Tow Professional - Volume: 7 Issue: 8

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TOW PROFESSIONAL

Volume 7• Issue 8 2018

CONTENTS

www.towprofessional.com

SAfety Products I N D U S T RY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

24| TowMate® 26| Prolift, LLC 30| Custer Products

Feature: Truck Bodies 32| United Plastic Fabricating’s PolyBodies®

6| Jerr-Dan 8| Miller Industries 10| TomTom Telematics / Bill Jackson 12 | TRAA

38| Renew Truck Body 42| Holmes TSV and LSV 46| Dynamic’s Superman Unit

TIPS For towers 14 | Social Media - Friend or Enemy?

An Expert Witness 16 | This One Got to Me!

Insightful talk 20 | Where are Your Tows Coming From? 50 | FlowStop 51 | RP Consulting

Tow Photos 52 | Bambarger Wrecker IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Editor’s Letter 54 |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 8 2018 www.towprofessional.com

Service Trucks and Top Products Yes, before Halloween candy corn and talking pumpkins even made it to the shelves, Santas had already infiltrated their way into the store aisles signaling to us that it was time to start spending money for the holidays and start thinking about the coming new year. With the economy being the best it has been in years, this is a strategic time to grow your business to new levels both now and on into 2019. Don’t stay behind the 8-ball--investigate new products, educate yourself on what your next step is in growth for your business, and make a move. In this issue, we are giving great opportunity for that focusing on the best in service trucks and how you can upgrade your current truck with new products and features while saving money. We are also spotlighting excellent products such as light bars, lift bags and more to make your recoveries more efficient, cost effective, and safe. Our new writer, James E. Lewis, Technical Expert Witness/Consultant, will be empowering you as a tower to protect yourself and your business through his industry-based eyewitness perspective on legal cases that have been filed and won against towers such as the one in his “This One Got Me.” Also, he will help you reduce liability from social media posts with his shared insight in “Social Media—Friend or Enemy?” and even help you with ideas on how to use it to build up your business. Go ahead and set your calendars for our 2019 Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash August 7-10 in beautiful, white-sanded Orange Beach Alabama. You can go to www.southerntowexpo.com to register for the level 2/3 training certification with WreckMaster (8/7-8), our 3rd Annual Deep-Sea Fishing Trip (8/8), our trade show (8/910), and child care for the night at the Flora-Bama (8/10). Also, be looking for our year-end “Top Products” issue which is an excellent guide to sit down with while you are making out your 2019 budget, and then keep it close to you through the year as you purchase new industry- leading products. Every year we spotlight the hottest products that have come across our desks from manufacturers, dealers, and service providers in the towing market because we are a product-driven magazine-- all about products all the time.

PUBLISHER Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com

Butch Cole National Sales butch@towprofessional.com __________________________

PRODUCTION Gene Eudy Editor gene@towprofessional.com

Dana Scott Creative Director dana@towprofessional.com __________________________

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Anderson - TowMate Pat Cahill - United Plastics Fabricating Lynden Cox - Prolift Andy Haag - Custer Products Bruce Jackson James E. Lewis Robert McGinty - Renew Truck Body Dan Messina

__________________________

Keep Reading and Stay Safe, Executive and Advertising Offices Gene Eudy Editor, Tow Professional

2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B Birmingham, AL 35244 Toll free: 888-802-8544 Fax: 205-978-1550 www.towprofessional.com Tow Professional is published nine times a year by Over The Mountain Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26308, Birmingham, Alabama, 35260, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices. Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Recovery's Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.

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

Jerr-Dan Offers New Product Warranty Program for its Entire Line New One and Five Year Warranty Began October 1st.

offering this new warranty, Jerr-Dan endusers get the protection they need for their long-term investment.” The enhanced warranty offers industry-leading coverage for all Jerr-Dan new products. Some of the key features of the warranty includes the following:

Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation Company and a single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, today announced it is now offering a one year (full) and five year (structural) warranty on its entire product line of carriers, wreckers and rotators. The product warranty will be offered on new products purchased beginning October 1, 2018. The new warranty program was developed to further strengthen Jerr-Dan’s long-term promise to design and build the highest quality products in the industry. “We understand that buying a JerrDan product is a significant investment for the long haul,” said Richard Del Campo, vice president, general manager at Jerr-Dan. “As we continue to lead the industry with a new warranty offering, 6

our customers should feel confident that they are getting top quality trucks that they can depend on, offering longevity and delivering overall value.” Compared to other towing equipment manufacturers, this is one of the most complete warranty plans currently available in the industry. The new warranty program covers many critical areas, including, among other items, the carrier’s deck and subframe weld, as well as the wrecker’s subframe, wrecker boom weldment and underlift weldments. “By offering one of the best warranties in our industry, Jerr-Dan reinforces its unsurpassed commitment to product innovation, quality, value, and customer service,” said Michael VanAken, director of aftermarket support for Jerr-Dan. “By

