American Towman Exposition is November 15–17, 2013
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Number 176 on Reader Card
This customized 1952 White is an award-winning machine with plenty of unique touches.
FEATURE CONTENTS
34
Helping Out Towers in Texas are teaming up to raise money for veterans. by Brendan Dooley
42
Clothesline Carry
Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Lines from two rotators were married to reach a Chevy minivan. by Kurt Wilson
56
Rolling Stones Rollover Sparing a manicured lawn from further damage was key in this rocky recovery. by Jim "Buck" Sorrenti
Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
TOW INDUSTRY WEEK
On the Net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
49
Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Send the Right Truck by Randall Resch
Impound Money . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .77
4 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
50 Turning Lemons into Lemonade by Don Ancher
52 Honor on the Road by George L. Nitti
Number 195 on Reader Card
See You at AT Expo by Dennie Ortiz
As you read this issue of American Towman, you may be just strolling the exhibit halls and checking out the latest in tow equipment at the 25th American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Md. You may be sitting in on one of the experienced educators of the AT Academy sharing tips on increasing profits or offering advice on efficient dispatching. You might be preparing to approach a podium to receive an ACE Award for service excellence. (Just don’t fall flat on your face because you are reading while you are walking!) Wherever you are in the Baltimore Convention Center, you will be experiencing the sights and sounds of the silver anniversary of the AT Expo. I mention the AT Expo so that you may
take a closer look at an entity that boasts the best and brightest information the towing industry has to offer. In addition to the largest educational forum for tow business owners, the Expo provides numerous recognition events focusing on the pride and professionalism of towers. The entire show is an arena in which towers from all parts of the world come together to share with each other their own particular challenges and successes. Our entire American Towman team of editors and I will be there to visit face-to-face with you, our valued readers. We are excited to speak with you about your businesses and recent developments in your neck of the woods. It would be great just to meet you, shake your hand and say thank you for all that you do. Hope to see you in Baltimore!
Teaming Up, Helping Out by Brendan Dooley
One thing I’ve noticed about towers, is that they are always willing to help out a worthy cause. It’s hard to count how many pink tow trucks I’ve seen in the past year that promote Breast Cancer awareness; I’ve seen an uptick in trucks that benefit POW/MIA and Wounded Warriors as well. As a veteran myself, I’m proud to see the various veteran’s causes receive support. This month is Veteran’s Day, and it was a pleasure to learn about a benefit in Texas that is helping wounded veterans get some time away to regroup. Hooking up for Heroes features a group of towing companies working together to benefit Base Camp 40 (learn more on page 34). Towing and recovery is a service industry that receives little of the admiration and respect it truly deserves. Yet towers keep going out there, day after day, week after week, no matter the weather, time of day or location, and keep doing what they can to help the public. That makes it easy to see why towers are doing what they can to help causes beyond their own. 6 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
First On The Scene! Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor
Randall Resch
Operations Editor
Terry Abejuela
Field Editor, West
Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons
Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor
Emily Oz
On Screen Editor
Mark Lacek
Repo Run Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Don Archer Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson
Dallas, Texas Jefferson City, Mo. St. 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 Neila Smith Miriam Ortiz Henri Calitri Toni Vanderhorst William Burwell Emily Oz Steve Calitri
Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts VP Communications Subscription Manager Customer Service Publisher’s Assistant TIW Media Director 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: towman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2013 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
Number 216 on Reader Card
Painless Performance Reviews by Randall C. Resch
W
hen I ask company owners about performance evaluations, I usually get the old deer-in-the-headlight response, “We don’t do evaluations … they’re a waste of time.” I know reasons vary by owner, but I’m convinced that the main reason they don’t do evaluations is because they don’t know how. Gaining the best employees possible should be management’s ongoing priority. Evaluations are sometimes thought of as repetitive, but providing periodic evaluations is an effective tool to better an employee’s performance. It adds interaction between the employee and the company to let the employee know how their performance relates to the betterment of the company. While some employees don’t care, most want to know because it provides them the guidelines to better themselves. For managers and owners, it’s easy to hide from providing employee feedback because it takes forwardthinking, observation, and preparation, more so than other managerial tasks. The review process is perceived by some as confrontational and emotionally charged; avoiding it, however, is costlier than you think. Customer satisfaction, business reputation and employee turnover are just some of the business points dramatically affected by giving constructive, documented feedback to employees on their job performance, expectations and standards. Performance reviews are only as good as the paper they’re written on, without clear documentation of past work and a solid follow-up plan for improvements to be made.
The Process Although reviews are tedious and
difficult to write for some, the actual presentation can be painful for owners and managers, especially those who are bad communicators or overly emotional. Employees oftentimes become oversensitive too, by what’s being said about them and their work performance. No one wants to be told that they are a below-average employee. If you’re the presenting manager and the employee’s performance has been accurately documented, good or
otherwise, discussing performance calmly and without emotion makes the review smoother. Whether an employee is a poor performer or the best in the company, each warrants a review that ends by challenging them to be the best employee possible. If you’re sued by a disgruntled former employee, a look back into previous performance evaluations may be a key component in your defense against wrongful termination. There are lots of ways to plan a review process for your employees. Finding one that is relevant for either over- or under-performing employees
can be difficult, especially for new managers. Conducting effective performance reviews requires consistency in prep and presentation. My performance reviews involve these steps: Preparation. The accuracy of performance reviews begins with timely and complete documentation of an employee’s workplace behaviors, abilities, and issues that are tracked throughout an evaluation period. When employees have problems or issues that violate company rules and regulations, they must be addressed and documented when they occur. Where there’s no continuity and consistency on management’s part, issues and problems get lost when translating the performance review later. Part of preparation is having the employee’s file present to include any past disciplinary problems or commendations. Meeting Space. Don’t sit behind a desk, but sit more informally in the open to lessen that corporate feeling. The meeting should be under 30 minutes so the employee doesn’t feel like they’re in the proverbial hot seat. Some employees have numerous problems ranging in severity or type. When anger or emotions are anticipated, consider having another manager attend the meeting primarily as a witness to the meeting. Be Professional. Discuss the issues related to the employee’s conduct and performance in the workplace. Ask the employees what they think the purpose of an evaluation is so to ease into the conversation. Once you’ve heard their description, you set the tone of the meeting by advising them why you are evaluating their performance. It’s not uncommon for both employee and manager to be edgy or nervous
continue to page 22
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 9
‘Free’ Fuel in Biodiesel In Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., Westway Towing owner Craig Goldstein plans to turn the waste vegetable oil he collects from hundreds of restaurants and food service vendors into his own biodiesel for his fleet. Last year, Goldstein started Oil Recovery Interests, which collects the used oil from food operations from Miami to Tampa. The company has been storing and cleaning the oil in tanks at his towing and auto-body facilities, then selling it to companies that make biodiesel fuel or that add the oil to fatten up livestock. Now he wants to start a biodiesel plant at his location to fuel his fleet of 40 tow trucks and market it to others. “It’s environmentally friendly,” he said, adding that the federal government provides $2.50 in tax credits and renewable energy certificates for every gallon produced. “It’s the wave of the future.” Goldstein said his company collects about 30,000 gallons of oil a month and his partner anticipates producing at most 2,500 gallons of biodiesel a week, which would be about 130,000 gallons a year. Source: www.sun-sentinel.com.
$5M Lawsuit for Undercover Cars
The owner and two employees of a Salem, Ore., towing company are suing three law enforcement agencies for $5 million, accusing them of wrongfully arresting workers who refused to release undercover police cars that were registered under fictitious names. A property owner—unaware of the undercover operation—left a note for the drivers about the lot’s “no parking” policy. When the same cars were parked there again, they were towed. The towing company refused to release them to police because police could not provide proof of ownership. The employees were arrested while on the phone awaiting instruction from their boss. Source: www.koin.com. 10 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
TRAA Names New Director The Towing and Recovery Association of America announced October 9 that it hired Cynthia Martineau to be its new executive director. Current TRAA Executive Director Harriet Cooley previously announced her retirement effective at the end of this month. Martineau will assume the role beginning October 30. Martineau brings 27 years of involvement in the towing and recovery industry, including 13 years as the executive director of the Statewide Towing Association in Massachusetts. She also serves as secretary of the Conference of Northeast Towing Associations, is a board member of the Statewide Towing Academy and treasurer of the Towing, Repair and Collision Political Action Committee in Massachusetts. “I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with the TRAA board of directors, members and associations to continue to build TRAA to greatness,” Martineau said. “Together we can effect
positive change for our industry and provide the necessary tools for everyone’s success.” “Cindy’s many years in the industry and her work with TRAA will provide a unique perspective and will allow her to hit the ground running,” said Joe Pedigo, TRAA president. “We are counting on Cindy to bring all of her knowledge and expertise to her new role and we look forward to hearing from her new fresh ideas that will add to the growth of our organization under her leadership.” Martineau has been involved with TRAA and WTRAA for many years. She has represented the Statewide Towing Association as the TRAA State Director, has been a TRAA representative to TRAA Education Foundation, currently serves as WTRAA secretary and has been a part of the TRAA Nominating Committee. She also was the 2012 WTRAA Tow Woman of the Year and received the TRAA Distinguished Service Award in 2013.
Towers
Union Forms The United States Tow Union, recently formed under the Industrial Workers of the World banner, is seeking to “better the industry” and help towers with financial and legal battles on local and national levels. “We’re not like regular unions,” said Peter McMahan, acting national director. After a probation period for new members, it’s “nine dollars per month toward all benefits on attorneys and legal advice, doing contracts, checking insurance issues or any help a tow business
needs. We help out individuals completely.” McMahan said there are some national issues the union will be “fighting tooth-and-nail for,” like making Move Over laws a federal standard, getting red-andblue lights approved for tow and service trucks and increasing pay rates by motor clubs. The union will be walking on the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on November 20 to bring attention to Move Over. Learn more at www.ustowunion.webs.com.
