Ready Ready to to expand expand your your business? business? Need Need more more capability capability in in your your recoveries? recoveries? ® ® CENTURY CENTURY has has the the power power you you need need with with the the industry’s industry’s number number ONE ONE selling 60- 75-ton and 75-ton capacities. selling line line of of rotators rotators in in 30-, 40-, 40-, 60- and capacities. ® ® But CENTURY knows knows you you need need more more versatility versatility in in your your But CENTURY rotator rotator beyond beyond tough tough recoveries, recoveries, so so we we design design and and build build our our rotators rotators using using components components fabricated fabricated with with high-tensile high-tensile steel steel for for maximum maximum strength strength without without excess excess weight weight that that decreases decreases your your towing towing capabilities. capabilities. Our Our lightweight lightweight aluminum aluminum body body design design provides provides ample ample storage storage for for both both your your towing towing and and recovery recovery equipment. equipment.
The Century 1130 (30-ton) rotator provides the versatility of a rotator for recovery applications with a weight-conscience design for increased towing payload.
The Century 1140 (40-ton) rotator fits most applications, with options such as a 2- or 3-stage recovery boom, dual 35,000-lb. 2-speed winches, LDU underlift and a combination of auxiliary winch and outrigger systems.
The Century 1060S (60-ton) provides 360-degree continuous boom rotation, a 3-stage recovery boom, optional turretmounted and deck-mounted winches, your choice of outrigger package, and the proven SDU-4 underlift.
8503 Hilltop Drive • Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
www.millerind.com • 800-292-0330 Call your local Miller Industries distributor for more information.
Number 143 on Reader Card
To tackle your most difficult recovery jobs for heavy loads, rely on the brute strength of the Century 1075S (75-ton), equipped with a 3-stage recovery boom and available with up to 6 winches for a combined winching capacity of 234,000 lbs.
Number 218 on Reader Card
2012 Product Gateway: Pages 34-36
FEATURE CONTENTS
26
A Long Way To Go Departments Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tow Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . .58 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . .61
Hurricane Irene provides a complicated recovery in a swollen, raging river. by Larry Fortier
42
Where Grit Meets Glamour Get a look behind the scenes of TruTV's 'South Beach Tow.' by Wendy Black
50
Synthetic Rope Vs. Wire Rope, Part II The types, construction and maintenance for this new tool in your arsenal. by Terry Abejuela
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 5
There Is No Lowdown by Steve Calitri
T
owers figure, “Calitri has the lowdown.” It’s a natural assumption. Aside from the name of this department that kicks off every issue of AT across four decades, tow business owners see American Towman as the industry’s major intersection. Everything seems to pass through it: suppliers with their new products and services, and towers sharing what they do to survive and prosper. When towers come to the American Towman Exposition, as they did by the thousands this past November, that vision of AT being the industry’s major intersection is validated. With all the expertise present inside the Baltimore Convention Center from manufacturers and seminar presenters, and all the knowledge being propagated, it is natural, if a bit fantastic, to imagine that I know of everything that’s going on. The fact is, the lowdown is right under everyone’s own nose. If I have to tell it to you, the odds are you’re not listening. It’s right there, but you won’t see it. Whatever area of your business needs a new approach, you’ll become deaf and blind and ignore the obvious. Towers tell me they can’t make it in this business at the rates they charge. I give them the lowdown: “Raise your rates.” Do you think they do? Towers tell me dealing with their abandoned cars is a royal pain in the [butt]. I give them the lowdown: “Auction them off at top dollar on the
6 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Internet.” But the guy griping doesn’t have a computer. Towers tell me they can’t find good operators. I give them the lowdown: “Change the profile of the person you’re looking for.” They scratch their heads. Towers tell me their town won’t raise the rates on non-consensual tows. I give them the lowdown: “Get with the towers in your town and make your case with a united front.” They look at me with an odd smile like I’m nuts to think they would conspire with their enemies. Towers tell me there isn’t enough time in the day to oversee the work done on the road and manage the business at the same time. I give them the lowdown: “Put your wife in charge of managing the business, or hire someone smarter than you.” But many of them aren’t smart enough to believe there is anyone smarter. Towers tell me they’re stressed out from lack of sleep from all those calls in the middle of the night. I give them the lowdown: “Spread the burden of night-time duty upon your tow operators. With today’s phone systems, it’s a no-brainer.” They look at me like I’m stupid to even think of putting that kind of trust in the people they hired. Folks, there’s no lowdown. Those going it alone will go it alone, tripping all the way. So don’t think I’ve got the lowdown or a magic wand for your business. I only know where the well is and point you to it. And that’s the lowdown.
Publisher Dennie Ortiz Editor-In-Chief Steve Calitri Editor Brendan Dooley Operations Editors Terry Abejuela Randall Resch Chassis Editor David Kolman Safety Editor Bill Simmons Editorial Board Tommy Anderson; Dallas, Texas Roy Carlson; St. Paul, Minn. Gary Coe; Portland, Ore. Frank Child; Cody, Wyo. Belinda Harris; Greensboro, N.C. Amado Llorens; Hialeah, Fla. Ron Mislan; Warren, N.J. Chuck Swider; Chicopee, Mass. Frank Sanchez; Bridgewater, N.J. Page Layout Artist Ann Marie Nitti Graphic Manager William Burwell Advertising Sales Manager Dennie Ortiz Senior Account Executive Ellen Rosengart VP of Accounts Norma Calitri VP of Communications Neila Smith Subscription Manager Miriam Ortiz Customer Service Henri Calitri President Steve Calitri Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 Fax: 845-986-5181 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: towman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2011 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: $50–1 yr; $95–2 yrs • US $65 and $105 • International Editorial Policy: the act of mailing or delivering a letter or article to American Towman Magazine, shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. American Towman Magazine reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted.
Number 109 on Reader Card
Report Compares Crashes, Congestion The annual societal cost of traffic crashes is $299.5 billion, more than three times the $97.7 billion cost of congestion, according to a report by AAA. The “Crashes vs. Congestion—What’s the Cost to Society?” report highlights the farreaching economic impacts traffic crashes have on our nation. “At $300 billion annually, crashes cost our society more than three times the amount of congestion,” said Brad Roeber, AAA Chicago president. “This report further underscores the importance of a longterm, multi-year federal transportation bill that will provide the necessary and sustained investments that lead to better and safer roads for all Americans.” The cost of crashes are based on the Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive costs for traffic fatalities and injuries that assign a dollar value to a variety of components; the results showed crash costs exceeded congestion in every metropolitan area studied, from very large to small.
Mississippi Towing Ordinance Rescinded City aldermen in Moss Point, Miss., moved to rescind a new wrecker ordinance that was to go in effect the first Friday in November. Just days before the rules became law, representatives from five local towing companies pled their case to the city. The ordinance would have raised the rotation fees from $50 to $500 annually and required operators to carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance coverage. The owners argued the excessive fees and insurance premiums would be too much to bear by their small businesses already operating on very thin margins. The aldermen rescinded the new law pending further review for a more equitable approach to wrecker regulation. Source: www.wapt.com. 8 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Memphis Towers Rally Against Rules After several for a code from the months of back police. Towers and forth played several cell between council phone videos members and taken of vehicle tow operators, owners getting M e m p h i s aggressive with the (Tenn.) passed tow truck drivers. its controversial M e m p h i s Transportation police were Commission adamant in favor towing regulaof the rule, regardThomas R. Machnitzki photo tions in Noveming evidence conber. The sticking cerns. In response point in the legislation was the strict to the towers risk the police offered requirement for tow operators to that tow truck drivers should immecontact Memphis Police for an diately leave the scene if they are authorization code prior to any nonbeing threatened. consent tow. The new law also requires tow Tow companies across the city owners to do a background check on were against this provision citing drivers. Source: www.memphisthe added risk wrecker drivers dailynews.com. assumes with each minute waiting
Collision Report
Highlights ‘Towing Problems’ Mitchell released its quarterly Industry Trends Report for the Property and Casualty claims and Collision Repair industries, highlighting industry-related trends, news items and statistics. One section of the report, titled “The Problems With Towing,” outlined a 2011 National Towing Survey by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. Towing issues cited in the report included increased auto claim cycles, “skyrocketing and inconsistent fees” for towing and storage, and named “five least desirable” cities (of 149 named) and states (of 42 named) to be towed. They were Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City,
Atlanta and Houston; and Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and California. Complete content is available in the latest Industry Trends Report, which may be downloaded in PDF format by visiting www.mitchell.com.
