American Towman Magazine - February 2017

ADVANCE REGISTER @ ATSHOWPLACE.COM

Enjoy your coffee at TowIndustryWeek.com

Beautiful trucks, hundreds of vendors and wandering entertainers filled all the halls of the Baltimore Convention Center during the 2016 American Towman Expo.

FEATURE CONTENTS

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Legalized Marijuana and Your Business As recreational and medicinal pot use increases, what steps do you need to take with employee policies?

By Randall C. Resch

28

Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Tow Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Towing’s Troubadour For Mike Corbin, the road called from towers on the white line and he salutes them in song.

by Steve Calitri

Events .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

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AT Expo Recap Check out all the action from the record-setting 2016 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore.

AT Expo: Greatest Show of All Time!

by Dennie Ortiz

First On The Scene!

Even as we move forward into 2017, we can still look back at the 2016 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore last November. We have dedicated many pages in this issue to provide an in-depth look at why this trade show has become the largest Expo in the towing and recovery industry.

of work and effort (not to mention the heart and soul) that is poured into making these trucks some of the most beautiful in the world. That is not an overstatement.

The Expo not only highlights the unique equipment of our industry, but strongly supports the people that make our industry great. A main aspect of this profession is helping motorists on the roadways, and there are times when tow operators have

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 Emily Oz Mark Lacek

Field Editor, Northeast Field Editor, Midwest Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run Editor

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

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn.

Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass.

Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

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

Towers turned out by the thousands to truly make the 2016 AT Expo the "Greatest Show of All Time."

This past fall brought warm temperatures and thousands of towers to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for the AT Expo. This is the first time in the Exposition’s history that the trade show encompassed the entire Baltimore Convention Center. It was very cool to be able to walk miles inside the exhibit halls and see nothing but tow trucks.

In fact, 2016 featured one of our largest wrecker pageants. Take a look in the Expo Recap section where we have showcased the winners that competed in various individual classes. It is truly amazing the level 6 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

been in a position to save someone’s life. Through the Towman Medal, awarded each year in Baltimore during Festival Night, American Towman recognizes towers for their heroic deeds. Be sure to read through the stories of this year’s Towman Hero Medal, Commendation and Silver Star recipients to be awed by their brave efforts.

Thank you to our readers that were able to join us at the AT Expo, and we look forward to seeing you during Tow Industry Week at the AT ShowPlace-Las Vegas from May 10-12.

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.

Towman’s Death Ruled an Accident Cambria County (Pa.) Coroner Jeff Lees has identified the towman who died after being pinned between two vehicles as 51-year-old James Harr.

Harr towed a 1-ton dump truck to a garage for servicing, Lees said.

Harr unloaded the dump truck from his tow truck, then pulled the rollback forward and stepped between the two vehicles to disconnect the chains, Lees said.

The dump truck drifted forward, pinning Harr; it was on a slightly sloped area outside the garage, Lees said.

Source: tribdem.com.

Towman Order in the ‘L.A. Times’

Huntington Beach police Sgt. Mike Spencer, left, pins the Cross of the Order on John Boucher, manager of Mandic Motors in Huntington Beach, Calif., during his induction into the Towman Order at the American Towman Exposition in November.

John Boucher, manager of Mandic Motors in Huntington Beach, Calif., was cited by the Los Angeles Times for being

inducted into the Order of Towman.

Boucher was inducted into the Order, an elite national organization of towing professionals, during the American Towman Exposition in a ceremony held Nov. 19.

Sgt. Mike Spencer accompanied Boucher to Baltimore, Md., for the ceremony and pinned the Cross of the Order on him.

Boucher was nominated by Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy for his dedication to the towing profession. Mandic Motors contracts with Huntington Beach police, handling municipal towing for the department.

Source: latimes.com.

Canadian Towmen Want New Colors Many Alberta, Canada, tow operators are joining together and calling for new safety legislation. They are seeking an alternate color of light on their beacons and better enforcement of the Move Over law.

Brad MacMillan of City Wide Towing in Calgary says that motorists have become desensitized to amber lights due to high usage by other roadside workers.

“Right now we have lots of plows on the road,” MacMillan said. “They have amber and red lights; however you also have the landscapers that are plowing and removing snow from parking lots they have amber lights, and they’re on all the time.

Then you have wide loads and the construction crews on the side of the roads, they’re all amber lights.”

MacMillan feels that the difference between towmen and other roadside workers is that towmen have little to no protection while they work.

Source: okotoksonline.com.

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Ga. Company

Helped, Fed Victims An Albany, Ga., towing service went above and beyond to help victims of recent storms.

Harris 1 Trucking & Wrecker Service offered free towing to vehicles stuck in yards after the recent storm damage in Albany.

Dontavious Harris says he was happy to see that some people have taken advantage of this service, and he is very happy to give back to the community.

Harris 1 Trucking’s Dontavious Harris was “I (saw) a lot of tree trunks happy to give back to the community stuck in people’s driveways. A following storms. WALB.com image. lot of multiple vehicles stuck in people’s yards, and (we were) trying to make sure people have access to their vehicles so they can, you know, try to get back to their normal routine,” said Harris.

He says his company also fed the community and provided hot soup to neighborhoods without power on Jan. 7.

Source: wtoc.com.

. . . We’re just tired of getting hit . . .

N.Y. Towman Fatally Struck A tow operator from Yonkers, N.Y., was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on I-95 in Harrison in December.

State police say Salvatore Brescia, 32, was hit after he had just loaded a disabled minivan onto his flatbed. The owner of the minivan was sitting in the passenger seat of the tow truck. The driver of the car who hit the tow truck operator fled the scene.

Brescia’s family said that Salvatore had big plans for the New Year. He recently bought a home and was set to marry his fiancee in July.

“You have to pull over, please do that,” his father, Steven, said. “That’s somebody else’s dad, that’s somebody else’s son. These are people who are not on the street to harm anybody there. This is your help.”

Source: westchester.news12.com.

Commissioners Take Tow Operations The Lake County (Ind.) Council recently approved two ordinances that transfer control over the county’s towing contracts to the commissioners and eliminates the Sheriff Department’s non-reverting tow and franchise fee fund, redirecting towing money to the general fund.

Officials stripped responsibility of the towing contracts from Sheriff John Buncich in the wake of a towing scandal alleging bribes and misappropriation of funds.

Buncich, former Chief of Police Timothy Downs and William Szarmach, of CSA Towing in Lake Station, were named in a multi-count indictment alleging an illegal towing scheme in which the sheriff accepted bribes in the form of cash and donations to his campaign fund, according to court records.

All three face charges of wire fraud, while Buncich and Szarmach are also charged with bribery.

Source: chicagotribune.com Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

‘Move Over’ Event in Missouri

Towers in Missouri worked together to promote Move Over awareness recently. KSHB.com image.

A convoy of tow trucks, Missouri Dept. of Transportation workers and first responders took to I-70 in Kansas City, Mo., to promote awareness of the Move Over law on Jan. 7.

Montana Diamond, a driver for the Jackson County Tow Service, organized the event.

“We’re just tired of getting hit.

We want to make it home to our families at the end of the day like

anyone else would,” said Diamond.

Added Jeff Jewel, fire chief of the Inner City Fire Department, “People aren’t paying attention.

Maybe they’re texting on their phones or driving while impaired.

“So it’s just an opportunity for us to drive around town with our lights on and drive around in solidarity.”

Source: kshb.com.

Kasich Signs Tow Bill The Association of Professional Towers - Ohio have announced that Sub HB 341 was signed into law by Gov. John Kasich on Jan. 4 and will take effect in early April.

The bill establishes public safety regulations for towing, safety standards for private towaway zone towing and after-hours retrieval fees.

APTO “spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure these rules are fair to the industry,” the organization said.

The association also promised a complete analysis of this protower law will be posted soon on the APTO website. In addition, a

Ohio Govenor John Kasich

seminar to educate Ohio towers on all the new laws is in the works.

Source: aptohio.com.

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! B/A Mag-Lok Tool System B/A Products’s new Mag-Lok Interconnectable Tool System saves space and weight by pairing industrial-grade handles with interchangeable tool heads that stand up to the rigors of commercial use and streamline storage. Choose only the handle or handles that you need with the job-specific tool heads.

Mag-Lok comes with a lifetime guarantee on handles and tool heads. Made in the USA.

Baprod.com

ITD 60” Pro Series Tool Box

In The Ditch’s new Pro Series 60” Tool Box adds versatility to match the variety of equipment that towers require on their carriers, along with the many bed lengths and chassis types. The 60” box is constructed in the USA with the same features as the 48” and 70” Pro Series Boxes, such as stainless steel hinges, and dual two-stage rotary latches that operate with a single paddle latch for a secure weatherproof seal. All three sizes can be customized with multiple shelves or drawers. With the additional 60” offering, you can now mix and match box sizes along with the Storage Fenders.

Intheditch.com

TowMate Lithium-Powered Tow Light TowMate’s new TM36Li is built off the TM36 Heavy Duty Wireless Tow Light, but adding the company’s new heavy-duty lithium power system. The TM36Li features extended run times past 60 hours, full stop, tail and turn functions, and is available in any transmitter style. Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty on electronics and LEDs.

TowMate.com

10 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Workers Comp Requirements

by Don Archer

I

n more and more cities throughout the country, towing companies are requiring an up-to-date Workers Compensation policy from anyone removing vehicles from their lot. Many claim the intent is to cover their interests in the event an individual sent to their property is ill-trained, makes a mistake loading and injures himself.

Is this the real reason, or is it just an attempt to thwart the competition by putting up more barriers to entry?