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• Jerr-Dan Corporation shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in its new products for twelve (12) months from the warranty Start Date. • In addition, Jerr-Dan shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in select components for five (5) years from the warranty Start Date. • Furthermore, JERR-DAN shall repair and/or replace defects in material or workmanship in the Hydraulics (excluding hydraulic hoses) of the Model XLP Carrier for three (3) years from the warranty Start Date. • Jerr-Dan agrees only to repair or replace at its own expense, F.O.B., the place or places of manufacture, any part or parts of the product found to be defective in material or workmanship, provided Jerr-Dan is notified of such defect or defects within the applicable warranty period and given a reasonable time to correct the defect. For more information on Jerr-Dan products and the product warranty visit the website. www.jerrdan.com www.towtrucksfortots.com



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

Lifting the Bar for the Towing Industry Miller Industries to Offer Redesigned Wider Towing Forks

Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. unveils their newly redesigned 5inch girth towing forks for towing class-8 heavy trucks. These redesigned forks will become available in January 2019 and are manufactured to fit into the standard Miller Industries fork receiver. These wider towing forks are universal and can be used on all Century and Vulcan heavy-duty units. Miller Industries began working with the over-the-road chassis OEM manufacturers and their suppliers as soon as they heard that there was a change in the works for the over-the-road LTL truck axle platforms. Knowing that this change would affect the towing and recovery industry, Miller Industries part8

nered with the axle manufacturer Hendrickson. The two companies worked to develop a solution that would accommodate the newly upgraded axle configurations. The arrival of a widerbased axle from Hendrickson sparked the need for this change. The updated towing forks are cast steel and have a wider base (throat) than the industry standard 4.5-inch towing fork. This new wider 5-inch towing fork makes it so that all three of versions (short – medium – tall) are no longer put in a “point load moment”, because the base of the axle now sits in the girth (base) of the fork. For close to a year, Miller Industries has been working directly with Hendrickson to revamp the cur-

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rent version of the popular towing fork to meet the new requirements. Miller Industries has done extensive testing of material content and has approved these new castings for mass production. Beginning January 2019, these 5-inch wide forks will become standard replacing the previous version fork on all 20ton and above units, and will be available as an option on medium-duty units. For more information on these new towing forks see a local Miller Industries Distributor. For the latest news and other product information from Miller Industries, please visit their online news feed at http://news.millerind.com. www.millerind.com



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

TomTom Telematics and B/A Products Sign Distribution Agreement TomTom Telematics is announcing a new distribution agreement with B/A Products to make the towing industry even more powerful with the latest technology. Under the agreement, B/A Products Co. becomes the exclusive towing distributor nationwide for all TomTom Telematics products. Towers will now have easier access to the WEBFLEET

fleet management solution, allowing them to more easily integrate with dispatching software and cameras. TomTom Telematics and B/A Products Co. are working together to help bring towers across North America up to speed with today’s technology. Our combined solutions help towers create better, faster connections to make better decisions.

Bill Jackson’s Wrecker International Newsletters 1976-1990 Most people in the towing and recovery industry know that Bill Jackson wrote a book on vehicle recovery-in fact, he wrote 8 of them, and they are all available on the internet at billjacksonlegacy.com. But many people don’t know that Bill Jackson published newsletters from 1971 onwards that cover stories from his customers and contain his insight into the world of vehicle recovery. How it all began was Bill Jackson started a wrecker club in 1970 and sent out club newsletters to the members starting in 1971. The early newsletters were called the “The Dail Holmes Club News.” This title changed to the “The Wrecker International Newsletters” in 1976 when he took the dealerships of WreckMaster, Vulcan, Century, and Nomar. These newsletters con-

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tained articles, short stories, and photos about the wrecker industry in the UK, Europe, Canada, South Africa, and the Middle and Far East. These newsletters were mostly sent to UK customers, but do cover a lot of USA customers and cover his travels in the USA as an instructor. I have managed to put these newsletters into a book entitled, “Bill Jackson's Wreckers International Newsletters 1976 to 1990.” This 300-page book contains hundreds of interesting cameos of wrecker history with photos and line drawings from that era that all have Bill’s unique way of writing and ideas in them. Anyone who is interested in the towing industry and its history will love this book. To order it, go to https://billjacksonlegacy.com/contact/.



