American Towman Magazine - August 2017

Enjoy your coffee at TowIndustryWeek.com

AT Expo Brochure pages 35-50 A loaded dump truck went through an antique bridge; I-44 Wrecker Service sent out two heavy-duty Powerbilt units to rescue it.

FEATURE CONTENTS

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Social Phenom Departments The Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Workhorse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ad Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Tow Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Tow Americana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . regional

Cover: Mark Robbins, owner of I-44 Wrecker Service, used two Powerbilt heavies to rescue a dump truck where other companies refused to go.

4 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

OMG National is a natural marketing partner for the Spirit Ride.

by Brendan Dooley

17

Industry Mobilizes Spirit Ride leads fight for protection of tow operators.

by Steve Calitri

30

Bridge Collapse I-44 Wrecker Service ventured out where other companies would not tread.

by AT Staff

52

Modest Beginnings It’s been a long road for B/A Products from Part 1-1 to today’s business.

by Henri “Doc” Calitri

60

Getting Down the Road Running trailers make sense when you can spare a tow truck for other calls.

by Brendan Dooley

Time for Texas

by Dennie Ortiz

They say time flies when you’re having fun, but time disappears when you’re busy working.

Here at American Towman, we’ve been hard at work gearing up for our Tow Expo-Dallas in its new location at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine.

For the towing business owner there will be plenty of equipment and industry suppliers on the exhibit floor to engage and learn about new products and services for your business. Towers seeking greater engagement and education will sign up for the diverse seminars including the newly announced Repo “Under Cover” conference (See page 82).

For some of those towing families who have members looking to take advantage of more than the trade show, there is a great time to be had at the 10-acre pool and Lazy River. I might even just join you for a swim;

everyone needs some down time, right?

The Sprit Ride also will be making a stop at the Tow Expo-Dallas to raise awareness of the dangers towers and other first responders face on the roadways every day. Check pages 1419 to learn more about the reasons certain suppliers are supporting the Spirit Ride initiative and how this awareness can help towing businesses in different ways.

An important aspect of the Spirit Ride initiative is to encourage towers in the field to work safely. Also in this issue, you will find Randy Resch’s article with recommendations on flares and cones to avoid injury both to yourself and motorists.

Safety is paramount and that’s why we feature safety articles each month. If you have safety tips you’d like to share with fellow towers, please send them our way. We welcome information that can help everyone get home safely.

Looking Back to See Ahead

by Brendan Dooley

I’m a sentimental guy … I like to reminisce about the old days (whether I was there or not.) Especially when it comes to the garage. That’s why my garage has my great uncle’s 1966 Chevy Impala, tools that my dad got when he was a boy from his dad and uncle, and a parade of 1960s and ’70s motorcycles that have been through.

So when Chuck Anderson, owner of Nolte’s Towing in Oshkosh, Wis., called to let me know Oshkosh Corp. was celebrating 100 years in business with a parade of new and old vehicles, I was in.

So yesterday (as I write this), I drove up to Oshkosh and got to see a procession of new and old vehicles from the corporation (mostly new, but that’s OK).

Oshkosh has owned Jerr-Dan since 2004, so there were several wreckers and rotators in the parade, as well as some lifts from its sister company JLG. Check out the story on page 12.

I think it always helps to figure out where you’re going when you know where you’ve been.

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First On The Scene!

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor

Randall Resch

Operations Editor

Terry Abejuela

Field Editor, West

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti Don Archer David Kolman Bill Simmons 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

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 Feels Targeted by City A Cape Coral, Fla., resident feels he’s being targeted by the city’s code enforcement department.

Brandon Whiteside said he works for a 24-hour towing company and has never had an issue with parking his truck in his driveway overnight until recently.

“My vehicle is the tool for my job. It’s like telling me I can’t have my tool belt at home because I only use it only on commercial stuff,” said Whiteside.

Whiteside said recently he received a city code compliance flyer telling him he was in violation, which prohibits commercial vehicle parking in a residential area.

A city spokesperson said the code has been law for 20 years and can only change through council vote. Whiteside said he’ll push for the vote.

Source: fox4now.com.

Tow Policy to Change Officials in St. Louis, Mo., confirmed they are changing their towing policies after crime victims complained to a local news station.

Victims will no longer have to pay towing or storage fees to the city if they get their car from the city tow lot during business hours, within the first 72 hours of police notification that the car was recovered.

The time frame excludes Sundays and city holidays.

Under the previous city policy, even if your car had been stolen, you would have to pay to get your car out of the city’s tow lot in the event it was recovered by police.

The change means a loss in revenue of about $300,000 a year.

Source: kmov.com.

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N.Y. Blue Light Bill NOT Dead Gantt had The Empire previously told State Towing & ESTRA’s lobbyRecovery Assoist, Pete O’Conciation’s Blue nell, that he Light Bill came didn’t see a to a sudden halt need for the bill when state Rep. b e c a u s e David Gantt, “motorists assembly transmove over for portation comyellow lights all mittee chair, the time.” made a motion Hold on Blue Light Bill in New York state is ESTRA says to hold the bill. not a death sentence according to ESTRA. it will attempt The bill’s to convince sponsor, Rep. Gantt to change his mind on the bill Michael DenDekker, then converted and urged its members to contact it into a “sponsor’s hold,” which their reps to go on the bill as a comakes it possible to bring the bill up sponsor. in committee if the legislature returns Source: estranys.com. to Albany later in the year.

Extreme Heat

Keeps Towmen Busy Randy Partlow Jr. of ABC Towing in Coachella, Calif., said that the searing heat in the west has increased calls for him and other drivers.

“A normal, regular day has 7, 10, to 12 calls,” he said. “Right now, we’re doing 15 to 20, and then some.” He said the summer season is one of the busiest times for towing companies in the California valley, with extreme heat taking an extreme toll on rides; especially on tires and batteries.

“Lots of tires and exploding batteries,” Partlow said.

The heat, he said, also poses challenges for tow operators, including dehydration.

Source: kesq.com.

. . . Lots of tires and exploding batteries . . .

Ride-Shares Impact Tipsy Tows With the addition of Uber and Lyft, people have a different way of getting around town during holidays like last month’s Fourth of July celebrations.

Russell Patten with Mike’s Wrecker Service in Huntsville, Ala., said they see a decrease in business because of the different ride-sharing services. He said that people are more aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, and they take advantage of ride-sharing.

Patten said the company used to offer holiday specials but stopped because people now will leave their car.

Source: waff.com.

Best Drivers Report Released The 13th annual Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report recently named Kansas City, Kan., as the city with America’s safest drivers. Based on Allstate claims data, the company unveiled the report to encourage safedriving habits according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

IIHS found July and August are the deadliest months on the road, with each averaging 116 deaths a day.

The National Safety Council estimates more than 40,000 people died in car crashes in 2016, making it potentially the most dangerous driving year since 2007.

This year’s three safest cities— Kansas City, Brownsville, Texas, and Madison, Wis.—retain their places in the top three from last year’s report, with Kansas City jumping ahead of Brownsville.

Source: allstate.com.

Correction In a photo on page 26 in the July issue, J.J. Tirinato was mistakenly identified as Michael DeVito.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Burned Towman in Coma Following Collision Aaron Palacios, a rookie tower with Western Towing in San Diego, Calif., suffered major injuries and burns to 50 percent of his body following a fiery wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 in July.

Witnesses said that Palacios managed to get himself out of the wreckage of his tow truck and was seen running to the wrong-way driver’s Aaron Palacios, left. car to try and help him as flames consumed his Porsche.

At press time, Palacios was in a medically induced coma at UCSD Medical Center.

“He’s a newer tower … a smart guy, and was very happy-go-lucky from his first interview all the way up to starting that shift,” said Joel Talmadge, Western Towing’s Driver Manager. “He was focused and always wanted to learn more.”

Talmadge said Palacios has no burns to his lungs, or internal injuries from the accident according to doctors.

“They said it looks good he will survive, but will need lots of time and surgeries,” he said.

A GoFundMe account, gofundme.com/aarons-palacios-medical-expenses, was created to help cover the family’s expenses.

Sources: AT staff; nbcsandiego.com.

Towmen Want More Enforcement Some towmen in Texas are pushing to strengthen the state’s Move Over law. Geoff Nienstedt of Roadrunner Towing Service said drivers do not obey the law and wants to see tougher penalties for people.

A local television station saw up close what tow operators deal with on a daily basis.

In a matter of minutes, more than 150 cars zoomed by a tow Texas towmen are seeking stricter enforcement truck on I-35 without moving of the state’s Move Over laws. over or slowing down. Only Foxsanantonio.com image. two tow trucks and a pickup truck pulling a trailer obeyed the Move Over law.

However, when a police squad parked there with its blue and red flashing lights, drivers immediately started pumping the brakes.

“That’s one of the reasons … we want to be able to run the blue lights to the rear. It gets people’s attention and it slows them down,” Nienstedt said.

Source: foxsanantonio.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Pry Wedge The Patriot Pry Wedge, from Next Generation Tool Co., is a streamlined multi-functional wedge that creates space for an air wedge while protecting the vehicle with its rubber pivot. The Patriot Pry Wedge separates the door from the frame and does not damage weather stripping. Flip it over to use it as a conventional wedge, with a removable handle that provides extra leverage when needed.

nextgentool.com

Holiday Cards with Your Truck Stamp Works, the “Tow Truck Magnet People,” released custom greeting cards so you can feature your own tow truck on your holiday cards. They are full-color cards, fold to 5x7, with your own custom greeting inside and your full color logo. Envelopes included.

stampworks.net

Muncie Rear-Mount PTO Muncie Power Products’ new RS6S-P89M Series power take-off is a rear-mount, solenoid-activated, mechanical-shift unit. The PTO features an integral hydraulic mount for structural support of hydraulic pumps up to 60 lbs. without additional transmission support, but has a bending moment limit of 29.5-ft./lbs. maximum. The PTO is capable of different ratios, several different outputs and the ability to mount larger-displacement pumps. It is available with direct-mount or companion-flange output options.

munciepower.com 10 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Isuzu FTR Tops in Turning, MPG At a recent ride-and-drive event, Isuzu shared the results from independent testing done on the FTR vs. its Class 6 equivalents. The FTR rated best in class for fuel economy and turning radius.

The new FTR is being built at Spartan Motors in Charlotte, Mich.

The FTR proved tight in the corners and capable in acceleration at a recent comparison event.

P

roduction recently began on the all-new 2018 Isuzu FTR, a Class 6 low-cab forward medium-duty chassis. The truck is being produced at a new 80,000-sq.ft. Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

The FTR is powered by Isuzu’s 4HK1-TC 5.2L turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine—a first in the segment. It generates 520-ft./lbs. of torque and 215 hp, and is mated to an Allison 2550 RDS six-speed automatic transmission with power take-off capability.

“We believe that the all-new FTR is the truck of the future,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “This truck’s combination of low-cab-forward design, Class 6 GVWR and fourcylinder diesel engine gives it fantastic maneuverability, the ability to carry more cargo than a conventional Class 6 truck, and outstanding fuel efficiency.

“We’re also thrilled to be working with Spartan Motors in Michigan,” he said. “Much of the engineering for this truck was done at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Plymouth, Mich., and many of the parts for it are U.S.-sourced. This is a true

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

medium-duty Class 6 truck designed and built for this market, in this market.”

There are eight wheelbase lengths, from 152” to 248”, to accommodate bodies up to 30’. The front axle has a capacity of 12,000 lbs., while the rear axle has a capacity of 19,000 lbs. Because of its low-cab-forward configuration and clean back-of-cab design, the FTR can provide more bed space within a given overall length than comparable conventional Class 6 trucks.

The FTR’s low-cab-forward design also dramatically increases visibility and markedly improves maneuverability. A wide step and wide-opening doors allow easy entry to Isuzu’s exclusive Hexapod cab, which features threeacross seating and extra space for storage behind the seats.

Available Vehicle Health Reports provide comprehensive analysis of the truck’s powertrain and emissions systems, fuel economy, brake usage and driver operating habits. (For more information on the future of telematics, check out Tow Boss on page 20.)

isuzucv.com

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 11

Oshkosh Marks100 Years

by Brendan Dooley

Three Nolte’s Towing units brought up the rear of the parade in case of trouble (above). A 2007 Kenworth T800/Jerr-Dan 50-ton integrated heavy (a former My Baby unit from AT’s October 2016 issue), followed by a 2009 Sterling Bullet/Jerr-Dan Cougar and a 2012 Freightliner/Jerr-Dan 22’ XLP rollback. Jerr-Dan and JLG make up Oshkosh Corp.’s “Access Equipment” unit (below).

O

shkosh Corp. celebrated its 100th year in business with a factory open house and a community parade in its Oshkosh, Wis., hometown last month.

The warm weather with a light breeze was perfect for the Saturday morning parade and events.

Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh company since June 2004, had wreckers and equipment both on display in the parade, and with wreckers from local Nolte’s Towing staged around the route (in the unlikely event of a breakdown in the procession … of which there were none). Coincidentally, JerrDan is marking an anniversary this year too with its 45th Anniversary.

The 100 Year Anniversary Parade featured dozens of Oshkosh family products across its access equipment (Jerr-Dan and JLG), defense, fire/emergency and commercial lines ranging from antique to new.

The parade included the company’s “Old Betsy,” a four-wheel-drive unit built in 1917 that underwent a recent restoration to get road ready for the 100th anniversary, as well as its newest offerings including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

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William Besserdich and B.A. Mosling founded Oshkosh in 1917 on two key patented innovations: a transfer case that transfers power from the front axle to the rear, and improved steering and drive capacity of the front axle. Old Betsy was the prototype display of these innovations that attracted investors.

