Tow Professional by Over the Mountain Media, Inc

TOW PROFESSIONAL March/April 2012

CONTENTS

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CDL 16 | Towing and a COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

High Visibility Clothing 18 | Road hazards—high visibility clothing and other PPE

Spill Control 12 | Getting Back on The Road Faster

WESTERN STAR 22 | A Star is Born

14 | When Opportunity Goes Down the Drain 24 |While You Were Out…

28 | Jump Packs . . .

Keeping Your Company in Motion

Non-traditional Uses

30 | Starting System Cables

company spotlight

I ndu stry NEWS

6 | The Dynamic T180 Rotator

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Publisher Letter

36 |

HOOKED UP

6 | ‘United Coalition for Motor Club Safty’ Holdes Historic Meeting

8 | Dual-Tech’s Dual Winch Side Puller TOW T I P S

TOWING & RECOVERY

10 | Hydraulic Oil, Water and Your Tow Truck Cover Image Courtesy of Steven Weil from Weil Wrecker

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PUBLISHERS

LETTER

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

March/April 2012

www.towprofessional.com

PUBLISHERS Darian Weaver President & Co-Publisher darian@towprofessional.com

ello to all! We would like to thank the readers and advertisers from

the January/February issue. You, the reader, have responded to our

advertisers and in turn they have responded to us. With the many

Jack Hartsfield Vice President & Co-Publisher jack@towprofessional.com __________________________

positive comments that we have received, two things are obvious- A.

There is definitely “room for another magazine” in the Towing and Recovery mar-

PRODUCTION

ket and B. The investment on our circulation was very well spent and hit the mark

Clint W. Cabiness Art Director

dead center. Response has been fantastic. We would also like to thank Steve and Steven Weil of Weil Wrecker (Home of the Alabama TRA). As we are located ten minutes from each other in Birmingham, Alabama, the Weil family has been very instrumental in the direction of Tow Professional. Every time we have called, Steve

Hal K. Huber Graphic Designer __________________________

says “come on down”. They have a respected name in our industry and I personally know why! As we grow our magazine, we will continue bringing pertinent B2B style editorial, bring new advertisers, and allow our advertisers to tell you their story. We also want to hear your story, as the owner or executive manager within your company; you also will have a voice with Tow Professional. Please continue sending in your comments and suggestions. In this issue we bring you feature editorials on Hi-Vis PPE, Spill Control, Dispatching, Jump Packs, CDL requirements, and Hydraulics Maintenance. Also find company spotlights on Dynamic, Bailey’s Towing, Atomic LED and Western Star’s piece “A Star Is Born”. Again, thank you for welcoming Tow Professional to the market.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susan Bailey Perry Beaty Dave Emmons Richard Farrell Linda Fournier Todd K Ron Porter Mark Stromme Kyle Wandyes __________________________

Enjoy, Executive and Advertising Offices

Jack Hartsfield and Darian Weaver Co-Publishers

For a new free subscription, address changes or corrections, please visit www.towprofessional.com and click on the “subscribe” tab.

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P.O. Box 26308 Birmingham, AL 35260 Toll free: 888-802-8544 Fax: 205-978-1550 www.towprofessional.com Tow Professional is published seven times a year on a bimonthly basis by Over The Mountain Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26308, Birmingham, Alabama, 35260, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices. Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Recovery's Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.

............................................... The Dynamic T180 Rotator >>>

Industry NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Shawn Derek Ross of Badger Towing on the Dynamic T180 Rotator Headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska, with a dispatch in North Pole, Alaska, Badger Towing has been in business since 1986, specializing in light duty recovery, private property impounds. Ross said, “We went all the way to Reno, Nevada just to view the Dynamic T180 in person, being 50 percent sure that we would order one. After seeing the T180, we ordered one right then and there. The process with Anthony was so smooth, from the quoting to the actual truck pick-up. Everything was smooth and easy, as easy as driving to Alaska can be from Virginia!”

Badger is the only towing company in Alaska with the Dynamic T180. According to Ross, “The advantage to having the T180 is it’s just as quick as anything else. Once you know how to use it, it’s really self-sufficient; it sets up really easily. It is the perfect truck for our private property impounds because the parking lots are so narrow. The apartment complexes are also very small and difficult to tow out of. Law enforcement is impressed because I don’t have to occupy two lanes to recover on a highway. During rush hour, they only have to close down one lane, which has increased my business tremendously. We’ve

been on the news several times because no one else here has one and the design is so impressive.” Being in Alaska, where the weather is severe, the T180 has held up to the snow and harsh environments. He said, “It will get down to 45 below 0, the hydraulics have always worked incredibly well. I’ve never blown any hydraulic lines. The durability of the T180 is fascinating. Working in rough territory, nothing rattles loose. The workmanship on the truck is awesome, and there are no problems with the welds. The quality is hands-down worth the price.” In his advice to a potential buyer, Ross said, Just know what your applications are and work with Dynamic Company to discuss your needs. It’s so universal that it’s like two trucks in one. It can be used as a conventional truck and also as a rotator; you don’t always have to rotate. We are planning on our second T180 purchase next summer. There is no comparison to the T180. I won’t be shopping around. I’ll be calling Dynamic.

.......................................................... UNITED COALITION FOR MOTOR CLUB SAFETY Hold Historic Meeting >>> New association formed to fix the problems of motor club towing companies SACRAMENTO, CA, February 2012 – On January 20th, 2012 a crowd of professional, dedicated motor club towers battled bad weather and overcame geographic differences in order to band together join a new association, the United Coalition for Motor Club Safety (UCMCS). Nearly 75 individual towing companies attended the meeting in order to express their frustration with the motor clubs that they contract with. The new association will focus on addressing common concerns of motor club contractors. Dan Charlebois, UCMCS President and former Chair of the Contract Station Advisory Group, stated, “For far too long we have been reliant on others to create deals on our behalf and effect positive change for us motor club contractors. The outcome has been less than desirable as of late and we need only to look in the mirror to place the blame. By linking together we can shape a different and better future that ensures the success of our businesses, while also improving our services 6

to motor club customers.” Membership in the United Coalition for Motor Club Safety is open only to towing and recovery companies that contract with motor clubs. The association is designed to tackle the challenges associated with providing the high level of service required by such contracts. The new association will facilitate and encourage the safety and professionalism of towing and recovery companies contracting with motor clubs, as well as ensuring the safety of the public that they serve. Through collective action, the association will employ legal counsel, lobbyists, and PR professionals to ensure its members’ rights are heard and defended. In addition, with the combined purchasing power, the association can negotiate group discounts on products and services that all motor club contractors need and use.

