American Towman Magazine - January 2017 by dortiz-towman

Enjoy your coffee at TowIndustryWeek.com

Stress-Busting Tips Placing Cones, Flares Take Risks to Grow

Tavo’s Auto in Crystal City, Texas, used two heavies in a tight spot for a rolled dump truck.

FEATURE CONTENTS

Finding Ways to Manage Stress Know your signs of tension and how to cope best. by Randall C. Resch

Towman of the Year Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Frank Gentilquore works quietly behind the scenes for all towers’ safety. by Brendan Dooley

Texas Hill Country Recovery A gravel truck needed rescuing off a tight road on a narrow hill. by Jim “Buck“ Sorrenti

Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .54 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .65 4 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

On the cover: 2017 Towman of the Year, Frank Gentilquore constantly advocates for towers from the local level up to the national.

Continue Raising Public Awareness by Dennie Ortiz

Each year has its ups and downs—2016 was no different. Sadly last year, towing operator deaths continued unabated despite growing initiatives for the Slow Down Move Over laws by police, municipalities, towing associations and many individual towing companies. This reality means that more, and more ongoing varied efforts are needed to educate motorists. This is the exact goal of the AT Spirit Ride: Raise the public’s awareness of just how many towers and emergency responders are killed on the roadways and that most of these deaths could be prevented if they simply followed the law of slowing down and moving over. Along those same lines, but on a positive note, 2016 also brought national recognition of the towing industry in the Official Congressional Record with “Honoring the 100 year Anniversary of the Towing Industry,” and designating a “National Towing Industry Awareness Week.”

The Congressional record also made an important note of the perilous nature of this profession, citing the always-staggering statistic of “one tow truck operator is killed every six days assisting motorists on the roadways of the United States.” This wellknown truth was evident as 22 more towers were added to the Wall of the Fallen in 2016. AT tips its hat to Larry Cernosek in Texas and (former AT Towman of the Year) Joanne Blyton in Montana, along with the many others that contributed to this effort, that helped increase awareness nationally of the important contributions and sacrifices made by towing professionals. I also applaud 2017 Towman of the Year Frank Gentilquore, who has an unbridled passion and extreme dedication to the towing industry on many different levels. As we look forward to the New Year, our hopes endure for increased safety and improved prosperity for the entire towing community. Happy New Year!

2017 Towman of the Year Is Genuine by Brendan Dooley

It was my pleasure this year to interview several industry forces to write about Frank Gentilquore, American Towman’s 2017 Towman of the Year. I don’t remember the first time I was introduced to Frank, but I vividly remember the first time I “met” him. It was during the first Tow Industry Week at the American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas after the show closed before I left for home. I was wandering the casino looking for a place to have dinner and went into one of the buffets expecting to dine alone (not a big deal). I saw Frank and Brian LaFrance eating and nodded, and Frank called me over and had me sit with them. I hardly knew Frank other than as a recognizable face from the showfloor at the time, and I couldn’t have been much more to him. But during the meal he and Brian regaled me with tales from the roadside and made me, still very new to towing, feel more than just welcome, but like a brother in arms. I can say I’ve personally witnessed that Frank is a real, genuine guy who sincerely puts others before himself; I can’t imagine higher praise for anyone than that. 6 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

First On The Scene! Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor

Randall Resch

Operations Editor

Terry Abejuela

Field Editor, West

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti Don Archer David Kolman Bill Simmons

Field Editor, Northeast Field Editor, Midwest Chassis Editor Safety Editor

Emily Oz

On Screen Editor

Mark Lacek

Repo Run Editor

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

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

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

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

American Towman Media Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2017 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. Subscription: $50–1 yr; $95–2 yrs • US $65 and $105 • International Editorial Policy: the act of mailing or delivering a letter or article to American Towman Magazine, shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. American Towman Magazine reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted.American Towman Media does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. All included information, specifications and abilities are as claimed by the equipment manufacturer who is solely liable for any defects or misrepresentations in its products.

Calif. City Seeks to Start Rotation The city of Beaumont, Calif., sought proposals from towing companies so the city can set up its own tow rotation list for police calls. The city council approved the change at the recommendation of Police Chief Sean Thuilliez. Thuilliez wrote that under the arrangement the city has no control over which companies the city does business with and is unable to hold the companies accountable for violations. Tow companies would have to be on call for roadside assistance, as well as vehicle removal, storage or related services to vehicles, according to a city staff report. Questions were due last month, and bids by Jan. 12; staff recommendations will be presented Feb. 17. Source: pe.com.

Tower Stops Wrong-Way Driver A tower in Tennessee risked his life recently when he used his tow truck to stop a wrong- way driver. According to WVLT, Jennifer Myers was traveling along a stretch of Highway 321, when she spotted an SUV traveling the wrong way in the other lanes. She propped her iPhone on her steering wheel and started recording a video. As she recorded from the right lane, a heavy flatbed from Foothills Wrecker Service passed her in the left lane with his emergency lights on. After a few moments of trying to get the SUV driver’s attention, the tow truck driver crossed the median and came to a stop, blocking the SUV’s path. The SUV slammed into the flatbed and the day was saved. The SUV driver was found to be having a diabetic issue and had no idea where she was or what was happening. Source: autoblog.com. 8 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Towers Ride for Fallen Detective San Antonio, Texas, towers caravanned past police headquarters to memorialize a slain detective. Local8now.com graphic.

Dozens of towers appeared at a memorial at police headquarters for San Antonio, Texas, detective Benjamin Marconi, who was shot and killed Nov. 20. Blowing their horns and showing their support, the towers represented several different companies paying tribute to the fallen detective. “When it hits one of us, it kinda hits us all,” said Paula Hayner, a driver for 1 Veterans Towing. “We always got your back no matter what.”

Hayner said they organized the ride for Marconi to show they support the police department. “We’re here as an industry,” she said. “As a whole.” “We work hand-in-hand with police officers paying our respects,” said towman Steven Martinez, of Mission Wrecker Service. “We all work for different companies, but we all are out to take care of each other, get them home safe.” Source: foxsanantonio.com

‘Greatest Show of All Time’

Exceeds Expectations In November 2016, the “Greatest Show of All Time” lived up to its billing for thousands of tow business owners and the 255 exhibitors inside the Baltimore Convention Center at the 28th annual American Towman Exposition. There were 14,000-plus towers from all 50 states and 21 nations filling the halls. More than 14,000 attendees swamped the 255 vendors filling the entire Baltimore One American Towman Convention Center during the 2016 AT Expo. Medal winner traveled from Australia to receive towing’s most prestigious honor. Total atten- center for the first time in the show’s dance surpassed last year’s all-time 28-year run, from the exhibit hall, high. through the new Garage District to The sheer immensity of the show the American Wrecker Pageant that that took up the entire convention wowed the crowd.

. . . The SUV slammed into the flatbed . . . ITRHFM Hires New Executive Director The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum hired Chattanooga, Tenn., native Dena Franklin as its new Executive Director. Her resume includes 25plus years of operations and business development experience. “The fact that I’m a newcomer promotes a clear vision of the towing and recovery industry; allowing it to be seen from the outside in as we build new relationships, nurture existing ones, and take the museum to its next level,” Dena said. “I’m eager to learn and share the history, honor the men and women who are a part of it, and continue the growth of this well-respected institution.” “Dena’s business experience will bring a new set of eyes that will take us into the future,” said George Connolly, museum president. “We would like to thank Angela [Roper] for her vision of the museum and the contributions she has made.” Source: towingmuseum.com.

Reporting Center Concerns Towers Several Roanoke County (Va.) towmen resumed taking police calls after a week of not responding to accidents in the county. The towmen wanted answers about a new crashreporting center. Roanoke County Police Chief Howard Hall said drivers would be instructed to tow vehicles to a Crash Reporting Center in Roanoke for reports; cars will be towed away after reports are made. Charlie Brown, of Brown & Son, said some operators worry customers will complain about the additional cost. “We’re not trying to add these extra costs to them,” he said. Source: wsls.com. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Homkey Honored Posthumously Six people were honored last month for exceeding expectations to put their service above themselves in Montgomery County, N.Y. County Executive Matthew Ossenfort said the idea for honoring these first responders started through a conversation that recognized Michelle Homkey, widow of Jamie Homkey, how, as a county, first responholds the First Responder of the Year award, ders deserved recognition. surrounded by the Canajoharie (N.Y.) Fire “Everything that has hapDepartment. Leaderherald.com image. pened from the big things like the floods, we want to just thank people and give them some recognition,” Ossenfort said. In a special recognition, towman Jamie Homkey received the “First Responder of the Year” award posthumously. Homkey lost his life Oct. 10 while he was responding to a disabled vehicle on the New York State Thruway. “Jamie was the type of member that every department hopes for and exhibited great loyalty to help the community,” County Executive Matthew Ossenfort said. He added that Homkey’s death has placed an emphasis on the Move Over law. Source: leaderherald.com.

Fla. Towmen Remember Danny Hand As the family of Danny Ray Hand held a private memorial service, his co-workers and friends remembered him in their own way with a memorial ride. Dozens of drivers brought their wreckers to participate in a processional down I-275 in Towers around the Tampa, Fla., area Tampa, Fla., where Hand was hit memorialized fallen towman Danny Ray and killed Nov. 26 by a susHand last month. Wfla.com image. pected drunk driver. “When you lose somebody, especially a co-worker that happens to be like a family member to you, it’s a big loss,” said Michael Locantore, of Crockett’s Towing where Hand worked. While the ride was about remembering and honoring Hand, many of the drivers are filled with anger and frustration. Hand was the third tow truck driver killed on Tampa Bay roads in 2016. “I think it needs to be enforced more, whether we have troopers behind us on the interstates when we load vehicles,” said Crockett’s Steve Stickley about the Move Over law. Source: wfla.com.

