TOW PROFESSIONAL
CONTENTS I N D U S T RY NEWS
Volume 6 • Issue 4 2017
www.towprofessional.com
Feature: Miller Tour
6 | Jerr-Dan 8 |Miller Industries 10 | Isuzu Commercial Truck of America 12 | United Road Towing / Advantage Funding 14 | Kenworth / Deep South Wrecker
38| Miller Industries
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Fuel 4 thought 16 | 1st Annual Association Dinner
Insightful talk 18 | Tow Shows Across the United States
TOW Industry Products
52| Getting a Boost
48| Legends of Towing 46| AW Direct
Feature: Trade show
Hooked UP 56|Hide-A-Lift 57|Hide-A-Lift
58|AWDirect
IN EVERY ISSUE 22| Southern Tow Expo Wrap-Up 2
Tow Professional | Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com
4 | Publisher’s Letter 59 |Dealers Place
63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index
PUBLISHER’S
LETTER
TM
Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery
Volume 6 • Issue 4 www.towprofessional.com
PUBLISHER Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com
Spring Travel Schedule is Over! We have been all over the place in the last few months, and I, for one, am glad to be sitting in my office for a change. I felt like John Candy from the movie, “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!” We have been from Birmingham to Orlando to Pittsburg to Orange Beach and back to Birmingham again. A few weeks back, my wife pointed out that I had been home a day and half since Easter-her way of saying, “Enough is enough” for a while. The trips, though, have been great. We, of course, went to the Florida Show which is always a favorite and had a great show, meeting with all our readers and our clients. Then we took off to Pittsburg to go on a tour through Miller’s new and improved carrier facility which you can see in a few pages. Then it was off to Orange Beach for our first Southern Tow Expo and Beach Bash. It went great! If you talk to someone who went, they will tell you that it was a bunch of fun, and the place is beautiful. You also might get a comment about how awesome the Flora-Bama was. In this issue, we will show you and tell you more about these trips and get some pearls of wisdom from DJ and Dan. One of the most successful parts of our event was the training that was done this year by Dave Lambert, who is a dear friend of all of us here and who did a tremendous job in Orange Beach. It is with heavy hearts, we announce that Dave Lambert passed away 5/16/2017 of a sudden heart attack. He will be missed by everyone here, and many people whose lives he touched throughout our industry. Our prayers will be with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Dave!
Tim Smith V.P. Sales tim@towprofessional.com __________________________
PRODUCTION Dana Scott Creative Director dana@towprofessional.com
Gene Eudy Proof Editor gene@towprofessional.com __________________________
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Josh Bushneell - Omadi D.J. Harrington Dan Messina Tim Smith - Tow Professional Eric Wolf - AW Direct
Keep reading and stay safe, __________________________
Timothy A. Smith Vice President Tow Professional Magazine
Executive and Advertising Offices 2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B Birmingham, AL 35244 Toll free: 888-802-8544 Fax: 205-978-1550 www.towprofessional.com Tow Professional is published nine times a year 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.
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I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO
Jerr-Dan Celebrates 45th Anniversary Milestone Company’s Anniversary Underscores Enduring Commitment to the Towing & Recovery Industry Jerr-Dan Corporation is celebrating its 45th anniversary. Jerr-Dan has grown from a small company to a nationwide established manufacturer of light-, medium- and heavy-duty carriers and wreckers, rotators, industrial transporters and fourcar carriers. Jerr-Dan is proud to celebrate over four decades of product innovation, quality, value and customer service. “Jerr-Dan is proud of its 45-year track record of business growth while delivering reliable equipment for the towing and recovery industry. We have achieved this milestone as a result of our hard work, dedicated employees and our incredible customers, some of whom have been with us since the beginning,” said Richard Del Campo, Vice President, General Manager at Jerr-Dan Corporation. “We are dedicated to providing industry-leading technology and innovation designed to afford durability and reliability in order to maximize our customers’ investments and meet their business needs.” Established in 1972 in Greencastle, Penn., Jerr-Dan was formed by J. Pool and D. Reynolds. Originally, the company built EZ-Dumpers and tow trucks. One year later, Jerr-Dan purchased Grove Manufacturing Company’s agricultural industrial product division. Over the course of the next four decades, Jerr-Dan developed the first extruded aluminum deck for a rollback in the industry, and designed a wheel lift-type wrecker that is now standard in the towing world. Jerr-Dan has earned several patents around the world for its products, including the advanced rollback wheel-lift and 6
the lightweight/rust-resistant tow truck body. In 2004, Jerr-Dan was acquired by Oshkosh Corporation, which designs and builds specialty trucks, truck bodies and access equipment. With manufacturing operations in nine countries, Oshkosh employs 13,100 people around the world, and its products and services are sold in more than 130 countries. As Jerr-Dan continues to lead the industry with some of the most innovative and creative engineers and designers in the business, some of the company’s latest innovations include: • SURE Method™ and Tow Performance Calculator: Earlier this year, Jerr-Dan launched its SURE Method™ and Tow Performance Calculator to assist customers in selecting the most appropriate product to address some of the challenges towing operators face on the job. The SURE Method, an acronym for Suburban, Urban, Rural, Equipment, helps customers remove the guesswork from a vehicle build. The Tow Performance Calculator is a tool that supports the SURE Method by giving the customer an estimate of what their truck could tow. Both resources are designed to educate tow owners and operators to better evaluate their business needs. • 10 Ton Rental Spec (RS) Carrier: Jerr-Dan Corporation and JLG Industries, both Oshkosh Corporation companies that comprise Oshkosh Corporation’s Access Equipment segment, joined forces to produce a new carrier, the 10 Ton Rental Spec (RS) Carrier for use in
Tow Professional | Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com
the equipment rental industry. Under the agreement, Jerr-Dan and JLG shared innovative technology and engineering resources to jointly design, construct and develop the carrier. Leading the effort involved listening closely to the voice of the customer from the aerial work platform (AWP) rental market. Rental companies across the U.S. market expressed a need for a carrier that would allow them to transport their rental equipment and machinery. The Jerr-Dan® 10 Ton RS Carrier will be available exclusively for the rental industry through JLG Industries starting July 2017. 1. JDFS Financial Solutions: Last fall, Jerr-Dan introduced its first-ever financing program, Jerr-Dan Financial Solutions (JDFS). Through this program, distributors can now provide financing directly to their customers on new and used Jerr-Dan equipment. In an effort to streamline and consolidate the current financing process for both dealers and their customers, Jerr-Dan has partnered with Advantage Funding, one of the nation’s premier independent commercial transportation lenders, to form a ‘onestop shop’ for leases and loans. With an unsurpassed commitment to product innovation, quality, value and customer service, as well as a superior distribution network, Jerr-Dan continues to be a leader in the towing and recovery business. Jerr-Dan will have a series of festivities to celebrate the milestone anniversary. www.jerrdan.com
