harris tows for Bambarger Wrecker Service in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, (above). He recently saved 7-month-old Demarcus Richardson from a burning car (below). tuscaloosanews.com images.

Towman André Harris doesn’t consider himself a hero. But most people would agree that saving an infant from a burning car is pretty heroic. Harris, who works for Bambarger Wrecker Service in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was finishing up a job recently when he saw smoke coming from a car about 60 yards down a hill. “I noticed a pair of headlights and as I got closer, I saw a flame coming up from between the engine compartment and the firewall,” he said. “I noticed a lady running up, so I popped on the beacons and asked if anyone was in the car.” There was someone in the car: 7month-old Demarcus Richardson. The woman was Alexus Jenkins, 23, who had flipped her car while trying to avoid deer on the road. “I was screaming, I was asking him to please get my baby out of the car,” Jenkins said. “I had gotten him unhooked from the car seat, but I wasn’t able to pull him out.” “Next thing I knew, I was down the hill trying to bust the glass with my hand,” Harris said. “I got it bro-

ken and was reaching in the car, literally fumbling around. I couldn’t see because of the smoke. I felt a tiny leg and just started pulling.” Jenkins had suffered minor injuries. Harris was worried the car could burst into flames, so he held Demarcus in his left arm and pulled Jenkins up the hill with his right. “We got to the top of the hill, I looked back and the whole compartment where the baby had been was engulfed in flames. It wasn’t until the adrenaline wore off that I’d realized what happened.” Northport Fire Rescue firefighters were at a nearby house fire and responded to the car fire quickly. Source: tuscaloosanews.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT!

Close-Couple 35-Ton Lowbed Trailer

Access Tools’ Bullets Ease Wheel Service Access Tools’ Wheel Bullets are designed for European vehicles that do not have the wheel studs that American vehicles have on which to mount a wheel, easing any wheel service on a European vehicle a breeze. The Wheel Bullets function like guide pins or wheel hangers, allowing the wheel to be easily removed and installed with no risk of dropping the wheel, damaging the wheel or vehicle, or risk of injury. The Bullets are available in three-packs that include 12mm x 1.5mm, 14mm x 1.25mm, and 14mm x 1.5mm (two Wheel Bullets are needed per wheel to properly hang and align the bolt holes).

Talbert Manufacturing recently added a 35CC-HRG lowbed trailer to its line. The lowboy unit is rated at 70,000 lbs. overall, and 70,000 lbs. within a 12’ load base. It also features Talbert’s removable hydraulic gooseneck. Options for the 35CC-HRG include fixed or platform goosenecks, various front and rear ramps, and multiple swing radiuses, deck lengths and widths. The trailer also can be equipped with a beavertail and ramp so users can drive equipment over the rear of the trailer rather than detach the unit’s gooseneck. The overall length of the 35CC-HRG is 43’-9”, which includes a 24’ deck that is 8’-6” wide, and a 9’-9” rear bridge section. talbertmfg.com

caropeningtools.com

Beacon Adds 30 Features to Dispatch Anywhere

Muncie SH PTO for Eaton, PACCAR

Beacon Software recently added more than 30 improvements to its Dispatch Anywhere Software. A release said the Dispatch Anywhere updates add greater functionality alongside an accounting package that includes 20-plus invoice and statement styles, towing-specific accounting reports, automated motor club billing and more. The software also now integrates with QuickBooks Online Cloud as well as QuickBooks Desktop. Other features include: · Redesigned impound search results showing more vehicles at once, more vehicle data and more sorting options. · Auto-Complete of business names, address, geolocation and more. · Magic VIN added to desktop version. · VOIP integration allows dispatchers to call customers and drivers from an existing VOIP system for Dispatch Anywhere. · Automated driver commissions and flexibility to handle various commission structures.

Muncie Power Products’ SH Series PTO is now available for the Eaton Endurant and PACCAR Transmission. Instead of a paper gasket, the SH Series for the Eaton Endurant and PACCAR Transmission features a seal-plate gasket that is able to withstand the specialty oil used by the transmission and allows the installer to mount the PTO without checking backlash. The seal-plate gasket is part of a cooperative design effort between Eaton and Muncie. The SH PTO is driven from a main transmission gear that requires a large input gear. As a result, the SH Series for the Eaton Endurant and PACCAR Transmission has a non-standard housing in order to provide clearance for the gear.

munciepower.com

beaconsoftco.com

Transfer Flow Adds 50-, 75-, and 100-gal. Tanks Transfer Flow released new in-bed auxiliary tanks for 1999–2018 Ford and RAM and 2001–’18 GM short- and long-bed diesel trucks. Available in 50-, 75-, and 100-gal. capacities, the new auxiliary tanks are computer-controlled by Transfer Flow’s TRAX 3 operating system. All TRAX 3 systems include an in-cab LCD that displays fuel levels in both the main and auxiliary tanks, in gallons or percentages. The patented recessed cover box protects the preassembled sending unit, rollover valve, and fuel filter. The tank includes internal baffles for reduced fuel slosh and comes complete with all components needed for installation.

transferflow.com

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Wireless Backup Camera System Rear View Safety recently introduced its RVS-155W Wireless Backup Camera System with 5” Single Screen Monitor. The RVS-155W is equipped with a waterproof camera with 18 infrareds, a high-quality 5” monitor, and a 70’ digital wireless range the company guarantees to work at highway speeds. Installation takes less than an hour and with a cigarette lighter plug, the monitor installs instantly. With Instant Pair, you can sync the monitor and the camera without even leaving the cab.

rearviewsafety.com Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 11

Unearthing

Towing’s Past part 2 Remembering Kenneth Ray Davis, Killed in the Line of Duty in 1934

"Garage Mechanic" Kenneth Ray Davis with his wife, Eula Mable Davis, holding their threeyear-old daughter Marlene Antoinette (left) and their modest family home, circa early 1930s. Photos provided by Cindy Wolff.

by Randall C. Resch

n 1934, 29-year-old wrecker operator Kenneth Ray Davis was ambushed and killed near the rural cemetery in Chico, California, along with California Highway Patrol Officer William Riley McDaniel. What started out to be an unassuming DUI impound resulted in a multiple shooting at the height of the Great Depression. That’s only 18 years after Ernest Holmes created his first tow truck. In February, I uncovered what may be the oldest documented line-of-duty death for a tow operator known to the towing and recovery industry. I wrote about it for part one of this story in the May 2018 issue of American Towman. What began as simple research into the story of Davis’ violent death became eight months of investigation and travel to make sense of this tragic incident.

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In 1934, Davis was employed by Chico’s Oaks Hotel— a hotspot for locals to socialize with the likes of Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Gary Cooper and Audie Murphy, Hollywood stars who frequented the lavish hotel that boasted fancy ballrooms, a cosmopolitan restaurant, and the only refrigerated cooling system north of Sacramento. The Oaks included an automobile service garage, gas station, hair salons and spas. It now serves as Chico’s Transit Center. (By 1968, the six-story Oaks Hotel was in disrepair and the owners found it most costeffective to demolish it.) During the late evening of Oct. 6, 1934, Davis called his supervisor, E.R. Russell, to advise he was taking the Oaks Garage wrecker to meet CHP “road patrol officer” William McDaniel near Chico’s rural cemetery.

He drove to a location known as the “Chinese Section,” near the graveyard along Mangrove Avenue. Several newspapers reported that, soon after midnight, shots rang out and responding officers discovered Davis shot dead and lying in the dirt at the front of the wrecked car; his flashlight still burning. News accounts indicated that the wrecked vehicle, owned by locally known ex-con, Nick Turchinetz, was already hooked-up to the wrecker. Officer McDaniel also was found shot dead with his service revolver lying next to his hand; his motorcycle’s headlights still on. A close examination of McDaniel’s revolver determined two shots were fired, said to have wounded Turchinetz. Police speculated that

Continued on p. 14 ...

John Brattan (left) and Cindy Wolff at the gravesite of their grandfather, Kenneth Ray Davis, who was killed during a CHP impound request in 1934.