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT!

Knee Boom Underlift for Miller Rotators

Puncture-Resistant Smash Film Access Tools’ Smash Film is a 4-mil material with high-tack adhesive that keeps out rain, dirt and debris. It is puncture resistant for protecting a vehicle’s interior during transportation and storage. The film is easy to apply and remove as the high-tack adhesive leaves behind no residue. The included Smash Film Cutter safely cuts the Smash Film to length once it has been affixed to the vehicle without risking cut marks in the finish.

Caropeningtools.com

1,700 Peak Amps in KwikStart Associated Equipment Corp.’s KS401 Professional Heavy Duty Industrial Jump Start unit features an ergonomic design, heavy-duty impact-resistant case and rubberized base to survive accidental drops. Plastisol-coated steel clamps and 84” cables are replaceable in the field. Other features include: • LED digital display. • Measures vehicle battery state of charge. • Measures alternator output after vehicle start. • Heavy-duty 12V/360CCA AGM battery with 1,700 peak amps of starting power. • 12V DC power port and USB port for rechargeable electronics.

Associatedequip.com

Aussie Rimshine for Wheel Maintenance Aussie Rimshine offers truck wheel maintenance and polishing with minimal downtime. Features include: • Polishes wheels on the vehicle. • Quick and simple to use. • Robust and portable. • All consumables readily available.

Aussierimshine.com 10 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

iller Industries recently released an enhanced rear underlift “Knee Boom” for towing casualty vehicles with its rotators. The Knee Boom is available in a standard Street Low Rider configuration or upgraded Coach Low Rider configuration that offers a 55,000-lbs. towing capacity fully retracted to 83.5”. The Knee Boom reach, with the Coach Low Rider, maxes out at 173” supporting 18,000 lbs. at full extension in the towing position. The Street Low Rider version offers 16” less reach and overhang. The Knee Boom is designed to provide tilt from -23 degrees up to 16 degrees, providing for clearance versatility on extreme downhill or inclined surfaces. The Knee Boom features 35,000-lbs. and 50,000-lbs. drag winch options. “There has been no new product offering from Miller Industries like the introduction for domestic sales of the ‘Knee Boom’ underlift,” said John L. Hawkins, Miller’s VP of Heavy Duty Wrecker Sales. Hawkins said that decades of product knowledge,

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

including input from European partners and the military, “allowed the design team to offer a better lifting arc, reduced interference with the recovery boom, greater tilting capacity, a low profile with the Low Rider underlift, a horizontal lift almost double that of the SDU, and little if any effects to the demands of the recovery boom.” Miller said its Knee Boom has been tested across the globe in both civilian and military applications. The company said the Knee Boom will not only maximize the truck’s ability to tow varying casualty vehicles, but will enhance options for towers to configure their trucks to better serve their geographical area and terrain. The Knee Boom features 45” max horizontal height; at normal towing height, it allows for the recovery boom to be lowered to a 12’-2” travel height with no contact to the elevated Knee Boom. The Knee Boom underlift is available on Century 1135, 1140 rotators, as well as Century 1150 and Vulcan 950 series rotators with standard and RXP configurations.

millerind.com TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 11

Taking Risks to Grow by Don Archer

housands of years ago there were two monkeys who were born minutes apart. They were cousins, similar in many respects—the same size, level of intelligence and, seemingly, the same personality type. As they approached adolescence, however, there became a noticeable difference. While one monkey was cautious and withdrawn, the other was outgoing and took risks. On many occasions, the risk-taking monkey would go out alone to the river to gather dates from a tree. He then tempted fate further by washing the dates in the river, among the numerous crocodiles that lived there. The cautious monkey would not go along on these trips. Although he loved the taste of dates (he’d eaten some from the limited supply close to home), he wanted nothing to do with the river and the crocs. One day while the bolder monkey was splashing around alone and enjoying his dates, a hungry crocodile snatched him up and ate him. The cautious monkey lived to tell the tale as he grew fat during a long boring life. His genes would pass on from generation to generation of cautious monkeys. In psychologist Daniel Kahneman’s book, “Thinking Fast and Slow,” he dives into why the choices we make are guided more by the fear of loss rather than the potential for gain. He explains that as organisms evolved, the ones who placed more urgency on avoiding threats than on maximizing opportunities were more likely to pass on their genes. After all, it’s hard to pass on your genes from the belly of a crocodile. It’s the same with humans, Kahneman says, where those who survived did so mainly due to their loss aversion. Here’s the kicker: Loss avoidance now is ingrained in our DNA and we unconsciously accept the avoidance of 12 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

“Thinking Fast and Slow,” by psychologist Daniel Kahneman, walks readers through the choices they make and how long-term genetics influence their risk aversion.

loss to be of more value than the potential for gain. It’s innate. We’ve developed an instinct to err on the side of caution. Sounds like a good thing doesn’t it? Avoiding loss? But does it reduce our ability to see the bigger picture? What worked for early humans in simple survival, fight or (mostly) flight, might not be the best way to make decisions today.

Fight, or Flight? Take, for example, your road-service work. Most towing company owners would agree that road-service rates are less than desirable. When presented with the true cost of doing business with those providers, most towers would admit that being so close to

break-even isn’t optimal. We continue to work for them reasoning that some dollars are better than none. When presented with the idea that the profitability of providing services to many of the clubs is negligible, we rationalize: “I don’t want the competition to get a foothold,” or “It helps to pay the fuel bill.” Due to our instinctual aversion to loss, we don’t stop to think that, should the competition peel these lowpaying calls from our cold, almost dead fingers, they might find themselves in a less-profitable position … that might just strengthen ours. Maybe they’ll raise their regular rates to subsidize those club rates; maybe our fuel bill won’t be so burdensome without so many lower-paying calls. Of course, motor clubs have their place. They can provide much needed exposure. You can use them to gather good reviews. They can be leveraged to build relationships with repair shops. They may be a good filler between cash calls. Aversion to loss can be good in enhancing decision-making and the thought process, but as an unconscious knee-jerk reaction it can slow your success. As you embark on this new year, think about what you really want. As a business owner, you’re automatically a risk-taker. They say that the bigger the risk, the bigger the pay-off. Is a big pay-off where you’re headed right now? Or is fear of loss keeping you away from the juiciest dates?

Don G. Archer is a multi-published author, educator and speaker helping others to build and start successful towing businesses around the country at TheTowAcademy.com. Don and his wife, Brenda, formerly owned and operated Broadway Wrecker in Jefferson City, Mo. He is the Tow Business Editor for Tow Industry Week; email him direct at don@thetowacademy.com.

Jerr-Dan Teams with Advantage Funding Jerr-Dan Corp. recently launched its Jerr-Dan Financial Solutions program (jerrdan.com/financing) for distributors to provide financing directly to their customers from Jerr-Dan on new and used Jerr-Dan equipment. The company partnered with Advantage Funding, an independent commercial transportation lender, to streamline and consolidate the financing process for Jerr-Dan dealers and customers. “Advantage Funding was the ideal partner to Jerr-Dan in this groundbreaking program,” said Jeff Irr, Senior Director of Sales at Jerr-Dan. “Not only are they familiar with our industry; they understand our customers’ needs.” The partnership is part of JerrDan’s Full Circle Program for dealers that is designed to facilitate business growth and improve customer relations through tailored finance plans. “Our partnership is designed to make financing solutions seamless and flexible to further enhance customer experience,” said Al Damiani, CEO of Advantage Funding. JDFS benefits for customers include: • 100-percent financing with no down payment for qualified buyers. • Multiple competitive interest rates and terms. • Terms ranging from 24-84 months. • 24-hour turnaround on all credit submissions. • Assistance with used-asset disposal. • Financing plans are completely customizable.

motor clubs—not just the major ones,” said Todd Althouse, Beacon’s president. He said the company now supports 15 motor clubs. “Allied Dispatch and Copart have recently been added, plus it includes Canadian motor clubs Road Canada and Allstate Canada. … Continuous upgrade is critical for towing software. It’s not a product where you program it and forget it. Motor clubs continue to revise their software so we need to respond immediately. And even more importantly, we are always making feature improvements to the software

to make life easier and more productive for our towing customers.” “GeoFencing defines the geographical area for the driver and can automatically time stamp arrivals to reduce manual updates and phone calls,” said Michael Haney, Beacon’s national sales director. Beacon’s Dispatch Anywhere Towing Management Software includes two phone apps, one for drivers and one for dispatchers/owners. The dispatcher/owner app restricts drivers from seeing restrictive fields, like pricing or other sensitive data.

Beacon Software Adds Clubs Beacon Software (dispatchanywhere.com) released updates to its Dispatch Anywhere and Tow Magic software to support more motor clubs, GeoFencing and VIN scanning. “We believe that towing software should integrate a majority of the Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 13

Finding Ways to Manage Stress by Randall C. Resch

elcome to a new year; do you feel like you’re ready to meet 2017’s challenges head-on? I’m a bit pressured with deadlines, pending travel and upcoming classes; things in the office are already hectic for my New Year. No matter your daily routine, there are varying levels of stress at home, at work and in personal relationships. The sooner you realize that you’ll never be able to rid yourself of all of life’s stresses, the better. The basic essence of the towing industry is in stress-related activities; that’s without bringing in whatever stress you have going in your personal life. The towing and recovery industry is hard enough to cope with without being overly stressed elsewhere. Through the years, I’ve learned several ways to recognize what causes me stress and appropriate fixes for it. The best way I deal with stress is to accept the simple reality that stress will always find me; accepting that it won’t go away completely helps.