One Scenario In an effort to mitigate loss by avoiding more storage fees, ABC Motor Club calls John, the owner of a onetruck towing business, to do a secondary tow from a non-contracted towing business back to his place.

He arrived with the necessary paperwork and waited for the shop manager to point him to the car. The towing and storage bill were already taken care of, and the motor club had authorized him to move the vehicle—it should have been smooth sailing.

As John stood there waiting for the OK, the shop manager eyeballed the paperwork. Never seeing John before, asked, “What company you with?”

John said, “Royal’s Towing. We’re over on the east side. It’s just me and my wife really; we’re just getting started.”

Then the shop manager asked, “Do we already have your workers comp on file?”

“Ah, I don’t have workers comp; it’s not required,” John said.

The shop manager handed the papers back and said, “I’m sorry but we require it, and you can’t pick up the car unless you have it.”

Feeling all the blood drain from his face, John stepped back and said, “Uhh, the state says we’re not required to have workers comp. I don’t have any 12 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Workers comp is a necessity you just can’t afford to live without. Shutterstock.com image.

employees. I just need to pick it up and go.”

The shop manager replied, “Well, although the state does not require you to have worker’s compensation—we require that everyone who sets foot on our property provide an up-to-date certificate of insurance. It’s designed to keep us free from frivolous lawsuits … you understand.”

Embarrassed and upset, John stood there a moment with his mouth agape and then replied, “I can’t afford workers comp. I’ve looked into it and I’d be working for peanuts if I had it.”

Barrier?

Some tow owners say that requiring workers comp is done to deter do-ityourselfers from using substandard equipment and zero safety guidelines to load wrecked vehicles themselves.

In an attempt to avoid a nominal towing fee, and armed only with a come-a-long and a 1,500-lbs. trailer, many towing company owners have had the displeasure of watching and wincing as men, women and children push, pull, and do whatever is necessary to load a vehicle—in the process some have been harmed.

Many towers can attest that frivolous lawsuits are a dime a dozen. Common sense and personal responsibility go out the door when tempers flare.

We all know that society’s run amok, but should towers be doing this to one another? Some suggest that requiring proof of workers comp is good for the industry by protecting the very towers who are required to have it. It also gives shop owners peace of mind in a litigious world. More than that, it helps to level the playing field.

To those just starting out this can be a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.

How can you be expected to pay $300 to $500 or more per month, when you’re only bringing in $2,000? But just like tires for your truck, and a good pair of boots, workers comp is a necessity you just can’t afford to live without.

Requiring it of all who participate is a step in the right direction.

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.

CTTA Sees Advantages in Vegas

by Brendan Dooley

T

he California Tow Truck Association has big plans for 2017, not the least of which is expanding its benefits to members by moving its annual convention to Tow Industry Week at the American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas, May 10-12, at the South Point Hotel & Casino.

CTTA President Terry Warford, a second-generation tow business owner at Dollar Tow in Sacramento, Calif., said that moving the convention to the AT ShowPlace frees time for the association to work towards other member and legislative goals.

“We put a lot of man hours into the CTTA show for a very minor net return,” Warford said. “Our resources were going in the wrong direction— too much labor to the show for negligible return.”

By bringing its annual convention, which includes leadership meetings, conferences and a formal membership banquet to Las Vegas, CTTA will forego its own exhibit-based show that has been held annually for the past several years in Reno, Nev., and San Diego, Calif.

The AT ShowPlace-Las Vegas will play host to the California Tow Truck Association’s 2017 convention.

“Now we can bring our membership to the AT ShowPlace and work together to foster a great show for members in terms of knowledge and equipment,” Warford said. “Overall, this allows CTTA to focus on what it needs to: education and legislation.

“We have new education programs and other great things on the

horizon from CTTA to come over the next 18 to 24 months.”

He added that “unseen stuff” will get more attention now, like lobbying efforts, training and benefit programs like the association’s tire and fuel programs and other rebates.

“Our education program is second to none of any state association in the country; we train thousands of drivers every year through classes held almost every weekend … at very affordable rates to members,” Warford said.

He added that long-term stability is a key for the association and pointed to the CTTA buying a building to house its offices and moving the convention as steps in that direction.

CTTA’s annual convention brings additional meetings, conferences and a formal banquet to Tow Industry Week events at the South Point Hotel & Casino May 10-12.

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Legalized Marijuana and your Business

by Randall C. Resch

O

K, get ready to push your eyeballs back into your head. According to an article in “The Cannabist,” in the first five months of 2016, Colorado marijuana sales allegedly reported around $486 million in profits.

In 2015, profits reportedly reached $996 million for twelve months. Legalization of marijuana for personal use is changing the country; if it’s not legal where you are yet … it’s only a matter of time.

In addition to recreational use, mega-pharmaceutical corporations are researching the medicinal potentials of cannabinoids and terpenoids in treating myriad diseases, like Huntington’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, various cancers, Pediatric Epilepsy, and PTSD among others. There may be good to come from legalization, but that’s another topic.

So, what issues does legal marijuana present for the towing and recovery industry? Regardless of your personal views for or against marijuana, recognize the potential employee-related problems of use or abuse.

Our industry demands the ability to think clearly and make the right decisions to avoid mistakes that could potentially lead to disaster, injury or death. Drugs and alcoholic beverages have no place in our industry’s work environment, but what someone does on their own time and away from the facility is their business.

Shortly after I was hired as general manager of a sizeable and reputable tow company in the 1990s, it became painfully obvious that one of the drivers was selling marijuana from the company’s tow truck. Suspicions were

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As the legalization of marijuana becomes more widespread, stay ahead of the game with your company policies on tolerance regarding employee usage. Today.com image.

confirmed by discovering marijuana paraphernalia and seeds under the truck’s seat during random inspections.

The problem needed to be addressed immediately, especially when other drivers shared their observations and concerns. When it all came to a head, as many as six drivers, ultimately quit or were dismissed for cause and dereliction to duty in violating the company’s zero-tolerance policy. Losing six drivers in a day was a tough hit for the company’s operations and schedule, but it sent a solid message that possession, use and sales weren’t tolerated. The owners stood tough on a very difficult decision that enabled the company to get back on track.

Imagine one of your drivers or facility personnel was selling marijuana On the Web Colorado study on the impact of marijuana: • www.rmhidta.org/html/august%2 02014%20legalization%20of%20mj% 20in%20colorado%20the%20impact.pdf

from your tow trucks. If an undercover officer arrested that employee, it could result in warrants being served on your facility and/or seizure of your truck. Could you survive the hit in attorney’s fees to (hopefully) get your truck back and the news spreading like wild fire that one of your drivers got busted?

For instance, a North Carolina tower was arrested when an officer observed him conducting an illegal tow; at around the same time, the tow company’s owner had informed local police that he suspected the driver was stealing items from towed vehicles.

When the tower was stopped, the inside of his vehicle smelled of marijuana smoke and police observed numerous stolen items within the vehicle in plain sight. (It’s unclear whether any of the items came from cars that were being towed.)

Subsequent to arrest, police performed a sobriety test on the driver and also found marijuana in his possession.

continue to page 18

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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TOW BOSS continued from pg 16 Ultimately, the driver was arrested under numerous charges, including driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

Bigger Tax Base?

Taken from another angle, a Colorado tow company owner posted a video on a towing forum concerned for his state’s regulation of marijuana regarding the increasing costs of commercial property values.

Denver has allegedly become one of America’s largest pot-growing centers. Marijuana manufacturers actively seek commercial and raw properties zoned for growing and appropriate use. Accordingly, legally licensed start-up marijuana businesses are said to be aggressively driving up the costs of commercial properties for rentals and purchase.

There are many key issues regarding legalized use of marijuana.

Its presence is huge and should be important to all tow owners.

continue to page 20

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continued from page 18 Medical vs. Recreational As of late 2016, 29 states and the District of Columbia legalized marijuana for medicinal use and several also for recreational use. Each state has its own individual laws regarding use and possession (marijuana remains illegal according to the federal government as of press time).

The following states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana use: • Alaska • California • Colorado • District of Columbia • Maine

What’s Your Take?

Tow business owners must monitor their employees as it relates to the company’s professionalism, reputation and desire to serve. Remember, you (as owner) set the tone for your company. I believe there are many focus areas to consider when reviewing your company’s drug, illegal substance, alcohol consumption, or marijuana use while at work, on duty, on call, or when driving company vehicles.

There are several topics that should be covered in your employee handbook and spelled out for all: • Reputation and standing within the community.

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• Massachusetts • Nevada • Oregon • Washington These states have legalized use of medical marijuana: • Arizona • Arkansas • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Hawaii • Illinois • Louisiana • Maryland • Michigan

• Minnesota • Montana • New Jersey • New Hampshire • New Mexico • New York • North Dakota • Ohio • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • Vermont Source: www.governing.com/govdata/safety-justice/state-marijuanalaws-map-medical-recreational.html.

• Some tolerance vs. no tolerance.

• Open Door policy to solicit employee awareness.

• Dismissal policy if violated.

• Active enrollment in pre-hire drug testing.

• Drug testing programs for preand post-accident investigations.

• Contract requirements—an arrest of tow company owner or operator may result in being removed from contract operations.

• On-call requirements for afterhours drivers.

• Driving operations and takehome trucks.

• Insurance company policies.

To turn a blind eye to possible or suspected employee use on the job and changed behaviors could eventually result in a job-related accident, incident or untimely death of an employee or other individual. Business owners need to take a proactive approach to their company’s policy regarding use of marijuana as an undesired substance based on the requirements of municipal contracts and law enforcement.