... continued from p. 12 Turchnietz ambushed Davis and McDaniel from the nearby groves, based on markings of a struggle observed in the dirt. Within a short time, Police Chief C.E. Tovee formed a posse to track Turchinetz down. If this was one of those “You’ll never take me alive” scenarios, an expert rifleman within the posse honored those wishes.

Meet the Family I find Davis’ story fascinating knowing he willingly left home and family to serve the highway patrol in the same manner as we towers still do. One account reported that Davis left behind a wife and threeyear-old daughter. Armed with those bits of knowledge, my sisterin-law Janet Resch searched online and located numerous names and leads of possible surviving family. I also researched area phone directories for family information determining that Davis’ wife passed away sometime in the 1950s, and his daughter, Marlene Antoinette Davis, passed away in 1989.

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... continued from p. 14 After weeks of combined investigative work, I narrowed the list to six people that could possibly be Kenneth Davis’ descendants and sent out detailed letters. (I did my best to sound like a researcher/writer and not a random stalker.) About a week later, I received an email message from Cind Wolff claiming she knew information about Kenneth. (Score!) A resident of Chico, with great excitement she told me that she and her brother John Brattan were Marlene’s children—Kenneth’s grandchildren. Both were excited that their grandfather’s story had emerged.

Hunting for Answers In June, I rode my Honda Goldwing 625 miles from Alpine to Chico to meet with Cindy. Our morning began at a downtown restaurant where we spied a corner table perfect for spreading out the pieces of this project. Adding to my excitement, Cindy produced an old wooden box of timeworn photos and an original copy of the Oct. 6, 1934, issue of the “Oakland Tribune.” For three hours, she shared details about her grandfather as told to her by her mother and her grandmother. Then we headed to the Chico Cemetery. For the next day and a half, we scoured the cemetery looking for the Davis family plot. The cemetery office was closed on Sunday and no graveside locator was available, but after hours of reading hundreds of headstones, we happened upon the Davis site matching information found on Findagrave.com. (Cindy had never been to her grandfather’s grave. In all of this, Cindy also learned that a newborn baby to the Davis family died in 1912.) In a chilling note, the fatal shooting occurred not more than approximately 1,000’ from where Davis is buried. The next morning, I returned to the cemetery office to share my story. The staff was incredibly helpful assisting me to locate the gravesites for McDaniel and Turchinetz. McDaniel was buried amongst military personnel, while Turchinetz was buried in a 16 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

pauper’s area bordering the cemetery. At Turchinetz’s burial site, there were no markers, identifiers or headstones—only grass. I asked cemetery manager, Clark Masters (a retired Nebraska police officer) why there was no identifying marker. “In those days, the family maybe wanted no fanfare, possibly there was no information about the deceased, or, the family couldn’t afford a marker,” he said. I determined that Turchinetz, 45, was a local jeweler and branded boozer with several run-ins with the law. Prior to the shooting in 1908, Turchinetz spent 18 months in Washington’s McNeil Island Federal Penitentiary for forgery. (McNeil Island later housed infamous inmates like Charles Manson, Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud and Al Capone lackey Mickey Cohen.)

Times Were Hard Living through the Depression was tough enough … imagine a young widow and three-year-old daughter having to survive the following years without a provider. We visited two houses that Davis’ wife, Eula, and daughter Marlene resided in; they were meager at best. “We were desperately poor for a number of years,” Wolff recalled her mother saying of that time. To put that into context, Wolff shared a Feb. 21, 1935, letter from California’s Industrial Accident Commission that read: “Award is made in favor of Eula Mable Davis and Marlene Antoinette Davis, applicants, against Employer’s Liability Assurance Corporation, defendants, of a death benefit and burial expenses in the total sum of $3,689.25, payable as follows; To Eula M. Davis, the sum of $14.75 weekly, beginning October 7, 1934, until the

A picture of Kenneth Ray Davis with his daughter Marlene Antoinette Davis sits atop a newspaper account of the double-murder in the "Chico Record.” Newspaper and photo provided courtesy of Cindy Wolff.

whole of this award shall have been paid, less $100 payable to F. J. Rose as attorney’s fees.” Do the math—that’s a whopping $59/month.

Up Next In this, I’ve got plans for future projects. I’ve approached Chico’s History Museum hoping to have this story added to the museum’s law enforcement displays. Because the Oaks Hotel and Garage was said to be a AAA garage, this may fit the Auto Club’s archives, too; the California Tow Truck Association and California Highway Patrol’s Museum are also on the radar. On April 11, I sent a detailed application with documentation to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Wall of the Fallen Committee requesting Davis’s name be added to the wall. Without hesitation, the committee unanimously voted to add Davis to the memorial in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Wall Committee Chairman Jeffrey Godwin and ITRHFM General

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Manager Cathy Brumgard confirmed in writing that Davis will be part of the Sept. 15, 2018, Wall of the Fallen ceremony. (Special thanks to Jeffrey Godwin, Cathy Brumgard and the entire Wall of the Fallen Committee for their quick response to this request.) They closed their confirmation letter by saying, “Thank you again for giving us the privilege in honoring Mr. Kenneth Ray Davis along with fellow towers and road service providers who have lost their lives in the line of service.”

How Cool Is that? I’ve invited the Davis family to attend the Wall of the Fallen ceremony and they’ve indicated they would like to be there. My wife, Christine, and I have cleared our schedules, so we can witness Davis’ name being added to the Wall. During my visit to the museum, I’ll present my binder of research, photos, documentation, letters and emails that I’ve written and gathered of this entire project. The tragic and violent end for Davis

and McDaniel will not be forgotten. Having been a tower all my life—as well as a police officer in younger years—this story is near to my heart. I never thought that I personally could fall victim of an incident like this. It’s another reminder of just how dangerous our industry is, and always has been. So here’s to Kenneth Ray Davis: that the towing and recovery industry will keep your memory alive. Author’s note I personally thank Cindy Wolff, John Brattan and Janet Resch for helping me piece together the details of this puzzle. Their enthusiasm and willingness to share and research family history is heartwarming as they’ve provided us a look into Kenneth and Eula Davis’ lives; though ultimately a sad tale.

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.

Being Safe on Hazmat Scenes by Terry Abejuela

azardous materials are contained in many products, essential to our daily lives. These products are common throughout so many industries, including farming, manufacturing, mining, transportation, medical and construction. We rely on these hazardous materials to fuel our trucks and cars, heat and clean our homes, control pests and more. Hazmat is regularly transported safely on the nation’s highways every day. Occasionally, however, hazmat will be involved in a highway wreck or other incident that may pose a risk to first responders. Hazmat situations pose a risk to safety, health and/or property. Those involved in the transport of hazmat must follow U.S. Department of Transportation regulations intended to protect themselves, as well as others and the environment. There are instructions for shippers and drivers on how to package, load, transport and unload the materials safely. The

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For more information on the DOT’s Pipeline & Hazardous Material Safety Administration page go to phmsa.dot.gov. intent of these regulations is to contain the product, communicate the risk and ensure safe drivers and equipment. Hazmat endorsements to a commercial drivers license includes a federal security assessment from the Transportation Security Administration. Drivers transporting hazmat are required to ensure the shipper has labeled the product properly, refuse

any leaking packages, placard the vehicle, safely transport without delay, keep shipping papers and emergency response information in the proper place and follow any special rules about transport. Hazmat transported on the roadways must carry a DOT warning label on the package. Vehicles transporting quantities of hazmat must have DOT placards affixed to all sides of the vehicle. Bulk shipments, such as a gasoline tanker, will have a four-digit numeric code in the center of the placard. This number can be referenced in the DOT’s Emergency Response Guide to identify the material, as well as find guidelines for its handling. A vehicle that is required to have placards must have at least four identical placards displayed to the front, rear and each side of the vehicle, clear in all four directions. The placards must be at least 10-3/4” square, positioned in a diamond shape. The color

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 21

... continued from p. 20 of the label or placard will identify the general type of material as follows: • Orange: Explosive. • Red: Flammable gas or liquid. • White: Poison. • Black/White: Corrosive. • Yellow: Oxidizer. • Green: Non-flammable gas. • Yellow/White: Radioactive. The label or placard will also contain a class, Nos. 1 through 9, located on the bottom corner of the diamond. The nine classes are: 1) Explosives. 2) Gases. 3) Flammable/combustible liquid. 4) Flammable solid, spontaneously combustible and dangerous when wet. 5) Oxidizer and organic peroxide. 6) Poison (toxic) and poisoninhalation hazard. 7) Radioactive. 8) Corrosive. 9) Miscellaneous; general dangerous placard. (A red No. 2 placard would iden-

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tify a flammable gas. A red No. 3 placard would indicate a flammable liquid.) The Emergency Response Guide is produced to assist first responders when responding to a hazmat scene. The document is distributed free of charge to public safety organizations and is also available online.

