Tow Professional - Volume: 6 Issue: 9 by Over the Mountain Media, Inc

TOW PROFESSIONAL

CONTENTS I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

Volume 6 • Issue 9 2017

www.towprofessional.com

Top Products

Fuel 4 thought 18 | Do You Practice Gratitude?

Insightful talk 22 | Life After Towing

Feature 28 |INA Tow Elite Forum in Baltimore

TIPS For Drivers 58 | Tow Dolly Maintenance IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Publisher’s Letter 58 |Dealers Place 2

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63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index

PUBLISHER’S

LETTER

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

Volume 6 • Issue 9 www.towprofessional.com

Resolutions and Goals Every year I make resolutions or, at the very least, try and get motivated to make improvements or changes in my life. Some of them are related to business, and many of them are personal. Last year, personally I wanted to lose weight, and I did--I lost 30 pounds and have only put 19 of them back on! I wanted to buy a gym membership and get back in shape. I bought the gym membership, and I am back in “a” shape just not “in shape.” Oddly enough, just buying the membership won’t magically get you the physique that you want. As far as business, we wanted to have our biggest year ever, we wanted to launch a successful show in Orange Beach, and we wanted to give back to our readers and our advertisers by improving the magazine we put out every issue. Fortunately, we were much more successful with the business resolutions than I was with my personal ones. We had our best year ever in sales and had a fantastic customer-retention rate meaning that most of our clients who started running with us have kept running with us which is the best sign we can have that we are doing a good job for our clients. The Southern Tow Expo and Beach Bash was a tremendous success. For a first-year show our attendance was higher than what we expected, the quality of the attendee was terrific, and we had extremely successful events and training classes that went on throughout the week. Best of all, both attendee and exhibitor agreed, it was the “best time they had ever had a tow show” If you missed it, we moved it to August 10-12 for 2018, and it will be even better this year. The improvements in the magazine was our reinvestment back into this industry and our clients. We increased our print circulation and had two companies separately go thru the mailing list and make sure there was no waste. We increased the quality of the paper and the printing company we use while we upgraded the digital version of the magazine and added over 1,200 new requested subscribers. This year our goals are to keep improving the product, to have the biggest year ever for our business, and to make the Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash one of the top three trade shows in our market. It will take your help to get it there, but I will promise you the top vendors in our business will be there. WreckMaster will be packed doing their world class training, and that it will be the absolute best time you have ever had at a tow show. For more information, go to www.southerntowexpo.com. For you this year, let me encourage you to set goals for your business and write them down where you can see them every day and take a small step to get there each day. When you get to the end of the year, you will be amazed where you are. I know we are. Stay safe and keep reading,

h A. A S ih Timothy Smith Vice President Tow Professional Magazine

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PUBLISHER Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com

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 Hal Kreser - Hal Kresser Insurance D.J. Harrington Dan Messina Darian Weaver - Tow Professional

__________________________

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., 2007 Old Montgomery Hwy., Suite B, Birmingham, Alabama, 35244, 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.

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

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Jerr-Dan Introduces New Character ‘Gator the Rotator’ to Next Generation of Drivers JD Junior and Gator the Rotator continue long tradition of Jerr-Dan’s family first culture

Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation Company and a single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, unveils its new character ‘Gator the Rotator’ at the 29th annual American Towman Exposition, taking place November 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The new character was designed to continue to engage with the next generation of drivers to the family-oriented towing business by helping them gain an understanding of the industry at an early age. Instructional and yet entertaining, ‘Gator the Rotator’ is a miniature Jerr-Dan JFB rotator who now joins Jerr-Dan Junior (JD) as both friends continue to connect with children, specifically those of tow owners and operators. “Gator the Rotator is the result of our ongoing effort and commitment to continue engaging with our brand advocates by allowing them to pass down their love of the industry to the next generation of towers - their kids," said Jeff Irr, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for JerrDan. “Jerr6

Dan Junior was launched at last year’s Baltimore Tow Show and this year, JD Junior is joined by his new friend ‘Gator the Rotator’ as both embark on road adventures and continue their long tradition of Jerr-Dan’s family first culture.” The new Jerr-Dan ‘Gator the Rotator’ character will be introduced via an interactive children’s webpage – www.jerrdan.com/jerr-dan-junior - showing children the challenges real-life industry heroes face, and illustrate the hard work and commitment they bring to the job every day. The current interactive website, full of activities with Jerr-Dan Junior, will now feature interactive adventures with ‘Gator the Rotator’ including the online game “Can you find Gator?” An energetic little tow truck, JD Junior is always trying to help his dad rescue vehicles. Although he’s a little too young and still learning the rules of the road, children will be able to help him get rid of his “training wheels” to become a full-sized tow truck in his family’s business. On the other hand, for

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the jobs that call for serious muscles, JD Junior and the gang can now count on ‘Gator the Rotator’ to come to the rescue. Gator stays strong and steady when the going gets tough, reaching every which way to pull cars and trucks out of trouble. “We feel it is important to reach the families and drivers of tomorrow by engaging with the future drivers today and have them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the industry,” said Irr. “Our goal is to continue to celebrate the families who make our business possible, while inspiring the next generation of the industry.” Leading innovation and growth for the industry, Jerr-Dan takes a unique approach with this initiative, showing that tough and trustworthy runs in the families of the company and customers alike. Visit www.jerrdan.com/jerr-danjunior to meet Jerr-Dan’s newest character ‘Gator the Rotator’ and access the interactive online platform. www.jerrdan.com

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Jerr-Dan’s Latest Towing & Recovery Innovations Showcased at the American Towman Exposition

– Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation Company (NYSE:OSK) and a single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, exhibited the latest carriers, wreckers and rotators at the 29th Annual American Towman Exposition this past November 17-19. Engineered to endure, Jerr-Dan’s equipment offers the latest in innovation while affording solutions to the towing and recovery industry. “We were thrilled to be a part of the Baltimore Tow Show since its inception with our extensive product line equipment for the towing and recovery industry. This year, we showcased the final addition to our Heavy-Duty JFB line, the new 25-Ton JFB Body, an integrated heavy duty wrecker, completing the JFB family,” said Jeff Irr, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for Jerr-Dan. “With its limited life-time warranty on the body and its organization systems, the JFB con8

tinues our quest to lead the industry. Our carriers, wreckers and rotators are among the finest in the industry and provide our customers the value they are looking for while bringing about solutions for their growing business.” In addition to the latest 25-Ton integrated heavy duty wrecker, Jerr-Dan also had the 35-Ton and 50-Ton on display along with 2 different versions of our 50/60JFB Rotator that compliment anybody’s fleet. On Friday, Jerr-Dan hosted a seminar on the challenges of rotators at the Towing & Recovery Conference. JerrDan’s presentation by Shane Coleman, focused on the current challenges rotator operators face today. This presentation offered insight on some of the demands of the industry and the regions it serves, and how those challenges can be addressed with confidence. “Our Heavy Duty presentation/seminar on rotators was helpful to people in

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our industry and provided attendees with valuable insights on some of today’s solutions for the industry,” said Shane Coleman, Senior Heavy Duty Sales Manager with Jerr-Dan. The booth was rounded out with innovative products such as our carriers, side recovery system, new stationary headboard, adjustable performance counterweight and our staple, the MPL light duty wrecker. Furthermore, Jerr-Dan’s presence at the show culminates its 45th anniversary celebration. From a small company to a nationwide established manufacturer of carriers, wreckers, rotators, Jerr-Dan is proud of its industry legacy: over four decades of product innovation, quality, value and customer service. For more information on Jerr-Dan products visit the website at www.jerrdan.com. www.jerrdan.com

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Jerr-Dan Exhibits its Collection of Proven Towing Equipment at the 2017 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore

Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation Company (NYSE:OSK) and a single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, displayed a series of wreckers and carriers known for their smart design, unrelenting performance, and durability at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, November 17th19th, 2017 at the Baltimore Convention Center. The wreckers on display were the MPL40, MPL NG, and carriers that included the 20’ XLP Alum, 22’ XLP Steel, 21’ XLP Alum and the 24’x96” 8.5T XLP. Jerr-Dan was located at booth 611. “Being prepared to respond in a moment’s notice and getting the work done in a safe and efficient manner is a tough job that requires the right equipment,” said Richard del Campo, Vice President and General Manager of JerrDan Corporation. “We design our products considering our customer’s arduous labor, striving to build exceptional equip10

ment that exceeds their expectations.” As an industry leader, Jerr-Dan develops top quality designs for each of its wreckers and carriers, keeping the enduser in mind. Jerr-Dan’s high-quality, highstandard equipment are fully tested and validated prior to production. Recognized for their high performance and versatility, Jerr-Dan products are industry leading in both reach and capacity. The MPL40 wrecker’s customized features include an 8-ton recovery boom and choice of three wheel-grid packages, having the versatility to handle whatever job is set on its path. It is furnished with safety innovations like the patented LOCKLINK, enabling users to tackle more tows in every shift. The MPL NG series is also equipped with the LOCKLINK mechanism, as well as the patented Underlift Level Stop Assist System, allowing the set-up time to be faster than ever before. These wreck-

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ers are known for their smart design and unrelenting performance. Jerr-Dan’s carriers have two material options when it comes to choosing a deck style, aluminum or steel. Single sheet decking on conventional & dual angle steel decks reduces weld joints & potential corrosion points, while the industry’s strongest aluminum beds feature exclusive, patented Galvanized Steel Beam Technology™. All decks are available in 20’ XLP Alum, 22’ XLP Steel, 21’ XLP Alum, and 24’x96” 8.5T XLP options. “Jerr-Dan’s team of engineers and designers aim to generate a product as dependable as their professional operators,” said Mike VanAken, Director for JerrDan Aftermarket Support. “Our goal is to provide them with the right tools to get the job done effectively, while saving them time to get back to the road faster.” www.jerrdan.com

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Memorial in Honor of John Hubbard and Rally to Promote “Slow Down/ Move Over” Laws December 10, 2017 marked the day that one year ago John Hubbard lost his life helping others. John was 25 years old and employed by Wes Passmore of Classic Towing & Recovery. John was a highly skilled operator with a passion for the industry and a servant’s heart. His brother, Jason Hubbard, is a first responder as well and is a volunteer firefighter for Walker county. Jason said he himself has seen the motorist that won’t move over for police, fire or tow vehicles. Jason stated this one night changed his life forever, and took away his best friend, big brother, and his hero. In the early hours of Dec. 10, 2016, John Hubbard was assisting a motorist with their disabled Mitsubishi Lancer when a vehicle collided with another on the interstate and then struck the Mitsubishi John was working on and then struck his tow truck. John was transported to DCH Hospital in Tuscaloosa and suc-

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“Hubba Bubba,” where one whole wall is dedicated to John and the “Slow Down Move Over” laws. She said she will continue to be vigilant and work hard to educate others on the law so that no one else must get the heartbreaking call she received that Dec. 10th morning. I talked with Wes Passmore, Steve Weil, and others about what we can do to promote awareness. The towing community already knows too well the law, and how important it is to move over; it’s the public that needs to be educated on the law. This is

cumbed to his injuries. Wes Passmore, John’s former employer of Classic Towing in Hueytown, AL, helped to organize the 2-county procession to mark the anniversary of John’s death and to promote awareness of the “Slow Down/Move Over” laws. Over 200 vehicles were present at the event including first responder (fire, police, and ambulance), light-, medium-, and heavy-duty towing vehicles and support vehicles from across Alabama and out of state. I was

going to take a grass-roots approach with towing company owners talking to radio stations, newscasters, and associations working through their lobbyist to get the laws enforced. We also need to make sure that if our state representatives don’t support our first responders, that we work hard to vote them out of office and get someone in that will. We need to remind our friends and neighbors that “If you knew that the texting you were doing while driving or speeding to

able to talk with John’s mom, Angie Smith, before the procession; she talked about John’s love for towing and his heart of gold. Angie told me a story of when John was in elementary school: His socks started disappearing until one day he came home with none on his feet. Angie asked her young son where his socks were. He said that he had been giving them to another boy at school that didn’t have any. Angie said again he was just born with a giving heart and a willingness to serve others. Angie Smith, John’s mom, has a restaurant in Quinton, Alabama called the work would cost the life of one of your loved ones, would you still do it? Well it might not be your loved ones that it affects, but it will be ours that have left their families’ side to serve yours!”

SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

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Beacon Software has been bringing cutting-edge technology to towers for over two decades. Their dispatch software, Dispatch Anywhere, is helping hundreds of towing operations do the job they’ve always done, but more efficiently and profitably. Now they’ve added a new and improved tool to help towers clear their salvage and storage lots. Beacon has created TowLien.com lien notification software for towers, salvage/vehicle storage lots, auto repair, and body shops owners to take the hassle out of vehicle lien notification and processing. While each state’s lien process is different, TowLien basically automates and simplifies the entire vehicle lien process in three easy steps:

1. SEARCH VIN – Towlien easily finds records from a vehicle VIN search. 2. SEND LETTERS – TowLien automatically fills in required party information, generates letters, and mails them to required parties. 3. COLLECT $$$ - Clear your lots and collect vehicle fees or salvage value! Plus you only pay for what you use. There are no monthly membership fees, annual fees or even setup fees! If you want to perform a search, you pay for only that search, and if you want to send a lien letter - you pay only for that lien letter. It's that simple. “While it saves time and money,

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what towers keep telling me is that it eliminates the long lines and waits at the post office!” stated Todd Althouse, Beacon Software President. “More importantly towers need to know that TowLien is compliant with each state’s towing laws so they can be confident that it is legal.” TowLien integrates with Dispatch Anywhere or can be used as a stand-alone product. TowLien.com possesses dozens of features in order to make the process of managing liens quicker, easier, and more efficient, saving you both time and money. TowLien is currently available for use in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Versions for California, Kentucky, Michigan, and New Mexico will be available in late 2018. Towers can visit TowLien.com and sign up automatically. Any questions can be answered by the TowLien sales staff by calling 440-229-1482 or emailing them at sales@towlien.com. www.towlien.com

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Mississippi Industries for the Blind Now offer Military-Spec Booster Cables to the Public

American-Made heavy-duty jump start cables are designed to get trucks, heavy equipment and other vehicles back in operation quickly and easily To jump start dead batteries and get car, truck, tractor, construction, and even mining vehicles rapidly back into operation, Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) now offers its heavy-duty military-spec. booster cables to the public. Developed by MIB for the U.S. Military since 1984, MIB’s MIL-SPEC booster cables combine 1-gauge stranded copper welding type cable with solid copper clamps for enhanced electrical conductivity and an efficient jump start. These cables are significantly thicker than standard 6-gauge jumper cables, and each clamp and cable has a 600 amp minimum current rating. For enhanced electrical conductivity, MIB also constructs each clamp from a solid copper sheet. In addition, the clamp jaws are serrated, and the clamps are assembled with a heavy duty, high tension spring to ensure a good connection to the battery terminal. The clamps are tested to hold 500 pounds. To optimize use of the booster cables on the road or at jobsites, the oil and abrasion resistant booster cables maintain flexibility in a wide range of temper16

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atures from -94° to +198° F, and are available in up to 25’ lengths for ease of vehicle positioning. MIB is a non-funded agency of the state of Mississippi with a mission to train and employ those who are legally blind or visually impaired to promote independence and self-reliance in all aspects of their lives. There are many misconceptions about the capabilities of the blind/visually impaired. As a result, the unemployment rate for this population is very high. Mississippi Industries for the Blind (MIB) is a leading employer of the blind and at least 75% of its employees are blind and/or visually impaired. The company, which is ISO 9000 certified, has manufactured products for the Department of Defense, USPS, the General Services Administration (GSA) and others. As an ISO 9000 certified agency, MIB adheres to strict government regulations regarding quality standards and practices. For more info, call 866-859-4461; Fax 601-987-3892; email sales@msblind.org; visit www.msblind.org/cables; or write to Mississippi Industries for the Blind, 2501 N. West St., Jackson, MS 39216. www.msblind.org/cables