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Launches New Program to Give Back to Charitable Organizations
In a show of support, Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. launches the WE TOW initiative. The purpose of this initiative is to raise awareness of the towing community’s support for the many charities across our nation, as well as the good deeds towers provide within the comminutes they serve. Through the sale of custom tow hook bracelets, Miller Industries has chosen to promote the awareness of six national organizations: Susan G. Koman, DAV- Disabled American Veterans, Miracle League, Shriners Children’s Hospital, International Towing Recovery Museum & Hall of Fame, and Wall of the Fallen Survivor Fund. The tow hook bracelets will be available for purchase at all participating Miller Industries distributors, and the money raised from the sale of the bracelets will be donated back to these six organizations on behalf of the towing community at the end of the year. Miller Industries invites everyone within the towing industry and the communities they serve to visit any of Miller Industries distributors to purchase your tow hook bracelet and show your support for these six wonderful organizations. www.wetow.org
25 Year Member of the NTEA Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. is proud of their membership to the NTEA-National Truck Equipment Association. 2017 marks Miller Industries 25 years of continuous membership to the NTEA. The NTEA’s dedication to the work truck industry is in line with Miller’s dedication to the towing and recovery industry. Miller Industries is proud of this accomplishment and is honored to be a continued member of the NTEA. www.millerind.com 8
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Production of All New Isuzu Class 6 Truck Begins Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. distributor of America’s best-selling low-cab forward trucks, has announced that production of its all-new entry in the Class 6 medium-duty truck segment—the 2018 Isuzu FTR—began May 8, 2017. The truck is being produced at a new
80,000 square-foot Spartan Motors facility in Charlotte, Michigan. “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 four-cylinder 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,” Skinner added. “Much of the engineering for this truck was done at the Isuzu Technical Center of America in Plymouth, Michigan, and many of the parts for it are U.S.sourced. This is a true medium-duty Class 6 truck designed and built for this market, in this market.”
The FTR is powered by Isuzu’s renowned 4HK1-TC 5.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine—a first in the segment. It generates 520 lbs.ft. of torque and 215 horsepower and carries a B10 durability rating of 375,000 miles—meaning that 90% of engines should reach that mileage before requiring an overhaul. The truck has a gross vehicle weight rating of 25,950 lbs. Eight wheelbase lengths, ranging from 152 to 248 inches, accommodate bodies from 14 feet to 30 feet, allowing for a wide variety of body applications. The new truck assembly plant where the FTR is being produced represents a $6.5 million investment and has already brought new jobs to Michigan. Steve Guillaume, President of Spartan Specialty Vehicles, said, “We value our business relationship with Isuzu, and we’re excited to help bring this groundbreaking new product to the market.” www.isuzucv.com 10
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I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO
United Road Towing, Inc. and Affiliates Complete 363 Sale to URT Acquisition Holdings Corporation On May 2, 2017, pursuant to order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, United Road Towing, Inc. and its affiliated debtors1 (the “Company”) completed the sale of substantially all their assets pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code to URT Acquisition Holdings Corporation (“URT Holdings”), as designee of Medley Capital Corporation (“Medley”). URT Holdings’ bid was ultimate selected as the successful bid—the consideration for the sale to URT Holdings was valued at approximately $39,988,976, comprised of cash, assumed liabilities, and $16,000,000 in the form of an offset against the obligations of the Company to Medley. Having recently been faced with challenges and the potential for a significant adverse judgment resulting from an unfavorable court ruling, the Company determined to enter the bankruptcy process to restructure its balance sheet to position
the Company for the future, securing the continued strength of its financial position and maximize value for its stakeholders. The sale effectuates the necessary changes allowing for the Company’s businesses to deleverage its balance sheet and continue operating under the ownership of URT Holdings, putting the Company in a strong position to continue to serve customers, vendors, and employees. “I am incredibly grateful for the tireless patience, dedication and commitment of our employees, vendors, and customers in assisting the Company through this sale process, and look forward to continuing these valuable relationships for a long time to come,” said Jerry Corcoran, the Company’s CEO. URT Holdings has retained all the senior management of the
Company following the sale, and services to customers have and will continue to remain uninterrupted by the process. Court filings and other information related to the restructuring proceedings are available at a website administered by the Company’s claims agent, Rust Consulting/Omni Bankruptcy, at: omnimgt.com/unitedroadtowing About United Road Towing, Inc. The Company, headquartered in Mokena, Illinois, is the leader in towing, recovery, impound, and vehicle management solutions in both the private and public sector. Through a portfolio of local and regional brands operating across 10 different regions in eight different states, the Company dispatches approximately 500,000 tows, manages over 200,000 impounds and sells over 38,000 vehicles annually across the United States. www.unitedroadtowing.com
Deriu Appointed COO at Advantage Funding Advantage Funding, a leading provider of finance to small and mid-size businesses in the U.S., has named Joseph Deriu as the company’s new chief operating officer. Deriu’s background is in high-production, technology-enabled environments. At First Data Corporation, he was the Vice President leading technology-strategy and application-development programs and processes in support of the company’s global credit-risk organization. Throughout his career, Joe has specialized in operations and technology working in a variety of industries including leasing, payments, direct marketing, travel services, real-estate operations and insurance.