One of my carrier operators called the dispatch office in a distressed

continue to page 24

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 21

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

TOW BOSS continued from page 20 voice, stating he had accidentally raised a new Merecdes into the overhead canopy of a drive-through dealership resulting in $4,000 damage to the vehicle and another $9,000 to the building. Although he readily admit-

ted smoking weed while on the job, his actions resulted in him being fired in violation of company policy. (He filed for unemployment, but was denied as my company’s employee handbook maintained a zero-tolerance

policy and the driver signed a prehire statement that he was aware of the company’s policy.)

For the future, if it’s not specifically spelled out in your company’s rules and regulations and you dismiss an employee for casual or involved use, anticipate being sued for wrongful termination. Can you defend (with accuracy) that marijuana use had an effect on a dismissed employee’s work abilities? What justifies an employee’s dismissal if there’s no specific narrative or guidelines to prohibit marijuana use in the workplace?

These all are considerations that must be in place prior to experiencing the repercussions. As legal marijuana looms on the horizon across the nation, it will be an industry issue that can’t be set aside.

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.

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Miller, NSD Donate to ITRHFM The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (towingmuseum.com) recently announced separate donations from both Miller Industries and Nation Safe Drivers.

Miller Industries (millerind.com) donated $30,000 to the museum, where the company holds a Rotator School twice yearly in its Learning Center.

Proceeds from the school are donated to the museum. *** Nation Safe Drivers (nsdmc.com) donated $5,000 to the ITRHFM’s Survivor Fund that provides financial support to families of those lost in the line of service.

“The Survivor Fund helps provide immediate financial help to families affected by tragedy in the line of service and Nation Safe Drivers is proud to support this effort,” said Patrick Nahoum, Network Manager for NSD. “Our goal is to raise funds and awareness about the dangers faced by towing professionals across the country.”

Kenworth Expands Branded Merchandise The Kenworth Merchandise Collection recently added more than 50 licensed merchandise items for customers interested in purchasing products that represent Kenworth (kenworth.com).

The new Kenworth items now available include a Carhartt Signature tool bag, DRI DUCK flannel lined jacket, 12-in-1 hammer/multitool and more.

The comprehensive line-up consists of more than 300 items available at ShopKenworth.com.

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

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 25

New Century Carrier for Dale Jr.’s Team

Pictured above, left to right, are Richard Saward (Freightliner), Michael Bergin (Freightliner), Kipp Felice (Miller), Dale Earnhardt Jr., Will Miller (Miller), and Vince Tiano (Miller). Below, Dale Earnhardt Sr. promotional photo for Century.

Keeping a family tradition alive, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently took delivery of a new Century 12-Series LCG car carrier from Miller Industries (millerind.com), much like his father Dale Earnhardt Sr. did in the early 1990s.

The new Century 12-Series LCG carrier sits on a Freightliner M2 chassis and offers Miller’s patented Right Approach option that uses a hinge-based system to improve the angle of the deck for vehicles with low ground clearance.

“This carrier is ideal for Dale Jr. and his race team,” said Kipp Felice, Miller VP of Marketing and Business Solutions.

“The patented deck design and side-mounted winch provide a couple of great options for loading and off-loading the team’s racecars.”

Weego Adds Sales Manager Weego (myweego.com), innovator of portable jump starters, jump-starter accessories and rechargeable battery packs, recently added Todd W. Roberson as the company’s new national sales manager.

In this role, he will be responsible for business development and sales management for the automotive, marine, outdoor, powersports, e-commerce and industrial channels.

Todd has 35-plus years of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry, implementing many successful new products and programs to the market.

“We continue to see explosive growth in Weego products, so adding to the Weego sales team we are able to effectively take on more opportunities—particularly in the automotive aftermarket,” said Gerry Toscani, CEO of Weego.

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 27

Towing’s Troubadour Mike Corbin Is an Industry Treasure

by Steve Calitri

T

o the people around American Towman headquarters who see him come by now and then, he limps about on a bad hip looking like he could use some more meat on his bones. It’s like he gathered his bones at dawn and stuffed them in his clothes before stepping out. Hence his nickname, “Old Bones.” When he smiles and talks, one senses a gentle soul that God keeps stitched together for one main purpose––song.

These days, those songs are about the road and the strange lot of the towman. Recordings and performances have earned him a unique place in this industry, and the world of music. He has won the hearts of thousands of towers across the nation with songs that salute their work and dedication, often capturing aspects of the towman’s life as in “100 Years,” the song celebrating several generations of a towing family. It premiered live this past November at the Centennial Celebration in Baltimore.

Mike Corbin first appeared on the towing stage in 2011 with the debut of the first recording ever dedicated to the towing professional, the original Towman Ballad titled, “The Road Calls.” The ballad’s story follows a tower who leaves his wife and kids twice one night to take the call: Another day of wrecks and strife Lay me down beside my wife Paces from the road I keep Tense this wire rope, need sleep The old lady turns I hear the page Start a cussin’ whispering rage All too soon he follows a car that careens off the road and down a slope.

The lyrics portray how fate sometimes casts the tower in the role of hero, while the music captures the drama and emotion of the moment. Said one tower of the song, “I listen to it all the time. My drivers listen to it with me.”

Another tower’s six-year-old son says he plays it over and over.

At the Centennial Celebration in Baltimore, two men came up to Mike as he was packing his guitar. One said, “I’ve never heard of you before this night. I was listening to these songs and they nearly brought me to tears.” His friend chimed in with the same sentiment.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Corbin’s fans stretch across the country. Jim Eads, a tower in Ohio has sent Mike several messages through Facebook about the various Towman Ballads that have been released in the past several years. He’s been hooked since “The Road Calls.”

Towers have traveled to the Expositions in Baltimore, Las Vegas and San Antonio just to hear Mike perform. As a veteran singer, songwriter and musician, his heart is touched when these towers come up and tell him how much his songs mean to them and their families. These encounters further inspire him to create more music about those who he considers the “most amazing service professionals” he’s ever known.

entire term (a common story in the music business).

“Right after he signed me he signed Joan Jett and I was toast,” Mike said. “They wouldn’t record me or release me from the contract.”

Mike later suffered a life-threatening incident when a truck hit him, putting him in the hospital for most of a year. It may be one of the reasons why you can feel his emotion when he sings “Booms in the Sky,” the song that pays tribute to those towers who have fallen, struck by a passing vehicle; or when he sings, “I’ll Return,” which captures the uncertainty surrounding a first responder’s departure from his family each day.

In spite of his own hard luck, Mike

Mike Corbin at the American Wrecker Pageant in Baltimore.

Corbin is the quintessential real deal who never caught the big break.

Early in his career, he performed in several well-known bands while recording his own songs; you can still find his music on an old compilation album with an up-and-coming Bon Jovi. He was an aspiring rock star who worked to make it happen, once traveling cross-country to the home of the legendary Bob Dylan, and once jamming with Joe Cocker at the legendary Abbey Roads Studio in Liverpool, England.

The younger Corbin, born and raised in Atlanta, Ga., and then Boston, hoped he might catch stardom when a British record producer signed him to a five-year contract, only to see the producer sit on the contract for its

soldiered on, marrying, raising two boys and supporting his family through construction work during the week and performing in music halls on weekends.

Even now Corbin is playing that dual role with American Towman.

His woodworking skills, along with his love of towmen, recently earned him the job of custom-building the ceremonial Spirit Casket that will be relayed by towmen across the country.

After all, who better to build it than the man who sings their stories.

Mike has started work on the casket with the same drive for perfection that he puts into cutting records in his home music studio where he plays guitar, piano and harmonica while doing all the digital arrangements and TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 29

Spirit Concert in Vegas will pay tribute to brave towers.

The Mike Corbin Band performing "100 Years" at Towing's Centennial Celebration.

Below, Mike Corbin, carpenter by day, began work on the Spirit Casket in January.

mixing. You hear one mean harmonica in “The Road Calls.”

But the instrument that stands out in all the recordings is Corbin’s voice.

Various listeners suggest it’s a crosshybrid of Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond and Johnny Cash. If those names don’t mean much to the young folks, let’s just say he comes across with gritty, heartfelt vocals. In certain refrains of the many Towman Ballads, it’s a haunting sound.

While he’s building the ceremonial

30 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Spirit Casket, Mike will be sawing, shaving, and knocking together wood all the while playing musical notes in his head, intending to carve a song that will pay tribute to the Spirit Ride, as he prepares for his next Towman gig, the “Spirit Concert” booked for Las Vegas on May 11.

Editor’s note: Mike Corbin’s music and the Towman Ballads can be found on Youtube.com, Amazon.com and iTunes, as well as other Internet music outlets; and distilleryroadmusic.com.

New Trucks Set for Work Truck Show More than 100 exhibiting companies have announced plans to highlight new products at The Work Truck Show 2017 (worktruckshow.com), including Chevrolet Commercial Vehicles, Cummins, Ford Commercial Vehicles, International Truck, Mack Trucks, Mitsubishi Ford Commercial unveiling from the 2016 show.

Fuso Truck of America and Ram Commercial.

The Work Truck Show runs March 14-17 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. There will be new medium-duty trucks powered by gasoline, diesel fuel and electricity, as well as hybrid fuel systems. A variety of technology for improving fuel utilization, power distribution and driver safety will also debut.

Hear what 14 of the leading commercial vehicle OEMs have planned for 2017 and beyond directly from their representatives at exclusive chassis update sessions. During each presentation, company representatives share technical information about their latest chassis specifications and designs, and review body and equipment installation options. They also provide insights into their future plans related to the work truck industry.