On Scene If you roll up on an unsecured major hazmat incident, stay a safe distance away—upwind and uphill—if possible. If legal and necessary, use Traffic Incident Management training techniques to provide temporary traffic control utilizing the equipment commonly found on tow trucks. Immediately notify the appropriate authorities of the incident. Make sure you provide a detailed and accurate description of your location and the placarding information if you can safely identify it. Use binoculars if you have them. These types of major hazmat scenes are usually easily identified by the DOT placarding. There are other more common inci-

dents that may pose a hazmat risk to tow truck operators that are not as easily identified. Some common ones include pool cleaning supplies, pest control trucks and grocery delivery trucks.

Pool Service A collision scene involving a poolcleaning service truck may pose a hazmat risk to tow operators. Pool service trucks carry chemicals like chlorine, muriatic acid and calcium hypochlorite. Some of these chemicals are considered only irritants in the quantities normally carried on a pool service truck, but can become flammable when mixed with other compounds. For example, calcium hypochlorite mixed with brake fluid becomes combustible.

Pest Control Many pest control companies now use safer alternatives to the common chemicals used for pest control. However, hazardous chemicals may still

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... continued from p. 22 be present. Some of these chemicals are known carcinogens, while others may trigger asthma, developmental issues or reproductive disabilities. Some pest chemicals also harm the environment. Spray applications can spread by wind or be washed away in storm drains and pose a hazard to fish and wildlife. Some of these chemicals have been banned for almost 40 years, but are still being found today. (There was an incident in 2017 in Amarillo, Texas, where four children died when someone at the home tried to wash away a pesticide, aluminum phosphide, that had been applied under their home. The chemical reaction caused by the mixture of the pesticide and the water created toxic phosphine gas.)

Grocery Delivery A collision scene involving a grocery delivery truck may pose a hazmat risk from chemicals such as bleach, ammonia and other cleaning products

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A collision scene involving a grocery delivery truck may pose a hazmat risk from chemicals such as bleach, ammonia and other cleaning products that can be hazardous by themselves … and extremely volatile when mixed.

that can be hazardous by themselves … and extremely volatile when mixed. Bleach mixed with ammonia creates chloramine vapor. Rubbing alcohol mixed with bleach creates chloroform and hydrochloric acid as well as chloroacetone or dichloroacetone, which can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs, liver, nervous system, eyes and skin. Bleach mixed with vinegar produces toxic chlorine gas. Tow operators should take all precautions available to provide for their own safety as well as the safely of the motoring public when they encounter a hazardous materials spill. Having some knowledge of what do to and what can happen at a hazmat incident is an important precaution to take. Tow managers and operators should regularly seek out information on hazmat to ensure they are current and as safe as possible on the road.

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

‘Stronger Together’: Zip’s Acquires AW Direct As our more astute readers surmised after seeing the ad spread on pages 2-3 of this issue, industry suppliers Zip’s Truck Equipment and AW Direct are now one company. The Zip’s acquisition of AW Direct, to become Zip’s AW Direct, was officially announced Aug. 16 as this issue was going to press. According to a release, “All AW Direct inventory, which comprises more than 10,000 unique items, has already been transferred to the Zip’s warehouse in Iowa.” The vast AW Direct product offering is now available exclusively at Zips.com and through the Zip’s AW Direct catalog and customer call center. Anyone visiting awdirect.com will be automatically redirected to Zips.com. “It’s with great excitement that I am proud to announce that Zip’s has purchased AW Direct. Both companies understand that no two towing businesses are the same, and every cus-

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tomer deserves the same five-star treatment,” said Paul Rottinghaus, owner/president of Zip’s AW Direct, in a letter to customers. “Our primary motivation has been to help raise the quality of life for people in the towing & recovery industry. Now that we’ve joined forces, we are going to do that better than ever—because we are stronger together.”

Our new motto is ‘stronger together’ because that’s exactly what we are. Several prominent AW Direct employees have joined the Zip’s team, including Michele Smedberg and Tony Hagen, according to the release. Additionally, AW Direct personnel will continue to operate the call center with the same phone number and some familiar voices, including Amanda

Below, customer care manager. The new director of digital marketing for Zip’s, Lindsey Boschert, is another AW Direct recruit. Zip’s is a leading provider of tow trucks and replacement parts with locations in New Hampton, Iowa, and Taylor, Michigan. They specialize in the sale and financing of new and used tow trucks, wreckers, carriers and trailers, as well as automotive and towing equipment. Founded in the 1950s as an auto body shop, Zip’s began serving the towing industry in 1968. AW Direct, a national distributor of towing accessories, was founded in 1979. Its product categories include truck lighting, safety, transport supplies, winches, tool storage, roadside assistance and some of its own branded products including the AW Direct Magnetic Axle Strap. “Our new motto is ‘stronger together’ because that’s exactly what we are—and our customers are going to benefit from that,” Rottinghaus said in the release.

MidWest Wrecker Adds Dynamic Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing (dynamicmfg.com) recently partnered with MidWest Wrecker in Pataskala, Ohio, to serve the area as part of the Dynamic family of dealers. A release said that MidWest (midwestwrecker.net) “is aware of the importance of having a quality truck at a fair price. They now proudly offer Dynamic Towing Equipment, service and parts for the Ohio area.”

Vanair Acquisition of Goodall Complete Vanair announced that, as of July 1, Goodall Manufacturing’s operations are now located at Vanair’s corporate office (vanair.com) in the final phase of its acquisition. The move will allow for the consolidation of the product line and eliminate redundancy of material.

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Check out AT’s digital edition at itowman.com

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 27

Tools on the Outfitting your light-duty wrecker

28 â&#x20AC;¢ September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Go by Paul Stephens

Be proactive in the layout of your limited toolbox space on light-duty wreckers. Items need to fix securely and easily be removed and replaced.

utfitting a light-duty tow truck starts once your business has made the decision on the type of tow truck they want to purchase; new or used, independent wheel-lift and boom or self-loader style, with or without dollies, etc. The next crucial step is maximizing the equipment you can place into that unit. Operators can never have enough equipment on-scene in an attempt to handle any situation. Consider the “normal” basics first. The wheel-lift truck can come with various items, but the standard is two wheel tie-down straps, safety chains and a chain or strap for winching. In the past, sling-style trucks would come with a set of 10’ long J-hooks.

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The newer style trucks’ toolboxes need to maximize every inch to be outfitted properly due to the limited storage space. When we think of light-duty tow trucks, we need to be proactive in laying out the toolbox so items can fit securely and be easily removed and replaced. This layout can be as simple as a couple of plastic trays, or small compartment boxes placed in side. Some operators like to get extra organized and can be as elaborate as placing hangers and shelves to evenly distribute items. The benefit to an organized box cannot be overstated when outside in the elements or on the side of the highway. The time it takes to remove items from a disorganized box can be

counted in minutes. Those minutes can be calculated by how long you have to take your eyes off your surroundings. A well-organized box allows the operator to reach in, grab the item needed and simply remove and refocus on their surroundings. Once you have decided how you want to organize your boxes, it always seems to work better having a plan that starts with what items are used regularly and need to be easily accessed. Next, lay your box’s contents out on the ground before mounting any items. This could take several attempts, so don’t become complacent with one specific spot if moving will allow better space utilization.

Continued on p. 30...