Coping Some people perform well under stress. Not everyone knows how to recognize the signs, symptoms and behaviors associated with stress, but there are ways to manage time, productivity, output and deadlines so not all tasks are stressful. I believe handling stress is directly related to how an individual perceives the world around them and the challenges in the task at hand. There are always ways to conquer obstacles; how you choose to approach and handle them can be the difference between an easy day and a stressful 14 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

After sleep, diet and exercise are the main keys to effectively managing your daily stress allotment.

one. Consider there are three main paths to take: Path 1: Hit that persnickety obstacle head-on—Blam!— and try to go through it. This approach often results in mission failure. Path 2: Climb over the obstacle. The risk is falling, slipping or not making it to the top; again the results often are mission failure. Path 3: Anticipate the problem and recognize it. Approach it slow and calculated, to carefully move around the obstacle while keeping your feet planted firmly—steady as she goes. No damages, no injuries, mission accomplished. When tasks seem extraordinarily tough, it makes sense to find the best path that works for you.

Change Your Mind I trained with an elite militarybased group named, TIER-1 Rubicon, teaching off-road tactics to military

personnel. The outfit trains Special Forces in the ability to operate military vehicles for optimal performance and survivability in a hostile environment. Their company motto is, “If we can’t find a way, we’ll make one.” TIER-1 teaches three basic premises to overcoming obstacles: Accept it, avoid it, alter it. When it comes to dealing with job stress, we can accept, avoid and/or alter our environments, physical encounters and personal interactions for the better. In order to do so, we must train ourselves to recognize our own signs of stress and methods to cope. Consider these: • Laugh. Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain and conflict. Author Tim Hansel wrote in “The Dancin’ Book,” that, “Twohours of belly laughter is equal to two hours of pain-free sleep.” • Let it go. Don’t internalize everything; let some of the world’s pettiness pass.

• Forgive. Forgive yourself when you make mistakes. Nobody’s perfect and mistakes should be learning experiences. • Ignore. You can’t please everyone or be all things to all people—no matter how hard you try. • Prioritize. Highlight what’s important to you, your family and your work. Deadlines and goals should be evaluated as guidelines for setting time restraints. Not everything is critical or urgent. • Breathe. Learn and employ Zenlike or deep-breathing skills, like the “4-6-8” technique (inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for six, then exhale for eight seconds). Focus on each breath and feel a presence of calm. • Talk. When frustrations, disappointments, irritations and sadness are present, talk it out with friends, family and/or supportive co-workers. There’s no reason to lock feelings away. Talking is perhaps one of the best ways to release inner tensions.

Make It Work While levels of stress vary from person to person, one major key in developing peace of mind is personal health. While I understand that towers aren’t prone to good eating habits, reg-

16 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

ular sleep patterns or a consistent exercise routine, each helps your body function at its best. Exercise is the best way to reap the benefits of elevated endorphins, increased blood flow and building a healthy heart. At a recent doctor’s visit, dealing with stress was the topic that paralleled my sleeping troubles. My doctor’s top three tips to combat the sleep disorder were: • Change my sleep routine. Adjusting bed times, changing the sleeping environment and taking naps all could help. • Eat right. Balanced, nutritious meals should include more fish, fruits and vegetables and reduce red meat, sugar and caffeine. • Exercise. Choose a program that works for you and your time schedule. Regular exercise relieves anxiety and makes you tired so sleep might come easier.

Help Yourself We all have limits. When stresses reach overload levels, it’s time to dig deep, step back and re-group. When a balloon gets filled and stretched to the max, it’s dangerously close to exploding. Take some air out and it becomes pliable again and capable of holding more. People under stress react the same way.

Anticipate the problem and recognize it. What is your hobby? Do you have one? If not, consider an activity that takes your mind off work or other stresses. No matter what activity you choose, leisure time should be “me time,” where you make time to be away from the kids, spouse, job, phone, dispatch office and whatever else typically interrupts you. Taking time for yourself allows you to de-stress. (Even just listening to music provides de-stressing.) Ignoring life’s stresses leads towards debilitating behaviors like increased drinking, drug use, outbursts of anger and even suicide. If you’re persistent in taking care of yourself first, you’ll gain success over stress by best understanding your own mental and physical health.

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek.com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

Advantage Adds Chase, Burnett Advantage Funding (advantagefund.com) recently added Todd Chase as sales manager of the company’s Vocational Truck business, specializing in tow-truck financing, and Scott Burnett as regional sales manager to broaden sales in the company’s Class 8, vocational and tow-truck financing business in portions of Florida, Georgia and Alabama. “Todd brings a lifetime of industry experience as an operator, advocate and financer that further enhances the Tow and Vocational Truck team at Advantage Funding,” said Kristian McCausland, head of sales. Chase serves on the Executive Cabinet of the Towing and Recovery Association of America and the board of the Massachusetts Statewide Towing Academy, where he is a trainer. He was VP of the Massachusetts Statewide Towing Association for 16 years. “Scott’s considerable experience in

20 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

leasing and the commercial truck market will benefit customers in both our truck-load and vocational truck segments,” said Carol Dmytriw, national sales manager of the truck division. “As part of my decades-long experience in commercial banking and equipment leasing, I’ve focused for the last seven years on vehicle finance, so I know the market and the industry,” said Burnett.

‘JD Junior’ Introduces Kids to Towing

Jerr-Dan Corp. recently unveiled its new character, “JD Junior,” on the company website (jerrdan.com/jerrdan-junior). The company said JD Junior will introduce children to the world of towing by helping them gain

an understanding of the towing industry at an early age; the character engages with children, specifically those of tow owners and operators. The interactive children’s webpage shows children the challenges their parents and other real-life towers face through activities that include the interactive adventures of JD and his family of trucks, online games, printable coloring pages, matching exercises and fill-in-the-blank stories. JD Junior’s family has been rescuing vehicles for generations. An energetic little tow truck, JD is always trying to help rescue vehicles. Although he’s a little too young and still learning the rules of the road, children will help him get rid of his “training wheels” to become a full-sized tow truck in his family’s business. “We have a rich family history dating back to 1974,” said Jeff Irr, senior director of sales and marketing. “We want to celebrate the people who make our business possible, while inspiring the next generation to carry the torch.”

Cones, Flares in Proper Use by Terry Abejuela

he decision to employ traffic cones and/or road flares to direct approaching traffic around an incident is hazardous; whenever possible, this should be the responsibility of law enforcement, fire department or the state department of transportation. There are situations where the tower is the only one at the scene and an emergency need for traffic control exists. Operators should attend formal training from a qualified source before attempting to place a cone or flare pattern to direct traffic. Improper use of cones and road flares puts you and approaching traffic at risk. The most common color for trafficcontrol cones is orange. Traffic cones should include retroreflective jackets to increase their visibility. Operators must ensure they comply with all laws pertaining to tow trucks carrying and displaying cones or flares. In addition to the laws in your area, there may be requirements to participate in a specific program such as law enforcement rotation towing. The law or a specific program requirement may dictate the size, color, quantity and type to be carried by tow trucks. I recommend at least six stackable orange cones that are 18” to 28” tall with retroreflective jackets. Store cones in an area on the truck that is easily accessible and secure. Keep cones clean and in good condition.

Placing Cones Make cone patterns simple and easy to interpret. Visualize what the approaching motorist will see. The pattern must provide adequate time and distance for the motorist to both 22 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

The most common color for traffic-control cones is orange and they should include retroreflective jackets.

recognize the hazard and react safely. Cone patterns should be long enough for a motorist that is traveling at the speed limit to be able to come to a complete stop before arriving at the incident, even if they don’t see the pattern until they arrive at the first cone. Avoid directing traffic in more than one direction. Some motorists, when required to make a quick decision of which direction to merge, don’t decide until it is too late to safely transition. When placing cones out always face and keep an eye on traffic. Never turn your back to approaching traffic. Traffic cones do not stop vehicles. Stay on the shoulder of the road as much as possible. If you arrive at an incident that is blocking traffic where law enforcement, fire personnel or DOT workers are not on-site to provide traffic con-

trol and no other options are available, you may decide to set up cones. Grab six cones from the non-traffic side of the truck and place one cone on the shoulder near the rear of the truck. Carry the additional five cones and walk down the shoulder approximately 20’ and place the second cone on the shoulder. (The distance between cones may need to be modified depending on the speed of traffic.) Repeat this process until you walk the last 20’ for the last cone. When you are at the location for the last cone, you will be on the shoulder facing traffic approximately 100’ from the rear of the tow truck. Place the last cone in the middle of the shoulder—you don’t want to allow room for a vehicle to drive around the cone on the shoulder.

Flares are available in 15- and 30-minute burns.

You can double flare times by stacking them so the first one ignites the second as the first flare burns out.

Walk the shoulder back towards the truck, watching traffic, until you reach the next cone. Face traffic and place the cone on the white line. Walk down the shoulder towards the truck to the next cone, watch traffic and when clear reach approximately 2’ into the blocked traffic lane, place the cone and immediately return to the shoulder. Walk down the shoulder towards the truck to the next cone, watch traffic and when clear, quickly step out approximately 4’ into the blocked traffic lane and place the fourth cone and immediately return to the shoulder. Walk down the shoulder towards the truck to the next cone, watch traffic and when clear, quickly step out approximately 6’ into the blocked traffic lane and place the fifth cone and immediately return to the shoulder.

