News Share Truck Sales Surge in September
Heavy-duty truck orders from North American Class 8 (trucks weighing over 33,000 pounds) surged in the month of September, up 55%, according to a report released by FTR Intel, which provides industry news and analysis for the transportation industry. Familiar names to the towing industry, such as Kenworth, International and Freightliner, fall into that classification. Don Ake, VP of commercial vehicles at FTR, said, “Rates have improved, so carriers have the cash, and now they also have the confidence. When you combine those two factors, orders tend to surge.” Pent-up demand is also a factor, as the months from March to May saw significant contraction to the economy due to the coronavirus. Ake said, “Trucks that would have normally been ordered then, are being ordered now, since much of the risk has passed.” Source: www.fleetowner.com
DOJ Cracks Down for Servicemembers The Department of Justice Department (DOJ) filed suit on 9/28 against a Dallas-based towing firm for allegedly auctioning off cars and trucks belonging to U.S. servicemembers in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The suit is the latest in a string of civil actions taken against towing companies nationwide for failing to comply with a law that requires companies to get a court order before disposing of troops’ vehicles. It’s the fourth case in the last 5 weeks. The suit claims that the Dallas company sold at least five vehicles belonging to service members in their absence and without their consent. Last month, a Florida towing and storage company allegedly auctioned off at least 33 service members’ vehicles between 2013 and 2020 without obtaining court orders, agreeing to compensate service members. Source: www.military.com
8 • November 2020 | Towman.com
Teen Restores Wrecker In Bay County, Fla., 15-year-old Zach White completely redid an old wrecker given to him by his parents, making it his own. The unit, a 2008, 5500 Dodge Laramie with a twin line, self-loading Century was originally bought by Zach’s father, handed over to his grandfather, then sold and eventually ended up in the “bone yard” when the family reclaimed it and gave it to Zach as a gift. White, who’s family own’s White’s Gulf County Wrecker Service, LLC, has been working on the project for 7 months, redoing the interior and exterior, including the engine repairs. He said, “It was all beat up when I got it. The truck, the whole interior was messed up. I just had to fix all of it, order new stuff, send it to shops, get it repainted and all that. It’s worth it. Yup,
Zach White with his Dodge Laramie.
it’s a beautiful truck now.” He credits his dad for teaching him, as he watched him around the shop over the years. Since he is only 15, he is waiting until he gets his driver’s license and plans to drive his wrecker to school and help out his dad’s company. Source: www.mypanhandle.com
Howard L. Eagan
February 11, 1966 - September 19, 2020
Industry Stalwart Howard Eagan Passes Howard L. Eagan of the Town of the Wheatfield, NY, passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2020, in Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Howard, called “Scooby” by friends and professional associates, was employed with Leaseway Transportation and as a foreman with Penske, before becoming a heavy tow truck operator with John’s Towing in Buffalo and Big Red Towing in Syracuse for many years. He was an instructor with MatJack Indianapolis Industrial Products for many years, training tow operators around the nation on air cushion recovery. He often taught air cushion usage at American Towman Expositions. Eagan was a member of the 3F Club, the 9/11 Memorial and enjoyed riding his Goldwing Motorcycle and camping. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY on February 11, 1966, a son of Robert Eagan and the late Bonnie [Miers] Eagan. In addition to his father, he is survived by
his wife Janeene M.[Tokarczyk) Eagan; his children Marcas Eagan, Jessica Marquart and Danielle (Brian) Curry; two grandchildren Natalia Curry and Taya Marquart, a brother Robert (Rene) Eagan, Jr. and good friend Kimberly Simpson and her children Andrew, Ross, Tara; also several nieces and nephews.