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of our systems,” said Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lersner. “Advantage Funding and its customers will benefit as Joe applies his extensive background in technology and operations to broadening the innovation in our organization.” “I’m excited to be part of the growth of this industry-leading company,” said Deriu. “I look forward to developing relationships and working to continue to enhance the excellent operational structure that supports our clients.” Deriu has a Bachelor of Science degree in finance and management information systems from the University of Buffalo. “Joe will focus on streamlining our operations and increasing the efficiency
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www.advantagefund.com
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Kenworth Releases New TruckTech+ Video Showcasing Remote Diagnostics
Kenworth has produced a new video on the Kenworth TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics and Service Management systems, systems which streamline communicommuni cations, accelerate diagnostics, and expedite service work to help maximize uptime for fleets and truck operators. Kenworth TruckTech+ Remote Diagnostics enhances vehicle diagnostics by providing engine health information for Class 8 Kenworths, equipped with PACCAR MX or Cummins diesel
engines, to fleet m managers and Kenworth dealers. The system diagnoses the problem pro and provides the recommended solution to the driver and a fleet manager. Today, more than th 30,000 Kenworth Class 8 trucks are equipped with Kenworth Ke Truck Tech+ Remote Diagnostics, which enables fleets fle to view real-time vehicle health in the PACCAR Solutions Solutio portal. Those Kenworth trucks have como bined to travel over 1.5 billion miles. Ke This year, Kenworth is expanding TruckTech+ and the PACCAR Solutions Solutio portal to include TruckTech+ Service p Management powered by Decisiv, which will enable fleets to approve repairs rep and monitor the service status for their individual trucks tru in real-time. Kenwort TruckTech+ Service Management will also Kenworth provid detailed chassis information, parts cataprovide logs, logs service bulletins, parts and service promotion as well as warranty and repair history to tions, service serv technicians at Kenworth dealerships, helping them resolve issues more quickly and efficiently. The back office iintegration of TruckTech+ Remote Tru Diagnostics and TruckTech+ Service Management offers additional value-added data d sharing for Kenworth chassis. Kenwo TruckTech+ video is available on the The new Kenworth TruckTech+ section of Kenworth’s website: www.kenworth.com/trucks/technologies/kenworth-connected-truck, and on the Kenworth YouTube site. www.kenworth.com
Deep South Wrecker Sales Hires New Account Manager Deep South Wrecker would like to introduce a new team member! Please join us in welcoming George Waller. George was born in Macon,GA and graduated from Georgia College State University with a BA in management. He has ten years of experience in the medium-heavy-duty commercial truck sales. He currently resides in Foley, AL. He enjoys spending time with his family, a good game of golf, traveling, and the beach. George will be servicing the Florida panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana areas. 770-378-8231 www.trucxter1@gmail.com
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Fuel 4 thought By D .J. Harringt on, CSP
1st Annual Association Dinner There were lots of great things to talk about at the Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash which was sponsored by Tow Professional Magazine. Since I was the Emcee for this dinner, I really want to share highlights. I was one of the lucky ones that stayed next to the convention center at Spring Hill by Marriott. Everyone that stayed there would do it again in a heartbeat! Spring Hill is an exceptional hotel on the boat dock with a restaurant right on the water. Ridiculous $2 beers were served ALL NIGHT (for those who drink) along with tasty crab cakes (2 gigantic ones for $14). The food was absolutely out of this world!! From the 13 state associations attending the dinner, over 50 people ate the scrumptious steak which tasted like it was prepared 16
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by Ruth Chris-definitely a meal that melted in your mouth! Five people selected the chicken - Donna Brock, (OH), Anna Moss (MS) Ruth Landau (FL), Steve Rogers (AR) and the one and only Dan Messina (TX). No doubt, those 5 people would attest that their chicken was also something to remember. The dinner was presented compliments of two fantastic companies, AutoReturn and Omadi. Thanks, AutoReturn and Omadi! The food set a perfect mood for sharing. Between the salad and the main course, there was plenty of time to meet people from other associations and share best practices. As the dessert was being served, I took the opportunity to ask why we were there. How could we work to build our state associations while assisting others to improve and build this industry together?
working together and how working together created more success within their Statewide Towing Association up in Massachusetts. Thank you, John. The conversation continued with Dan Messina’s thoughts. Dan represents the Southwest Towing Association. He’s the past “Towman of the Year” and writes for Tow Professional Magazine. Dan agreed with Steve and John that membership is the key to the success of a state association. This discussion led others to voice their opinions. Donna Brock from Ohio spoke of membership which is dear to all of us and reminded everyone of their upcoming Midwest Regional Tow Show September 28th – October 1st, 2017. Mark your calendars because you need to be there. Talking about successful tow shows, Mike Seamon, also in the “Hall of Fame”
and Bennis Moss from Mississippi? They all spoke about rising insurance costs. George Connolly from Colorado, also listed in the “Hall of Fame,” is very active with the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum.