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 29

... continued from p. 29 The basic items for a tow truck would be your wheel straps, a fourway lug wrench, jack, safety chains, a J-hook or 10’ recovery chain and jumper cables. This can get a simple car towed or a flat tire changed, but let’s look a little deeper into what items might help you along the way. The first item is a nice strap; continuous loop or straight web strap is good, but you could be using up a lot of storage space. The most common length of strap for a light-duty recovery is 6’ to 10’. This length allows you to lead the wire rope out from under the vehicle without making contact, but can also be used on the rims without scratching them using the proper protection. A web strap can work well, but once it’s rolled up it can take up space if you have a small box. Choose wisely by your needs and your available space.

Jumper boxes can help get a vehicle into neutral or allow access when a truck cable cannot reach the battery. Be sure to choose the correct unit that will suit your needs as some are much better than others. Some will build up resistance fast and cause the cables to heat up and show signs of fatigue. Newer style vehicles can require a jumper box instead of cables due to the variables in current flow and a jumper box allows a steady flow for a safer jump-start. A snatch block is a great asset to have on board your truck; the number of winches you have will help determine how many blocks you should carry with you. Two snatch blocks should be the minimum for any tow truck. Storing snatch blocks can be a challenge due to the grit and grime from use. A great idea is to hang them on two small hooks on the inside of the box against one of the walls with a

small strap to hold them from swinging around. We place a backing plate behind the hanger to keep the boxes from being scratched up so paint doesn’t wear away. Go-jacks can be a life-saver when working in very tight areas, however if you are able to keep them on your truck with a mounting bracket behind your light pylon or on the rear deck portion of the body, be sure to lock them up on your unit. They seem to grow feet from time to time if not secured; every shop seems to like them more than towers … Next you can look into an electric impact gun to help with tire changes or swapping out a spare after an accident. The space-saver impact sockets for wheels are inexpensive and can have a metric size on one end and a standard on the other. This reduces the need to have two complete sets of

A jack, four-way lug wrench and straps are among the basic items you need to keep stocked.

30 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Continued on p. 32...

... continued from p. 30 sockets. The four-way lug wrench we all keep on our trucks is becoming outdated due to the size of the reinforcement area around the edges and not being able to fit the lug with aluminum rims. Two skates are always nice to have; they work great when you cannot get a set of Go-jacks or dollies around a wheel because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too close to the curb or concrete tire stops. This will allow you to slide the vehicle out without dragging it and give the room needed to attach the dollies. Having a shackle or two will help when needing to lift or pull something like a trailer hitch without having to attach your strap directly, or allowing the shackle to be used as a slip collar on the strap. When using a shackle, make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well away from the vehicles fascia to not cause additional damage. Several different hand tools such as a hammer, adjustable wrench, vise grips, screwdrivers, a pocket-sized

32 â&#x20AC;˘ September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

A well-organized box allows the operator to reach in, grab the item needed and simply remove and refocus on their surroundings. pick or even a small center punch can help get a vehicle into neutral and take up only minimal space. All operators have their own preferences of where they want to store items, such as the lock-out tools behind the seat, etc. Maximizing the space available in the tool compartments and lifting items in and out of their assigned spots can make life on the road much easier and is much

more professional than pulling a recovery chain or J-hook from your box and letting it drag across the door lip. The most respected professional companies usually seem to have an organized and well-stocked tow truck toolbox. The companies usually have a list of items that they want on their trucks to make sure the operator is fully functional without having to call for assistance (unless another operator is needed). Everything should have a specific place to be stored, so if something is forgotten or misplaced, it becomes immediately apparent during daily use; this will help reduce overall cost of equipment replacement. About the author Paul Stephens is a towing industry trainer with more than 33 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.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 33

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Team Effort In Iowa

Two longtime Illinois tow companies team up on a recovery in Iowa. by Jim ‘Buck” Sorrenti

A reefer trailer loaded with 44,000 lbs. of breakfast products landed in the ditch in early spring, needing a lift from a couple heavy units in Iowa.

n March 24, 2018, a trucking company called Cantrell’s Towing and Recovery in Carbon Cliff, Illinois, to recover one of its reefer units. The trucking company wanted the unit to be recovered without having to remove the 44,000 lbs. of breakfast products.

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This accident occurred on the I-80 to I-280 eastbound ramp near Davenport, Iowa, during a heavy snowstorm. The Iowa State Police had a tow ban on all vehicles because it was a safety hazard with the road conditions. Dan Cantrell assessed the scene and figured the best way to recover the unit was with air cushions. He then

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 57

MatJack cushions were essential to lifting the loaded semitrailer.

... continued from p. 57 contacted Scholle’s Towing and Body Shop to request assistance with the recovery using their MatJack Jumbo Cushions. “We were called to assist with our air bags for this rollover. It was agreed

58 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

we would do the recovery the following morning … after the state lifted the tow ban,” said John Scholle. On Sunday morning, Dan Cantrell and his driver Scott responded with their 2001 Kenworth W900/Jerr-Dan

55-ton and a 2006 Peterbilt 388/Vulcan V-70 heavy. “My father Al Scholle, my two brothers Chris Scholle and Jim Arboit, Skyler Frederick and myself traveled

Continued on p. 60 ...

The heavies on scene finish retrieving the semi after it’s been uprighted.

70 down into the ditch where he lifted the rear of the trailer slightly, allowing Scholle’s crew to place MatJack starter bags and jumbo cushions. “From there we worked the bags forward, placing six Jumbo cushions under the trailer,” John said. “Once there was clearance for straps, Cantrell’s 55-ton Jerr-Dan and our 8808 rotator were rigged to the trailer, and his V-70 was previously rigged to the tractor.

With our combined

... continued from p. 58 to the scene with our air bag unit, our 1996 Peterbilt 378 with an 8808 Challenger 50-ton rotator, and our 1998 Peterbilt 379 with a Holmes 1801 45ton,” John said.

The recovery team checked to find out exactly what kind of load was in the trailer. It was mostly loaded with liquid egg yoke bags and a half dozen skids of frozen egg whites toward the nose of the trailer. Dan Cantrell backed his Vulcan V-

equipment and experience, we got the job done. “We then let the bags do their job until at full inflation and then finishing the upright with the trucks,” John said. The casualty was then towed to Cantrell’s with the V-70. It was there for a short period until the trailer and cargo were picked up and delivered. “Thanks to Danny from Cantrell’s for giving us the call to come help out. With our combined equipment and experience, we got the job done. Great teamwork,” said John.

Shops On-Scene Daniel and Joseph Cantrell are the owners of Cantrell’s Body Shop & Garage in Carbon Cliff, Illinois. The company has been around for more than 50 years serving their community. Scholle’s Towing and Body Shop, based in Peru, Illinois, is a family business that has been serving the Illinois Valley area since 1972.

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, a longtime editor of American Towman, has been our field editor for the past few years. He is a freelance writer and photographer with more than 40 years of experience covering motorcycle, hot rod, truck and towing culture. He writes weekly for TowIndustryWeek.com. 60 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

ELD Denial’s Real Impact Phase 1: Awareness and Transition Phase: The two-year period following publication of the ELD rule February 16, 2016 to December 18, 2017. During this time, carriers and drivers subject to the rule should prepare to comply, and may voluntarily use ELDs. Carriers and drivers subject to the rule can use any of the following for Records of Duty Status: Paper logs; logging software; Automatic On Board Recording Devices; ELDs that are self-certified and registered with FMCSA.

by Brian J. Riker

s first reported last issue, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration denied a petition for exemption from electronic logs as submitted by the Towing and Recovery Association of America. While disappointing, it’s not necessarily a surprise. The FMCSA continues to use a onesize-fits-all approach to regulating motor carriers, while the reality—especially in towing and recovery—is anything but. “The TRAA Cabinet and the TRAA Legislative Advocacy Network feel strongly that FMCSA’s decision is misguided and that they truly do not understand the uniqueness of the towing industry,” said the TRAA in a statement. This is the real impact of the ELD mandate, among other regulations, that are focused on the trucking industry yet we towers must comply with as well. Towing is not a one-size-fits-all industry. (Was it ever?) Private-property impound is vastly different from motor-club service is different from 62 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Phase 2: Phased-In Compliance Phase: The two-year period from the Compliance Date to the Full Compliance Phase (four years following ELD rule publication): Dec.18, 2017, to Dec. 16, 2019. Carriers and drivers subject to the rule can use: AOBRDS that were installed prior to Dec. 18, 2017; SelfCertified and registered ELDs with FMCSA. Phase 3: Full Compliance Phase: After Dec. 16, 2019, all drivers and carriers subject to the rule must use self-certified ELDs that are registered with FMCSA.

law enforcement towing is different from commercial calls is different from hauling is different from environmental response… etc. How does the FMCSA decide which industry segment gets relief? How does the roadside enforcement officer determine what capacity you are operating in at any moment? Not all segments of the towing industry need relief from hours of service compliance or ELD usage. It is unrealistic to expect a blanket exemption for the entire towing indus-

try; if we were granted one you would see thousands of trucking companies enter the towing market overnight to take advantage of the relief from regulations. PPI by its nature is not necessarily an on-call or unpredictable schedule. Equipment transport done by towers is fundamentally the same as when it is done by a traditional motor carrier—though towers may be able to offer greater expediency. (That alone

Continued on p. 64 ...