. . . Move Over sign 'is a win-win'... Tower’s Attacker Found Guilty The man accused of nearly beating to death a Knoxville, Tenn., tow truck driver last year was found guilty recently on a lesser offense. Tycorrian Taylor, 23, was found guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault in the Labor Day 2012 attack against tow truck driver Ron Gandy, 49. Taylor was found not guilty of attempted first-degree murder. A number of people took the stand, including Gandy himself. The state said Gandy was beaten for just doing his job. He was towing a car that didn’t have a pass for the apartment complex. The defense admitted Taylor hit Gandy, but says the attack wasn’t premeditated. Whether the attack was premeditated was the main issue deliberated by the jurors. The jury found him guilty of aggravated assault and attempted voluntary manslaughter, which means now he faces three to six years behind bars. The beating changed Ron Gandy’s life forever. It put him in a coma. He now has a brain injury and has to use a wheelchair. “There are a few things in life I lost that I will never get back, but there’s always something in life that you can work toward and get back,” said Gandy. Gandy’s positive attitude on life leaves him with hope that the verdict, though lighter than he expected, will make an impact on Taylor. Gandy says he’s fine with the verdict as long as Taylor learns a lesson. Gandy says he will now focus on moving forward. “If I take one step at a time, recover and everything and heal I will be a much stronger man than I was,” said Gandy. Source: www.wate.com.
Towing Advocate Gustav Neeb Dies Caption: Gustav Neeb, a longtime towing industry veteran on an international scale, died Sept. 27. He was 75. Gustav is pictured second from right (in the colorful tie). Gustav Adolf Neeb, a genuine friend of towing on two continents, died on Sept. 27. He was 75. Gustav began his career operating a towing and crane-hire company in Wuppertal, Germany, in 1960. Through his unique gifts to build relationships, in 1963 he and several friends founded the German Towing Association, the VBA, and he retained an active leadership role in the VBA until his retirement in 2003. In 1990, he was inducted into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame. At the first ever International Captains of Industry meeting in 2000, he was the keynote speaker and through his address we were able to hear and understand that the problems in towing and their potential solutions were common across borders. “Gustav from the day I met him at the first International Conference has inspired me,” said John Borowski, a
Gustav Neeb, international towing industry advocate, died Sept. 27. (He is pictured second from right.)
longtime tower and frequent American Towman contributor. “He has been a great friend who went out of his way to make sure he caught up with me every time he came to the U.S. … The towing world has lost a great. I will miss him sincerely.” Ever the ambassador for towing, his many visits to American shows were characterized by his keen understanding of trends in equipment and practices that he brought both to us and also took back to Germany. For those who knew him personally, and there are many, he will be sorely missed.
Promote Move Over In south Florida, James Jennings and Emerald Towing are promoting Move Over laws on their own. In addition to a golf tournament and PSA, they recently got the message directly in front of motorists. “We approached one of our local malls … that has a high visibility digital billboard on a major highway intersecting the Florida Turnpike,” Jennings said. “[We] simply asked if they could run a Move Over law ad on the billboard. They agreed and now it rotates every three minutes with their normal store advertising. “It is a win-win for all; it turns out that the property manager had a friend struck on the roadside.”
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 11
New Scene-Lighting Solutions
Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! GPS-Based Tracking, Dispatch
The 007 from GPS Secured was designed for the tow professional with a long-life battery, compact all-in-one design and trackable in real-time for up to 10 days. The 007 has a closest-unit dispatch feature so operators can be quickly sent to where they are needed most. Because anything can happen out there on the job, the 007 was designed to give real-time information for up to 10 days on a single battery charge.
www.gpssecured-online.com Number 200 on Reader Card
Fire Extinguisher Seat Mount H3R Performance’s new fully adjustable fire extinguisher seat mount installs easily in most vehicles, attaching to the seat rail bolts or above the sliders of the driver or front passenger seats and eliminates the need to drill mounting holes. Attaching the assembly above the sliders, where possible, allows it to move with the seat when it is adjusted. The mounts are made from lightweight aluminum and available in black or brushed finishes.
www.h3rperformance.com Number 201 on Reader Card
All-Grip’s Cycle Caddy
All-Grip’s new Cycle Caddy is designed for simplified, stable loading of motorcycles onto carriers. The bike is anchored to the dolly and the dolly is winched onto the carrier deck. The 32-lbs. caddy quickly disassembles into sections that fit into a 24” toolbox. It handles bikes up to 950 lbs., including fat tires.
www.all-grip.com Number 202 on Reader Card
Leak Repair Plugs FlowStop's new FootBall and GolfBall spill-containment repair plugs are polyurethane-impregnated, water-activated foam plugs that temporarily stop the flow from a leak in anything. The FootBall works on voids 3.25" and smaller; the GolfBall on leaks 1.5" or smaller. The plugs quickly expand and harden to fill the void; they even can be applied below the water line.
www.flowstop.net Number 203 on Reader Card
12 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
L
arson Electronics, an industrial-grade lighting manufacturer, recently released four new options for onscene and personal lighting solutions.
A new LED light tower provides adjustable height and a rotating base combined with 48,000 lumens of light output capable of effectively illuminating more than two acres of work area. The LM-18-4X150RT-RB 18’ Telescoping LED Light Mast features a rugged tower assembly of heavy-gauge steel, four 150-watt LED lamp heads, and a rotating base assembly. The LEDs are waterproof and sealed against dust and dirt. This tower operates from 12V DC current and pulls approximately 5 amps. The tower collapses and folds; the base plate has a rotating axis to turn the entire tower any direction. The BML-150LED magnetic pedestal work area light provides as much illumination as 400-watt metal halide units and can be used as a portable pedestal or temporary magnetic back-mount light. This light is heavy duty, built to withstand the elements, and operates with standard AC voltages. This unit features a waterproof LED assembly, aluminum pedestal mount platform, and four 200-lbs.-grip magnetic feet for secure mounting to any ferrous metallic surface. The aluminum frame is designed for rugged use and
portable versatility. This light can be operated as a simple work area pedestal light, or mounted on equipment to provide illumination where mounting options are limited. The GL-30004 LED Golight Stryker is a weatherproof and fully remote control spotlight that produces a 2,500lumen light beam capable of illuminating objects more than 900’ away, and with an upgraded LED lamp assembly offers far greater durability and lamp longevity than standard halogen spotlights. This LED spotlight produces an extremely bright white beam, giving it much better intensity and color reproducing qualities, especially at long distances. Approved for hazardous location lighting, the EXPLED-RL-FX5R Explosion Proof Rechargeable LED Flashlight is an ideal portable lighting solution for operators in hazardous locations who require more than just a simple flashlight. This powerful yet lightweight LED light is built from impact resistant ABS plastic and fitted with a shatterproof LEXAN lens to provide high durability and easy handling. Operators can toggle through five operating modes with one switch.
www.LarsonElectronics.com www.Magnalight.com. Number 204 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 13
Wheel-Lift Tows Need Wheel Straps by Terry Abejuela
T
here are many different types of wheel straps available for use on wheel lifts to keep the towed vehicle attached. Tow operators are responsible for knowing how to correctly use the wheel straps and using them on every tow; wheel straps must be used on every tow regardless of the distance. (Make sure to follow all manufacturer recommendations.) It’s usually best to use the wheel straps that the equipment manufacturer provided for your truck. I often see tow companies that utilize a strap other than the type designed by the manufacturer of the wheel lift. Tow operators and/or company owners feel that they know what works best, and maybe they do in some cases, but
Miller Industries basket-type strap.
14 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
Miller Industries’ basket strap is shown with the correct chain attachment to wheel-lift crossbar. Tow operators commonly do this attachment incorrectly.
manufacturers go through a design process for intended use. Using a wheel strap other than the type intended by the manufacturer may negatively affect the performance of the equipment or the manufacturer’s product liability. Two wheel straps must be used. Using only one wheel strap on the driver’s side of the towed vehicle is unsafe, regardless of the distance of the tow. When only one wheel strap is used the side without the wheel strap can roll out of the wheel lift in a hard stop. Among the most common wheel straps are choker-type straps, or lasso straps. When using a choker, the strap should cross the tire at the two and 10 o’clock positions. If the strap crosses the tire higher or lower, it can come off easier if the tire rotates. Some wheel lifts are designed to use basket-type straps, which are much less likely to come off during the tow when used properly. Some are secured with a ratchet and some are secured with a chain and hooks. I find the basket straps are the most secure and easiest to install. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation; I commonly see the Miller Industries basket-type strap used incorrectly, with the chain in the front connected to the crossbar. Some wheel straps perform more than one function, like on the Eagle Claw wheel lift. The Eagle Claw straps not only restrain the towed vehicle’s wheels, but used correctly also keep the claw from opening. This strap has a loop with a floating metal ring sewn in the end of the strap, and there’s a latch hook at the end that hooks into the grab hook on the front of the wheel-lift crossbar. The floating ring is attached to a hook on the front inside part of the claw, and then the strap is routed over the wheel from the front inside of the claw to the rear outside of the claw and secured with a ratchet. The loop in the strap prevents the claw from opening.
This ratchet has the strap wrapped around the center of the ratchet with more than one full wrap for full holding power.
contact components on the inside of the tire that may be damaged or cause damage to the strap. When you ratchet the strap tight, ensure it will not loosen during the tow. During the tow, the bouncing of the towed vehicle’s suspension can cause the wheels to drop further into the wheel lift causing the straps to
loosen. Adjust the L-arms of the wheel lift away from the wheel enough to keep the ratchet from contacting the hubcaps. Avoid dragging the wheels in the wheel lift on the road surface when entering or exiting driveways as this may cause the wheels to rotate enough for the straps to come off. Many wheel straps are tightened
Proper Use When placing a wheel strap in position, make sure the strap does not
Ratchet with less than a full wrap of strap around the center of the ratchet mechanism. This is not safe. The metal part of the center of the ratchet is visible.