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

Legislation & Your Business By Joanne Blyton & Elizabeth Martineau-Dupuis

“Legislation” is a word we hear all the time. Despite the repetition, many owners and operators still do not fully appreciate how legislation can impact their businesses from day-to-day operations to the bottom-line. Legislation is the government’s way of determining the rights and responsibilities of citizens and authorities. For example, the Montana Tow Truck Act establishes the rules, laws, and guidelines for towing operators throughout the State of Montana. You can bet that towing and recovery businesses within the state were impacted by that legislation. This sort of regulation has already been passed across the country from California to Massachusetts. While the intention is usually the protection of the motoring public and customers, much of this legislation is written by individuals who are not themselves tow operators or towing company owners. This presents the greatest threat to your livelihood as legislation written without the tower’s input is often the most detrimental. It is

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your responsibility as a dedicated professional to protect and work towards the benefit of the towing and recovery industry. One of your first responsibilities is to identify and engage with your state representatives and senators. Attend political fundraisers or make a campaign contribution when appropriate. Engaging with your lawmakers is key whether voting on proposed legislation, amending existing legislation or writing new legislation. Once you’ve established yourself as a constituent, you can reach out and ask for their assistance. Remember, they do not know your business. You need to educate them on how rules and regulations impact you and your employees. Be sure to gather support from other stakeholders such as your state towing association, realtor’s association, property management association or any companion industry potentially impacted by the laws under consideration. Note, some state towing associations are very legislatively active and already have mechanisms for addressing these issues--join them. If your legislator has agreed to address the issue, a draft bill will be written in accordance with state guidelines. The bill is then assigned to a legislative committee for consideration; if it passes, it goes to either the House or Senate for action. The bill could be voted on or referred back to a committee. You may even be asked to testify as an industry expert. This is not an overnight process, but

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then again, building your business wasn’t either. You need to be willing to give some time to ensure that towers have a say in your state’s laws. Volunteer and get involved; your business is riding on it.

Want to learn more? Register for TRAA’s Legislative Action Day in Washington, DC in March 2019. Learn proven techniques for legislative action, hold facilitated meetings with your state’s legislators, network, hear from special guest speakers, and more. Also for more information, go to http://traaonline.com/legislativeactionday/. www.traaonline.com



FOR towers By James E. Lewis

Social Media - Friend or Enemy? I’ve got a lot of contacts throughout the towing and trucking industries, and it makes me happy to see when a company owner brags on their crew, a new piece of equipment, branching out to a new location or other great accomplishments. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other communication methods are great for these purposes. I love to see posts like, “Johnny got a commendation from AAA for outstanding service after a customer called in and gave us a glowing review.” After working a bunch of liability cases over the years though and seeing a developing and necessary trend where companies are investigated after an accident or incident, I can’t help but worry about what some of my friends are posting in social media. The types of posts I’m talking about are the ones that further your liability after a situation – and could cause massive damage to your business, reputa14

tion, and future. I want you to think like a lawyer or investigator for a moment, and then think about the following statements being read aloud to a jury after you or one of your drivers has an accident and you get hauled into court: “I just did a 22-hour turnaround run from Kentucky to Pennsylvania and back to help a customer out!” Interpretation - It’s great that you worked hard, but you obviously violated state and federal hours of service laws. There’s nowhere in any of those laws that allows you to run for 22 hours straight. If the accident involved one of your drivers being tired and making a mistake, plaintiff’s lawyer can easily establish with the jury your attitude and company culture of regularly violating and having total disregard for operating laws and the safety of the motoring public. As an employer, your employee has an

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excuse based on a “systematically illegal operating environment” that it could be assumed that you use to pressure employees to violate laws and work past legal and physical limits. “She was heavy, but I got it done!” This is usually posted with a photo of your truck overloaded and overworked. Interpretation – Think about how a case could easily be laid out to where you have a total disregard for weights and measures rules to the point of where you’re bragging about it or showing off. In a seemingly innocent post with a photo, you’ve declared yourself a habitual violator without regard for public safety, your employees, proper training or the motoring public. “Check out my new gig for XX customer!” A photo of you is posted using your rotator or stick- book truck as a crane to place a large air conditioning unit on a rooftop.