... continued from p. 62 does not justify an exception as it would give towers an unfair competitive advantage over traditional trucking companies.) How about law enforcement towing, motor clubs and routine breakdown calls? Given the sporadic and emergency nature of these types of calls an argument can be made for some relief. Where to draw the line? Not all breakdowns and motor club calls are emergencies; many times the vehicle is safely at home or work and an emergency response is not necessary. Police towing is another matter, and the only one the FMCSA seems to currently recognize. The industry has limited relief from regulations related to hours of service while responding to requests for service by authorized officials during a declared emergency. This does not apply to every police request for service though, making it almost useless—but it is a step in the right direction. How do we address the huge difference in operations in rural areas

64 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

The industry has limited relief from regulations related to hours of service while responding to requests for service by authorized officials during a declared emergency. compared to metro areas? How do we accommodate rural companies’ need for flexibility in the hours of service

without compromising safety? What about metro operations that usually have the luxury of shift work and an abundant labor pool to select from? Is it fair to restrict their choice simply because their rural counterparts have location-based hardships? In an already divided industry I can’t in good conscience advocate for solutions that will split us even further. This is the perfect issue to unite us. Now is the time to rethink how we as an industry interact, how we are perceived and ultimately how we are treated by lawmakers, customers and the public. Bottom line: Anti-competitive measures, not safety, were the driving force behind the push for ELDs in the truckload freight sector. The large carriers have pushed for ELDs and speed limiters on all commercial motor vehicles. Is it time for regulatory reform in towing? No one likes regulation, but well thought-out regulations are necessary to maintain an open and competitive market. It is your job as a tow boss to look at your company, your

operating area and your business model to determine what type of regulation works best. You then have a duty to start a dialogue with your local, state and federal lawmakers to explain what your perceived issues are. Don’t just go there and complain. Bring them viable, realistic and workable solutions. Regulatory reform is coming. You can either be a leader and help direct the reform or a victim and complain about it. This is the real impact of the ELD mandate and the denial of the TRAA exemption request. We are businessmen and women, leaders in our community, employers and providers. It is time we stand up, unite and begin to act like business owners.

Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 25 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

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM -September 2018 • 65

66 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM -September 2018 • 67

Cap tivating the Nation

by Steve Calitri

n every level, the American Towman Spirit Ride has been a resounding success. As of press time, the Ride has relayed the Spirit casket in 250 cities across America with more than 7,000 emergency service vehicles participating in the processions … the majority of them tow trucks. The Ride has scored more than 500 news stories in print and online and some 150 stories aired on local area TV news channels. Between motorists and pedestrians who’ve seen the passing procession, those who have read about it, and viewers who have seen the stories on TV, some 15 million Americans have gotten the message: Slow Down, Move Over, It’s the Law. In other ways just as important, the Spirit Ride has had an amazing impact on the First Responder community, raising the level of respect amongst them for the towing professional. The Ride has been led by the towing industry to honor all fallen first responders. The police have escorted the Ride in droves all around the country—through towns on county roads, on highways and freeways. Fire and rescue trucks and EMS vans have joined the ceremonies and processions. They have all spoken at ceremonies. All have a stake in the Ride’s mission and ultimate success. The Ride has been orchestrated with ceremonial color and choreography, from the ceremonial casket to the Spirit Baton, color guards to large American flags raised high on wrecker booms. Ceremonial verse, songs and stories of the Fallen, it’s all there. Sometimes there is a surprising development like the time a naked woman rode a motorcycle on the highway as the ceremony was taking place (the Ride still scored TV coverage despite the competition). Or the time in Winston, Oregon, last month when a large and lengthy cheetah appeared on a leash, giving to observers of the ceremony wondering how many lives they might have left, if not nine. Along the processions, people wave quaintly from the street, or curbs

68 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

or on sidewalks by storefronts. In Scott City, Missouri, little leaguers stopped play, came to the roadside and knelt with caps over their hearts. There have been rifle salutes and pastors’ prayers and the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner.” In all ceremonies, there was the singing of the Spirit Ride anthem, “Booms in the Sky” (all but one actually when Mike Corbin took ill and someone sang the national anthem in in his place). The Spirit Ride set out on a twoyear mission on June 1, 2017, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. By the end of

2018, when the Ride reaches Baltimore on Nov. 17, some 10,000 emergency service vehicles will have participated and the Spirit casket will have been relayed in 320 cities. The historic Ride will end Nov. 17, yet those who have been involved are clamoring for it to continue. They say their event next year would be even bigger and better than their virgin Ride. They say the work promoting public awareness of the Move Over law and the risks all first responders face on the roadside—has only just begun.

Above: Major network affiliates have found the Spirit Ride to be full of good TV imagery. Left: Police across America have escorted 90% of the Rides.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 69

Onlookers Onlookers who come out for the ceremonies take the proceedings with solemn reflection. The usual crowd ranges from fifty to 100 people. Several of the crowds have exceeded 300 people. Outside of Mike and Ilce Corbin, the players in each ceremony are local and are known to many in the audience. The quality, symbolism, and import of the ceremony transcends the site and the turnout.

Sponsored by: Official Tow Truck

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 75

... continued from p. 74 assets onto a ship and export the equipment across the Mediterranean Sea to the southern coast of Italy. From Palermo, the assets could be trucked to the Richie Brothers auction in Caorso. Finding the right team of agents was critical. The list of repossession agents qualified for the task was short … very short. The truth is, there were no qualified recovery agents that I knew with experience in a mission like this one. I did have some acquaintances who would drop what they were doing to help with this dangerous-sounding repossession assignment, but this assignment called for a very special set of skills. In 30-plus years in the repossession business, I’ve made friends from all walks of life. I knew who I needed to talk to as soon as I studied the assignment; we’ll call him “FX.” FX had worked for a special government agency until retiring and moving into the private sector as a private contractor. After leaving a voicemail and waiting a few hours, FX agreed to meet with me at a local BBQ joint for a lunch meeting the next day. I ordered a half slab of ribs, FX ordered the same, and we began discussing the chances to safely recover the client’s collateral. We agreed on a 10-person team of ex-Special Forces soldiers, now private contractors. The team would act as sales reps for the client giving them a legitimate reason to move in country freely. I mentioned two of the team members would need experience in trucking and transport; FX agreed. A contact at a shipping port was next on the list of discussion items. FX would bring “Sal” into the team, a contact he had used before at the Port of Tunis, one of the largest shipping ports in Tunisia. Sal also had contacts in the transport and trucking business in every region of Tunisia. The expected location of the collateral was said to be within 300 miles of Tunis. FX and I agreed Sal would be the perfect choice. Our next discussion was about temporary office locations. FX explained it would be best if we man76 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

aged the mission from outside of the country. “Malta would be perfect,” FX said. Then he explained the president of Malta owed him a favor. (I didn’t ask.) Plan B was setting up an office in the Best Western Hotel in Palermo, Italy. We decided that the Palermo location would support the mission as the Best Western Hotel is a wellknown location for journalists as a rest stop. (Why use up a favor from the president of Malta if you don’t have to?) FX said we would still need a rallying point in Tunisia. Sal has a small olive farm we could use as a tactical operations center. “Sal has it going on,” I said. “Don’t ask any questions about Sal,” FX said quite seriously. “OK, got it,” I answered. I explained to FX that I needed to put together a fee estimate for the client. Here is the cost breakdown he gave me: • $100,000 for the team … cash. • $15,000 trucking and transport to the port … cash. • $10,000 Malta expenses … cash • $30,000 for Sal and his farm … cash. • $10,000 Port of Tunis expenses … cash. • $10,000 Port of Palermo expenses … cash. • $50,000 mission control for FX … cash. • $20,000 travel expenses … cash. • $30,000 miscellaneous contingency dollars … cash. I looked at FX and smiled. “That’s $275,000 … cash.” “The team is paid up front,” my friend said. “You think these guys are going to take a check?” We both laughed. I explained to FX he would hear from me in the next few days. We parted ways; neither of us had touched our lunch. I use a very simple mathematical equation when figuring out my profit on a repossession assignment. I figure out the total cost of returning the collateral … and double it; kind of simple. I will contact the client and explain to them the recovery fees for their $20 million of collateral will be about