Never turn your back to approaching traffic. Walk down the shoulder towards the truck until you reach the last cone at the rear of the truck. Watch traffic and when clear step out quickly and place the sixth cone on the blocked traffic lane line and immediately return to the shoulder. Once the casualty and your truck are removed from the traffic lane and parked in a safer location on the shoulder, you can begin the process of retrieving your cones. Always facing traffic, pick up the cone closest to the open traffic lane and quickly return to the shoulder. Place the cone on the shoulder and walk down the shoulder to the next cone. Watch traffic and when clear pick up the next 24 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Anti-roll protection is an important feature with flares; some will have tabs on the caps for this.

cone and quickly return to the shoulder. Repeat the process until you reach the last cone that is on the shoulder. Keeping an eye to traffic, carry the cone and walk back down the shoulder and to the next cone. Pick up the next cone and repeat the process until you have picked up the last cone.

Road Flares There may be instances where you need a longer pattern than 100’ and you can combine the cones and flares. I recommend that towers carry a combination of at least six traffic cones and at least six 15-minute road flares. Since flares are more compact, you may elect to carry more than six flares; Army surplus ammo boxes work well for carrying approximately 20 to 25 flares. Flares should not be used when there is a fire hazard! Do not use flares when there is leaking fuel, spilled cargo, dry brush on the shoulder or the location is in a high fire hazard area. Do not allow flares to come in contact with objects that may be damaged, such as highway stripes or vehicles. When lighting flares: • Strike the flare down and away from your body. • Turn your face away from the flare as you light it. • Once lit, hold the flare with the lit end towards the ground and away from your body. • Do not breathe the fumes from the lit flare. Practice lighting a flare before the need arises. Most flares are equipped with some type of anti-roll device. Some have a tab on the cap, or a small wire attached to the side. Some flares simply have a hollow portion at the non-burning end that you can pull a portion of the flare cover material out 90 degrees to make a tab.

There are 30-minute flares available, but if you have enough 15-minute flares you can stack them to make a 30minute burn out of two 15-minute flares. Place flares by the same guidelines as for cones, but you don’t need to place any flares on the ground as you walk down the shoulder; go approximately 100’ to where the first flare will be placed in the middle of the shoulder. Once you light the first flare, you can use it to light the second flare and carry the lit flare with you facing down away from your body and pointing in the direction you want traffic to move. Walk on the shoulder towards the truck 20’ and place the second flare in the traffic lane and so on. When an incident is located on the blind side of a hill or curve, start your cone or flare pattern before the crest of the hill or curve. If you need all your cones to protect the incident scene, use one or two flares before the crest of the hill or curve to warn approaching motorist of the hazard ahead. The deployment of cones and flares to direct traffic safely around an incident is best left to trained professionals. Tow truck operators should only attempt to direct traffic with cones and flares when absolutely necessary to protect life Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 30and property and plus years of light-duty towing-andonly after aderecovery experience. He is also a quate training has light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association. been provided.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 25

Navistar Adds Fleetrite Parts Navistar introduced a new line of Fleetrite collision replacement products for a variety of heavy-duty truck applications (navistar.com, fleetrite .com). The all-makes trucks parts line of bumpers, hoods and grilles is designed to provide those of the original equipment manufacturers. The 70-plus Fleetrite collision replacement parts are available for a wide variety of truck models and offer a competitive all-makes selection. Fleetrite provides quality maintenance and repair parts for all major heavy- and medium-duty trucks and is distributed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia through International Truck Dealers and IC Bus Dealers.

26 â&#x20AC;˘ January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Towman of the Year

Gentilquore Works for All Towers

by Brendan Dooley

he very sober statistic, that one tower is killed working the white line on average every six days, is repeated so often you’d think every entity in this industry would be actively working to change it. There are plenty of reactive efforts in the aftermath of towers’ deaths—roadside memorials, GoFundMe pages, tow-truck processionals at the funerals, the Survivor Fund and more—but few proactive efforts like Move Over laws, or awareness efforts like the Spirit Ride. Down in Florida, however, Frank Gentilquore has been working to improve tower safety through local, state and national efforts. You would be hard pressed to find someone more passionate and dedicated to the towmans’ causes for increased safety, professionalism and respect; at the same time it would be difficult to find

Among the many hats that 2017 Towman of the Year Frank Gentilquore wears is Operations Manager at Bald Eagle Towing in Florida. Bald Eagle Towing photos.

28 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

someone more modest and self-effacing about their work (just ask anyone who’s worked with Frank at any level). That is a big part of what makes Gentilquore the 2017 Towman of the Year. That and the fact that no other Towman of the Year ever has been recommended so passionately by so many people. Frank is operations manager at Bald Eagle Towing in Naples, Fla., consultant to Savatech and truck manufacturers, Towing & Recovery Association of America 2nd VP, Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida 4th VP, founding member of the Sunshine State Towing Association (the list goes on). Frank also is a recipient of multiple Crosses of the Order, nominated to the Towman Order by his local police chief for dedication to his community.

Gentilquore helps train the crew at Fryer’s Towing in Daytona Beach, Fla.; he also serves on the TRAA board with Fryer’s owner Len Landeau. Photos taken with Fryer’s truck at Savatech’s headquarters, where Frank is a consultant. Emily Oz photo.

Several years ago, John Borowski III worked with Frank first-hand at Alligator Towing. He was impressed with both his heavy-duty expertise and dedication to safety. “His knowledge is unbelievable … anything with a rotator and heavy work, he is amazing,” Borowski III said. “He’s very safety conscious, and quick on his feet. … “I’ve attended [Traffic Incident Management] meetings with him; he’s got a hand in tower safety, because he’s always concerned with others around him – even outside of towing, that’s just who he is. “He’s amazingly full of towing knowledge, and willing to teach you if you’re willing to listen,” said Borowski III. His father, John Borowski Jr., a former Towman of the Year himself, agreed with the assessment that Frank is always looking out for others. 30 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Gentilquore is a multiple-time recipient of the Order of Towman. AT staff photo.

He’s All Around “He helps Jerr-Dan and Sava and trains for both PWOF and SSTA, he’s a trainer for trainers, plus a VP on TRAA,” said Bald Eagle Towing owner Bud Gruber, who also works with Frank on several association boards. Gruber said Frank designed the towing and tire change kits for Tesla and is on the advisory board there.

They both volunteer with TRAA where Gruber said Frank is instrumental on the education committee, TIM committee, and chairs the membership committee. He helped rewrite the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP II) protocol for implementation by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and is working to have those standards adopted nationwide, he said. The SHRP2 program advances highway safety and is a complement to the national TIM efforts in helping law enforcement, fire departments and towers “get on the same page and speaking the same language,” Frank said, which helps all parties on scene work more efficiently making it safer for all involved, including the motorist. “In a lot of places we’re making headway and the Federal Highway Administration has been a good back-

bone to help us and the more we interact the more they like it and we become more a part of their team,” Frank said. He helped get an FHA rep to the Tow Expo-Dallas in 2016 for a four-hour seminar and Q&A. Gruber said Frank also helped petition the Florida DOT to get four seats for towers on its TIM board, so this industry can have more input on the issues that affect it. This is especially key in light of the fact that three towers were lost in the Tampa area alone along I-75 last year.

Frank’s always watching for legislation and to battle for the towers. “He doesn’t just stop at towing, but helps in cross-training and working with fire and law enforcement,” Gruber said. Borowski Jr. said Frank’s expertise in heavy work and working with other departments were on display as part of the Xtreme Team several years back, a collection of towing and first responder consultants (that included Borowski Jr. and Savatech Executive VP Dave Lander) who did cross-training’s around the country. Lander said Frank is a guiding force behind Sava’s annual cross-training for firefighters and towing as well (see story in March 2016 issue of American Towman). “The Xtreme Team training to work towers with firemen, just like what we do at Sava every year, was to co-mingle and speak the same language,” Frank said. “Communication at a major incident is vital, and showing firefighters what you can do is a plus. … Getting everyone close to being on the same page is to make anything work. The end goal is working safer and more efficiently; it’s safer for the workers and the motoring public. “I want all of the departments that are out there to treat us as equals 32 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

because we’ve always been treated different,” Frank said. “We’re the only ones out there (at accident scenes) not guaranteed to get paid, but we’re still out there. Even in freezing weather like in Wisconsin right now, I know [TRAA president] Jeff Roskopf is out there when the police call. “Towers are out there on every call, every time.” “In addition to his involvement in the Florida [Rapid Incident Scene Clearing] program he has worked with numerous state tow operator associations, law enforcement, and state governments to draft similar RISC-style programs to protect the tow operators and motorists,” Lander said. “He was just invited to attend the National Fire Academy to become an instructor trainer in TIM for the federal government.”

“Nobody goes along with everything.” “He’s always been very instrumental in tow industry [from coast to coast]; he’s known everywhere—and most people even like him,” Gruber said. The ones that don’t probably didn’t want to listen to Frank after asking for his advice, he said. “He works for everyone, and advances towing safety with his knowledge and helps from heavy down to light-duty and service calls.” “All this time and dedication is done from the heart with no compensation and no thanks required in an effort to increase cooperation between agencies in order to help the industry and save lives,” Lander said. “He

gives of himself personally, towman to towman, when his help is needed, with no compensation, thanks or credit expected or required. The industry is a better place because of him.” Perhaps the elder Borowski sums it up best: “Frank is one of the best friends the towing industry has ever had.”

Editor Brendan Dooley joined AT in January 2011 after serving as the editor of two magazines covering the auto repair industry for shop owners, techs and tool distributors. His experience includes hard news on daily newspapers and editorial leadership at vintage motorcycle and car magazines. Brendan is WreckMaster 6/7A certified.