Fuel 4 thought By D .J. Harringt on, CSP

It’s easy to feel gratitude when you are at the Thanksgiving table. The atmosphere is perfect, food masterfully prepared, and everyone’s usually on their best behavior. That’s one of the beautiful things about that holiday. Every year at our family Thanksgiving celebration, before we even eat anything, everyone takes a turn sharing with the group what we’re thankful for from the past year. I know lots of you reading this article are probably saying, “DJ, do you know how many Thanksgiving meals I tried to eat, but had to jump into my truck and do a call instead?” Yes, but please read on. You may ask, “With the obvious twists and turns of life, how can we continue to be grateful all year?” Here’s what I discovered one day while on a business trip in the Georgia mountains. 18

While driving in North Georgia, I saw a sign on the side of a store building that said, “It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.” As I drove past the building, I gave that statement a second thought because there’s undeniable truth in it. Thankful people ARE happy! This past holiday season was extremely important to me. For that, I said, “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy X-Mas.” To me, there is a reason for the season. Here’s an eyeopening story that might help you with New Year stress and reaffirm that thank-

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ful people are happy no matter what happens to them. It’s truly our decision whether to be thankful or not. A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. As he sat on the step, he held up a sign which read, “I am blind. Please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat, just spare change from passers-by as they hurried past him. When one inquisitive, but intuitive man was walking by, he took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. As the young man said, “Thank you,” the man took the sign from the young boy’s hands. As the man turned the sign around, and he scribbled some more words on the sign. Then he put the sign back in the boy’s hands so that everyone who walked by would see the newly written words. Soon the hat began to fill-up. It wasn’t long before lots more people

Fuel 4 thought By D .J. Harringt on, CSP added to the growing heap of coins nestled inside the blind boy’s hat. That afternoon, the man who had changed the sign returned to see how things were going. The boy recognized the man’s footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning?” He added, “What did you write?” The man answered, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said, but in a different way.” “I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day, but I cannot see it.” Both signs spoke the truth. The first sign simply said the boy was blind while the second sign conveyed to everyone walking by how grateful they should be to see the magnificence of the beautiful day. When your life seems full of troubles, it is hard to maintain an “attitude of gratitude,” don’t you agree? When everything just seems to be going smoothly, we often take precious moments for granted. I know I do. Caught up in the bliss, com-

fort and familiarity of everything that the holidays and New Year can bring, we can sometimes forget to be thankful for what we truly have. Certainly, a blind person might have the right to be discouraged because they can’t see the beauty of a sunny day, but they can be truly grateful for what others are doing for them. When you’re helping a family in distress, it helps to reaffirm that you’re here to help them through this situation and make it as painless as possible. Simply put, gratitude is a learned habit. It’s a way of looking at the world and all the good things in it with a feeling of appreciation, regardless of whether or not your current situation is to your liking. Gratitude is a heart-centered approach to being at peace with yourself, your situation, and with everything you have. When you practice a feeling of gratitude, it attracts even more things in your life for which to be grateful. Please try being

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more grateful. Think about what or who you have in your life to be thankful for this year. Possessing and demonstrating sincere feelings of gratitude in 2018 can help make it your best year ever! You can start with your drivers and dispatchers. N

Insightful talk By D an Mes s ina

Did you ever wonder what you would do if you were not in towing anymore? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the mistake I made when I sold my business. I did not plan or prepare for life after towing. Before we talk about life after towing, let me tell you how I got there. For the first 5 years, I ran a tow company for my brother-in-law. My wife and I were in the computer business, and my brother-in-law bought a towing company and asked my wife and I to run it. I actually had a piece of paper that said my wife reported to me. Sometimes things just arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worth the paper they are written on. After he sold his business, my wife 22

and I started our own company with one truck and no accounts, and a short 8 years later, we had 17 trucks, over 1,000 accounts, and 35 employees that loved working for us. We were moving along at a nice pace with the company growing, and we were making money. Then, one day a friend who owned a large towing company in

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Dallas came to me and wanted to partner up on a city contract he was bidding on. I had a 10-acre lot in Dallas that would put him in the running for the city business. The deal was good for both of us except for one thing that I did not count on--a complete stranger walking into my office two days later and wanting to buy my business. He made me a good offer so I had to make a decision. I went to my friend and told him about my offer. His first reaction was that he wanted to buy my business! Now keep in mind that I was making money running a good business, and my employees and customers both were happy! I had no idea I would be selling

Insightful talk By D an Mes s ina my business and have to choose between buyers. Usually when you sell your business, there are indicators that let you know it’s time to sell. Here are a few: 1. You hate going to work, and you’re the owner of a company. That’s not a

good sign. The problem is that I enjoyed going to work. I had a skilled staff, and we had a lot of fun. 2. You start making wrong decisions that hurt the performance of the company. There were not many decisions to be made, and I let my managers make most

of them, so I was not making wrong decisions. 3. You start having problems with employees that you never had before. As I mentioned more than once, I had a great staff! 4. You start having problems at home with family members or friends. When you are making money, family problems usually don’t exist. 5. You get frustrated easily with the way things are going at work or at home. My managers ran my company, and I golfed two times a week. 6. Your job performance falls off and becomes noticeable to your employees. This will affect the performance of the company. Our customers loved us, and we were growing. 7. You are not motivated anymore. The ideas to grow and compete aren’t there anymore. At least once a week, I would meet with my managers and discuss innovative ideas on how to improve our business. 8. You stop taking care of yourself, and it shows. Look in the mirror. Between golfing and a few other things that I did, I was in great shape. I had to decide to stay or give up a good business that made good money, leave all my employees who loved working for me, leave an industry that I had grown to love, and tell all my loyal customers I was leaving. My wife and I realized we were not getting any younger, and this opportunity may never come again, so we sold the business to my friend. If you think decisions are hard when you are running the business, wait until you get out and must decide what to do with the rest of your life. Because the sale came quickly, we were not ready for the afterlife. For years

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when I teach seminars or write articles, I always talk about having a plan. The very thing I teach I did not do and the mistakes grew at a rapid pace. I wanted to stay in towing, and I needed to find things to do so I went to my friend who bought the business, and he allowed me to work with him on projects. I stayed active in the towing association I started, and then began helping towers across the U.S. with problems they were facing. I love the industry and the people in it, and I want to stay close to them. I now work with tow companies from Georgia to California and all states in between offering advice or helping them with their problems. My latest project is developing a digital dispatch system that will have a major impact on how the industry runs today. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a challenge, but it keeps me attached to the industry. In short, I was able to make a plan that would keep me in the towing industry

and allow me to have an impact on it along the way. My wife and I used to take a trip between Christmas and New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and plan our business for the following year.

We are going to get back into that habit again and take a trip this year to plan our

life after towing. You may never know when that day comes when you turn the company over to someone else, so James as you sit at your desk reading this article and thinking about retiring, take Linda on a vacation and plan for your next life after towing. N

Volume 6 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

Tow Professional’s Recap of INA’s Tow Elite Forum in Baltimore story and photos by Darian Weaver

In November, I had the pleasure of traveling to Baltimore to cover the Tow Forum Elite meeting With INA and Element Fleet Management . The forum focuses on market trend, technology, regulatory impact and strategic planning for the upcoming year. This year the event took place at Element Fleet’s headquarters. Element is an 18 billion-dollar company that manages over one million vehicles and is a strategic partner that works together with INA Towing. Element is a company that offers many things. On the fleet management side of service, they offer acquisition, financing, operations, and remarketing. To navigate through those services, Element has a top-notch team comprised of 50 consultants with an average con28

sulting tenure of 11 plus years. Their consultants are resourcefully supported by analytics and in-field support. As a result, this vast array of knowledge allows Element to take the telematics and drill down into the data. This negates any guesswork and shows them exactly how the fleet is performing and when the mileage cost of repair outweighs keeping a unit. The event at Element headquarters covered many topics for a good overview of what Element Fleet and INA are working on together to expand the quality of service to clients. Discussions included : emergency roadside, ELD challenges, key points on making roadside decisions for towers, how to turn data into action, and customer stories on emergency roadside

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support. These strategically helpful topics were covered by top Element team members: Greg Wilson, Mike Quimby, Steve Jastrow and Matt Salm Sr. VP. I also need to mention the awesome lunch that was served by Element which helped to keep all full and attentive—it was nothing short of top quality! Gay Rochester of INA Towing took time to share with the group about their partnership with Element and address relevant and challenging issues for the towers while highlighting key points about their roadside decision-guide. One of the hot topics Gay specifically addressed was how the ELD mandates came to be, how they are tied into the vehicle, and the biggest questions owners want to know like “Do I need them?”