“We’re proud and humble that our company truly makes a difference in people’s lives; building on a foundation that began 100 years ago,” said Wilson R. Jones, Oshkosh Corp. president/CEO. Nolte’s Towing does a lot of work for Oshkosh moving vehicles and chassis. Nolte’s operator Don Davis related an inspiring anecdote talking

with one Oshkosh line worker: “I was hooking up an MATV and there was an Oshkosh worker on break and he walked up to me and said, ‘You take care of that, that’s part of me.’ I looked at him and asked what he meant and he said, ‘Well I take pride in my work and that’s part of me because I built that truck.’

“I thought that was pretty neat … because towers take pride in our trucks too, when we keep them clean, wash them, keep them operational and professional.”

Author’s note: Special thanks go to Nolte’s Towing owner Chuck Anderson for alerting me to the parade and letting me ride with operator Don Davis during the parade to get photos.

Spirit Ride a Social Phenom OMG National’s contributions are helping drive attention to the Spirit Ride

A

by Brendan Dooley

“OMG is contributing social media Chad Becerra, the tow operator who s the Spirit Ride crisscrosses America’s highways and promotion and and creating video- credits Bobby Unruh with saving his byways through cities large releases to media for the Spirit Ride. It life.

“OMG is a great resource for and small raising is also providing vital services at cost motorists’ awareness of the Move Over (to American Towman Spirit Inc.) American Towman TV and the Spirit laws, the online effort to publicize it is through its communication specialists, Ride,” says Calitri. “We were looking as important as the Spirit Casket and such as media coordination for each for a documentary-style feature out of ceremony stop, telemarketing towers New Mexico that we can distribute to Riders themselves.

In each city and town, the Casket in each region, sending out press pack- national media outlets. Mike will overtransfer ceremony provides opportu- ets and video media kits to the local see the production with his people nities for towers to reach their com- TV stations to make each ceremony as editing. While there were hard costs to the Spirit Ride (air fare, lodging, munities to educate and inform live effective as it can be.” expenses) Mike will and especially contribute much of the through local news production work.” Calcoverage and social itri added, “He's the media. man you want in the To that end, the trenches with you.”

Spirit Ride is grateOMG had provided ful to partner with additional camera covOMG National—the erage of the inaugural largest tow marketSpirit Ride processional ing agency in the in Las Vegas and the U.S. As a Platinum ceremony in May, sponsor and its where the Spirit Casket social media guru. made its public debut.

OMG is contributBob’s Towing carries Spirit through West Bend, Wisconsin.

There he also pitched ing its social media “OMG is going beyond the line of in with his own creative talents in expertise to propagate stories and duty on the Spirit Ride,” said Ameri- directing the camera action. video coverage of the Spirit Ride.

Beyond just giving back, support“At OMG, I’ve been touched by can Towman's Steve Calitri. “It's social the hundreds of towers we’ve worked media effort is ongoing. It goes the ing the Spirit Ride is a natural outreach with personally,” said Mike Rappa- extra nine yards with important PR for OMG as the route includes and/or port, Chief Creative Officer at OMG. efforts like creating personalized invi- passes so many of the company’s partIn fact, Mike and OMG CEO Jesse tation cards that towers at each relay ner clients.

“Many OMG customers are on the Lubar have been regulars at the Amer- station can distribute.”

When American Towman TV's route,” Rappaport said. “We have so ican Towman Expos, going back to Emily OZ was not able to fly to New many relationships nationwide, it’s a the first Baltimore show in 1989.

“We immediately became a spon- Mexico to cover the Tucumcari and natural for us to reach out to them sor when Steve Calitri (AT Editor-in- Albuquerque Spirit Ride events, OMG and help publicize the Ride.”

Beyond publicizing the event to Chief and Spirit Ride co-founder) made Jennifer Riley and a cameratalked with me about the Spirit Ride man available to take the assignment. towers, OMG’s efforts are supporting and its goals to raise public awareness Jennifer, an experienced newscaster, those towers who are hosting ceremoof Move Over to help protect towers,” covered the Rides and interviewed nial events and joining in the procesRappaport said. “I recognized Spirit Linda Unruh of All-Rite Towing, who sionals with the Spirit Casket.

“We’re building audiences with Ride as an opportunity to give back to had lost her son, Bobby, on February this industry.We became a sponsor 19th, when he was struck down by a Facebook and Twitter, creating condonating both money and services to passing tractor-trailer who failed to tent, producing videos, making stratemove over. Riley also interviewed gic media buys and working with the effort.

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book certified marketing agency, OMG manages more than $250,000 per month in online ad spending and is plugged into the current state of internet marketing.

In 2007, Mike was in need of a liver transplant due to Hepatitis C. In August of that year he decided to merge his company with friendly competitor, Jesse Lubar’s National Telephone Message Corp. This allowed the two companies to thrive in a changing media world. Mike also received a new liver and lease on life, as well as eradicating the Hepatitis C virus, in 2010. Since then, OMG National has been named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies five times (at press time they had just been notified that they were on the 2017 list.)

OMG National expanded into

video production six years ago and soon thereafter partnered with American Towman Media to produce ATTV. “My passion is video production and we’re now shooting video on a national basis,” Rappaport said. He invites any tower who’s interested to visit OMG’s 13,000-sq.-ft. studio center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to see the facility and sketch out marketing strategies.

“We’re excited to assist at the Spirit Ride booth at the Tow Expo-Dallas (this month) and American Towman Expo in Baltimore this November,” Rappaport said. “We’ll be answering questions, thanking participants, seeking new ideas for outreach and more.”

By the way, Mike got the liver transplant. For that the Spirit Ride, and all the towers making it happen, are grateful.

US Fleet Tracking Supports the Spirit Ride

by Daniel Young

local towers to maximize the audience at each spot,” Rappaport said. “We’re working with the tower—creating a graphic set unique and specific to their market—and coaching and guiding their own efforts at those specific stops.

“Those that are already active on Facebook give us a better foundation to work from, but OMG coaching and consultation have provided value to each of those stops and shows how effective social media and video are in 2017.”

As the technical producers of American Towman TV, and with a sharp focus on the marketing needs of America’s tow bosses, it was natural for OMG to help promote the Spirit Ride. OMG National develops websites, videos and on-hold messages for thousands of U.S. tow businesses (the current atspiritride.com was created by OMG). As a Google and Face-

GPS Has The First Responder's Back

T

he men and women that respond to a 911 dispatch are nothing short of heroes. Police, fire, emergency medical, and tow operators are equally important in first response situations.

US Fleet Tracking originally developed its live GPS tracking software to aid first responders by providing accurate and reliable live data. We know towers are first responders as well and we know that every second matters in an emergency. We’ve committed to giving back to our first responders by supporting the Spirit Ride and creating a campaign called Back the Blue to support law enforcement.

Law Enforcement Last July, I got a call from a police chief of a small suburb near Dallas-Fort Worth. The chief received a complaint that a young woman claimed an officer pulled her over on a speeding violation.

After letting the woman go with a warning, she claims she witnessed the Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Sean Davis, Arrow Wrecker Service, speaks at Spirit Ride Ceremony in Oklahoma City. Arrow led a procession of over 70 tow trucks and emergency service vehicles.

officer driving very slowly down her street. She accused the officer of following her home and harassing her.

Luckily, every cruiser in the chief’s

fleet had GPS. First, I helped show the chief how to run the historical playback on the officer for the night of the alleged harassment. The woman had lived immediately south of the main highway that runs through town. We clearly saw from the playback where the officer had pulled over by the stop registering and the PTO engaged telling us the light bar was used, indicated by red and blue panic on the screen. After the officer turned off his light bar, he responded to a call they had at the local convenience store on the west edge of town.

Was the lady wrong? We set up a Geofence around the area and generated a report showing every officer that drove within a block of her address. Sure enough, another officer had driven past her house on a routine patrol of the neighborhood not long after the incident. Fortunately, this story had a happy ending.

US Fleet Tracking is rooted in law enforcement. Founder/CEO Jerry

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 15

Arrow Wrecker Service in Oklahoma City.

Hunter identified a need for 5- and 10-second updates in live tracking.

During the eight years prior to forming US Fleet Tracking, our team concentrated exclusively on live tracking systems for 911 dispatch, law enforcement and ambulance services.

A sheriff once told me that every time an officer does not immediately respond to the radio, his heart sinks and his mind starts racing. Was this going to be the day he had to make a call to a deputy’s wife, or is he simply not within reach of the radio?

Safety is key and our live tracking with 10-second updates lets dispatch know where the officers are, not where they have been. It is equally important to keep the officers accountable and transparent in their actions.

Speed alerts and monitoring aggressive driving alerts help to verify the officers are being held to the same high standards they hold for the citizens of their community. Up to a year of history on their speed and location ensures that investigators have the data they need to either confirm or disprove allegations against their officers.

To pay tribute, US Fleet Tracking created its “Back the Blue” Program to assist law enforcement in acquiring live GPS tracking devices. We’ve also 16 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

provided an avenue for community members to support this cause and the IACP Foundation to support its injured officers campaign.

Towing Vanita, the owner of Arrow Wrecker, got a complaint that accused one of her drivers going 80 mph in a 50-mph zone. The witness said the driver was weaving through lanes erratically and she tried to catch up with him to get the number on the side of the truck and couldn’t keep up with him even at 70 mph. She threatened to leave a negative Google and Yelp Review. Vanita had her fleet supervisor Jeff investigate the claim.

Using US Fleet Tracking’s live GPS software, Jeff was quickly able to identify the vehicle in question. Using the speeding report, he dismissed the speeding claim. He went ahead and checked the aggressive driving report for hard braking and rapid acceleration just to be on the safe side. There was nothing out of the ordinary.

Looking at the historical playback, Jeff noticed the driver was coming from a stop in a residential area. He cross-referenced the dash cam footage from the wrecker and it turns out the operator had just left a repossession

call. The woman was embarrassed when she was told the true situation and dismissed the claim.

We recognize that tow operators are first responders as well. They serve our communities; helping keep our roads and highways safe and clear of wreckage debris and other roadside hazards. All too often, this service costs them their lives. Much like police, they lay their life on the line while performing their duties.

Supporting the towing industry is important to US Fleet Tracking. This is why we chose to sponsor the American Towman Spirit Ride and we are the official live GPS tracking provider.

Spirit Ride co-founder Steve Calitri said if the message gets through to our nation and saves just one tower’s life, it will be all worth it.

US Fleet Tracking’s commitment to give back to law enforcement and our decision to support the Spirit Ride go hand-in-hand. We serve those that serve us.

Editor’s note: Daniel Young, an account executive with US Fleet Tracking, has contributed many hours communicating with police and fire departments on behalf of the Spirit Ride.

Tow Industry Mobilizes for Survival

by Steve Calitri

A

n industry besieged with red tape, high insurance rates, depressed rates, and a tough time getting quality operators…sounds like the towing industry the past forty years.

Now it’s worse. Market forces and easy-entry into towing continue to depress rates. Municipalities and states continue to throw more red tape at tow operations cutting into their profit margins; curtailing private All First Responders have taken the Spirit Ride tows is one example. Insurto heart, becoming engaged with each relay, ance rates have skyrocketed ceremony, and procession all across the nation. for tow companies, up 300% over the past five years. But the prospect that keeps people away from towing is of hiring and keeping able tow operators the one that tow bosses have responded to like the ostrich: the dangers of the job. is bleaker than ever before.

It’s always been dangerous out Tow bosses report that it’s hard to find anyone to operate a heavy duty there by the white line. Some jobs have wrecker for a$75,000 salary. Light duty more risk than others: that’s just the operators are just as hard to find, even way it is. But factors the past thirty paying $50,000-$60,000. The reasons years have aggravated the dangers for are many. There isn’t just one cause. a tow operator, raised the risk, and our Erratic hours, a changed culture that awareness of that risk.

The Internet has made the towing prepares fewer people for outdoors work, a lack of industry outreach and industry aware of the scope of the professional recruitment, and a lack of problem. Tow Industry Week has been sophisticated management practices… reporting one to two towers struck and killed on the roadside every week for all play into the problem.

“The last three to four years has the past five years. American Towman been a hard time finding new drivers,” first began this coverage online back in Chuck Anerson of Nolte’s Towing in 1996. The call for a memorial to honor Oshkock, Wisconsin told American the fallen culminated with the Wall of Towman. “We are starting to look at the Fallen in Chattanooga, Tenn. After other options … a lot of people don’t all, fire fighters have had their Walls in want to work the hours: on call two fire stations all over the country. So it nights a week and every other week- was an awareness that was a long time end. I don’t want to say it’s a genera- coming: towers are being knocked off, tional thing, a Gen Y thing, but people literally.

The frequency of these accidents just don’t want to work how they did even 5 years ago. … A couple months and casualties (those injured or killed) ago, we hired four drivers and after has increased because cell phone usage, getting them through hiring and insur- talking or texting, has distracted ance and everything, only one showed motorists like never before. Medicated up to work his first day … and he or stress-out drivers haven’t diminished, just the opposite. All of which didn’t last two days.”

However the number one cause makes winching a car up a carrier bed, Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

hooking up a vehicle, or changing a flat tire all the more perilous on highways and freeways.

“Too many wrecker operators and other responders are dying at the hands of distracted, drunk, drugged and drowsy drivers,” says Jim Austrich, Responder Training Program Manager at the Federal Highway Administration. “We’ve seen fatalities double for Fire, Rescue and EMS responders in the first half of this year. Our records show a tow operator struck and killed every six days.”

For the sane who are job hunting, working two or three feet, sometimes less, from eighteen wheelers barreling by, is as attractive a proposition as a desk job with your back two feet from a cliff. And no net.