$550,000. Sounds like a fair deal to me. This client was a multibillion-dollar multinational company. My client contact for this assignment was someone new to me. When I discussed the plan of action and the cost involved, there was a long pause before he said he would get back to me the next day About 30 minutes later, his boss’s boss called me. “I am almost certain I can get the recovery fee approved,” the man said. “When can you begin?” I paused before saying, “As soon as you wire me $275,000.” Now it was his turn to pause. “I won’t be able to approve any payment up front,” he said. I hesitated and then explained why we would need a partial payment of $275,000 in advance. “Let me call you back,” he said. It took about a week for me to hear from the client that they decided to charge-off the collateral as a loss. About two weeks after the client called off the assignment, the hostage crisis at In Amenas, Algeria, began. In January 2013, al-Qaeda-linked terrorists took hostages at the Tigantourine gas facility. At least 39 foreign hostages were killed along with an Algerian security guard; 29 terrorists were killed when Special Forces took back the facility, freeing 685 Algerian workers and 107 foreigners. In Amenas is about 200 miles from the location of the client’s collateral. I was at a July 4th cookout this year and met up with my old friend, FX. He told me the team that we discussed for the repossession assignment was hired by the oil company and partially involved in the rescue of the hostages; all of the team members made it home safely. We drank some beers and ate some ribs and thanked God the client decided not to pursue the Tunisian repo. Be safe.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience. He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.

Tow Expo Outpaces the Armadillos Despite the heat outside in Grapevine Texas, inside the Atrium of the Gaylord it was a refreshing 70 degrees. Just paces away from that atrium TowExpo-Dallas and the thousands attending enjoyed the indoor cool as well. And that was the response from many attendees when asked how the show was: “Cool.” There was a lot to see as cool. The training conferences and seminars were well attended. The Big Smoke was a happening with live music, cigars savored, cold drinks and storytelling that only tow industry characters can provide. The Expo exhibit hall opened to large crowds and the traffic was strong and steady throughout the entire show. Mini-clinics on the show floor offered many the opportunity to sit down a moment and listen in to a variety of presenters. In another spot on the floor renowned wrecker artist Cecil Burrowes demonstrated airbrushing techniques on truck doors.

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Tow Expo was a hit inside the Gaylord Texan, on August 17-18.

Friday evening featured TowExpo’s first Armadillo races during the Games and Grub event. Alongside the Armadillos casino tables were packed with tow bosses trying their luck. The show ended with the Ameri-

can Towman Cup ceremony with over 25 beautiful tow trucks competing in eight categories. Dave’s Hi-Way Wrecker Service from Grand Prairie, Texas won Best of Show.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 77

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For info please call Craig R. Nadolny “CALL FOR DETAILS” on all units

CALIFORNIA TOW TRUCK ASSOCIATION INTRO TO TOWING

The California Tow Truck Assn. presents INTRO TO TOWING. A new 5-part online course for towing beginners and new hires! Through five videos and corresponding quizzes, operators will learn the basics of towing. Students will receive a certificate of completion, and company owners are able to track their progress! Available now at: ctta@ctta.com

To Advertise In Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com 78 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • 79

Workhorse #101 in Ohio

Rosenberry Towing used its 2017 Peterbilt 389/Jerr-Dan JFB 50-ton integrated unit recently to move a 400,000-lbs. locomotive with four locked axles (above). The heavy unit has been a welcome addition to their fleet.

Tech Highlights

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

eff and Dave Rosenberry own Rosenberry Towing in New Philadelphia, Ohio, established in 1969; they have more than 50 years of towing and recovery experience. Their nephew, Alex Rosenberry, only 21, is already a seasoned veteran and the lead heavy operator for the company who does everything that needs to be done. The Rosenberry Towing team all have Traffic Incident Management and 80 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

WreckMaster training. They have four employees and six Jerr-Dans in their fleet including a 2017 Ford/Jerr-Dan MPL-40, 2006 Ford/Jerr-Dan HPL-60, Jerr-Dan 21’ and 22’ rollbacks, 2000 International 9400/Jerr-Dan 25-ton and this 2017 Peterbilt 389 extended cab/2018 Jerr-Dan JFB 50-ton integrated. “It has a three-stage boom and a 530 three-stage underlift and the JFB composite body, which gives us great

storage and organization. This was a Jerr-Dan factory build, purchased from Worldwide Equipment Sales,” said Alex. “This truck does not have a nickname yet. We haven’t found one to be fitting. So it has been referred to as Unit #101 for the past year.” Unit #101’s power is supplied by a Cummins ISX 550 engine mated to an Eaton 18-speed transmission. It has dual DP 50,000-lbs. winches to handle the pulling duty and is

Chassis: 2017 Peterbilt 389 extended cab. Wrecker: 2018 Jerr-Dan JFB 50-ton. Engine: Cummins ISX 550. Trans: Eaton 18-speed. Winches: Dual DP 50,000-lbs. Extras: Heavy-duty Jerr-Dan wheel grids. Graphics: Graphic Accents; Akron, Ohio.

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equipped with heavy-duty Jerr-Dan wheel grids rated at 25,000 lbs. “Last summer I was requested to pull a 400,000-pound locomotive with four locked axles so that it could be put onto plastic to be restored and then I repositioned it once it was finished,” Alex said. “I also towed our local fire department’s ladder truck that was said to weigh 74,000 pounds with a very long front overhang. Prior to us getting this unit we would have had to put the truck on a bus trailer to tow because of the overhang.” Oil fields and pipeline equipment and heavy steer-axle trucks overshadow Rosenberry’s coverage area. This Jerr-Dan 50-ton workhorse allows them to safely pick and tow these rigs. Alex said that locally it is the longest wheelbase heavy-duty truck with a very strong, long, Jerr-Dan underlift that allows them to get under trucks with a long front overhang such as firetrucks, concrete pumpers, and also towing trucks from the rear that have large pumps or tanks behind the axles.

“This truck has really almost doubled our heavy-duty calls and capabilities since going from one 25-ton heavy wrecker to now having a 50ton and a 25-ton,” said Alex. “This truck gives us so much more boom work compared to just having our two-stage 25-ton. We have a great amount of power and reach from this Jerr-Dan to lift or winch whatever we need to.” Graphic Accents in Akron, Ohio, did the wrap. It took them about two days to install it. The company has been in business since 1993, offering print, signage and business advertising solutions. “What inspired the graphic was that our 2017 MPL-40 was purchased with a similar design already on it,” Alex said. “So we decided to match our fleet to that truck. “We enter our local parades for July 4th, Halloween, Christmas and Memorial Day. I also took the truck to a Big Brothers/Big Sisters ‘Touch a truck’ fundraiser for the kids to enjoy.”