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 15
ADVERTISER
ACTION PAGE
AD INDEX
Fax To: 888-847-6035 Page #
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16 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
RS# 179 102 127 106 126 197 169 108 136 143 154 177 128 167 165 133 107 123 152 153 176 216 125 101 175 110 145 164 208
Page # Landoll 26 Lift & Tow 60 Loganville Ford 37 Lynch Chicago 29 MatJack/International Wreckers 23 NationWide Towing & Rec. Group 22 New England Truckmaster 74 North American BanCard 39 NRC Industries 79 Nussbaum Wreckers & Carriers 21 OMG 75 Phoenix USA 64 PWOF 21 Road America 67 Santander Bank 80 Smyrna Truck Center 25 Sonetics Corporation 27 Specialty Vehicle Equipment Leasing 5 Stertil-Koni, USA 25 Tiger Tool 28 TowIndustryWeek 67 TowLot.com 46, 47 TowMate 38 Towman 500 62, 63 TransitPros 36 Triple K 27 TwinState Equipment 69 Worldwide Equipment 55 Zacklift International 64
RS# 174 139 207 149 186 142 171 109 111 196 215 170 162 158 103 113 172 195 134 141 206 159 191 206 173 100 157 151 121
November 2013 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
Choker-type strap (lasso) positioned at 10 and two o’clock.
using a ratchet. When using a ratchet, if possible, take some of the slack in the strap out of the ratchet before tightening. If you wind too much strap on the ratchet, it may make it more difficult to release the ratchet later. Make sure that the strap wraps around the center of the ratchet mechanism at least twice. If you can see the metal at the center of the ratchet you have less than one full wrap on the ratchet and have reduced its holding power. A slight amount of slack in the strap may loosen the hold the strap has on the ratchet enough to release completely. Only use ratchets that have a security locking mechanism and make sure that it is functioning properly. Ratchets with wider handles are available that are easier to work when wearing gloves. Straps and ratchets should be rated for the heaviest vehicle you could tow safely with your wheel lift. Most light-duty lifts are rated to tow vehicles that weigh up to 7,500 lbs. (The cab and chassis that the wheel lift is mounted on may limit your tow capacity.) Each strap should be rated
for no less than 3,000 lbs. and be used with a ratchet rated the same or higher. Properly maintain your straps to ensure maximum service life and safety. Straps must be protected against abrasion and cutting so avoid contacting surfaces that are abrasive or sharp, heat or chemicals. Use wear pads when needed. Prolonged exposure to UV light also can damage straps so straps should be stored in a clean, dry and dark location. Wheel straps are part of the primary attachment to the towed vehicle and must be used in conjunction with a secondary attachment often referred to as safety chains. Two wheel straps and two safety chains must be used on every wheel-lift tow. Read and follow all manufacturer recommendations for the correct use of the wheel straps to ensure a safe tow every time.
Number 153 on Reader Card
Terry Abejuela has 30+ years of light-duty towing-and-recovery experience. He is also a lightduty level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association since 1998. Number 175 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 17
Is Repossession Dangerous?
by Mark Lacek
I
’m often asked whether the repossession business is a dangerous occupation. My answer is never as simple as “Yes” or “No.” The preconceived notion is of course a rapid “Yes” in the eyes of many. Reality television showing idiots in tow trucks beating people down while violating every consumer law imaginable surely is enough to show the repossession profession as one of danger. But is it really dangerous? These “reality” shows are made for TV drama. Absolutely nothing about the recovery industry is depicted truly on the two most popular shows. The acts of violence towards the consumer depicted on “Operation Repo” and
18 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
“Lizard Lick” would have landed all of these people in jail if there was any amount of truth to the content. There was a time when someone would ask me what I did for a living and I would proudly reveal my job as a recovery agent. Now, the first thing I hear when I say I’m a repossessor is “Oh yeah, I watch the show on TV.” There was a time when that would cause me to become angry and defend my actions as a professional. Now, I just change the subject. Lets get back to the original question about the job being dangerous. Up until recently, my answer was a long version of “No, the repossession business is not dangerous.” I would begin my reasoning with some logistical
data. Compare the job of a repossessor with that of a tow company who runs calls for any of the auto clubs. These professional towers would run 20-30 calls each during the peak traffic hours of the day. Trucks would move in and out of traffic sometimes like a cat chasing a mouse. Many would suggest this driver places himself in danger just being on the road during rush hour or going in and out of (often) less-thandesirable neighborhoods. A repossession specialist will more often than not be on the roads in the middle of the night or during the hours when the customer is at home. There is less traffic on the roads, which means less chance of becoming involved in traffic chaos or some form
of an unwanted fender-bender. In my opinion, the fewer people you meet on the road or miles you travel—whether your jump-starting the car, changing a tire or repossessing their car—equates to fewer people you might upset. So my answer is “No, the repossession business really is not a dangerous profession.” Well hold on there; maybe I have changed my opinion of this.
More Incidents There sure seems to have been an increase in acts of violence against repossessors. Every day I seem to read about another incident involving the debtor becoming irate at the repossessor, chasing down the truck or jumping on the car. It seems there are more debtors or recovery agents getting injured than ever before. I thought it was time to find out what the heck is going on, so I called some friends who have been in the business for many years. What I found out was surprising and scary. One of my trusted friends explained that because of the up-tick in repossession-forwarding companies, the repossessor is making less money than ever. Repossessors are being asked to knock on the debtor’s door after the repossession to ask for the keys to the auto. The repossessor will often negotiate an exchange of the property left inside the auto for the keys. This confrontation often turns into a disagreement and someone gets injured. Hold on. Repossessors are buying tow trucks specially made to back up and “hook and book” without ever getting out of the truck. This entire stealth idea was created just so there would be no confrontation. Why are repossessors going back and knocking on doors? Another repossession agency owner tells me that when the debtor comes to the office to pick up the personal property from the repossessed vehicle, the debtor explains how watching the “repo men” on TV has convinced them that repossessors are all thugs, crooks and thieves. The customer often goes on to tell the agency
owner or the staff that if the repossessor had been seen hooking to the car, they would have shot them. Once meeting the repossessor however, customers realize how wrong the TV reality shows actually are. Another friend tells me the applicants to become a repossessor believe the requirements to become a successful recovery agent are skills usually found in a bouncer or prizefighter. All of this relates to the myths and misconceptions being portrayed each week on cable TV. Repossessors have spent years abiding by laws protecting the con-
sumers while becoming licensed and certified; repossessors are better trained and more professional than ever. I’m sorry to say, but with the requirements of certain forwarding companies and the made-for-TV nonsense, being a repossessor today is a dangerous occupation.
Author Mark Lacek is a 30-year recovery industry veteran and former editor of Professional Repossessor magazine. Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com
Number 169 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 19
Tackling Negative Reviews by Michael B. Rappaport
E
very business including yours can benefit from positive wordof-mouth advertising. Today, you can benefit from word-of“mouse” advertising, or as you are probably aware, online reviews! People rely on reviews to make buying decisions, and with the popularity of smartphones, accessing this information has never been easier. In a service business like towing, reviews are important. According to MarketingCharts.com, 78 percent of Americans age 18-64 agree that online reviews influence their purchase decisions for products and providers. It’s time to get your online reputation in order. Reviews on the web are virtual word of mouth. It’s not a surprise that having genuine positive reviews will increase revenue. According to Google, business listings that had at least three-plus star reviews took 41 out of 47 clicks. Why would you spend money on pay-per-click? Just get more positive reviews!
How Many? Many business owners wonder, “How many reviews are enough?” A similar study by Google found that 29 of 47 clicks went to listings that had at least four reviews. So, first order of business, make certain you have a Google+ page built out with pictures, videos and accurate descriptions to make it easy for people to leave a review. The statistics are 20 • November 2013 - TOWMAN.COM
there for you to leverage, get reviews and get clicks. It’s not as easy as just writing a bunch of great reviews for your business or hiring a company to do it. Google, Yelp and other review sites are keen to these deceptive tactics. Yelp made the news last year for outing businesses looking to “mislead.” It’s sad to see that some companies are offering these manipulative practices to towing companies to make a quick buck, but it’s you that pays the price. The simple answer is to do a good job and make it easy for someone to share their experience.
Thanks! There are many review sites you can “steer” your customers to, so that you can collect reviews. The best practice is to offer direct links from your website, hand out cards inviting reviews, send emails after service encouraging reviews and basically changing the paradigm of how you “thank the customer.” Unfortunately, it’s inevitable that by soliciting and promoting reviews you are going to get a bad one. Can it be removed? Sure, but that is not the best practice. Some companies like Reputation.com are selling a service to drive down negative reviews, but the best practice is to maintain a ratio of positive reviews. Having all good reviews looks fishy and fabricated. Some review sites allow for a response; a professionally crafted,
unemotional reply is best. It shows visitors that you are real and sincere. Combine this reply with an abundance of positive reviews and that is the best practice. In addition, we suggest you take your positive reviews and promote them on your social sites and website for great results. Services such as “Reputation Intelligence” from OMG National will populate review and directory sites with your content, graphics, pictures and video. It may sound like a daunting task, but with the right tools, technique and desire, getting your review program up and going can prove to be one of the best marketing investments you can make online. It’s a way to enhance the search-engine rankings of your site, get great content for your socialmedia pages, recognize super achievers in your operation, identify problem areas, reduce pay-per-click expenses and generate more revenue with a proven strategy. Editor’s note: This is the second in a series to help towers build online presence and implement an effective on-going review program.
Mike Rappaport is a 21-year veteran in the towing industry, a producer for AmericanTowmanTV.com and the founder of OMG National, an INC 5000 ad agency. For more information on your web presence and video production needs, contact him at rapp@americantowmantv.com.