Interpretation – Although you do, in some ways, operate a mobile crane, if you’re not insured for and trained on crane and rigging procedures, it can cost you dearly. At the very least, when you’re up for insurance policy renewal, and your insurance adjuster sees you using your truck as a crane, and you’re not specifically covered for that use on your policy – you’re in trouble with your insurance company, and your rates are going up. Suffice it to say, things like this posted on social media is one of the primary factors in towing company insurance going through the proverbial roof! “Getting it done!” A photo of a car carrier is posted with a vehicle on the deck and possibly one towed behind without proper securement: one chain on the rear, no additional safety chains or straps, no safety chains on the towbehind vehicle, no tow lights, and so on. Interpretation – Imagine an attorney showing a slideshow of your Facebook

posts where you have one chain on the rear of a car on your flatbed, and the lawsuit involves a vehicle that fell off your truck’s deck and struck a vehicle in the road, causing injuries or death? It’s very easy, again, to paint a picture of you as someone who doesn’t care about the rest of the people out there and does the job half-way. “Standards in the industry” will be spoken of by the attorney’s expert witness, and a jury full of people with no clue how to tow a vehicle will be educated on how it’s supposed to be done and then judge you on your actions. “Look what I grabbed!” A photo is posted of a vehicle you just repossessed. Interpretation – This is bad news as well. Posting any customer’s vehicle in any situation is a bad idea without having complete and total permission. On the repossession subject, it has special meaning and can significantly cost you and your business. Many states

have strict laws about how a repossession takes place and major protections in place for the debtor. It could be and has been proven (case law in place) that gloating over a repo victory by showing the debtor’s vehicle on social media is a form of collection harassment as it publicly demeans the debtor to anyone who recognizes the vehicle. It has also been considered a part of the “breach of peace” or “disturbing the peace” statutes that are in place in many states. Think long and hard and check your ego before you go bragging on your Facebook repo group about the car or truck you just grabbed. It could easily cost you your contract with the lender as well as civil liability. Many, many debtors obtain counsel before, during or after a repossession, and these attorneys are experienced in dealing with debt collection harassment. Make social media your friend--not your enemy!

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AN Expert Witness By James E. Lewis

THIS ONE GOT TO ME!

Do you have that one wreck, that one car or truck, that one incident that really got to you? I’ve been a tow operator, truck driver, military policeman, and expert witness, and have a souvenir of those sorts from each of those fields. As an expert witness in trucking and towing liability cases, I’m usually farremoved from the accident in question, the people involved, the vehicles, and even the attorneys – I do most of my work on the phone, through email, and by submitting formal reports and an invoice at the end of the case. This one got to me, though--and still does to this day. It gets to me for several reasons: it was totally preventable; it involved pride and ego; someone could have been killed and almost was; and it cost one man every16

thing he owned – everything he had ever worked for. I challenge you to put yourself in this man’s shoes and level with yourself, trying to understand if you’ve made such choices yourself. If you don’t take anything to heart that you ever read from me, take this story. You know I’m going to keep the identities of the people and companies secret, as I should, but I’ll tell you the incident happened in Mississippi in 2012. This case was settled and is now a matter of public record, so I’ll discuss with

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you the details. A gentleman had been towing for nearly 50 years. He was 74 at the time of this incident. He was in good shape, eating right, and keeping himself fit by working on his small farm and towing junk cars and trucks to the scrap yard. He didn’t do retail calls. Hauling junk was all he did. He had been with the same towing company for over 40 years and had driven the same tow truck for all that time. The boss bought this particular truck new for the man in 1972. The man owned 150 acres, had two modular homes on the property – one for him and his wife and one for his daughter, her husband, and their two kids. Everything was paid off: the houses, the