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AD INDEX

February 2017

Page#

AAA Access Tools Advantage Funding Agero Akins Body & Carrier Sales Allstate Roadside Services American Safety & Supply American Wrecker Sales N Anchor Graphics Atlanta Wrecker & Sales S Atlantic Emergency Solutions N AT ShowPlace Las-Vegas 22, Austin Hinds Motors S AutoReturn AW Direct B/A Products B & Z Sales S Beacon Software Casanova Towing Equipment W Chevron Commercial CTECH Manufacturing N, M CRASHFILM Crouch’s Wrecker Equipment & Sales Danco Deep South Wrecker Sales Detroit Wrecker Sales Don Jackson Carriers & Wrecker

67 69 18 33 77 17 21 84 21 83 85 23 85 70 25 57 84 3 83 73 87 26 79 73 72 66 30

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To receive free information on products and services from our advertisers go to www.TowExtra.com

Page#

Page#

Driveline Buddy 18 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers 21 Eartec 66 ECM Performance 32 Elizabeth Truck Center 68 G. Stone Motors N 85 Ginn Carrier & Wrecker Sales 27 Intek Truck Equip. Finance & Lease 25 Jerr-Dan Corp.

92 Kenworth of South Florida 13 Lodar USA 26 Manufacturer Express 76 Matheny Motor Truck Co 19 Matjack Jumbo Safelift 31 McMahon Truck Center M 83 Miller Industries 7, 45 New England Truckmaster N 87 Nitro Motor Sports 32 North American BanCard 15 Northeast Wrecker Sales N 88 Nussbaum Equipment 32 OMG National N W 88, S 85, M 86 Pacific General Insurance Agency M 85 Performance Advantage Co. N 83 Powerbilt Wreckers 17 Prime Towing Supplies N 86 PWOF 74, 75

Recovery Billing Renew Truck Body Rick’s Auto Sales Santander Bank Savatech Corp.

Sea Crest Insurance Agency Select Truck & Equipment S & J Metal Manfacturing Smyrna Truck Center Spill Tackle SpillVak Steck Mfg. The Tow Academy S 86, M Towbook Management Software Tow Industries TowMate Truck Body Sales Urgent.ly USAC/MD Utility Trailer Sales S.E.TX VTS Systems WeldBuilt Wreckers & Carriers WorldClass Insurance Service Worldwide Equipment Sales Zacklift International

78 N 84 24 5 43 W 85 M 85 W 86 S 83 N 86 27 20 W 88 91 W 86 78 W 87 34 24 W 85 11 68 W 87 71 2

November 19, 2016: bagpipers were the first ones into the Exhibit Hall at the 28th annual American Towman Exposition.

AT Expo’s Grand Opening showed exhibitors and attendees what had been promised all along: The Greatest Show of All Time.

The American Towman Exposition was a buyers’ market inside the Baltimore Convention Center. 14,000 attendees (American Towman Legion’aires) engaged with a record number 255 exhibitors.

Packed with wreckers, carriers, trailers and truck chassis, AT Expo was where you shopped for primary equipment and all the accessories needed to be in the towing business. More than 50 equipment manufacturers exhibited; plus major equipment distributors.

Towmen packed the aisles engaging with every sector of supplier, a record 21 motor clubs and call providers. more than $100 million was transacted, from tow equipment to dispatch systems to towing business.

38 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 39

2016 American Towman Medal Recipients Nick Muzzy, Tailhook Towing; Hinesburg, Vt. As Brian Clark was rigging and doing what he could at that scene with the 70,000 lbs. of garbage truck laying on top of the sedan, Nick Muzzy arrived after also being called out by the trucking company. “The truck was completely on top of her,” Nick said. “I set up on the back of the garbage truck … but there wasn’t enough room to stand it up.” Nick took a line from his drag winch and crawled under the suspended garbage truck. “I started working under the truck to hook to the dash and column to pull the pieces off of her.” This gave rescue personnel enough safe access to get her out. She lived, but spent months in hospital and rehab. Nick and Brian met her this spring.

American Towman Medal

Dain Null, Null’s Towing; Cochranville, Pa. On May 26, 2016, Dain Null was southbound on Delaware Route 1 near Cheswold, Delaware, and saw an oncoming vehicle suddenly cross the grassy median, causing chaos that resulted in multiple collisions and five vehicle casualties. Dain swerved off to the side of the road, set his parking brake, grabbed his gloves and ran to help. An unconscious female in one car was in close proximity to a Jeep that was on fire. He ran back to his truck for a pry bar, ran back to the car, and forced the door open to pull the woman out of the car and drag her far enough from the fire to begin CPR. He made sure no other people were trapped in vehicles and that bystanders stayed safe while they waited for fire and EMS to arrive.

Ed Kammerer, A-1 Towing; Strafford, Mo. On December 26, 2015, tow owner Ed Kammerer received a nighttime call from a motorist in a vehicle on top of live wires after hitting a power pole off Highway 125 in Greene County, Missouri. He unequivocally instructed the motorist and his pregnant fiancée to stay inside their vehicle, call 911 and said he was on his way. In the wind, rain and darkness, he didn’t know the carrier’s lightbar snagged low-hanging wires.

When he exited his truck, he was electrocuted. His wife, Betty, heard all the details via scanner. Ed’s explicit instructions saved the lives of that trapped couple.

Trevor Oliver, Bacchus Marsh Towing, Victoria, Australia In April 2002, Trevor’s company was called out for a moving van that was in an accident; on-scene he found a trapped driver in a truck cabin that was on fire. He needed to get the driver out before flames spread. With his pocketknife, Trevor cut off the man’s leg at the knee to pull him to safety. The driver visited Trevor since expressing his gratitude for saving his life. … Six years later in April 2007, he helped rescue two men from more burning wreckage—a scene for which he was awarded the Australian Bravery Medal.

A VW van was hit by a painter’s truck, flipping the VW van and sparking a fire. Trevor climbed through the window and cut the driver from his seat-

American Towman Medal

40 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

American Towman Medal

belt to drag him out. Next, the painters van was filled with flammable chemicals. He and another rescuer hooked to the panel van and dragged it down the road, away from the other victim. He stayed at the scene to reassure and comfort the trapped driver. Trevor was reunited with the man who had been trapped in the panel van through the Australian TV show “Medical Emergency,” which profiled the rescue.

American Towman Medal

Darryl Poe, Moises Reyes; Palace Garage; San Leandro, Calif.

Two weeks ago on November 3, Darryl was quickly on the scene in Oakland, California, where a woman lost control of her Mini Cooper, knocked over a sign, hit a concrete wall, barreled into a tree and caught fire. He sprang out, grabbed his fire extinguisher and rushed over to help.

Darryl Poe He saw the driver was barely conscious. Co-worker Moises Reyes had pulled up, along with a waste management worker. All three worked to remove the trapped driver, but the door was jammed. They cut the seat belt and pulled her out through the window; just seconds later the car Moises Reyes blew up and flames consumed the tree. We were “trying to help somebody,” Poe said. “You know, that's what we're out here for.”

American Towman Medal

Micah Wenger, Auto House Towing; Galva, Kan. On August 3, 2016, Micah responded to a call for an SUV on its side and embedded in a power pole after it was struck by a tractor-trailer in Salina, Kansas. He quickly worked with the fire department to roll the SUV— with the driver still heavily entrapped— away from the power pole so rescuers could gain safe access to the critically injured driver. Fire Captain Keith Lindenmann said, “His quick response, specialized equipment and valuable expertise played a vital role in completing a highly technical vehicle rescue.”

American Towman Commendation

Brian Clark, Clark’s Truck Center; Jericho, Vt. On September 28, 2015, Brian Clark responded to a twovehicle crash on Route 128 in Essex, Vermont, where a loaded garbage truck, later estimated at 70,000 lbs., had tipped going around a curve pushing an oncoming sedan into the ditch and landed partially on the road and partially on top of the sedan, trapping its driver. “She could not be extricated without lifting the back of the garbage truck,” Brian said.

“I’d never come across something like this in 25 years and everyone was looking at us on a tough pick. I commenced doing what we could to move it.”

American Towman Commendation

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Chris Haley, Redman Fleet Services; Lorton, Va. On November 17, 2015, Chris saw a vehicle veer off road and roll several times on I-81 in Rockingham County, Virginia.

He turned on his lights and pulled over to help. He immediately worked to comfort victims, direct bystanders and assist the arriving EMS crew. EMTs on-scene said Chris “was stabilizing one victim and controlling bleeding while directing others how to help. ... Chris went above and beyond. … We cannot express enough gratitude for the help.”

American Towman Commendation

Jay Marek, Rich’s Towing & Service; Middleburg Hts, Ohio On June 21, 2012, Jay heard a scanner call for a one-car rollover on Shepard Road in Twinsburg, Ohio, where the driver was ejected and trapped underneath her car. “The scanner said they needed a tow truck quickly,” Jay said. “I rushed out, and parked on a lawn, jumped out and ran lines to the car and worked with firefighters to crib and lift a bit at a time. … If the car had rolled at all, it would have crushed her legs and waist.” Firefighters made a successful rescue. After the driver was out, the rotation tower arrived and Jay didn’t even get the tow!

American Towman Commendation

Kevin Long, Joe’s Towing & Recovery; Bloomington, Ill. On September 14, 2016, Joe’s Towing was called for a tractor-dump trailer that rolled over with driver entrapment near State Route 40 in Lawn Ridge, Illinois. Joe’s dispatched Kevin Long in a 60-ton rotator to the scene. The cab was pushed back by impact, causing the entrapment. Kevin saw the tractor needed to be picked up straight to free the driver. He quickly rigged the sideways tractor and picked it up slow enough to be cribbed until the driver could be removed. He was extracted in time to the awaiting Life Flight helicopter.