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“At first glance, changing the status quo of the motor club industry seems daunting,” said Steve Sgarlato UCMCS Vice President and current Chair of the Contract Station Advisory Group. “It’s true that much work needs to be done, but it is doable if we trust one another and work together. This association is just the right vehicle to do this and this is right time to do this.” At the January 20th meeting, all new members were approved, organizational bylaws and a tiered dues structure based on call volume were adopted, and board members were elected. The Board will now determine its initial, and most effective, course of action for the association. To learn more email staff@motorclubcoalition.org, or call Dan Charlebois at (916) 206-1919 or Steve Sgarlato at (408) 592-9460.

............................................... Dual-Tech’s Dual Winch Side Puller >>>

Industry NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

With the objective in mind of creating a safer and more versatile side recovery device, Don & Donnie Roberts sat down to the drawing board and created a dual winch version of the side puller now seen on many tow vehicles. Available in 9,000 lb., 10,000 lb., or 12,000 lb. capacities, the new Dual-Tech design is superior to the competition’s single winch side pullers. The DualTech design allows the Operator to perform recovery work from ei-

ther side without having to climb on and off the bed to constantly adjust the direction of pull. This valuable feature enables Towers in some markets to eliminate the need of having a second truck to stay on many rotations where a self-loader with a winch and boom are required. Dual-Tech’s (Patent PendingG) side puller is offered with both air-release and manual-release versions, and is on a beefier frame than that of the competition. This unique product has been well received by the automotive towing & recovery market, and both sales and production have increased rapidly since its introduction. For more information about the Dual-Tech dual winch side puller, please call (800) 852-0345 or visit www.Dual-TechInc.com.

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www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

TOW T I P S

TOWING & RECOVERY

Hydraulic Oil, Water and Your TOW TRUCK By R ich ar d Far r e ll I found over the years, that one of the most popular,and ignored services I could suggest to a customer was to change the hydrulic oil and filter. No one seems to do this very simple maintenance. I would tell all my service people,"Make sure you check the hydraulic oil when you write up someone for service." I'll bet 75 % 0r more had milky or contaminated oil. When the weather got really cold ( we're in Michigan) we could get several trucks in all at once with frozen hydrulic tanks. I'm talking ice cubes! Some would have cracks in cylinders, others busted valves or pumps. Gets real expensive, real quick. All of which, with simple preventive maintainance, could have been avoided. By changing your hyd oil and filter anually, you can save a lot of dough and down time. Not to mention the premature wear on pumps, motors and cylinder packings. This is something that you can perform inhouse. Most all hyd tanks have a drain plug,

and a spin on filter. Most any good repair facility will be happy to point out these things and answer you questions. Yes, we're in the service biz but I know that by helping my customers save money, they remember that and come back for the repairs they can't do themselfs.This can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs not to mention losses due to

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

down time. It's always when your the most busy. I 've been asked over the years what is the best hydraulic oil to use. This will depend on the climate where you operate. In very cold locations, where you can get into negative temps regulary, I would use "Dextron" (red automatic trans fluid) This is about a 5w oil and will not stiffen up in very cold temps. In most parts of the country I would use a 20w oil. In very hot climates a 30w hyd oil. If, on an exceptionaly cold day, I would turn on my pto and let the pump run for ten or fifteen minutes first thing in the morning. This tends to warm up the oil and saves wear and tear on the pump. Just at an idle, do not rev up the engine. Over reving your engine can damage your pump by causing a conditon known as "cavitation". Let the pto/pump run for a few moments in really cold mornings can save you costly pump repairs down the road. TOW Richard Farrell Detroit Wrecker www.detroitwrecker.com

Getting Back on

The Road FASTER By R on Por ter – Chief Technologist at Spill Experts In today’s fast paced world our highways have become the largest rolling ware houses in the “just in time” system used in North America. Accidents happen 24/7 and vary from mild collisions to horrific multi-vehicle pileups. While emergency response teams assist the injured, the police are responsible to protect the scene from further accidents and keep the traffic moving safely through and around the area. Keeping a highway open is a top priority. 12

OPPORTUNITY Closed highways mean lost dollars to the trucking industry and manufacturing world. Even though the police work diligently to reopen roadways, the current procedures for clean up can be very slow waiting for hazardous material teams to respond. This lag in the system creates a big opportunity for tow truck companies to expand their services.

REQUIREMENTS A tow operator specializing in spill response would need training and materials from accredited sources. Proper equipment includes a truck or trailer that can carry absorbents - most commonly a loose, instant granular; socks; booms; pads; over packs and secondary containment products

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

for “water only” to place in sewers or waterways close to the highway. Using quality spill response products provides a timely solution so highways are left clean , safe, and open for business!

BENEFITS Towing companies trained in spill response will increase their profits, save money for the insurance companies and save on time and costs by assisting emergency response teams in getting a roadway opened quicker. Faster cleanup also means there is less chance for hydrocarbons to leach into surrounding soils or water-tables and become an environmental hazard.

COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS Aside from meeting regulatory require-

ments, a towing company needs cost effective, reliable products for quick, easy and safe hazardous material clean up. Clean Planet Enterprises is a US based company dedicated to cleaning up the world one spill at a time, one pallet at a time. They distribute “Spill Experts Professional blend” - an instantly encapsulating granular absorbent with a patented formula developed for outdoor use. These products out perform the traditional clay products 6:1 making them the professionals choice of absorbents. They are reuseable, non-toxic ,safe for the handler and for the environment.

ADVANTAGES Trained towing operators who can showcase their superior Spill response products to the fire departments, police departments and insurance companies will become recognized as trusted professionals to remove wreckage and provide a specialized service – a definite advantage in the highly competitive towing industry.

HOW TO PROCEED Any tow operator interested in this ground breaking, profit producing opportunity can visit www.cleanplanetenterprises.com or www.spillexperts.com to view our product demonstration. TOW If you have questions, would like product demonstrations, need training or just want to know how to equip a spill trailer, feel free to contact Spill Experts in Canada at 1-877225-9344 and speak with the chief technologist Ron Porter, a 25 year veteran firefighter and re-known certified hazardous material incident commander or Karen Seegert President of Spill Experts Inc. www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

When Opportunity Goes

Down The Drain By Per r y Beaty

leaning up an accident scene can involve more than sweeping up broken

glass especially if a Big Rig is the casualty. Highway mishaps where fuel spills occur can sometimes prolong vehicle recovery efforts if it becomes necessary to pump off the fuel tanks.That task requires a certified Hazmat technician known as “HAZWOPER” an acyronym for Hazardous Waste Operations.. The Federal Government requires that anyone engaging in the clean up, (remediation) or disposal of contaminates or hazardous material be trained and certified as per OSHA Regulations CFR 1910.120, which involves 40 hours of training. Heavy duty vehicle recovery operations stand by and experience long periods of response time for clean up companies to arrive and perform their task of pumping off damaged saddle tanks before towing away the disabled unit. Youʼre already on the scene so why not take charge of the entire cleanup and collect the revenue for the fluid spill ? Have your personnel certified by a Training staff which may conduct training with flexible days and hours to accomodate your business. Your roster of towing clients is an established customer base ready for your services. Traffic accidents are not the only source of response. Loading dock mishaps at freight terminals and scheduled degreasing of fuel islands are of many opportunies.