Under the Radar “The reason most people in the industry don’t get to know Frank is he often operates below the industry radar,” or doesn’t accept credit for his work, said Lander. “I have know him for well over 10 years and during that time I have witnessed the countless phone calls, emails and texts, none of which go unanswered.” This sentiment is echoed by Gruber. “In between all the rest of his work, and then he’s still on the phone and still texting,” Gruber said. “I’ve probably ridden 200,000 miles with him to meetings and shows, and his phone never quits. … He will make promises 12 hours straight and I’ve never heard anyone call Frank and tell him, ‘You forgot to do this or that.’ “His memory is unbelievable. He doesn't mess up and he doesn’t forget.” His drive and motivation on behalf of towing professionals everywhere is unquestioned. “He always speaks his heart, and his heart and soul is the tow industry,” said Borowski Jr. “Frank’s always watching for legislation and to battle for the towers.” That’s because there’s always opposition to towing, Frank said. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 33

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Bridgestone Targets SuperTruck II Program Bridgestone Americas (commercial.bridgestone. com/en-us/solutions) announced it will develop innovative new tire technologies aimed at significantly reducing the environmental impact of the more than 3.5 million heavy-duty Class 8 long-haul tractor-trailers on the nation’s roads. Bridgestone will receive federal funding as a team member of the Cummins-Peterbilt SuperTruck II program. The U.S. Department of Energy will match the Bridgestone investment to create prototype tires in all three axle positions. The program will incorporate six different tire technologies, including tire sizing, curing, casing construction, casing compounds, tread patterns and tread compounding. The prototype tires are expected to deliver up to a 6percent improvement in fuel efficiency through a 30-percent decrease in rolling resistance compared to the 2009 baseline product tires, while meeting or exceeding customer expectations in wear and traction. At full implementation of the technology over the Class 8 vehicle population, nearly 3 billion gallons of diesel could potentially be saved per year, corresponding to 30 million metric tons of annual CO2 emissions reduction.

Omadi Teams with BESI Omadi Inc., a custom mobile technology producer of towing software, teamed up with Birdsong’s Environmental Solutions Inc., to help towing companies capitalize on environmental processes and related invoicing techniques with integration through Omadi’s software platform (omadi.com/besi). BESI educates towing companies on how to increase profits while providing a safe and clean environment. The company shows towers how to make more money on most every accident scene with some type of leakage or spillage, whether it’s fuel, oil, gas, antifreeze or even the load itself, it has to be cleaned up and disposed of properly. The Omadi software platform was built to help towing companies take full control of their towing business and allows them to be more efficient by tracking, analyzing, and enhancing their workflow. “We are committed to integrating with all platforms and programs that will provide value to our current and future clients,” said Charles Lukens, Omadi CEO.

Navistar Opens Illinois Facility Navistar (navistar.com) recently opened a Used Truck Reconditioning Center in Melrose Park, Ill., to replace its closed Indianapolis Center. The Melrose Park Reconditioning Center co-locates with the company’s Melrose Park prototype and testing facility. “One of the greatest advantages of a centralized Reconditioning Center is the ability to work hand-in-hand with the on-site Product Engineering and Prototype Team in order to fully understand product durability and use this knowledge to provide the highest level of service to our customers,” said Jeff Heichel, VP of Used Truck Operations. The Reconditioning Center in Melrose Park is fully scalable to meet demands and includes a wash bay, detailing and paint booth, welding room and a parts storage area. Navistar plans to relocate its nearby International Used Truck Sales Center to its Melrose Park facility this year, creating a flagship location that incorporates full range capabilities provided by the new Reconditioning Center.

Pro-Vision Named to ‘Fast 500’ Pro-Vision Video Systems (provisionusa.com) was the only mobile video system manufacturer to be named to the 2016 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 award for the 500 fastest growing technology companies in North America. This award comes after the company recently secured its sixth straight ranking on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest growing private companies. “Being recognized as one of the fastest growing technology companies in North America is an outstanding honor,” said Andrew Beach, Pro-Vision director of sales and service. 36 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Hybrid Nikola One Debuts Nikola Motor Co. (nikola motor.com) unveiled its highly anticipated Nikola One electric semi-truck recently; the truck utilizes a fully electric drivetrain powered by high-density lithium batteries. Energy is supplied on the go by a hydrogen fuel cell giving the Nikola One a range of up to 1,200 miles while delivering upwards of 1,000 hp and 2,000-ft./lbs. of torque. Never has a production model Class 8 truck achieved best-in-class fuel efficiency while also dramatically improving performance over its diesel competition—with zero emissions. The Nikola One leasing program

will include unlimited hydrogen fuel, warranty and scheduled maintenance during a 72-month term. The location of the Nikola Motor manufacturing facility will be deter-

mined in the first half of this year. Nikola plans to begin construction of its hydrogen fueling stations in January 2018 across the U.S. and Canada.

Vanair Adds Engineer Frye Vanair (vanair.com) welcomed Hillary Frye to their engineering department as an Electrical Engineer supporting the company’s new V-TEC (Total Electronic Control) and diagnostic initiatives. Before joining Vanair, she worked in the engineering department of Caddo Connections.

Bendix Marks 1.5M Units The Bendix ADB22X air brake has surpassed 1.5 million units produced; it was launched a little more than 10 years ago (foundationbrakes.com). “The brakes have proven their worth—in terms of performance and return on investment—over many millions of miles on the road,” said Nicole Oreskovic, product line director for air disc brakes at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. Bendix continues to invest in resources to advance, manufacture, and support air disc braking systems, Oreskovic said. In addition to its ongoing investment in production capacity and capabilities to meet demand, over the last two years, the company has doubled the size of its North American-based engineering team, adding employees in research and development, as well as technical support.

38 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 39

Spirit Ride Gains Momentum OMG to Lead Social Media Effort by Steve Calitri

The Spirit Casket registers the risks towers and first responders face, while celebrating the work towers do. The red, white and blue colors at one end symbolize the blood sacrificed, the spirit of the fallen, and the devastating loss to family members.

ver 120 tow companies have signed up to participate in the American Towman Spirit Ride, conceived by B/A Products and American Towman to create public awareness of the Slow Down, Move Over laws. Several industry suppliers have signed on as well as sponsors. B/A Products is the founding sponsor with American Towman. The plan is to transport a custom designed and built, ceremonial casket 40 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

from carrier to carrier across the United States, generating publicity along the way through social media, traditional mass media, and trade media. The “Spirit Casket” honors towers and all first responders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice working the roadways. The goal of creating public awareness of Move-Over laws got a boost with OMG National signing on as a Platinum sponsor and donating their services to the social media campaign.

OMG handles social media for some 300 towers nationwide. Thousands of viewers know OMG as the technical producer of American Towman TV. OMG will also be donating technical services to push video captured of the Ride across the country through social media and American Towman TV, as well as distribution to news outlets. American Towman’s Emily Oz will be creating feature stories of the Ride and its participants. Tow Industry Week will provide daily coverage.

The project is ambitious and challenging. Some advisers to the Ride pushed for a plan that had fewer logistical parts, one official Spirit car carrier, perhaps even one driver; that plan waits in the wings as towers continue to sign up to relay the ceremonial casket. For the plan to have over 100 towers transporting the casket, the Spirit Ride is requiring proof of basic qualifications from those who have signed on. As of this issue going to print, AT’s office has begun receiving these documents; proof of insurance and pictures of trucks and drivers. We have approached the issue of financial assistance for this project by devising a sponsorship program. Beside the costs of the custom built ceremonial casket, there will be a promotional campaign through social media and traditional media, plus the costs of managing the coordination of the ride, and orchestrating ceremonies along the way that draws in police, fire and EMT departments along with local media. American Towman and B/A Products are donating money and manhours to the project. The first gold sponsor in was Utility Trailer Sales of Southeast Texas. Nam Knights of America has come aboard as a sponsor. Nam Knights is both a Motorcycle and US Military and Law Enforcement Club. Sponsors may sign on at ATSpiritRide.com. The Spirit Ride has targeted the Spring of this year to launch. The Spirit Casket design has continued to evolve, paying homage to towers and first responders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice working the roadways. Construction on the casket begins this month. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Artistic depictions of the risk towers take working alongside traffic will be painted on the sides of the Spirit Casket.

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 41

Texas Hill

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Country Recovery Texas company recovers a rolled tri-axle dump truck

Two of Tavo’s heavies arrive on scene.

ustavo “Tavo” Jimenez Jr. established Tavo’s Automotive in Crystal City, Texas, in 1974. Before he died in 2007, he passed the business on to his son Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez III, who began concentrating on the heavy-duty towing and recovery work once he took over operations. All of Tavo’s operators are TDLR licensed and WreckMaster certified. They continually train to keep up with the latest equipment and safety procedures. The company currently has yards in Carrizo Springs, Uvalde and Eagle Pass, primarily serving the southwest Texas region. At 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Tavo’s received a call by a local gravel company to recover a 2004 Mack tri-axle dump truck that rolled over north of Uvalde; Tavo said it was just over 50 miles from the shop.

42 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Getting in position.

Tavo’s dispatched two Century 50ton heavy recovery units. Operator Jesus Mata was in Unit 227, a 2007 International/Century 9055 and operator Rene Jimenez was in Unit 307, a 2007 Peterbilt/Century 9055 50-ton. Tavo was on scene as safety supervisor for their emergency response team, which included heavy-duty riggers Gilbert Lopez and Gus Saucedo.

The dump was found on its passenger side 25-feet down an embankment with a 30-degree decline.

