50/60 TON ROTATOR Take total command of your biggest challenges with unstoppable power.
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An Oshkosh Corporation Company. The Jerr-Dan name and Jerr-Dan logo are registered trademarks of Jerr-Dan Corporation. Š2018 Jerr-Dan Corporation.
MPL40 WRECKER The industry standard of wreckers is everything but standard.
6 TON STEEL XLP Carrying the weight of the world is now a welcome challenge.
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An Oshkosh Corporation Company. The Jerr-Dan name and Jerr-Dan logo are registered trademarks of Jerr-Dan Corporation. Š2018 Jerr-Dan Corporation.
TOW PROFESSIONAL Volume 7• Issue 7 2018
CONTENTS
www.towprofessional.com
I N D U S T RY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY
6| Jerr-Dan 10| Airbag Disposal 12 | Mitsubishi Fuso
Insightful talk 14 | Be Careful What You Ask For
Feature: Tow Industry Software
FEATURE: Lockout Tools 40 | Best Tools 42 | Steck Manufacturing 44 | Next Generation Tool Company 46 | Access Tools
TIPS For Drivers 48 | LED Lights / The Future is Now 18| Towbook
Scene Photos
22| Beacon
50 | Photos “Seen from the Scene”
24| Ranger SST 28| VTS 34| Budget GPS/TOPS 36| Auto Data Direct 38| SWOOP
52| Polymatrix 53| Diesel Brushes
54| Access Tools
IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Publisher’s Letter 55 |Dealers Place 2
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63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index
EDITOR’S
LETTER
TM
Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery
Volume 7 • Issue 7 2018 www.towprofessional.com
2019 Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash - August 8th-10th
PUBLISHER Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com
Butch Cole National Sales butch@towprofessional.com
Where did 2018 go? We are already in the fourth quarter of the year, and it is time to think about next year! We have set the date for our 2019 Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash (STEBB), so mark your calendars for August 8th-10th at the Orange Beach Event Center in beautiful Orange Beach, AL. Our 3rd Annual Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament and Towing Association Dinner will be on the 8th with the official show dates being Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th. For our show, we have a packed schedule with training, seminars, and demos. We will have our annual Beach Bash Friday night and then our Tow Truck Beauty Contest, Planned TIMS event, and party at the Flora-Bama Saturday night. We will close out Saturday evening giving everyone opportunity to travel on Sunday and be home for working on Monday! During registration at STEBB this year, I had a couple come up and fill out their form to register for the show. I asked them if they would put the name of their towing company down. The gentleman said, “We don’t have a towing company, but we are wanting to start one, so we are here to learn how to do that.” I pointed him to Dan Messina, one of seminar leaders who mentors towers in how to start and grow their towing companies and to our other industry-leading seminar speakers, so the couple could learn the” in’s and out’s” of towing. I saw them later and asked them if they had gotten what they needed to which they said, “Absolutely.” Our WreckMaster training classes were packed, and several towers across the nation got the “hands on” training and certification they needed to keep their businesses competitive and growing. So, whether you are wanting to start a tow company or take your current business to the next level, STEBB offers cutting-edge training for businesses of all sizes. Come join us for a blast at the beach while meeting face-toface premier vendors providing top products and services for every aspect of the tower’s daily business needs. For more details, go to www.southerntowexpo.com, register for the show, and then book your rooms today to secure the accommodations that best fit your needs as our host and preferred hotel rooms go fast! See you next year at the beach! Our feature in this issue is towing software, so get to know our featured companies and their top products through their stories of who they, what they do, and what sets their products apart making them tailored skillfully to solving that specific business frustration you have been dealing with even this week. Also, don’t miss Dan Messina’s “Insightful Talk” for the latest in how to grow your business.
Keeping reading and drive safely,
Gene Eudy Editor, Tow Professional
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__________________________
PRODUCTION Gene Eudy Editor gene@towprofessional.com
Dana Scott Creative Director dana@towprofessional.com __________________________
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom Bacon - Towbook Brittany Barrett - Auto Data Direct John Brille - Steck Kathy Coe - Next Gen Tools Michael Frank - Swoop Rod McGregor - Beacon Dan Messina Julian Packin - Access Tools Jeff Pesnell - TOPS/Budget GPS Nigel Pestell - VTS Jim Shellhaas - Ranger SST Todd Wiles - Best Tools
__________________________
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.
I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO
EXPANDING WEST COAST PRESENCE, JERR-DAN SELLS FIRST ROTATOR IN CALIFORNIA MARKET Frank Scotto Towing, part of Van Lingen Group, Purchases first 50/60 Rotator
Jerr-Dan Corporation recently sold its first rotator in the state of California to Frank Scotto Towing in Torrance, CA. The sale of this 50/60 Ton, Tandem Steer JFB Rotator reinforces Jerr-Dan’s steady west coast expansion strategy. “We are honored that Frank Scotto Towing and the Van Lingen Group would be the first to secure a Jerr-Dan rotator in California,” said Jeff Irr, Senior Director of Marketing and Sales. “As we expand our presence and offerings on the West Coast, we continue to partner with our Jerr-Dan distributors to offer towers the solutions they need.” Frank Scotto Towing is part of the Van Lingen Group of companies. As a thirdgeneration family-owned and operated 6
business, Van Lingen is southern Los Angeles’ most trusted name in towing and recovery. With four locations, Van Lingen is a leader in swift, efficient, onecall-and-done towing service for businesses and municipalities alike. “We find the Jerr-Dan to be the best rotator in the market,” said Sean Van Lingen, Vice President, Van Lingen Group, the parent company of Frank Scotto Towing. “Between the ease of use, increased storage solutions, top of the line outrigger stability and the most reach in the industry, it was an easy decision for us to purchase this Jerr-Dan Rotator. Jerr-Dan’s products continue to exceed industry standards and that was very important to us since California has
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complex requirements for the towing industry.” Engineered to undertake the toughest challenges with available configurations to meet California's regulations, JerrDan’s innovative product line provides competitive advantage while affording long-term added-value. The Jerr-Dan 50/60 Ton JFB Rotator has a combination of heavy-duty capabilities, superior stabilizing technology, 360-degree rotation, and impressive power and pulling capacity. The Jerr-Dan Fire Body (JFB) Series has an extra-rugged, non-corrosive exterior made of weather-tight, impactresistant polypropylene—making it more durable while lowering long-term cost of ownership. It features roll-up aluminum
I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO
doors for swifter access to equipment, strategically placed LED lighting for improved visibility and specialty storage solutions to ensure every tool has its place. To make this deal happen, Frank Scotto Towing contacted its Jerr-Dan distributor, Hydraulic Shop Inc. in Bloomington, CA, which assisted them with the purchase. Founded in 2007, Hydraulic Shop is an authorized Jerr-Dan distributor for light, medium, and heavyduty rollbacks and wreckers. With more than 10 years of industry experience, Hydraulic Shop’s professional and experienced staff helped Frank Scotto Towing acquire a rotator that is engineered and designed to their exact specifications with long-term ownership and safety in mind. “When Frank Scotto Towing told us they wanted to purchase a rotator, we immediately stepped in and assisted them in determining the one that would fit their business needs,” said Josh Lovelace, sales & service manager for Hydraulic Shop Inc. “We were pleased and grateful to Jerr-Dan team, from sales to engineering staff, who assisted us with 8
every detail. Like Jerr-Dan, we are in the business of fostering relationships with our customers to deliver products that suits their business needs.” Hydraulic Shop Inc. was started in March 2007, with three mechanics, in an industrial building in Bloomington, CA.