... Extra steps put tow operators at risk ... One Truck at a Time A tow operator in North Bend, Ore., has been advised by the planning commission that he cannot park more than one of his tow trucks at a time outside his home. Neighbors of North Bend Towing began complaining of heavy tow-truck traffic disrupting the residential area. The tower received a permit from the city to operate the accounting portion of his business in the residential area in 1986. That permit also allowed parking for one tow truck. In recent years he began parking a second truck at the residence. He applied for a parking permit for the second vehicle after complaints began piling up. He cited the fact that he and his son-in-law, both residents of the home, drove trucks for the company. The application was denied because the second truck gives the residential area a commercial look, which violates city codes. Source: theworldlink.com.
Scottsboro Changes Rotation Rules The Scottsboro (Ariz.) City Council approved amendments to the city’s wrecker rotation service at the request of police following questions about one of the wrecker services having dropped its insurance. The council agreed to have the police department named as a second party on a wrecker service company’s liability insurance, which will aid the police department in knowing if the wrecker services are keeping insurance. With the council’s approval, the police department will now be able to investigate allegations of unreasonable charges. There are currently four local wrecker services on the police department’s rotation. Source: thedailysentinel.com
Houston Implements Tow Search System Houston (Texas) police recently rolled out their Towed Vehicle Reporting Management System, an online search mechanism for citizens to locate a vehicle that has been towed to an impound lot in a nonconsent scenario. The TVRMS allows police to manage towing operations and have a central location for citizens to use when trying to locate their towed vehicle. It is expected that the system will streamline all aspects of the towing process in the Houston area allowing an easier method for owners to search for information about their vehicle. Once the search is initiated, the system will tell the owner where their vehicle is being stored and the approximate fee and rate to be paid upon pickup. There is a section of the site dedicated to towing companies who wish to apply, such as: Tow Truck Company Application, Booting Company Application, and Storage Lot Application. Source: www.findmytowedcar.com.
White Paper Tackles Social Media Marketing For any successful company, branding, messaging and engagement are all underlying components of marketing—all of which can be facilitated through social media venues if planned and executed intelligently. Through the informative stories of three leading companies, PR Newswire’s new white paper, “Mastering Marketing in Social Media,” shares the value and challenges of developing and evolving purposeful social media marketing strategies. It highlights the core principle of actively “listening” to key audiences and dis-
cusses how feedback can guide critical business decisions and how to drive tangible results through interesting content. For more information, download the complete white paper at www.prnewswire.com.
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 9
Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Car-Go-Net Parts Containment
Flexibility with Telescopic and Traveling-Axle Trailers
Industrial Netting’s Car-Go-Net containment netting prevents loose parts of damaged cars from falling off tow trucks during transport. The disposable Car-Go-Net is designed to cover the full width of the car in a single pass, and is available in a variety of widths and lengths. The netting is extruded from orange colored resin to provide maximum visibility.
www.industrialnetting.com Number 200 on Reader Card
55-Ton Telescopic Trailer 55-Ton Telescopic Trailer
Marker Series Features Two-Wire Install TowMate’s new Power-Link PLC2/PLC2.5 Series marker light/flasher combo is a two-wire install that replaces existing markers; the Series uses high-intensity LEDs for optimum visibility. Features include: • Select from multiple flash patterns with the wave of a magnet. • Available in 2” and 2.5” grommet-mount lenses. • Amber, red or clear lenses. • Operates with PLC-TX (sold separately). • Lifetime warranty.
www.towmate.com
The multi-purpose Talbert 55-Ton Hydraulic Detach Telescopic Trailer suits a variety of loads with its telescopic deck that extends from 30’ to 50’, and 20” loaded deck height. The spread axle capabilities allow a 2 + 2 or a 3 + 1 configuration, and its tandem axle features connections for a third axle that can be flipped or removed. The unit also is equipped with connections for a future fourth axle. The trailer is engineered with a pinned and hinged gooseneck extension that can be flipped. The ability to flip or remove the third axle and flip the gooseneck extension means during empty travel the overall trailer length can be less than 53’.
The traveling-axle SSTA 5053 has a 50-ton capacity, 6degree load angle and a 14-degree dump angle making it suitable as a general-purpose trailer, or for the easy loading and unloading of non-operating equipment and pieces with lower ground clearance. Features include T-1 and 80K steel-beam framework, air-ride suspension, two-speed landing gear, hub-piloted steel disc wheels, and side and center tie-down slots.
Number 203 on Reader Card
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SSTA 5053 Trailer
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Reduce Boom, Rope Friction Lube-A-Boom’s friction-reducing lubricants are specialty lubricants to protect tow booms and cables. The synthetic lubricant contains Teflon particles held in suspension that are claimed to last longer than conventional petroleum-based greases. Teflon particles in Lube-A-Boom fill surface irregularities for a smoother, flatter surface for any contact. Products in the company’s Lube-A-Pak include: • Lube-A-Boom in 15-oz. aerosol, 14-oz. cartridge and Dry Film. • Lube-A-Gear, 12-oz. aerosol. • Lube-A-Rope, 16-oz. aerosol. • Lube-A-Pin, 14-oz. cartridge.
www.lubeaboom.com Number 202 on Reader Card
10 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
SSTA 5053 Trailer
T
albert Manufacturing’s specialty-built trailer and transport systems feature the multi-purpose 55-Ton Telescopic Trailer and traveling-axle SSTA 5053 Trailer.
www.talbertmfg.com
continue to page 24 TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 11
Surviving in the Towing Industry
by David Lambert
A
sk a tower how they have survived years in the business without injuring themselves and minimizing damage and you’ll get some interesting answers. The most common answers seem to be the ones listed below and often include more than one: Experience. There is no substitute for experience, which can make the tough jobs easier, quicker and safer. But if all vehicles and situations were the same, all we would need is “experience.” If no new options were added to vehicles; if all ground was flat, level and barren; if the weather never changed—all we would need is experience. Confidence and flexibility. With experience comes confidence. When the tower comes onto a recovery situation or even a new vehicle, their confidence helps them solve the immediate challenge. Flexibility helps them overcome any problems that might arise when tackling a new situation. Training. Riding with an experienced operator provides the basics for towing, depending on the attitude and the knowledge the trainer possesses. Attending a structured, formal training program provides a wealth of information for both new and experienced towers. No matter how informative the ride-along was or comprehensive the training class, 12 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
there were 1,000 things that weren’t discussed or demonstrated. Common sense. It’s hard to pinpoint what common sense is and where it comes from; it is basically the knowledge and experience the person using the term thinks they have and expects others to have.
Some people call it the little voice inside their head; others consider it instinct.
another reason many of you have made it so long and still can count 10 fingers and 10 toes; your sixth sense. You’re loading a vehicle onto your truck or completed rigging for a recovery and started to winch when you hear that little voice or “just have a feeling.” Some people call it the little voice inside their head; others consider it instinct. Whatever you call it, something is telling you when things aren’t alright. I think that voice or feeling comes from something you saw or heard but didn’t consciously register. (In my case, it’s like the wife talking to me while I’m watching college football. I hear but it might not register.)
Case Study I Talking to other towers. How many times have you learned a bit of information from the other towers at work, online or a tow show that you later used? Some people call them “war stories,” but, aside from the embellishments, there is usually some real information to be had. Luck. Despite all the training, experience and common sense a tower may have, something still can go wrong. If your lucky, no one gets hurt.