Tavo’s team arrived on the hill country ranch road at 3 p.m. and waited for an escort to the recovery location. They were on scene at the gravel truck by 3:45 p.m. “The gravel company dump truck, loaded with dirt and gravel, was traveling off road down a hill country, narrow, steep, winding ranch road and slipped off the road,” Tavo said. “The dump was found on its passenger side 25-feet down an embankment with a 30-degree decline.” Tavo’s team analyzed the scene and got their heavies in position and rigged the dump truck so they could first roll it back up onto its wheels. “Unit 227 was used to winch on the steering axle and Unit 307 was used to winch on the bed of dump truck, Tavo said. “It was rolled onto its wheels at 4:45 p.m.” At 5 p.m., Tavo’s team rigged up to

Unit 227 (Century 9055) winching the front-end of the dump onto the road and Unit 307 (Century 9055 50-ton) slingshots the rear of the dump onto the road. Unit 227 winched the dump forward; Unit 307 kept the truck from rolling.

start winching the dump out of the embankment. Unit 227 was used to winch the dump forward and Unit 307 was used to keep the truck from rolling further down the embankment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the dump was winched closer to the ranch road, Unit 227 moved further down the ranch road allowing Unit 307 to go down the ranch road to make 44 â&#x20AC;˘ January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

a turn around,” Tavo said. “Unit 227 then reversed uphill; now with units facing in the opposite directions they positioned to complete the dump truck recovery onto the road.” Tavo’s team proceeded by winching the front end of the dump onto the asphalt with Unit 227 and used Unit 307 to sling-shot the rear of the dump onto the ranch road. The dump truck was towed by Unit 227, and headed back down the ranch road to make a turn around. Tavo’s team then headed out of the recovery location. “Before getting on Texas Highway 55, our team checked for any loose or broken items on the dump truck. Once secured we proceeded to the gravel company yard, in Crystal City, arriving at 9:10 p.m. Our units were back in service at 9:30p.m.,” Tavo said.

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

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

The heavies did a sling-shot of the dump facing opposite directions.

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 45

800-732-3869 ext. 214 Registration ext. 220 Exhibit Sales

SelecTrucks Walk-Away Lease Daimler ’s SelecTrucks (selectrucks.com) has reintroduced SelectLease, its manufacturer-backed fair-market-value leasing program. Benefits include attractive monthly payments, zero to low down payment options, flexible lease terms ranging from 24 to 36 months, reduced ownership risk, and 60-Day Buyer’s Assurance included at no extra cost. Freightliner trucks leased through the program are eligible for select limited warranty up to 48 months or 400,000 miles. The warranty includes zero deductible on standard truck service at Freightliner dealerships nationwide. SelectLease enables fleet customers to “walk away” in as little as 24 months with no end-of-lease residual requirements (beyond return condi-

tions and standard mileage allowances). The program is backed by Daimler Truck Financial. SelecTrucks inventory includes specialty, mediumand heavy-duty trucks, including day cabs and sleeper cabs.

Chevy LCF Benefits Bottom Line Harmony Outdoor Power Equipment in Auburn, Ind., is the first small business to take delivery of the new Chevrolet Low Cab Forward truck (chevrolet.com/lcf). Owner Don Harter chose a diesel powertrain to pull a custom-designed bed with a ramp. The business uses the truck nearly every day to deliver heavy outdoor equipment to customers. “My drivers love how this truck maneuvers like a car and they also appreciate the quiet ride in the cab,” said Harter. “We are already seeing

We are already seeing significantly improved fuel economy. significantly improved fuel economy.” More than 250 Chevrolet dealerships across the country sell and service the Low Cab Forward trucks. “We support our customers throughout the life cycle of the vehicle with a dedicated team of 42 product specialists at our Fleet Action Center,” said John Schwegman, director of commercial product, General Motors Fleet. “They are consultants and problem-solvers focused exclusively on small-business owners and fleet managers.”

Navistar Wins Analytics Award Navistar (navistar.com) recently announced that it is honored to be among the winners of the first-ever Analytics 50 Awards, a program sponsored by Drexel University and CIO.com to honor 50 companies using analytics to solve business challenges “We are committed to providing our customers with the best trucks and buses in the industry and as such, we employ comprehensive data analysis to help our customers optimize their fleet maintenance and uptime,” said Phil Christman, senior VP of Joint Strategic Operations and Planning, Navistar. To be nominated for the award, Navistar described how it came up with an analytics-based solution to address a current business challenge. The Analytics team has developed algorithms to predict the lifetime failure rate and sets alerts on future risk, instead of focusing on historical experience, which means they are helping fleet managers to detect problems and prepare accordingly.

48 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 49

Parts Catalog with VMRS TRP unveiled its new all-makes parts catalog on TRPParts.com that offers a more efficient online parts experience and uses Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards codes as a navigation tool to search for parts. With more than 37,000 parts for heavy-duty trucks, trailers, buses and engines, users can go to the new catalog and quickly identify commercial vehicle parts by the system involved in the repair being made. VMRS codes help fleets quickly incorporate all-makes part numbers for their service maintenance and repair system reporting. Additional capabilities on TRPParts.com include searching by keyword, TRP part number or competitor part number; accessing an authorized TRP-retail locator; and special promotions for customers to save on the quality parts they need. The TRP parts online catalog is available in English, French and Spanish, and is tailored to consumer markets in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Kenworth Relocates Oklahoma Dealership MHC Kenworth relocated its full-service dealership in Ardmore, Okla., to a newly constructed 51,000-sq./ft. facility near I-35. Located on an 11-acre lot, Ardmore’s parking lot can now accommodate nearly 60 trucks and provides drivers with more room to maneuver and park. The new facility features a 22-bay service shop, which includes an FSX two-stage DPF cleaner, a Hunter alignment machine, and a dedicated CNG/LNG service bay. The new facility’s parts department is nearly twice the size, and the parts warehouse offers triple the amount of parts space. The new dealership is environmentally friendly with LED lighting, motion sensors, and geothermal heating and air conditioning to heat and cool the building and save energy.

VSG Acquires Ravaglioli Group Vehicle Service Group, part of Dover Corp.’s Engineered Systems segment, recently acquired the Ravaglioli S.p.A. Group of Bologna, Italy, a manufacturer of lifts, wheel-service equipment and diagnostic equipment for cars, trucks, commercial vehicles and motorbikes (vsgdover.com, ravaglioli.com). The acquisition allows VSG to expand its product portfolio with wheel and tire service and diagnostics equipment. VSG comprises nine vehicle lifting and collision repair brands: Rotary Lift, Chief, Forward, DirectLift, Hanmecson, Revolution, Elektron, Blitz and Nogra. “Ravaglioli’s leading products and history of innovation will allow us to significantly expand our capabilities, reach and product portfolio,” said Niclas Ytterdahl, VSG president. 50 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Repos, Tows Aren’t the Same

by Mark Lacek

Ashleigh Best was killed when she crashed her SUV while being chased by a repo agent in Utah last May. News4jax.com image.

t is not just another tow. It is a repossession … that’s a big difference. Those of you in the towing business considering diversifying into the business of repossessing automobiles must heed these words. There are aspects to the repossession business that are drastically different from simply towing a car. If you don’t take the time to learn the repossession business, you could find yourself involved in a lifethreatening situation without the knowledge of what to do next. This is definitely a situation you don’t want to be in. First, and most important to you, you could become dead … not a good thing. Second, failure to train your employees could cause them to become dead … also not a good thing. Third, your failure to train your employees on the policies and procedures in repossessing an automobile could land you on the wrong side of a lawsuit. Many believe the term wrongful repossession means repossessing the 52 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

wrong car. This cannot be further from the truth. A wrongful repossession lawsuit is about the unlawful acts of a repossessor, civil or criminal. In the last couple of years, I have been called as an expert witness in more than a dozen court cases involving repossessions. The job of an expert witness is to read the depositions of everyone involved in the incident and then provide a written report to the law firm that hired you. Sometimes I am called by opposing council for deposition and/or to provide courtroom testimony in front of a jury. Most of the time, my reports show either a failure of the repossessor to obey the existing federal breach of peace laws or an employer not implementing training or certification. For example, a repossessor sees the wanted automobile parked in a driveway. The repossessor positions his tow truck and backs up into the driveway and lifts the car. Just as he is about to leave, the registered owner comes out

of the house and runs up to the door of the tow truck and tells the driver to drop the car and get off of his property. The repossessor disregards the demands of the bank’s customer and takes off, leaving the customer shouting. There was no injury or shots fired; the customer demanded the driver drop the car who instead removed the car and left. This is a wrongful repossession and the repo or tow company will, in most cases, be found guilty in a wrongful repossession lawsuit. In another scenario, the repossessor drives past the house and sees the car in the driveway, but the female customer spots the repossessor driving past her residence. In her attempt to foil the repossession, she runs to her car and drives away. The repossessor sees her and gives chase. As the customer drives faster to elude the repossessor, so too does the repossessor. During the chase, she loses control of the automobile and runs into a tree, and the impact kills her.

Unfortunately, this scenario comes straight from the daily news: In May of 2016, Kenneth Drew, of Pleasant Grove, Utah, recently pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in the death of Ashleigh Best, a 35-year-old mother. Drew was not trained or certified to conduct repossession activity and made a terrible decision to chase Best through the neighborhood until the chase ended in her death. Chances are, Drew will spend many years locked up in jail. The company he worked for will undoubtedly pay out damages in the millions of dollars. I served as an expert witness on two cases that involved the death of the debtor. In both of the cases, the repossessor and tow company were found to be negligent by not obtaining proper certification and training. Repossession litigation doesn’t have to involve a death to go to trial. Many cases I have worked involved just minor injury. In all of my assignments, there was big money paid to the plaintiffs because of wrongful repossessions.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Here I offer you, the tow company owner or employee, my expert opinion at no cost: Take the time to train your employees. If you are an employee, tell your boss you would respect him more if you received certification training. I began sharing my thoughts and opinions with you in this column four years ago. Many of my articles are about safety, training and certification. Pull out all of your past issues of “American Towman” magazine and read, and re-read, what I’ve shared about safety and training. If you don’t know where to go for training or certification, call me or check out riscus.com. I understand there are similarities between towing and repossession, but understanding the differences could save your life or someone else’s.