INA centers around four key areas: safety, time sensitive operations, insurance, and liability. We learned INA’s roadside decision-guide (including mechanical assessment) is driven by two key elements: accuracy and consistency. The primary benefit of their guide is to help the tower understand the safety issues relating to the locations, time constraints, destination cargo parts availability, warranty options, and on-site feasibility when con-

sidering roadside repairs. Gay also talked to the group about insurance changes and their impact on towing, including the factors that are behind it. It doesn’t take two minutes talking with Gay Rochester to see that her biggest concern at the end of the day is safety for towers and the public. Gay runs the campaign: “Over One, Lose None” in hopes of educating the public on the importance of being cautious around our tow operators on the

road. Marvin McClain of the Red Cross was also on-site to talk about his relationship with INA Towing and Element Fleet Management providing an excellent testimonial. Marvin’s biggest concern, much like Gay’s, is the safety of his employees and volunteers that work for the Red Cross. The last provider Marvin used wasn’t taking care of their drivers and response times were a constant issue. So,

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

Marvin then worked with Element Fleet Management for a new tow solution. When he started considering INA, he was told they weren’t the cheapest to which Marvin replied, “The cheapest can be very expensive.” In the end, he chose INA towing because of their values, positive reviews by other vendors, and their commitment to safety.” Marvin stated he couldn’t be happier with the partnership they have formed together with the INA towing family and Element. There is nothing like a satisfied customer. It was not all business at the forum, the meeting with Element, customers and tow elite key vendors was topped off with a private dinner at the Lord Baltimore hotel. On Friday night, the celebration continued with the INA Christmas event at the Penthouse in the Lord Baltimore Hotel! Gay loves to entertain, and it showed--I felt like I

was in Santa’s house. The Penthouse was decorated top to bottom for Christmas, and the food and drink was phenomenal! The evening finale was a generous donation check from towers matched by INA Towing and then presented to Marvin McClain of the Red Cross to the further their efforts in helping others. The INA’s tow elite forum was not only full of relevant information, major help for the many challenges towers face, a festive celebration of the holiday season, it was also about what matters most: helping the person next to us whether it be a tower, a stranded motorist or someone around the world in crises; and that’s what matters most to INA Towing! N 30

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Volume 6 â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Every year, we give you our roundup of the hottest products and services that have come across our desks from manufacturers, dealers, and service providers in the towing market.

This year's list spans an impressive amount of categories, including towing software, GPS, damaged vehicle movement systems, synthetics, tools, lights, and many others. This issue should be your company’s wish list going into the new year, as you continue to evaluate and select products to help you operate your towing facility more effectively and efficiently. In every issue through the year, every single product or service we cover in the magazine is there because we think it’s something that you will find useful, so we're excited about each and every one in all of our issues. Our sole mission is to help you make purchasing decisions, so we’re all about products, all the time. This list reflects the “best of the best.” It is a great time to be an owner of a towing or repossession company, because the market is overflowing with options for great products and services for your facility. Here are some of the products and services that stood out to us this year.

Jerr-Dan The Jerr-Dan MPL-NG Series: Jerr-Dan’s MPL-NG series offers smart design and unrelenting performance thanks to its modular aluminum body and our patented Underlift Level Stop Assist System, which prevents wasting precious set-up time. Jerr-Dan’s patented LOCKLINK mechanism locks wheel-retaining arms in the full tire engaged position. The Negative Tilt Feature on the wheel lift is perfect for vehicles in parking ramps and the 4-1/2 high hydraulic crossbar, with 4,000 lb. capacity, assures clearance for even the lowest profile vehicles. The body has a clear deck top and offers more space for storage, while the headboard provides great visibility. The hydraulic valve on the MPL-NG is positioned for easier servicing to get you on the road and back in business faster. The Jerr-Dan 50/60 Ton JFB Rotator: Jerr-Dan’s 50/60 Ton Rotator boasts an empowering combination of heavy-duty capabilities, superior stabilizing technology, commanding rotation, unsurpassed pulling capacity, and unstoppable power. The Jerr-Dan 50/60 Ton Rotator is available with more impressive Jerr-Dan Fire-Service Body (JFB) Series. Its extra-rugged, non-corrosive exterior is made of weather-tight, impact-resistant polypropylene—making it more durable and longer lasting. It features roll-up aluminum doors for swifter access to equipment, strategically placed LED lighting for improved visibility, and specialty storage solutions to ensure every tool has its place. The JFB Body Series is available for standard and twin steer chassis. www.jerrdan.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX TowMate

2017 was a year full of major innovations from the original innovator of wireless tow lights, TowMate. Having served the industry for 30+ years, TowMate products and their changes over time are a reflection of those years of experience and the feedback received from loyal customers. Perhaps the most notable of these, as it pertains to wireless tow lights, was the development of removable Lithium power packs that simply snap into the end of the light-duty units or the top of the heavy-duty wireless light bars. These power supplies provide unparalleled runtimes, weight reduction, and have the potential to last up to 10 years, making yearly battery maintenance a thing of the past. Tow operators everywhere are enjoying these added benefits exclusive to the TowMate brand, making them some of the top products of the year. The 36” heavy-duty wireless bar with this technology, the TM36Li, will run 60+ hours on a single charge and weighs about half as much as its predecessor. The light-duty Li26 will run for 22+ hours on a charge and weighs significantly less than its counterpart, the TM21. Available with add-ons such as strobes, backup lights, a reminder system, and in a variety of colors/finishes, these units truly set the mark as a cut above the rest. Made in the USA. Lifetime Warranty on electronics and LED’s.

MOVE OVER! This is the message anyone who finds themselves on the side of the highway wants to get across to passing motorists in order to minimize the possibility of a potentially fatal incident. Well the MO9RWB, or more simply the ‘Move Over Strobe,’ is a tool designed to do just that. This compact, yet blazingly bright, rechargeable LED warning light system is a portable solution that sets up on the roadside in advance of the work area via a fully adjustable tri-pod. The standard model commands attention with colors typically associated with law enforcement (red/white/blue), though other options are available. Since the light is not a permanent fixture on the vehicle and is not used while in motion or on the vehicle whatsoever, it does not conflict with most state’s policies on the use of those colors. Two plus years after its development, the testimonies on the effectiveness of the product continue to roll in… and the results are good. At the end of the day, nothing aside from a physical barrier can ensure ones safety on the side of the highway. However, TowMate has provided just one more line of defense in developing the MO9 series for the sake of saving lives. This added layer of protection has been well received throughout the country, making the ‘Move Over Strobe’ one of the top products for 2017. www.towmate.com Volume 6• Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX ZACKLIFT Zacklift International, and owner/ operators of Zacklift Underlifts, like to brag about things like brutish strength, unmatched quality, and exclusive options; so Tow Professional asked Zacklift to give readers some of the reasons why. Bragging rights go to the monster Z453 AddOn Underlift. Available detachable or stationary, it boasts 45,000 pounds of lift rating, 100,000 pounds of pull, 147” of true usable reach, and a mounting position so well engineered it has 0-inch overhang. It is constructed of 1 1/8” T1 100,000 pound yield American made steel. The same material used for armor cladding defense vehicles. The extreme it’s needed. This steel-power

combines with the forward mounting and compact retraction for thousands of extra pounds of payload. There’s no challenging Zacklift when it comes to their exclusive BIGFOOT Stifflegs. Only Zacklift offers Stifflegs on their detachable FIFTHWHEELER as well as the Stationary Mount. The powerful

anchors drive-off completely in the 8minute detach procedure. The Stifflegs have up to 18” massive feet that double as flat surface stabilizers for pavement, and as aggressive angle claws for tearing into terrain. www.zacklift.com

Dan-Am Air Dan-Am Air pipe uses lightweight, aircraft grade, and powder-coated aluminum, which provides clean, dry air up to 232 psi. The reinforced, composite nylon fittings have dual seals, which rest on un-scraped pipe, providing a leak-free guarantee. Our Press-to-Connect fittings feature a “full bore” design for turbulence-free air delivery. This quick, instant connection eliminates the need to thread, solder or glue accounting for far less installation times than traditional copper or black pipe. www.danamair.com 36

Tow Professional | Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX AW Direct AW DIRECT QuickCable iQ Rescue Life 800 Keep your truck battery always ready with the QuickCable LiFePO4 Lithium Power pack. This pack charges and maintains most 12V systems so they’re ready to go when you are. It’s like having a second battery on demand.