The towing industry is waking up to the reason why it’s difficult to find humans to put in its tow trucks. With working conditions more risky than ever and poor recruitment practices, combined with a dwindling pool of people cut out for the work, the industry is facing its very survival as we know it.

Two things have to happen to change this course. First, tow bosses need to employ a greater and more sophisticated recruitment strategy and implementation. Old ways don’t cut it anymore. Listen to Eric Luchini, owner of Luchini’s Towing & Recovery in Las Cruces, New Mexico. “There’s most definitely been a problem in hiring new drivers over the last eight years—a decline in finding quality drivers. Lets say I put an ad on Craigslist, eight years ago I might have had 20 or 30 applicants … in one day. Four years ago, it might have been 10 in one day. Recently, I had two applicants for driver. … And the minute I say we’ve got to be on call 24 hours a day, weekends, nights, holidays—their eyes pop.”

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 17

AMERICAN TOWMAN

Spirit Ride Schedule through Nov. 17, 2017 Date

08/23/2017 08/24/2017 08/24/2017 08/25/2017 08/25/2017 08/26/2017 08/26/2017 08/27/2017 08/29/2017 08/30/2017 08/30/2017 08/31/2017 08/31/2017 09/01/2017 09/06/2017 09/06/2017 09/07/2017 09/07/2017 09/08/2017 09/08/2017 09/09/2017 09/12/2017 09/12/2017 09/13/2017 09/13/2017 09/14/2017 09/14/2017 09/15/2017 09/15/2017 09/15/2017 09/16/2017 09/20/2017 09/20/2017 09/21/2017 09/21/2017 09/21/2017 09/22/2017 09/22/2017 09/23/2017 09/26/2017

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18 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

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Join the Spirit Ride processions. For the exact site of the ceremony and procession start-point contact the Relay Station.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 19

Telematics: GPS and So Much More

by Don Archer

T

he Venus flytrap is unusual in that it is one of only a handful of plants in the world that are carnivorous, it eats meat to survive. All plants need nutrients to stay alive, and the majority of them get what they need from the soil. But because the Venus flytrap thrives in sandy, acidic soil, where the necessary nutrients for growth are scarce, it had to evolve. Long ago, it had to make a decision to either die of starvation or adapt and change. It chose life.

One of the biggest challenges many tow company owners have is adapting when the need for change arises. Specifically when it comes to recognizing when it’s time to get out of the truck and start working on their businesses.

In the book, “The E-Myth,” author Michael E. Gerber wrote that the reason most small businesses don’t work is that they are run by a “Technician,” someone who’s an expert in his craft.

He explains that the problem with this is the “Technician” gets comfortable in their role and fails to give much thought and attention to the other roles necessary for success, which Gerber explains are “The Entrepreneur” and “The Manager.” He says, “A real business is one where the founder has created a system so that the business can run itself without the founder’s constant presence.”

Many in the industry believe that this is impossible, that towing is somehow unique. They argue that, with all the moving parts a towing business is too complex to run itself. Some are even so hardheaded as to believe that working on their business instead of in it is akin to giving up. If you truly want your business to be more profitable, if you want it to become something you might eventually sell—or simply hand down to the next genera-

20 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

tion with zero guilt—then you’re going to have to make some changes.

One step in the direction of change might be to incorporate the use of telematics into your business. If you’re like me (before I did my research), you probably don’t even know everything telematics can integrate into your business. Maybe you believe it to be only GPS tracking, nothing else.

While it’s true that without GPS there would be no telematics, telematics can do so much more than just tell you where your trucks are.

Telematics defined is “any integrated use of telecommunications with information and communications technology. It is the technology of sending, receiving and storing information relating to vehicles—by way of telecommunication devices.”

The following is a primer (in no particular order) on what various companies offer tow bosses in the way of telematics software, fleet tracking and more.

Beacon Software Beacon Software Co. provides dispatchers the ability to view and dispatch trucks on a map in real time, send and receive information about a call from any device and automated motor club billing … no more submitting invoices on the various motor club portals.

Beacon electronically receives calls from all major motor clubs, integrates with 19 different GPS companies, works on any device and does about 8 million calls per year.

“One way tow company owners streamline their business through the use of Beacon is by eliminating manpower with our automated dispatch,” said Todd Althouse, Beacon president.

He said the system cuts down on training time and allows one dispatcher to handle more trucks and calls.

VTS VTS Systems does towing and storage lot management through two basic components: the hardware in the truck (GPS unit and a transceiver), and the software in the cloud where the data is accessed by the business through a web-based application. A transceiver can be a tablet, a cellphone or a module attached to your OBD II portal.

Nigel Pestell, VTS co-founder, said their software gives dispatchers options. They can provide the information to the tow operator as a hard copy printout, a detailed text to a cellphone or directly to the telematics receiver in the truck. Depending upon the capabilities of the telematics transceiver in the truck and the information it is programmed to gather and transmit, there are a whole host of things it can do for your bottom line.

“The storage-lot side cuts down on the time I spend sending out notifications. It prompts me when the letters need to go out, from there it’s a few clicks and I’m done,” said VTS customer Darlene Garrett, a dispatcher for Valentin Towing in Porter, Texas. “If there’s a problem with a tow, maybe a disgruntled customer, I have all the information in front of me, complete with notes from the driver documenting any problems that may have occurred.”

Towbook With trillions of rows of data and around 6 million calls per year, Towbook co-owner Tom Bacon said his company is pushing the envelope hard to help make towers’ lives better. If you feel like you’re not quite ready to get out of the truck, but need the structure and flexibility to enable you to get out of the office, Towbook has you covered.

“It all starts with automating as much as we can,” Bacon said, though

it can be “both a blessing and a curse, because it frees you up ... but you can work from anywhere there’s an Internet connection.” He said one of his clients was vacationing in Europe while monitoring the Towbook interface to watch what was going on with his business back home (and became consumed with how slow his drivers were completing calls).

When a call comes in electronically, a dispatcher will send the call to a tow operator ’s phone, tablet or GPS receiver. From there the tow operator receives navigation instructions with the most cost-effective route. He can then update his status throughout the call, add photographs, detail any damages or special circumstances and get a signature from the customer right on the smart phone. Everything is stored in the cloud; when the call is complete Towbook will generate a statement for each account.

TIS Ed Kasman, VP of Transportation Information Systems, said the vast

22 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

majority of telematics companies are just doing vehicle tracking—GPS With the speed of technology only—because it’s cheap.

“GPS alone can save you time and constantly accelerating, it can be hard to decide what telematics application money, if you know where your trucks is best for your business. For those are as well as the location of the calls who don’t trust aftermarket solu- needing dispatched, you can avoid tions, telematics are cropping up at racking up man-hours and miles crisscrossing your operators. But if you the OEM stages.

Hino recently introduced its take full advantage of all that’s availINSIGHT Telematics, a web-based able with TIS, you can save money in software that’s built right into the a number of ways,” he said.

TIS can monitor driver behavior truck during the manufacturing process. It comes standard in all 2017 through a tablet in the truck loaded Hino trucks and allows you to get with TIS’s proprietary MDT-3 Mobile reports and alerts on vehicle perfor- Workstation software. Inside each mance and driver behavior. It will tablet is an accelerometer that meaeven transmit Diagnostic Trouble sures G-forces—movement in any Codes directly to the manufacturer, direction. If you have a driver gunning as well as the business owner and it from stoplight to stoplight and taking corners like a madman, the dealer.

The company said INSIGHT can accelerometer will record it and let monitor engine temperature, DPF you know.

The savings come not only in regen, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions, PTO usage and more. If there’s decreased fuel consumption and wear a problem, the system will detect it and tear on your trucks, but also a reduction in negative perceptions of and alert all necessary parties. your company due to aggressive and

OEM Solutions

reckless driving habits. It’s like you’re in the truck watching.

The company’s Vehicle Maintenance System incorporates daily inspections with scheduled maintenance and license renewals. It can decrease maintenance costs and down time. The tow operator performs a daily inspection and logs any faults that are sent directly to the maintenance department where necessary repairs are scheduled.

Ranger SST Ranger SST provides what they call an end-to-end solution, from lot management to towing and transport to private-property enforcement.

“The value we deliver is to help tow company owners do more tows per driver,” said President Jim Shellhaas.

“We primarily focus on operational productivity, getting the most ROI from their assets in the field.

“You don’t want dispatchers talking to operators, they should be talking to customers,” he said. For instance, a trained dispatcher calls the customer’s driver to get a more accurate location. Using this information, they can drag and drop a pin onto the correct location. Ranger SST would update the tow operator’s tablet with this new information, eliminating the need for verbal communication.

Ranger SST’s system offers the tow operator the ability to do a pre-trip inspection and then have a customer sign a “consent to tow” form listing any pre-existing damages.

They then have the ability to create invoices, add-on any extras to the invoice, like absorbent or flares (with preloaded customer-specific pricing), and basically do all the

functions of invoicing out in the field … including taking payment with the same device.

No more calling in asking, “How much should we charge?”

TXI Systems Jeff Pesnell, COO of TXI Systems, showed his company’s Budget GPS in action; it gives updates every 20 seconds so you can see exactly where your trucks are at any moment.

You have the ability to see when the PTO is engaged; you can be alerted when an operator exceeds a specific speed or when they have gone outside a given area.

History reports can go back 120 days.

Pesnell said. All these aid in savings across the board, with fuel consumption alone falling by an estimated 26 percent.

Portnexus Portnexus has a handset solution, the “Associate Pledge,” that allows tow company owners to restrict cellphone operations while the phone/vehicle is in motion.

Geoff Pearson, VP of operations, said that fleet managers can determine the level of restrictions they want in place and set limits on the phone’s use while the vehicle is in motion—even restrict incoming/outgoing calls and texting functions.

“It’s designed to avoid any punitive damages on the part of the business owner should an accident occur, but it also protects the driver from being falsely accused,” he said.

What’s not to love with all these telematics-based management solutions? When you have systems on-board that have the ability to detect and report erratic driving, and your drivers are made aware of these measures, it quickly becomes a deterrent against reckless driving. It’s true behavior modification. Of course technology alone cannot save you; for these systems to work at their maximum effectiveness, it’s up to the boss to have other systems in place that ensure negative actions are met with appropriate consequences.

Using solutions that modify driver behavior can save you money on your insurance premiums. Over the last 24 months, many of the insurance companies have embraced this technology, encouraging tow company owners to install and then use these devices. In some high-risk cases, they are even requiring use to obtain coverage.

With products and services like this, it’s now easier than ever to completely automate your towing business.

So, you have a decision to make: adapt by putting systems in place that save you time, money and give you back your life, or remain in the truck as the “Technician.” The choice is up to you.

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.

24 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Jerr-Dan Employees Donate Their Time Jerr-Dan Corp. (jerrdan.com) is celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2017.

As part of its anniversary activities, the company is encouraging employees to volunteer in community charities and nonprofit organizations through service projects nationwide.

In honor of Oshkosh Corp.’s 100th anniversary, approximately 40 JerrDan team members committed to making positive contributions and dedicate an entire week to corporate citizenship.

“Because we’re proud of our 45year track record of business in the towing and recovery industry, our team members want to be good citizens, like our fellow towers, and give back to the community that has given us so much,” said Richard del Campo, Jerr-Dan VP/general manager.

Jerr-Dan team members donations

26 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

of time included: building affordable homes in partnership with low-income families; cleaning up neighborhood parks and beautifying neighborhoods; teaching English and participating in local reading programs and schools.

Towing Museum Sets Special Election The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (towingmuseum.com) recently announced a special election to fill vacancies on its executive board for president, first VP and treasurer.

“Though we are saddened at recent departures from our executive board, our team has come together and we are pleased to be seeking greater involvement from the incredible talent pool of our members,” said Kevin Fox, Second VP and Interim President of ITRHFM. Executive board members of the

museum also serve as ex officio members of the board of directors and are required to attend board meetings both in person and by electronic means.

Muncie Mourns Loss of Wilson Muncie Power Products (muncie power.com) announced the passing of former chairman/CEO Joe Wilson, who retired in 2005 after 43 years of service.

A company release said: “Under Joe’s leadership, Muncie Power Products went through several major transitions including establishing a network of company-owned, distribution centers, purchasing the manufacturing facility in Tulsa, relocating corporate headquarters and staff in Muncie and changing owner-

continue to page 28

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 27

Muncie: continued from page 26 ship as Muncie Power Products was purchased by Interpump Group in Italy. In addition to his businessrelated duties, he also found time to become a valuable leader in the Muncie community. …

His class and positive personality have left a lasting impression.

“His class and positive personality have left a lasting impression on our brand and each of us in a very personal way. Each of us who were fortunate enough to know Joe personally will miss his ability to share a story, share a laugh or extend encouragement with his characteristic chuckle and smile.

“On behalf of all of our employees, we mourn his loss and extend our deepest sympathies to his family.”

28 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Bridge Collapse

I

n July 2016, Mark Robbins at I-44 Truck Center & Wrecker Service in St. Clair, Mo., was called to a scene that four other companies reportedly turned down: an overweight dump truck on an antique wood-plank bridge (rated to 3 tons!).

30 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

by AT staff

No one wanted part of getting this overweight dump truck off an antique bridge. Well, almost no one.

The I-44 Recovery team rigged a “clothesline" running between its two heavy-duty Powerbilt units on each side of the bridge.

The front tires of this fully loaded five-axle dump truck went through the antique bridge’s planks.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 31

When the back tires went through too, the recovery team had to rig and lift that end as well.

Visit us at TowExpo Dallas Booth #817 32 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

On a Friday night, the new driver of a dump truck missed his turn headed for a quarry in rural Missouri. The truck was loaded with asphalt gravel from a local construction project. The driver encountered a bridge on private property and, although the sign showed a weight limit of 3 tons, he attempted to drive across.