Instincts While these are probably the most common answers, there may be
Recently, a tower told me a story about an experience he had while preparing to load a new F-350 4x4 onto his flatbed. The truck was on a slight incline, and wouldn’t shift out of “park.” He decided to drop the linkage before winching, rather than dragging it up on skates. After engaging the parking brake, he climbed under the vehicle and immediately noticed two things: the oversized tire right next to his mid-section and the transfer case near his head. Knowing he had no escape if the
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TOW SAFETY continued from page 12 truck rolled back, he climbed back out and chocked the tire before going back under and disconnecting the linkage. This tower decided he couldn’t trust even a new truck’s parking brake to hold once he dropped the linkage and moved the shifter. He had no knowledge of the truck, the owner or why it was even being towed, other than it wouldn’t shift. Even though he had never experienced a similar situation, he had attended a class that emphasized ensuring the vehicle would not roll before loading it. In this case, his training and common sense kicked in and he was lucky it did. He went on to tell me, after climbing out from under the truck, he kicked the 4x4 chock out and the truck immediately rolled back onto the end of the bed.
Case Study II In another case, a tower was preparing to load a Dodge Neon onto his bed. Mini J-hooks were attached to the bottom of the frame, but the clear-
ance between the bed and the valance panel did not allow the tower to see the winch hook or the bridle as he started winching. The car started up the bed almost immediately and the tower heard that voice in his head telling him something was wrong, but he ignored it. When the car’s front tires were about 4’ onto the bed, the tower could see under the front enough to see the winch hook had snagged something under the car. In the split second it took from seeing something was wrong to stop winching, the winch hook detached from both the car and the bridle (bending a brand-new safety latch). The car was free rolling off the bed with the bridle still attached. Luckily, the front tires were barely on the bed and it had very little backwards momentum. The tower was able to open the door and hit the brake after it rolled about 20’. How often do we have 20’ of clearance? Later, when he had time to think about the incident, he remembered thinking that the car started moving
Number 148 on Reader Card
14 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
quicker than he expected it to, considering the amount of cable he had pulled off the winch. He admitted the voice was more likely a result of seeing the Neon so quickly, but his brain hadn’t registered the information his eyes provided. The message here is clear: Whether you call it instinct, sixth sense or whatever, don’t ignore that feeling something is amiss. Chances are one of your regular five senses provided vital information that your brain is late in processing. David Lambert is president and lead instructor for the North American Towing Academy, providing tow operator training and certification programs to state and national associations and individual towing companies. He assisted in editing TRAA’s Level I certification program; served as Chairman of the SAE Towability Committee; and, past field editor for American Towman Magazine. He can be reached at 407-765-5149 or http://www.TheNATA.com..
Towlien.com Adds 4 States Beacon Software expanded TowLien.com to Ohio, New Jersey, Tennessee and Washington. “Our customers have asked for this service, and Beacon will continue to expand this product line and service coverage until it is available to all our customers,” said Todd Althouse, Beacon’s president. “We are building relationships with towing associations and departments of motor vehicles, and most importantly, we are listening to and meeting the needs of our customers.” TowLien.com is a step-by-step online process that includes national registration searches, vehicle history reports, lien letters and other required documents. Vehicle registration searches and/or notification service are available in Arizona, Idaho, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, New Jersey, Ohio and Virginia. Visit www.towlien.com.
Number 145 on Reader Card
Internationals Get IntelliRoute TND Navistar and Rand McNally reached an agreement to make IntelliRoute TND truck GPS units available as an in-dash option in International trucks starting in January. The custom version of the TND 710 will be available for new International ProStar+, LoneStar, WorkStar, and DuraStar models. The device also will be available for aftermarket installation at all International Truck dealers. Rand McNally’s IntelliRoute TND provides: •Truck-specific routing. •Maintenance reminders. •Recording of miles by state or province. •Commercial-grade address book. For more, go to www.Navistar.com.
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TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 15
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December 2011 For more product info, go to www.towman.com and click on the FREE Product info icon. Or circle the corresponding reader service number on the Action Card to the right, and send it in. Form is valid for three months
Driver Interviews Made Simple by Randall C. Resch AT Operations Editor
H
iring the right drivers for your company can be a daunting process. Interviewing is a process that owners and managers should perfect in order to reap the benefits of finding the right applicant, develop a sense of interpersonal relations and make the most of time required to conduct interviews. Some bosses are really good at interviews, but others shoot from the hip and could do better. Some tow bosses boast that they could train a circus monkey to be a tow operator. Wrong! Hiring the right driver is a managerial task that is not to be taken lightly. Your company’s drivers are the backbone of your business. Since you can’t take every call yourself, you have to hire the right drivers to represent your business and get the job done right. Getting the job done right means you can’t just fill an empty seat with anyone; hiring smart is your responsibility to hire a competent and skilled professional. After all, your company’s reputation and liabilities are at stake. Where today’s economy has displaced many from America’s workforce, it’s to a company’s advantage to get the right applicant. Regardless of towing and recovery experience, I’m a firm believer that those considered should have: •Minimal sense of street smarts. •Situational awareness. •Aptitude for workplace safety. •Above-average mechanical aptitude. •Commercial vehicle skills. •Interpersonal relationship skills. •Play well with others. These categories are “must haves” 18 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Some people do better with their applications than others, but this isn't a clear-cut indicator on how they'll be on a recovery.
It’s your desire to hire qualified drivers for your company, but one applicant doesn’t always stand out. that no applicant should be without. (Your average circus monkey won’t make the cut in my organization.) A first consideration in hiring smart is to search for the right applicant for the driver’s job. Be wary of tow truck drivers who come to your
facility wearing another company’s uniform and/or driving another company’s truck to see if you’re hiring. That driver’s obviously discontent with their current situation and certainly would do the same to you. Personally, I believe that bosses who practice good business ethics won’t consider hiring another company’s driver away while they’re actively employed. Chasing another company’s drivers is definitely a way to earn a scoundrel’s reputation and create ill will.
Experience Choosing the right applicant oftentimes is a matter of individual prefer-
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TOW BOSS continued from page 18 ence. Finding the right applicant means asking, “Should I hire an experienced driver, or should I train (hopefully) someone who doesn’t have another company’s bad habits?” There are pros and cons to both sides of the question. Consider the differences:
Veteran: Pros Maintains a demonstrated level of industry training and experience. Is aware of safety, vehicle codes, OSHA and other workplace requirements/laws. Provides positive references with contact information. Can prove training attendance with Certificates of Completion. Is law enforcement approved; confirmed by DOJ, NCIC, and Live Scan systems. Has an acceptable MVR; ready to add to company insurance list(s). Requires only minimum training and orientation before on their own.
Veteran: Cons May show a know-it-all attitude. May challenge company rules and regulations. May demonstrate another company’s bad habits or their own. May demonstrate a prima donna attitude towards other drivers. May want to do things their way. May be “high maintenance,” requiring a new truck, higher pay, etc. May have worked for numerous other companies. May have been someone else’s problem child.
Rookie: Pros Oftentimes eager to learn a new trade when given the chance. Usually demonstrates a willingness to learn. No bad habits of their own or from other company’s poor training. Accepts starting pay, and generally wants to earn advancement.
Rookie: Cons Lacks industry knowledge or training. Can’t drive a stick shift or is an unsafe driver. Requires complete company train20 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
ing and continued supervision. Not yet approved by law enforcement. Some can’t be trained. They’re a danger to themselves and others until experienced.