QuickCable 1Q Maintainer These chargers/maintainers always keep your battery at a full charge. Works for all lead acid-type batteries including SLA, AGM, gel cell and standard/deep cycle. 1Q2 works on all 12V DC batteries. iQ4 works on all 6 and 12V DC batteries. www.awdirect.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Manufacturer Express

• Patented 3" x 7ft SS Under lift strap w/removable ratcheting tool • Patented 2" x 5ft SS Under lift strap w/removable ratcheting tool • 2” Long Wide Stainless Steel Ratchet • 2” Standard Stainless Steel Ratchet www.mfrexpress.com

Marking Pen Depot Auto Marker For Mapping Out Damaged Area On Auto Painted Surfaces and Windshields. MarkingPenDepot offers the industry’s largest selection of markers from the biggest names in the industry: Markal, Dykem, Sakura, Artline, Sanford and Arro. We offer paint pens that leave permanent, removable, weather resistant, high temperature, low chloride and semi permanent marks. Bulk priced markers are available for large users at less than $1.00 each. Replaceable nibs are available for most markers.

Driveline Buddy Driveline Buddy is a patent-pending, new towing product introduced by Dave's Towing Service in Stockton, California. David Barton, owner of Dave's Towing Service, has 35 years of towing industry experience and developed Driveline Buddy to make storing the drivelines in medium and big rigs safer while in-tow. "Each and every Driveline Buddy is assembled by hand in our shop," says Barton. "Our goal is to help towers stay safe on the job and keep drivelines from falling out. Driveline Buddy is a crucial component to reaching our goal." With Driveline Buddy, this process is much easier. Driveline Buddy provides a cradle and suspender that can be installed on the frame of the truck providing a safe place for the driveline to be easily secured within minutes for safe storing during travel. We have been exhibitors at 6 major US Tow Shows this year and have received high praise from industry professionals that stop and take a look at the Driveline Buddy in action. Currently, there are just under 200 Driveline Buddy’s in use across the US and Canada, and we have received tremendously positive feedback from many of those operators. “We bought one at the Vegas show. Worked so good, we purchased another one at the Arlington show.” -Roel Roy Buentello “Use it every time. I don’t like it, I love it!!!! I love and would recommend it to any other tower. By far, the best way to safely secure a driveline.” – Freddy W. www.drivelinebuddy.com 38

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www.markingpendepot.com

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Lift and Tow LLC Z Series Towing Equipment Lift and Tow’s Z series system is a tow truck driver’s best friend, as drivers can complete towing jobs without even stepping out of their trucks. The Z series does not require manual labor, making a tow truck driver’s job safer while saving him time and money - patent pending. As seen in the video, all tow truck drivers have to do is back up their truck to the vehicle they plan to tow and press a button on their remote; the system will take care of the rest. With this level of convenience, comes enhanced safety as drivers are spared the risk of stepping out into high-volume traffic . The lift powers in and out, and up and down,and open and close, all maneuvers as directed by the remote. The Z series can lift up to 3,500 lbs. and tows up to 7,500 lbs. www.liftandtow.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Industrial Netting FMCSA regulation 393.192 requires containment of loose parts during transportation of damaged vehicles. CAR-GO-NET provides low cost compliance. Small, lightweight rolls can be easily handled by one person to form a “disposable tarp” that contains loose parts on damaged vehicles. A single roll 56” wide x 1,000-ft long weighs just 21 pounds and can easily be shipped via UPS or FedEx. CARGO-NET is designed for a single use, eliminating maintenance costs associated with reusable tarps. www.industrialnetting.com

Clore Automotive

The latest addition to the Jump-N-Carry line, the JNCAIR takes multi-function professional jump starting to a whole new level. With automatic charging from a built-in charger, extra long cables, built-in air guage and a 12ft coiled air hose, the JNCAIR is as convenient as it is powerful. www.cloreautomotive.com

Wrecker Rentals

CW Mill Equipment

Wrecker Rentals, Inc. provides full-service tow truck rental for the lower 48 states. They provide short-term (three-day minimum) and long-term tow truck rental of late model light-duty wreckers and roll-back tow trucks. They distribute trucks from Atlanta, Georgia, & Dallas, Texas, and, in most cases, can have a truck to you within 24 hours of approval.

Since 1986, CW Mill Equipment Co., Inc. has been helping customers mount their aftermarket accessories in a better and easier way with CW Mounting Kits. The hydraulic clutch pump equips a vehicle with live hydraulics when the engine is running, regardless of RPM’s or gear selection, with hundreds of kits fitting most ½ through 2ton class trucks built after 1985. Salt spreaders, snow plows, dump bodies, tow trucks, and a long list of other hydraulically driven equipment operate thanks to these kits. CW’s kits have progressed into other applications, such as AC compressor kits for refrigeration trucks and auxiliary alternator kits for emergency response or newscast vehicles.

www.rentawrecker.com

www.cwkits.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Will-Burt Company Night Scan HDT has been developed to meet the unique needs of the Recovery and Towing industry. Heavy Wreckers and Rotators benefit from the maximum height and light output of the Night Scan HDT Powerlite. The Powerlite version is available as a surface-mount folding version when there is sufficient space or a vertically-mounted model that requires only a 12” x 12” space for installation. Both are 15’ tall when extended, have dual tilt light heads that cast 120,000 lumens of LED light in all directions to insure you don’t miss a thing. The height of the six Night Scan XL200 LED lights turns night into day and will not blind your crew. Oncoming traffic will be alerted to the scene from a safe distance. Night Scan HDT comes with everything needed for installation. The major truck manufacturers can install the light tower during a new build or the light tower can be installed by dealer or upfitter. They can even be installed on older equipment by your own shop. Best of all, no generator is needed to power the light tower – the efficient Night Scan XL200 LED lamps operate from your trucks power system. Night Scan HDT is available in smaller sizes for rollbacks and tow trucks and we also offer a full range of specialized LED lighting for every vehicle. The Will-Burt Company is the world’s leading light tower and telescopic mast and tower manufacturer and we are celebrating our 100th anniversary in 2018. We look forward to our continued evolution of innovation and service for the next 100 years. www.nightscan.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Triple K Industries

We at Triple K Industries have been striving to bring you the best and most durable products for the past 21 years. We were the first to come out with the 5th Wheel Quick-Tach. We now have designed a completely new Heavy-Duty Truck Lift and

named it the “TRUE TILT” obviously because of its tilting capabilities. We have the most features that have ever been put into an under-reach unit. www.triplekindustries.com

Steck Manufacturing

Cobra by Hide-A-Lift

Since many of the newer cars have theft deterrence built in, the old traditional multi-piece kits do not work well or can cause damage to the door linkages or door air bags. Tow Drivers provide these key services by using Steck Manufacturing’s BigEasy Lockout Tool kits. They find BigEasy’s 55” long rod made from steel gives them the firmness they need to access the various lock positions but also allows the tow driver the ability to flex the tool if needed. The BigEasy kit is simple to use by first inserting the hard wedge and/or Easy Wedge into the top of the door to allow enough room to then insert the BigEasy tool to press or hook the door lock from inside the window rather than using the door panel. www.steckmfg.com 44