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There are Consulting entites for Insurance companies and the transportation industry for highway and rail (example) that engage in transporting hazardous goods across the nation. These Consulting firms maintain a list of qualified and certified companies that provide services to clean up any casuality in different locations in the counrty; (much like motor clubs for towing,flat tires, jump starts). Once you become affilated with many of these firms you can expect remediation calls through this medium. Tools and supplies such as personal protective gear, absorbants, spark resistant hand tools, pumps, hoses will be your initital investment. Equipment such as backhoes or bobcats and dump trucks can be rented per job. We all know the authories love quick responses, and youʼre already on the scene! TOW

ABOUT THE WRITER: Perry Beaty is a veteran of the towing industry in Charlotte NC where he owned and operated Beaty Towing and Recovery along with Piedmont Environmental Response Team, (PERT) selling both companies in 1998. He is Wreckermaster Certified 95465 and named one of the Top Ten Wreckmasters in 1997. Beaty has maintained his Hazmat certification recieving a patent in 2008 for an inflatable storm drain plug that was approved for FEMA funding in 2010. www.Flowstop.net

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

Towing and a

COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE There seems to be a lot of confusion as to what you need as far as a CDL to drive a wrecker or roll back. I guess the first thing would be to explain just what a CDL is, and isn’t.

By R ic h ar d F ar r e ll If you operate any vehicle, which transports hazardous materials in sufficient quantities as to require placarding, you will need a CDL C. If you operate a vehicle with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) OVER 26.000 lbs. you will need a CDL B. If you operate a vehicle that is towing or pulls anything OVER 10.000lbs GVWR, you need CDL A. Sounds pretty simple right? Well, let me explain further. Remember, this has to do with “GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING” NOT ACTUAL WEIGHT. There are several “endorsements” (tank, hazardous etc.) most towers really don’t need. If you are towing a vehicle which would require an endorsement, and you have the driver with you it would be covered. (Hazardous etc.) I see a lot of ads for trucks that say “CDL beater”. What this means is the vehicle has a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less. Be careful on these! 16

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Take this example, you have a rollback on this truck. You can load anything you want on the bed. As far as the CDL is concerned your fine (note... not the weight master, just the CDL requirements) Here is the rub...anything you put on the wheel lift is a problem. The Motor Carrier will add the GVWR of the truck and the GVWR of the towed vehicle together. If the combined GVWR is over 26,000lbs, you need a “CDL B. This is the rollback and the towed unit, not the vehicle on the bed. If we are talking about a wrecker, your hit. You will need at least a “B” If you are towing a vehicle over a GVWR of over 10,000lbs, you will need a CDL A. Here is a combination that you might have seen... a fellow is operating a 3/4 ton pickup wrecker. He has hooked up a bare cab and chassis. This chassis has no bed, rear end, doors, front clip or motor and trans. Just a cab with two front tires. This thing can’t weigh 1500 lbs. unfortunately this chassis has a VIN tag and it reads 14,500 lbs. GVWR. This is a CDL A tow, not because of the weight but because of the GVWR of the towed unit. My advice to all the drivers we gave CDL exams to, was “get the CDL A”. It is the same test. Yes, you have to back up your truck with a trailer, (you have to do that in this business anyway). If you don’t and get just a CDL B, you will have to take the whole test over again to up-

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A CABLE SING?

grade to a CDL A. The company who mounted the equipment on the chassis was required to certify the GVWR with a tag (Usually on the driver’s side door jamb) and that the vehicle meets all Fed Dot requirements. Check this tag so you can figure out if what you can tow on your wheelift. If you subtract the GVWR from 26,000 lbs. that would be the GVWR you have left to play with. Let’s say your truck has a GVWR of 21,500 lbs., (you don’t need a CDL right?)you would have 4500lbs of GVWR to load. So any car would work but not most pickups or large SUV’s. I would always tell drivers to try to load the SUV on the bed and load the car on the wheel lift. Now you are in compliance with the CDL

Hopefully, most of us never have. Those that have will never forget that sound or what the winch cable did right after. I have seen major injury and even severed limbs or death. Condition of your cable and knowing its maximum working and breaking ratings are important. Keeping the winch cable straight and even on the drum is a must. Crossing the cable over itself and tensioning it can damage it and severely weaken it. Kinks will cause broken strands within the cable. Sometimes you can fix these kinks, but the best thing is not to let this happen in the first place. Cable tensioners and roller guides help, but you need to watch your winch drum while you are winching. Keeping the cable taunt and rolled up straight will make this easier. I have never seen any tensioning device that really worked without the operator starting with a straight drum of cable and keeping the cable straight. I would always want to winch the vehicle as close to my truck as possible. Winching with weight and tension on the cable will make it roll back on the drum nice and straight. There were even times we would extend the cable all the way out, hook to a vehicle in the lot, and winch it back to the truck. This was a great way to inspect the entire cable for any rusting or damage. TOW Richard Farrell, Detroit Wrecker Sales 19630 Fitzpatrick, Detroit, MI 48228

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

ROAD

HAZARDS

By Mar k S tr omme

—high visibility clothing and other PPE

rotecting employees working on or near a roadway should always be a number one safety concern. One way to do so is to provide your employees with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Selecting the proper PPE is more involved than employers may understand.

site or tow it to a different location? • How close to the moving traffic will the employee be? Answers to these questions will help you perform your hazard assessment. Next, you have to communicate those PPE selection decisions to the workers and then find and fit the PPE for each affected employee.

Hazard assessment

Types of PPE

To determine the need for PPE, OSHA requires employers to conduct a hazard assessment per 29 CFR 1910.132(d). This hazard assessment must determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, that require the use of PPE. If such hazards are discovered, then you must select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect them. When an employee is dispatched to assist/tow a vehicle there are several issues to consider: • What are the conditions? What is the visibility, weather, temperature, traffic? • What will the tow driver do at the scene? Work on the disabled vehicle on-

IThe hazard assessment should determine the need for the specific types of PPE. Some of those could include: • High-visibility apparel • Eye protection • Head protection • Foot protection • Hand protection • Cold-weather clothing • Hot-weather clothing • Other types of PPE

High visibility apparel—all workers (ANSI 107-2004) When you dispatch a driver and tow vehicle to

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an accident scene make sure you provide the driver with the appropriate high-visibility safety clothing. This would include apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107–2004 publication. The 2009 Edition of the Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states at Section 6D.03 Worker Safety Considerations, Standard 04: All workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to work vehicles and construction equipment within the TTC zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107– 2004 publication entitled “American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear” (see Section 1A.11), or equivalent revisions, and labeled as meeting the ANSI 107-2004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3

risk exposure, except as provided in Paragraph 5. A person designated by the employer to be responsible for worker safety shall make the selection of the appropriate class of garment. If you also dispatch a flagger to assist your driver, the MUTCD has specific requirements. Section 6E.02 High-Visibility Safety Apparel Standard 01 states: For daytime and nighttime activity, flaggers shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107–2004 publication entitled “American National Standard for High-Visibility Apparel and Headwear” (see Section 1A.11) and labeled as meeting the ANSI 107-2004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3 risk exposure. The apparel background (outer) material color shall be fluorescent orange-red, fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two as defined in the ANSI standard. The retroreflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors, and shall be visible at a minimum distance of

1,000 feet. The retroreflective safety apparel shall be designed to clearly identify the wearer as a person. Any employee that is dispatched to an accident or breakdown scene must wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets ANSI 107-2004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3 risk exposure.