Steve Rogers from Arkansas sat at my table and was willing to start the discussion. He spoke of the need to learn the lessons other organizations have known for years such as setting aside differences for the common good, and that common good should not be that hard to define within the towing community. Steve said, “If you own a business that is regulated at any level, you are by default in the game of politics. No choice. You are a player OR you are a victim.” Too many tow operators have an “it doesn’t affect me” mentality. Steve’s comments ignited more conversation. John Borowski also added his comments. John being named two times “Towman of the Year” and listed in the “Hall of Fame,” I always want to hear what he has to say. John spoke about
and from the Florida Tow Show thanked everyone for coming to the Florida Tow Show. I had a chance to thank Mike personally for letting Car-Part.com, one of the companies I work for, sponsor The Kids Program at that show. Mike spoke about the assistance he receives from their talented, hard-working, and accommodating volunteer teams. If Mike didn’t have them to help pull off the show, it wouldn’t be as big and as successful as it is. Ruth Landau who heads up the largest Women’s Auxiliary in the states shared how their meals and meetings get bigger every year at their Florida Tow Event-a wonderful testament of women working together! Now, how about these folks: Chris Hare from Alabama, Jeff Corbett from South Carolina, Ed Forsythe from Illinois,
George started back in 1973 and has led by example his whole life. He revealed some information about the museum. The next day, he had lots of attendance at his booth in the Exhibit Hall. Please look into how you can support the Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga, TN. If each company in the industry gave just $5 when a tragedy occurs, we could generously support the families of our fallen in so many new ways. Since lots of other people who attended were sharing, there isn’t enough space to mention everything here. However, I promise to load my future articles with it. Thanks again to AutoReturn and Omadi for a wonderfully open atmosphere with which to share. The 1st Annual Associational Dinner was a huge success! See you next time. N
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Insightful talk By D an Mes s ina
Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash
Florida Tow Show
Vegas Tow Show
It’s getting to be the time of year when tow shows start cranking up all over the U.S. Tow shows are used to bring tow companies together and introduce them to new products in the industry. They are usually put on by local associations or professional industry companies in order to raise their working capital for the next year. It’s a time when vendors get to show off their new products or changes and updates to their old ones. It’s a time when tow companies from all over the
country get to chat over a cold beer and complain about how bad their business was last year. When I first got into the towing business, my wife and I were only in the business two weeks when I sent her to Florida to see what tow shows were all about. We have been going to multiple tow shows every year since, covering a 20-year period. Tow companies should attend at least one show a year for the following reasons because you:
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Tow Professional | Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com
Dallas Tow Show 1. Meet other tow companies and see what problems they face in other states. 2. See the latest in dispatch software and how it can help you run your business. 3. See all the new features on the many trucks on display. 4. Attend seminars and learn about the industry from industry experts. 5. Stay on the cutting of the many new products introduced to our
Tennessee Tow Show industry every year. 6. Enjoy a vacation and write it off since shows are usually held at great locations. 7. Build relationships. I have been attending shows for the past 20 years, and I get to meet people from all over the country. I have met people that I have known for over 15 years. I got to know their business and their families and have worked with them for years. At one show, I met a young tower and his brother that I now consider
Midwest Tow Show my son. You just can’t say enough about the great people you meet at a show. If you have never been to a show, I suggest you find the time and money to attend one in your area. It gives you an excuse to get away from the business and get your mind on things other than work. I always hear that I have a business to run, and I can’t get away. If your business can’t run for the few days you are gone, you have bigger problems. For years, vendors have worked hard to support our industry, and this is an
opportunity for us to give back to them. They spend a lot of money to present their products so it would do you good to come out and see what they have to offer. You might find some products that will help your business.
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Insightful talk Some states have a small show put on by the state association, and this gives them an opportunity to grow their memberships. Over the years, I have been conducting seminars at the shows, and I have attended small shows like Chicago and New York to help them with their show. The first big show is held in
Florida. It’s held in April and kicks off the tow shows for 2017. This show is usually followed by a show in Vegas, then Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, and finally Baltimore. All these shows are held at good locations that offer a lot to do. I have been blessed to be asked to hold seminars at all these shows. They are put on by pro-
Baltimore Tow Show fessional people very knowledgeable of the industry. This year there was a new kid on the block who decided to hold a show in Alabama. It takes a lot of courage to put on a show at a new location for the first time. Tow Professional Magazine stepped up to the plate and took on the challenge. It was held the first week of May in Orange Beach, Alabama, which was the perfect venue for a show. You had the beach, good restaurants, and a fishing tournament that attracted a few dozen towers. I was honored to be asked to do two seminars at the show. They had many vendors displaying their products, and there were trucks to be sold. It was Tow Professional’s first show, and although the attendance was fewer than expected, it was considered a big success! One event they had at their show that I have never seen at any of the other shows was a dinner for towing associations from all over the country. There were 13 associations represented at the dinner, and many good ideas were shared. We discovered we all face the same problems no matter which state you do business in, and now we have associations we can call on for help. Being in the industry over 20 years and attending many shows, it was good to see the associations finally get together. My hats off to Darian Weaver and Tow Professional Magazine. For a first-year show, it was great! So, there you have it, some of the most exciting industry events are held in your area, so be sure to attend one. If you have never attended a tow show now is the time, and who knows, it might even help your business! N
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D E H S I L P M O C AC
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few weeks back now, we took our first step into the trade show world. I am sure you had seen the ads and stories saying that it was going to happen, and boy, did it! In case you missed out, it took place in beautiful Orange Beach, Alabama May 4th- 6th, and it was fantastic! Our events were one-of-a-kind, and as you see in the photos, you can understand just
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how much fun we had! First on Wednesday morning May 3rd, we headed out to sea and had a blast on the Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament. The weather was perfect, and the fishing was great. Jerr-dan sponsored one of the boats, and I know their clients were having a blast. We gave out prizes for the “Biggest Fish” (David Currin), the
D!