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Servicing all makes and models of towing equipment, Hydraulic Shop Inc. is also a full-service, heavy-duty collision repair facility. www.jerrdan.com www.hydraulicshopinc.com
I N D U S T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO
Airbag Disposal In the Language of my Father By Michael R. James Some really good stuff for the recycler has happened in recent months pertaining to how to handle airbags. This is one of those subjects that I really wish I could claim some responsibility for helping make it happen. But that is not going to happen. The credit for all of this great solution on airbag disposal goes to a group of the senior leadership of the Scrap Metal Recyclers (ISRI) from across the country that met multiple times with the US EPA in Washington DC. They deserve a big thanks. All I get to do is help explain this good stuff to those of you dealing with end of life vehicles. Please bear with me as I put this in the language of my father. A couple of articles have been published recently pertaining to what you should do with an airbag that you are not going to be selling. The problem with these articles and the Guidance document that came out from the EPA are that you really needed a master’s degree in environmental engineering or some other form of the environmental sciences to know how to read them. Well, I have one of those and it is still a pretty complicated document. When you have a vehicle sitting in front of you and you ask yourself what to do with the airbags, please take the easy route. Very simply you have two options, 1) Leave the airbag in the car all the way to the crushing and shredding operation, or 2) pull the airbag out of the car for potential sale. If by chance the airbag that you have is a defective Takata airbag, then you may want to consider the RAS buyback program. This gets really simple if the airbag is still attached and installed in the car as you received it. If you make the choice to leave the airbag in the car then you have made the easiest decision. You can crush the car and the airbag can ultimately go through the shredder as a part of the scrap metal recycling process. Avoid getting yourself into trouble with this very 10
simple solution. If you put a few extra airbags in the trunk of the car before you crush it, then you have committed what might be considered a criminal act with improper disposal of a solid waste. So, do you see the simplicity of “leave the airbag in the car and crush it”? If not and you really want to make this more complicated, then keep on reading. Let’s discuss Option 2. Taking the airbag out of the car. Please before you ever take an airbag out of a car, make sure you have a verified market or a verified buyer for that specific airbag (see the note above on the Takata airbags). Whatever you do, do not stockpile airbags period, end of discussion. Do not stockpile airbags. Once the airbag is removed from the car, and you do not have a buyer, then you have to decide on how to dispose of it and this is where things get complicated. The disposal of an uninflated airbag must be handled under the rules of RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act). These are the rules that cover Hazardous Waste. I am not even going to try to explain this complicated set of rules. Do not stockpile airbags. Do not send undeployed airbags to the landfill or stuff them in the trunk of a car before crushing. There is another option but again I do not recommend this for standard practice for you. A deployed airbag that you are holding in your hands can be placed in the scrap metal waste stream as a part of the car. Obviously, if you are selling to a
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shredder some shredding companies may have their own corporate policies that are more restrictive, but at least the EPA has made it very clear in their smokey and convoluted way of writing that the deployed airbag can go with the cars through the shredder. Make sure you consider the shredder’s rules and those rules associated with Solid Waste/Hazardous Waste for the States that you are located in. So, you may give some thought to building a process to deploy that warehouse of airbags that you have been accumulating over the years. I hope not, but if you do, then let me encourage you to consider the safety of your employee that will be doing this work. It is not a simple thing to deploy a bunch of airbags in a manner that is cost effective. Again, only pull the airbag if you have a confirmed and ready buyer for that airbag. Otherwise, leave it in the vehicle and crush the vehicle at the time that works for your business. Remember above that I said do not pull the airbag unless you have a confirmed buyer. This Buy-Back Program could serve for you as a confirmed buyer. Please remember the warning. Do not speculate or stockpile airbags. Folks, it really can be as simple as spelled out above, but if you have a question don’t hesitate to give me a call and we will do our best to help. If you want to know more about the Takata Airbag recall, send an email to the US expert, Paul D’Adamo with RAS at pauldadamo@coresupply.com.
I N D U S T RY NEWS
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck Promotes Gina Harlan to CFO Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. (FUSO) has named Gina Harlan as its new Chief Financial Officer. She replaces Michael Munz, who is returning to Germany to serve as Head of Controlling Operations for Daimler AG at its Gaggenau facility. In making the announcement, Justin Palmer, FUSO’s President and CEO, noted, “It’s always exciting when our MFTA colleagues are promoted within the organization. In this case, the Daimler Finance and Controlling department was able to promote Gina to CFO, allowing her to advance her career while remaining with MFTA.” Harlan began with MFTA in December 2012 as its Director, Accounting & Finance. Prior to joining FUSO, she worked in a number of dif-
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ferent industries, including manufacturing, in various accounting and controlling roles. She has worked alongside two CFO’s at FUSO, allowing her to strengthen her knowledge and experience with Daimler’s finance and controlling processes and practices. Harlan’s extensive experience, both here and at other organizations, will serve her well in this new position. Harlan, who assumed her new duties on September 1, has a Master of Business Administration; Concentration in Finance from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA., as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She will continue to work at FUSO’s Logan Township, NJ, headquarters. www.mitfuso.com
Insightful talk
ByBy D .J. D an Harringt Mes s ina on, CSP
Be Careful What You Ask For I’m sure you all have heard the expression, “Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.” Well, that’s what we are going to talk about today. Read this article carefully because it could have a tremendous impact on your business. It all started several years ago in Dallas Texas when I was talking to a board member from a towing association in Texas. He was telling me about a law that the state was going to pass that would require all tow company employees to be certified, and drivers would have to take a state test. He went on to tell me that there would be a charge for the test and certification, and their association was going to make a lot of money. I told him I was a member of that association, and I did not know anything about this new law. He went on to tell 14
me that just a few people knew about it. I asked if other tow companies were aware of this law because I knew it would have a big impact on towing in Texas. He told me that their association would use a national test that was already approved, and they would split the revenue with a national association. I saw the national test, and I knew it would be hard for most tow truck drivers in our state. A lot of drivers in Texas are Spanish and would not be able to even read the test, much less pass it. The law was passed and requirements for tow company employees were as follows: 1. Each driver had to be certified. 2. Each tow company employee had to be certified.
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3. All employees had to be drug test annually. 4. Drivers had to take an 8-hour course once. 5. Starting in year 2, each driver had to take a written test with 100 questions. 6. If you were a convicted felon, you could not get a license to drive a tow truck. A few others and I felt it was time to start another association that would help tow companies. My wife and I drove around the state of Texas talking to tow companies. Our association grew to over 1,000 members. Because of the growth of our association, the state allowed us to provide testing to tow companies. We went to the national association and
asked them if we could use their test. They told us they had an exclusive agreement to only let the other Texas association use their test. We felt we were not getting a lot of help at the national level, so we got the state to approve a test that we created. It was a test consisting of 100 ques-
tions, but they were more common-sense questions relating to towing. We wrote it in English and Spanish, and we provided someone to read the test to the drivers if they were unable to read it. I remember I had a tower from south Texas tell me he had been driving for over 50 years, but he did not know how to read very well. He
was 70 and needed his job to support a sick wife. I told him not to worry that if I had to, I would come to his location and read the test to him. The results of our efforts were as follows: 1. We tested 17,000 towers. 2. We tested over 94% of the towers in Texas. 3. We had a 1st time passing rate of
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Insightful talk over 75%. 4. We built our membership to over 1,000 members. When we started, there were a lot of people upset over the new law. The state invoked penalties that cost thousands of dollars to tow companies that did not comply with the law. At the end of the
By D an Mes s ina
day when the smoke cleared, the law helped clean up our industry in Texas. We still constantly fight with the state over regulations, but again, it’s better for our industry. So, you ask yourself why I’m telling you this story? I was at a dinner two months ago, and there was a major discussion about new regulations for our
industry nationwide. There are some people in our industry who have done a lot of good for the industry. One thing they want to do now is get the towing industry out from under trucking and let us stand by ourselves. This could be awesome for us but would require many changes for our industry. Here are a few things to consider, and I’m comparing it to the changes that took place in Texas: 1. Nationwide testing--who gives the test, what does it cost, and what questions will be on the test? 2. All towers may be required to be able to read. I know that sounds silly, but we are a blue-collar industry with a lot of people that don’t speak English. What happens to them? 3. There could be truck requirements. 4. There could be dress codes. 5. There could be annual fees.