OK … Let’s Talk Perhaps you’ll consider one or two applicants that list the qualifications you seek. At the time of the interview, carefully review their application so you’re familiar with their traits and abilities. Because applicants are never the same, list the things you’ll want to ask pertaining to the individual’s application. Although the list of interview questions is endless, the following questions are specific to the driver position and should be asked:
Questions for Veteran Operators What level of industry experience do you have? What companies have you worked for in the past? Why did you leave your last place of employment? Do you have a training certificate(s)? When did you take your last training class? Have you ever been arrested? Can you pass Live Scan and DOJ background investigations? Have you ever had an accident driving a tow truck? Explain the most expensive damage caused by you? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Can you pass a drug test right now? What type of tow trucks can you operate? Can you work nights and weekends? Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your long-term goals? Why are you a good match for this company? Describe the old Holmes TA-105 (Corvette/Trans-Am) attachment device. This “teaser” question can establish if experienced drivers are as experienced as they say they are. If they don’t know the answer and say they
don’t know, at least they’re being truthful. Beware someone who fabricates a far-fetched answer rather than say they don’t know.
Questions for Rookie Drivers What work have you done in the past? Are you mechanically inclined? Why is this position a good match for you? Have you ever been arrested or served time? Have you ever had an accident driving your personal vehicle; whose fault? Name your strengths and weaknesses. Have you stolen from your employers? Are you willing to be drug tested? Can you work nights and weekends? Equally important to the interview process is scheduling the interview so it best suits your time. If the applicant is late, you determine as to whether or not to hold the interview. Since you’ve already set time aside (for the interview) and you’re already there, a reasonable excuse for their being late should be accepted. You may also note their tardiness as a potential sign (red flag) that they can’t manage their own time. Applicants are generally on their best behavior and have no intent on talking their way out of a job. Most applicants are nervous for the first 5-10 minutes. Accordingly, the first few minutes may be awkward for both of you, but nerves generally subside as the interview continues. A well-written, neatly printed application/resume is an indication of an applicant’s work ethic and attention to detail. It’s quite common for tow truck employees to lack some spelling or book skills, however. But that’s irrelevant to their potential towing and recovery skills. (Nothing says you can’t have them do an on-the-spot hook-up test to demonstrate that their skills match their application.) When an applicant indicates instability, that’s a red flag. However, it’s
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TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 21
TOW BOSS continued from page 20 common to this industry that some applicants may list former employment with as many as five (or more) companies in a short amount of time. Don’t immediately dismiss that applicant as a fly-by-night screw-off; rather, make their job history a point of conversation to dig deeper. Generally, the applicant will have noted information on their acquired skills. Ask them to expound on specific areas, based on your pre-interview notes. Interviews should partially be the applicant’s “bragging session” to tell you what they’ve done in the past and what they can do for your company. However, you control the interview and take the conversation in a direction that provides you the most information while still showing courtesy and respect to the applicant. Don’t forget that the applicant is meeting you for the first time and will get an impression as to what kind of boss you might be. Be wary of experienced applicants who demonstrate aggressive personalities and/or talk more than they should (more red flags). Some applicants appear cocky and tend to be smart-assed. You decide whether or not this personality meshes with your workforce; some drivers are just that way. Cockiness and aggressiveness can be positive personality traits that indicate perseverance. Pay, benefits, and expectations can be awkward topics for both the interviewer and interviewee. Provide the applicant a well-prepared, typed, visual aid as to what the position pays, any benefits and the company’s expectations for the new employee. Be honest and truthful with what you represent as salary, commissions or hourly rates. Make written notes as to what pay amount was discussed on the application. Don’t trust your memory.
In the End All applicants dislike the waiting game that’s associated with the post-interview process. You can lessen their anguish by being straight up when you know they didn’t get the job. Thank them for their interest in applying while wishing them good luck in their future. I find it amateurish and bad manners for bosses to make parting statements like, “Thanks for coming in,” or, “We’ll get back to you,” and never do. It’s your desire to hire qualified drivers for your company, but one applicant doesn’t always stand out. For me, hiring a new driver is sometimes a leap of faith; hiring qualified drivers has never been an exact science. Don’t jump too quickly … choose wisely even if that means calling for an additional interview.
atstandards.com 22 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and has been in the towing and recovery industry for 40 years as a tow business owner, manager, consultant and lightduty trainer. Email Randy at rreschran@aol.com.
Number 198 on Reader Card
ROAD TOOLS continued from page 11
Warn WG9 Worm-Gear Hydraulic Winch Warn Industries’ WG9 worm-gear hydraulic winch has a drop-in design to fit any existing vehicle and comes as a standard-drum model (6.32” wide) or long-drum model (11.32” wide). Both versions accept a range of common hydraulic motor sizes, are available with air, manual and remote free-spool clutch options, and have up to 9,000 lbs. of pulling force.
www.warn.com Number 205 on Reader Card
Lubegard Launches Heavy Duty Line International Lubricants introduced its Lubegard Heavy Duty line of engine and gear treatments. The Heavy Duty Engine Protectant, Gear Protectant and Power Transfer Protectant are engineered with Lubegard’s LXE bond that provides lubrication and anti-wear protection under extreme pressure. The Lubegard Heavy Duty 2-in-1 Coolant Treatment provides temperature reduction and corrosion protection. It contains wetting agents, eliminating the need for a separate Water Wetter®.
Number 157 on Reader Card
www.lubegard.com Number 206 on Reader Card
Kenworth Introduces Medium-Duty Cabovers Kenworth Truck Co. expanded its medium-duty product line with the K270 Class 6 and K370 Class 7 cabovers. Each will have wheelbase ranges from 166” inches to 214” and the 6.7L PACCAR PX-6 engine in several horsepower/torque output options. The 33,000-lbs. GVWR K370 will be offered in a 4x2 Class 7 truck configuration with Allison 2500 HS and RDS 5-speed transmissions. The 26,000-lbs. GVWR K270 will be offered in a 4x2 Class 6 truck configuration with Allison 2100 HS and RDS 5speed transmissions. Full production launch of the K270 and K370 is scheduled for early 2012.
www.kenworth.com Number 207 on Reader Card
Number 128 on Reader Card
24 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Heet Diesel Winter Treatment Designed specifically to protect diesel engines during cold weather, Heet Diesel Winter Treatment prevents cold weather fuel gelling, cleans and protects the entire fuel system, and is enhanced with cetane booster for faster starts and improved fuel economy. The product treats
up to 35 gal. of fuel. The solution is designed to prevent fuel gelling down to -40 degrees F and reduces the cold filter plugging point by up to 36 degrees F.
www.goldeagle.com Number 208 on Reader Card
American Towman Magazine is on Facebook! Find us on Facebook to get the scoop, interact with us and share your stories and photos!
Number 155 on Reader Card
Number 152 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 25
A
Long Way to Go by Larry Fortier Photos courtesy of Sabil & Sons
Recovery in Hurricane Irene Flooding Overcomes Distance and Obstacles
26 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
I
n late August 2011, flooding due to Hurricane Irene caused widespread damage across the Northeast. In the weeks after the flood, Vermont’s Sabil & Sons were called out to recover everything from large storage tanks to damaged bridges. One of their unusual recoveries during that time involved a small flatbed truck that was carried nearly a half mile by the swollen Ottauquechee River and deposited—and partially buried—on an island of small rocks.
The crew had to remove several rocks from in and around the vehicle before they could successfully winch it off the island.
Doug Josler, co-owner, and his crew were dispatched to the scene on Route 4 in Woodstock. (The community was hit hard by the flooding of the Ottauquechee River that runs through the center of the village.) Using the company’s Kenworth T800 with NRC 40-ton sliding rotator, they set up in the center of Route 4, a major East-West highway. (Route 4 was closed to through-traffic for most of September due to extensive damage along a 30-mile section.) The truck was down a steep bank and located at least 100 yards from the recovery vehicle. The water out to the island was too deep and swift to walk through, so part of the crew approached the island from the opposite side of the river. A rope was thrown over to them and then tied to a separate length of wire rope. Using the rope, they were able to pull the wire rope through the river to the casualty and make the necessary connections. One of the most important considerations on the whole process was
They left the flatbed truck upside-down to avoid as much stress as possible from the swift river current. TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 27
Once all the cables were attached and obstacles dealt with, the heavily damaged truck was pulled off the island, across the river and up the steep bank.
selecting lengths of extra wire rope to reach the island recovery. As each wire rope connection reached the area of the boom during the recovery process, it had to be disconnected and more line was played out from the winch. Careful pre-planning ensured that the damaged truck wouldn’t be in the river when a new connection was made. When they initially hooked to the frame of the partially buried truck and began pulling, the frame started to come apart. They had to remove several rocks from in and around the vehicle before they could continue
28 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
winching. There were at least two large rocks that also challenged the recovery effort. There were various discussions among the crew whether to flip the damaged flatbed truck upright or leave it upside-down. It was decided to leave it upside-down to keep the weight low and avoid as much stress as possible from the swift river current as the damaged vehicle was dragged through the water. Once all the cables were attached and obstacles dealt with, the heavily damaged truck was pulled off the island, across the river, up the steep
bank and onto Route 4. From there it was loaded onto the company’s Isuzu car carrier and transported to their yard in White River Junction.