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

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - January 2017 • 55

Tavo’s ‘Workhorse’

Tech Highlights Name: “Workhorse.” Chassis: 2007 Kenworth T300 single axle. Wrecker: Jerr-Dan 25-ton. Engine: ISC Cummins 260 hp. Trans: Eaton Fuller 10-speed. Winches: Two DP 25-ton planetary. Paint: Rick Gallegos, Crystal City Motors.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

a risk and invested the rest of our money as a down payment for the 2007 Kenworth T300.” At first, they didn’t get much work for the Kenworth/Jerr-Dan (Unit 107) they’ve dubbed “Workhorse.” “Fortunately, word about us having a heavy-duty unit spread quickly and companies started calling for more work than we could handle,” Tavo III said. By January 2012, they’d added a 2008 Kenworth tandem-axle Jerr-Dan 25-ton tandem and a 2007 Peterbilt tri-axle Century 50-ton. An ISC Cummins 260-hp engine mated to an Eaton Fuller 10-speed transmission powers Workhorse. The wrecker features two DP 25-ton planetary winches.

ack in 1968, Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez Sr. operated Jimenez Garage with four of his sons. Tavo’s reputation rapidly grew because of his willingness to help anyone, anywhere, anytime. His customer base grew and so did the business. His son Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez Jr. established Tavo’s Automotive in 1974 in Crystal City, Texas, as a repair shop with towing services before passing the business to his son Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez III. In 2007, Tavo III took over operation; in January 2011, after being a light-duty towing company for 27

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years, Tavo’s Automotive made the decision to jump into the heavy-duty towing arena. “We cover four counties in the southwest Texas region, which is larger than some of the smaller states in the U.S.,” Tavo III said. “We are truly blessed to have established good working relationships with most companies and have several companies we assist in heavy-duty recoveries. On the light-duty side, we sometimes sub out work to other companies that are closer to our customer providing a better ETA.” “We now have four rollbacks, a 12-

“Rick Gallegos of Crystal City Motors (our sister company) did the paint job and it took two days to complete. All of our fleet features white trucks with red fenders. The color red serves as a reminder of the blood shed by our Lord Jesus Christ. That is what inspired the paint job.” Tavo III admits they’ve probably taxed Workhorse to its limits on a few jobs. “It has tested our creativity and strategies when rigging up to get the job done. Unit 107 is so versatile; it allows us into locations our larger trucks wouldn’t be able to get into. It allows us to position perpendicular for recoveries on small caliche roads used by the oil field industry to access well pads. “This truck is the workhorse of the fleet,” Tavo said. “Although, we now have bigger recovery equipment, we could not have gotten to where we are today if it wasn’t for this truck.”

ton wrecker on our light-duty side and four heavy-duty wreckers which include our most recent addition, a 2017 Peterbilt tri-axle Century 9055 50ton,” said Tavo III. Featured here, though, is the company’s first heavy, a 2007 Kenworth T300 single-axle JerrDan 25-ton unit that Tavo III said they found with 30,000 miles on it. “After operating our transport business in the red for most of 2010 plus being hit with rising fuel prices, we decided to sell our transport equipment,” he said. “We managed to pay off past due balances with our fuel company and other vendors. We took Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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Take Home Pie

owers who attended the American Towman Exposition on Sunday, Nov. 20, went back home with more than a bellyful of their favorite pie; many took back an idea to help build customer loyalty. Sunday Pie at AT Expo was a big hit with attendees and exhibitors alike. There’s nothing like pie washed down with hot coffee. It’s not only the sugar rush of the moment … in this case picking up the energy and spirits of the people on the exhibit floor in the final hour of the show. It’s much more than that, indeed a connection to the past; pie dates back to ancient Egypt and came to American shores with the first settlers. One is hard pressed to find a holiday celebration without pie on the table. It’s quite versatile, baked for the main course or dessert, filled with meat or fruit or something sinful, like chocolate cream. This was the second year of Sunday Pie in Baltimore and there are greater plans for Sunday Pie next year. Pie not only tastes good, it is warm and friendly. Pie brings smiles. There were tow bosses who took the pie back home in the form of an idea. Send out an invitation to customers to come to the shop to pick up a pie for the holidays. Maybe the invite goes out to the key contacts at commercial accounts, maybe to individual motoring customers, certainly to the police and fire chief or their departments. Order the pies from the best baker in the area. Allow your customers to RSVP and check off which pie they prefer. Determine how much in dollars can be afforded. One hundred pies to the top accounts may cost

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by Steve Calitri

$2,000. Five hundred pies will cost $10,000. Don’t just consider the good will being generated this year, but think long term. Think about creating a tradition whereby your valued customers are looking forward to ordering and picking up their favorite pie from your shop this time every year. You’ve heard the saying that the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, the same goes with one’s customers. Win their hearts and you’ll keep their business. Throughout the year every time they eat a slice of pie they will think of your place, you and their favorite pie. Now I hope that the show participants in Baltimore will think of American Towman whenever they have pie. I know the pie in Baltimore was pretty good. That it was free made it taste all the better. Certainly I know the remembrance of pie will play on their consideration to return to AT Expo in Baltimore this November. I want everyone to know that the reason for the pie is not as calculating as this all may sound. The fact is, I love presiding over a feast, and I love pie myself. I love blueberry pie, apple pie, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cherry pie, lemon pie, chocolate pie, all of which we served in Baltimore. I scooted around the show asking people how they liked the pie. I got a lot of smiles and thumbs up. I felt good. I hope no one held it against us if they tipped the scales the next morning.

TowIndustryWeek.com is looking forward to daily coverage of the Spirit Ride across America to promote the Move-Over laws. As towers relay the casket from city to city TIW will share video coverage of the action and relay comments from towers on the scene. American Towman TV will also be doing features of the ceremonies taking place along the Ride's route and the towers involved. American Towman Magazine will feature select stories as well with a big-picture perspective of the ride and how it is developing, and how it has fared generating mass media and social media coverage. There will be many stories behind the Ride. It will be an exciting moment for the towing industry and a great opportunity to make a difference in the motoring public's awareness of the risks first responders take when working the roadways. To be involved go to: ATSpiritRide.com.

Woman Hit by Truck to Receive $3 Million A jury has decided the City of Buffalo, N.Y., should pay $3 million to a woman who suffered serious spinal injuries when a police department tow truck ran a traffic light and triggered a crash downtown. Brigette Brzezniak, of Cheektowaga, was 24 at the time and a passenger in a Ford Escape when it collided with the tow truck in 2013, according to her lawyer. The city intends to appeal. Brzezniak's twin sister, Kristen, was driving the Escape, and she also injured her spine. She has her own lawsuit, which is scheduled to go to trial in State Supreme Court in 2017, Scinta said. The autos crashed as the towman returned to the city's police garage for his lunch break on April 22, 2013. He failed to stop at a blinking red light, according to the written explanation he gave his employer. The Brzezniak vehicle slammed into the truck's passenger side. Lawyers for Brigette Brzezniak explained in the lawsuit that she suffered cervical and lumbar injuries, and they presented a surgeon who testified about the lumbar fusion procedure she underwent. Source: newyorkupstate.com.

Companies Must Operate 24/7 The Charleston (S.C.) City Council recently decided it isn’t fair for local towing services to tow a vehicle during business hours, and then shut down for the evening or the entire weekend without a way for drivers to retrieve their impounded vehicles. A recently approved rule change requires tow companies to be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. If a towing company doesn’t Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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comply with the new rule, the city could fine the company up to $1,092. “If you’re parking illegally on somebody’s private property, towing is fine, but then to hold your car captive for three days and charge you a fee for it, seemed to us to be excessive,” said City Councilman Mike Seekings. “It’s not just the car. It’s also, who knows what is in that car, medicine?” Turky’s Towing and Jenning’s Towing, two of the largest towing businesses in Charleston, already operate around the clock. “These businesses make a lot of money off of non-consensual towing. They don’t want to lose their license to do business in the city,” Seekings said. “Hanging on to someone’s car for three days is not a good and fair business practice.” Source: postandcourier.com.

TowWeek.com

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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CopyrightÂŠ2017 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

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

to the written explanation he gave his employer. The Brzezniak vehicle slammed into the truck's passenger side. Lawyers for Brigette Brzezniak explained in the lawsuit that she suffered cervical and lumbar injuries, and they presented a surgeon who testified about the lumbar fusion procedure she underwent. Source: newyorkupstate.com.

If a towing company doesn’t comply with the new rule, the city could fine the company up to $1,092. “If you’re parking illegally on somebody’s private property, towing is fine, but then to hold your car captive for three days and charge you a fee for it, seemed to us to be excessive,” said City Councilman Mike Seekings. “It’s not just the car. It’s also, who knows what is in that car, medicine?” Turky’s Towing and Jenning’s Towing, two of the largest towing businesses in Charleston, already operate around the clock. “These businesses make a lot of money off of non-consensual towing. They don’t want to lose their license to do business in the city,” Seekings said. “Hanging on to someone’s car for three days is not a good and fair business practice.” Source: postandcourier.com.