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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 • Full 90-degree loading (great for parallel parked cars) • In-cab 8-function control • Quick connect for easy removal • Twin 3-½” lift cylinders for more speed and power • Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage) • 12,000-lb. winch available www.hidealift.com

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX ICOM North America ICOM North America is based in New Hudson, Michigan and was launched in 2004. ICOM manufactures, assembles, certifies, and distributes the patented Icom JTG II Propane liquid injection vehicle systems in both bifuel and mono-fuel versions. The ICOM Bi-fuel Propane Liquid Injection system utilizes propane as a primary fuel source and reverts back to gasoline as a secondary fuel option in a seamless transition with zero driverinput needed. With the ICOM Propane Liquid Injection technology, you can expect to gain horsepower and torque over gasoline and lower your fuel cost between 30% to 50% as compared to gasoline and diesel. ICOM leads the industry with over 1,000 EPA certified vehicle platforms that are focused on popular fleet vehicles, especially those used in today’s tow truck fleets such as GM pickups trucks 1500, 2500HD, 3500HD, and vans or Ford F150, F250, F350, F450, F550, F650, F750 tow trucks, Flatbeds, and E-series vans and Ford Transits. This does not impact the vehicle’s manufacturer’s warranty and comes with its own 3yr 70,000 mile warranty. ICOM has over 125 dealers and installation and service points across the United States and Canada. There are more than 25,000 vehicles equipped with the ICOM technology in North America. www.icomnorthamerica.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX American Safety & Supply ANSI Class III WATERPROOF Bomber Jacket • Features a Warm FIXED QUILTED LINER • Hood Stores in the Collar • Available in Sizes; SMALL - 7XL • Multiple Pockets 800-472-3892 www.americansafetysupply.com

Lodar Lodar has now introduced a switch Panel into the range. This is a perfect back-up to the Lodar radio system and can be fitted neatly in a tool compartment or the cab of a vehicle. With up to 6 functions available, these fully-lit buttons give that extra support where it is needed. Lodar just keeps on providing innovative products for the towing industry. www.lodar.com

RP Consulting Sonetics headsets reach a new level of precision. Operators and riggers talk to each other in real-time and completely handsfree. Far-side operators don’t need to be visible to hear clear instructions from riggers in heavy recovery incidents. You’ll avoid mistakes, improve safety and respond more quickly on-scene. www.rprecovery.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Custom Built Manufacturing Custom Built Mfg. LLC came to be after 30 years in the Towing industry and 35 in the Auto Body Industry as Dangelo’s Auto Body and Repairs. At Custom Built Mfg. LLC., it has always been about three things: 1} The Customer 2} The Customer 3} The Customer That has carried over into the HeavyDuty Towing Vehicles manufactured in KANE Pennsylvania, with the care and pride that only the small town attitude brings to the table. That being true, Team Work and the very BEST our trucks can be All of the time. Quality is number One at Custom Built Mfg. LLC. using Quality American Made; steel, aluminum, fasteners, hydraulics, cables, winches, lights, rings and pinions for our rotators, and as many accessories whenever possible. Custom Built means just that; hand-craft-

ed and hand-fit for precise long life operation. From metal forming, welding to assembly our technicians have eyes on every step of the manufacturing process as well as Derek Dangelo’s {Owner} per-

FlowStop VAC PUMP CADDY

FlowStop

FlowStop Spill KIT • 16 oz rubber mallet • 3 Absorbant Pads • Pair of Nitrile Gloves • 3 / 0-1” Dia x 3” Tapered Plug • Pair of Safety Glasses • 3 / 0-2” Dia x 4” Tapered Plug • 3 / 0-3” Dia x 8” Tapered Plug • 3 / 1”x 3” wide Wedge x 12” • 3 / 1/2”x 3”x12“ Wedge • 3 / 3”x3“ wide Wedge x 12”

sonal supervision occurs at every step of the manufacturing processes. You will even see Derek involved in hands-on when issues arise. www.custombuiltmfg.com

• 3 Indivdually Packaged FlowStop Football Containment Plugs • 3 Indivdually Packaged FlowStop Golfball Containment Plugs • 1 Sturdy Poly Storage / Carry Box

• Yamada 1” Dual Diaphragm Pump Aluminum Housing Excellent for Hydrocarbons & Light Chemicals • 1 Year Warranty • Air Regulator • 2 Aluminum VAC Stingers: 1, 48“ and 1, 30” • Aluminum VAC Wand 30“ • 4, 25’ x 1” VAC & Discharge Hose • 50‘ x 3/8“ Air Hose w/ Quick Couplers Mounted Plastic Tool Caddy for 90 Degree ELL & 2” Plugs • Mounted on 600 lb Handtruck • Pneumatic or Hard Tires (option) Ideal for quick evacuation of damaged saddle tanks, IBC’s and drums.

www.flowstop.net Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Eartec Take your team’s skills from ordinary to EXTRAORDINARY. Communicate at whisper levels and perfect your process – up to eight crew can talk simultaneously no shouting necessary. Save time and money – your tows will be faster and safer! COMSTAR is not voice-activated, and there are no transmit buttons or delays. To operate, simply turn the system "ON" and talk. System includes “All-In-One headsets – no beltpakcs needed! Contact Eartec or visit our website to experience Eartec’s renowned professional courteous service. Certified for worldwide non-licensed use. www.eartec.com

MITI Manufacturing

DieselSite

Rhino Vehicle Immobilizers are the boot of choice, proven quality, performance and service since 1958. The popularity of the Rhino boot stems from its unique unitized one-piece construction, with no parts to assemble or lose. The lightweight welded steel construction provides long service life. The Rhino wheel lock system sets the standard for the industry.

Dieselsite, Inc., has developed a special fuel filter, water separator that will help protect the Ford 6.7L fuel system from particles and water. The Dieselsite filter works by intercepting the fuel before it gets to the factory filter and any of the Ford fuel system components. brand. Dahl perfected this concept and it is still the best. brand. Dahl perfected this concept and it is still the best. www.dieselsite.com

www.mitico.com

United Plastic Fabricating For tandem axle towing vehicles, the UPF Poly-Gen™ 180-CT Tandem Axle body offers the perfect combination of durability, strength, and customization options. The tandem axle tow body is smooth, quiet, and features the same increased storage as UPF’s other polypropylene products. Never worry about dings and dents with this lightweight but surprisingly strong tow body. For midsize, tandem axle towing vehicles, the Poly-Gen™ 180-CT Tandem Axle offers the best combination of lightweight material and durability you’ll find. Visit unitedplastic.com to learn more about additional Poly-Gen™ body sizes and options. www.polybody.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Custer

Smart Rider Why not go big? The Custer / Lite-It SMARTRider has 42 LEDs on a 23 ½ inch long tow light for maximum visibility. The LEDS have approximately 12 hours of run time; the 90lb. rubber magnets are rubber coated. The SMARTRider comes with a 4 pin or 7 blade transmitter, a cigarette charger and complete instructions. Lite-it-Wireless Custer Products redesigned their Lite-It Wireless series in 2017 and experienced record sales. Each Lite-It Wireless tow light features hard-wired circuitry, shrink tube connectors, and individual serialization (to eliminate cross-talk). The Custer LIW line is available through a national network of distributors. www.custerproducts.com

Dynamic Manufacturing Dynamic Manufacturing is proud to present their new rotating rollback, Radius. “Radius does the job of both wrecker and rollback, essentially eliminating the need for multiple recovery vehicles and making recoveries faster. It also prevents traffic jams since it uses much less space. It is safer for drivers and uses more durable parts and less mechanical components,” says Dynamic owner and Radius inventor Anthony Gentile. www.dynamicmfg.com