High visibility apparel—emergency responders (ANSI 207-2004) The 2009 MUTCD also has an option for emergency and incident responders and law enforcement personnel. Section 6D.03 Worker Safety Considerations, Option 05 says: Emergency and incident responders and law enforcement personnel within the TTC zone may wear high visibility safety apparel that meets the performance requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 publication entitled “American National Standard for High-Visibility Public Safety Vests” (see Section 1A.11), or equivalent revisions, and labeled as ANSI 2072006, in lieu of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 apparel. There is also a newer version of ANSI/ISEA

207-2006. It is the 2011 edition (ANSI/ISEA 207-2011). In Appendix B there are three examples of what is called the “public safety sector” vest. Examples one and two have areas on the vest where the identification text (Fire Service, EMS, Police, etc.) can be placed. The third option does not show any identification text. What types of personnel are considered to be “emergency and incident responders and law enforcement personnel?” ANSI/ISEA 207-2011 discusses “Identification of Personnel” at section 6.3, which says that, “Public safety industries may be identified with the specific names and colors: Red: Fire Service; Green: Emergency Medical Service (EMS); Blue: Law Enforcement.” With this said, it appears that only public safety personnel can wear the ANSI 207 class vests. Other employees must wear the ANSI 107 class vests. These types of high-visibility safety apparel will help protect your employees. When an employee is getting a vehicle ready to be towed, the drivers in oncoming vehicles must be able to see, and take measures to avoid, that employee.

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

ROAD HAZARDS

—high visibility clothing and other PPE Eye protection OSHA requires that appropriate eye protection be provided when there is a hazard from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation. If you have employees that are working near moving traffic they could be exposed to road debris being picked up and thrown around. Also, crawling under and around vehicles can exposed them to dirt, road salt, and fumes that can fall into or enter the eyes. Keeping the debris and related particles out of workers eyes is one of the main reasons to wear eye protection. Safety glasses (either spectacles or goggles) are a common form of eye protection. If there is a severe hazard from flying objects then a face shield may also be necessary. At the least, safety glasses with side shields should be used. OSHA requires that eye and face protection devices comply with the ANSI Z87.11989 or ANSI Z87.1-2003 consensus standards (American National Standard Prac-

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tice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection).

Head protection Hard hats must be worn when there is the potential for injury to the head from falling objects or bumping the head on an object. Crawling around and under vehicles can expose employees to these hazards. Every call may not require a hard hat to be worn; however, they should be available when needed. OSHA requires that head protection comply with: • ANSI Z89.1–2003, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection; or • ANSI Z89.1–1997, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection; or • ANSI Z89.1–1986, American National Standard for Personnel Protection—Protective Headwear for Industrial Workers— Requirements.

Foot protection Protective footwear must be worn by employees working in areas where there is a danger of

foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the sole, and where employees’ feet are exposed to electrical hazards. Wrecked vehicles shed parts and pieces that could certainly fall into these categories. Protective footwear must comply with any of the following consensus standards: • ASTM F–2412–2005, Standard Test Methods for Foot Protection and ASTM F–2413–2005, Standard Specification for Performance Requirements for Protective Footwear; or • ANSI Z41–1991 or ANSI Z41–1999, American National Standard for Personal Protection—Protective Footwear. Slipping and falling is another hazard that could be encountered, especially when working in icy conditions. There are specific types of devices that attach to boots that provide added traction in these conditions.

severe abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, and harmful temperature extremes. Wrecked vehicles often have hazards like these. In addition, handling chains and wire rope used to upright and tow vehicles can be hazardous.

Hand protection

Hot-weather clothing

Appropriate hand protection must be used when employees’ hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances, severe cuts or lacerations,

The summer season can start early for some parts of the country. Hot-weather clothing is a must for employees working outdoors. Avoid dark-colored clothing and clothing that doesn’t

Cold-weather clothing Depending on location of your operations, the winter season may bring cold temperatures, rain, wind (and accompanying low wind chills), and snow and sleet. These hazards can lead to frostbite; hypothermia; and slips, trips, and falls. In the winter months provide employees working outdoors with the proper outerwear, boots, headwear, and hand protection. In addition, certain winter conditions can result in reduced visibility, so high-visibility safety apparel can be a necessity.

breathe. Hats are recommended to be worn when working in direct sunlight.

Other types of PPE In addition to the types of PPE mentioned, there may be additional categories needed. Examples of these could include respiratory protection and clothing treated with insect repellant.

Wrap up Employee well-being is always a concern, especially for those working on or near a roadway. Your hazard assessment will determine which hazards are present, or likely to be present, that require the use of PPE by employees. Properly sizing and providing that PPE can send those workers home safely each and every day. TOW

Mark H. Stromme is a Workplace Safety Editor with J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., 3003 Breezewood Ln., Neenah, WI 54957; (920) 722-2848. Email:mstromme@jjkeller.com. For more info, visit www.jjkeller.com.

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A Star is Born estern Star is known for providing the ultimate chassis solution for heavy wrecker applications. To help promote their capabilities, the company decided to build a â&#x20AC;&#x153;monster wreckerâ&#x20AC;? to display as its showcase truck during the 2012 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) and Florida Tow Show. Featuring superior cab room, nearly unlimited options for rear axle spacing and various front axle configurations including factory installed twin steer, the showcase wrecker demonstrates first-hand why Western Star is the premium solution in the towing and recovery market.