American Towman Commendation

Charles Harrell, Tex-Star Towing; Fort Worth, Tex. On June 21, 2013, Charles was on I-35 near Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, during the morning rush hour and noticed a car driving erratically. He pulled behind it when it pulled off the road. The passenger was in labor and stepped out of the car cradling her belly. Charles helped deliver the baby safely on the side of the road, using fresh towels and water he had in his tow truck. “I did what I had to do,” Charles said. “I help everyone, that’s why I started the business, so I could help people.”

American Towman Commendation TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 41

Mike Corbin’s band performs ‘100 Years.’

Industry pride soared throughout the four-day event and the Centennial Celebration on Festival Night was the proudest moment. Aerialists took to the air and the American Towman Medal was bestowed upon the chests of towing’s bravest.

AT Editor Brendan Dooley lays Towman Medal upon Trevor Oliver.

Ceremonial Lone Drummer William Burwell.

42 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

The March of the Heroes climaxed with the Towman Order saluting our bravest.

One American Towman Medal recipient flew in from Australia to receive his honor.

All told, towers came from all 50 states of the Union and 21 nations.

AT Expo once again provided tow business owners with the industry's greatest resources for learning about products and equipment on the marketplace. The expertise on the show floor among 255 exhibitors was mind boggling.

44 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Mark Your Calendar for AT EXPO XXIX Nov. 17-19, 2017

4 State Trucks AAA pg. 67

AASP/PA

Access Tools pg. 69

Actus Manufacturing

Advantage Funding pg. 18 Agero pg. 33

Agilis Systems

Akins Body & Carrier Sales pg. 44

Detroit Wrecker Sales pg. 68

DewEze Mfg. DK2 Warrior Winches Dom's Wrap-A-Wreck DOT Tie Down Double M Productions DPF Remedy

Driveline Buddy pg. 18 Dual-Tech pg. 21

CRASHFILM pg. 26

Dynamic Tow. Equip. & Mfg. EAST COAST Truck & Trailer Sales East Penn Truck Equipment ECCO eComply Enovative Technologies Excel Sportswear Exide Technologies ExxonMobil Eye3Data FCar Tech USA Federal Signal Feniex Industries Find Truck Service FleetComplete Fleetmatics FleetNet America Fleetway Capital Corp.

Flitz International Flow Stop Force America Ford Commercial Vehicles Free State Nam Knights GEICO Globe Trailers GM Chevy Commercial GPS Insight GPS Pro GSS Safety Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel Hino Trucks Holmes Honk Technologies Hooks Towing & Recovery Supplies HUB International Hunter Enginering Company I Tow In IAA IGTC INA Towing Network Int'l Tow/Rec. Hall of Fame & Museum Integrated Vehicle & Equip. Leasing

Custer Products Custom Radio Corp.

Dangelo's Custom Built DAO-P

Landoll Corporation LED Lights Leedall Metal Co. Lift And Tow

all-Grip Vehicle Recovery Systems

Allstate Roadside Serv. pg. 17

Amdor American Express Open

American Safety & Supply pg. 21

American Towman Magazine

Anchor Graphics pg. 21

ApartmentPermits.com ARI Hetra

Atlanta Wrecker Sales pg. S83

Auto Data Direct Automotive Recyclers Association Automotive Training Institute/ ATI AutoReturn pg. 70 AW Direct pg. 25 B/A Products pg. 57

B&B Industries Bad Dog Tools Badger Glove & Safety BBSI Beacon Funding

Beacon Software pg. 3

Best Tools Better World Club Bobee Tech C&G Development C3LS Capital One Services Car-Part.com Castrol North America Century pg. 7, 45

CermaLube Challenger Lifts ChargePass Chesapeake Automotive Equipment Chevron

Chevron Commercial pg. 73

Coco Products COMEUP Industries Commercial Fleet Financing Copart Auto Auctions Creative Solutions Group

Crouch's Wrecker & Equip. pg. 79

46 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Intek Truck Leasing pg. 25 Jerr-Dan Corp. pg. 92

*Suppliers names in bold display advertisers in this issue with their ad page number cross-referenced.

Lodar USA pg. 26

Lynch Chicago Magic Masseuse Magnet Works / Stamp Works Main Street Hub

Manufacturer Express pg. 76

Marlow Ropes Martens Johnson Insur.

Maryland Carrier & Wrkr. Sales/ Beltway Massage Corner Matheny Motor Truck Co. pg. 19 Matjack Jumbo Safelift pg. 31

MercurySend.com Metro Tow Trucks Midwest Keyless Inc. Mile Marker

Miller Industries pg. 7, 45

Millner-Haufen Tool Co. Minimizer Mobile Video Computing Solutions Mr. Key Tags Muncie Power Products Myers, Benner Corp.

Nanjing Miao Run Sen Nanjing Pangu Rigging Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium National Automobile Club National Purchasing Partners NH Solutions Nite Beam Ningbo Beyong Development Ningbo Jingyi Machinery Manufacturing Ningbo Snowaves Mechanical Equip.

NRC Industries Olson & Company Omadi

OMG National pg. N88, W88, S85, M86

OnlineParkingPass.com OPS Wireless Optimo Electronics Chelsea Products div. of Parker Industries Penny Pockets Penske Truck Leasing Service People's United Equipment Finance Corp

Performance Advantage Co. pg. N83

Phoenix USA Photo Card Specialists Pinnacle Motor Club Pneu-Tek Tire Tools Pop - A - Lock

PowerBilt Wreckers pg. 17

Powerhouse Industries Premier Waste Pro Spot Welding Systems Pro-Vision Video Systems

Progressive Commercial Insurance Prolift ProLine Tool & Supply Prospect Genius Purpose Wrecker Qingdao X & H Webbing Co. QuakeLED Quest Towing Serv.

R-O-M Corp.

Ram Mounts Ramsey Winch Ranger SST RC Industries, Inc. RealWheels Corporation

Recovery Billing Unlimited pg. 78 Renew Truck Body pg. N84

Ricky's Sales & Service Road America Roadside Protect Robert Young's NRC Sales & Service Rotary Lift RP Recovery Consulting Santander Bank pg. 5 Savatech Corp. pg. 43

Secure Streets Sky Patrol SEFAC Sosmetal

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Specialty Vehicle Funding Group SpeedTech Lights

Spill Tackle pg. N86 SpillVak pg. 27

Square Star Headlight

Steck Mfg. Co. pg. 20

Stertil-Koni, USA SuperSprings Int'l Superwinch SwoopMe T-Max Hangzhou Technology T.R.P. Maryland Talbert Mfg. TCF Equipment Finance

The Tow Academy S86, M88, W88

TOMAR Electronics TomTom Telematics Tow Canada Tow Life

Towbook Management Software pg. 91

Towing & Recovery Association of America Towing.com towPartners TowProgram.com TowTrax towXchange-TOPS Tracker Management Systems

Trail-Eze Trailers Transit Pros Travis Barlow Insurance Traxxis GPS Solutions Trinity Transport. Serv.

Truck Crane Solutions TruckClaws TTN Fleet Solutions TWG–Tulsa & DP Winch United Plastic Fabricating United Propane AutoGas Sol. Grp (UPAS) United Road Towing

Urgent.ly pg. 34

US Fleet Tracking

USAC / MD pg. 24

Vulcan Warn Industries

WeldBuilt Wreckers & Carriers pg. 68

West End Service Whelen Engineering Will-Burt Company

Worldwide Equipment Sales pg. 71

WreckMaster XG Industries Xpress Pay

Zacklift International pg. 2

Zhejiang Runva Mechanical & Electrical Co. Zip's Truck Equipment

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 47

Light-Duty PRE-2015 Class

Light-Duty 2015-2016 1st

Baltimore Towing Company Baltimore, Md. 2015 Ford F-550/Jerr-Dan HDL 60

2nd

Pinehill Towing & Automotive King George, Va. 2017 Dodge 5500/Jerr-Dan HPL 60

2nd

3rd

J & J Towing & Recovery Staten Island, N.Y. 2016 Ram 5500/Chevron 410

Morgan’s Towing & Recovery King George, Va. 2012 Dodge 5500/Jerr-Dan MPL 40

The American Towman Academy fielded 35 seminars on tow management and operations; 1,000 tow business owners bought in.

K & S Towing; Haverton, Pa. 2007 International 4300/Jerr-Dan Cougar H-60

3rd

Non-Stop Towing & Recovery Freeport, N.Y. 2007 Ford F-550/2007 Vulcan 810

Edward “Eric” Luchini of Las Cruces, N.M., received the American Towman Silver Star, the Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award for “overcoming adversity and inspiring an industry.”

Right, the Captains of Industry Conference was held at the Marriott Waterfront and featured its legendary Long Table. AT Operations Editor Randall Resch addresses the Captains on the Spirit Ride planned to launch in the Spring of this year.

48 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

1st

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 49

Medium-Duty Class

2nd

Redman Fleet Services Larton, Va. Peterbilt 337/Jerr-Dan

1st

Bill’s Service Stamford, Conn.

2015 Freightliner M2 Chevron 12-ton

3rd

Battlefield Towing & Storage Chantilly, Va. Ford F-750/Jerr-Dan MDL 320/110

Pageant judge Mike Sklarski with his Miller Rocks shirt.