Command Light Command Light’s C-Lite is an extremely versatile, compact unit that boasts a powerful, concentrated beam of light, allowing the user to illuminate hard-to-reach areas not reached by fixed lights. The C-Lite is deployed in seconds with a panel mounted or wireless control and is powered by AC, DC, or a combination depending on the user’s need and can output up to 28,000 lumens. It’s small, light weight, size can mount vertically or horizontally, rotates and can tilt up to 120°. The C-Lite features the same quality as all other Command Light models and comes with the industry leading five-year warranty. These units are maintenance free and designed for all weather - are unaffected by ice buildup, high winds, and blowing dust. Constructed from aluminum with stainless steel shafts and thermo-polymer bushings, the C-Lite is durable enough to last for years and has been tested in high and low temperatures and have been tested to 90 mph winds. Visit commandlight.com to see more and check out all of Command Light’s lighting products. www.commandlight.com Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Recovery Billing Unlimited The company began when Bob and Eric Fouquette decided to share their billing expertise with other towing companies across North America. Coming from the hugely successful “Big Wheel Towing & Recovery Company,” Bob and Eric are equipped with the proven industry experience to back up their advanced methods of building a better towing business. The average tow man is excellent at what he does best and that’s towing and recovery. Billing can be complex and when starting out in business, it can be a challenge to design the right billing and invoicing systems to take advantage of the recovery work that’s being performed. Think about it. You could be losing thousands per month for unbilled services for what is essentially a clerical oversight. Bob and Eric bring their expertise to seminars throughout the year in Massachusetts and across the continent. Groups are small, with only 20 towing companies per session, which makes for a more focused, one-on-one learning experience and higher success rates. We especially take care to help other businesses overcome the red tape and wall of legal babble that prevents towing companies from being paid. We will help you to navigate the legal roadblocks and red tape, helping you to get paid for your work without fail. All it takes is a robust system which you can apply to every job that you complete. www.recoverybillingunlimited.com

Collins Manufacturing For 45 years, the unique dolly innovations of Collins Manufacturing Corp. are quite numerous. Besides being the first in 1972, to invent the articulating dolly that actually lifted a car off the ground, without the aid of jacks, thereby changing the towing industry worldwide, Collins was also first to invent or introduce: • 1977: Safety Ratchets • 1986: Safety Locks • 1995: Aluminum Axles • 2000: Greaseable Hubs • 2006: Aluminum Greaseable Hubs • 2006: Replaceable & Serviceable Components • 2006: Lightest-Weight Dolly • 2007: Aluminum 8" Wheels • 2009: Two-Toned Zinc Plating Optional • 2010: Aluminum Square Pry Bar • 2011: Aluminum Tow Cradles • 2012: Aluminum Carrier Dolly System • 2016: Two-Tone Zinc Plating Standard on SLZ Hi-Speed Dollies Collins offers the heaviest-duty dollies, rated at 4,280 lb static-load capacity. Between their tried and proven, patented HiSpeed Dollies for the highway to their patented Carrier Dolly

System, all dolly-towing issues are now covered. Collins' aluminum Carrier Dolly System, is quite simple where it solves all the problems of Carrier loading: No hook points, allwheel drives, hybrid’s, and electric vehicles, whose wheels are locked and won't roll, are now easily winched up the bed with the Carrier Dolly System. The dolly lifts the vehicle, giving greater ground clearance. The winch cable is then hooked to the tow bar, which is hooked to the dollies, pulling them up the flatbed. The vehicle simply rides the carrier dollies. No chains, hooks, or cables, ever touch the vehicle. Also, with the tow bar inverted and fitted to either of the carrier dollies, it now becomes a motorcycle dolly for winching up the carrier. For vehicles without wheels, the Tow Cradle works perfect with both highway and carrier dollies. Rolling the vehicle up the bed is a far superior system versus dragging it up and down the bed, damaging both bed and vehicle. www.collinsdollies.com

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XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX Miller Industries Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. now offers alternative chassis set-ups for the tried and true Century® 9055. By offering Tandem-Tandem chassis configurations on the Century® 9055, Miller Industries has taken the knowledge gained from their European counterparts and applied it to the North American 9055. The Tandem-Tandem configuration lightens the rear axle weight by eliminating the lift axle. Miller has also invested in the benefit of tandem steer technology to add additional front axle weight. This configuration puts four steer tires and brakes on the ground for enhanced steering and control during braking. The concept came from the European cab-over chassis while working with Boniface and Jigé. Boniface Engineering and Jigé International are Miller Industries partners in Europe. In our test case, the vehicle had only 21,000 lbs. on the tandem steer and 24,000 lbs. on the drive axles. The better balance is achieved by eliminating the tag/lift axle, which actually takes weight off the front steer tires while in use. The Tandem-Tandem 9055 has the potential for a higher towing capacity with a dedicated fourth axle constantly on the ground. With the added tandem steer axle outfitted with 315 size tires instead of 385 size tires, this means there is better maneuverability in tight urban spaces. Miller’s Century® 9055 Tandem-Tandem not only has the potential for higher towing capacity, but is also safer for the tower. Visit Millerind.com or contact your local Miller Industries distributor for more information or questions. www.millerind.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

All Policies Are the Same, Right? By Hal Kresser, Hal Kresser Agency If you have been reading our articles about different aspects of insurance in the previous th i issues, i you h have learned l d about how to collect down-time in a claim, what to do in the event of an accident, how to protect your coverage, and many more topics. You also learned that not all agents are the same. Well, in much the same way that not all agents are the same, not all insurance policies are the same either. Most tow company operators are not informed buyers when it comes to their insurance. Most rely on the agent and trust he is doing his job for them. However, what if your agent isn’t a specialist? What if he doesn’t know his competitor’s policies? Let me give you an example: “On Hook” coverage. Sounds straightforward right? The problem is there really is no policy coverage specifically for “On Hook” which is kind of a towing industry term adopted by the insurance industry. Where and how that coverage is provided varies by insurance company. Some companies cover it under “garagekeeper’s” by adding some words to that section to extend coverage. Some companies actually manually write the coverage into a standard policy. Still yet, others cover it under “inland marine” where you normally find cargo 52

coverage and will add words to make it cover what you have on the back. These t dd when h you waters can gett reall muddy shop your insurance and don’t make sure you are dealing with an agent that specializes in what you do. If your agent isn’t familiar with the policy you have and replaces it with his, it is entirely possible that you could end up without ANY onhook at all. In fact, most policies don’t use the words “On Hook” anywhere and your agent may tell you that your current policy doesn’t have the coverage and are being left to twist in the wind by your current agent when in fact you have the coverage. He just isn’t knowledgeable enough to know where it is. Another land mine is that when an insurance policy covers “On Hook” under “garagekeeper’s” they add words to make it extend to vehicles you may tow in. Well, what if you deliver a pallet of drywall? What if you deliver a bobcat? Is there coverage for that? In most cases, no. To get that exposure covered, you would need to add “Cargo” coverage to fill the gap between motor vehicles and the other stuff you may put on a rollback. Pick the wrong agent who put you in the wrong policy, and YOU could be “on the hook” for damaging a $50,000 skid steer! You

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could have added a really nice used rollback to the fleet for that kind of money. A th fairy f i tale t l stories t i used d to t say As the when we were kids, “the moral of the story” is to pick a knowledgeable, experienced agent that specializes in towing insurance. He will be able to steer you clear of the potholes that can be found in insurance policies. Don’t wait to get a claim denied to find your pothole. Call a specialized agent today to make sure you are properly covered. The cheapest price in town isn’t worth a nickel if it doesn’t cover a major loss due to a lack of proper coverage!

About Hal Kresser: Grew up around garages and running wreckers. After the family shop sold, became a police officer with a specialty in accident investigation. After retiring from the police department, opened an insurance agency, specializing in garage and tow truck insurance. WreckMaster certified. President of the local chapter of the Towing and Recovery Assoc. of Ohio. www.kresseragency.com

Interline Risk Services, Inc.