These are just a few things that could change. If there are new federal laws regulating the towing industry, it will apply to all tow companies. This could have an impact on state associations and impact the small companies that struggle to make ends meet. If changes are implemented, it will be good for our industry in the long run, but it must be done right with input from as many tow companies and associations as possible. The people working hard to improve the industry are doing a good job; I just hope they get input from all the states. It could be a disaster if not implemented properly. As the article is titled “Be careful what you ask for, ...you might just get it!” 16
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Modernizing Your Towing or Roadside Assistance Business with Towbook B y To m Bacon, Co-Founder Many towing and recovery operators count on towing software to manage their business, and software is a key tool that companies use to succeed in today’s competitive business world. If your company works with motor clubs and police, manages private properties or does transport work, chances are that software will help you to run a more efficient company. Towbook Management Software is built for the cloud, so that you and your team can work from just about anywhere. With important features like digital dispatching, mobile apps for iPhone and Android, QuickBooks integration, and GPS tracking, Towbook supports companies of all shapes and sizes. It’s quick and easy to set up, and the software can be operational in only a few hours. Here are a few highlights of the features available with Towbook Management Software: Digital Dispatching: Towbook offers digital integration with most major motor clubs, and you can receive digital requests to your iPhone or Android device—no phone call required. Sticker App: One of Towbook’s fastest-growing features is our Sticker app. With the Sticker app, you can create a virtual sticker in Towbook and “tag” those vehicles that you might be able to tow after a few hours or a few days. When the sticker expires, you receive a notification that the vehicle can be
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towed if it is still in the same location. Mobile Apps: Mobile apps for iPhone and Android have become so powerful that managers and dispatchers can do most of their work right from their phones. With the Towbook app, you can receive dispatch requests, create calls, and dispatch calls to drivers from your iPhone or Android phone in seconds. GPS Integration: With integrated GPS, Towbook makes it simple to view the location and status of all active jobs, drivers, and trucks. Towbook offers integration with leading GPS companies such as TomTom, allowing you to send calls directly to the GPS unit in your truck. Drivers can use their GPS unit to navigate easily to the service location, and updating the status of the call on the GPS unit automatically updates the driver’s status in Towbook. Replay: Replay helps you to analyze the routes that your team travels over a period and allows you to take a deeper look at events that occurred on certain calls. The Replay tool can also be used as a training aid for drivers, helping them to choose better routes and to avoid certain areas. Automatic Mileage Calculation: Towbook can automatically calculate the estimated mileage of each call using Google Maps, saving you time and preventing driver mistakes. Direct Billing: Towbook allows you to submit invoices directly to many motor clubs, which will save you a
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tremendous amount of time. Towbook also makes it easy for you to track and manage all calls with an open balance. Roadside.io: Towbook’s “Roadside.io” feature delivers the latest customer experience capabilities to your fingertips, allowing you to provide an “Uber-like” experience to your customers. With Roadside.io, you have the option to share service information with customers while the service is in progress, which helps customers to understand the details of their service without calling for an update. You even have the option to send the customer a satisfaction survey once the job is complete. Roadside.io makes it simple for a customer or family member located far from the serviced vehicle to monitor the service progress from wherever they may be. QuickBooks Integration: If your company uses QuickBooks to manage its finances, you can sync your towing invoices directly with the QuickBooks desktop or QuickBooks online platform.
Tow Industry Software
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Letters and Forms: In Towbook, you can generate the necessary letters and forms for each impound with the click of a button. Pre-Trip and Equipment Inspections: Your driver can complete a pre-trip equipment inspection using the Towbook mobile app. Each inspection can be customized for your business to include the inspection checklist your drivers should use each shift. These inspections are available in a report that can be printed or e-mailed. Online Tow Requests: You can create a web-request form for any account, your website, and your Facebook page with just a few clicks. This makes it easy for your local accounts and cash/private calls to send new tow requests. Impound/Storage Management: You can track impounded/stored vehicles from start to finish with ease using Towbook; generate state letters, property release forms, release vehicles from the mobile or web application, track the history, and keep all pertinent information all
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in one place for future reference. Damage Forms: Using Towbook’s mobile apps, you can complete a vehicle damage report for any call, which protects you against damage claims. Add
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photos to the damage form, and ask the customer to sign off on the damage in the app. You can even e-mail the forms to your customer from the side of the road! Accident Reports: To facilitate insur-
Tow Industry Software ance claims, we’ve made it simple to create professional accident reports in Towbook. Accident Reports can include notes, photos, and detailed charges for each job. We help you to generate a great report in minutes so that you can collect as much information as possible for each job. Plate to VIN: No VIN—no problem. Towbook’s plate-to-VIN feature saves time and eliminates mistakes. Simply enter the plate number and the state in which the vehicle is licensed, and Towbook will return the full VIN with the make, model, and year of the vehicle. Request Customer Location: Today’s consumers expect you to find them quickly—even if they have no idea where they are. Towbook’s “ping” feature makes it easy to send a text to your customer, and if they approve the location tracking request, their phone will send the location of your vehicle to your dispatch screen. Driver Commissions: Are you tired of answering questions about the commission that your driver earned on a call? Towbook shows drivers the estimated commission of each call on the mobile app. About Towbook Towbook is the unquestioned leader in cloud-based towing software. We provide tools made possible by the latest technology, and we help companies to raise their level of service while lowering their operating costs. Free Trial, Free Setup, Free Support Towbook offers a 30-day free trial with free setup and support, and there are no contracts. Plus, you don’t need a separate Towbook license for each employee—your subscription includes unlimited user accounts! Towbook supports all types of towing and recovery operations. At Towbook, we take great pride in having the industry’s best customer support. Support is free and available 24/7/365—even on holidays. 810-320-5063 www.towbook.com
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The Beacon Software “Transition Team” Simplifies Switching Software B y Rod McGr egor
Beacon Software. The leading towing software company in the United States provides easy-to-use software for owners, dispatchers, and drivers. Has this ever happened to you? You know it’s time to upgrade your computer program, but you keep using the old one because it’s a hassle to change, or you know you should upgrade to a new cell phone or a new cable provider, but you postpone the inevitable because it’s easier to keep using the old one. We’ve all been there. Let’s face it – it’s hard to change software. That’s why we’ve created the Beacon “Transition Team.” We know it’s not easy for customers to change towing software.
It’s Hard for Customers to Switch Software There are many towing software systems out there–some new, some old. We’ve found that the older systems start-
ed off with great features but haven’t kept up the pace with newer phone apps, electronic dispatch capabilities, and integrations with motor clubs, GPS systems, and more. Also, the customer support to help solve problems is lacking.
Dispatch Anywhere now has lowered priced options whether you handle 5 or 500 calls per day. That’s why we’ve found that more and more towing operations have switched to our Dispatch Anywhere Dispatch Towing Software. They’ve come to the realization that they are spending more time working on their software than working
The Beacon Transition Team is comprised of a project leader, a data transition analyst and a trainer. Their job is to make the switch to a newer towing system easier for the towing operation. on their towing business. Like many towers, they like the new driver apps that make life easier for drivers and dispatchers. They like our electronic integration with motor clubs (more clubs than any software). They like the live map to stranded motorists that allows customers to confirm their location and view realtime driver tracking. They like the ability to set accounts to automatically email or fax invoices. Unfortunately, some customers maintain their current outdated systems because they feel it would be too much hassle to switch to a newer, less costly system. They are concerned that switching software systems would take too much time and effort. After all, they have enough problems keeping their heads above water with the day-to-day activities of running a towing business. Plus, they are accustomed to a current system and worry about staff training for new programs. Finally, they wonder if a new system will allow them to maintain customer history and data.
The Solution–The Beacon Transition Team
Fastest dispatch on the planet. Empower dispatchers to make accurate decisions quickly. 22
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For all of the aforementioned reasons, Beacon has created the Beacon Transition Team. It’s a team totally devoted to assisting the customer from transitioning out of an outdated system to
Tow Industry Software Beacon’s newer Dispatch Anywhere Total Dispatch Solution.
Best of all, it’s FREE to select customers. The Transition Team is responsible for: • Setting up the initial discovery session to learn your business and your specific towing operation needs. • Reviewing Beacon’s solutions and determining what the customer can use both short-term and long-term. The idea is to make things easy for your staff. We believe it’s better to walk before you run. • Assisting your staff so they can migrate customer data from your old system to the new system. • Setting up training sessions with your dispatchers and drivers. • Determining the “go live” date with the new system. We don’t just throw you the keys and expect you to learn to drive the system by yourself. We are with you every step of the way. We’ve handled the majority of these
Todd Althouse, Beacon President, has formed the Beacon Transition Team to help towers transition out of their outdated towing system to the new Dispatch Anywhere system.