This man’s pride and joy, a 1972 Dodge W-400 medium-duty tow truck, wasn’t a good-looking truck at all. It was beat, ragged, had broken windows that were taped together with duct tape, had several holes in the floor, was dirty, and the wrecker body and lift assembly (a Wellsley unit), was a single-line sling system that had definitely seen better days. land, two pickup trucks, a car, a mediumsized tractor with an array of implements, and two ATVs. This man’s pride and joy, a 1972 Dodge W-400 medium-duty tow truck, wasn’t a good-looking truck at all. It was beat, ragged, had broken windows that were taped together with duct tape, had several holes in the floor, was dirty, and the wrecker body and lift assembly (a Wellsley unit), was a single-line sling system that had definitely seen better days. Although the thing wouldn’t win any

prizes at a tow show, it was functional and served the man well as he hauled scrap cars and trucks daily. The winch cable used for recovery and to support the sling assembly was old, frayed, and rusty. The winch itself barely worked. I have no idea when the grease fittings last had grease pushed into them. I inspected the truck after this incident, and saying it was functional, for the most part, was all I could do. The company he worked for had 12 trucks. The ones relative to this story are

a 35-ton Jerrdan wrecker on an International 9400 chassis, and a 16-ton Century on an International 4700 chassis. These two units are relative because they were both less than 10 years old, and it was discovered through investigation that the 74-year-old man had been trained and approved to use either of them. He refused, as they were “Bob’s truck” or “Tommy’s truck,” and he didn’t believe in jumping in and out of another man’s truck. Respect, sure, but ego and stubbornness played a part in this incident. I’ll tell you the story as it was given to me, and please apply the information I’ve already given you. The attorney called me after I was referred from ThompsonReuters, an expert witness placement service that I work for. After an initial email to see if I’m interested in a case, the attorney calls, and we talk about the specifics to see if I can truly get involved. I tell you – I seriously thought I was being

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AN Expert Witness cont inued asked to work against the tow operator and towing company since I replied to the attorney that the only thing this man did right was show up sober. The attorney told me that on the night in question, the older man was on call in place of the usual heavy- and mediumduty operators. Again, he had full permission and authority to use either of the two other trucks. A moving truck rental agency called the dispatcher explaining that a 26-foot moving truck was broken down on I-20. The man agreed to tow the truck and headed out. The time was around 2:30. He arrived on scene, greeted the young military couple doing a “do it yourself” or DITY move, and had them get into his truck. The couple said later that the truck was filled with trash, and you could barely see out of the windows because they were so dirty. I remind you that this is a single-line, sling tow truck. This rental truck company specifically forbids, through vendor agreement, from performing a sling-type tow on their units. The man grabbed his chains and set it up for a sling tow, pulled the truck’s driveshaft, put on the emergency flashers on the towed unit, and went down the road. No safety chains or tow lights were used. The tow unit and rental truck entered the freeway from the side of the road and sped up to approximately 50 mph. About a mile into the tow, the pair of trucks started across an interstate bridge, and the edge of the bridge seam (the metal edges on the concrete pads) was raised slightly, and the couple later stated that they’d “hit a bump.” This “bump” was enough to snap the single line, causing the sling assembly to drop down to the lower rear of the tow truck. The tow chains used in the sling setup quickly unhooked and unraveled, and the rental truck broke free from the tow unit. The rental truck careened toward the center median, striking the concrete divider, damaged the truck’s left front corner and taking the left front wheel off. The Dodge W-400 with three 18

The man watched in horror as the car gathered up the mangled mess of steel and rubber, and as the tangled sling lodged itself in the front suspension and steering of the woman’s car, the car suddenly jerked and vaulted itself sideways, rolling seven times side-over-side, coming to rest in the center median about quaerter-mile past the rental truck. people inside lunged onto the right shoulder and into the shallow ditch, coming to a rest without striking anything. After the man got out of the tow truck, he noticed that the entire sling assembly and chains had been ripped away from the rear of his truck. He began frantically searching for this large gathering of steel, rubber, and chains. Just as he noticed the heaped mess of the sling assembly sitting in the left lane of the freeway, a lady in a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero coupe ran over the assembly. The man watched in horror as the car gathered up the mangled mess of steel and rubber, and as the tangled sling lodged itself in the front suspension and steering of the woman’s car, the car suddenly jerked and vaulted itself sideways, rolling seven times side-over-side, coming to rest in the center median about quarter-mile past the rental truck. The man, his two passengers, and several passersby ran to check on the woman. She was badly injured, but not dead. She had several broken bones and internal injuries, and it was nearly a year before she could walk again. She was in physical therapy for over 3 years, and still uses a walker to get around. Since I’m talking with an attorney, you know she sued. The attorney asked me what I thought about the case so far, and that’s when I rendered my opinion that the only thing the man did right was to show up sober. I thought he wanted to compile a technical case against the man and his company, but the attorney advised me that he and I would be working to defend them. I honestly had no idea what I could