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TOWBOSS continued from pg 9
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when the evaluation meeting begins. The employee-employer relationship here is important, but shouldn’t be so stiff that the employee feels challenged, overwhelmed or defensive from the start. Use Facts. Base employee evaluations on the facts at hand. Don’t make statements based on hearsay or rumors. If an employee demonstrates poor and unacceptable work performance, timely documentation is the best evidence. Never present or discuss anything that isn’t in the employee’s file, which should be first-hand knowledge or review of facts. Positives, Then Negatives. Discuss the employee’s positive traits, behaviors and performances first, to build them up. Too many managers start with the negatives, which puts the employee on the defensive and possibly renders them emotionally closed for the remainder of the conversation. All employees have some good traits. Acknowledging them first leaves a platform in which to build improvement for the future. Ask the employee what they think their past performance has been, or what their strengths and weaknesses are to get them thinking in the direction of self-improvement. Remain Calm. Managers that react with emotion or sarcasm often make stupid comments. It’s smarter to tell problematic employees that their performances aren’t up to company standards, rather than telling them they’re a “complete idiot” and “the worst employee in the company” (even if this might be your true feeling.) Show respect with your ability to remain sensitive and understanding; avoid taking a heavy-handed approach. Don’t take anything personal. No Threats. Evaluations are intended to identify, mold, counsel and make sail for improvements; you’re looking to improve employee discrepancies. For exceptionally bad performers, invoke counseling so the employee is given time and forewarning that their performances must be improved to remain
employed. During the evaluation, don’t use words like terminate, fired or dismissed. Give them something to work towards. Conversation. Allow for a fair exchange of information and conversation regarding the content of the evaluation. While you lead the conversation and keep it in a positive direction, do allow the employee to comment— even if the evaluation is less than favorable. If their comments lead to an inaccurate finding or determination, you decide what direction to take as to leaving the topic for the current period or make change on the final evaluation. Written Rebuttal. Only in rare circumstances should you consider a written rebuttal from the employee. Where there’s accuracy and documentation in the employee’s file, the overall evaluation should result in its delivery without needing anything written by the employee. If something in the evaluation is misstated or inaccurate, you determine whether or not an employee’s written statement is needed or warranted. Be a Coach. As evaluations unfold, all employees, good or bad, have attributes and abilities that can be tweaked in the best interests of the company or the employee themselves. For great employees, thank them for their contributions to your company; make them feel appreciated. For others, make positive suggestions on how to become better employees. Let them know that the company will help them become better employees if they choose to better themselves—with additional commitment on their part. Closing. Never end an evaluation meeting on a sour note. Sincerely asking, “How can I help you become a better driver/dispatcher/employee?” works wonders. Let them respond to your direct question as you conclude the meeting based on their final words. Don’t be afraid to ask employees how they can better their own performances. Through effective evaluations, it’s possible to outline an employee’s strengths, weaknesses and inabilities, while providing a better path and challenging them to advance skills and abilities. Evaluations shouldn’t be a tool used to tear down an employee’s self-worth and confidence. Periodic reviews of the employee’s performance can build on their self-esteem and confidence when handled in the proper manner … and in accordance with the company’s employee handbook. Evaluating an employee’s performance is a way of keeping an employee-employer relationship strong. Without guidelines and the company’s insight on performance, employees may never know how their contributions are received. 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 186 on Reader Card
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Drive Shaft Safety
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n the course of a typical work day, we all perform a number of towing jobs—front tows, rear tows, trailer tows—along with myriad other tasks. Just like in any other industry, we look for ways to accomplish these things efficiently in terms of time and cost. We need to make sure that we are never sacrificing safety as we perform the work. When it comes to the removal and installation of the drive line, there is a minimum number of tools required to complete this job in a safe manner. As we enter a SCENE, there can be a tendency to view the tow as being the same as the one we did earlier in the day or the one from the day before. You might think, “It is what it is.” But no two SCENEs are ever going to be exactly the same.
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by Team WreckMaster
Each tow or accident SCENE is a new situation and should be assessed based on its own circumstances. One of the first things that must be determined is whether or not the vehicle can be towed or if it will have to be removed by trailer transport. If the vehicle can be towed, then we can move to the question of whether to tow from the front or rear. In some cases, such as those with vehicles that have an I-shift transmission, we do not have a choice. The towing should be done from the front of the vehicle. After the SCENE has been assessed and it is determined that a front tow is appropriate, the vehicle can be hooked up to the tow truck. To avoid destroying the transmission during the tow, the next step would be to remove the axles or the drive shaft; I find that the drive shaft is most common. This sounds like a simple and straightforward procedure; but if the drive shaft has force on it, known as “loaded,” it could result in serious injury or even death to the tow operator if not done properly.
Is It Loaded? Before you attempt to remove the drive shaft, you must determine if it is loaded or not. To do this, take hold of it and try to move it back and forth to check if there is any “play.” If you can’t move it back and forth, it is likely the drive shaft has force on it. If this is the case, you must take additional steps to get some play in the drive line before you begin to remove the bolts or take anything apart. If you don’t take measures to reduce or eliminate the load, the drive shaft could fly out once the bolts are loosened. One way to remove the force is to hook to the front of the vehicle with the under reach, block the tires on the tow truck and the vehicle you are hooking too, then put the transmission in neutral with the brakes released. Check the drive line again for some movement. Once you have made sure the drive shaft is not loaded, your next step is to make sure you have the tools you need to remove it safely. The minimum tools needed by an operator include:
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Before you attempt to remove the drive shaft, you must determine if it is loaded by moving it back and forth to check for any play.
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• Tiger tool. • 1” ratchet tie-downs. • 1/2”-drive ratchet with a 24” handle. • Impact socket set. • Wobble impact extensions, 2”, 4” and 6”. • Cage bolt socket. • Pry bars, 36” and 48”. • 4-lb. hammer. • Pair of channel locks. • 18” and 12” adjustable wrenches. • Eight cage bolts. • 1/2”-drive cordless impact (at least 18V). • 12-point sockets, 12mm 13mm 16mm in 3/8”- and 1/2”-drive. You have confirmed there is play in the drive shaft; now you are ready to begin removing it. You can remove the first set of bolts and the joint strap and/or joint cap with a Tiger Tool. At this point, a second check should be made to make sure there is still play. If it is necessary to move the truck backward and forward to gain access to the other cap or bolts, the drive shaft can become loaded a second time. If this happens, you will have to repeat the previous steps to check and determine whether or not the drive line is loaded. Once you have the bolts or joint
caps out, you can mark the drive shaft for alignment. This is done to ensure that the shaft is lined up properly to be re-installed later. Many times a tow operator will take a shortcut and simply tie the shaft to the frame of the truck instead of removing it all the way. This is a hazardous practice. If the drive shaft were to come loose for any reason, it could fall off and hit a passing car, truck or even a nearby pedestrian. Slide the drive shaft completely out of the front yoke or spline. The Ujoint cups should be re-installed on the U-joint once you have the drive shaft off and on the ground. This is done to avoid misplacing them in case the customer wants them when the drive shaft is re-installed. It is also useful to have a zip-bag for the bolts. You can tape the bag to the drive shaft. Finally, remember to store the drive shaft on the frame of the truck that will be towed. It will be messy and should not be put in the cab. Now that the drive shaft is off and properly stowed, there are a few other steps you should do before towing. Whether towing from the front or the rear, you want to make sure the steering wheel can’t turn from left to right or vice versa as the vehicle is being towed. The steering wheel can be kept stationary with an approved
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securing device or two 1” tie-down straps that will have a “working load limit.” Many tow operators use the seat belt or a rope. In some cases, even a tarp strap will be employed. These are not appropriate or safe choices. The seat belt is designed to hold a person in the cab and it will not have a working load limit, so you do not know how much force you can put on it. A rope or tarp strap is not a good alternative either because either won’t have a WLL on it. If the vehicle to be towed is equipped with an airbrake system, you must ensure the system is pressurized. For a vehicle over 10,001 lbs. GVW, regulations require that brakes on axles that are still in contact with the ground must be operational from the towing unit. For towing, you can use axle forks or a wheel grid. Regardless of which method you choose, secure the front axle or wheels for towing. You must also utilize the secondary attachment chains and install tow lights. The tow lights must be operational from the tow unit. You are now ready to tow the vehicle from the SCENE. At some point, you will need to re-install the drive shaft. Before using any of the old parts, check with the manufacturer to find out if the used joint, straps or bolts can be used again. Most manufacturers prefer that the drive shaft be re-installed with new parts. As the installer, you should be trained to do the re-install. C’ya in the ditch! Number 164 on Reader Card
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ADD Access to 31 States Auto Data Direct added Washington, Virginia, and Indiana motor vehicle records to its real-time access. There are now 31 state databases included for qualified tow companies needing registrant and lien holder information to notify an owner his car has been towed. ADD’s web-based system offers a single platform for access to real-time records through a secure Internet connection. Real-time motor vehicle records include owner, lien holder, and registration information as well as vehicle data such as make, model, year, tag and title number. In addition to state data, ADD provides a national title pointer with information from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System to help businesses locate or verify a vehicle’s current state of title when that information is not immediately available. In addition to Washington, Virginia, and Indiana, ADD (www.add123.com) offers real-time access to Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Online PI Management OnlineParkingPass.com recently announced nationwide availability of its parking management program. The owner of several successful towing companies developed the program, widely used in Maryland. The program affords PPI towing operators efficiency and productivity gains in monitoring properties. Company owners are now able to track the activity of all of the drivers in their fleet. “The OnlineParkingPass.com program has enabled me to dramatically increase the number of accounts under management. In just six months I’ve doubled my account base,” said Rick Chambers, founder of OnlineParkingPass.com. OnlineParkingPass.com will be showcasing the program at the American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Nov. 15-17.