The American Towman Exposition’s popularity can be attributed to its venues of celebration, none more popular than the Bull & Pig Roast, a.k.a. Miller Rocks, at the Hard Rock Cafe, sponsored by Miller Industries. At waterside, attendees wait to receive the customary Miller Rocks t-shirts.

50 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Carrier Class

1st

Waggy’s Towing Manassas, Va. 2017 Peterbilt 337/22’ Chevron

3rd

Non-Stop Towing & Recovery Freeport, N.Y. 2016 Hino 258/Vulcan SST

2nd

Pinehill Towing & Automotive King George, Va. 2016 Kenworth T-270/Jerr-Dan bed

Towman learn about the intricacies of towing exotic cars at the Luxury Vehicle Education seminar on the show floor, conducted by Allstate Roadside Services.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 51

Service/Support Truck 1st

1st

Vintage Class

Tauber’s Service Lithicum, Md. 1944 Ward LaFrance/Garwood M1A1

Nelcon Service Center North Haven, Conn.

2016 Ram 5500 Service Truck

3rd

2nd

2nd

Parke’s Auto Repair Elverson, Pa. 1986 Chevy C-30/Jerr-Dan WLT-60

Rob’s Auto & Collision Center Bristol, Pa. 1929 Ford Model A/Weaver Crane

Wayne’s Towing & Recovery East Petersburg, Pa. 2006 Ford F-550/Swab Utility Truck

The Exposition offers so much diversity of suppliers that attendees plan their time inside the Baltimore Convention Center like war generals plotting their attack on a theater of operations.

Many are on the show floor all three days, scouting and cultivating allies to their business goals.

52 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 53

Heavy-Duty Tandem Class

1st

Magill’s Auto Service Monroeville, Pa. 2016 Peterbilt 567/Jerr-Dan 50-ton Integrated

2nd

Redman Fleet Services Larton, Va. 2015 Peterbilt 389/Vulcan V-103

3rd

Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Md. 2017 Peterbilt 388/Century 9055

The Expo’s Satyr Hill Bluegrass band entertained on Saturday and Sunday at the American Towman Café. Their music wafted through the exhibit halls helping to create the festive mood the American Towman Exposition is known for.

54 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Heavy-Duty Single-Axle Class

2nd

Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Md. 2014 Kenworth T800/Century 5130

1st

Breen Brothers Towing Staten Island, N.Y. 2017 Freightliner Century 20-ton

3rd

Risoldi’s Auto Mount Holly, N.J. Kenworth T800/Century 2024

American Towman is famous for its networking events, none more effective than Calitri’s Cuba, where hundreds enjoy premium cigars and great conversation, sponsored by Savatech and AutoReturn.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 55

Rotator

2nd

Risoldi’s Auto Mount Holly, N.J. 2016 Kenworth T880W/NRC 608 Slider

Captains of the Towman Order salute new Captains being inducted, to be pinned with the Cross of the Order. Police and Fire Chiefs play the primary role in nominating towmen for the award.

56 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

1st

J.R. Kemp Enterprises Newton, N.H. Peterbilt 389/Century 1075 S

3rd

Coleman Motor Company Fredericksburg, Va. 2015 Peterbilt 389/ Century 1150

Best of Show

HJ Towing & Recovery Carlisle, Pa. 1994 Peterbilt/Century 5130

Best Theme/Presentation All Duty Repairs; Millersville, Md. Freightliner M2/Dual-Tech 1035

The Towman ACE Awards featured the 2016 custom buckle to those receiving the award in Baltimore. Motor clubs nominate towers for their proven record of service reliability. The ACE Awards were sponsored

by GEICO, NSD and Pinnacle Motor Club.

Twenty-one motor clubs and service providers exhibited on the Expo floor.

58 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Best of Show Working Class Loyal Tire & Auto Service Monroe, N.Y. 1994 GMC/Challenger Wrecker

AT Expo fielded a wide range of carriers.

Rotator HD Recovery Training is a staple of AT Expo, conducted

by WreckMaster at the M&T Bank Stadium parking lot across from the Convention Center.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 59

Towman Chopper

It’s the biggest and greatest tow show in the world. For career towing professionals, the American Towman Exposition is nirvana; or a state of perfect happiness. Like a kid in a candy store or awakening Christmas morning, one couldn’t be more excited than the big kids on AT Expo’s show floor.

60 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 61

From the Expo’s sights and sounds to its legendary hospitality, culminating with Sunday Pie, the American Towman Exposition puts a smile on everyone’s face.

Miller Rocks was one of several venues to feature a live band.

Trumpeteer Jay added to the hall’s exotic mood.

62 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

The Garage District at AT Expo featured suppliers to mechanical repair and body repair; 60 percent of towers attending also own repair shops.

With 16 wrecker, carrier and trailer manufacturers on the show floor, the American Towman Exposition is all about learning about new products, purchasing, researching equipment, and building relationshships with those who build and sell the equipment.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 63

Mark Your Calendar for AT EXPO XXIX: November 16-19, 2017

The Greatest Show of All Time is as much about people, energy and expertise as it is about the beautiful and amazing equipment on display and for sale. Those who come to see it know that all the promotion leading up to the Expostion isn’t hype, just fact–– the real deal.

Dynamic Adds Casanova as Dealer Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing (dynamicmfg.com) has added Casanova Towing Equipment of Compton, Calif., as a dealer. Casanova (casanovatowequipment.com) is a family-owned and operated towing company that now offers Dynamic towing equipment, service and parts in southern California. They employ a staff that is experienced in the towing and vehicle transportation industry.

Vanair Acquires Goodall Mfg. Vanair Manufacturing (vanair.com), provider of mobile power solutions, recently acquired Goodall Mfg., a leader in jump-starting and battery-charging technology.

Vanair will offer Start-All and Boost-All products and related accessories under the Goodall brand. Goodall products will continue to be available through Goodall’s existing distribution network and will also be available through Vanair’s distribution channels in the near future. *** Vanair also added Tim Worman as product manager.

He has almost 30 years of market experience with roles in engineering, product management, marketing and business development.

Worman’s responsibilities include market research, “Voice of the Customer” data, product requirements and

66 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

specifications, marketing strategies and the management of project timelines.

Urgent.ly Adds Three to Senior Team Urgent.ly roadside assistance (geturgently.com) recently expanded its senior team with three new members: • Alan Holman joins as VP of Sales. He brings more than 10 years of experience in building and leading sales organizations, including Allstate Roadside Services and GE Partnership Marketing Group/Roadside Assistance Division. Holman has a successful track record in establishing long-term contracts with auto manufacturers and building marketshare in the connected car, telematics and public sectors.

• Bill Maddox joins as National Service Director. He will be responsible for developing and managing the company’s national service network of more than 50,000 independent roadside assistance professionals. He has 25-plus years of experience in service network and operations management.

• Joe Ryan joins as an independent director on Urgent.ly’s board. An advisor to several technology and consumer-facing start-ups, Ryan has deep experience in the service industry and is currently chairman/CEO of Ryan Investments, a private firm with investments in hospitality, alternative energy and private banking.

68 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Trooper Honored for Saving Towman’s Life From left, Bill’s Towing co-owner Chad Coulson, towman Don Wensyl, Ohio Trooper Michael Corey and Lt. James M. Faunda.

Timesleaderonline. com image.

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Towman Don Wensyl is alive today because of the quick reaction and training of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Michael Corey, who rendered aid during a freak accident.

Corey was honored Jan. 6 with a certificate of recognition from the superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

On the evening of Sept. 17, Wensyl, a tower with Bill’s Towing in Bridgeport, was called to a one-vehicle crash to recover a car that had gone over an embankment and into a creek.

“I’ve done this numerous times over the last 40 years. I was winching a car up out of the creek,” Wensyl said, but this time the frame of the car broke, the tow hook snapped loose and caused the cable to slingshot back and strike Wensyl across the face, resulting in severe lacerations.

Corey, who is also a medic with the patrol’s Mobile Field Force, retrieved his first aid equipment from his patrol car and applied pressure to Wensyl’s wounds in an effort to stop the bleeding. Wensyl lost 2 liters of blood during the incident.

Wensyl does not believe he would have survived without Corey’s help.

“The surgeons did a pretty good job on it, but I had 150 stitches inside my eye socket,” Wensyl said. “The trooper had enough gauze in his car to treat eight gunshot wounds—that didn’t stop it, but it slowed it down.

If it hadn’t been for him, I would have bled to death because we were in a remote area. … He did a fantastic job—over and above.”

“It’s just another day at work,” Corey said. “It’s not something you really expect to do at work in law enforcement, but you have to be prepared for anything.”

Chad and Ty Coulson, co-owners of Bill’s Towing, thanked Corey for his expertise and dedication.

Source: timesleaderonline.com.

Dynamic Key to RABF Fundraising

by Mark Lacek

A

t the American Towman Expo last November in Baltimore, The Recovery Agent Benefit Fund picked a raffle winner of a Dynamic Slide-In Unit donated by Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing owner Anthony Gentile.

Michael Hayes, of Hayes Auto Recovery in Chesapeake, Va., won the Dynamic bed.

Hayes entered the drawing when he purchased one lucky raffle ticket and his number was drawn on Saturday afternoon. RABF would like to thank both Dynamic and American Towman for their support; I want to personally thank Anthony for his generosity.

RABF disbursed more than $52,000 in 2016 to 11 families, and more than $330,000 since it was founded.