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The Road Forward Survival Requires the Act of Remembrance by Steve Calitri

he Spirit Ride reached the West Coast in August, rolling down through Washington State and Oregon with ceremonies and processions, and relaying in twentyeight California cities before swinging across the Southwest in September. The traveling memorial for First-Responders has been scoring mass-media coverage in all the Rides, helping to broadcast the Move Over message. The processions of emergency service vehicles, the majority of them tow trucks, pass through towns, County roads, highways and freeways. Ninety per cent of them have had full police escorts. There is a solemn pride among the participants following the lead rollback carrying “Spirit.” The sight of these processions both stills and swells the heart. Roads are closed off and motorists step out and salute. Take away the parade and the escort, the scene is even more stilling. The carrier with Spirit in tow sometimes rides alone the last miles to the next relay station with only the RV Motorcoach and the Corbins keeping up behind it. Inside the casket, according to the towers who have followed it, rest the spirits of the fallen--- Precious Cargo---as referred to in the song, Bless the Spirit Riders. On those whiles where the Spirit casket rides alone on the road, one is struck by the understanding that this empty casket somehow carries the hearts and heartbreak of thousands. Through rain or shine Spirit rides under the eye of an industry and you wonder how towmen were honored before the Spirit Ride, before Chattanooga’s Wall of the Fallen, before the Internet, before the industry’s consciousness was struck by the breadth of the danger and tragedy. They were honored by family grief and a home town funeral. Towers in

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the area might accompany that funeral with a procession of tow trucks. There was no collective bowing of heads from the nation’s towers. I believe we need to recognize why we, as an industry, commemorate our loss today. Just look toward other memorial events. Why do we still hold an annual Memorial Day for fallen soldiers? Perhaps we need to remember that war is terrible. We need to remember so we stay away from war. In the Spirit Ride, and at the Wall of the Fallen ceremony this month in Chattanooga, we need to realize that paying our respects to the Fallen and their families is only the half of it. Remembering them should be a hard reminder of the dangers faced and that we must do all we can to prevent more needless loss of life. And for our industry’s survival, we must make the

roadside safer for the men and women who work there. With the trucking industry revealing the are over 60,000 jobs behind the wheel it can’t fill, and tow bosses admitting they can’t find people at $20 an hour, the industry is at the point where it is realizing it must offer hazard-pay attract qualified tow operators. That, or, alleviate the hazard. The Spirit Ride by November will have relayed Spirit in 320 cities across the country, raising awareness of the Move Over law with millions of Americans. Just as importantly it has been raising awareness within this industry that we all have our work cut out for us. And we all need to pitch in.

Viral Complaint Wreaks Havoc on Company A towing company owner in Destin, Florida, is defending his business after a Facebook post went viral alleging unfair towing practices at a shopping center parking lot. Tammy Bryan Pugh made a post on her personal Facebook page detailing what she said was a bad experience. She said she and her husband parked in a lot that wasn’t adequately marked with “no parking” signs, and were treated rudely by employees after their truck was towed. “In my mind, this is (a) corrupt business and should not be allowed,” Pugh wrote of Destin Towing. “It is a trap.” The post went viral and the owner of the towing company is now defending himself after saying he’s received death threats over the post. “None of it is true,” Destin Towing owner Scott Leach said. “Everything that we’ve done, everything that we do, the service that we provide for that plaza is strictly within the law. “I just got a phone call from some guy saying he’s going to burn my business down with us inside it because his vehicle got towed,” he said. According to Pugh’s post, they decided to park at the Palmetto Plaza shopping center while out for dinner. They came back to find their truck had been towed away. She said she didn’t see “no parking” signs when they parked, but did see other vehicles in the lot. After discovering their vehicle was gone, Pugh’s husband found a sign on the building and called the number for Destin Towing, which confirmed their truck had been towed. The couple had to pay $125 in cash to get their truck back. Leach said that he’s operating his business legally and the Palmetto Plaza parking lot is private property. He said he has a towing contract with Palmetto Plaza’s property owner and the management company that controls it. “They (Palmetto Plaza management) have contracted us to remove any vehicles on their property after 9 p.m. every day of the week that does not have a parking pass issued to them

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... continued from p. N 83 by a store owner or any of the units there,” Leach said. A Daily News reporter who went to the parking lot found six signs, most of them up against the building near the storefronts. David Baxter owns One Feather Native American Jewelry and Art, which leases one of the storefronts in Palmetto Plaza. He said he feels bad that people are towed from there at night, but plaza management was forced to start towing people. Source: nwfdailynews.com.

Recall Affects 500,000+ Cummins Engines A voluntary recall affecting more than 500,000 Cummins engines has been initiated after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board discovered excess emissions resulting from defective emissions aftertreatment systems. Owners of 2010-’15 model-year vehicles are required to replace the faulty emissions equipment. The trucks will be recalled in two phases. Starting this month, owners of the 500,000 affected vehicles will receive letters with instructions on how to get their catalysts replaced or receive reimbursement for the cost of replacement. The second phase begins in March 2019. It is required for vehicle owners to replace the catalyst in order to renew a California DMV registration on most engine families. Source: truckinginfo.com.

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... continued from p. N 85 Towing, AT Wrecker Towing and Coronado Towing to be its towing companies on rotation. The previous ordinance allowed the companies to charge only $50. The increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to hand over more money to pick up their vehicles from wrecker yards During a special meeting that month, Police Chief Gilbert Guerrero recommended the council approve increasing the wrecker fee as well as allowing the city to collect $15 per tow from the wrecker companies. The $15 would be allocated to cover the cost of the administrative work done by the police department, which responds along with the companies. The ordinance allows for a $20/day fee to be charged for storage after the first day. Vehicle owners who arrive to their vehicles hooked up to a tow truck can pay a drop fee of $40 to have their vehicle released. Source: themonitor.com.

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CopyrightÂŠ2018 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 7 West St, Warwick NY 10990

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • SOUTH 83

owner Scott Leach said. “Everything that we’ve done, everything that we do, the service that we provide for that plaza is strictly within the law. “I just got a phone call from some guy saying he’s going to burn my business down with us inside it because his vehicle got towed,” he said. According to Pugh’s post, they decided to park at the Palmetto Plaza shopping center while out for dinner. They came back to find their truck had been towed away. She said she didn’t see “no parking” signs when they parked, but did see other vehicles in the lot. After discovering their vehicle was gone, Pugh’s husband found a sign on the building and called the number for Destin Towing, which confirmed their truck had been towed. The couple had to pay $125 in cash to get their truck back. Leach said that he’s operating his

SOUTH 84 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

business legally and the Palmetto Plaza parking lot is private property. He said he has a towing contract with Palmetto Plaza’s property owner and the management company that controls it. “They (Palmetto Plaza management) have contracted us to remove any vehicles on their property after 9 p.m. every day of the week that does not have a parking pass issued to them by a store owner or any of the units there,” Leach said. A Daily News reporter who went to the parking lot found six signs, most of them up against the building near the storefronts. David Baxter owns One Feather Native American Jewelry and Art, which leases one of the storefronts in Palmetto Plaza. He said he feels bad that people are towed from there at night, but plaza management was forced to start towing people. Source: nwfdailynews.com.

Recall Affects 500,000+ Cummins Engines A voluntary recall affecting more than 500,000 Cummins engines has been initiated after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board discovered excess emissions resulting from defective emissions aftertreatment systems. Cummins has worked collaboratively with CARB on the voluntary recall, which the agency stated was the largest such effort for heavyduty trucks to date. Owners of 2010-’15 model-year vehicles are required to replace the faulty emissions equipment. The trucks will be recalled in two phases. Starting this month, owners of the 500,000 affected vehicles will receive letters with instructions on how to get their catalysts replaced or receive reimbursement for the cost of replacement. The second phase begins in March 2019. It is required for vehicle owners to replace the catalyst in order to renew a California DMV registration on most engine families. Source: truckinginfo.com.

Towing Fee Increase Approved The Donna (Texas) City Council recently approved increasing the towing fee to $125, more than two times the previous amount. The towing ordinance allows permitted wrecker companies to tow illegally parked or wrecked vehicles, as well as those belonging to a person under arrest by the Donna Police Department, according to the amended ordinance effective in May. Earlier this year the council approved Mario’s Wrecker, Apollo Towing, AT Wrecker Towing and Coronado Towing to be its towing companies on rotation. The previous ordinance allowed the companies to charge only $50. The increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to

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... continued from p. S 85 hand over more money to pick up their vehicles from wrecker yards During a special meeting that month, Police Chief Gilbert Guerrero recommended the council approve increasing the wrecker fee as well as allowing the city to collect $15 per tow from the wrecker companies. The $15 would be allocated to cover the cost of the administrative work done by the police department, which responds along with the companies. The ordinance allows for a $20/day fee to be charged for storage after the first day. Vehicle owners who arrive to their vehicles hooked up to a tow truck can pay a drop fee of $40 to have their vehicle released. Source: themonitor.com.