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Thefts by Tow Truck Two men are being investigated by several law enforcement agencies in Minnesota for allegedly using a tow truck to steal automobiles. The Mankato Department of Public Safety says they became aware of the thefts when a woman reported a pickup and a Jaguar had been stolen from her residence. Responding officers said there were marks on the ground that made them suspect a tow truck was used to take the vehicles. Two days later, a black tow truck was reported stolen. However, officials learned that the complainant and an accomplice were wanted for allegedly using a tow truck to steal a car from a farm. A search warrant was issued so authorities could search the tow truck after it was found. Several law enforcement agencies are investigating this case. Source: www.knuj.net.
Towing Museum Fills Board Positions The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum filled its 16 board positions for the next twoyear term, effective Nov. 1, 2013, through Oct. 31, 2015. New board members Kevin Fox, Jeffrey Godwin, Patrick Nahoum, Dennie Ortiz and Ron Parrish will join existing board members George Connolly, Frank Ennis, Andy Hovanes, Randy Olson, Warren Roosevelt, George Stevens, Tom Tedford, Terry Warford, Steve Welchel, James Williams and Shannon Yates. “I am very excited to be part of this iconic institution that embodies the pride and professionalism of the towing industry,” said Dennie Ortiz, publisher of American Towman. The board members’ dedication to the museum and to the towing and recovery industry is appreciated.
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Sovereign Bank Now Santander Effective October 17, Sovereign Bank officially changed its name to Santander. Although it’s not yet well known in the U.S., Santander is one of the largest banks in the world. While the name has changed, Santander said its team members, management and commitment to customers will remain the same. “We will continue to offer the best programs in the towing and recovery industry and are proud to bring the Santander brand to our customers and vendors,” said Peter LaMariana, executive VP of the Commercial Equipment and Vehicle Finance Division at Santander. Santander has had business operations in the United States for more than 30 years; this is the first time it
will operate retail and commercial businesses under the Santander brand here. For more information, visit www.santanderbank.com.
Finish Line Gets Safety Award The California Highway Patrol announced the winners of the 2013 Safe Transportation Achievement Recognition Awards during the recent Commercial Vehicle Safety Summit. The STAR Awards formally recognize California motor carriers in the truck and bus industry for their efforts in making safety the No. 1 priority in day-to-day operations. Finish Line Towing, of Santa Clara, was named a STAR performer in the Towing category (more than three trucks.) “The California Trucking Associa-
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tion is proud to partner with the California Highway Patrol in recognizing trucking companies that have gone the extra mile for safety,” said California Trucking Association President Bob Massman. “Safer trucking saves money and, most importantly, saves lives.”
B/A Open House B/A Products Co. will hold its seventh annual open house on November 15 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Shuttles will run every half hour from outside the American Towman Expo. See the limited edition Pink B/A Towing for a Cure straps being manufactured, as well as live product demonstrations, factory tours and destructive testing demonstrations with their 150,000-lbs. 40’ testing bed. Food and drink will be available throughout the day.
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Helping Out Texas Towers ‘Hooking up for Heroes’
by Brendan Dooley
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own in Texas, a group of tow companies will be working together for a common cause to help a charity that benefits U.S. veterans. The multi-part event from the towers is called Hooking up for Heroes, and it will benefit the Base Camp 40 charity. The fundraiser starts this month, the weekend before Thanksgiving, where the participating companies have pledged $5 from every tow for a 24-hour period. Then, on December 7, there will be a “main event” in San Antonio with food, drinks, live music and live and silent auctions to raise additional funds. All the money from the towers and the live event will benefit Base Camp 40. “I like BC40 because it helps veterans get out of the house and do something fun,” said Jason Banis, of Banis Towing. “For these guys to go what they’ve been trough and still be upbeat, it’s great to give back.”
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Base Camp 40 provides a week of elk hunting in Colorado and seeks to be “a special place for our nation’s veteran’s to rediscover and reflect. BC40 is expanding to take veterans on other outdoor adventures throughout the country, for the need for support is greater than ever as more of our warriors return home.” Lance Burt, founder of San Antonio’s Patriotic Defenders motorcycle club, is a fundraiser for Base Camp 40 and reached out to Banis to gain support from the towing community. Together they came up with Hooking up for Heroes. “This fundraiser can help put towing companies in a positive light,” Burt said. “Jason has been a huge influence on this whole thing.” In addition to Banis Towing, other companies that will be donating $5 from each tow for a day include Mission Wrecker, Bexar Towing, Johnny’s Wrecker, Creswell’s Wrecker and Alanis Wrecker. Many other towing companies have pledged support as well in the planning, live event and donating items for the auctions. “This is turning out bigger than we thought it would,” Banis said. “I’m really excited to be helping them out and working together with these companies.” To contribute or donate items for the auctions, call Lance Burt at 210-8963723. Learn more about Base Camp 40 at www.bc40hunts.com.
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Miller Industries Dragster, TowLot.com Gold… Adding attractions to one’s booth is par for the course at the American Towman Exposition and the 25th Anniversary show is no different. Miller Industries will showcase a Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car pictured at its booth, though the main spotlights are on Miller’s Century, Vulcan and Chevron wreckers and carriers. TowLot.com is giving away gold bullion bars to tow business owners lucky enough to have the right number. TowLot.com has been promoting to “turn your tow yard into a gold mine.” This promotion may get a little expensive.
Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driven by 2011 NHRA Funny Car Champion Matt Hagan. Car will be showcased in the Miller Industries booth during AT Expo in Baltimore, November 15–17, 2013.
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Clothesline Carry
Lines from two rotators were married to reach a minivan that went down a rocky embankment and partially into the Illinois River.
Rotator Lines Briefly ‘Married’ for Recovery The Chevy Astro was pulled back from the river the night before the actual recovery.
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by Kurt Wilson
rotator was on scene, the operator performed a walk-around of the scene. It was determined that to perform the recovery of the van, another rotator would be required. After talking to the police and casino security, the decision was made to perform the recovery in the morning. The police and security voiced a concern about any environmental impact being made from the van if any of the fluids leaked out from the accident or if there was any damage done to the vehicle during the recovery process. Before clearing the scene, the 60ton was set up behind the van. One of the winch lines was pulled out so it could be attached to the rear of the van to an attachment point that was rigged using a round sling. The van was then winched back out of the river so that the Chevy Astro was a car’s length away from the river. The vehicle was inspected to make sure it wasn’t leaking any fluids that would flow into the river. With no leaks found, the recovery team cleared the scene.
Recovery Day The next morning, Joe’s sent the 60-ton back, along with a 1995 Kenworth T800 with Challenger 50-ton rotator, 2009 Kenworth T270 with Century 16-ton wrecker and traffic control to the casino. Traffic control was set up and onsite communications were prepped using two sets of Sonetics 4 wireless headsets. With the two sets linked together, it would allow all of the recovery team members to communicate from anywhere on the scene. The 50-ton rotator was setup by the entrance of the casino with the rear of the truck pointed towards the van on the beach. A snow bank had to be moved by the casino’s snowplow to clear a path for the 60-ton, which was positioned inline with the van. Using the boom, the spreaders bars were lifted off the rotator and set on the other side of the fencing. The 60-ton rotator was backed into position so that the boom was lined up with the boom of the 50-ton rotator.
Casino workers plowed a snow bank to make room for the 60-ton rotator.
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n February 2013, the East Peoria (Ill.) Police Department called Joe’s Towing & Recovery of Creve Coeur to respond immediately to the Paradice Casino to recover a vehicle that left the roadway coming to rest in the Illinois River. Joe’s dispatched a light-duty wrecker to the location and the driver found a Chevy Astro minivan with its front end broken through the ice while the rest of the van was on the beach. During the accident, the van hit and broke a fire hydrant, then drove through a fence. With the position of the van, the operator determined the best way to recover the Astro would be to pick it up over the rock bank. The driver requested that the 2000 Kenworth T800 with Century 60-ton rotator be dispatched to the scene. Once the TOWMAN.COM - November 2013 • 43
One winch line was pulled out of the 50-ton so it could be walked around on the sidewalk until it was at the halfway point between the two trucks. The same was done with the left winch line on the 60-ton. The two winch lines were married together using an oblong ring to create a “clothesline.” Next, the spreader bars were set up to the proper length. Two snatch blocks were attached to the winch line that was married together. Using two round slings per spreader bar, the spreader bars were rigged to the snatch blocks. A chain was rigged between the two spreader bars so that as the front spreader bar was being winched in, it would pull the second spreader bar. A second chain was rigged to the front spreader to create an attachment point for the other winch line. The clothesline was tightened to raise the spreader bars off the ground. The booms were rotated back to center. The winch lines were adjusted to put
the spreader bars over the van. Once in place, the line was let out to lower the spreader bars to allow the Latta straps to be rigged to the spreader bars. The 16-ton wrecker was positioned west of the van. Using one of the winch lines attached to the front of the van, it was winched around to bring it parallel to the clothesline. The four Latta straps were rigged to attachment points on the four wheels on the Astro; then they were attached to the spreader bars. The second winch line off the 60-ton was attached to the spreader bar. Next, the clothesline was tightened, raising the van up into the air. The second winch line was winched in bringing the van towards the 60-ton. As the line was being brought in, the clothesline height was adjusted as the van moved to have enough clearance over the concrete rocks. The clothesline had to be raised even higher once the van was close to the fence. Once the van could clear the top railing of the fence, it was winched past the
Spreader bars at the casualty were key in lifting it up and over the embankment and railing without further damage.