While weighing in excess of 80,000 lbs. (possibly as much as 115,000 lbs. according to Robbins), about halfway through the antique bridge started to give out and the dump truck’s front wheels broke through, stranding it.

“I knew I had the equipment to handle it and felt like we could do the job,” Robbins said. Robbins also owns Powerbilt Wreckers; he took the call and responded in two of those units; a 60-ton wrecker and a 70-ton sliding rotator.

“We put the wrecker on the creek side … and the rotator on the other side of the bridge,” Robbins said. “We backed up to each end of the bridge.”

We had to make sure everything was finessed and went good and slow.

The team used a 60-ton Powerbilt wrecker on one side and a 70-ton Powerbilt sliding rotator on the other.

They created a clothesline between the two units and hooked up to the dump truck’s front end, where it had broken through the bridge.

“Once we got the front end up, we put cribbing underneath it,” he said. They used 3x10 lumber to help brace under the tires and back the unit up using auxiliary winches off the rotator.

“It was a long process, because it was a 40-foot drop and so we had to make sure everything was finessed and went good and slow,” Robbins said.

Even so, the back wheels wound up going through the bridge as well.

“We had to re-rig and pick the back end of the dump truck up and get it off the bridge to solid ground,” Robbins said.

Check out video from this recovery at ATTV.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 33

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AT Expo Corporate Sponsors

Modest Beginnings for Industry Leader Soaring Growth at B/A Products is a Family Success Story

by Henri “Doc” Calitri

I

t sits innocuously at the bottom right corner on page 76 in the company catalog with the notation: Part 1-1. It’s been there from the beginning; if it could talk, it would tell a story of family values and an American business success.

When Mel Berman and his wife, Enid, opened B/A Products in 1978 in Hollywood, Fla., a tow sling rubber belt replacement (Part 1-1) was their first product. Back then the sling was the key feature on tow trucks in towing cars and trucks.

Their first business address was as non-descript as the product they manufactured.

“It was this dinky little storefront next to a country-western bar,” said daughter Lori Berman-Kauffman.

B/A Products founders Mel and Enid Berman at a racing event in the 1960s.

“We have seen a growth of more than 265 percent since 2008...”

(from left) Fritz Dahlin, Chip Kauffman, Lori Berman-Kauffman, Enid Berman and the late Mel Berman.

52 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

“My father saw a lot of junk products out there, having been involved with cars all his life,” she said. Today, Lori is president of the company. “He saw too many accidents involving friends over the years and he wanted to create a safer towing community and safer, betterquality products.”

Using a solitary belt cutter and a hand drill, Mel bought rolls of rubber belting and hand-made the first tow sling replacement belt and launched the “Best Available” towing products company, hence the name B/A Products.

With more than 2,000 parts in the 116-page catalog, that sling belt still lives today.

“We may be the only people still selling this product,” said Chip Kauffman, laughing. Chip is executive VP and Lori’s other half.

The replacement strap was a big hit and other products soon followed, like chain assemblies and a portable air tank that Mel designed for fixing flat tires on the roadside.

Growth took Mel and Enid to a larger facility: a one-bay, 1,000-sq.-ft. garage in Davie.

Practical business decisions—cutting shipping times and the costs associated with longer shipping distances—brought them to Columbia, Md., in 1984; it was an area Mel

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 53

knew well that was centrally located to many of their customers. The new facility was 6,600-sq.-ft.

“Dad thought this was going to be more than enough for us to operate the company,” Lori said.

Lori and brother-in-law Fritz Dahlin joined the company then, with Lori taking over the top job in 1986.

The company continued to grow and add products along the way. All this was happening with no salesmen on staff. That all ended when Chip Kauffman joined the company in 1998 with a business background he describes as “a chain salesman all my life.” He jokingly said he took a pay cut to join his now wife Lori in the business.

We realized how important our company is to our employees and how important it was to have a plan for the future.

Since then, business has taken off beyond even their wildest dreams.

Today, B/A Products has grown to be housed in a 78,000-sq.-ft. warehouse and manufacturing facility with more than 100 employees.

While towing is still the main product category, the company has diversified into other markets like farming, fire and rescue, truck equipment and auto transport.

“We have seen a growth of more than 265 percent since 2008. It has been a great ride,” said Chip.

If you walk into the parts department of a towing distributor, there is an “excellent chance you will see the B/A Products logo on their parts shelves,” said Chip.

Kauffman has added a strong sales staff that now numbers 13, eight on the inside and five outside.

“We don’t really have customer54 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

B/A Products “will always be one that works for the towing industry,” said Chip Kauffman.

service personnel; all our sales people work with their customers. We don’t want order-takers. We want to develop and maintain customers,” Chip said.

As time has marched on, Chip, 59, and Lori, 56, were seeing possible retirement on the horizon and knew they needed a succession plan.

“We realized how important our company is to our employees and how important it was to have a plan for the future. We needed to imple-

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ment an estate planning-type program,” said Lori.

“We also knew to go to the next level, we were only limited by time, energy and resources,” Chip said. “We had discussed this between us for quite some time and we knew we needed to find a company to guarantee the B/A Products brand is around another 80 years. We owed that to our employees and their families, as well as to the towing industry, in particular.”

Enter the Chicago, Ill.-based The

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 57

Heico Cos., a privately held company in its second generation of ownership with more than $2.6 billion in revenue from 36 companies. Heico held many of the same family values and business practices that shaped B/A Products.

Overtures from Heico, as well as others, began four years ago.

“Some didn’t have the same management structure that The Heico Companies implements, which is letting each one of its entities operate autonomously, and gives them the resources and other assistance to grow the business,” Chip said.

On June 30, B/A Products entered

its next phase with its acquisition by The Heico Cos. for an undisclosed amount.

For Lori, Chip and the rest of the company’s management, it means they now have the resources to take the company on another growth spurt.

“We could double our business within the next five years or so,” Chip said.

Both Chip and Lori said they will be with B/A for the “foreseeable future;” though retirement is in their future plans.

“This company will always be one that works for the towing indus-

try, looking out for the men and women whom we have come to know and be a part of the B/A family,” Chip said, with emotions rising on his face.

“It is an exciting time for all of us, but it is important to us that this philosophy and business integrity we have instilled in our company never stops.”

This company will always be one that works for the towing industry.

This was never more evident than what is happening on our nation’s roadways. With more and more towers being killed assisting disabled motorists—averaging more than one per week—Chip and the staff felt an obligation to do something about building national awareness of the Move Over laws.

First came a public service video they produced. It is available to view on YouTube and on the company website.

In February 2016, Chip contacted American Towman Editor-in-Chief Steve Calitri to see if there was a way the two companies could team up to accomplish even more. Soon after the Spirit Ride program was announced aimed at including the towing industry as the catalyst for the public relations effort.

To date, more than 200 towers have signed on to carry the symbolic Spirit casket across the country through 2,000 villages, towns and cities.

“It is the largest undertaking in the history of the towing industry,” Calitri said. (See additional Spirit Ride coverage on pages 14-19.)

“Not only is it an honor to be a part of this tremendously important project, it just may be the most important thing we do in our lives,” Chip said. “If we can save just one life, it is worth it all.”

About the author Henri “Doc” Calitri is president of American Towman Expo Corp.

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Getting Down the Why Tow It, If You Don’t Have To?

Road

by Brendan Dooley

W

hen it comes to increasing the bottom line in towing, sometimes the answer is … hauling. For lots of companies, adding a trailer to your available equipment is a key component in expanding your customer base.

It’s not as easy as just buying a trailer though; you need to have a plan for what you want to do and

how you’ll use it. The manufacturers AT talked to for our story on lowboy trailers in the March 2015 issue agreed that towers must know what they plan to haul and where they plan to haul it. After that, the right salespeople can help you find the right trailer solution for your business.

From the tow boss’s perspective, getting that first trailer will take some research and justification, but the

jump to more trailers may come fairly easily. More than one owner has said that their hauling business built quickly after customers, and potential customers, saw their trailers running equipment down the road.

“Business built up for our trailers because people saw us hauling equipment down the road,” said Chuck Anderson, owner of Nolte’s Towing in Oshkosh, Wis. He does a lot of

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Trail-Eze trailers have differing configurations, capacities and are customizable to fit the customer’s wants and needs. Extreme Green TE100DGBUS trailer pictured.

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Landoll’s Traveling Axle 400A Series includes a redesigned control panel, reduced valves and hoses, a hi-vis lighting package and more.

hauling of equipment and chassis for truck manufacturers Oshkosh and Pierce, as well as other smaller companies around town.

“We haul for a lot of rental companies and dealers; we do a lot of construction equipment—taking stuff to sites or getting equipment that breaks down and bringing it back to the shop,” Anderson said. “Other towing companies know then we have these trailers, and they’ll call us because

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they know we have it, or recommend their customers call us because we have what’s needed.”

In his company’s March 29, 2017, e-newsletter, Nick Testa, president of Nick’s 24-Hour Towing Service, wrote about some extensive equipment hauling his company did for New York state. The project was the building of the new Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River (about 25 miles north of Manhattan).

“We were dispatched to what will be the new Tappan Zee Bridge with our tractor and Fontaine detatch trailer,” Testa wrote. “Upon arrival a crane lifted and loaded us with a disabled concrete pump. Once we tied the machine down, we transported it to New Jersey where our rotator tow truck met us to offload the disabled pump for repair.

“When the repair was completed we repeated the process in reverse; we loaded and transported the machine back to the new span of the bridge and awaited a crane to offload us. We performed this trip several times. These pumps were brand new but working especially hard night and day pumping concrete and had to be brought in for routine maintenance.”

Anderson said the trailers are important to have to free up tow trucks for other calls, especially when the call is to move a piece of equipment that’s still running.

“Trailering a lot of that equipment makes sense vs. towing everything,” he said. “A lot of the equipment runs and moves on its own, so it doesn’t pay to tow it. … For stuff that runs and is under height, there’s nothing is on the ground, no driveshafts, nothing is dragging going down the road.

Using a trailer for these calls is less effort for us and we don’t have to tie up a tow truck to do it.

“With a trailer you can drive (the equipment) on, or winch it on, tie it down and you’re off down the road.”

And isn’t getting hooked up and down the road as efficiently as possible what it’s all about?

Power Take-Off Fundamentals

by David A. Kolman

A

power take-off is basically an extension of a vehicle’s drivetrain. It is a mechanical gearbox that attaches to apertures provided on truck transmissions. PTOs are used to transfer the power of the vehicle engine to auxiliary equipment: winches, compressors, booms, etc.

Because a power take-off has to be able to transmit a sufficient amount of power to operate the particular piece of auxiliary equipment, PTOs are available in many sizes and with various capabilities to meet output requirements.

Specifying the appropriate PTO for the intended application, and then having it properly installed and maintained, results in a number of benefits.

Among them: • A lengthy, productive lifecycle with optimal operation.

• Minimal vehicle downtime.

• Lower overall cost.

Best Practice A best practice for analyzing any PTO application is to follow these 11 steps: 1. Know the make and model of the transmission that will get a PTO. This is important because a PTO essentially serves as an extension of a vehicle’s transmission and transmits its power to the output shaft.

The transmission’s make and model number can be found on the manufacturer’s tag on the transmission itself. With a new vehicle, this is on the build sheet. Your local truck dealer may be able to identify the transmission through the Vehicle Identification Number.

2. What type of equipment is to be driven by the PTO? 3. What is the input horsepower 64 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Parker Chelsea’s new 249 Series (parker.com) has a patent-pending Noise Suppression System designed to be the quietest PTO applications for Ford Super Duty Trucks. The 249 Series also is designed for ease of installation through a single hose connection and an integrated cartridge valve and pressure switches.

required by this piece of equipment?

A PTO’s horsepower is directly proportional to the output shaft rpm. The faster it turns, the more horsepower produced. The formula to determine the horsepower is torque x rpm ÷ 5,252.

Power take-offs are typically rated according to torque capacity. In simple terms, torque is the amount of force needed to make something move or run. Torque is directly related to horsepower and rpm.

A PTO’s torque rating is constant, regardless of how fast the output shaft is turning. Torque is the limiting factor.

If torque loads are too large for too long, the PTO can be damaged. The formula to calculate torque is horsepower x 5,252 ÷ rpm.

4. Determine the desired input speed of the driven equipment.

5. Determine the approximate engine speed desired during operation of the equipment. This speed can increase, decrease or directly transfer Muncie Power Products’ CS6 Series clutch-shift PTOs (munciepower.com/cs6) have 19 transmission input gears designed to fit most popular automatic and manual transmissions. The CS6 features Muncie’s patented drag brake that prevents shaft rotation in off mode.

the speed needed to move the equipment to be driven by the PTO. As such, the relationship is figured as a percentage of the desired engine speed during the PTO duty cycle.

The formula to determine this is: Equipment speed ÷ engine speed = PTO speed.

6. Determine the PTO direction of rotation of the device being driven in relation to direction of engine rotation.

There are two directions: • Engine. The driven equipment rotates clockwise.

• Opposite the engine. The driven equipment rotates counterclockwise.

A geared adapter, which adds a gear set, can be used to change the rotation. Another alternative is to use a PTO that has forward and reverse gears.

When considering a PTO’s direction of rotation, spec the PTO looking from the rear of the truck to the front of the truck. The driven equipment is spec’d looking from the front of the truck to the rear of the truck.

7. What will be the type of connection between PTO and the driven

equipment: driveshaft (remote) or direct-mount pump flange?