Dispatch Anywhere is integrated with more 3rd party applications than any other software including QuickBooks, most GPS companies, survey/text providers, and more.
transitions over the phone, but if necessary, we’ll bring our Transition Team Leader to you to meet with your staff if necessary.
Are You a Good Candidate for the Transition Team? The No. 1 requirement to be a part of the program is a desire to change and grow your business, plus a commitment. We understand that change is difficult Integrated with more than 18 motor clubs. and painful because it requires a new way of doing things. But the towing operations that have signed up with the Transition Team and have gone through the process think back and wonder how they ever operated their business with the old, antiquated system. Call Mike Haney at 440-237-6653 or email him at: mhaney@beaconsoftco.com to see if you want to participate. He’ll send you a simplified “quick start” outline that makes it easy to get started.
Keep drivers working without bothering dispatch.
Mike Haney, Beacon Director of Sales, is currently selecting qualified towing companies to be a part of the Beacon Transition Team.
440-237-66537 www.beaconsoftco.com
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GPS Tracking / Mapping -Don’t Settle A Great TMS + A Great, Fully-Integrated Map = Higher Profitability B y Jim Sh ellhaas - R anger SST The towing and recovery industry has evolved with dispatching software and GPS tracking/mapping products as separate, disjointed technologies. Tow Management Solution (TMS) providers would boast about having integrations with multiple stand-alone GPS products. This is like a football team having multiple quarterbacks and thinking it is a competitive advantage.
than nothing, but imperfect at best. Over time, suppliers have been taking steps to reduce the problems with this disjointed approach by moving into the adjacent space with varying degrees of success. For example, some GPS products now offer dispatching. However, these horizontal GPS-centric products for fleets lack much of the industry-specific functionality needed for a Tow
ties of the TMS and the GPS product should be seamlessly integrated in one solution with the best in a TMS (call-taking, dispatching, lot management, accounting) and the best in mapping/tracking. Said another way, the answer is what Ranger delivers to customers - what we call SmartDispatchTM. As shown in graphic, the "big idea" is
Separate suppliers requires dispatchers to try and "manually" go back and forth between the Dispatch Board and a map to relate the location and status of multiple trucks with the multiple open jobs waiting to be assigned. It’s better
Management Solution (TMS). On the flip side, most TMS offerings are dispatching and accounting-centric and lack the robust functionality needed for tracking/mapping. The answer is obvious - the capabili-
the capability for dispatchers to assign the right truck to a job from the map. This requires that dispatchers can -- on the same screen -- review “ALL OPEN JOBS” and “ALL TRUCKS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY” to those open jobs, to
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Tow Industry Software map on the adjacent screen into SmartDispatchTM mode centered on the selected job and providing the dispatcher a view of “ALL OPEN JOBS” and “ALL TRUCKS” in close proximity. Dispatchers can define the relevant radius for evaluating deployment options. In addition, the dispatcher can choose to view only trucks that are “Available” or include others that are close to their “Drop” location.
3. Information Dashboards that are Fully Integrated with Dispatch
“MAKE THE BEST DEPLOYMENT DECISIONS.” The wrench/screwdriver symbols show the location and service requirement of other waiting jobs. The truck images (not clip art) show location, status, and the specific truck type. Dispatchers can "Drag & Drop" the truck icon to the job pin; the call will be assigned to that truck/driver and be sent automatically to the driver on their mobile device. Ranger's SmartDispatchTM includes many other differentiating features and benefits:
lion users per month. Next highest is Waze with 25.6 million, and then Apple with 23.3 million. Google Maps is on over 3.2 million websites. The next highest is Bing on only 11 thousand web sites. The statistics speak for themselves. Ranger literally invests thousands of dollars each year to bring towing/recovery/transport/PPI customers the best-of-breed in mapping capability.
1. Built on Google Maps
Clicking on a location pin next to the job ID in Dispatch automatically puts the
Google Maps is used by over 154 mil-
Dispatchers are provided with all relevant information on the map for ease and flexibility in using the map and/or the Dispatch Board together. • For Trucks: Information includes the status of communications with mobile devices in the truck, truck speed, idling, Engine/PTO/ Beacons On-Off. • For Jobs: Indicators on geocoding success (is there a bad address??), job information, truck, driver, and “Requested By” are also included.
2. Direct link from the “Dispatch Board” to SmartDispatchTM for Visual Dispatch
4. Previews of Expected Truck Route Dispatchers can view the route a truck is expected to travel along with estimates of the distances to the “Incident,” and then to the “Destination.” This view is available on the map "Overview" (e.g., request from owner), and available on a special tab to track the progress of a "hot job" or a driver that may have a propensity to go astray.
5. Pinpointing of the Location of Motorists in Dispatch In conversation with the stranded motorist, dispatchers can view the entered (or reused) address on a map in Dispatch and move the location pin. The navigation on the mobile device will take Volume 7 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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8. Multiple Options for Sourcing GPS Data Of the trucks moving on a Ranger map, more than 50% are using Ranger's proprietary, fixed-in-vehicle GPS offering. This very cost-competitive approach has the obvious advantages of being attached to the truck (not a driver). It includes options for vehicle connections to provide real-time On-Off indicators to Dispatch - engine, PTO, beacons, etc... Ranger generates alerts if the PTO is on a driver is not assigned to a job. The Ranger offering also monitors driver behavior (e.g., hard braking) and includes
the driver to the location as "pinned" by Dispatch resulting in faster service.
6. Preview of Routes and Locations with Google "Street View" Google continues to amass a library of pictures from satellites and along roads (almost scary). The Google "Peg Man" feature can be used to see street-level images in and around a site (e.g., the “Incident” location). The video player (see below) can be used to proceed frame-byframe along the expected route of the driver -- e.g., to identify potential issues such as a low bridge or a residential area with narrow roads.
7. Extensive Reporting Ranger provides a portfolio of reports including State Mileage reports for IFTA
needs, "Bread Crumb" trails to retrace the path of a truck/driver, an event log that links speeding, hard braking/cornering, and rapid acceleration with locations on the map where the event occurred. Another helpful reporting tool is "Stop Reports." Operating managers can select a truck and time period. The report then shows the duration and location where the driver stopped, along with any recorded events such as status updates and operation of the PTO. If managers see a "Stop" and there is a “Job ID” along with activities such as “Hooked” or “Dropped,” they can have confidence that the driver was "on the job.” In contrast, a "Stop" without a job ID, and an indication that the PTO was on, would be cause for concern -- is the driver "moonlighting?"
a battery for potential theft issues. The battery continues to track a stolen vehicle even if the wiring harness to the GPS unit is cut and enables “Alerts” if the truck is moving and the engine is off. Over 40% of the trucks on a Ranger map use the Ranger mobile solution as the source for GPS data input. The primary benefit of this approach is that the cost of a fixed-in-vehicle GPS offering is completely eliminated. Ranger provides a version of the mobile app that is built on the Android platform. In contrast to Apple devices, the Android OS accom26
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Tow Industry Software modates the continuous operation of the Ranger app in the background, so there will not be gaps/lags in GPS positioning information. (Also, for record-keeping purposes, Ranger saves/sends GPS data if the driver is out of coverage.)