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

“I’ve interviewed a number of wrecker operators over the years that own Western Star trucks, and they all agree they don’t want to drive anything else,” said Guy Lemieux, segment manager, Western Star. “Many of these owners tell me that a 15year-old Western Star cab remains rattle-free better than a one-year-old competitive model.” Western Star coordinated with Don Trower of Tow Truck Country, a Dubuque, IA-based division of Western Star/JerrDan dealer Truck Country along with JerrDan engineers to spec the chassis for a 50-ton straight boom truck. Starting with the engine, Western Star equipped its 4900EX, 132-inch BBC wrecker with a Detroit DD16= engine – the most powerful Detroit engine available – featuring 600 hp and 2,050lb-ft of torque, and an Eaton Fuller 20918B 18 speed transmission, which puts power to the rear axles. Cooling is provided by a 1750 sq/in copper & brass radiator. The 4900EX wheelbase is 324”and features taperleaf front suspension rated at 20k with Airliner rear tandem suspension rated at 46k. A 20k Hendrickson pusher is factory mounted to assist with heavy loads. Customizing an equally impressive exterior, Chris Jory, manager, concept and prototype, Daimler Trucks North America, worked with Mick Jenkins of Twins Custom Coaches in Pomona, CA to create a custom scheme to further set it apart from others. The layers of custom metal flake and clear were expertly applied by So-Cal’s legendary painter Pete Santini. “Having the paint done by Pete, who hot rodders consider to be the best in the industry, was very important to the statement we wanted to make with this truck” said Andy Johnson, Western Star brand manager. The severe service cab features Western Star’s plush, enhanced premium interior in green and grey. Western Star’s classic traditional styling has always turned heads and the ‘60’s retro paint scheme takes this truck over the top. And if that wasn’t enough, all the features that make a Star so durable like the galvannealed steel cab with two-piece windshield, rugged frame and bolted cross members ensure this truck will continue to turn heads for a long time. The best way to put it, this is one badass wrecker! TOW

Western Star’s classic traditional styling has always turned heads

The ‘60’s retro paint scheme takes this truck over the top

For more information on Western Star’s 4900EX series and wrecker applications, visit: www.westernstar.com. www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

“while you were out ... keeping your company in

”

It’s two oclock in the morning and a customer calls to get the price for a car that was towed last week.

You are at the grocery store with a cart full of groceries, and as you start putting your items on the belt and the checker has asked you if you found everything, your cell phone rings with a three car accident from the sheriff’s department. How about this, you and your spouse are out for dinner, the kids have a sitter, but your company doesn’t and the phone rings during the main course with a drunk yelling at you for towing his car. Sound familiar? All too often this is what happens because you have no one to answer the phones when your office is closed. So what are your options, if you have finally decided that you would like your life back ? A storm hits your community and you lose power and phone lines, can you transfer your company to another answering point that can continue to service your customers.

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

The toughest thing to do is to release control of your company, you have worked hard to make it work, you got permission from your family to be gone at all times and it does put food on the table. Most companys are family owned and operated . Because of this there is more on the line than the bigger corporation owned companys. So what to do? There are several options, and we will go into each one and look at the pros and cons. The first one of course is to have the night time driver answer your phones. However, this creates problems because of spotty cell phone coverage, and the other drivers are mad because he takes all of the good money calls and leaves the rest to them. Not to mention you do run the risk of employee theft. Next up is the family member or friend that agrees to take your phones at night and on the weekends to make a little spare

DISPATCHING spending money. This is a great plan as long as the person can take it. Being awake all night in your house waiting for the phone to ring is not as much fun as it sounds, after awhile fatigue sets in, the phones rings, the person is asleep and misses the call on a rollover. It never fails. We will ignore how hard it is to fire a family member. This makes for interesting conversations around the thanksgiving table. This brings us to the final three avenues open to you. The answering service, the company that has its own dispatch like a cab company or an ambulance company, and finally the company that does nothing but towing and recovery dispatching. The answering service vs a dispatch service. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the difference ? I tend to believe that the difference is that an answering service takes a call and passes the information along to someone else to take care of. A dispatch takes that same call and turns it into an action. There are several good reasons to use an answering service, among them cost and if you use a local company they all know your area. The downside of course is that they answer phones for all sorts of companys and our industry is a highly specialized one. Also you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want information passed from one person to another, you want the information turned into an action. Next up is the company that has their own dispatch but takes on outside accounts to supplement their in house costs. While this may be attractive, because now you are dealing with a dispatch center there are a few drawbacks. The cost may be more than an answering service, and also there may be an issue of training. It is difficult to serve two masters. The major drawback is that they will take care of their own customers before they take care of yours. In my local community we have an ambulance company that also dispatches for the industry. As a citizen of the area, know that if I have a heart attack I want them to send www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

“while you were out ... keeping your company in

the ambulance to me before dispatching a 24 hour abandoned tow. So that leaves the dispatch centers that are dedicated to the towing and recovery industry and that is all they do. Again, you are looking at a higher cost, but you are also getting more specialized service, because they do only one thing, dispatch for the towing industry. There are only a handfull of these types of companys nationwide, so selection is limited. They need a bigger market to exist, you may have a dispatcher on

the west coast dispatching for an east coast company, this may result in the occasional foul up of addresses. It is important that no matter which avenue you take you take the time to investigate each avenue given. Just because an answering service doesn’t work for friend’s company, doesn’t mean that it won’t work for you. A dispatch center may work well for a larger company but may get lost in the shuffle of a large center. How do you stack the deck in your favor when making such an

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

”

important decision ? I am a firm believer in relationships. The owner of the dispatch/answering service company must be someone that you feel a personal confidence in. You must feel comfortable turning your company over to another company to run, and that can only be accomplished if you firmly believe that the owner of the after hours company genuinely cares that your customers will be taken care of. Ask for references, check other compa-

DISPATCHING

nys. We are a very close knit industry and word travels fast. What is their management structure ? Do they have people on duty that are responsible in handling your questions should they arise. What type of emergency procedures do they have in place, to guarnantee they can stay up and running when others canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. The company should have the ability to handle as many inbound calls as you can throw at them. Their phones should be recorded so that you can listen to inbound

calls to guarantee that your company is well taken care of. Make sure that they have enough staff to handle your account. The tendancy is to reduce personnel to turn a larger profit. Service levels fall when dispatch personnel care cut. Investigate their web-sites, listen to calls they have handled, in other words do as much investigation into this as you would for a daycare provider, because in a very real sense that is exactly what you are doing but for your company, not a child. Remember once you have made your choice, make sure you give the company any and all information that you can to help them be successful. You are hiring not only a company, but you are hiring another 15 to 20 people. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of catchup for them to do. Make their job easier by giving them all of the information necessary will make the transition easier. Especially in the cases where you are using an out of town dispatch, it is vital that

you keep the lines of communication open between you and your provider. All too often a good sound working relationship is ruined by the lack of two way feedback. The drivers and the dispatchers have to get along, and with the dispatchers being miles away, drivers will sometimes get the feeling that there is nothing that can be done if there are problems. Make sure you have a good two way relationship with your provider and small bumps in the road will be just that and not major holes in the road, that could lead to the degrading of your service. Regardless of whether you are a large company who wants to reduce costs by outsourcing your dispatch or you are a smaller company that is desparate for some down time, you have several areas open to you. However, making the first step, the leap of faith is the toughest thing in the world to do, but may end up being the most important one for you and your company. TOW

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

Jump Packs . . . Non-traditional Uses By Todd K., AW D ir e ct Te ch n ical Pr odu ct S u ppor t

ver the years experience has taught me one thing for certain: jump packs are not just for jump-starting vehicles anymore.