8. Where will the PTO be mounted on the transmission: left, right, top, bottom or countershaft?

9. Will the PTO duty cycle be intermittent or continuous?

Intermittent duty cycles are considered those that last for less than five minutes at a time a few times a day. For intermittent operations, the torque requirements of the driven equipment can be determined using this formula: T = HP x 5,252 ÷ PTO output rpm.

Continuous-duty applications reduce the PTO’s torque and horsepower ratings. If these are miscalculated, the lifespan of the PTO will be less than expected. If the torque requirements are continuous—more than five minutes operation every 15 minutes—multiply the torque figure by 0.7. The result will be the torque required for continuous operation.

10. Determine if the PTO will need speeds or reverse-gear requirements.

11. What is the method by which the PTO will be engaged? PTOs can be engaged by means of a cable, air pressure, electric solenoid or hydraulic pressure.

Never hesitate to contact a truck dealer, OEM or PTO supplier for assistance and guidance with selecting and properly maintaining a power takeoff.

AT Chassis Editor David Kolman is a multifaceted trucking trade journalist with experience in print, online and broadcasting. He has hosted trucker television and radio programs and helped write trucking industry documentaries and video programs.

66 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Wreckers Highlight Hawkeye ATHS Show

by John Gunnell

T

he American Truck Historical Society’s (aths.org) annual national convention in Des Moines, Iowa, this May attracted a record 1,269 trucks from across the country, filling the 600-acre Iowa State Fairgrounds with trucks small and large.

On the small side was a 1939 Ford 1.5-ton snub-nose COE wrecker that Vander Haag’s brought from its corporate museum. With its 1930s artdeco bodywork, this short wheelbase unit spent its working life at the South Side Junk Yard (Phone 268) in Sanborn, Iowa.

It features a Ford flathead V-8, a four-speed gearbox and a two-speed rear axle. A three-ton hand-cranked Weaver Auto Crane did the heavy lifting. The truck wracked up 93,143 miles of use.

The South Side Junk Yard became Vander Haag’s in the late ’60s, when the company moved from Sanborn to Spencer. Vander Haag’s has been around some 75 years and deals in service work and new, used and remanufactured truck parts. Its used truck lot offers Freightliner, International, Peterbilt, Volvo, Kenworth, Sterling trucks and new and used trailers.

Parked not far from the Ford was an Iowa-built Hawkeye truck fitted with an even older Weaver Auto Crane owned by C&H Truck Parts of South Sioux City, Iowa. That’s the city where Hawkeyes were manufactured between 1916 and 1933 (until the Great Depression took it out).

These trucks ranged in size from 1ton to 3.5 tons, and often employed four-cylinder Buda engines, although

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With its snub nose, short wheelbase and big streamlined gondola, this Ford COE came in handy around the junkyard.

A lot of wood was used in the construction of early Hawkeye trucks.

This one has been outfitted with a hand-cranked Weaver Auto Crane.

Tom Brong brought his1975 Peterbilt 359 from McHenry, Ill.

G&S has been doing towing and recovery work in the Des Moines area for 24 years.

Tough-looking 1957 White is what the owner himself describes as a “rat rod tow truck.” It wasn’t cuddly, but it was cool.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Hercules six-cylinder models were offered in the 1930s, when the fours switched to Wisconsin engines. Early Hawkeyes used a lot of wood in their construction.

Compared to these two nicely restored trucks parked inside a fairgrounds building, Barry Reynold’s 1957 White Motors heavy-duty tow truck parked outside was eye-catching because of its battle scars and hard-earned patina. On his window card, the Knoxville, Iowa, resident described the faded red wrecker as a “rat rod.” Supplying power to the rough-around-the-edges classic White was a Caterpillar diesel that had been bolted in to replace the original “White Mustang Power” engine still called out on a hood badge.

G&S Service has been a specialist in the vehicle-recovery business in Des Moines since 1993. Their tow truck carries a hand-painted flame job on the hood, grille and fenders, and a hefty Holmes wrecker behind.

Big rig wreckers at the ATHS Convention included Tom Bronge’s 1975 Peterbilt 359 from McHenry, Ill., Ernie Vole’s 1971 Pete out of Vernon, Ill., the American Towing Kenworth out of Ruston, Iowa, and Decker Truck Line’s bright yellow and red 1979 Peterbilt 359 from Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Virtually no two tow trucks in the show were anywhere near the same.

The stories about the history of a particular tow truck or the way it was AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 69

restored were fun to hear. Imagine owning an ancient tow truck that’s been restored using computer imaging and water jet metal-shaping technology.

Some of the graphics on the trucks were those of towing companies that still are in business today.

In fact, it appeared that many of the classic tow trucks were still “working for a living.” In other cases, the graphics were ones you do not see anymore. Apparently, vinyl graphics companies are getting a lot of business reproducing lettering and logo decals for classic tow trucks being restored.

American Towing’s Kenworth operates out of Ruston, Iowa.

Virtually no two tow trucks in the show were anywhere near the same.

The names on many trucks were those of towing operators who support the annual ATHS Convention with memberships and show trucks.

This event is not only about collecting and restoring old tow trucks, it’s about celebrating the history of an industry that thousands of hardworking Americans have grown up in. The convention is an anxiously awaited social gathering for many towers.

Other convention-related activities included a truck cruise, tours, speakers, appearance by Tim Ridley of the Road Dog Trucking channel and Greg Evigan of “B.J. & the Bear” TV fame.

With nearly 1,300 trucks packed into a mile square space, there were undoubtedly other classic tow trucks in the mix. It is possible to see them all by joining ATHS and getting a copy of the annual Show Time book, a full-color collectible publication that features all the trucks registered for the ATHS’ National Antique Truck Show.

Ernie Vole’s 1971 Pete out of Vernon, Ill., sports bright orange paint that makes it stand out in a crowd.

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Decker Truck Line’s 1979 Peterbilt 359 from Fort Dodge, Iowa. Decker Truck Line has been family owned and operated since 1931.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 71

Do You See the Light?

(Part 2: Cones)

by Randall C. Resch

A

career firefighter once said, “The sound of a cone under a car is better than the screams of a firefighter being dragged underneath.”

Last month’s article, “Do You See the Light (Part 1: Flares),” covered some specifics in identifying a darkened shoulder by means of emergency lighting. Towers who don’t employ cones, flares or triangles to direct traffic away from casualty vehicles or tow trucks give way to motorists’ claims nothing was done to identify tow operators working on shoulders.

If cones, signage, flaggers, or flare safety wastes time, why do construction companies and first responder agencies use them prominently?

Although I’d like to think that the towing and recovery industry has made incredible advancements in the past 30 years, why don’t we towers get on board?

It’s painfully obvious that most in our industry don’t think cones and flares are progressive tools in providing advanced emergency notice.

Although some law enforcement contracts require that tow trucks and flatbed carriers be outfitted with cones and/or flares, it seems rare to see them deployed in a towing/recovery work zone.

Traffic cones aren’t new; their history goes back nearly 60 years. The idea of traffic cones were patented in 1943 in the U.S. to Charles Scanlon, a California worker in the Los Angeles Street Painting Department.

It’s believed that in 1959, Russell Storch, who worked for the Pacific Gas and Electric Co., in Oakland, Calif., suggested placing orange safety cones 72 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

at the front and rear left corners of trucks to increase visibility and worker safety. (PG&E implemented his idea as policy and awarded him a whopping $45 bucks for his suggestion.)

Today, you’ll see many of America’s largest utility, delivery and construction companies use Storch’s safety suggestion.

The Law Safe on-scene practices and motoring laws demand that tow operators employ emergency lighting and/or

safety devices to identify breakdown zones. If your state identifies you as a commercial motor vehicle operator, you’re required to provide notice to approaching traffic when there’s an obstruction parked on or to the side of the shoulder.

Because of written law, there are requirements that tow trucks be equipped with authorized emergency lighting, cones, flares and/or triangles.

Examples of lighting laws for authorized highway use include: • Montana’s commercial tow truck

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 73

requirements say “a commercial tow truck must be equipped with: (a) not less than two red flares, two red lanterns, or two warning lights or reflectors;” and “the operator of a commercial tow truck … when the rendering of assistance necessitates the obstruction of a portion of the roadway, place a highway warning sign.”

• Federal requirements for “Emergency signals; stopped commercial motor vehicles,” in part says; “Placement of warning devices … whenever a commercial motor vehicle is stopped upon the traveled portion or the shoulder of a highway for any cause other than necessary traffic stops, the driver shall, as soon as possible, but in any event within 10 minutes, place the warning devices required by [Section] 393.95.”

• Section 393.95 requires that a commercial motor vehicle be equipped with at least: three bidirectional emergency reflective triangles, six flares capable of burning for 30 minutes, or three liquid burning flares that contain enough fuel to burn continuously for at least 60 minutes.

Dangers As it relates to the towing and recovery industry, here are two distinct examples of why cones and flares should be added to day or night roadside incidents: 1. A wheel-lift wrecker stops in front of a disabled or wrecked vehicle to load. When backed up to attach the vehicle to the wheel-lift, most if not all of the lower tail, running and lower work lights are blocked by the towed vehicle. If the towed vehicle is an SUV of larger size, approaching traffic cannot see the lower lights. Upper structure and rotor/strobe emergency lights may be visible.

2. A flatbed carrier stops in front of a disabled vehicle to load. Once backed to the loading position, the entire carrier’s running, tail and emergency lights may be visible until the

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carrier’s deck is lowered to the pavement. Once dropped to the pavement, all lower tail, running and work lights disappear. As the vehicle is winched onto the carrier’s deck, and when the vehicle is a larger SUV or pickup, most if not all of the upper lights may not be seen by approaching traffic.

Both scenarios are problematic due to limited visible lighting caused by the towed or transported vehicle.

Too Much Time If you’ve taken Traffic Incident Management training, you know that the longer towers are exposed to hazardous traffic, the more at risk they are. While that does have validity at face value, making a work environment as safe as possible should be Priority 1 while also working quickly to lessen exposure.

A common excuse in this industry is that cones or flares take too long to set up. According to long-time, notable industry trainer Peter Fuerst, “Flares are the quickest and easiest on-scene manner available to identify a tow operator’s work space.”

If cones or flares are made readily available to grab as the tower bounces out of the tow truck, they will be hands-on in an instant as they move toward the rear of their truck.

I agree there’s risk when placing flares or cones. As it regards tow operators and increased on-scene safety, at some point placing flares or cones means an operator may have to walk close to the white line. But setting a pattern of flares or cones is a task safely accomplished by paying close attention to approaching traffic in the same manner of getting out of a tow truck’s cab or getting back into it: Always face traffic, move quickly, and never put your back to traffic.

Here’s an effective on-scene technique using three traffic cones (day) or three flares (night) in an abbreviated TIM manner: • Exit the tow truck from the forward position; when safe, drop the first cone/flare on the white line and at the end of the tow truck’s stowed dock bumper, or at the end of a carrier’s tailboard, to

initially identify your work zone.

• Move quickly to the non-traffic side; walk curbside towards approaching traffic. When clear, step to the center at the casualty vehicle’s front bumper; set the second cone/flare approximately 20’ from the first.

• Back to curbside; move forward and along the curbside 40’ to set the third cone/flare at the towed vehicle centered to the bumper.

Doing so in this manner clearly identifies your work zone.

• Return and commence load-andgo operations.

• When departing the scene, pick up/extinguish cones/flares in the reverse manner, paying special attention to the first cone/flare set at the tow truck’s rear corner.

• When a traffic break is obvious, move quickly to retrieve the first cone/flare.

• Move quickly through danger areas • Use TIM’s “Peek a boo” re-entering the tow truck’s cab.

Although on-scene exposure is critical when setting cones or flares, this process takes only a few additional minutes, but provides increased visibility at your shoulder scene.

Always be aware of approaching traffic, have an escape path, and stay away from the white line whenever possible.

Above all, don’t let cones, flares, triangles, emergency overhead lighting, even cops on scene, lull you into a false sense of security.

Author’s note: This article is intended as a basis of training only. The author recommends that towers and tow company owners evaluate and recognize the potential value of using flares to provide advanced emergency warning to hazardous approaching motorists as learned in Traffic Incident Management classes.

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.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 75

Beacon Retools Towlien Software for La. Beacon Software (beaconsoftco.com) recently introduced a more streamlined Towlien software that automates and simplifies OSRV processing, notification letters and Louisiana “Permit-To-Sell” application.

“The new product … can eliminate hassles, reduce labor and saves on postage. Towers, salvage and vehicle storage lots can all benefit from this easy stepby step process—all from your computer,” said Todd Althouse, Beacon Software president.

Updated versions were scheduled for late summer in Ohio, Florida and other states, said Althouse.

Muncie Adds Burt to Sales Muncie Power Products (munciepower.com) introduced Zone Sales Manager Brian Burt, the company’s new sales team member for the Northeast.

Burt came to Muncie Power Products in April 2017 with a background in fluid power and sales experience.

He will serve the company’s channel partners within New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut.

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Urgent.ly Integrates with Drivemode Drivemode, a mobile-based automotive technology company (drivemode.com), has announced a new integration with roadside assistance technology provider Urgent.ly (geturgently.com). Through this integration, Drivemode’s active users across 180 countries will have in-app access to Urgent.ly’s roadside assistance.

The partnership allows drivers access to connectivity features, apps and technology in their phones as though it is embedded in the car, allowing their focus to remain on the road.

“Drivemode customers will now have instant access to the most advanced roadside assistance solution in the market,” said Urgent.ly CEO/cofounder Chris Spanos. ”Urgent.ly and Drivemode are giving everyone with a smartphone access to a premium driving experience.”

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Visit us at Tow Expo-Dallas Booth# 711

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 79

Repossessing Common Sense

by Mark Lacek

A

repossessor is often provoked, “Oh, you’re the repo man,” when asked what you do. I do not like the phrase “repo man.” To me, because of today’s media attention, the truth about the profession has been distorted. It’s like calling a psychiatrist a “shrink.”