Without Dynamic’s generous donation each year, the RABF would not be able to help as many families as we do. Valued at over $10,000, the donated unit raises thousands of dollars annually that contribute to the RABF. Years ago, when word of a repossessor’s injury or

72 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing annual donation of a Slide-In Unit to the Recovery Agents Benefits Fund is a major fundraiser for the organization. Dynamic Mfg. image.

continue to page 76

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TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 73

REPO RUN continued from page 72 death occurred, donations quickly followed. Then, with the turn in the economy and the slow recovery, those donations slowed and essentially stopped. The Dynamic Slide-In bed raffles have been essential to the fund.

Dynamic has a big following and presence in the repossession industry going back many years; 2017 raffle tickets are available at recoveryagentsbenefitfund.org.

In 2015 and 2016, more lenders began donating to the fund. The fund also collected more than $20,000 from donations and an auction held at the RSIG/Allied Finance Adjusters annual meeting and almost $10,000 was collected at the Primeritus meeting in Nashville in 2015. (Thanks to Martin Giles of Atlantic Wrecker Sales who donated several pieces of sports memorabilia to the RABF auction that helped drive donations.) More individuals are beginning to make regular monthly contributions and several have pledged larger annual contributions.

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In an industry that continues to be fragmented, the RABF is one place where repossessors can show support for one another. The RABF has an advisory committee with a representative from each national trade association as well as state associations.

Supporting the RABF should not be left solely in the hands of repossessors. Vendors, service providers, clients and lenders should also step up and support this industry. Repossessors serve a vital role in the financial adjustment industry. If you’re an employer of someone who received assistance from the fund, we ask you to remember how much help the funds were to that family and pay it forward.

The Recovery Agents Benefit Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization. Approximately 96 percent of donations directly benefit members and their families of the repossession industry, with no director or advisory committee member receiving any sort of salary or compensation from the fund—each serves as a volunteer. The

remaining 4 percent goes to administrative costs like state filing fees, shipping, printing and more.

The costs of repossessing an automobile continue to rise, while clients continue to demand lower fees. The process of lowering fees results in repossession companies cutting back on necessary maintenance and safety procedures. Until all repossession companies realize the value in providing a professional service and stop undercutting fees, shortcuts in safety and performance will cause injury and death.

Loss of life is an ongoing tragedy in the repossession and towing industry. The decisions you make today will absolutely reflect on your tomorrow. Be safe.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience.

He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.

Who Monitors the Towman’s Sleep in Ohio?

A Cleveland, Ohio, news broadcast looked into how dangerous lack of adequate sleep can be for truck drivers.

Those most likely to experience drowsiness behind the wheel are commercial vehicles like tow truck drivers.

“The guys work long hours, they have to,” said Michael Tomasko, President of Rich’s Towing & Service.

And once the snowfall hits, his employee David Lewis knows he’ll be spending more and more time away from his bed.

“Business does spike,” Lewis said.

“Sometimes it’s easier for us timeframe-wise to get more sleep to just

78 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

There are rules set by the Public Utilities of Commission of Ohio where drivers are only allowed to work 11hour shifts, unless they go on a police call, and are exempt.

It’s vital that the company monitors what sleep in the car, or in the truck than to go home and waste time.”

“It’s vital that the company monitors what type of hours their employees are putting in,” said Lt. Marvin Hill from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

So who is monitoring their workto-sleep ratio?

type of hours their employees are putting in.

But the main way they’d even find out about violations is on the off chance a highway patrol officer pulls them over.

“My employees can go out and stop these tow truck drivers and ensure that they’re not sleepy drivers,” Lt. Hill said.

If a tower takes a call in a different state, like Pennsylvania, they are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, where the work hours are more stringent. There are currently groups lobbying to get Ohio legislators on board with a uniform set of rules for towers across the state.

Source: newsnet5.com.

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80 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

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TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • 81

The Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award

The Silver Star For overcoming adversity and inspiring an industry

E

by Steve Calitri

His wife, Crystal, said, “His dward “Eric” Luchini is a second-generation towman; his surgery was on a Friday; by Tuesday dad, Ray, started Luchini’s he was back in the office ‘barking Towing and Recovery (Las orders’ at his tow drivers. … he was Cruces, New Mexico) in 1960 when not going to sit at the house when he could sit in the Eric was a year office and listen old. The comto the scanner. … pany covers a Two blood clots huge area of the and two emerAmerican gency room visits Southwest, runlater and he was ning calls on Istill answering 10 from Texas the phones and to Arizona and going to the I-25 from Las office.”

Cruces to AlbuAccording to querque.

Eric, coming back Eric is after the surgery hands-on in the was the easy part. business; like Not long after the most owners operation, radiawho grew up in Eric and Crystal Luchini tion and daily the towing industry he does whatever task is at chemo treatments for several months hand, from janitor to owner, mechanic began.

“Going to work was my savior – I to dispatcher, and towing to heavy recovery. He includes himself on the could still get around,” Eric said. “I didn’t like staying at home. The operheavy driver rotation.

Then, in 2013, he was diagnosed ation is an operation. But the radiation with aggressive, Stage 4 prostate can- and chemo really knocked me down. cer. In just six months, his reading for Especially towards the last week or prostate levels went from average to two weeks.”

“Not once did he miss a day of off the charts. So much so, that his doctor assumed it was a compromised work,” Crystal said. “Worn out, test. Unfortunately, a PSA retest three exhausted, no appetite and feeling days later not only confirmed the ini- like crap—he refused to stay home.”

“I’m pretty blessed,” Eric said. tial test, but had already climbed a “My drivers stepped up. … They all few points.

He was in surgery 30 days later to worked to do what they had to do.

“I’m a pretty good fighter. It’s remove his prostate, additional tissue what I can do.” and lymph nodes.

82 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

TowIndustryWeek.com is helping towers look ahead in 2017 with plenty of advice from columnists Randall Resch and Don Archer in the weekly Tow Business & Operations columns.

Recent topics have covered lifesaving obligations, price gouging, first-quarter blues and more.

Don't miss their weekly tune-ups targeted at your shop and employees.

They also share their thoughts with readers each month, along with long-time industry contributors Terry Abejuela and Mark Lacek. Don't miss all their musings on operating more safely in the March issue.

American Towman TV later this year will be filming Mike Corbin's "Spirit Ride" concert and producing a film of the event.

You don't want to miss being a part of that; learn more at ATSpiritRide.com.

Pa. Woman Suing Repo Firm, Others A Philadelphia, Pa., woman is suing American Credit Acceptance, Par North America, International Recovery Systems and Clifford Williams, alleging violation of debt collection laws, breach of contract, assault and battery, conversion and negligence.

Kangi E. Crews filed a complaint alleging improprieties in the repossession of a vehicle, including claims she was falsely charged with offenses in cases that were then dismissed.

The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible on a variety of allegations, including a claim that Williams’ background should have kept him from working as a repossession agent.

Crews requests a trial by jury and seeks statutory damages, actual damages, court costs, treble damages and punitive damages.

Source: pennrecord.com.

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • NORTH 85

Va. County Approves Tow Reforms The Arlington County (Va.) Board voted unanimously at its meeting to approve new measures aimed at curtailing predatory towing practices.

The most controversial measure was one requiring a second signature for written authorization of the property owner or an agent for each individual trespass tow conducted at a non-residential property during normal business hours.

Tow truck drivers will be required to photograph the vehicle at all four corners While local residents expressed their support, the Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses shared concerns it would but an undue burden on businesses.

The second signature requirement was voted on separately from the main legislation.

Other changes within the legislation aim at protecting vehicle owners.

Tow truck drivers will be required to photograph the vehicle at all four corners, giving the vehicle owner a safeguard and towers protection against false damage claims. Towing receipts will now also include a disclosure that photos and/or video evidence are available upon request as well as contact information for the county office that handles trespass towing.

The reforms also include new requirements for signage and markings on the interior of parking lots and facilities to provide clear information about parking restrictions.

The County Board voted unanimously to approve the reforms. The implementation of the second signature amendment is delayed until July 1, 2017.

Source: connectionnewspapers .com.

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TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • NORTH 87

NORTH 88 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Copyright©2017 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

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • SOUTH 83

Va. County Approves Tow Reforms The Arlington County (Va.) Board voted unanimously at its Dec. 13 meeting to approve new measures aimed at curtailing predatory towing practices.

The most controversial measure was one requiring a second signature for written authorization of the property owner or an agent for each individual trespass tow conducted at a non-residential property during normal business hours.

While local residents expressed their support, the Chamber of Commerce and many local businesses shared concerns it would but an undue burden on businesses.

The second signature requirement was voted on separately from the main legislation.

Other changes within the legislation aim at protecting vehicle owners.

Tow truck drivers will be required to photograph the vehicle at all four cor-

ners, giving the vehicle owner a safeguard and towers protection against false damage claims. Towing receipts will now also include a disclosure that photos and/or video evidence are available upon request as well as contact information for the county office that handles trespass towing.

The reforms also include new requirements for signage and markings on the interior of parking lots and facilities to provide clear information about parking restrictions.

The County Board voted unanimously to approve the reforms. The implementation of the second signature amendment is delayed until July 1, 2017.

Source: connectionnewspapers.com.

Towing Suit Dismissed A Chesterfield (Va.) Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the county last year by a local towing company.

The judge ruled that Chesterfield’s police chief acted within the scope of his authority when he removed Central City Towing from the county’s rotation in 2015.

Central City Towing sought $500,000 in damages for breach of contract and immediate restoration to the rotation. The county contends the tow company violated the contract by overcharging the owners of two vehicles for towing services following an October 2014 accident.

Because of the complexity of the accident, as well as the time and equipment required to separate two vehicles that were “severely entangled and on top of one another,” Central City charged the cars’ owners a combined $6,637.