Got a recovery for AT? Email the details and high-resolution photos to the editor at bdooley@towman.com to be considered for a recovery feature in AT. Your submissions may also be considered for AT's online use and/or a Donnie Cruse Memorial award.
Number 171 on Reader Card
Number 174 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 29
Fairbanks Considers Call List In Fairbanks, Alaska, a proposed ordinance would establish a rotational call-out list for towing companies. Rules and a biannual fee will be part of the deal for interested companies. The city has been using a request-for-proposal process to select one company to do all city tows. The mayor said some situations require multiple towing companies. “If the primary company is busy, then they (dispatch) have to start scrounging for another firm,” he said. A Master Operator’s License fee will be required in addition to the regular city business license fee. If the ordinance is adopted, a resolution will be required to set the new fee at a proposed $250 biannually. Towing companies must commit to a maximum response time of no more than 30 minutes, be available 24 hours a day and maintain insurance as required by the city. The city still will use a bid process to select one company to do city impounds, so that only one company will have access to the city impound yard. Source: newsminer.com. Number 105 on Reader Card
Number 197 on Reader Card
30 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
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Number 176 on Reader Card
Product Gateway 2012
Check out what these participating suppliers have to offer in the coming year. Advertorial section includes participating advertisers from this issue.
Access Tools
Akins Body & Carriers Sales Inc.
Emergency Response Kit: All the tools you need to get into any vehicle on the road in an emergency. Kit fits in almost any vehicle.
Akins is a full line sales and service dealer for Ford, Dodge and Chevron Carriers. Let Akins build your next Chevron!
800-323-8324 www.hightechtools.com
866-389-4173 www.akinsford.com
American Safety & Supply Inc.
B/A Products Co.
Blades Tow Right Inc.
We are specialists in High Visibility clothing including Jackets, Sweatshirts, T-Shirts, Gloves, Vests and Hats. Custom imprinting available.
B/A Synthetic Winch Lines are Lightweight, Durable, Safer to Handle and Color Coded by Size. B/A: Always Bringing You The “Best Available” Products.
The RC-23 is a 23” wireless lightbar with amber turn signals on the front and an amber flasher on the back. Better Quality. Better Value.
413-737-5176 www.americansafetysupply.com
Century Century offers two optional Low Rider stingers on the 7035, 9055 and Rotator underlifts. Available in standard or increased reach, and provide 2-1/2” of additional clearance.
800-292-0330 www.millerind.com
800-327-3301 www.baprod.com
Columbus Truck and Equipment Co. and Marietta Mack
734-449-0518 www.bladestowright.com
Freightliner
We represent Jerr-Dan, Mack, Volvo and Hino trucks. Let our 62 years of experience work for you!
Freightliner’s Coronado SD is built for tough jobs, providing up to 600hp and 2,050-lbs./ft. of torque so you can handle up to 160,000 lbs. GCW.
800-288-0849 www.columbus-truck.com
800-FTL-HELP www.freightlinertrucks.com
Gwinnett Place Ford
Jerr-Dan Corporation
Landoll Corp.
We offer a large selection of 2012 Ford F-550s. We are a volume dealer specializing in Ford products. We have the best prices around!
XLP-6 Low Profile Carrier. Low load angle and deck height with no chassis restrictions. The XLP-6 delivers performance without compromise.
Model 855: 55-ton, hydraulic nonground bearing detachable, loaded deck heights down to 17-3/4”, deck lengths to 32’, two king pin settings 108”/90”, seven ride-height settings.
800.926.9666 www.jerrdan.com
800-428-5655 www.landoll.com
Lodar
Matheny Motors
Matjack
Lodar Radio Controls are probably the best way to control your winches … safely!
Matheny Motors is an authorized full-line Miller Distributor. We offer parts, service and sales of new and used inventory.
Matjack’s American-made airbags (pictured here lifting a 100,000-lbs. train tanker car) and cushions are the most durable and best warrantied in the business.
678.859.9565 www.gwinnettplaceford.com
888-685-6327 www.lodar.com
Mineral Wells, W.V.; 800-284-4418 Woodbridge, Va.; 866-499-9216 www.mathenymotors.com
800-827-3755 www.matjack.com
New England Truckmaster
North American Bancard
Purpose Wrecker
You get it all – the right price, a service department that knows how to take care of you, a parts department with everything you need to get you going, and attention to detail when building your custom small wrecker, carrier, or heavy duty.
NAB Free Credit Card Machine, Visa MC wholesale rates, app for iPhone and Android. Rates starting at .05 percent. BBB A+ Rated! No set up fees!
We specialize in producing quality late-model Nused heavy-duty and medium-duty wreckers with new beds, and recently added Nused rollbacks. Makes and models fit almost any needs.
Call 800-481-0501 or visit www.netruckmaster.com
212-889-1800 www.nynab.com
636-639-9700 www.purposewrecker.com
Ramsey Winch The Ramsey Winch HSW-10,000 worm gear winch has been redesigned to produce the same pulling power and line speeds as comparable capacity planetary winches.
800-777-2760 www.ramsey.com
Rontan Signals
Steck Manufacturing Co.
The Maximum lightbar has superior design for WIDE-E-TECH visibility. It is available in 54”, 63” and 72” lengths. Many models are available.
Towers can safely load and secure vehicles with broken ball joints, lost wheels, locked wheels or brakes, collision damage and control arm failures on their rollbacks.
877-288-6875 www.rontan.com
937-222-0062 www.steckmfg.com
Towing.com
TowMate LLC
USA Flap
There are many reasons to advertise your company on Towing.com. Visit www.Towing.com/Top10 now to see the Top 10.
Replace 2” and 2.5” marker lights with the new Power-Link, LED marker/flasher combo lights. No additional wiring necessary! Operates with Power-Link PLC-TX.
Your design will stand out using our reflective colors on RubberGuard flaps, or have your design hot stamped on either PolyGuard or RubberGuard mud flaps.
800-680-4455 www.towmate.com
812-926-0324 www.usaflap.com
877-444-6339 www.Towing.com
Vulcan
Worldwide Equipment Sales
The Vulcan II provides increased visibility, new hose tracking system, patent-pending pivot pin and redesigned crossbar. Visit millerind.com and click “videos” to see it in action.
New Landoll 440 Sliding Axle Trailer, 40 ton capacity available in 41’, 48’, 50’ & 53’ lengths. Optional galvanizing for a rust free trailer. Take advantage of Government Program: Section 179
800-489-2401 www.millerind.com
Call 815-725-4400 or visit www.newtowtrucks.com
Product Gateway 2012
Number 177 on Reader Card
Number 186 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 37
Bullock Carried the Museum Torch Number 151 on Reader Card
Number 132 on Reader Card
38 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Towing hall-of-famer Jerry Bullock, 69, died on Oct. 7, 2011, in his home in West Linn, Ore., from congestive heart failure. Many will remember Jerry for his extreme dedication to the development of the Towing Hall of Fame & Museum in Chattanooga, Tenn. Jerry started in the workforce hauling peas and wheat; many jobs later he drove a tow truck parttime for Bill Nelson. Eventually, Jerry bought Nelson Towing and changed the name to Bullock Towing. He sold his company in 1985 and moved on to building tow trucks at Jerry Bullock Enterprises Inc. in Sherwood, Ore. He was one of 26 founding members of the Towing & Recovery Association of America, and a founding member of the Friends of Towing, which eventually became known as the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum. Bullock spent many days of his retirement working on the museum as it went through a major transition and moved to its current site. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Georgia ”Jo” Bullock, his five children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life service was held at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Ore., on Nov. 18. At Jerry’s request, in lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN 37408-3052.