It’s not exactly an insult, but is disrespectful to the profession.

After being called a repo man, next up we’re usually asked, “Have you ever been shot or shot at?”

This is when my internal alarm sounds to change the subject. Why? I talk too much. Ask anyone who knows me; sometimes I just go on and on and on. (It’s true. —Ed.) When agitated— not unlike an unbalanced washing machine—I’m noisy and go all over the place.

Here is the truth … again: The business of repossessing is not dangerous if the repossessor uses his training and knowledge of both consumer protection law and rules that apply to repossessing mortgaged collateral.

It is common sense for any professional to respect the knowledge received through proper training. Getting the correct training is up to you; if you ignore training opportunities and fail to educate your staff and employees, you are a danger to everyone around you. Training and certification are available to you in many formats.

Over the years, because of advancements in technology, the protocols for most professions have changed. A tow operator seldom backs his tow-sling into the bumper of a car because of the introduction of the self-loading wheel lift. The repossessor no longer uses a slide hammer to pull out an ignition 80 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Going to an address to repo a car without checking if the customer has moved will have you operating at a loss.

because of the ability to make an ignition key, right at his office.

Tools of the trade change with time, and it is up to you to keep current. As any profession demands, if you’re not adapting modern techniques to the way you conduct business, you may be on your way to an unwanted early retirement. Sometimes “old school” tactics will put you out of business.

Danger So with all of this said, how can the duties of a repossessor not be dangerous? The short answer is not to place yourself in a dangerous situation.

Some 40 years ago, this was easier said than done. Sitting in the front seat of a 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme in a driveway in East Cleveland while pounding on the steering column was dangerous. Chances are someone inside the house heard the noise and exited the residence causing an unexpected confrontation before you were

able to leave with the car.

The amount of time it used to take to drop the sling of the Holmes 220 and hook the J-hooks to the rear axles ... also dangerous. Who besides me can remember the uneasy feeling of approaching feet while on your back hooking up chains? Today, the phrase “gone in 30 seconds” is even outdated.

Ten seconds is the new 30.

The business of repossessing is not dangerous if the repossessor uses his training and knowledge of both consumer protection law and rules.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 81

Repo Undercover Conference in Dallas This month, Aug. 1719, during the Tow ExpoDallas at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, I will present a two-day seminar on important topics of the repossession industry. I will focus on topics to keep you safe and protect your bottom line.

I will share with you my knowledge of 35-plus years of repossessing commercial trucks and Mark Lacek equipment, and how repossessing trucks and commercial equipment will increase your profits drastically. I will be there to answer all of your questions during the two-day Repo Undercover seminars.

If you spot me on the Tow Expo floor before or after the Repo Undercover seminars, do not hesitate to grab my attention.

Come to Dallas, sign up to attend the Repo Undercover seminar, and the life you save could be your own.

All of the products and services advertised within the pages of this magazine are advancements in technology to make your job safer. The advice offered by the American Towman writing staff comes from years of knowledge for your benefit. The training opportunities offered to you in both the repossession and towing industry are created not only to protect you, but also the general public. Modern tools and proper training equals safety.

I write about training all the time; you’re probably tired of reading it, but the truth is reminders are always warranted. Training is the most important tool in your toolbox. Here are some pertinent reminders:

Did You Know …

• A knock on the door to speak to a debtor, if you stand too close to the door, the person often will become intimidated and angry simply because you are standing too close?

• A person answering the door is more prone to be truthful if the repossessor asking questions is wearing a sport coat or suit jacket?

• If you hook to a car with your new self-loader in 10 seconds, pull the car into the street, then knock on the door asking for the keys, you are committing one of the most dangerous bad habits?

• Going to an address to repo a car without checking if the customer has moved is a poor business practice that will cause your repossession business to operate at a loss?

• Explaining you are there to repossess the neighbor’s car is a violation of third-party disclosure law and you will lose in a court of law?

• Not becoming trained or certified or not certifying your employee while knowing training was available will cause you to lose a lawsuit?

• The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act does not apply to commercial loans, and it is OK to door knock at 3 a.m.? Dangerous, yes, but legal.

There is much to learn about The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Did you know the FDCPA does not cover the collection of commercial business debts? The FDCPA only offers protection to consumers for private debts. Here is the specific wording from the FDCPA: “Any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance or services which, are the subject of the transaction, are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.”

Some attorneys might claim if a personal signor guarantees the note, then the debt will fall under a personal loan and the FDCPA applies. Wrong.

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.

82 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Military Car Repossessions Settled The federal government and the COPOCO Community Credit Union in Bay City, Mich., have settled a lawsuit over the repossession of cars belonging to members of U.S. armed forces.

COPOCO Community Credit Union agreed on July 6 to pay $10,000 to three people and $7,500 to a fourth person. Some money can be withheld for overdue payments before the repossessions.

Federal law protects service members while they’re on duty. The government says a court must review vehicle repossessions if a loan was obtained before military service.

COPOCO didn’t obtain court orders before seizing the vehicles.

The U.S. Justice Department began investigating in 2015 when Alyssa Carriveau lost her car and daughter’s car seat in Lacey, Wash., while her husband was away at training.

Source: usnews.com.

buy-here, pay-here dealerships and other auto finance companies that dive deep into the subprime pool can use GPS and starter interrupt devices.

The new law states that dealers cannot activate the starter interrupt until the contract holder is more than 30 days past due.

Additionally, there are several other modifications to how dealers and finance companies will be able to use these devices in including: they

must get written consumer disclosure for using starter-interrupt devices; they must give at least 48-hour actual notice of disablement; they must provide two 24-hour overrides in event of emergency; they cannot charge for installation or use of starter-interrupt technology; there are restrictions on device data collection and length of data retention, and; the device requires certified device installers.

Source: autoremarketing.com.

Visit us at TowExpo Dallas Booth 1406

Law Impacts GPS and Device Usage A new law in Nevada went into effect July 1 that greatly impacts how

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 83

Couple Alleges Illegal Repossession by Chase Chase Auto Finance is being sued for emotional and property damages by a Wisconsin family claiming their car was repossessed after they had satisfied all debts on the vehicle, the plaintiff ’s attorneys announced recently.

The family’s legal representation said the case represents a larger “systemic” problem with auto repossessions.

Teresa and Ronald Olstad claim they had fallen behind on their payments, but had agreed on a plan to pay off their debts in March 2016. In May 2016, they came up with the money and Chase sent the couple a letter confirming the repayment of debts, according to the case filing.

However, two weeks later, while Teresa was at work, a tow truck pulled up in the parking lot and took the vehicle. Ronald arranged a meeting

84 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

with the towing company, Tri State Recovery Inc., and presented the documentation proving he had paid off his debts. When Tri State Recovery contacted Primeritus Financial—the repossession manager for Chase— they would not lift the repossession.

That same day, the Olstads went to their local Chase branch and sat with a manager for an hour before concluding that it was too late to stop the repossession.

The Olstads are requesting a trial by jury but the defendants have motioned to compel the case to arbitration, which would put it behind doors, the plaintiffs said.

A Chase Auto Finance spokeswoman declined to comment on pending litigation.

Source: autofinancenews.net.

RISC Names Balogh Next President The Recovery Industry Services Co. named Holly Balogh as its new

president and COO; Stamatis Ferarolis will remain as owner and CEO. “We are thrilled to have Holly join RISC as president and bring her wealth of recovery and compliance experience to our customers,” said Ferarolis.

Balogh brings more than 25 years of business experience to RISC. Most recently she was the COO at Recovery Database Network, a business unit of KAR Auction Services.

“From my experiences working in the recovery industry, I am aware that RISC provides the gold standard of compliance and training through their CARS program. … I am thrilled to join RISC and to bring my compliance and industry experience to the business,” said Balogh.

Source: blog.cucollector.com.

Find more Repo news each week on

Repotimes.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 85

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86 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

To Advertise In Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x203 erosengart@towman.com

1-800-246-4785 540-797-2567 • • • • •

Sliders Quick Swaps Air Cushions Sliding Rotators Fixed Boom Rollbacks

robertyoungtrucks.com

CALIFORNIA TOW TRUCK ASSOCIATION SEEKING INSTRUCTORS CTTA’s Training & Education Program teaches drivers skills & knowledge needed to stay safe & serve the motoring public. CTTA Instructors will meet following for this part-time position: • Willing to travel and coordinate class dates/times with the CTTA Office • Ability to teach a set curriculum put forth by the Association’s Education Department • Prior experience in the industry and/or instruction experience is desired, not required • Ability to read and interpret documents, including technical data, safety rules, vehicle codes and procedure manuals • Ability to speak effectively in interpersonal situations and with groups of people Submit resumes and contact information to: ctta@ctta.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 87

First Rotator in San Antonio

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Hawkins Towing & Recovery owner David Hawkins said his rotator is the first in service to the San Antonio, Texas, region.

D

avid Hawkins is a heavy-duty specialist and the driving force behind Hawkins Towing and Recovery in Von Ormy, Texas (just outside San Antonio).

Hawkins provides services to heavy equipment companies and commercial and non-commercial individuals as well as servicing equipment on the oil fields and heavy-duty recovery.

This is a small company that has a big reputation for customer service.

“After working for other companies (since 1994), in 2012 we decided to go into business on our own serving our South Central Texas community,” Hawkins said. “I believe in treating

88 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

everyone the way that we’d like to be treated. We are a company with compassion for those we serve. We care for our customers as we care for our families.”

Hawkins now has six employees, and he is teaching his 17-year-old son David Jr. the business.

“I am a believer in hands-on experience,” Hawkins said. “So I bring my son along with me whenever I can. He will be the future of our family company.”

Hawkins has a service truck, a light-duty and three heavies, including this beauty. Seeing the need and always looking to supply the best ser-

vice to his growing customer list, he added this 2017 Century 1150S 50-ton rotator mounted on a 2017 Kenworth T800 wide hood during the 2016 AT Expo-Dallas.

“This rotator was the perfect fit and the next step for our heavy-duty business,” Hawkins said. “One of the most important attributes this unit brings to our business is that it is the only rotator in the San Antonio area.”

The wide “T8” is popular in oilfield, construction, and other extraheavy operations like heavy recovery.

An ISX15 Cummins 560-horsepower engine with an 18-speed Eaton transmission powers this wide rig.

Miller's Raptor remote allows joystick operations of the boom and winch from the unit or a wireless remote.

Hawkins’ Century 1150S is stabilized with dual outriggers and can tow the big stuff visits the SDU-4 Low Rider underlift.

Tech Highlights Chassis: 2017 Kenworth T800.

Wrecker: 2017 Century 1150S 50-ton rotator.

Engine: Cummins ISX 15.

Trans: 18-Speed Eaton.

Graphics: Dendy Hill Graphics.

Builder: Coker Equipment/Miller Industries.

Paint: Miller Industries.

This 1150S has an SDU-4 Low Rider underlift and six winches to handle the pulling and lifting, including; dual 50,000-lbs. DP Planetary two-speed main, dual 35,000-lbs.

DP planetary two-speed deck, dual 20,000-lbs. DP planetary single-speed turret winches.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Equipped with the Raptor remote, operations can be handled at the unit control station or on the wireless remote. Joystick controllers operate boom and winch functions and a display screen offers a variety of information including load sensing and boom positions.

Miller Industries and Coker Equipment Sales built this unit. Coker, based in Dallas, Texas, is a certified distributor for Miller Industries, Zacklift and Trail-Eze. Miller painted this rig and Dendy Hill Graphics in LaFayette, Ga., did the graphics.

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

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • 89

TOW INDUSTRY MOBILIZES FOR ITS SURVIVAL continued from page 17

Fire, Rescue and EMS salute the Spirit Ride with flags waving on an overpass; procession is enroute to Tucumcari, New Mexico from Amarillo, Texas. A wrecker from T Miller Wrecker Service approaches the overpass.

The second area that needs big change is in the training arena. Towing and recovery trainers have to reach outside the industry box and begin attracting men and women to this challenging and oftentimes, exciting work. Three, the industry needs to coalesce behind the movement now spearheaded by the Spirit Ride.

The Spirit Ride’s national campaign has begun educating the motor-

ing public on the peril first responders face and the existence of the Move Over law. Greater enforcement of this law along with greater protection for first-responders out there by the white line is in the cross hairs of the Spirit Ride’s potential impact.

The towing industry has taken the lead pulling on this rope through the Spirit Ride, but not alone. Representatives of Fire, Police, Highway Patrol

and EMS are participating in all the Spirit Rides. They too are being struck down. They too share an interest in the cause.

The Spirit Ride is a traveling memorial day for First Responders, one reason why this campaign has resonated with them, and with the Media.

Paying tribute to those who have been struck down on the roadside is a natural compliment to drawing awareness to the one law that can significantly reduce the carnage.

The towing industry needs a strong relationship with Police and Fire. Such strength will carry over into its relationships with town and state officials.

Greater protection on the highways, greater respect, and higher rates will all improve as towing bonds with the other disciplines. Towers have always longed for more respect from them.

The Spirit Ride has brought them together like never before. Through the reason and cause of the Spirit Ride, these other First Responders are looking at the tower as one of them. As the more vulnerable of the First Responders working the white line, tow operators deserve to considered part of this elite brotherhood.

The Spirit Ride has earned media coverage on TV, Radio, and in Print wherever it has passed. And all of that exposure has been exponentially increased through social media. It’s time for the fence-sitters to jump in.

The industry’s greatest challenge needs everyone pitching in.