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fence. Once clear, the van was lowered to ground. All of the rigging was broken down and returned to the proper trucks. The clothesline was lowered down enough to allow one of the winch lines off the 16-ton wrecker to be attached at the oblong ring. The winch line on the 16-ton was brought in, pulling the clothesline towards the road to help keep it off the rocks. Once the winch lines were clear of the rocks, they were lowered to the ground. The lines were unmarried and all of the winch lines were brought in. The 60-ton rotator was moved to allow the 16-ton wrecker to hook up to the van to transport it to Joe’s Creve Coeur terminal. All of the recovery team and trucks cleared the scene returning to their assigned terminals. About the Author Kurt Wilson is a lead operator for Joe’s Towing in Creve Coeur, Ill., and an editorial board member for American Towman.
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TIW Takes Off With
2.0
TowIndustryWeek.com Has Become the Go-To Site for Tow Bosses
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he tow boss gets into the shop early, pours a cup of coffee, and gets online at his desk to check email. Clicks on the browser icon and in a matter of seconds towindustryweek.com pops onto the screen. The week’s edition includes eight pages of feature articles, news and pictures, plus a new daily bulletin, Tow Extra. Of course the first image the tow boss is drawn to is Boomer Hayes, the comic by Don Lomax, featuring the kind of humor only a towing professional can appreciate. Tow Industry Week has proven as habitual as a cup of coffee for thousands of towing professionals. Just like you can grab a cup of Joe anywhere these days you can access the Internet and TowIndustryWeek.com on your smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, so literally anywhere as well. To reward the faithful, as well as giving more value to the advertisers, American Towman, the father of TIW, has upgraded to version 2.0. TIW 2.0 makes viewing and reading more dynamic. A few of the upgrades includes: Tow Extra, the daily news bulletin on the homepage, American Towman TV with Emily Oz, a smarter archive system, a more diverse Product page, and new thumbnail index promoting all the features located on all pages…just to name some of the new bells and whistles. Incorporating American Towman TV into Tow Industry Week pulls text and image information and video all into one place. It makes for a much more dynamic site and with the new ATTV page it is now much simpler to
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navigate stories posted than in the past. One may ask the question, “Do towers have time for Internet breaks?” Given that a tower can take an Internet break from anywhere at any time, maybe the question should be, “Does the Internet have enough breaks to offer the tower?” Tow Industry Week features eight fresh pages of news and features each week, that’s 32 pages a month plus, including ATTV video reporting, plus daily news bulletins. “I like TowIndustryWeek.com. It's easy to be able to go online to read and see what is going on in the Industry. There were times that I wasn't able to see what was on that week but I was able to go back into the archives and read the stories.” – Larry Green, Owner, Green’s Garage, Hampsted, M.D.
The average reader checks out each week’s edition 2.5 times a week. “TIW’s success in drawing a readership is founded on the simple principle of “build it and they will come,” said American Towman Editor in Chief Steve Calitri. “We have the industry’s best minds and writers contributing to
TIW each week. You can’t find them anywhere on the Internet but at TIW. Same goes for the Boomer Hayes comic, ATTV with Emily Oz, and the quality of a total news and information product driven by the American Towman Magazine staff and its writers. “ Tow Industry Week’s take-off of 2.0 coincides with its two-year anniversary on the Internet. The venture marked the first time that a tow industry news site was not a peripheral effort on the part of a print publication. Content on TIW is generally not duplicated in American Towman Magazine, nor vice versa. “Having original content is the key to TIW’s success as it is with American Towman,” said Calitri. According to Google Analytics, there have been over 60,000 “unique visitors” to Tow Industry Week since the Fall of 2011. They have been driven to the site by American Towman Magazine and AT’s email blast campaigns primarily. But do they want all this information? “We’re giving towing professionals news we think they should be aware of,” said American Towman Editor and TIW Managing Editor Brendan Dooley. “We cull the Internet daily for the news items that can be most helpful to tow business owners and operators. Between the news we feature and the articles, images and video, we deliver a valuable package. The response from our readers tells us that.”
Send the Right
From TIW’s Operations Page
TowIndustryWeek.com by Randall C. Resch
Truck
Upside-Down Recovery Requirements
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was absorbed by a Tow411 topic regarding loading vehicles upsidedown when requested by officers on scene. Comments were many, for and against the technique, and I felt it a great debate relating to companies being willing or unwilling to do the task. We recognize prudent reasons for not loading upside-down. Commenters cited battery cables weren’t consistently cut by fire departments or the dangers of loose batteries after flipping the vehicle. Many cited fuel leaks and fluid spills, fire, explosion and the smashing of A-posts loosening the vehicle in transport. Others stated their insurance companies told them “No.” While we know these are constants … do we not have a job to do to satisfy requirements of clearing an incident as fast as possible? We can debate this all day long; however, maybe there’s a bigger issue? What does your state law say about upside-down transport? Is it allowed by law––recognizing the letter of the law vs. spirit of the law? Much comes down to your company’s policy and procedures whether dragging vehicles upside-down atop your carrier’s deck is allowable? I have no knowledge of towers being cited for loading upsidedown, especially when returning from an agency request. Let’s approach this narrative from an officer’s perspective. Many law enforcement contracts state carriers aren’t recovery trucks, yet companies continue dispatching carriers. Because some towers aren’t competent in conducting rollovers with a carrier, officers
Many law enforcement contracts state carriers aren’t recovery trucks, yet companies continue dispatching carriers. witnessed inability and ultimately learned that when operators can’t do the roll in a timely manner, the fastest way to clear the roadway is loading it upside-down.
When you tell the officer, “we don’t do upside-down recoveries,” the officer simply sends you away and requests the next rotation company and he’s likely miffed you aren’t following his instructions. Your competition gets there, loads it upside-down, and takes it away. Fast forward to the next day where 15 cops on the same squad are seated in the line-up room talking about yesterday’s police work. One officer—the one from your scene—shares with 14 other officers and his sergeant the fact that your towing company couldn’t or wouldn’t load upside-down. For whatever your intentions were (liability, lack of training, insurance, etc.), that one officer’s comment gave your company a huge black eye to his fellow officers. He’s planted the seed of your company’s incompetency or unwillingness to serve. This may not be fair, but it’s reality. The next time your company’s up for rotation or contract renewal, what’s to say your company isn’t simply passed by? The bottom line here is two parts: 1. If sending a carrier to rollover scenes, your operators had better be thoroughly trained in rollover recoveries. 2. If your contract says carriers aren’t recovery trucks … don’t send ’em. This column originally ran in Resch’s weekly feature online at TowIndustryWeek.com; don’t miss out!
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TowIndustryWeek.com
Lemons Lemonade
Turning Turning into
One Phone Call Makes Business Better From TIW’s Rates and Trade Page
There’s an important distinction between quickest and cheapest in auto repair, where both aren’t necessarily available at each shop. by Don Archer
I
t was about 11 a.m. when an out-oftowner called needing more than just a tow. She wanted help getting her car fixed. I listened to her issues and found out that she wanted something done immediately, not tomorrow. So I suggested I place a call to a couple of repair shops and ask about availability. I was calling to see if they could get her in and out within the remainder of the day or at least by the next morning. I knew it was a tall order to fill, especially when they have no idea what’s wrong with vehicle. After successfully finding a place that could look at her car early that afternoon, we picked her up and dropped her off thinking that was the end of the story. A few hours later she called again. This time she was complaining about the price for repairs. The place I had suggested was going to charge her more than $300 to fix it. I listened patiently and realized that I had misread her needs.
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What I thought she said was that she wanted the work done quickly, (that same day) so she could get back home some 50 miles away … but what she really wanted was the cheapest repair shop in town. Of course everyone wants the work done 30 minutes ago and at the least possible price, but I knew this place could get it done today (what she said she wanted). Besides, anyone in the auto repair business knows that the cheapest place in town is always overbooked. There are times that you can get something minor done in less than a day, but most of the time it’s 2-3 days or longer. So here I am on the phone talking about towing her to some other repair shop. I’m getting a second tow out of it, (not my intention) and over at the first repair shop the service writer is out a commission and he might even be a little upset thinking I wasted his time that day. So I decided to make some lemonade. I picked up the phone and called the
service writer. I apologized and explained the situation and told him that I had misinterpreted the signals she was sending and wouldn’t have sent her his way had I known exactly what she was looking for. Of course he was more than understanding and even apologetic wishing he could have helped her further. He also told me not to worry about it and said, “Send them all my way; I’d rather take my chances than miss out.” What this did was two things: It reinforced an already good relationship with the repair shop It let the service writer know that we understand his needs and take that into consideration when referring customers. Editor’s Note: Don Archer is a weekly contributor to TowIndustryWeek.com, where this column ran originally. He lives and works in Jefferson City, Mo., where he and his wife, Brenda, own and operate Broadway Wrecker, a 12-truck operation that’s been in business since the 1950s.
SERVING THE TOWING AND RECOVERY INDUSTRY SINCE 1966
Exotic, High Performance or Low Clearance vehicles are no problem for Chevron’s Generation II LoadRite carriers. The LoadRite features a unique “drop deck” design with a sloped tail section that improves the load angle an additional 3 degrees. For ease in securing your load, the LoadRite option on a steel carrier features bidirectional chain locks down the inside rail every 12 inches. Number 154 on Reader Card
TowIndustryWeek.com
Honor on the Road WWII Inspires N.M. Tower’s Graphics
From TIW’s Tow Illustrated Page
by George L. Nitti
W
hat better way to honor the servicemen and women of yesteryear than by making them a part, in some way, of your business? For Danlar Collison, located in Albuquerque, N.M., a company that provides a host of towing and road service, World War II has been a source of inspiration, reflected in the graphics of their tow trucks, consisting of some of the bomber planes of that era. Owner Larry Knippel’s father and uncle were both pilots during the war, flying B-17s and B-25s. “My father did two tours and bombed Rommel over North Africa and Italy while my uncle bombed
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This story originally ran on TowIndustryWeek.com. In honor of Veteran’s Day on Nov. 11, American Towman is proud to add it to our November issue.