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While this article focuses on Simpler, Smarter Dispatching, the scope of the Ranger Solution -- the #1 All-In-One Tow Management Solution -- is unmatched in both breadth and depth. The Ranger TMS includes links to motor clubs for dispatching, billing, and accounting with a link to QuickBooks for both invoices and payments. In addition, there are specialized capabilities for lot management, transport/heavy hauling, and private- property enforcement. The advanced, "mobile-enabled" functionality enables significant improvements in teamwork,
operating processes, and business performance. Ranger is a solution you can grow into and never grow out of. There is a library of over 40 training videos to help your team to quickly get up "the learning curve." 440-498-1495 www.rangersst.com
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Towing Software and SAT/NAV Integration By Nig e l Pe s t e ll, Seni or Par tner, VT S Systems Technology continues to add cost and information to the towing experience, not only for the towing company and its employees, but also for the customer--the person who is unfortunate enough to require the services of a towing company. However, there are multiple factors driving the advance of technology within the towing industry and the need to collect and process more information. Historically, mobile electronics began to enter our industry in the early 2000 with a dedicated device. Initially these were dashboard mapping displays which provided turn-by-turn directions to a known location for a vehicle operator. The next innovation was to collect the mapping data and using a transceiver, send and receive information between a home office and the vehicle. Enter the smartphone revolution and Google 28
Mapping, which opened the market with a lower cost generic option. This was followed by onboard sensors, security/awareness cameras and realtime video. The latest innovation to be added is electronic logging devices (ELD’s). This requirement was mandated by the federal government for most companies who operate a commercial vehicle. There are more innovations in the technology pipeline, all looking for your competitive investment dollars. Many of you reading this article will wonder why all this technology is necessary. After all, towing is a relatively simple process: you receive a call, dispatch the truck to the incident scene, recover the vehicle, and take it to a known destination. Then let’s examine who is driving this technology and the need for additional information or data: (1) the Federal
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Government (ELD’s), (2) Insurance Companies often masked as Motor Clubs, and (3) Tow Company Management.
The Federal Government Item1-The federal mandate to reduce truck accidents by using enforceable driver logs led to the introduction of ELD’s to reduce the number of overly tired drivers of long-distance rigs operating beyond their normal work hours. There are hard and software options from multiple ELD vendors including smart phone and tablet apps. Why, you might ask, is towing included in the ELD mandate, as most of our tow operations last no longer than 2 to 3 hours before a non-driving rest period? Here, in my opinion, our larger association missed an opportunity to seek exemption from the ELD mandate, which
Tow Industry Software
has added hundreds of dollars of cost to operating the average tow truck. However, rest assured that the driving/work data provided by millions of truck drivers will eventually be used to validate future legislation.
Insurance Companies Masked as Motor Clubs Item 2a.-Insurance companies are in the business of risk management, and to assess that risk more effectively, they need analytical data. If you operate a family-owned towing and vehicle storage business, then maybe you have noticed increasing tow-truck insurance premiums along with fewer insurance companies willing to provide coverage. Although this varies region by region, there is a com-
mon factor--insuring tow company vehicles is a money-losing proposition. It is reported that for every $100 received in premium revenue, the insurance companies who cover tow trucks are paying out $160. Some insurance companies have withdrawn totally from the market, while others have stopped accepting new tow company customers, and some are insisting on GPS/SatNav tracking data to evaluate driver efficiency and safety programs as a condition of providing coverage. The data collected will provide analysis on the stability of your operators, i.e. their driving habits, when evaluating your company as an insurance risk. This might be viewed as a form of influence or control, as you cannot operate without vehicle insurance. In exercising this con-
trol, it is possible that you may be asked to let go a driver who is a proven adverse risk before the insurance carrier will consider renewing your policy.
Motor Clubs Item 2b-Motor Clubs (although not all, but a great many) are owned and operated by major insurance carriers. Motor Clubs are primarily in the business of roadside assistance, for which they need towing and/or recovery services. Roadside assistance is a very profitable business, the profit is in managing the cost of service. Competing in the same market as other motor clubs where each is trying to find a niche where they offer a better product or service is an ongoing marketing challenge. One of those prod-
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uct features is the ability of a member who needs assistance to be able to track the tow truck that has been dispatched to their aid. To make this happen, the tow truck must be equipped with a GPS/SatNav device which transmits information back to the company’s home office and from there to the Motor Club’s application network before it can be sent to the members smartphone motor club app, (program) which displays the tow truck moving to their location. A question to ask might be, how does a towing company afford the technology investment when the average motor club hookup fee is +/-$40. In cases where the Motor Club is owned by an insurance carrier, it is only a matter of time before the data is shared for industry risk analysis. Can you say, “Control of your Business?” The data collected can be broken-down into 3 basic components: security, safety, and control.
Tow Company Management Item 3. - Tow Company Management -
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all businesses seek ways in which to reduce cost. This is especially true with larger, established tow companies who often have a greater administrative burden. More and more advanced technologies enter the market every year, and unless you are an expert in the field, it is often difficult to keep up with features and benefits of individual products. Larger companies that require more specific data will often opt for a full-blown GPS/SatNav vendor such as TomTom, Spireon, and FleetUp etc. or whereas a small family business might be adequately served by a smart phone application from Verizon, AT&T, Sprint or just plain Google maps. There are exceptions to every situation, if your business revolves around motor clubs, then you might need to opt for a more sophisticated system in which the motor club requirements can be met. A simple strategy to follow is to make a list of what you absolutely need, (must have) what features you would like (nice to have) and features that do not
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add value to your business (bling). Today’s basic data should enable the towing company owner to monitor his/her operators, their location, driving style, and speeding infractions. All of this adds to the safety and security of the company’s operation, often reducing insurance premiums. Following the Y2K computer-date scare, electronic technology enhancements began to change the towing industry, initially with a simple dashboard or windscreen mounted GPS unit which provided a driver with turn-by-turn directions to a given location. From these early beginnings, we now have real-time on-board truck diagnostics reporting drivability and maintenance needs, dashboard cameras, and the ability to provide smart phone applications that track not only the tow truck, but also provide the end user with the ability to communicate with motor clubs and watch the process in real time. VTS Systems began offering fully integrated vehicle tracking in 2006 with products from Network Fleet, now part of Verizon. Satellite assistant navigation often called GPS in the United States rather than its global definition of satellite navigation or SatNav. Back then, it was an expensive new concept and early adopters of the technology measured about 2% of VTS Systems then customer base. By 2010 much had changed, and VTS Systems conducted an in-house review of the exploding SatNav vendor market and the technologies advancement. VTS Systems 2010 in-house review identified more than 100 different North American vendors offering SatNav technology with multiple features--each claiming a niche market advantage. It was definitely a “Buyer Beware Situation.” Of these more than 100 companies, some were original equipment manufacturers or OEMs with their own distinct technology while others were alternate vendors, sales agents, and/or service providers. The SatNav industry was in a startup mode and companies where vying for a piece of the market. Many of these (more than 100 start-up ventures) later leveraged their customer
Tow Industry Software
revenue base into an exit strategy, selling their company to technology consolidators (read long-term business strategists) such as Verizon and AT&T. Often, by luck or research, some early technology adopters selected companies who offered both a viable product and lasting service by aligning themselves with cellular companies such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and have continued to evolve and add additional features to their product offering. Today, basic features include the ability to track a moving vehicle within approximately 100 feet, to accurately measure its highway speed (+/- 3mph) using an electronic GeForce meter, and to measure excessive break-
ing and turning forces. The information often includes vehicle engine performance/diagnostics collected by electronic sensors and transmitted via a cellular data transceiver back to the company’s dispatch office. The SatNav industry is still maturing, and Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint have continued to consolidate the technology by buying smaller less efficient companies. How technology benefits the end user is often a matter of perception, you might suggest that providing the customer with the ability to visually track a tow truck heading towards them is a reassuring feature. However, there is little doubt that even at the right cost, this type of feature
while often desirable, does not decrease the time taken for the tow truck to respond. VTS Systems is the only North American towing and VSF management software developer that offers both a PC/server-based application and a web-based CLOUD application and will continue to support the evolving GPS/SatNav market and add integrated SatNav services as demand dictates. However, apart from a select few global OEM SatNav vendors who have the financial strength to weather market challenges, we suspect that dedicated OEM dash-board screen devices have a limited life as tablets and smartphone apps will have a cost advantage. Moreover, this hints that long-term smart phones and tablets apps will garner the lion share of customers as this technology continues to mature. 877-374-7225 ext. 2 www.vts-systems
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GPS Fleet Tracking is FREE By Je f f Pe s nel l - TO PS/Budget GPS Our company exhibited at many shows this trade-show season. I’m amazed at how many companies do not utilize a fleet-tracking system as a tool for managing their business. At the end of the day, these systems do not cost you a dime. They are FREE. Sure, you pay the provider for your hardware/monthly service, but you will realize cost savings (beyond the cost of the hardware and monthly service fees) much greater than what you actually pay. The most valuable physical equipment asset a towing company has is its fleet of trucks and equipment. If you have a fleet of trucks rolling down the road, you need GPS fleet tracking: As mentioned, we encounter many owners at trade shows and hear all kinds of stories. Here are a few examples which will certainly speak to some of you currently not using a fleet-tracking product. 1) “We have two trucks and my brother and I are the drivers. We don’t need to track each other.” Okay, so you and your brother are trusted, but what if you were more efficient? Who answers the phone? Who dispatches? Could they benefit from knowing your location? Could they save you a drive across town? Do you pass each other on the road headed to jobs? Here is a simple GPS ROI for small companies. Fuel $3.54 a gallon. Your truck gets 10 miles to the gallon. If you could save 100 miles of unnecessary driving a month, you just saved $35.40. That equals a free GPS month with lunch money to spare. 2) “We are small. We just purchased our 4th truck and are thinking about it.” I understand money is tight, but for an initial investment of $400 and $80 a month, you are tracking your fleet. 34
Now first apply the ROI logic from #1 above where you have now just paid for your GPS system. Now let’s assume you become more efficient (trust me, you will), and you are each able to run an additional job a week (I’m being ultra conservative here,) and your profit is $60 per call--total $240. You just paid for your GPS system and have increased revenue! Now we are getting somewhere!