“Smallest Fish” (Dave Greenfeld), and the “Chumming Award” (Joihedah “Joy” Gibson)! Apparently, Joy was a trooper and got right back to reeling in fish after battling her seasickness. A great time was had by all, except the fish! Later Wednesday night, we had the First Annual Southern Tow Expo Association Dinner. We had over 50 associational board members and “key” members from 13 different states participate. Our hosts and sponsors for the event, Omadi and
AutoReturn, wanted to help us get some of the best and most experienced towers in our industry together in one room to work on common issues that they have had in the past or may be having now. While we were solving the world’s problems, we also got to enjoy a white-tablecloth dinner. The New York strip was perfect, and the chicken looked delicious too! The good doctor (DJ Harrington) did the honors of officiating the event and did a terrific job. Everyone shared issues facing their organiVolume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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zations, and one-by-one the leaders in our industry came forward to discuss how they are overcoming it with ideas they have tried or with what they think would be best. Our goal was to open the lines of communication between the people who would know best how to solve some of the issues our associations are facing. From the free-flowing conversation and the responses we got after the event, I would say, “Mission accom24
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plished!” On Thursday, the seminars and training: Dave Lambert had a full class for two days doing the light- and medium-duty training that carries a 5-year certification. I am not sure we could have jammed many more people in that conference room at the Springhill Suites. Of course, half the class was outside in the training area where they were rolling over cars and even a bus!
The seminars were also a hit: We had sessions on finance and insurance along with a technology conference where the most relevant software and technology companies met with owners to discuss what to look for, what their most important needs are, and which products are going to prepare them the best for the future. We also had terrific seminars on marketing and liability reduction and how it will reduce your rising insurance principals.
DJ, Dan and Mike Clay were all “Rock Stars!” Turning our thoughts to the show, it was a beautiful sight! Just as you came over the bridge from the Gulf Shores Parkway, you just saw all those beautiful trucks filling up the convention center parking lot. The exhibit hall had many of the great vendors you have come to know and who are the leaders in our industry. The decision-makers who came down, not only had a Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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great time, but also did a good job of trying to help our exhibitors go home empty of the products they brought with them. I guess the sunshine and good times helped the vendors with their deal making because there were several great deals to be had. On Thursday night, we had some bad weather roll in with high winds which kept us from doing the “TomTom Beach Bash” 26
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by the ocean as we had originally planned. Apparently, the insurance company and the Fire Marshall didn’t think 25 mph winds, a bonfire, 2 stocked bars, several kegs, and a couple hundred towers made for a safe environment. So we just moved the party inside to the main ballroom and had a blast. Brent Burns is a local legend down there, and he did a great job keeping us entertained while Aubrey Morris Jr. of Itty Bitty Towing passed
around a jar of cherries that would make you weak at the knees. Friday night, we invaded the World-Famous Flora-Bama for Tracker night. Wow! What an event! Several of the attendees said it was by far the best time they had ever had at a tow show, and by the looks on the faces of attendees and exhibitors on Saturday, there were a few late nights. Before the show this year, I had many people ask me just exactly what is a world-
famous honky-tonk, and I was quick to point out that the FloraBama is one-of- kind, impossible to explain, and the greatest people-watching bar and music hall that you can ever imagine. It was truly a terrific event: the bands were out-of-this-world, the food was great, and Tracker was an awesome host. All in all, the first Southern Tow Expo was a success, and we are excited about next year. We are looking to make a few Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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adjustments, as you kind of “learn on the fly” with these types of things. We are going to move the date so that it allows for more towers to bring their families down. Being in the first week of May, it was the end of the school year and a difficult time to get away for most parents so we are looking to August 2018. That way the weather is still nice, the fishing will be great, and summer time for the kids and the Flora-Bama will be in full effect! 28
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We are thrilled with all that came down this year, and we know they will be back, but we want to make this the best show in the market. The best way to make that happen is to make it all about you by having the things we have heard you asking for, events that are a great time to get to know each other, and a location that you have to see to believe. Thank you for all that you guys did to help make the first year a success, and we prom-
ise to keep working to make it better. On returning home, we received the sad news of Dave Lambert’s passing on 5/16/17 from a sudden heart attack. Dave is a dear friend of all of us here and who did a tremendous job in Orange Beach. He will be missed by everyone here and many people whose lives he touched throughout our industry. Our prayers are with his family and friends!
For more information on next year’s space and availability email us at exhibitors@towprofessional.com.
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Getting the invitation from Kip to come up and see what Miller has been up to was exciting for a couple reasons. First, if Miller wants to show it off, it is going to be first class! Secondly, being an ole southern boy, I had never visited Pittsburg, but I had always wanted to. We flew into town and took the ride to our hotel, the Hotel Monaco, in downtown Pittsburg. It’s crazy: you’re riding through the country, which had many more hills than I imagined. Then you pass through a tunnel, and then “poof” there is a big city! I was impressed by Pittsburg because for such a big city, it was extremely clean and easy to navigate. Darian and I were at the Hotel Monaco long before we needed something to eat, and as you are starting to learn about meI am a “foodie.” So, we wanted something good and something classic to Pittsburg. This thing blew my Atkins’s diet all to hell, but it was worth it!