The first out-of-the-ordinary use that comes to mind is bench testing 12-volt components. I was in my home shop one night trying to find a good CD-radio to install in my neighbor’s farm truck. I used my jump pack to bench test some of the six or so radios I’ve acquired over the last few years to make sure I had a good one before doing the work to install it. This way, I could

stand upright at my workbench, get the wiring correct and make sure the radio was functional before lying upside down (wedged under the dash) on the floor of an unpleasantsmelling farm truck. When I towed for a living, I used the pack to get dead cars out of park. When you get to an accident scene, sometimes the vehicle you are assigned to pick up has the battery smashed or the battery cables cut by the fire department. Getting the car into neutral to roll onto the carrier or for using skates can be both a bit of a problem and time consuming. Plugging the jump pack into the car’s accessory plug supplies you with enough power to operate the vehicle system and release the elec28

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

J U M P PA C K S

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ tronic parking lock system. After that, it’s easy to winch the rolling car onto the bed. As my mind again wanders back to my towing days, I remember towing a car with a blown engine into our yard. Three weeks later, the owner stopped in to sign the title over and collect his belongings from the trunk. After walking the customer to his car I realized the battery was dead. This was one of the cars with no trunk lock and a touch pad release only. I simply went back to the shop, grabbed the trusty jump pack and accessory plug cord, then powered-up the vehicle system enough to push the trunk release on the key fob. What a time saver! It would’ve been far more complicated to go grab the shop truck, pull up close, open the hood, retrieve the jumper cables from the toolbox, hook them up to the car’s battery and THEN open the trunk. I most recently used a jump pack in a non-traditional way when I went to purchase a Cobra Mustang. I drove my truck and trailer, since the belts and alternator were no longer on the Mustang’s motor. I couldn’t get the trailer close enough to the garage to use the electric winch, which left everyone there to check their batteries to see if we had a “close enough” match. After finding out that none of us had a top-post battery that would fit the Mustang, I again reached for my handy jump pack. I strapped the pack under the hood of the car, making sure to keep it clear of any moving parts. I then used the pack to power the electrical system. It kept the car running long enough to get it up the steep driveway to where the trailer winch could be used to get the car loaded. I have mentioned just a few of the scenarios I recall, but the list is nearly endless in the automotive repair and recovery world (not to mention home and hobby use). I have seen jump packs strapped to 12-volt coolers to keep things cool while camping and “jeeping” in the Rocky Mountains. I’ve seen a jump pack used to save radio presets when changing batteries, or when unhooking batteries during a welding job on a vehicle. I’ve even seen a jump pack used as a back-up

power source on a diver’s 12-volt compressor system. The usefulness of the standard jump pack has grown steadily as more and more items are powered by 12- and 24-volt systems. However, there are a few things to remember when enlisting your jump pack for projects: 1) make sure your pack voltage is correct for your application 2) keep the polar-

ity correct – positive to positive and negative to negative and 3) keep the route of current as short as possible. Finally, let’s not forget that we can even use these wonderful little jump packs in the way they were originally intended – to jump-start vehicles. Just keep in mind that they don’t always have to be used that way! TOW

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

STARTING + – CABLES By L in da Fou r n ie r

Associated Equipment has been producing Professional Quality Booster Cables and Plug-in Starting Systems for over 60 years. The plug-in starting system is designed with both the operator and the customer in mind. Features include heavy-duty tangle-free cables that remain flexible in extremely cold weather, solid copper jaws with poly-vinyl insulated clamps and “Flexi-Spring” cable guards which provide a strong connection to the disabled vehicle. The Polarized Anderson and Polarized LexanTM plugs stand up to the coldest weather. An additional feature on the Associated 6139 and 6146 cables is the patented “Stop/Go Safety Light” to further insure proper connections. All of theses features help the operator safely and quickly start the disabled vehicle in all kinds of weather. Typical Associated Equipment Starting System Cables are 25 to 30 feet long allowing the service truck to be easily positioned to provide the best service. Several Starting System Cable models are available: from the Heavy Duty Polarized Anderson Type connectors Models 6118 & 6119; the Polarized Stainless Steel Receptacle Boxes Model 6136 (4 AWG) to our Super Heavy duty Model 6146 (1 AWG). All of Associated Equipment Starting System cables are MADE IN USA. 30

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

The Polarized Anderson type plug allows connection to be made without ever lifting the service truck hood; features include a weather proof socket, patented “Flexi-Spring” cable guards and up to 34 foot of 4 AWG cable to reach the disabled vehicle. Associated Equipment’s Polarized Stainless Steel Plug-In Receptacles can be mounted on the truck, allowing for the cable to be easily connected via a LexanTM plug. Starting System Cables come in both Heavy Duty and Super Heavy Duty models, with up to 1 AWG cable giving you the Service Truck Operator the extra power you

need in extremely cold conditions. These units have 25 or 30 foot of tangle-free cable from the receptacle to the car. The cables come with 500 Amp and 800 Amp solid copper jaws depending on model number. Another convenient option is the Flush Mount Plug-In Polarized Stainless Steel receptacle. This flush-mounted unit has the same safety features as the standard polarized stainless steel receptacles providing the Service Truck Operator with a convenient and safe flush-mounted connection. TOW If you are looking for MADE IN USA QUALITY look to Associated Equipment Corporation. Visit our website at www.associatedequip.com for more product details.

Associated Equipment Corporation 5043 Farlin Ave. St. Louis, MO 63115 www.associatedequip.com

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

company spotlight

SELF LOADING Wheel-lift

Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing is an innovator in the towing industry, offering the Self Loading Wheel-Lift, the most sought-after technology in the industry. Anthony Gentile, President of Dynamic has been doing a bit more than spring cleaning this season. With a multitude of changes in the company, Gentile is revamping Dynamic’s image and preparing to “play” with the “big dogs.”

Beginning in spring of 2010, Gentile started brainstorming the most effective steps to improve efficiency, quality, advertising, and customer service. “When I bought Dynamic the company already had a customer base and functioning infrastructure. My goal is to increase that customer base, continue to provide quality service and run a more efficient manufacturing plant.” With those goals in mind, Gentile started by hiring Luther Cifers, an experienced mechanical engineer and entrepreneur with several years experience in project management. With Cifers’ experience in manufacturing and Gentile’s expertise in the towing industry they were able to put their heads together and not only create a more lean process, but also create innovative, new truck designs! Gentile recently said, “I had no idea how important having an engineer in-house was until we brought Cifers in. His fresh ideas and engineering experience bring perspective to the Dynamic family that we lacked before.” With Cifers’ help, Dynamic introduced the new Dynamic Fusion to their collection of trucks offered. It was featured for the first time at the Baltimore show in November of 2010. The Fusion, unlike any other tow truck, offers seamless organization of accessory items. It was carefully designed with state of the art virtual prototyping to waste no space, while providing maximum visibility from the tower’s line of sight. The top loading oversized toolbox offers plenty of conventional storage. “Working with the team at Dynamic has been fascinating. Not only is there tremendous manufacturing experience but also a deep understanding of how to operate a towing business, supported by the fact that Gentile owns a large tow company in New York City. This unique culture made determining what the industry was lacking, and what the operators 32

were looking for, a smooth process for me.” – Luther Cifers

Today Dynamic has three mechanical engineers in house working to innovate new products and determine best practices within the shop.