4) “We have 23 trucks, but I know where my guys are at all times.” They are too busy to do anything other than the jobs we give them. Awesome, you got this! Do any of your drivers take their vehicles home? “A few” you say. Hmmm, how often does your truck run during off shifts or weekends? You may allow this, but to what end? Apply the other scenarios from above.
3) “I have ten trucks, and I’m afraid of what I might learn if I were to start tracking my drivers.” If this is the case, you likely have an issue to address. Sooner is better as you are certainly losing money, whether it’s side trips, personal business or other activities. The sky is the limit. Now factor in the cost of your annual insurance premium, truck maintenance, all while applying the two scenarios above. Don’t wait another minute.
A relatively small investment can pay off in big dividends if it prevents just one vehicle loss due to theft or operator negligence or to resource management or worse – a liability lawsuit. Many GPS systems can send alerts when things happen such as when a vehicle is speeding or if it enters or leaves a certain area or zone. In addition to knowing the location of a truck if stolen, a GPS device will keep track of that truck’s location and movement. This allows a business owner to
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Tow Industry Software guarantee that the asset is being used for the benefit of the company and not for the benefit of others. GPS devices can also sense when the PTO is engaged, which is a telltale sign that the truck is in use. If a towing company is not currently using truck-mounted GPS devices to monitor its trucks, the owner of those trucks could be in for a rude shock. If they think they know their employees and they know where their trucks are, there is a chance they are being used, at times, for other activities. Using the GPS from an app on a driver’s phone might be fine for some things, but it is no substitute for a device that is hard-wired and discreetly mounted in the truck. The GPS device is only half of the story. The other half is the software interface designed around the device. What good is knowing the lat/long of a truck if you don’t know where that is on a map? A good GPS system relies on software that is engineered to support the user and the business that they are in. The BudgetGPS
system is a vehicle and fleet tracking solution geared for any industry but is specifically tuned to support the towing industry. BudgetGPS integrates with the TOPS® software to offer a true visual dispatching tool where users can view current vehicle locations and unassigned pickup and drop-off locations – all on the same map. Icons are color coded allowing a visual picture of calls, in-process or clearing. Knowing this information can save time, and time is money. Additionally, users can monitor ETA’s based on mapping calculations of drive time between the truck and pickup locations. BudgetGPS delivers a full set of features for a single low price. These include things like Live Map, with 20-second vehicle updates and live Google traffic for both the map and satellite views, a historical breadcrumb view with 6 months of history, Alerts and Monitoring for PTO, GeoFence, Ignition, and Speeding. Reports include Driver Distance, State Mileage, Stops, Speeding, and more.
About Our Company TXI Systems, Inc. dba towXchange markets and sells towing-management products under the brand name of TOPS®. The TOPS® suite of products is deployed to private-tow operators, municipalities and law enforcement. TOPS® software tools support towing dispatch, freeway service patrol, impound-lot management, private- property towing and more with efficiency, transparency, and accountability in mind. BudgetGPS fleet tracking is also marketed to the towing industry and offers a full-service fleet-tracking tool which includes visual dispatching integration with TOPS®. Let TXI Systems customize a solution for you today! For more information or to schedule a demonstration, please call 866-8008677 and press Opt. 2 or visit our websites. 866-800-8677 www.towxchange.net www.budgetgps.com
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Swoop and Nick’s Towing Provide Solutions for the Entertainment Industry With Help from Swoop, Nick’s Towing Transports Equipment for Several Important Clients in the World of Film and Television B y M ic hael F r ank - Swoop For Nick’s Towing of Rutherford, New Jersey, an average day is often far from ordinary. Nick’s handles everything with light-, medium-, and heavy-duty towing divisions, as well as a full transportation division. While the company does handle standard roadside and recovery jobs, they also have a great deal of experience in some specialized corners of the towing industry — most notably, working with special events in New York City, and also with the television industry. Nick’s Towing is currently doing work for the hit CBS show “Bull” transporting and supplying high-end automobiles, as well as using their 40 and 75-ton rotators for special jobs on scene. “We are proud of the work we do for the TV and movie industry,” says Nick’s son, Nicholas Testa, who is Vice President of the company. “Most recently we worked on the Netflix 38
TV show ‘Maniac’ starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill. We also positioned some storage containers for the Grammys when they were held in New York City. The expectation level of our customers is extremely high. We need to provide premier service with updated, spotless equipment and trained, professional operators.” With so many high-profile clients among their regular customers, Nick’s Towing needed to make sure they were providing all their clients with the best service possible. That’s where Swoop’s tow management software came in. When Nicholas graduated from college and stepped into his VP role with Nick’s Towing, he knew the company needed a cutting-edge software solution to keep up with advancements made in the towing industry. “When I got involved with the busi-
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ness, they were still using the old DOSbased system, which is over 30 years old,” he says. “That old system was entirely manual. We inputted the invoices as they were completed. It was straight pen and paper.” He spent about six months trying out different software products (and discussing the pros and cons with his sister, Joyce Powers, who is also an integral part of the business ) to overhaul the company’s outdated dispatching system. That’s when they discovered Swoop. One aspect of Swoop that Nicholas really appreciates is the way it modernizes so many aspects of the towing industry. “Swoop is a platform for bringing in business in a whole new way--a way that fits the 21st century,” he says. “There are many people of my father’s generation running towing companies that may be hesitant to embrace new
Tow Industry Software
technologies. While the old guard did the grunt work to establish these businesses (which is priceless), we needed to go with software that gave consideration to the future. Many companies are not fully utilizing the technology that we have at our fingertips now.” Nicholas also stresses how important it is that any towing management software is not only innovative, but easy to use as well. “As far as the dispatching side goes, Swoop is above and beyond everything else I’ve used,” he says. “You have to remember that not everyone in this industry is a techie. Having a system that’s simple and intuitive to use is great.” With an operation as big as Nick’s Towing (The company has dozens of employees and nearly 40 pieces of equipment as well.) Swoop helps ensure that no vital info gets lost in the workflow. “The flow of information between people has increased dramatically with Swoop,” Nicholas says. “When you’re in a business that demands punctuality, having the information flow seamlessly between managers and drivers is something that’s very important.” This improved information flow helps Nick’s Towing ensure that everything goes smoothly when they take on critical jobs such as “Bull” where mistakes can cost thousands of dollars per hour. The future looks bright for Nick’s Towing and Swoop. Within a few weeks, Nicholas says that Nick’s Towing will “go full Swoop,” leaving behind their antiquated pen-and-paper dispatching system for good. 415-360-3328 www.joinswoop.com Volume 7 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional
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“Best Tools” You Can Depend On By To dd Wi l es - Best Tools
Best Tools is a family-owned and operated business which started over 35 years ago handcrafting lockout tools in the USA striving to have the best quality lockout gear in the industry. From day one, all Best Tools lockout-tool equipment was, and still is, 100% made in the USA along with using raw materials right here in America. Every lockout tool we make is produced from scratch right here in Northwest Arkansas. Because quality means durability, “our lockout tools take a lickin’ and keep on pickin’.” In addition to support businesses here, we are committed to learning from and growing with the ever-changing needs of all the industries we serve. In the last 5 years, Best Tools decided to make a jump to carefully rebrand and re-market the image and expand the product line outside of what we manufacture. We started hitting the streets getting the name out there and by request from a variety of customers, Best Tools grew. After diligently picking only the elite manufactures out in the market, we wanted to
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grow with only the best from wireless tow lights, emergency lighting, rigging and recovery equipment, tie-down straps, skates, transport and trucking products, wire rope, winches, and industrial radio wireless remote controls, suspension enhancement products to much, much more. The list will always be evolving to serve the customer in the best way. Best Tools offers a full domestic line with an imported option to satisfy every customer throughout all the different industries we serve. To this day, some of the dealers and relationships we have made with customers throughout the variety of industries we serve are still with us growing together. Also, in the last five years, we invested in a van that would hit the ground fully stocked with all kinds of products calling on industries from towing companies, mechanic shops, dealerships, body shops, construction companies, trucking companies, police and fire stations to municipali-