That night we met up with the rest of the crew at a roof-top café and discussed what we would be doing for dinner and what our schedule would be for tomorrow. After a few beers and a few games of Jenga, we went back to our rooms to get ready for dinner. They took us to a restaurant on what had to be the highest Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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point in Pittsburg, and the view was truly awesome. It was at this dinner where Kip introduced us to the man known at the plant as the “Tennessee Tornado,” Jamison Linden, the Vice President of Operations. He came by the nickname honestly as apparently when he would come into town, the men and women who worked there knew it would be looking very different when he left. Yet, instead of a path of destruction, he left a path of efficiency and order in his wake. After making through a wonderful lobster tail, an octopus appetizer, and some enjoyable conversation, we headed back to the Monaco. It was time for some rest
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before we head out to Hermitage, PA in the morning. It was a little over an hour to the plant from the hotel, and the deer hunter in me kept looking at the side of the road and seeing all the spots where I am sure I could bag the trophy of a lifetime. As we pulled up, you could see all the work that had been going on and how perfectly neat and tidy everything was. Jamison,
still a Marine at heart, was there smiling and ready to go and only gave me a little grief about my Navy background. First, we visited the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) and the new training center which was a 12,000 square-foot facility complete with offices in the front of the complex. This location was originally a Champion plant before the expansion,
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and Jamison knew there would be challenges with bringing Champion and Chevron together under one roof. First, as you can imagine the people who work there were worried about their jobs. Jamison put that worry to rest quickly and earned a lot of respect in the process by promising the crews that even with the changes and additions in robotics, they would still have a job if they wanted
one. You could see how well the teams have gelled by a T-shirt we saw a few times in the plant. The back of the shirt read, “World-Class Team Builds WorldClass Wreckers,” and you could see the world-class team everywhere you looked. The new addition more than doubled the space by going from approximately 90K square feet to 217,000 square feet, but that was just the beginning of the
changes. Jamison smiled like a Cheshire cat when we entered his domain. He is an attention-to-detail specialist, and you could see his touch all over the place. As you enter, you notice the place is spotless with a clean, white design, and everything has a place with color-coded utilities so everything is easy to locate. Even the doors were numbered so in the event of an accident or an emergency, they could easily get to the right spot quickly. Miller
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could turn the crank to pull the shelves out. Making it easy for the team to work smart and not hurt themselves. These employees were impressive: they were not only loyal and dedicated, but were very flexible as this facility was being expanded. The “Tennessee Tornado” would shut down 10,000 square feet at a time to remodel and the crew would have to reorganize and work around the progress. During that time, they still produced record number of wreckers which says a lot about them and the organization they work for. We saw some of the new machinery on-hand like new plasma cutters, an automated press brake that was crazy powerful, but so smart that it can recognize if something was in the way that wasn’t supposed to be there like a hand or a phone which would stop the process automatically. The star machines, in my opinion, were in the new robotics area. We looked behind the curtain at those has gone to great lengths to be sure that each facility is multi-functional so they can better serve their customers. Their goal is to always be a customer-driven company. The inventory, steel, and other equipment is stacked neatly onto ergonomic shelves that have a label telling what they are. Never too much inventory though as Jamison is “constrained” which I think is Marine for “cheap.” The shelves are able to be easily pulled out (cranked out) so you can get to what you need. No matter how much steel is stacked on it, a child 44
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things working, and it was amazing that they were doing all that work and never bumping into the other robot’s work. It looked like a scene out of a Transformers movie, so I nicknamed it, “Optimus Prime.” Optimus welds and assembles the entire deck and has reduced the time to finish a deck from 20 hours down to 1 deck coming off the line every hour. As we leave, one side of the facility to the “clean side,” Darian notices a series of state-of-the-art paint booths and comments how he would like to put his 73 Dodge Charger in one for a quick paint job. This plant uses a water-based paint that is easier on the environment, but
likes the heat and requires good airflow. So, this whole area has a special HVAC system that allows them to constantly move clean air across the entire beds. On the way out of this area, we noticed a beam that had a bunch of writing on it, and since everything else was so clean and white, it stood out. Jamison told us that every member of the combined teams signed that beam, a cool teambuilding moment. After the beds leave the paint area, there are only 8 stations of assembly before the vehicle moves out to the PDI Building. This area is very organized, and the people who work there can recognize
in a spilt second if something is lagging behind or if something is out of place. They have a functionality premise, “Don’t go backwards, and don’t cross paths.” No wonder 75% of every carrier Miller makes now comes from here. After the tour, we got a chance to go through a photo album of images of this facility before during and after the renovation, and we went to one of Jamison’s favorite spots. The entire team we met was top-notch, and it was a joy to get to know the executive team better as well. The whole experience was just what I suspected: Miller showed off, and it was first class! N
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Before using any equipment described, be sure to read, understand, and follow all manufacturers instructions and guidelines.
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FUEL DELIVERY MADE EASIER WITH SURECAN GAS CAN By Eric Wolf, AW Direct Everyone has experienced a service call that’s a simple gas delivery. Easy solution, right? While fuel delivery might be easy, it can be messy and potentially dangerous. The last thing you want to do is spill fuel on your customer’s car or yourself. It’s not only unpleasant, it’s unsafe. To make fuel delivery safer, easier, and less messy for you and your customer, AW Direct has rolled out the SureCan gas can. This gas can has a unique design that actually pours fuel from the bottom of the can! SureCan’s unique, self-ventilating design eliminates “glugging” and spilling fuel all over you or your customer’s car. The SureCan gives you: • No Glugging: Eliminate spilled and wasted fuel. • One-hand operation: Thumb-trigger starts and stops fuel flow. • No tipping: No more bending over or pouring from an awkward angle.