Under the police department fee schedule approved by the Board of Supervisors, the maximum amount the company was allowed to charge was $1,300.

Central City claimed it received no complaints from either of the vehicle owners, who consented to the charges at the scene of the accident, or their insurance companies.

According to Central City’s attorney, the police department was alerted to the situation by an unnamed competitor.

Following an investigation, it was determined the company had charged more than the maximum allowable fees and its police towing contract was terminated.

Source: chesterfieldobserver.com.

Pa. Woman Suing Repo Firm, Others A Philadelphia, Pa., woman is suing American Credit Acceptance, Par North America, International Recovery Systems and Clifford Williams, alleging violation of debt collection laws, breach of contract, assault and battery, conversion and negligence.

Kangi E. Crews filed a complaint on Dec. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaSOUTH 84 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • SOUTH 85

nia against the defendants, alleging several improprieties in the repossession of a vehicle, including claims she was falsely charged with offenses in cases that were then dismissed.

According to the complaint, Crews alleges she suffered damages as the result of an improper repossession and false accusations. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible on a variety of allegations, including a claim that Williams’ background should have kept him from working as a repossession agent.

Crews requests a trial by jury and seeks statutory damages, actual damages, court costs, treble damages and punitive damages.

Source: pennrecord.com.

Barnett New APTRA Executive Director Angela Roper Barnett is the new executive director of the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association. Roper replaced Patricia King, effective Jan. 1.

Barnett comes with close to 20 years of experience in the towing and recovery industry. She has owned two towing companies in Texas and has been an industry instructor for 10 years.

While active in the towing industry, Barnett served in volunteer roles with Towing and Recovery Association of America and Women’s Towing and Recovery Association of America. She was awarded the Tow Woman of the Year award by WTRAA in 2007.

“Angela’s wealth of experience in this industry as well as associations, will make her an excellent addition to APTRA’s team,” said Conor Gleason, president of APTRA. “We believe Angela will continue the great job Patti King began with APTRA and expand the association’s reputation and membership.”

Source: aptra.net.

TowShow.com

SOUTH 86 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Standing Out Against the Landscape

by George L. Nitti

L

ike a classic movie, it can be a pleasant change to see a tow truck in black-and-white. In Panama City, Fla., White’s Gulf County Wrecker Service operates a mostly black-and-white fleet of light- to heavy-duty wreckers.

“My grandfather started the company in 1949 with a black-and-white tow truck,” said owner Richard “Bubba” White. “We serve several counties, spread out over 170 miles.”

One of their latest acquisitions, a 2016 Peterbilt 388 twin-steer with a Century 1075 rotator, stands out for its bold, black-and-white schematic and sheer size.

Weighing in at more than 80,000 lbs., the unit is the largest wrecker/rotator in the state of Florida, according to one source.

“They don’t build nothing bigger than this right here,” White said.

On the side front end of the Peterbilt chassis is the word “Pops.”

White said, “It’s a tribute to my grandpa. He died in 2008. He taught me almost everything I know about a wrecker.”

Further down the side of the unit is another symbol giving tribute to his grandfather: a man walking in front of a bull.

Explaining its significance, White said, “Before my grandfather started the business, he pulled out a Model T with a bull.”

White himself acknowledges that his driving force is helping people.

“There’s a lot of aggravation and a lot of stress,” he said, “but at the end of the day, it’s worth it.”

Perhaps the most amazing feature of the unit is the driver himself. Bubba lost a leg due to a staph infection several years back, but doesn’t let anything stand in his way, using a prosthetic leg to get the job done. Bubba was given the American Towman Silver Star: Joe Doblmeier Award during the 2012 AT Expo in Baltimore for overcoming adversity in his dedication to the industry.

“It’s mind over matter. I don’t mind … so it don’t matter.”

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to read it each week.

George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009.

He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • SOUTH 87

Prosecutors: Ohio Business Stole Vehicles A West Chester, Ohio, woman, her two daughters and two other men were indicted Dec. 28 on a total of 79 felony charges in connection to a scheme involving the woman’s repossession business stealing vehicles, according to court documents.

Virginia Kidd, 44, is facing 21 felony charges including multiple counts of theft, forgery, tampering with records and defrauding creditors. Her 21-year-old daughter, Regan Kidd, is facing 21 similar charges.

Virginia Kidd’s 27-year-old daughter, Destiney Kidd, was indicted on eight felony charges including the same charges as her mother and violation of certificate motor vehicle title law.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said that banks and creditors would contact Virginia Kidd’s business to repossess vehicles from people who had failed to make payments.

Investigators claim the group would repossess the vehicles then submit forged and faked documents to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to obtain titles to the vehicles in their own names.

The group would then contact the banks and creditors and fabricate stories about why the vehicles could not be returned, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Liroi Kennedy, 43, of College Hill has also been indicted in the case. He has been charged with 16 felony charges, multiple counts of theft, forgery, tampering with records and defrauding creditors. Elinor Anderson of Decatur, Ga., has been indicted with 11 similar charges.

The prosecutor’s office said an investigation into the group was launched after the bureau of motor vehicles noticed problems with paperwork they had filed.

Source: cincinnati.com.

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Wings Of Angels

I

n this day, with so many reports of towers losing their lives in the line of duty, many pray to the heavens for protection.

Too many tow businesses and families have been devastated by the loss of a loved one, like the family of Blake Gresham, who lost his life four years ago on the roadside. He was only 18.

His father, James, owner of GT Tow Service of Kansas City, Mo., had beautiful wings placed on the hood of their award-winning 2013 Peterbilt 388/Century 9055 unit to honor Blake’s memory. Blake’s truck number, 42, along with an elegantly scripted tribute, “In Loving Memory,” also appears on the hood.

MIDWEST 86 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

by George L. Nitti

“The truck originated in Florida where we bought it,” Gresham said.

“It pretty much came as you see it, with the same black and lime-green colors. We added our logo and upscaled the alligator.”

The alligator is one of the standout graphics found on the cab; it’s portrayed as a superhero with a “42” tattooed on its right shoulder, along with the company name across its muscular forearm. The three-stage boom also prominently displays the company name.

The company brand is projected through an easy-to-read logo in a large, vibrant red against a black background with lime-green racing stripes.

“Our trucks are all painted different colors,” Gresham said. “We don’t want people to mistake them for the same trucks. We want them to know that we have a variety. Different colors make them each standout, but our logo is always the same.”

But it is the exquisite wings that make this unit soar, helping to memorialize the loss of a loved one and mark the perils of being a towman.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to read it each week.

George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009.

He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • MIDWEST 87

Man Drags Car Away from Agents A Grant County, Wis., man was arrested recently after threatening repossession agents and dragging the repossessed car away from them, officials said.

Grant County sheriff’s deputies received a call Dec. 21 around 4:30 p.m. from Easton Motors of Wisconsin Dells asking for help with the repossession of a vehicle in Castle Rock Township, according to a release. The callers said a business owner was causing a disturbance with the repossession agents.

Gillingham connected the Monte Carlo to his Ford truck and dragged the car to the middle of County Road G. Deputies found a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo in the middle of County Road G at Witek Road, officials said.

The two repossession agents repossessed the Monte Carlo in Iowa and were repossessing another vehicle from the Castle Rock Township location when 32-year-old John Gillingham of Muscoda threatened the two agents, according to the release.

When the repossession agents left the location and stopped to attach the second vehicle to a tow truck, Gillingham connected the Monte Carlo to his Ford truck and dragged the car to the middle of County Road G, deputies said. The Monte Carlo had flat spots on the tires due to Gillingham dragging the car while it was in park.

Gillingham was arrested on tentative charges of criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.

Source: channel3000.com.

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Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • WEST 85

Driver Doesn’t Like Wash. Plan Washington state plans to open up parts of Interstate 5 to allow shoulder driving starting this summer, when the state will let buses drive part of the shoulder south of Everett.

But Amanda Batterson of Skip’s Everett Towing said she doesn’t like that idea.

“It’s really frightening to me that they want to use our workspace as a road,” Batterson said. She operated a tow truck until she was hit by a car. She said the policy endangers police officers and emergency responders as well as towers.

Washington state says it will keep everybody safe by closing down the shoulder when there’s an accident.

Source: kuow.org.

Barnett New APTRA Executive Director Angela Roper Barnett is the new executive director of the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association. Roper replaced Patricia King, effective Jan. 1.

Barnett comes with close to 20 years of experience in the towing and recovery industry. She has owned two towing companies in Texas and has been an industry instructor for 10 years.

While active in the towing industry, Barnett served in volunteer roles with Towing and Recovery Association of America and Women’s Towing and Recovery Association of America. She was awarded the Tow Woman of the Year award by WTRAA in 2007.

“Angela’s wealth of experience in this industry as well as associations, will make her an excellent addition to APTRA’s team,” said Conor Gleason, president of APTRA.

TowShow.com

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TOWMAN.COM - February 2017 • WEST 87

Pa. Woman Suing Repo Firm, Others A Philadelphia, Pa., woman is suing American Credit Acceptance, Par North America, International Recovery Systems and Clifford Williams, alleging violation of debt collection laws, breach of contract, assault and battery, conversion and negligence.

Kangi E. Crews filed a complaint alleging improprieties in the repossession of a vehicle, including claims she was falsely charged with offenses in cases that were then dismissed.

The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible on a variety of allegations, including a claim that Williams’ background should have kept him from working as a repossession agent.

Crews requests a trial by jury and seeks statutory damages, actual damages, court costs, treble damages and punitive damages.

Source: pennrecord.com.

WEST 88 • February 2017 - TOWMAN.COM