ATTV Names Oz to TV Anchor American Towman has signed Emily Oz to produce and anchor American Towman TV programming on the Internet. Oz is a graduate of the University of Minnesota in Journalism and Mass Communication and has worked as a reporter and anchor for leading local television stations in Duluth and Alexandria, Minn., Fargo, N.D., and Miami Beach, Fla. “We’re thrilled to have Emily on board with American Towman magazine and our online TV program,” said AT Publisher Dennie Ortiz. “Emily will drive the content of the programming, collaborating with editors Steve Calitri and Brendan Dooley,
and be the primary script writer; she will also produce the programming in conjunction with our production partner, OMG National, and anchor the programs on screen.” According to AT’s Editor-in-Chief, Steve Calitri, Oz’s editorial skills will also show up in American Towman magazine. “Emily will be in the field covering the industry and the magazine will take advantage of that,” he said. “She will help uncover article opportunities for our staff to pursue and she will also be writing her own articles.” Watch American Towman TV at www.AmericanTowmanTV.com
WTRAA Names Tow Woman of the Year
GPS Insight Makes No. 74 on ‘Fast 500’
The Women of the Towing & Recovery Association of America recently presented its Tow Woman of the Year award to Ruth Landau, who has made a difference in the entire towing industry through her involvement and many years of service with the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, and The Towing & Recovery Association of America. If you have ever attended the Florida Tow Show, you will see Ruth everywhere, answering questions, helping participants and being helpful and hospitable to everyone. She has chaired the tow ladies luncheon for the past two years.
GPS Insight was ranked No. 74 on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500. The ranking includes the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. GPS Insight had a four-year growth of 1,490 percent, and was ranked the No. 2 fastest growing Arizona company in the Fast 500. “Since our end customers save significantly when utilizing a solution, it is a high-growth time for our industry,” said Robert Donat, founder/CEO of GPS Insight. “We attribute our high growth to our robust, highly adaptable product, which delivers fleet insight to customers at a time when they need it most. “Additionally, our unique technology makes it easy for us to deploy to customers and adapt, when necessary, to their most costly business challenges.” Visit www.gpsinsight.com.
Fleet Management by Smartphone TomTom’s new WEBFLEET Mobile smartphone app is designed to provide managers on the move with information about their vehicle fleet. TomTom’s fleet management system is available on iOS and Android platforms. WEBFLEET Mobile includes a detailed map that provides a view of the current traffic situation using TomTom HD Traffic. It allows managers to quickly pinpoint the location of their fleet, obtaining information on each vehicle’s destination and estimated time of arrival, as well as trip data such as mileage and timestamps. Users can view text, status or order messages and also send text messages straight to the driver’s TomTom navigation device. “The app gives users the flexibility to monitor their mobile workforce when they are on the road themselves. As a result, managers can achieve even greater efficiencies from their fleet management system,” said Thomas Schmidt, managing director TomTom Business Solutions. WEBFLEET Mobile 1.1 is available for download in the Apple App Store and Android Market. Learn more at www.tomtom.com.
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 39
Tremont Towing's Robert Ashenoff Jr.(from left), Robert Ashenoff Sr. and Christie Ashenoff, stars of "South Beach Tow" on TruTV. TruTV photos.
Where Grit Meets Glamour Behind the Scenes of ‘South Beach Tow’ by Wendy Black AT contributor
42 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
W
ith all due respect to “The Wizard of Oz,” there’s really no place like South Beach. From the sandy, sun-drenched beaches to the glitzy, glamorous nightclubs, this celebrity-ridden section of Miami, Fla., is a playground for the rich and famous. It’s also the setting for the truTV cable network’s latest hit, “South Beach Tow.”
The show debuted last July and centers around the daily activities of Tremont Towing, a local towing and recovery operation owned by Edwin Gonzalez Jr. The show airs on Wednesday nights, and, according to truTV, it’s watched regularly by approximately 1.6 million viewers. New
continue to page 44
Number 102 on Reader Card
SOUTH BEACH TOW continued from page 42
Tremont Towing moved from the Bronx, N.Y. to Miami in 1959.
episodes are scheduled to air in early 2012. Tremont Towing was originally started by Gonzalez’s father in the Bronx, N.Y., in 1959. They relocated to South Beach some 15 years later and retained the Tremont Towing moniker in homage to Tremont Avenue in the Big Apple. Currently, Gonzalez employs a crew of 25 and they run a small fleet of Dynamic light-duty wreckers and one flatbed. Tremont Towing is completely focused on lightduty jobs—police tows, private-property tows and repossessions. The show is the brainchild of Gonzalez and a friend who owns a production company, and actually started out as a lark. The men were having
lunch one day and started tossing around the idea to produce a television show based on Tremont Towing. “We said, ‘Why not give it a shot?’ ” Gonzalez said. “In a way, the show started out as a favor for a friend, but now a lot of people seem to like it. I’ve watched a few episodes and I thought it was funny, but not everybody has the same sense of humor.” The show turned out to be popular enough to be renewed for another season; the Tremont Towing crew seems to come across as fun-loving and likable to the general public. “The show definitely shows the friendlier side of the tow industry,” said owner Gonzalez. “It shows that not everyone in the towing industry is a mean old guy in the window. It gives our side of the story.”
Public Perception The best example of the lighter side of Tremont Towing is General Manager Robert Ashenoff Sr., the widely acknowledged star of the show. Ashenoff has been with Tremont Towing for about 20 years and was pleased to see the positive reaction that the public has had to the show. “In our industry, we’ve always had to fight the (public’s negative perception of our industry),” Ashenoff Sr.
Ashenoff Sr. feels "South Beach Tow" shows the better side of towers to the public. 44 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
The show includes a mix of reality and some re-enacted scenes from the day-to-day operations of Tremont Towing.