Gentile’s motivation for continual improvement was inspired by the new engineering and manufacturing process. Satisfied with the progress, he decided to move on to the next goal – the website. He decided to invest in a more robust and interactive website, allowing visitors to “build your own Dynamic.” Knowing that the website alone would not be able to generate the business that Gentile was anticipating, he decided to hire a business development manager to initiate more exposure for the company. Shelly Schultz, Wesleyan College graduate and experienced sales professional accepted the challenge. “My goals may be a bit audacious, but I have faith in the company and believe we are capable of doubling our production of bodies by next year. I plan to focus much of my energy in expanding our distributor network, international sales and gaining exposure through strategic Internet advertising.“ --Shelly Schultz

Shelly began her Dynamic career initially focused on assessing opportunities and generating sales leads. Nevertheless Shelly’s role quickly expanded beyond advertising, sales,

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

and marketing to include accounting, legal matters, quality control, and the management of personnel and operations. Schultz was promoted to Vice President in October 2011. “We are in the process of implementing Netsuite, a webbased customer relations management and enterprise resource planning software service. Netsuite is going to help us streamline many of our processes from sales to shop quality control, everything will have a paper trail. Anthony and I have big plans for Dynamic’s growth and CRM and ERP software will play a pivotal role in that growth.” – Schultz It’s not just Dynamic’s internal affairs taking a turn, but its external too. Gentile recently purchased the 60,000 sq. ft. building that Dynamic has been occupying since 1982. Gentile said, “with the building finally belonging to Dynamic, it was time we invested in making the facility presentable. The renovations have led to several people walking into our building, then turning around and walking right out, thinking they were in the wrong building, literally!” Gentile said he wants the building to be inviting and represent Dynamic’s culture. “We are a mid-sized company and want people to feel at home when they visit.” – Gentile With renovations taking place within the building, Gentile also decided to invest in two new paint booths, offering powder coating paint options within the next few months. There’s always room for improvement, and Gentile is taking that cliché seriously. Stop by the new Dynamic office and see the enhancements for yourself. Until then, visit the new website or “like” Dynamic on Facebook. “We love to hear from our customers and value their suggestions and comments, so please let us know if we can serve you better.” – Gentile TOW

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

company spotlight

BAILEY'S Towing Accessories By S u san Bailey

ailey's Towing Accessories is a family owned business located in Wake Forest, NC. Our slogan is: "We do it right!" and it's not just something we say, we try to live it. Bailey’s Towing began in 1998 with one new International flatbed carrier, a sizable investment, and the vision that there is a place in the industry for an ethical wrecker company managed with class. From the start we took pride in the appearance of our equipment and personnel, the professionalism and manners of the staff and our standing in the community we serve. “We do it right!” is the foundation for Thad’s business strategy and it means you can expect honesty, service, decency and class when you call Bailey’s. Our approach to the towing industry was always to solve problems and improve our own towing service. When some of our neighbors in the towing business saw the tools and tried them, we soon realized that our ideas were bigger than we ever dreamed. Therefore in 2009 we launched Bailey's Towing Accessories to allow us to share the tools we developed with the rest of the towing industry. The “We do it right!” slogan continues

as we try to solve problems and improve methods of operation for operators. We continue to develop new tools for the towing industry, including the following innovative products. Our Side Recovery Guide allows every carrier in the fleet to become side pull capable for a very small fraction of what a commercial side pull device costs and weighs. The Side Recovery Guides can be positioned anywhere along either side of the bed to extend the workable area almost the complete radius of the truck. It is designed to fit carriers with removable rails or stake side pockets. Our Scotch and Snatch is designed for light duty applications with front and/or rear mounted winches. Scotch your truck without chains and/or anchors. Newer trucks made with composite or aluminum bodies

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

with no anchor points, here's your solution! Finally, our Snatch Block is designed for operators who want a better all-purpose snatch block that is affordable and made in the USA. A self-lubricating bronze bushing is pressed into the sheave for maintenance-free use. Both the Scotch and Snatch and Snatch Block are American made, start to finish. All of Bailey’s products simply allow you to use your truck to its fullest potential. Bailey's Towing Accessories, Inc. provides a 1 year warranty on manufactured parts. Our goal is your complete satisfaction. We will either repair or replace any unit that is damaged or fails under normal operating conditions. Please visit our website www.baileystowinginc.com or call 919-562-2984 for additional product information, videos and/or testimonials. We sincerely appreciate our customers and always want to know what you think. What you think makes all the difference. TOW

company spotlight

I Can See

Clearly Now! By Kyle Wan dyes AtomicLED Inc. was started by two life

the rest,because they are brighter and draw

long friends (Kyle & Mark) in 2010. We real-

less power than the factory lights, and with

ized there was a need for brighter, safer and

aflip of a switch they flash, powered by an

more professional looking warning lights.

LED flasher included in every kit. It’s two

We heard a lot from our industry peers com-

lights in one!

plaining that the magnet-mounted roof

AtomicLED Inc. is first and foremost com-

warning lights were being stolen, or the

mitted to customer service. Kyle & Mark

heavy snow covered branches were knock-

have been in the trucking industry collec-

ing them off, causing damage to their trucks.

tively for over 20 years, and know some-

We know many professional’s trucks are es-

times the only chance to work on your truck

sentially their business card or company bill-

is at night or on the weekends, so when cus-

board, So we wanted to make a line of

tomers are installing their lights after hours

warning lights that were brighter when the

and need to ask a question, we want to be

running lights were on,and looked like fac-

there to give them the answers they need.

tory installed lights when not in use, but got

Calls that come in after hours are forwarded

peoples attention when they were in warn-

directly to either Kyle or Mark. If the call isn’t

ing mode. So we created AtomicLED roof

answered right away customers can leave a

lights for Ford trucks, the first model we

voice message and the call will be returned

made that led to many more models includ-

immediately. Ourgoal is to make a great

ing Dodge & GM’s. The advantage to Atomi-

product at a resonable price without sacrific-

cLED roof lights is they are a direct

ing quality or service! TOW

replacement tothe factory roof lights that come on the truck. They fit in the same