Editir’s Note: The Spirit Ride is a project of Ameriam Towman Spirit Inc., a nonprofit corporation. One may contribute at ATSpiritride.com

Michael Tavenner and Linda Unruh. Tavenner's Towing led the Spirit Ride with All-Rite Towing into Albuquerque. Linda lost her son, Robert Unruh Jr. on February 19th, struck by an eighteen-wheeler in an action that saved a fellow tow operator.

90 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

by Steve Calitri

Isuzu Marks 40,000 N-Series Gas Trucks Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) recently announced that the 40,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck rolled off the line at the Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

“From April 2015 to June 2016—a span of 15 months—we went from 20,000 to 30,000 gas-powered Isuzu trucks produced in Charlotte,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “Now, only 12 months later, another 10,000 NSeries gas trucks have been built. That’s a testament to the increasing popularity and growing reputation of our gasoline engine, low-cab-forward trucks.”

Assembly of Isuzu N-Series gas trucks began at Spartan in April 2011.

continue to page N 96

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • NORTH 91

NORTH 94 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • NORTH 95

Isuzu: continued from page N 91 Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a Vortec 6.0L smallblock V8 engine. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and lock-up torque converter. An optional version of the engine is capable of being converted to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

Jerr-Dan Expands Tow Support Jerr-Dan Corp. (jerrdan.com) expanded its Tow Support program by adding district service managers providing full regional coverage and carrying and stocking more parts in inventory than ever before.

The company said the enhanced, hands-on approach to customer service supports customers after the initial purchase, encompassing all aspects of customer service including parts stocking, accessories, warranty, technical support, training and service.

“Tow Support is all about keeping our customers up and running in a faster, more efficient way,” said Mike VanAken, director for Jerr-Dan Aftermarket Support.

Tow Support includes: • Full regional coverage of district service managers to assist in parts, business development and warranty/service issues.

• Expanded Parts and Accessories Catalog.

• Technical Publications library.

• Jerr-Dan New Product Warranty. Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in its new products for 12 months from the warranty start date. In addition, Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in the Deck, Substructure, and Hydraulics (excluding hydraulic hoses) on each new XLP Carrier made by it for three years from the warranty start date.

NORTH 96 • August 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!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • SOUTH 91

Out-of-Fuel Calls

A

dvances in automotive technology result in more complex, computer-controlled systems that—when towing or roadside service is necessary—require specific procedures. Each year, technology changes and tow operators must constantly be upgrading their skills to stay abreast of the updates.

Providing fuel for vehicles is no exception. Out-of-fuel service calls, as with most types of service calls, have become more complicated and require tow operators to be knowledgeable and up to date.

Electronic fuel doors, capless fuel fillers, fuel-pump reset procedures, high-pressure fuel systems, inertia switches, diesel engines and computer

The Surecan doesn’t have to be tilted; control the fuel flow with the black trigger at the top.

SOUTH 92 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Terry Abejuela

Locks, Resets

Locking gas cap and locking tool.

controls all contribute to more complicated out-of-fuel service calls. Even with all of the technology in cars, AAA still handled more than 500,000 out-of-fuel calls in 2014. In a survey, 13,000 vehicles required towing due to members mis-fueling their gasoline vehicle with diesel or diesel vehicle with gasoline.

As with all services, out-of-fuel service requires the proper equipment.

To provide this service, the following minimum equipment should be carried on the tow truck: • One 5-gallon red portable fuel container.

• One 5-gallon yellow portable fuel container.

• Funnel.

• Gloves.

• Safety glasses.

There are many styles of portable fuel containers to choose from. Gasoline should be stored in a red container and diesel in a yellow container. The containers also should be labeled with the appropriate fuel.

If you often provide less than 5 gallons to your customers, try carrying an additional 2.5-gallon container for easier handling.

You should always wear gloves and safety glasses while dispensing fuel. Portable fuel containers must be properly secured to the tow truck to avoid theft and spillage.

Many late model vehicles are equipped with an electronic fuel door.

If there is a problem with this system, you can use a manual override to open the fuel door. Some models of Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, MercedesBenz and Porsche have this feature.

The fuel door manual override often is in the trunk, but sometimes under the hood. Some systems are computer-monitored and won’t allow the fuel door to open until the highpressure system releases; the pressure release can take up to 15 seconds. The 2016 Porsche Panamera uses a central locking system and if the system is not operating properly the vehicle requires towing.

Many auto manufacturers are now using a no-filler cap system; some models of Alfa Romeo, Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Mercury and Lincoln have this capless system. To add fuel to these vehicles, you need to use a small funnel that is provided with the vehicle. It is usually located with the spare tire or in the same compartment.

Many modern vehicles are equipped with a fuel inertia switch designed to shut the fuel pump off in a collision. Ford, Land Rover, Lincoln, Jaguar, Mazda, and Mercury all have models that are equipped with a fuel inertia switch. Common locations for the fuel inertia switch include in the trunk on the passenger side, behind the passenger-side kick panel, and under the dash near the heater box.

(The 2005-’12 Ford Escape has two fuel inertia switches. One is behind the passenger-side kick panel and the second is behind a removable trim panel in the passenger-side rear cargo area.)

Some fuel systems require a reset procedure after the vehicle has run out of fuel to operate properly. Make sure you notify your customer so they don’t

continue to page S 94

Isuzu Marks 40,000 N-Series Gas Trucks Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) recently announced that the 40,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck rolled off the line at the Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

“From April 2015 to June 2016—a span of 15 months—we went from 20,000 to 30,000 gas-powered Isuzu trucks produced in Charlotte,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “Now, only 12 months later, another 10,000 N-Series gas trucks have been built.

That’s a testament to the increasing popularity and growing reputation of our gasoline engine, low-cab-forward trucks.”

Assembly of Isuzu N-Series gas trucks began at Spartan in April 2011.

Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a Vortec 6.0L small-block V8 engine. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and lock-up torque converter. An optional version of the engine is capable of being converted to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

Leadership Changes at Navistar Navistar International Corp. (navistar.com) promoted Michael A. Cancelliere to president, Truck and Parts, replacing William R. Kozek, who will assume a planning role focused on emerging industry opportunities.

Cancelliere will oversee all aspects of the company’s truck and parts business. Most recently, he served as SVP, Global Parts and Customer Service.

Navistar also announced that Bernardo Valenzuela is returning to the company in the newly created role of VP of Export, and president of Mexico and Global Operations.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • SOUTH 93

continued from page south 92 think you caused a problem during the service. Reset procedures can be found in the AAA Tow & Service Manual, vehicle owner’s manual or online.

(For example, the 2015-’16 Land Rover Discovery requires the ignition be turned on for five minutes before attempting to start. Once started, drive for up to 3 miles for engine management and monitoring systems to recalibrate. The Fiat 500 has a reset procedure, but it has to be done within 45 seconds of running out-of-fuel and involves a sequence of turning on and off the turn signal indicator in a specific sequence.)

CARB-compliant gasoline can with filler spout next to absorbent padding.

Gas vs. Diesel Some models are available with gas and diesel versions. Make sure you are dispensing the proper fuel for the vehicle.

On a vehicle with a diesel engine that has run out of fuel, you will have to prime the fuel system to get it to start. If you are not familiar with the priming procedure, you should offer a tow. Priming procedures range from simple to complex.

Some of the older Mercedes diesels could be manually primed with a pump under the hood. Some vehicles can be primed by removing the fuel filter, filling it with diesel and reinstalling it. Some vehicles have an air valve that allows air to be purged out of the fuel system to prime it.

According to Exxon, diesel fuel can be stored in a portable fuel container for six to 12 months if it is kept

clean, cool and dry. If the fuel is stored in the fuel container too long, it will become gummy and can accumulate water condensation and eventually start to grow fungus. Higher temperatures will speed up the gumming process. You do not want to dispense contaminated diesel fuel into a customer’s fuel tank. If your truck runs on diesel you could pour it into your tow truck once a month and refill the portable fuel container with fresh fuel.

Some vehicle models require at least 1.5 gallons to start including Prius, Jaguar F-Type, and 2015-’16 Land Rover Discovery.

When filling portable fuel containers, it is recommended that the container be taken off of the truck and placed on the ground to fill. This is to avoid the hazard of a static electricity charge caus-

California Air Resources Board-compliant fuel containers; red is for gasoline, yellow for diesel fuel.

ing a spark around the fuel vapors.

Occasionally you may arrive at an out-of-fuel call where the filler tube has a locking gas cap and the customer cannot find the key. There is a locking gas cap tool that can be used on most of these caps that will allow you to unlock it. I like to carry one of these tools for locking gas caps; they often work on toolbox door locks too.

In California you can only purchase portable fuel containers that comply with the California Air Resources Board requirements. A PFC is “any container or vessel with a nominal capacity of 10 gallons or less intended for reuse that is designed, used, sold, advertised or offered for sale for receiving, transporting, storing and dispensing fuel or kerosene.” Other states may have similar requirements, so make sure you are familiar with your state requirements and comply with them.

According to industry and government data, there are an estimated 9.2 million residential and almost 600,000 commercial gas cans in California as well as an average of 1.9 million new gas cans sold each year. Gas cans contribute to smog forming emissions through vapors that permeate through the container walls (on cans made of polyethylene plastic), fumes escaping while fuel is being dispensed, spillage, evaporation through vent holes and evaporation through inadequately capped spouts. To reduce these emissions, CARB-compliant PFCs have to be made of a material that allows no more than 0.4 grams per gallon per day to permeate through the walls of the container, the spout must be spill-proof with an automatic closing feature and the container cannot have a secondary vent hole. These requirements result in a more expensive container but significantly reduce emissions from PFCs. Out-of-fuel calls are a significant portion of the total call volume for some tow companies and must be handled properly to be done safely and avoid damages and/or complaints.

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 30plus years of light-duty towing-andrecovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

SOUTH 94 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • SOUTH 95

Towers Stress ‘Move Over’ In 2002, North Carolina adopted its Move Over Law, which protects law enforcement officers, emergency responders and utility workers, including towing companies, stopped along roadsides.

The law says drivers must pull into the lane furthest away from the authorized vehicle if the roadway has at least two lanes of traffic in one direction. If there is only one lane of traffic, drivers should reduce speed and be prepared to stop.

Thomas Towing and Transport was a victim of a driver not obeying this law recently in Wilmington.

“Two years ago I had a guy go past me so fast and his mirror brushed my back. This time was worse; fortunately our driver was in the cab of the truck, but still shaken up. Had he been outside doing anything with the vehicle it could have been a different outcome,” said Tom Toby, owner of

Thomas Towing and Transport.

According to the NCHP, 64 drivers in southeastern North Carolina were cited for violating the law in 2016.

“That couple of minutes I may hold you up could mean the difference of a tow operator going home or maybe not,” he said.

Source: wect.com.

Jerr-Dan Expands Tow Support Jerr-Dan Corp. (jerrdan.com) expanded its Tow Support program by adding district service managers providing full regional coverage and carrying and stocking more parts in inventory than ever before.

The company said the enhanced, hands-on approach to customer service supports customers after the initial purchase, encompassing all aspects of customer service including parts stocking, accessories, warranty, technical support, training and service.

“Tow Support is all about keeping our customers up and running in a

faster, more efficient way,” said Mike VanAken, director for Jerr-Dan Aftermarket Support.

Tow Support includes: • Full regional coverage of district service managers to assist in parts, business development and warranty/service issues.

• Expanded Parts and Accessories Catalog.

• Technical Publications library.

• Jerr-Dan New Product Warranty.

Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in its new products for 12 months from the warranty start date. In addition, Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in the Deck, Substructure, and Hydraulics (excluding hydraulic hoses) on each new XLP Carrier made by it for three years from the warranty start date.

Towman Aids Injured Kitten A Florida tow company went into action after a kitten was found injured along a busy road.

Aaron Forsman, manager of Volusia County Towing Co. in Holly Hill, and another driver stopped to tend to an injured kitten in the median of a busy road, according to a local TV station. Veterinarians said it probably had been thrown from a vehicle. The kitten suffered a broken femur and its lip was separated from its jaw.

Forsman has paid for the kitten’s medical bills; his staff was using social media to raise additional money for the kitten’s surgery.

“It’s horrible,” said Forsman. “I can’t even imagine who would think (to do) that. There (are) some really sick people out there that would throw a cat (out a window) instead of … having it adopted.”

Sources: palmbeachpost.com; wesh.com.

TowShow.com SOUTH 96 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Out-of-Fuel Calls

A

dvances in automotive technology result in more complex, computer-controlled systems that—when towing or roadside service is necessary—require specific procedures. Each year, technology changes and tow operators must constantly be upgrading their skills to stay abreast of the updates.

Providing fuel for vehicles is no exception. Out-of-fuel service calls, as with most types of service calls, have become more complicated and require tow operators to be knowledgeable and up to date.

Electronic fuel doors, capless fuel fillers, fuel-pump reset procedures, high-pressure fuel systems, inertia switches, diesel engines and computer controls all contribute to more complicated out-of-fuel service calls. Even with all of the technology in cars, AAA still handled more than 500,000 out-of-fuel calls in 2014. In a survey, 13,000 vehicles required towing due to members mis-fueling their gasoline vehicle with diesel or diesel vehicle with gasoline.

As with all services, out-of-fuel service requires the proper equipment.

To provide this service, the following minimum equipment should be carried on the tow truck: • One 5-gallon red portable fuel container.

• One 5-gallon yellow portable fuel container.

• Funnel.

• Gloves.

• Safety glasses.

There are many styles of portable fuel containers to choose from. Gasoline should be stored in a red container and diesel in a yellow container. The containers also should be labeled with the appropriate fuel.

If you often provide less than 5 gallons to your customers, try carrying an additional 2.5-gallon container for easier handling.

Locking gas cap and locking tool.