Number 107 on Reader Card
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Germany and Berlin,” said Knippel, who is also a pilot. He refers to his personal interest in flying as another cause for promoting and honoring WWII military planes on their tow trucks. One of their newest trucks, purchased in 2012, is a 2009 International 4300 Durastar with a Holmes 600R 16ton rotator. On that truck you will find the nose of a B-25, which was a medium range bomber, more versatile than the B-17. “We call it ‘Lady Luck,’ ” said Knippel. “Many of the WWII planes had special names. My uncle flew a plane called the ‘Yankee Maid’ and my father the ‘Wabash Cannonball.’ We have named our trucks after these planes as well.” It is no accident that you will find the nose of a B-25 on their rotator.
"We call it ‘Lady Luck.' Many of the WWII planes had special names." “That rotator has a similar versatility to that of the medium-range bomber,” Knippel said. “In Albuquerque we don’t have as much of a need for a larger rotator because we don’t have near as much traffic as other major cities.” He said its maneuverability allows them to use the Holmes 600R “on a daily basis.” What also makes the truck stand out is its bright orange, easily visible lettering and blue shadows against a white backdrop. The name Danlar is clearly visible anywhere from the road. This quickly growing company continues their passion of honoring our military by showcasing these special planes with every new truck they add to their fleet. About the Author George L. Nitti is a weekly contributor on TowIndustryWeek.com and freelance contributor for American Towman. Number 127 on Reader Card
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Rolling Stones Rollover Recovery Spares Manicured Lawns
by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
I
n spring 2009, a trucking company called Big Red Towing in Syracuse, N.Y., to recover a rolled tractordump trailer in the high-end neighborhood of Lysander. Big Red Towing, owned by John Wight, runs an impressive fleet of wreckers and flatbeds; the company was established in 2003, but features four decades of experience behind it in Ron Pullen. Pullen is the company’s operations manager and has been in the towing industry since 1971, owning and operating light-, medium- and heavy-duty shops. He is a dedicated consummate professional who has taken every
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opportunity he can to educate himself and others. Pullen was first exposed to recovery training in the late 1980s when he met Donnie Cruse at a tow show in Rockland County, N.Y. After that meeting, he went to every seminar that he could attend. He has since been named a WreckMaster Student of the Class, Top 10 WreckMaster, WreckMaster of the Year and now is a WM trainer. Pullen and Big Red operator Glenn Mears drove out to the Lysander rollover scene in a 2007 Peterbilt with a Century 1060 rotator and a 1999 International PayStar 5000 with a Century 9055 50-ton with SP850 Side Puller.
“The dump trailer was loaded with boulders to be used as a retaining wall,” Pullen said. “We had done a tow for the company before and they knew we had the right equipment and experience to handle the job.”
Dynamic Duo Big Red’s Century 1060S rotator is fitted with two 50,000-lbs. planetary two-speed winches and a 50,000-lbs. drag winch. The 9055 has dual 50,000lbs. winches. It is ideal for heavy recovery work with the ability to tow a variety of heavy vehicles from mixers and packers through buses with its 138” underlift reach.
Big Red’s Century 1060S 60-ton rotator
“With the 1060 and a 9055 SP850 we have the best of all worlds,” Pullen said. “The 1060 is a recovery workhorse and I tow with it almost every day; it is very tow-friendly. “Having a side-puller on the 9055 allows us to work from the side of the wrecker using less space on the Interstate for safer and more efficient towing capabilities. Side-pulling capabilities are extremely helpful when working off of an embankment or when a vehicle goes off into the median or off of the shoulder of the interstate.” Also on-scene were Brian Stewart as a rigger and Howard “Scooby”
Big Red’s Century 9055 50-ton with SP850 Side Puller
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Big Red crew at work disconnecting the hydraulic cylinder from the dump trailer before the lift.
Century 1060S rotator in position as homeowner and kids watch the recovery process from their front porch.
Century 1060S rotator in position.
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Eagan of MatJack. Eagan is a nationally recognized trainer to both the towing/recovery and rescue professions in the use of air cushions and crosstraining. He is a former rescue squad chief, state extrication instructor, and in the early ‘90s, developed Big Truck Rescue training programs (www.bigtruckrescue.com). Eagan is a lead instructor for Big Truck Rescue and still works actively in the recovery field at Big Red Towing. “He was there for the entertainment value,” Pullen said of Eagan’s well-known personality. A walk-around at the scene found an upscale house on a well-manicured property. “Landscape and pool workers were installing a new in-ground pool spa,” Pullen said. “The trailer load of rocks and a tree had come down onto a neighbor’s property when the dump trailer tipped over. Ninety percent of the rocks were removed when we arrived.” The owner was concerned that no
Dump trailer rigged and on its way up.
further damage come to his property or adjoining lots. Mats were already placed on the lawn for the cement truck to drive on and the Big Red crew was told not to make any heavy turns on the lawn. “They allowed us to drive past the mixer with no sharp turns. The owner
and his kids were on the front porch watching the entire recovery process.” They used the 1060 at the front to do the lift and the 9055 at the rear. Pullen backed the 1060 rotator up to the nose of the tractor and Mears positioned the 9055 at the rear of the dump trailer. They removed the hydraulic
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Operator Glenn Mears at the controls of the 9055 spiking the backend of the dump trailer as Howard “Scooby” Eagan watches the progress in between the units.
cylinder from the dump trailer before recovery so there would be no oil leakage on the property and so that they didn’t drag the dump trailer.
Drag It “With the Miller drag-winch option on the rotator, we were able to hold and secure the tractor from going over any further while lifting the dump trailer,” Pullen said.
The 1060’s big stick lifts and swings the dump trailer back up and onto the tractor fifth wheel.
“Having a drag winch on a rotator is a valuable tool for recovery work. The rotator we are using is equipped with a 50,000-pound DP planetary two-speed drag winch, and as far as I am concerned, it is the best enhancement that you can have on a recovery unit. “The drag winch allows us to winch independently to the boom so we can hold something while pulling it. Having a drag winch adds extra versatility to any recovery unit and is perfect when working in close quarters.” The rotator had enough reach to go over the top of tractor to the dump back to be able to lift it without dragging on the lawn. The 9055 spiked the rear of the dump trailer to start the upright process. “Once uprighted, we were able to chain trailer to tractor and the owner was able to drive it away,” Pullen said. “The pool company, landscape company and the owner of the property were all amazed and delighted. The truck’s owner shook my hand, thanked me for a job well done and handed me a check right then. It was a good day on the job.”
Editor’s Note 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. Number 139 on Reader Card
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Number 206 on Reader Card
Better Signage Fewer Tows Three months after towing problems were reported at a parking lot on the Strip in Las Vegas, Nev., some significant improvements have been seen. Some complained a parking lot between the Peppermill Restaurant and the Riviera casino was a tow trap. The area is a Las Vegas Convention Center overflow lot that requires permits to
park. Drivers complained the signs, “Authorized Parking Only,” were confusing.The Nevada Transportation Authority, which regulates tow companies, changed guidelines to signs that read, “Permit Parking Only.” Since then, tows have reportedly significantly decreased. Source: www.8newsnow.com.
GEICO Gives $2,500 to Survivor Fund GEICO showed its support to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum Survivor Fund with a $2,500 donation. The Survivor Fund helps support families who have lost a loved one in the line of service within the towing industry. “This is GEICO’s way of support for the towing community and we hope to continue our relationship with the ITRHFM’s Survivor Fund in the future,” said Dwayne Fuller, GEICO’s Emergency Road Service representative for Tennessee.
Talbert Adds Texas Dealer Ervin Equipment, a supplier of new and pre-owned transportation equipment, is now the official dealer of new Talbert Manufacturing trailers in south Texas and Mexico, which is highly focused on oilfield work. “Our innovative approach to manufacturing high-quality trailers, combined with Ervin’s strategy to provide a no-hassle route to quality equipment, gives faster access to the best products at the best price,” said Greg Smith, Talbert VP of sales and marketing.
Commercial Truck Sales Up
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Retail truck sales held steady in September, according to figures compiled by Wards Auto Group. Dealers sold 47,232 trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings above 10,000 lbs., up 4 percent from September 2012. Class 4 trucks led the way with a 21 percent sales increase. Sales of Class 6 trucks were also strong, up 17 percent from a year ago. With the first three quarters of the year done, sales were running 5 percent ahead of last year’s levels. Through the first nine months of 2013, classes 6, 3, and 4 were posting the strongest sales— up 20 percent, 16 percent, and 11 percent, respectively. The market for heavy-duty trucks was down slightly. Class 7 trucks were down 2 percent through the first nine months of 2013, and Class 8 trucks were off 10 percent.