ties. If we feel you could use Best Tools products, we will stop and see you, now that we have two vans hitting the streets. Talking to customers face-to-face and establishing a relationship, we have modified and improved our lockout tools and have designed new products to help the towing industry. Just to name a few items, our Silver Snatcher lockout tool (our version of the Axle chain and Steering Wheel strap) has been a huge hit in the market. Now for us, it’s not just about success in the past making tools that match the variety of needs, it’s also about being relevant to today’s challenges, so there is always something new we try to bring to the industry every year. In the last year, so far, we have developed a hand full of newer products by high demand requests from our customers: One is the “Mega Bag," a bigger air wedge with a strong insert to get through the toughest doors in the market. Another is the " Average Joe” which is a smaller version of the very poplar standard magic wand for those who have a shorter reach and need some-
thing more versatile. The “Extra Long Magic Wand” is great for big trucks with a 70" reach. Also new is the “Slim-Picker” which is great for mustangs and convertibles with a slightly smaller diameter than the magic wands. So, you can not only get dependable, quality lockout gear from Best Tools, but now you can also get top notch rigging and recovery equipment, transport and trucking straps and restraints, emergency lighting and strobe light heads, truck accessories and work lighting, safety gear, wireless tow lights and wireless control systems, skates, winches, wire-rope and synthetic slings to much more. All of this is from a company committed to providing cutting-edge technologies inspired by direct customer feedback. Best Tools has always been a “grass root” business focusing on reaching out to the customer in a personal way. Remember, “When People Rely on You - You Can Depend on Us!” 800-541-8568 www.besttoolsusa.com
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Steck’s BIGEASY Lockout Tool B y John Br i l l e - Steck
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QUALITY YOU DESERVE By Ka t hy C o e , O w ner - Next Gen Tools
Next Generation Lockout Tool Company has set the standard for quality and craftsmanship in the lockout-tool industry since 1986. As a family-run company, we take great pride that our lockout tools and kits are made in the USA with the finest craftsmanship available. You can trust that buying from Next Generation Lockout Tools, that you are buying the best! There are some lockout tools that are a “must have!” The Inflatable Wedge is one of those. The Original Inflatable Wedge is a sturdy tool invented, patented, and created for the building industry to withstand a large amount of pressure. Once it’s inflated, unlocking is accomplished by simply guiding another lockout-tool favorite, the One Piece Reach-It™ to unlock target area. The Reach-It Tools come in a variety of lengths and styles. Other wedges to accompany your lockout tools are our Rhino™ Pry Wedge and Patriot Pry Wedge. Each Wedge is dual-sided and multi-functional, and they both feature a pry end to quickly open the car frame to create an opening for the Long Reach Tools and Air Wedge for fast auto opening. In addition, the Patriot Pry Wedge has a rubber pivot to provide extra leverage without damaging the vehicle. Our AK49 Kit is “hands down” the most popular selling kit in our product line. The AK49's cool camo bag is stocked with our best-selling lockout tools, including the AK Reach-It! This lockout kit also features four wedges and an instruction book. Remember, when you buy Next Generation Lockout Tools, all the chrome wire tools come with a lifetime warranty against breakage. Our promise to our customers is to provide you with the best tools possible and to treat you how a valued customer should be treated. We work very hard to ship orders quickly, accurately, and with friendly customer service. We understand with today’s economy, people do not want to spend their hard-earned money on “disposable” lockout tools. Once you try Next Generation Lockout Tools, you will see why our tools are made to last! 800-874-5625 www.nextgentool.com 44
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By Ju lia n Packin - Access Tools Access Tools products make your job easier and more professional when working as a tow truck operator or repossession agent. The process of car opening can either be easy and profitable or difficult and costly. Access Tools products are designed to make every lockout efficient and professional whether the technician is a seasoned pro or novice. Access Tools takes a simple item like a Long Reach Tool and turns it into a highend professional tool by adding some unique features. All Long Reach Tools from Access Tools feature a unique vinyl coating material that will not scratch a vehicle’s delicate finish. In addition, all these tools are constructed of a carefully chosen no-rust alloy metal that will last through thousands of jobs without fail. Access Tools’ Long Reach Tools feature computer-designed precise bends which mean the tools all reach the right spot every time. Small nuances like the nonslip non-marring protective tips at the end of the tool are what set Access Tools apart from the rest, which are typically a 46
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slippery vinyl tip. Most Access Tools Long Reach Tools even come with a few extra tips stored inside the patented Store-N-Go handle. Each of the four sizes of the Air Jack air wedges from Access Tools are manufactured of ballistic nylon, which makes them extremely durable. They feature unique rounded edges, which in combination with the internal stiffener, make any Access Tools air wedge easy to insert into a vehicle without risk of damage to the delicate weather stripping. The extremely durable ballistic nylon is double sealed at all seams, making them leak proof and strong enough to last for many years without failure. Access Tools also manufactures a line of Button Master tools that is second-tonone in construction and quality. The difficult job of handling a vehicle with a vertical lock button is turned into a beautiful ballet of car opening procedures when using the right tools. The standard Button Master, Stainless Steel Button Master, Heavy Duty Button Master, and extra-long Mega Master all feature the same protective coating as the other Access Tools Long Reach Tools. These tools are extremely flexible and allow the user to bend the tool into any desired position for any vehicle application. They all feature
improved internal no-curl wire technology that enables these tools to open thousands of vehicles during their lifetime. Access Tools has compiled its tools into various sets or kits of tools. Access Tools makes a set of tools for every budget and level of expertise making unlocking any vehicle from a Toyota to a Jaguar a cinch. The addition of specialty accessories and tools is another thing that makes Access Tools unique. They are the manufacturer of the world’s most popular long reach tool kit, the One Hand Jack Set. This set includes the most widely used long reach tools and accessories in the market such as the Quick Max Long Reach, Air Jack air wedge, One Hand Jack pry bar tool, Button Strip tool for vertical lock buttons, and Heavy-Duty
Carrying Case. This kit includes all the tools required to access virtually any vehicle on the road today. Taking things one step further, Access Tools has developed the Ultimate Long Reach Kit. This tool set is designed to include a wide variety of long reach tools and accessories to make entry into any vehicle an efficient and damage-free process. This 21-piece kit is the most comprehensive and complete long reach tool set ever made. This kit includes one of Access Tools’ top selling specialty accessory tools, the Glassman Wedge. This wedge was designed specifically for frameless window vehicles such as BMWs and Mercedes Benz’s. Vehicles with frameless windows are a real danger with automotive glass known to shatter with just the slightest wrong move. This Glassman Wedge puts a protective layer of material between the long reach tool and the window glass, all while creating the space needed to safely insert the tool into the vehicle ensuring no damage is done to the delicate glass. With this kit in your toolbox, you will never need any other tools to perform world-class professional lockouts. 800-323-8324 www.caropeningtools.com
Access Tools
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UPGRADING LED HAZARD/WARNING STROBE LIGHTS:
THE FUTURE IS NOW
LED technology reduces power consumption while increasing the brightness of hazard and warning lights used in construction vehicles, utility vehicles, snowplows, and tow trucks To ensure the visibility and safety of everyone on the road, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) mandates that vehicles such as construction, utility, tow and snowplow trucks are equipped with hazard and warning lights. Whether roof-mounted beacons or directional surface mounted to the vehicle’s body or grill, these flashing strobe lights to capture the attention of motorists and pedestrians and warn of a potentially hazardous activity or situation. Available in several colors – amber, 48
white and blue – and a variety of pulsating strobe effects, these lights come in several SAE classes and mounting styles depending on how quickly the vehicle will be moving. Now, however, as the lighting world continues to transition to LEDs, these hazard and warning lights are now available in low electrical consumption, long life models that far exceed traditional halogen or gas-discharge options. Making this move even more attractive for fleet managers are the plummeting prices of LED technology, which have decreased to the point that many vehicles that require Class 2 lights are instead being outfitted with brighter, Class 1 options given the minimal price differential. “Today, the entire hazard and warning light industry is undergoing a significant sea change – namely, the industry’s shift to LED technology,” says Chris Cammack of Grote Industries, a US-based manufac-