said. “ ‘South Beach Tow’ shows that we’re not really the bad guys. We’re just out there doing a difficult job and we do it very well. There are some companies who don’t do it the right way, and we always have to fight off that stigma.” On the show and in real life, Ashenoff is joined by his son, Robbie Jr., and daughter, Christie. The senior and junior Ashenoffs handle most onscene operations, while daughter Christie stays in-house and covers the phones. “I’ve only been working with my family for the last eight years or so,” said Ashenoff Sr. “It has its benefits and also setbacks, because they’re my children. But (Robbie and Christie) have both proven to be good at what they do and now, we couldn’t do it without them. They really work their butts off to do the right thing, they’ve learned well and they’ve learned quickly.” Although Gonzalez seems to enter into the show with a fairly cavalier attitude, not all of his employees were as light-hearted about being on television. At least, not at first. “This isn’t something I ever expected to do,” said Ashenoff Sr. “This has put me out there when, like most towers, I’ve always kept more to myself. … Now I’m OK with it because people’s reception of the show has been really great. “I just looked at it as another part of my job. But how (the show) has
continue to page 48
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TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 45
Towers on TV Editor’s note: This information is an edited and abbreviated version of Jared Null’s full post on Tow411.net. It is used with his permission. Following a long and involved recovery in August 2010 of a loaded tractor-trailer, Null’s Towing of Paradise, Pa., ran into some roadblocks getting their invoice paid. They received a call the same day asking for a reduction on the bill. ”Our rates are on file with the police and the invoice was prepped in accordance to those rates … so we held our ground and said there was nothing that could be done to reduce the bill,” Null wrote. Later that day, they agreed to release the damaged trailer and load in exchange for half the bill. A representative presented them a letter of intent when retrieving the items. “In the fine print the letter said it was for payment in full. We changed the letter to payment for half of the bill, and the other half due when the tractor was removed and faxed the letter back to the company,” Null wrote. “Fast-forward several weeks, the truck was still in our storage yard and we had no contact from the trucking company. We sent them a letter informing that storage was accumulating and if the issue wasn’t resolved by a certain date that we would assume the truck was being abandoned and proceed from there. A few days went by and we received a letter from them saying that we were to settle for what they had already paid and release the truck or they would sue us. We continued to hold our ground and turned it over to our attorney. In July 2011, the judge wrote, “It is not often that I have the opportunity to put time spent watching television to practical use as a judge. I am a fan of the TV show, ‘O’Hare Towing,’ which follows a family owned towing company as it responds to emergencies in the Chicago area. Accordingly, I am familiar with the various type tow trucks, lift vehicles, and other equipment necessary to cleanup an accident scene.” Also the judge wrote that an accident that impacts a major road like Route 30 is a major problem and is required to be cleared promptly. “Promptly meant to do whatever was necessary to get the road back into operation. The cost of doing so is of no concern. I imagine the State Police have a similar view.” “The judge concluded that the equipment used at the scene was reasonable. … We were awarded the full remainder of the recovery bill, full storage, and 6-percent interest on the money owed,” Null wrote. “On Sept. 1, 2011, we finally received payment for the recovery we completed over 12 months prior. “I again want to thank … the Gratzianna Family and the team at O’Hare Towing for all the work they did to promote our industry as true hard-working professionals. … This is a huge win for every one of us!” Find the whole story at http://tow411.yuku.com/topic/105723/HeartlandExpress---Iowa-vs-H-Dain-Null-dba-Null-sTowing?page=1#.TqcgtWBe2Hd. Number 158 on Reader Card
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SOUTH BEACH TOW continued from page 44
turned out and how people have received it has been better than I thought. Even in everyday life, people see me on the street and they have positive things to say.” Although the show focuses on the Ashenoffs and a few other on-camera employees, occasional actors do make appearances on the show. This occurs to recreate some scenarios where cameras weren’t rolling or they couldn’t get waivers from the participants.
On Schedule Both Gonzalez and Ashenoff Sr. agree that the biggest challenge to participating in a venture like “South Beach Tow” is scheduling; scheduling for the employees, scheduling for the actors, scheduling for off-site filming – you get the picture. And that doesn’t even take into account the everyday scheduling of tasks necessary for running a towing business, like maintaining the fleet. Even so, the crew at Tremont Towing makes it work. “Everybody from the film production company is pretty cool,” said Gonzalez. “The actors are easy to work with. They go out of their way to work around our schedules, and they try to stay out of our way when we’re working.” Ashenoff Sr. praised the people behind the cameras, but did admit that being on camera constantly creates stress that wouldn’t ordinarily be a part of running a towing operation. “In a way, every day is a challenge because I’m a tower and I’m always working,” said Ashenoff Sr. “But with the show, I have to be ‘on’ mentally and physically every day.” According to truTV, “South Beach Tow” has been such a hit that it’s increased their viewership on Wednesday nights. Both Gonzalez and Ashenoff Sr. are overwhelmed by the public’s reaction. Gonzalez said that he sees fans stopping by their offices and asking for autographs and to take pictures with his staff. “A little fame can go to your head,” he admitted. “And yeah, there are people coming in asking for autographs. But it’s all good, it’s still a regular dayto-day business.”
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TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 49
Synthetic Rope Vs. Wire Rope, Part II Types, Construction and Maintenance by Terry Abejuela AT Operations Editor
T
he more information you have, the better your decision-making process will be in using synthetic rope on your trucks. One of the misconceptions about synthetic winch rope is that it is made of nylon. Although you can buy nylon rope, it is not best suited to the winching application. Nylon is a fiber with good elasticity, poor abrasion resistance, poor cutting resistance and low melting point. These characteristics make it unsuitable for the towing and recovery industry. Other fibers are available for winch lines. Four common fibers for synthetic rope are Kevlar, Technora, Dyneema, and Spectra (see chart in November issue for specs). Of these fibers, Dyneema appears to be the most suitable for towing and recovery. Dyneema is made from High Molecular Density Polyethylene. Dyneema has excellent abrasion resistance, but a critical temperature of only 150 degrees F. The rope would need to be protected if there is contact with surfaces that exceed that. This fiber floats on water but doesn’t absorb it, and has a good degree of ultraviolet and chemical resistance. It weighs about 5 lbs. per 100’ of rope. Kevlar’s benefit is that it has a high critical temperature of 400 degrees F. Its down side is that it has a lower working load limit than the other three fibers and only fair abrasion and UV resistance. Kevlar weighs about 4 lbs. per 100’ of rope. Technora, like Kevlar, has a high critical temperature of 400 degrees F. It 50 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
is stronger than Kevlar with good abrasion resistance, but only fair UV resistance. It weighs a little more than Kevlar at 4.4 lbs. per 100’ of rope. Spectra is also made of HMDPE, but has a lower working load limit and has only fair UV resistance. Spectra is substantially lighter than the other fibers at only 3.60 lbs. per 100’ of rope.
Construction Like wire rope, synthetic rope is often constructed to be task specific. Rope can be purchased in a variety of shapes, sizes and types of construction. Ropes are made by twisting fibers into yarn, yarn into strands and strands into rope. The direction the rope is twisted is called the lay of the rope.
Ropes can be laid right or left. The letters S (left lay) and Z (right lay) are commonly used in the rope-making industry to identify the lay. If you look at the rope held out at arms length, the twist of a rope that follows the center line of the letter S is left laid and the twist of a rope that follows the center line of the letter Z is right laid. The direction of twist is often alternated from fiber to yarn, yarn to strand and strand to rope. The alternating twist gives the rope balance that increases strength, helps the rope keep its shape and reduces the tendency of the rope to rotate. All early ropes were laid or twisted. Laid ropes are easy to splice or knot. Three-strand rope is still commonly
laid and often used for everything from utility rope to high-strength marine line. Another construction type is braided rope. Braided rope does not stretch as much as laid rope and is more difficult to splice. It is stronger than an equivalent-size laid rope. Because of its rounded shape, it works better through sheaves. There are a variety of braided ropes available. Braid-on-braid has a braided core inside of a braided sheath. Multibraid is braided with two pairs of rightlaid strands and two pairs of left-laid strands. Parallel core has a braided sheath over a core of straight or lightly twisted yarns. Hollow braid does not have a core. There are several areas where the end user that is familiar with wire rope will need to be properly educated and trained on the proper use of synthetic ropes. Just like the difference between using chain vs. webbing, the tow operator will have to choose which is the most appropriate tool for the application.
Strand rope
In Use
Strand-braided rope
Double-braided rope
Do not step on or drive over the synthetic rope. Small pebbles, dirt or sand may get embedded in the rope causing premature abrasion damage to the line. Tow operators using synthetic rope will need to be educated on how to inspect synthetic rope and how to iden-
Maintenance Maintenance is one area where synthetic rope is much different than wire rope. Synthetic rope does not require lubrication. One of the advantages of synthetic rope is how easily it wraps on the winch drum. Wire rope is easily damaged when the rope does not wind tight and even on the drum. This is very evident on car carriers. Tow operators should still maintain a tight and even wrap on the drum with synthetic rope. But in the event the rope does not wrap tightly and evenly and wraps back over itself, it does not cause permanent damage as it would with wire rope. Flat spots, kinks and bends in synthetic winch line caused by improper winding disappear once the line is under load. Synthetic rope can easily be cleaned with a pressure washer to remove oil, sand, dirt and salt water. If the synthetic rope is not kept clean of sand, dirt, small pebbles and salt granules from salt water, it will cause abrasion damage to the internal strands and eventually affect its capacity.
tify when the rope should be removed from service. The Cordage institute publishes a document that addresses inspection of synthetic rope and how to determine when the rope is unsuitable for use. You can download a free copy at www.ropecord.com.