Number 102 on Reader Card
Assets Instead of Headaches by Joe Richard
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hat I want the reader taking away from this article is a fresh perspective on the value of one’s impound yard. I have done well auctioning off impounded vehicles and I can say that I have sold literally thousands of cars for more money than I ever expected when switching my impound auctions from my physical lot to online. Since I shifted auction methods in 2005 Pro Tow has conducted 182 online auctions, and sold over 9,000 cars. My gross sales revenue increased
This Honda Civic ended up bringing in 56 bids, and sold for over $3000.
the auction.” And because that auction was online, he got a ton of exposure, and the old Taurus that he wanted $2500 for ended selling online for $2935. No test drives, no negotiating, he took a few pictures, put them on towlot.com and ended up getting $435 more than he was originally asking. The main point here is not to get you to auction your vehicles, be it onsite or online. You have to choose the method of disposing of your unclaimed vehicles that is best for you. The point is: there are people willing to
2001 Honda auctioned for $3000
Auction sale of 1982 Impala exceeded expectations
almost three times what it had been. You can bet this gave me a new perspective on the value of my impound yard. I want to highlight some typical results that reflect the larger pool of bidders one gets on the Internet. Just recently I sold a 1982 Chevy Impala with a bad transmission and 4 bald tires. I expected a salvage yard to win this one for $400 or $500. Because this car was online, an individual in Illinois found it, joined my auction, and he and a local bidder ran each other up to a final selling price of $1150. In my last auction I sold a 2001 Honda Civic with a smashed front end. I would have been delighted to get $1000. That car ended up bringing in 56 bids, and sold for over $3000. I canʼt tell you the number of times I have talked to the owner of another tow company and told them about my
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success through online auctioning, and their response would be “I only have junk, they wouldnʼt sell at auction”. Hereʼs one of the most demolished cars I have ever impounded. Obviously the vehicle is completely burnt and basically only good for scrap metal. I started the bidding out at $50 on this car. Even in its condition it still got the attention of a few local scrap yards and ended up bringing in 30 bids and sold for $420. A neighboring tow company that has also used TowLot.com for years told me about a 1993 Ford Taurus he impounded that had only 70,000 original miles on it and was in showroom condition. He decided to try and sell this one outright so he set it out in his front lot next to a busy street with a for sale sign on it asking for $2500. He showed it a couple times, went on a couple of test drives, received a few low low-ball offers. Long story short after about a month, he said, “Thatʼs it...Iʼm sick of looking at it....throw it in
Burnt vehicle did well at auction.
pay a significant amount of money for those cars. If you decide on the auction-option you can use services like Copart, Insurance Auto Auctions, or TowLot.com; either way, you have serious assets in those vehicles on your lot. I have reason to be partial to the online option. We (Pro Tow) not only increased the number of salvage yards, car dealers, rebuilders and mechanics who bid, we significantly increased bidders from the public sectors. The more bidders, the higher the price is driven up. It’s that simple.
Joe Richard is the owner of Pro Tow in Overland Park, Kansas. He is also the owner and founder of TowLot.com. Email Joe at joe@protowllc.com
Number 158 on Reader Card
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Del Campo to Lead Jerr-Dan Jerr-Dan Corp., an Oshkosh Corp. company and manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment, announced that Richard Del Campo is its new vice president and general manager. Del Campo had previously been working at JLG, a sister company of Jerr-Dan. Both JLG and Jerr-Dan (www.jerr-dan.com) make up the Access Equipment segment of Oshkosh. There, he headed up regional market development and sales for JLG and its alliance with Caterpillar. “Richard brings a new business perspective that will allow Jerr-Dan to maximize its operational efficiencies, build talent resources, focus on domestic and international growth and keep customers at the forefront of everything we do,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corp. executive VP and president of both JLG and Jerr-Dan. “Richard brings hands-on experience in building businesses and knows what it means to roll up your sleeves to get the job done.” Key members of the Jerr-Dan team, David Chickowski, Jerr-Dan VP of operations and Joel Amsley, Jerr-Dan senior VP of sales, will report to Del Campo. Number 101 on Reader Card
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‘Da White’—A Resurrected Classic by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti
T
his custom truck catches the eye of any old-truck enthusiast—and even many casual observers. Its owner/creator is Stu Jones, from Chilliwack, B.C., Canada, a retired high school shop teacher. “The story of this 1952 White started when I was a teen back in 1960,” Stu said. “My neighbor Mr. Green had one. I would go over to Mr. Green’s house and work on it with him. “I loved the truck, but my father wanted me to work with my head not my hands, so I went to school and wound up teaching metal and auto shop. I had the best of both worlds.”
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Tech Highlights Cab:: 1952 White 3000 COE. Chassis: 1999 UD and running gear. Wrecker: Challenger carrier. Engine: Nissan UD diesel inline six. Trans: Six-speed manual. Winches: Hydraulic 35,000-lbs. Builder: Stu Jones. Paint/bodywork: Royce Auto Body. Extras: 1939 Pontiac teardrop fenders with full skirts; Indian fuel cap.
Time passed and Stu built many project vehicles, but he never forgot that truck. In 2005, he met this fellow and was telling him about that old ’52 White. “As I finished telling the story, the guy told me he had that exact truck in his yard,” said Stu. “It was pretty rough, so I went on eBay and found another cab with only 19,000 original miles on it. This fellow in Anaheim, California, had it and told me the cab had been on a fuel tanker at the L.A. airport.” He bought it and went to work; he put the two cabs together and made one good cab and used the Canadian registration. “I registered it as a Canadian-built 1952. It still has the tag on the dash that says LAT,” Stu said.
Six months later he found the chassis: a 1999 Nissan UD 2300 with a Challenger carrier on it. “It had very little rust on it,” Stu said. “I drove down to Yakima, Washington, and bought the UD. It took me three years to build it. I call this truck ‘Da White.’ ” Royce Weipert, of Royce Auto Body in Chilliwack, did the classic two-tone paint and Stu added some amazing touches during his ongoing restoration, including some customization work using 1939 Pontiac teardrop fenders with full skirts and an Indian motorcycle fuel cap. “A teenage dream turned into a reality and I now have a 1952 White 3000 Cab-Over Tow Truck,” Stu said. “Seems only fitting because my sister, Mary Ann Jones-Siebert and her son Doug Siebert own A.J. Towing Inc. in Chilliwack.” Stu uses Da White to haul his own hot rods and cars. “Da White runs and handles beautifully,” Stu said. “I’m still working on it in my retirement along with three other projects.” Da White took second place in the “Non Working – Best Paint” class at the BC Big Rig Weekend 2012.
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County Raises Tow Fees Commissioners in Lee County, Fla., unanimously approved ordinances that let tow companies charge up to 50-percent more for some impounds. Tow companies can levy the fees against motorists who have their cars towed for illegal parking, accidents or at the direction of sheriff’s deputies. Commissioners approved two last minute changes to the ordinance, one increasing the tow companies’ take and another eliminating their ability to levy mileage fees. Tow companies will be able to levy a $35 fee for releasing vehicles on 11 county holidays. The change was made at the behest of the Alligator Towing owner who said his company has been charging the fee anyway, but he wanted the charge expressly permitted by the ordinance. Commissioners eliminated a provision that would have let companies charge mileage fees for towing cars and trucks more than 10 miles. Source: www.newspress.com.
Number 181 on Reader Card
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Number 171 on Reader Card
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Captains in Baltimore by Steve Calitri
I
n watching some of the Major League Baseball playoffs, meanwhile thinking about the grand gathering of tow bosses coming up in Baltimore, I thought how strange it would seem if all the players on the field were catchers. Catchers are truly the captains on the diamond. I thought of this because most everyone coming to Baltimore is the captain of their company … really generals and field captains rolled into one. It makes for quite a dynamic convention. It means the Baltimore Convention Center is filled with decision-makers, people who make things happen, leaders who aren’t much good at following, you might say. I can relate to that. What’s amazing is that all these “Captains” come to Baltimore on their own initiative. They’re not there because they’re tagging along, though I know many come and hook up with friends in the industry. No, they’re there because they determined they should be there. That the largest tow show in the world is taking place with more than 800 exhibits certainly has something to do with it. Certain seminars taking place in the American Towman Academy may have something to do with it. Networking with potential allies to the cause—their business—is another good reason. Literally there are hundreds of reasons that tow business owners come to AT Expo in Baltimore. 10,000 towing professionals will again be there this November and that many peers has a magnetic power in and of itself. Getting people together of the same profession colors any trade show and convention with an interesting character. Most years, a convention of Catholic priests gathers in Baltimore at the same time. So you see basically two kinds of people milling about Baltimore’s Inner
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Harbor, towers and men with clerical collars. Some people have said I planned this so that the industry could have its prayers answered. I think this year the priests are on a different weekend, so we’re completely on our own for this one. One of the aspects of the Exposition is the revelry. From Miller Rocks at the Hard Rock to the International Feast at the Convention Center to the many pubs around the harbor, I often envision the longest bar in the world with men pressed against it telling war stories. On their back are colorfully embroidered wreckers and the names of their companies. People of the same ilk like to commiserate. Whether it’s over a beer or a fine cigar like at Calitri’s Cuba at the Power Plant Live. Given the fact that the towing business is the most challenging of all the service businesses, perhaps the most demanding, there’s quite a lot of take-charge spirit in Baltimore during this weekend (Nov. 14-17). Fortunately, in spite of the thousands of tow bosses attending, one rarely bumps into one’s competitor from back home. Instead one bumps into towers from any of the 50 states in the Union or 20 foreign nations. In the rare occurrence when towers did come across a competitor, I’ve heard stories of them becoming friends, something that usually doesn’t happen on the home turf. AT holds the legendary Captains of Industry Conference each year and that event alone is quite interesting. An amazing long table of towing Captains facing each other and breaking bread. 100 Captains are there. Multiply that by 100 and you get an idea how much breaking-bread goes on in Baltimore among towing’s 10,000 Captains.
American Towman is faced with the absorbing challenge of offering print and Internet media. TowIndustryWeek.com is taking advantage of the Internet’s capabilities by offering video (American Towman TV), daily bulletins, multiple images and the interactive feature of the reader being able to post comments instantly. With TIW readers are able to click on an advertiser and immediately go to its web site. These capabilities give print a tough run for the money. One then has to ask how American Towman Magazine remains viable in the era of pcs, tablets and smartphones. The answer is the same answer that TIW gives. Excellence. Not matter what the medium, no one is going to pay much attention to pap, schlock, and mindless repetition. Be it TIW or American Towman, only excellence in newsgathering, writing, and creativity will build a loyal audience. American Towman Magazine offers a tactile, colorful product that is portable, easy to navigate, and part of a traditional culture that is still with us. And it arrives in the mail and ends up on your desk. So the dynamics of the printed magazine can compete with the Internet. As long as the economics of paper, printing and mailing remain viable, American Towman will strive to put out the best towing magazine possible. The great thing is; TowIndustryWeek is as much an ally to American Towman as it is to its advertisers. We point readers to TIW and TIW points readers to American Towman.
Copyright 2013 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
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