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turer of vehicle lighting and safety systems for that has offered warning strobe lights for over 20 years, including an array of LED models. “The reason for this migration comes down to three factors: energy efficiency, longer service life, and brightness,” adds Cammack. “LEDs consume less power than any other lighting technology on the market and are powered by low voltage, allowing for minimal draw of electrical current from the vehicle’s battery.” By contrast, halogen lights draw an excessive amount of current, which can eventually lead to draining the vehicle’s battery. In addition, they are known for poor energy efficiency, with halogen lights losing as much as 95% of their energy to heat. Gas-discharge strobe lights are equally inefficient. However, unlike halogen lights it is not due to excessive current draw, but instead the intense and concentrated heat generated by the strobe,
which can significantly shorten the service life of the flash tube. LEDs, on the other hand, consume only 25 – 35 percent of the power of gasdischarge strobe and halogen lights. As a result, LED strobe lights have a service life that is 10 times longer, often lasting 70,000 hours or more. With most of the world transitioning to LEDs, the quality has also continued to improve as well. In the early days of LEDs, they were not bright enough to meet SAE requirements for luminous intensity of hazard and warning lights, measured in candelas. However, technology has advanced and LEDs are now as bright – if not brighter – than the average strobe or halogen light. “LEDs today are much brighter,” says Cammack. “Today, they are more than bright enough to meet the SAE standard for candela over 100 feet.” Another barrier to early adoption was the initial price point, another aspect that has dramatically changed in the past decade, says Cammack. “The cost to upgrade to LED strobe lights was prohibitive, at least initially,”
explains Cammack. “Fortunately, the prices have come down significantly in the past 10 years, and now they are about the same.” In fact, Cammack believes LED models will soon become less expensive as fewer manufacturers make models with outdated technology. Companies like Grote have phased out other technologies in favor of LED only. “Fewer companies are manufacturing gas-discharged strobe warning lights, so the price of those units is actually going up,” says Cammack. “In a couple of years, it will actually cost more for a gas-discharge or halogen strobe.” For manufacturers such as Grote, the options are virtually unlimited. The company offers Class 1-3 permanent, vacuum and magnetically mounted beacon lights in both regular and high profiles and a myriad of strobe patterns. Most of the company’s LED offerings only draw 0.4 – 0.35 amps at 12 VDC. The company also offers LED directional surface-mount strobes in 3, 6 and 12 diode options that feature 12 different selectable flash
patterns in either of two phases, including “steady-on.” These too, require only about 0.1 amps per diode. 20, 30 and 40-inch LED “traffic directors” with 34 warning flash patterns and 5 phase options are also available, which are ideal for mounting on front push bumpers, pickup trucks, headache rack and running board lights. Cammack adds that it is important when upgrading to LED strobe lights to be cautious when purchasing inexpensive, imported products. Although they may be cheaper initially, some overseas suppliers utilize lower quality LED components. Moreover, it can become an issue of warranty claims arise. 800-628-0809 www.grote.com/warning-hazard/
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Hooked UP POLYMATRIX Ultra-Clean Polymatrix Ultra Clean is a tri-molecular titanium bonding spray-on coating that puts a protective barrier around the surface of your vehicle while dramatically enhancing the shine. This barrier protects your surfaces from brake dust, road film, road salt and more. The result: A One of a Kind - 3D Shine that leaves nothing but perfection. Shine and Protection for up to 14 months with Polymatrix Ultra Clean! Incredibly easy to use, simply spray on and wipe off. We believe Polymatrix Products, when applied to any glass, metal or plastic surface can increase its' ballistic and thermal resistance exponentially. Polymatrix Ultra Clean is a Photo & Thermally Initiated, Electrostatic, Electromagnetic, Tri-molecular Physiochemical, Polymeric Bond. How do we do it? The Polymatrix trimolecular polymetallic formulation of its photo thermal initiated, trimolecular, physio chemical, polymetallic bond‌ achieved by electro mechanical, cyclo-magnetic thermal cohesion. Polymatrix products have been applied to Aircraft, Autos, Agricultural and Construction Equipment, Boats, Buses, Glass, Metal Surfaces, Recreational Vehicles, Trains, Trailers and Trucks for over 20 years.Polymatrix Ultra Clean is available in a 4oz kit, 24oz, 1 litre, and 1 gallon sizes. www.protectivecoatingsystems.com
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Hooked UP Specialty Automotive and Diesel Brushes Brush Research Manufacturing is proud to offer one of the most complete lines of Specialty Automotive Brushes on the market today. This unique collection includes brushes for Cummins Group, Detroit Diesel, Caterpillar and International Harvester. Our custom diesel brushes assure a superior rebuild with a minimum of labor. BRM brushing tools set the standard for quality and long life. Specialty Diesel brushes are used to
remove rust, carbon deposits and dirt and are designed for efficient, thorough cleaning. Our specialty brushes are designed for injector, copper cleaning, seat cleaning, injector cup and plunger bore applications. Surfaces are cleaned and polished to insure perfect seating and sealing. Specialty diesel brushes from BRM are a valuable, labor saving tool for diesel rebuilders and mechanics. www.brushresearch.com
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Hooked UP Roadside Creeper The Roadside Creeper keeps you clean, dry, and warm when hooking up a vehicle or removing a driveshaft. Saves your knees when changing a tire. The ultimate comfortable clean mat for the towing professional. When getting under a vehicle where there is low clearance, the Roadside Creeper is your product of choice. When deployed it is an extra large 2' wide by 4' long size, and folds in half to a small 2' by 2' footprint that fits behind any truck seat. www.caropeningtools.com
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Dealers place
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market place
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COMPANY
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PG
COMPANY
PG
COMPANY
PG
Access Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
FlowStop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
All American Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Hal Kresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Safety Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover
American Safety & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Haltz Gloves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Sanderson Truck Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Atlanta Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Hide-a-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Spill Tackle Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Austin Hinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Holly's Towing Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Steck Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
INA Towing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Swoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Auto Data Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Tomar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Jerr -dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover
TomTom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Best Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Len Zermenos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
TOPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Towbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Budget GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Custer Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Towing Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32, 33
Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
TowMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
CW Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Mike Keith Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
TruckMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 United Plastic Fabricating . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Diesel-site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Next Generation Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Don Jackson Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Progressive Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Driveline Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
ProLift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Ranger SST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Eatern Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
ECM Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Rick’s Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Fallsway Towing & Recovery Equipment . . . . .54
Robert Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Fitzgerald Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
RP Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
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VP Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Waters Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Weiss Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Will-Burt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Wrecker Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Zellner Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45