This Supreema X-12 synthetic rope is made with Dyneema and sold by B/A Products with a ratings tag.
I think two suitable uses for synthetic rope in the towing and recovery industry are as extension lines and as a winch line on a car carrier. There are a few ways the line can be attached to the winch drum. Most towers that I have talked to using synthetic rope use the same attachment point that the wire rope uses. Most are wrapping some type of tape on the end of the line and inserting it into the hole in the drum and tightening the set screw. It can also be attached using a battery wire end crimped onto the line and attaching it with a bolt that fits in the set screw hole. Another method is to have the line manufactured with a loop at the dead end of line and attaching it to the drum in a choker hitch. (You would have to hold the line in place to get the wraps started.) What I like about this method is the line is less likely to pull off the drum. To get the longest life out of your synthetic winch line it is recommended that the winch drum and any sheaves that the line will make contact with be sanded down prior to installation of the rope. Thad Bailey, of Baileys Towing Accessories, was so impressed with the synthetic winch line that he not only sells it, but also manufactures a snatch block specifically designed for use with synthetic lines. B/A Products offers synthetic rope for the towing and recovery industry with working load limit tags and color coded to identify the size. While 3/8” wire rope measures 3/8” with no load, 3/8” synthetic rope is larger than 3/8” with no load on it. (It reduces in diameter to 3/8” when under load.) This is the reason B/A Products decided to color code the rope—to make it easier for the tow operator to identify the size. Because synthetic winch line is more slippery than wire rope, I recommend a minimum of 10 wraps remain on the drum. The recommended five TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 51
Bailey’s Towing Accessories manufactures a snatch block designed specifically for use with synthetic rope.
Typical damaged wire winch line on a car carrier deck winch.
wraps for wire rope is not sufficient for synthetic rope. One tower marked the rope so his drivers would be able to see when they are down to the minimum wraps. One of the best benefits of synthetic rope is easy handling. It can be used bare-handed without injury, and it can be easily coiled up, carried and stored. Frank Sanchez, of Somerset Hills Towing in New Jersey, keeps a length stored under the seat of his truck. Since the rope weighs much less than wire rope, it is easily carried from the truck to the casualty. Tow operators using synthetic rope must take every precaution to avoid cuts to it. The synthetic rope will need to be protected against sharp edges. Use chain or wire rope when the synthetic rope cannot be protected. Use the proper size rope for the sheaves it will be going through. If you use a winch line that is too large of a diameter for the sheave the line may roll over the edge of the sheave and be cut. I remain excited about the potential application synthetic rope has in the towing and recovery industry. Terry Abejuela has 30 years of light-duty towing-and-recovery experience; he's also been a light-duty level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association since 1998.
Editor’s note: The first part of this article in the November 2011 issue covered some practical experiences towers had and the main advantages and disadvantages of using synthetic rope on your truck. Number 139 on Reader Card
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This Beauty Is a Beast
W
hile going through my archive of photos recently, I came upon these photos taken by “Tow Truck” Chris Iodice, sent to me sometime back by his brother, Corey Iodice. Always looking for interesting rigs to feature in this section and being partial to old wreckers, especially old Holmes units, this was perfect. This rig is owned by Don Campanello Sr., who is owner/CEO of Camp Auto & Truck Parts in Wayne, N.J. Camp is a family owned and operated business that has been in operation for more than 50 years. “My dad started the company in 1944. At the time he was one of the only guys in this area with a wrecker doing scrap and towing,” Campanello said. “It passed down to me and I took it to the next level. Now we handle everything, including scrap metal services, towing, recovery, airbags, local- and long-distance heavy hauling, storage, truck service and parts.” This long-time company is now in its third generation of family involvement, with Don’s son and daughter onboard
and a dedicated team of highly trained professionals that understand and execute all towing activities with proper planning and precision. With more than 20 units of all kinds including Landolls, flatbeds, and wreckers from light- to heavy-duty, they also have a rotator and the spectacular Autocar/Holmes 850 featured here. This blast from the past is a 1979 Autocar with a 40-ton Holmes 850 split boom on the business end. The 40-ton Holmes 850 was, and still is, a beast—the largest, heaviest and most powerful wrecker in the Holmes line at that time.
by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti Photos by “Tow Truck” Chris from Wreckerdriver.com
Story and photos by Brendan Dooley
56 • December 2011 - TOWMAN.COM
Each boom is completely independent, and can be used separately or together. The booms are power operated and may be raised and lowered when fully loaded. Each can be swung to the side of the wrecker through an arc of 120 degrees. Central controls plus ground controls are provided for each boom. The ground controls can be used to operate both booms from either side of the wrecker. The rating with two booms is 40 tons. The rating for each boom and each drum is 20 tons. A 3408 Caterpillar powers this rig. The transmission is an eight-gear lowlow unit with a reduction and it has 36,000-lbs. posi rears. “This truck was originally built by Holmes for Arnold Polizzi. We purchased it and did a complete overhaul
in house, including bodywork and paint,” Campanello said. This rig is painted in the Camp company colors of black and red, giving it a classic look. For those that don’t know, Polizzi was a well-known tower and wrecker builder based in Clifton, N.J., and the
founder of American Towman magazine way back when. He was very active in the towing industry and well known for building some amazing heavy-duty units. “This truck is garage kept, but it is still in use whenever we need it,” said Campanello.
Tech Highlights Chassis: 1979 Autocar Wrecker Body: Holmes 850 split boom Engine: 3408 Caterpillar Trans: Eight low-low with a reduction Winches: 40-ton hydraulic Builder: Holmes Wreckers Bodywork: In house by Camp Paint: In house by Camp
Should your truck be in AT? Email some details and interesting facts about your truck, along with some high-resolution photos, to bdooley@towman.com to be considered for a future 'My Baby' feature. Your submissions may also be considered for AT's online use.
TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 57
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Dennie Ortiz x 213 dortiz@towman.com TOWMAN.COM - December 2011 • 59
FleetOutlook 7.0 Launched Fleet managers now can see at a glance the activity and communications status of drivers through unique driver status icons. TechDirect offers increased visibility into work orders. Worksites are visible as landmarks, showing a driver’s work time spent at a customer or designated worksite, as well as jobs completed, jobs scheduled and not completed, plus jobs unassigned. For more information, visit www.wirelessmatrix.com.
Wireless Matrix Corp. released FleetOutlook 7.0 with the new Mobile Supervisor and FleetOutlook Express. Mobile Supervisor is a mobile application for the iPhone and iPad; FleetOutlook Express is a fleet-tracking solution for small- and medium-sized businesses. Both Mobile Supervisor and FleetOutlook Express support the need for real-time, on-the-go collaboration. Other upgrades in 7.0 include: TechConnect is faster and allows drag-and-drop group messaging to in-cab Garmin Personal Navigation Devices.
Null’s Sales Adds LAB Products LAB specialty lubricants named Null’s Sales & Service of Cochranville, Pa., as an authorized dealer to sell its full line of products for tow trucks and recovery vehicles. LAB’s products include Lube-A-Boom, Lube-A-Rope and Lube-A-Pin lubricants. Find more at www.lubeaboom.com.
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Copyright 2011 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
Number 115 on Reader Card
The Low Down on
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Introducing the Jerr-Dan® XLP-6 Low Profile Car Carrier The new XLP-6 low profile car carrier from Jerr-Dan features low deck height, a better 10.5° load angle and comes with a 3-year warranty. A dual-angle deck is available to handle super low load angles. And, with 6-ton capacity and 3,500 lb wheel lift, you’ve got performance without compromise.
www.jerrdan.com An Oshkosh Corporation Company. The Jerr-Dan name and Jerr-Dan logo are registered trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation. ©2010 Jerr-Dan Corporation.
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