You should always wear gloves and safety glasses while dispensing fuel. Portable fuel containers must be properly secured to the tow truck to avoid theft and spillage.

Locks, Resets Many late model vehicles are equipped with an electronic fuel door.

If there is a problem with this system, you can use a manual override to open the fuel door. Some models of Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, MercedesBenz and Porsche have this feature.

The fuel door manual override often is in the trunk, but sometimes under the hood. Some systems are computer-monitored and won’t allow the fuel door to open until the highpressure system releases; the pressure release can take up to 15 seconds. The 2016 Porsche Panamera uses a central locking system and if the system is not operating properly the vehicle requires towing.

Many auto manufacturers are now using a no-filler cap system; some models of Alfa Romeo, Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Jeep, Mercury and Lincoln have this capless system. To add fuel to these vehicles, you need to use a small funnel that is provided with the vehicle. It is usually located with the spare tire or in the same compartment.

Many modern vehicles are equipped with a fuel inertia switch

MIDWEST 92 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Terry Abejuela

designed to shut the fuel pump off in a collision. Ford, Land Rover, Lincoln, Jaguar, Mazda, and Mercury all have models that are equipped with a fuel inertia switch. Common locations for the fuel inertia switch include in the trunk on the passenger side, behind the passenger-side kick panel, and under the dash near the heater box.

(The 2005-’12 Ford Escape has two fuel inertia switches. One is behind the passenger-side kick panel and the second is behind a removable trim panel in the passenger-side rear cargo area.)

Some fuel systems require a reset procedure after the vehicle has run out of fuel to operate properly. Make sure you notify your customer so they don’t think you caused a problem during

The Surecan doesn’t have to be tilted; control the fuel flow with the black trigger at the top.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • MIDWEST 93

continued from page MW 92 the service. Reset procedures can be found in the AAA Tow & Service Manual, vehicle owner’s manual or online.

(For example, the 2015-’16 Land Rover Discovery requires the ignition be turned on for five minutes before attempting to start. Once started, drive for up to 3 miles for engine management and monitoring systems to recalibrate. The Fiat 500 has a reset procedure, but it has to be done within 45 seconds of running out-of-fuel and involves a sequence of turning on and off the turn signal indicator in a specific sequence.)

Gas vs. Diesel Some models are available with gas and diesel versions. Make sure you are dispensing the proper fuel for the vehicle.

On a vehicle with a diesel engine that has run out of fuel, you will have to prime the fuel system to get it to start. If you are not familiar with the priming procedure, you should offer a tow. Priming procedures range from simple to complex.

Some of the older Mercedes diesels could be manually primed with a pump under the hood. Some vehicles can be primed by removing the fuel filter, filling it with diesel and reinstalling it. Some vehicles have an air valve that allows air to be purged out of the fuel system to prime it.

According to Exxon, diesel fuel can be stored in a portable fuel container for six to 12 months if it is kept

CARB-compliant gasoline can with filler spout next to absorbent padding.

clean, cool and dry. If the fuel is stored in the fuel container too long, it will become gummy and can accumulate water condensation and eventually start to grow fungus. Higher temperatures will speed up the gumming process. You do not want to dispense contaminated diesel fuel into a customer’s fuel tank. If your truck runs on diesel you could pour it into your tow truck once a month and refill the portable fuel container with fresh fuel.

Some vehicle models require at least 1.5 gallons to start including Prius, Jaguar F-Type, and 2015-’16 Land Rover Discovery.

When filling portable fuel containers, it is recommended that the container be taken off of the truck and placed on the ground to fill. This is to avoid the hazard of a static electricity charge causing a spark around the fuel vapors.

California Air Resources Board-compliant fuel containers; red is for gasoline, yellow for diesel fuel.

Occasionally you may arrive at an out-of-fuel call where the filler tube has a locking gas cap and the customer cannot find the key. There is a locking gas cap tool that can be used on most of these caps that will allow you to unlock it. I like to carry one of these tools for locking gas caps; they often work on toolbox door locks too.

In California you can only purchase portable fuel containers that comply with the California Air Resources Board requirements. A PFC is “any container or vessel with a nominal capacity of 10 gallons or less intended for reuse that is designed, used, sold, advertised or offered for sale for receiving, transporting, storing and dispensing fuel or kerosene.” Other states may have similar requirements, so make sure you are familiar with your state requirements and comply with them.

According to industry and government data, there are an estimated 9.2 million residential and almost 600,000 commercial gas cans in California as well as an average of 1.9 million new gas cans sold each year. Gas cans contribute to smog forming emissions through vapors that permeate through the container walls (on cans made of polyethylene plastic), fumes escaping while fuel is being dispensed, spillage, evaporation through vent holes and evaporation through inadequately capped spouts. To reduce these emissions, CARB-compliant PFCs have to be made of a material that allows no more than 0.4 grams per gallon per day to permeate through the walls of the container, the spout must be spill-proof with an automatic closing feature and the container cannot have a secondary vent hole. These requirements result in a more expensive container but significantly reduce emissions from PFCs. Out-of-fuel calls are a significant portion of the total call volume for some tow companies and must be handled properly to be done safely and avoid damages and/or complaints.

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 30plus years of light-duty towing-andrecovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

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Isuzu Marks 40,000 N-Series Gas Trucks Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) recently announced that the 40,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck rolled off the line at the Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

“From April 2015 to June 2016— a span of 15 months—we went from 20,000 to 30,000 gas-powered Isuzu trucks produced in Charlotte,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.

“Now, only 12 months later, another 10,000 N-Series gas trucks have been built. That’s a testament to the increasing popularity and growing reputation of our gasoline engine, low-cab-forward trucks.”

Assembly of Isuzu N-Series gas trucks began at Spartan in April 2011.

Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a Vortec 6.0L smallblock V8 engine. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and lock-up torque converter. An optional version of the engine is capable of being converted to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

Leadership Changes at Navistar Navistar International Corp. (navistar.com) promoted Michael A. Cancelliere to president, Truck and Parts, replacing William R. Kozek, who will assume a planning role focused on emerging industry opportunities.

Cancelliere will oversee all aspects of the company’s truck and parts business. Most recently, he served as SVP, Global Parts and Customer Service.

Navistar also announced that Bernardo Valenzuela is returning to the company in the newly created role of VP of Export, and president of Mexico and Global Operations.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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Jerr-Dan Expands Tow Support Jerr-Dan Corp. (jerrdan.com) expanded its Tow Support program by adding district service managers providing full regional coverage and carrying and stocking more parts in inventory than ever before.

The company said the enhanced, hands-on approach to customer service supports customers after the initial purchase, encompassing all aspects of customer service including parts stocking, accessories, warranty, technical support, training and service.

“Tow Support is all about keeping our customers up and running in a faster, more efficient way,” said Mike VanAken, director for Jerr-Dan Aftermarket Support.

Tow Support includes: • Full regional coverage of district service managers to assist in parts, business development and warranty/service issues.

• Expanded Parts and Accessories Catalog.

• Technical Publications library.

• Jerr-Dan New Product Warranty.

Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in its new products for 12 months from the warranty start date. In addition, Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in the Deck, Substructure, and Hydraulics (excluding hydraulic hoses) on each new XLP Carrier made by it for three years from the warranty start date.

Tow Fee May Be Dropped The Lake County (Ind.) Council is considering an ordinance amendment governing its towing program by dropping a franchise fee tow companies pay to the county.

The proposed amendment would cut a portion of the fees the county collects from companies in an effort to lessen the cost Lake County residents pay if their cars get towed, according to Councilman David Hamm.

The county’s ordinance currently levies a $50 franchise fee of tow operators, and a $75 fee paid to the county for each tow conducted under the terms of the contract.

Larry Blanchard, a commissioners’ consultant, said the franchise fee netted the county $80,000 to $90,000 before the program was restructured putting that money into the general fund. When the towing fees went to the Sheriff’s Department, Blanchard said that went toward funding salaries and other items.

The County Council eliminated the towing fund used to pay for salaries after the Board of Commissioners took over the towing program.

Hamm said he’s supporting the commissioners’ request as the council opted to give them authority over how the towing program is run.

The Lake County Council stripped governance of the towing contracts from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department earlier this year after federal indictments against Sheriff John Buncich alleged he solicited bribes from operators in exchange for more tow jobs.

Source: chicagotribune.com.

Tow Company Suing Detroit Boulevard & Trumbull Towing Inc. filed suit against the city of Detroit, Mich., its police department and its Board of Police Commissioners for what it calls the illegal suspension of the firm’s towing permit.

The company alleges the board of police commissioners violated its own rules by failing to provide an explanation for the suspension or an opportunity for the company to appeal the decision.

The complaint says the board “actively concealed information from the company and the public” by not placing the company’s permit on the agenda and by making the vote in closed session.

It also notes that the board suspended the company’s permit on June 15 — two weeks after its former owner, Gasper Fiore, was indicted by a federal grand jury and accused of participating

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in a bribery conspiracy. The alleged conspiracy involves public officials pocketing bribes in exchange for approving municipal contracts with Fiore’s company and Macomb County garbage hauler Rizzo Environmental Services.

Boulevard & Trumbull Towing argues it had already severed its ties with Fiore who “ceased to have any position with the company in 2016.”

“At the time of the indictment, Gasper Fiore was not a shareholder, official or director of Plaintiff, and resigned his employment with Plaintiff,” the lawsuit states.

Source: detroitnews.com.

Montreal Tow Employees Arrested Police targeted a towing company in three early morning raids in Laval, Saint-Jérôme and Montreal, Canada, arresting 12 people recently.

In total, police had 13 arrest warrants for employees and seven tow trucks belonging to the company were seized.

Those arrested included the owners, managers and several employees.

Six of the 12 arrested were detained.

Police say they face charges including theft, fraud, extortion, conspiracy and armed assault.

Police spokesman André Durocher said the company would seize vehicles parked in violation of rules advertised on private or commercial properties and keep them until owners paid them immediately by cash or credit.

Some customers faced violence and others were charged amounts beyond the allowable fee, which Durocher said is about $100 including taxes.

“In some cases ... if someone came out and they were starting to (tow) their car, they would refuse to release the car unless the person paid immediately on the spot, and that’s illegal,” Durocher said.

Police said they have received 75 complaints about the company since last fall, and that there was enough evidence in 50 of those cases to proceed with arrests.

Source: cbc.ca.

Jerr-Dan Expands Tow Support Jerr-Dan Corp. (jerrdan.com) expanded its Tow Support program by adding district service managers providing full regional coverage and carrying and stocking more parts in inventory than ever before.

The company said the enhanced, hands-on approach to customer service supports customers after the initial purchase, encompassing all aspects of customer service including parts stocking, accessories, warranty, technical support, training and service.

“Tow Support is all about keeping our customers up and running in a faster, more efficient way,” said Mike VanAken, director for Jerr-Dan Aftermarket Support.

Tow Support includes: • Full regional coverage of district service managers to assist in parts, business development and warranty/service issues.

• Expanded Parts and Accessories Catalog.

• Technical Publications library.

• Jerr-Dan New Product Warranty. Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in its new products for 12 months from the warranty start date. In addition, Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in the Deck, Substructure, and Hydraulics (excluding hydraulic hoses) on each new XLP Carrier made by it for three years from the warranty start date.

Isuzu Marks 40,000 N-Series Gas Trucks Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) recently announced that the 40,000th gasoline-powered Isuzu N-Series truck rolled off the line at the Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Mich.

“From April 2015 to June 2016— a span of 15 months—we went from 20,000 to 30,000 gas-powered Isuzu WEST 92 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

trucks produced in Charlotte,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “Now, only 12 months later, another 10,000 N-Series gas trucks have been built.

That’s a testament to the increasing popularity and growing reputation of our gasoline engine, low-cab-forward trucks.”

Assembly of Isuzu N-Series gas trucks began at Spartan in April 2011.

Isuzu N-Series gas trucks are powered by a Vortec 6.0L small-block V8 engine. The powerplant is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive and lock-up torque converter. An optional version of the engine is capable of being converted to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

Leadership Changes at Navistar Navistar International Corp. (navistar.com) promoted Michael A. Cancelliere to president, Truck and Parts,

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - August 2017 • WEST 93

Navistar: continued from pg. W 93 replacing William R. Kozek, who will assume a planning role focused on emerging industry opportunities.

Cancelliere will oversee all aspects of the company’s truck and parts business. Navistar also announced that Bernardo Valenzuela is returning to the company in the newly created role of VP of Export, and president of Mexico and Global Operations.

Legislative Success in Texas The Southwest Tow Operators association reported that the Texas towing industry just finished its most successful legislative session in many years, according to a press release from the association.

The bill contains some important initiatives the association said it had been working on for a while. According to the release, reporting abandoned vehicles to law enforcement will now only be required if the law enforcement agency requires it; tax offices cannot require proof of delivery (only proof of mailing per statute) for notification letters in order to process a storage lien; if the first or second notification letter is sent a few days late accidentally, the vehicle can still be sold without going to district court for a title The association also stated that the dual license has been repealed. If one holds a tow operator license, they can now work in a vehicle storage facility without a special VSF or dual license.

Finally, the Towing and Storage Advisory Board will now be made up of nine members: five industry members and four others (two law enforcement, one insurance and one parking facility representative).

These changes are effective immediately.

“Senate Bill 150, recently signed by the governor, solves many of our major lien processing issues,” STO relayed in a press release. “Southwest Tow Operators has been working hard on these issues for the last two years.”

The association thanked the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, state Rep. John Kuempel and state Sen. Judith Zaffirini for their help.

Source: swtowop.org.

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Spirit Ride Ceremony Saturday 5 pm, then the Procession. Join The

Over 130 Exhibitors

WEST 100 • August 2017 - TOWMAN.COM