TowShow.com

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Jail Time Set for Killing Towman A Saginaw County, Michigan, woman will spend time in prison after striking and killing a towman this past January in Bridgeport Township. Dee Ann Parsons previously pleaded no contest to killing Thomas Tripp, 41, who worked for Mike’s Wrecker Service in Saginaw. She had been drinking, police said. A Saginaw County Circuit Court judge recently sentenced the 50-yearold to serve a minimum of 42 months and a maximum of 15 years in prison. Tripp’s older brother, Peter Tripp, spoke before a judge sentenced Parsons. “My brother Tom is gone forever. I can’t see him, talk to him or even give him a hug.” Police said Parsons had attended her work Christmas party Jan. 10 in Frankenmuth before crashing into Tripp, who was helping another driver who had a flat tire. Tripp had just loaded the vehicle onto a flatbed before he was struck from behind. Parsons crashed in to Tripp, pinning

him between her SUV and Tripp’s tow truck. She backed up when others told her too, but said she never saw Tripp. In court an attorney said a couple hours after the crash Parsons’ blood alcohol content measured .13, nearly twice the legal limit. Results from a preliminary breath test given at the crash site were higher, but the actual number was not mentioned in court. Parsons said she hopes someday the Tripp family can forgive her. Outside there were several tow trucks lining Michigan Avenue to show support for the Tripp family. Source: abc12.com.

Tow Company Settles with Oregon A Salem, Oregon, towing company recently agreed to settle with the state Attorney General’s office after a series of consumer complaints about excessive charges and unfair treatment. Discount Towing & Recovery agreed to pay $15,000 to the Oregon Department of Justice, according to documents filed in Marion County

SOUTH 88 • September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

circuit court. Under the terms of the deal, Discount Towing will only have to pay $2,000 unless the company fails to comply with the agreement. Company owner Donald Duddles also promised to refund one customer $740. McEwen had her car towed from a Salem parking lot in August 2016. She said the driver declined to drop her car from the tow truck, would not provide information where to pick it up or explain how much it would cost. A receipt shows Discount Towing charged McEwen $741 to retrieve her car from the company’s impound lot. She was required to pay in cash. A news team’s investigation in late 2016 found nearly a dozen complaints about Discount Towing & Recovery. Many consumers felt the Salem towing company charged unfair rates. Oregon State Police cut ties with towing company after that investigation. As part of the agreement with the state of Oregon, Duddles did not admit to any wrongdoing. Source: kgw.com.

Recall Affects 500,000+ Cummins Engines A voluntary recall affecting more than 500,000 Cummins engines has been initiated after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board discovered excess emissions resulting from defective emissions aftertreatment systems. Cummins has worked collaboratively with CARB on the voluntary recall, which the agency stated was the largest such effort for heavy-duty trucks to date. Owners of 2010-’15 model-year vehicles are required to replace the faulty emissions equipment. The trucks will be recalled in two phases. Starting this month, owners of the 500,000 affected vehicles will receive letters with instructions on how to get their catalysts replaced or receive reimbursement for the cost of replacement. The second phase begins in March 2019. It is required for vehicle

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... continued from p. M 83 owners to replace the catalyst in order to renew a California DMV registration on most engine families. Source: truckinginfo.com.

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... continued from p. M 85 Police said Parsons had attended her work Christmas party Jan. 10 in Frankenmuth before crashing into Tripp, who was helping another driver who had a flat tire. Tripp had just loaded the vehicle onto a flatbed before he was struck from behind. Parsons crashed in to Tripp, pinning him between her SUV and Tripp’s tow truck. She backed up when others told her too, but said she never saw Tripp. In court an attorney said a couple hours after the crash Parsons’ blood alcohol content measured .13, nearly twice the legal limit. Results from a preliminary breath test given at the crash site were higher, but the actual number was not mentioned in court. Parsons said she hopes someday the Tripp family can forgive her. “I wish I could go back in time and take back, take it all away. I deeply wish I could trade places with Mr. Tripp,” she said in court. Outside there were several tow trucks lining Michigan Avenue to show support for the Tripp family. Source: abc12.com.

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The Increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to hand over more money to pick up their vehicles.

Thank you for visiting us DALLAS/FORT WORTH

MIDWEST 88 â&#x20AC;˘ September 2018 - TOWMAN.COM

Earlier this year the council approved Marioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wrecker, Apollo Towing, AT Wrecker Towing and Coronado Towing to be its towing companies on rotation. The previous ordinance allowed the companies to charge only $50. The increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to hand over more money to pick up their vehicles from wrecker yards During a special meeting that month, Police Chief Gilbert Guerrero recommended the council approve increasing the wrecker fee as well as allowing the city to collect $15 per tow from the wrecker companies. The $15 would be allocated to cover the cost of the administrative work done by the police department, which responds along with the companies. The ordinance allows for a $20/day fee to be charged for storage after the first day. Vehicle owners who arrive to their vehicles hooked up to a tow truck can pay a drop fee of $40 to have their vehicle released. Source: themonitor.com.

Thank you for visiting us!

DALLAS/FORT WORTH

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - September 2018 • WEST 83

that we’ve done, everything that we do, the service that we provide for that plaza is strictly within the law. “I just got a phone call from some guy saying he’s going to burn my business down with us inside it because his vehicle got towed,” he said. According to Pugh’s post, they decided to park at the Palmetto Plaza shopping center while out for dinner. They came back to find their truck had been towed away. She said she didn’t see “no parking” signs when they parked, but did see other vehicles in the lot. After discovering their vehicle was gone, Pugh’s husband found a sign on the building and called the number for Destin Towing, which confirmed their truck had been towed. The couple had to pay $125 in cash to get their truck back. Leach said that he’s operating his business legally and the Palmetto Plaza parking lot is private property.

He said he has a towing contract with Palmetto Plaza’s property owner and the management company that controls it. “They (Palmetto Plaza management) have contracted us to remove any vehicles on their property after 9 p.m. every day of the week that does not have a parking pass issued to them by a store owner or any of the units there,” Leach said. A Daily News reporter who went to the parking lot found six signs, most of them up against the building near the storefronts. David Baxter owns One Feather Native American Jewelry and Art, which leases one of the storefronts in Palmetto Plaza. He said he feels bad that people are towed from there at night, but plaza management was forced to start towing people. Source: nwfdailynews.com.

Recall Affects 500,000+ Cummins Engines A voluntary recall affecting more than 500,000 Cummins engines has been initiated after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board discovered excess emissions resulting from defective emissions aftertreatment systems. Cummins has worked collaboratively with CARB on the voluntary recall, which the agency stated was the largest such effort for heavy-duty trucks to date. Owners of 2010-’15 model-year vehicles are required to replace the faulty emissions equipment. The trucks will be recalled in two phases. Starting this month, owners of the 500,000 affected vehicles will receive letters with instructions on how to get their catalysts replaced or receive reimbursement for the cost of replacement. The second phase begins in March 2019. It is required for vehicle owners to replace the catalyst in order to renew a California DMV registration on most engine families. Source: truckinginfo.com.

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Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

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The Increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to hand over more money to pick up their vehicles. Earlier this year the council approved Mario’s Wrecker, Apollo Towing, AT Wrecker Towing and Coronado Towing to be its towing companies on rotation. The previous ordinance allowed the companies to charge only $50. The increase benefits towing companies and requires citizens to hand over more money to pick up their vehicles from wrecker yards During a special meeting that month, Police Chief Gilbert Guerrero recommended the council approve increasing the wrecker fee as well as allowing the city to collect $15 per tow from the wrecker companies. The $15 would be allocated to cover the cost of the administrative work done by the police department, which responds along with the companies. The ordinance allows for a $20/day fee to be charged for storage after the first day. Vehicle owners who arrive to their vehicles hooked up to a tow truck can pay a drop fee of $40 to have their vehicle released. Source: themonitor.com. Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

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