Industry Insurance Insurance Interline Risk Services, Inc. is a full-service retail insurance agency specializing in the transportation and towing industry. Our company is committed to providing outstanding service and superior coverage. Our main objective is to assist clients in identifying their individual insurance needs and then developing a comprehensive and costeffective approach. Interline operates throughout the Southeast, and is licensed in Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Virginia, and Alabama. Our Towing Insurance products are designed to assist professional towing operations that specialize in the areas of heavy- & light-duty towing with transport, auto repair, body shop, salvage yards, auto transporting, and gas sales. Our coverage plan is extensive and insures a wide range of aspects including auto liability, physical damage coverage, on-hook with motor truck cargo, and general liability that covers premises and operations; even operations performed offsite. We have also included auto medical payments and personal injury protection in addition to options such as debris removal, garage keeper’s legal liability, hired and non-owned liability, no drive train exclusion, and garage liability. We are proud to offer the most flexible coverage in today’s market, and our insurance companies are “A” rated and include broad guidelines for drivers. Interline is aware there are additional aspects of coverage that our clients might require and have multiple options available pertaining to your personnel and property. www.interlinerisk.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

Originally established in 1950, Mike Keith Insurance has four Missouri locations offering a broad range of insurance products and services. Throughout these years, we have taken pride in helping our customers understand and select the right balance between affordability and quality of coverage. MKI focuses on keeping the interest of our client’s first and all employees strive to exceed customer expectations on every level. A niche agency, MKI has been successful in the Towing & Recovery Industry by partnering with major Tow & Recovery carriers and fostering these relationships to be able to offer our insureds the best prices and the most comprehensive cov-

erage in the industry. With a growing base of “A” rated carriers, we are able to offer coverage in most states with no radius restrictions. Our team of Towing & Recovery specialists includes Curtis Cooper, CPCU, Amy Berry, CIC, Amy Sockwell, CISR, Jamie Harrelson, CISR, and our claims

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coordinator, Susan Evanoff, all of which are dedicated to our Towing & Recovery customers. This team offers timely service, on-time renewal quotes, quick new business quotes and the knowledge and expertise required to make sure your operation has the proper coverage while not breaking the bank. Virtually available 7 days a week, this team will impress you with their speed, knowledge and friendliness. Mike Keith Insurance has become the agency of choice in the Midwest and is quickly reaching beyond as we expand our services to all areas of the map. Let us utilize our 60+ years of Insurance experience to show you what we have to offer in the arena of Auto Liability, Auto Physical Damage, Garagekeepers Liability, On-Hook/Cargo, Property, Workers Compensation and more. As your full-service agency, we look forward to speaking with you soon regarding your Towing & Recovery Insurance needs. www.mikekeithinsurance.com

Industry Insurance Insurance

Austin Insurance has specialized in Towing & Recovery insurance since 1991, and they are dedicated to quality service. By working with many different companies, they can offer a competitive insurance package. No matter if you own one truck or 30, are located on the East coast or the West, they are willing to fulfill your insurance needs. Austin Insurance, Inc. has specialized in providing coverage for towing operations for many years. They have many companies to offer comprehensive packages to provide protection for all aspects of your business.

Austin Insurance, Inc. provides REPOSSESSION INSURANCE, including "wrongful repossession," hold harmless, and employee bonds. Also as a service

our agency will offer Help in complying with D.O.T. & OSHA regulations and guidelines...While we are agents for several Towing Programs, We are also an Agent for the TOWER... They also offer the following other coverage’s. Please contact them for further information or with any questions you may have. • Auto Transporters • Trucking Insurance • Motor Truck Cargo • Salvage/Recyclers • Pollution Coverage • Umbrella • Workers Compensation • Bonds At Austin Insurance, Inc., "We'll come see you" isn't just a catchphrase. They want to provide you with not only insurance, but a full understanding of your coverage's, and they will do all that they can to make that happen, including coming to see you! www.wreckerins.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

Indus

The Personnel of KBK have been involved in the design and marketing of Towing Insurance since 1987. PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR PROFESSIONAL TOWERS Is Towing your main business? If so, this program was designed for you. Also covers most of your incidental operations. Broad Coverage. Prompt and fair claims handling. COVERAGES • Auto Liability • Auto Physical Damage • Hired Car • General Liability • Garagekeepers Legal Liability • On Hook - Cargo • Non-Ownership • Property Renewal Credits For Safety Training Policies within 30 Days SAFETY PROGRAM • Video • Safety Manual • Monthly Safety Letters www.kbkinsgroup.com

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We at LDC insurance Services, Inc. have over 20 years’ experience in the Auto Transportation insurance industry. We personally understand the operations and coverage needs of today’s professional Tower and Auto Repossession Businesses. Our programs are with A Rated Insurance Companies with underwriters who have developed many of the coverage forms used today. Coverages we provide are: Auto Liability, General Liability, Garagekeepers, On-Hook, Wrongful Repossession, Property, Inland Marine & Excess. Increased Liability limits are available along with Direct Primary Garagekeepers. Policies can be written to include coverage for Auto Repair Shops, Salvage Lots &Used Car Sales. We keep our clients year after year, because of our Personal Customer Service, the Best Pricing available, and our knowledge of the business. www.ldcinsurance.com

stryInsurance Insurance Cindy Horn, Janice LaVitte, and Bryan Westfall are a unit at Weiss Insurance that specializes in various transportation risks. They design your insurance policy to fit your insurance needs. Not all risks are identical; years in business, your own loss experience, driver experience, and type of business will affect your insurance cost. They understand your business and your business needs. They wear many hats as independent agents, representing various insurance companies, which allow them to “design” a policy for you. Towing, Transportation, Repossession, Cargo, Excess Cargo, Garage and or Repair Facilities, and Auto Sales are some of the types of business that they write. They have markets for worker’s compensation, group health, property, general liability, and personal insurance. www.weiss-ins.com

Volume 6 • Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

FOR drivers

Maintain Tow Dollies for Long Life and Service Tow dollies are a key component of any tow driver’s truck. Unfortunately, for as hard as they work, they’re sometimes neglected. In most cases, tow dollies are uncovered and exposed to the elements. The constant exposure to water, dirt, salt and even sunlight can cause them to deteriorate prematurely. Here are some tips to getting the best service and longest life possible from your tow dollies. • Grease fittings: Make sure to lubricate dollies as needed— especially in inclement weather. • Wheel bearings: Under normal use, inspect and repack wheel bearings every three months. During times of severe use, inspect monthly. • Metal damage and wear: On a daily basis, inspect metal parts for physical damage such as cracking and bent or missing parts. • Tires: Inspect tires daily for proper inflation, excessive tread wear or signs of physical damage. • Capacity: Make sure to know the weight capacity of your 58

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dollies and the weight capacity of the vehicle you are loading. Finally, remember that other types of dollies such as GoJaks also see four seasons of weather. Make sure to take a few moments each day to inspect casters, bearings and axles for wear and ease of movement. Be sure to always lubricate bearing raceways, pivot pins and mechanisms per manufacturer’s instructions. For more information about maintaining your dollies or ordering replacement parts, contact AW Direct’s Technical Service Specialists Monday through Friday at 1-800-243-3194. N AW Direct | Answering the Call™ 1-800-243-3194 | awdirect.com

Dealers place

Tow Professional | Volume 6 â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com

Dealers place

Volume 6 â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

Dealers place

Tow Professional | Volume 6 â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 9 | www.towprofessional.com

Market place

IF YOU HAD TAKEN THIS SPACE, YOUR AD WOULD NOW BE BEING LOOKED AT BY OVER 33,000 SUBSCRIBERS AND WOULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO MILLIONS MORE ONLINE.

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COMPANY

Agero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Flow Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

RP Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Atlanta Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Ginn Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

RV wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Austin Hinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Hal Kresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Smyrna Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Hide-a-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash . . . . .40,41

Auto Data Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Holly's Towing Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Steck Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

AutoReturn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

INA Towing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Swoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

AW Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Tom Tom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Jerr-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Cover

Tow Trax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Budget GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Towbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Towing Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32, 33

Command Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Manufacturer Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

TowMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Custer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Triple K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Mike Keith Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

United Plastic Fabricating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

CW Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

MITI Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

DieselSite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

OMADI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Waters Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

DJ Harrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Progressive Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Weiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Driveline Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

PWOF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26, 27

Will-Burt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover

Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Wrecker Rentals, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Eartec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Robert Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Zacklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

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