Donated Tow on Thanksgiving A stranded driver in Indiana got a Thanksgiving surprise that created a memorable meal and a lesson for two Indiana State Police troopers. Trooper Daniel Criswell is training Ty Mays. For three months, no lesson stood out until the pair pulled over on I-70 the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. “I don’t know why this guy stuck out so much,” Criswell said. “I think because it was a holiday, and I truly felt like he didn’t have anybody—he really didn’t.” The two approached a driver in a disabled van near the airport. “He was very humble, very kind,” Mays said. “It’s one of those people that you just feel for. You had that feeling that he was just great man in a bad spot.” The troopers moved his vehicle to the shoulder, got him something to eat and left. But the kind deeds didn’t end Wednesday. Criswell went back to I-70 on Thanksgiving Day and found Daniel Breaux asleep. “You always want to err on caution on who you deal with,” SOUTH 60 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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Criswell said. “I had a pretty good feel for this guy, and I was just going to go with my instincts.” He decided to pay for parts and fix the van at his house. The problem: finding a tow company to move it. Enter D&D Auto and Towing. “Sometimes it’s not about making money, it’s about helping people, and that’s what we like to do,” said D&D Auto and Towing co-owner Nickolas Davis. The company not only moved the van on a holiday, but didn’t ask for money. “The guys that deserve the credit are the troopers, the ones that really started this chain of events,” Davis said. As Criswell’s family worked on the van, they invited Breaux to dinner. But the van’s problems were worse than they expected. That’s when Criswell’s brother stepped in. “He offered to give him a truck he didn’t use, and that kind of caught everyone by surprise,” the trooper explained. A chance encounter that not only gave a stranded driver a way home,

but a lesson this trooper hopes will show his trainee what it means to be an Indiana State Police trooper. You may not know that it’s going to happen, but at the end it kind just plays out,” Criswell said. Source: wishtv.com.

Predatory Tow Bill Passes The Philadelphia (Pa.) City Council recently passed a bill, 15-1, in an effort to stop “predatory towing” practices in the city, according to reports. Tow companies now have to summon police or the Philadelphia Parking Authority to issue a ticket before hauling cars away. Towers say the bill is unfair and punishes all towers, instead of operators engaging in predatory schemes. “How could those who do parking lot and driveway enforcement be predatory, when it’s the property owner, or the management company, who is calling us to tow these vehicles?,” asked Lew Blum of Lew Blum Towing. The big question that remains is how the city will enforce the new rule

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in 30 days. Towmen said that they’re not sure how long it will take police to issue tickets or who even to call. Source: phillyvoice.com.

Driverless Cars Towing at Plant Nissan Motor Co. is testing selfdriving cars at one of its plants in Japan that can tow vehicles on a trailer to the wharf for loading on transport ships. The Japanese automaker thinks the technology will, in the long run, save costs and boost efficiency. The tests also can add to knowledge needed to take such autonomous driving onto public roads. Nissan executive Haruhiko Yoshimura said the automaker hoped to use the technology throughout the Oppama plant by 2019, and in overseas plants in the future. Source: phys.org.

Four Miss. Tow Companies Suspended After Oxford, Miss., received several complaints from individuals and insurance companies about being overcharged by area tow companies, police conducted an audit of the five towing companies contracted with the city to provide tow services for wrecks and illegal parking. OPD reviewed 10 random wreck reports and the invoices associated with the towing costs. Several discrepancies and overcharges were found from four of the five companies. OPD Chief Joey East suspended the contracts for Marquis Towing, Caines Auto Body & Towing Services, Chandler Towing and Sheldon’s Roadside Towing. The suspension was scheduled for this month. The suspension only affects their rotation calls; the companies can still operate as usual otherwise. Some of the issues included overcharging for cleanup, charging more days for storage than the vehicle was actually at the towing company, unknown charges and questionable legal fees. The owners of Marquis Towing and Caines Auto Body & Towing Ser-

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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vice attended the Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting to appeal the suspension. Caines’ owner, Patrick Caine, and his representative, Tara Scruggs, admitted there was a miscalculation of days on one of the reports, but that the legal fees they charged one insurance company was valid because the car owner never picked up the car. Larry Marquis, owner of Marquis Towing, said his computer software makes it look like someone is charged an extra day when they aren’t. “The insurance companies call us and tell us about how long they expect the car to be here and pay us for those days,” he said. “If the car is here longer or for a shorter time, we have to go in and manually change it.” Mayor Pat Patterson said his office has received too many complaints for it to be just an oversight from the towing companies. “If you’re on rotation, we don’t want these folks overcharged,” Patterson said. “It’s as simple as that.” Source: oxfordeagle.com.

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The problem: finding a tow company to move it. The troopers moved his vehicle to the shoulder, got him something to eat and left. But the kind deeds didn’t end Wednesday. Criswell went back to I-70 on Thanksgiving Day and found Daniel Breaux asleep. “You always want to err on caution on who you deal with,” Criswell said. “I had a pretty good feel for this guy, and I was just going to go with my instincts.” He decided to pay for parts and fix the van at his house. The problem: finding a tow company to move it. Enter D&D Auto and Towing. “Sometimes it’s not about making money, it’s about helping people, and that’s what we like to do,” said D&D Auto and Towing co-owner Nickolas Davis. The company not only moved

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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the van on a holiday, but didn’t ask for money. “The guys that deserve the credit are the troopers, the ones that really started this chain of events,” Davis said. As Criswell’s family worked on the van, they invited Breaux to dinner. But the van’s problems were worse than they expected. That’s when Criswell’s brother stepped in. “He offered to give him a truck he didn’t use, and that kind of caught everyone by surprise,” the trooper explained. A chance encounter that not only gave a stranded driver a way home, but a lesson this trooper hopes will show his trainee what it means to be an Indiana State Police trooper. You may not know that it’s going to happen, but at the end it kind just plays out,” Criswell said. Source: wishtv.com.

Predatory Tow Bill Passes The Philadelphia (Pa.) City Council recently passed a bill, 15-1, in an

effort to stop “predatory towing” practices in the city, according to reports. Tow companies now have to summon police or the Philadelphia Parking Authority to issue a ticket before hauling cars away. Towers say the bill is unfair and punishes all towers, instead of operators engaging in predatory schemes. “How could those who do parking lot and driveway enforcement be predatory, when it’s the property owner, or the management company, who is calling us to tow these vehicles?,” asked Lew Blum of Lew Blum Towing. The big question that remains is how the city will enforce the new rule in 30 days. Towmen said that they’re not sure how long it will take police to issue tickets or who even to call. Source: phillyvoice.com.

Four Miss. Tow Companies Suspended After Oxford, Miss., received several complaints from individuals and insurance companies about being

MIDWEST 62 • January 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

overcharged by area tow companies, police conducted an audit of the five towing companies contracted with the city to provide tow services for wrecks and illegal parking.

If you’re on rotation, we don’t want these folks overcharged OPD reviewed 10 random wreck reports and the invoices associated with the towing costs. Several discrepancies and overcharges were found from four of the five companies. OPD Chief Joey East suspended the contracts for Marquis Towing, Caines Auto Body & Towing Services, Chandler Towing and Sheldon’s Roadside Towing. The suspension was scheduled for this month. The suspension only affects their rotation calls; the companies can still operate as usual otherwise.

Some of the issues included overcharging for cleanup, charging more days for storage than the vehicle was actually at the towing company, unknown charges and questionable legal fees. The owners of Marquis Towing and Caines Auto Body & Towing Service attended the Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting to appeal the suspension. Caines’ owner, Patrick Caine, and his representative, Tara Scruggs, admitted there was a miscalculation of days on one of the reports, but that the legal fees they charged one insurance company was valid because the car owner never picked up the car. Larry Marquis, owner of Marquis Towing, said his computer software makes it look like someone is charged an extra day when they aren’t. “The insurance companies call us and tell us about how long they expect the car to be here and pay us for those days,” he said. “If the car is here longer or for a shorter time, we have to go in and manually change it.”

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Mayor Pat Patterson said his office has received too many complaints for it to be just an oversight from the towing companies. “If you’re on rotation, we don’t want these folks overcharged,” Patterson said. “It’s as simple as that.” Source: oxfordeagle.com.

Scam Returns

Scammers targeted Island Towing’s Timothy Teixeira in Maui, Hawaii, recently by text message. Island Towing photo.

American Towman reader Timothy Teixeira, owner of Island Towing in Maui, Hawaii, warns that the overpayment scam is back … by text. Tim said he wanted to give the industry a warning on this one before anyone falls for it. Following are excerpts from his text exchange with

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the hopeful swindler: “Hello I am Michael Brown do you do towing service and also do you take credit cards?” “Yes I do towing and yes I take credit cards.” “Okay can you help me tow some cars which I am sending in from Texas to Kahului Airport and you as a towing company, I just need you to help me pick up those cars from the airport to your station and store them for 3 days minor fault hence til I come for the pick up on the 3rd day. Will you be able to handle the job perfectly for me so that I can make a deposit with my credit card now? … “Okay they are 7 Toyota Camry 2012.. Please get back to me with the total for the towing and 3 days storage.” Tim responded with an estimate and then came the problem. “Ok I will also need a favor from you? … Okay the problem is that I haven’t balanced the shipper who will be shipping the cars to the airport because he doesn’t accept credit cards. So now I want you to charge my credit card for the total amount and another $1,500 so that when funds get into your account, you can deduct the $1,500 and have it sent to the shipper so that he can move the cars as soon as possible. And I am giving you a $100 tip to set up everything for me.” Tim wasn’t born yesterday, though. “Just fax me a photo ID and credit card and we’ll get this job on the way.” “I don’t have a fax, can I just txt you all the credit card information so that you can write it down and do it manually? Then when funds are available we can move forward.” “Go to Kinko’s.” “What is Kinko’s, I don’t understand? Can you do the job for me?” Tim responded that he wouldn’t do anything without a photo copy of the credit card and picture ID. That’s when the texts stopped. As always, stay vigilant.

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