The SureCan gas can also features a flexible nozzle that rotates 180° so you put the fuel exactly where you want it. The SureCan comes in red (gasoline), yellow (diesel), and blue (kerosene) so you can easily identify which type of fuel you’re delivering. SureCan is also CARB certified and made in the USA. As our industry continues to evolve, AW Direct is always looking for easier, better, safer, and more efficient ways to help you do the job. As an industry leader, we’ll continue to provide efficient alternatives and innovative solutions to the towing industry. For more information about the SureCan fuel can—or any product from AW Direct—contact our Technical Service Specialists Monday through Friday at 1-800-243-3194. AW Direct Answering the Call™ awdirect.com
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L
ast year, we had a lot of fun with “The Omadi Truck of the Month and Year” contests. The results we had were great, and we are excited about doing another “Truck of the Year” competition at the end of this year. However, after hearing so many amazing stories from towing operators around the world, many of whom have been in the industry for most their lives, we realized that we needed to help share the stories of these “Towing Legends.” We firmly believe that towing operators are heroes, but unfortunately, much of the world doesn’t see them the same way as we do. Towing operators are among the most underappreciated service workers in the world. Every day they face new challenges that put their lives on the line. As you know, it’s very dangerous work, and one tow truck operator dies every six days on average. In most cases, this is because traffic doesn’t slow down and move over for them while they’re working on the side of the road. Many people believe towing is merely an industry that is just out for another payday. We are determined to transform this common misconception of towing into something much more positive, something that people will respect so much more. For this reason, we decided to honor the efforts and sacrifices of towing operators by holding “The Towing 48
Legend” competition. “At Omadi, we believe that ‘a rising tide raises all ships,’ and we strive every day to make the towing industry better,” said Charles Lukens, CEO of Omadi. Our hope is that a greater general respect for the Towing Industry will lead to less towing-related deaths. We have come across hundreds of people who have had legacies in the Towing Industry. These “Towing Legends” can be found 24 hours a day, seven days a week, working hard for long hours to keep drivers safe. They are the forgotten first-responders who often don’t receive the praise or recognition they deserve. Towing Legends are the men and women who lay down their lives for those in need. They are naturally heroic, and their good deeds don't require any repayment. For a better idea of who some of these Towing Legends are, we have provided a few brief stories of some nominees we have received for our Towing Legend Competition thus far:
Jim Hampton (Tatman’s Towing, Urbana, IL) has been in the Towing
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Industry since he graduated from high school. One time a gentleman was trying to load his tractor on a trailer, and the tractor rolled over and onto him. Jim recovered the tractor and saved the man’s life. There was also a situation when a van with an entire family inside ran off the road and into a pond. Jim and his crew, not only recovered the vehicle, he also took care of the passengers until medical help arrived. These are just a few of the noble things Jim has done in his towing career.
Another Towing Legend nominee is Jimmy Southers (Auto Towing & Repair, Lexington, VA). Just this past winter, Jimmy responded to a call at 2:00 a.m. Once on scene, Jimmy discovered that the couple and newborn baby in the vehicle were stranded. They were running short on luck and were unable to afford the necessary hotel room while their vehicle was being repaired. Jimmy stepped in and paid for their room for two days until they could return home safely. Each year
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Jimmy donates money to Hospice, a nonprofit organization that provides care for the terminally ill. Also, for the past five years, he has helped a local high school in performing a mock wreck to raise awareness for drunk driving.
Scott Bowles (Goode Towing & Recovery, Killeen, TX) is another exceptional nominee for a Towing Legend. Recently, Scott passed away (May 11, 2017) as he was helping someone recover their vehicle along the side of the highway. He was struck and killed by a passing car. Scott would always go out of his way to help people in need no matter the time or conditions.
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There are hundreds of Towing Legends in the world right now just like Jim, Scott, and Jimmy that people have never even heard of. The overarching goal of the competition is to recognize the positive impact towing operators have made in the Towing Industry and the world. This contest will help to increase public perception of the Towing Industry as we share their stories. Additionally, we believe that recognizing the legendary efforts of operators will raise awareness of the “Slow Down & Move Over Movement.” The Towing Legend Competition has received additional sponsors such as TomTom Telematics, Tow Professional magazine, We Love Tow Trucks (facebook.com/welovetowtrucks/), and Towing is Rad (facebook.com/towingisrad). Those who nominate either themselves or the other Towing Legends in their lives like those mentioned above will have the chance to win several prizes. The first 50 people to submit a Towing
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Legend in the contest are each receiving a free Towing Legend T-shirt. Also, everyone who nominates someone in the competition will be given a free “Towing Legend Calendar.” The calendar will include the “12 Titans of Towing,” who will each be highlighted on a month. Each of these twelve finalists, “The 12 Titans of Towing”, will win additional prizes as well. “The 12 Titans of Towing” will advance to a public voting round between July 5th through July 12th for their chance to be crowned “The Towing Legend.” We have an impressive collection of prizes that “The Towing Legend” will receive. Help us raise awareness of the “Slow Down, Move Over Movement” by either becoming a Towing Legend Sponsor or by nominating yourself and the Towing Legends in your life. To learn more about the details of the Towing Legend Competition, including the prizes and how to participate, please visit www.omadi.com/towing-legend/.
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5 REASONS
Why y a Jump Starterr Beats Boosterr Cables [Every y Time] Time] With the incredibly inclement weather seen this winter, it has been common to see TV V news articles addressing ways vehicle owners can be prepared and survive the cold and snow. Inevitably, one of the items they talk about is booster cables and the jump starting process. Occasionally, they mention a jump starter, but usually stick to booster cables. As the maker of Booster PAC and Jump-N-Carry jump starters, we, of course, are biased, but the way we see it, a jump starter trumps a set of booster cables every time. Here are the top 5 reasons why:
1.
You don’t need to ask for help when you have a jump starter.
The most obvious advantage of a jump starter is the fact that it eliminates the need to find someone to loan their car to be used as a host vehicle, which is required when using booster cables. This advantage isn’t just about the hassle of having to find someone willing to help you. It is also a safety consideration. If you have your jump starter in your trunk, you can pull it out, connect it and get your vehicle started immediately, which is great when stranded at night or in an unfamiliar area.
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2.
There’s no concern how the disabled vehicle is parked.
You really don’t have to worry about the position in which your disabled vehicle is parked when using a jump starter-not so with booster cables, where a major consideration is whether the host vehicle will be able to get close enough for the booster cables to reach the disabled vehicle’s battery. We’ve even had a Clore Story submitted by a customer in which this exact problem surfaced, as it was impossible to get another vehicle close to the disabled vehicle. A jump starter, in this case the JNC660, solved their problem.