Today AtomicLED currently has models

mounting holes(no need to drill or modify

for Ford, Dodge, Kenworth, Peterbiltmany

your existing roof light holes) and plug into

Class 8 Trucks. We are excited about car-

the factory wiring harness. The running

rying GM models, which will be out in-

lights will make your truck stand out from

early spring 2012! www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

HOOKEDUP

Tie Rod Coupler – Upgraded material Steck Manufacturing Company has upgraded the Tie Rod Coupler (P/N 71470) which allows Tow Truck Drivers and lot drivers the ability to temporarily steer a damaged vehicle that suffered a broken tie rod as part of the collision damage. Now made from tough T6 grade Aluminum coupler with dual I-bolt set screws provide a quick temporary steering repair for vehicles with a broken tie rod: 1. Tow Truck drivers can properly center the loading of the vehicle eliminating the frustration and time currently required to stop load process to re-direct the damaged wheel to properly secure the vehicle as well as unloading vehicles from roll back wreckers to lot storage. 2. Lot drivers can drive the damaged vehicle to the frame bench or repair stall for the collision repair. Tie Rod Coupler I-bolt set screws secures the coupler to the broken tie rod by hand tightening and/or locking down the set screws by using a small leverage bar. Labor/Material Savings: Tie Rod Coupler’s temporary

Bailey’s Towing Accessories

The JNC660 is a 12 volt hand held jump start box It is extremely durable and reliable. The box delivers 1700 peak amps of jump starting power, has 1700 peak amps, 425 cranking amps, 46" long, 4 gauge heavy duty cables, a built in charger. The JNC660 is rugged, durable, & field proven. Call Bailey’s Towing Accessories today, 919-5622984. Or visit us online at www.baileystowinginc.com.

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

steering fix saves the tow driver up to 15 minutes by ensuring the driver’s ability to center and properly secure the vehicle on the roll back bed as well as maneuvering the vehicle around the lot without using tow trucks, rolling out MIG welders from the shop to the lot so that the technician can temporarily weld the tie rod together, wheel or car dollies so the damaged vehicle can be steered into the shop for repair. This timesaver sells for a mere $34.95. Check out the "Tie Rod Coupler" on Steck's web page at www.steckmfg.com See your Steck dealer and pickup your Tie Rod Coupler Tool today!

Bailey’s Towing Accessories

The JNCAIR Jump-Starter/Air Compressor has a powerful jump-starting performance with an industrial grade compressor. The jump-starter features include: 450 cold cranking amps, extra-long 68"- 4 gauge cables with industrial grade "hot jaw" clamps, battery status indicator gauge and a DC outlet that provides power to small tools and accessories. The air Compressor is designed to fill 4 passenger tires on a single charge, is able to fill one tire from flat in less than 8 minutes, has a built-in pressure gauge, and 12’ coiled air hose and screw-on chuck. Call Bailey’s Towing Accessories for more information, 919-562-2984.

PRODU CT SPOTLI GHT Havis New IdleRight2 Features Greatly Simplified Installation, Significantly Lower Price, and Return on Investment Calculator. IdleRight2 minimizes idle time by monitoring the battery's voltage while the vehicle is turned off and electronics are still on. Reducing idle time is the key to saving fuel, preventing unnecessary engine wear, and decreasing harmful emissions. Havis next generation IdleRight system is designed to work with many popular after-market remote starters, allowing greatly simplified installation and lower cost. Havis IdleRight2 features an LED diagnostics system as well as a Return on Investment Calculator. To reduce fuel consumption, save maintenance costs, and extend vehicle life today visit: http://idleright.havis.com sales@havis.com

Pierce Adds to Threaded Twist Lock to Line Pierce Arrow, manufacturer of winches and recovery equipment, now offers a threaded twist lock in 5/8”, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” sizes. Pierce twist locks all have a grease zerk, rubber grip, paintable finish, heavy duty spring and lock. The threaded locks offer extra versatility and convenient replacement. Just unscrew the lock with a wrench to replace whereas traditional versions require a welder to cut off the lock. "We decided to add the threads because of a customer’s request,” says Jeff Pierce, Pierce Arrow Inc. president and CEO. “These threaded versions are a natural addition to the line.” Twist locks are popular in the towing industry to lock sling arms in place. They are also used in the oil field, trailer manufacturing, farm and ranch gates, performance equipment and other industries requiring a non-private locking mechanism. Pierce Arrow Inc. manufactures recovery equipment, accessories and winches for the towing, farm, ranch, landscaping and off-road industries. Pierce Arrow has been family owned and operated since 1976 in Henrietta, Texas. If you would like to resell Pierce Arrow brand products please contact our sales department at 800-658-6301 or click www.piercearrow.us to see our full product line on the Pierce Sales web site.

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

HOOKEDUP

PRODU CT SPO TLIGHT

Pierce Worm Gear Electrical System Upgrade Pierce Arrow, manufacturer of winches and recovery equipment, upgraded the worm gear electrical replacement solenoids. The new compact solenoid assemblies are pre-wired for easy installation and offer electrical longevity. "For years the only economical option was the can solenoid.,” says Jeff Pierce, Pierce Arrow Inc. president and CEO. “We’ve tested the compact-style with our self recovery line and feel confident in its performance for our industrial worm gear winches.” The assembly includes one compact solenoid, two field wires, one positive wire, one armature wire with boots and eyes, plug wires with spade connections, ground wire, female plug, plastic cover and metal base.

Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com

“We are excited to save our customers time and money with these new replacements,” says Ginger Schaffner, operations manager. “The mechanical solenoids are difficult to service but now anyone can upgrade their worm gear with the compact solenoid assembly.” Pierce Arrow Inc. manufactures recovery equipment, accessories and winches for the towing, farm, ranch, landscaping and off-road industries. Pierce Arrow has been family owned and operated since 1976 in Henrietta, Texas. If you would like to resell Pierce Arrow brand products please contact our sales department at 800-658-6301 or click www.piercearrow.us to see our full product line on the Pierce Sales web site.

MarketPlace

www.towprofessional.com | March/April 2012 | Tow Professional

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

Company

ADVERTISER INDEX pG

Company

800 rescue 911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Daniels Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . .38

Ranger SST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Agero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Detroit Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Ratler Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

all-Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Direct Equipment Supply . . . . . . .39

ROI Protective Tape . . . . . . . . . . .39

Anchor Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC

RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Atomic Led . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

FlowStop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Safetyline, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

AW Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

G& W Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Security Fire Equipment Co. . . . .39

BA Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Goodyear wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Sprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC

BA Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Steck Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . .25

Bailey's Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Mat Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Tiger Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Metro Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Tow Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Chester Point Programs . . . . . . .40

MFR Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Towmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Clean Planet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Miti Mfg Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Clore Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . .31

NA Bancard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Western Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC

Coker Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

National Insurance Brokerage

Will-Burt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Collins Mfg. Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

of New York, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Dangelo's Custom Built Mfg, LLC 27

Professional Dispatch Services . .26

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Tow Professional | March/April 2012 | www.towprofessional.com