5 TH WHEEL
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efining the heavy-duty detachable industry since 1981, Zacklift International has been at the fore front of envisioning and manufacturing heavy duty under lifts that have paved the way and defined today’s Heavy HDU industry. As the world leader in heavy duty detachable towing, Zacklift International and their American made, patented products are used by customers, state, and local governments, as well as military divisions around the world. In 1979, Ed Zackovich, Zacklift founder, began thinking and developing the under lift. Back then, the traditional way to tow cars was to use a rubber sling and chain. This became a problem when car manufacturers began 26
Tow Professional | Volume 10 • Issue 5
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focusing on reducing cost and weight to improve fuel economy and overall safety. The aerodynamic features, plastic bumpers, and front wheel drive quickly made the traditional sling a difficult and destructive method of towing. Mr. Zackovich, who worked in the towing industry, saw this problem, and began his brainstorming and started jotting things down on paper. While still running his International Harvester dealership, Mr. Zackovich hired three men to take his idea to the next level. The small team prototyped and tested multiple concepts over a two-year period and eventually developed the first Zacklift under lifts. In 1982, the Z5000 Under lift was developed and sold, establishing Zacklift as the first U.S. retrofit wheel/frame