3.
Twice the connections means twice the chance for issues.
With booster cables, you have to make two sets of connections, which is twice the chance for issues. Reversed connections are very dangerous to the operator and the vehicles involved. They can create sparks, which could result in an explosion if battery gases are present. They also can cause damage to expensive electronic components on one or both of the vehicles involved, depending on when in the connection sequence the reverse connection takes place. With a jump starter, there is just one set of connections to make, simplifying what can be a confusing process.
Concerns of damage to 4. the host vehicle.
noise from the host vehicle can be transferred to the disabled vehicle. This noise can include voltage spikes and other anomalies that could damage sensitive electrical and electronic components on the disabled vehicle. As a jump starter is essentially an extension of the vehicle battery, short of a reverse connection, this concern does not exist. In addition, the process of removing booster cables after the jump can have a similar damaging effect on vehicle electronics, as warned by Pat Goss on a recent edition of Motor Week and as summarized by Gary Witzenburg on the Green AutoBlog: “As long as the cables are connected,” Goss continued, “the two batteries act as buffers to contain maximum voltage rise. But as soon as the first cable end is removed, the systems go nuts. When the first cable is removed, the voltage reference is gone. It instantly changes from the level of two batteries and two alter-
nators to one battery and one alternator. During this period of adjustment, the voltage regulator allows the alternator to climb to a very high voltage level. The alternators of both cars are unregulated for a few milliseconds, and during that brief time, the alternator can produce several hundred volts of low-amperage electricity. This high-voltage spike shoots through the electrical systems of both cars. The effect is like a voltage surge running through a computer. It rarely destroys anything instantly but can weaken components of both vehicles, including engine control computers, alternators, sound systems or any of the dozens of electronic modules in modern cars, and
Even when care is taken to ensure a proper connection sequence and starting procedure, there remains the concern of whether the host vehicle is up to the task of providing the additional power needed by the disabled vehicle. If any components of the host vehicle’s electrical system are marginal or suspect, the additional requirements of the jump starting process may push those components over the edge. We remember how we once brought a friend’s car’s electrical system to its knees while borrowing it to use for a jump. We were young, the car was old and it was on the scrap heap within days. This is an extreme example, but there are always risks to the host vehicle when jump starting.
Today’s vehicles make 5. booster cables inherently risky. There are several reasons why using booster cables on today’s sophisticated vehicles brings inherent risks not present when using a jump starter. The first is that Volume 6 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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5 REASONS
Why y a Jump Starterr Beats Boosterr Cables [Every y Time] Time]
there are usually no immediate symptoms because these parts are merely weakened.” Goss recommends using either a jump starter or “smart” booster cables to avoid this dilemma. While smart booster cables will help to avoid this specific problem, they cannot resolve issues 1-3 above, which is why we believe a jump starter is the best answer.
Jump-Starter Dilemma #1 – Keeping it Charged As we stated above, we know we’re biased on this one. Of course we think jump starters are the best answer. We’re the jump starter people and we’d always think a jump starter is the right answer. But, many would counter, the big issue with a jump starter is keeping it charged and remembering to charge. It is true that a depleted jump starter is of no use when your vehicle’s battery is
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dead, but that’s an easy problem to solve. We offer free recharge alerts for your jump starter so you can be sure it is ready when you need it the most. Just click the link below to sign up for quarterly alerts. It’s quick, easy and will help you avoid the number one dilemma people mention when it comes to jump starters. N
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Hooked UP Viper by Hide-A-Lift Need a quick and easy unit to tow most consumer vehicles? Viper costs less, quicker than most competitive self-loaders, is easy to mount and can be working for you in no time. • Fully hydraulic underlift (in/out and up/down) • Twin 3-½” lift cylinders • 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity • Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis • Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage) • In-cab 6-function control • Double pump for speed and power • Extra frame stiffening recommended • Unique under-body construction www.hidealift.com
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Hooked UP Cobra by Hide-A-Lift Looking for a tow unit with a little more power? Check out our Cobra model. • Heavy-duty lifting 6” x 6” main beam • 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity • Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis • 72” reach • Full 90-degree loading (great for parallel parked cars) • In-cab 8-function control • Quick connect for easy removal • Double pump for speed and power • Twin 3-½” lift cylinders for more speed and power • Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage) • 12,000-lb. winch available • Built-in frame stiffener • Extra frame stiffening recommended www.hidealift.com
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Hooked UP Tow Eye Strap from AW Direct
AW Direct Surecan Gas Can
Some winch-line hooks don’t fit all OEM tow eyes, but this Tow Eye Strap does allowing for faster and easier vehicle loading. This strap features a 3,670-lb WLL, PVB protective coating and reflective striping for added visibility. USA made. www.awdirect.com
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No Spilling. No Glugging. No Tipping. The SureCan gas can features easy, spill-free fueling. The flexible, rotating hose puts you in control of where the fuel goes! CARB certified. USA made. www.awdirect.com
Dealers place
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Dealers place
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Dealers market place place
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market place
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COMPANY
PG
COMPANY
PG
COMPANY
PG
Agero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Holly's Message Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
RV wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Atlanta Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
ICOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Smyrna Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Austin Hinds Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
INA Towing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Steck Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Swoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Auto Data Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Interline Risk Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
TomTom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
AutoReturn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Jerr-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
TOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
AW Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Towbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Towing Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 37
Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Manufacturer Express . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover
TowMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Currin Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
TowTrax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Custer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Mike Keith Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
TRAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Miller Industries . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover
Triple K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
CW Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
OMADI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
United Plastic Fabricating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Deep South Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
PEO Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
USAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
DJ Harrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Quest Towing Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Driveline Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Ranger SST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Waters Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
We Buy Key Fobs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Hal Kresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Robert Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Wrecker Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Hide-a-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
RP Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
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