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say to lessen the severity of whatever decision a judge and jury would levy against this man and his company. I drove to Mississippi and inspected the truck, inspected the company’s other trucks, and sat in on the man’s deposition. It tore me up, looking into the man’s eyes as he realized a little at a time what he was up against. As is normal in a case like this, the plaintiff’s lawyer sues every single party involved. They sued the truck rental agency. They sued Dodge. They sued Wellsley. They sued the towing company, and they sued the man – now known as a “separate civil litigant.” I knew the basics of the law in these cases, but I’m just a technical witness. Let me tell you what I learned. The rental truck company was exonerated because they had only called their authorized vendor for service during a routine breakdown. Dodge wasn’t held liable because the truck didn’t malfunction. Yes, Dodge was called on the carpet for a 40-year-old truck. Wellsley went out of business in the early 80s, and no one remained to be held liable, but it was determined that the single line cable was over 20 years old--20 years of hauling scrap. No liability assigned. The tow company was exonerated because they held annual, documented training, and each employee was cross-trained on all units. The man was authorized not only to use the medium and heavy unit, but everything else in the fleet. The man was solely liable: He chose to take his beat-up junker on a call, to violate the vendor agreement by performing a sling tow, to not use safety chains


(Heck, they weren’t even equipped on his truck.), and to take off without proper warning lights. The tow unit itself wasn’t rated for the front-end load dealt out by the rental truck and wasn’t authorized to tow a unit that heavy at all. The woman’s suit settled for $1.2 million. The man was forced to liquidate all of his property, houses, vehicles, toys – everything. The auction-style sale netted a little over $900,000. A judgement and lien were levied against the man and his estate for the remainder of the money. So, when the man dies, and his $150,000 life insurance policy pays out, the injured woman gets that, too, and the man’s wife and daughter will still have to contend with an unsatisfied lien with a balance of about $250,000. You are not covered by any company insurance policy when you are negligent. You are not assisted by your company when you are a W-2 employee. You have

absolutely no protection under the law if you are negligent. And by negligent, in this case, I’m talking about using improper equipment for the job and not conforming to company, state or federal safety standards. The reason this got to me was not only out of empathy and concern for the man and his family, but that I know that I’ve taken a shortcut or two in the past. I train people on a regular basis. They’ll use one chain on the rear of the flatbed or skip using safety chains or tow lights, or they will use a piece of equipment not rated for the job. Their answer when I ask about it is almost always the same: “I haven’t lost one yet, and I’ve been doing this for (insert time here) years!” I have two philosophies on this. If you’re doing it wrong, you simply can’t count it as time in experience. That only counts if you’re doing it right. I’d rather have a rookie who was trained correctly that some guy who claims 10 years’

James E. Lewis is the Transportation Curriculum Developer with eComply in Austin, Texas. He creates, develops and edits transportation training information to be used in video presentations geared towards safety compliance. experience but takes shortcuts. You may not have lost one yet, but you WILL--and when you DO, it’ll cost you everything you own!

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Insightful talk By D an Mes s ina

Where are Your Tows Coming From? As I look back 10 years, it was easy to identify where you were going to get your tows as you built your business. There are over 80 million tows required each year and motor clubs and law enforcement make up over 50% of the tows. Over the last five years, we have watched changes taking place in our industry that impacted our business one way or the other. Most of the 80 million tows came from the following sources: 1. City Rotation 2. Motor Clubs 3. Consumer 4. Body Shops 5. Private Property 20

Since 2014, AutoReturn has provided a dispatch, towing, impoundment management, and vehicle disposal for the city of San Francisco. Then AutoReturn started to expand their market. They started going into a major metroplex and bid on city contracts. Many tow companies looked at them as a threat and struggled to compete against them. Others were happy because AutoReturn used local companies to perform these tows. Their technology and business approach offered many cities a good solution for their towing needs. Was this good for the industry? Only time will tell. I was talking to a major motor club a few weeks ago, and they told me about

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all the changes in their industry: prices are going up; they are having trouble being competitive in their market; consumers are more demanding for a quality service, and the expense of a tow company to perform a tow has sky rocketed. Some motor clubs are changing direction on their type of services offered while others are going out of business. New companies enter the motor club market and offered the same type of service without requiring a membership to the consumer. Companies like Urgent.ly, Honk, and Swoop found major investors to help them develop technology and a business plan that allowed them to get a foothold in the market.


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Insightful talk cont inued Their approach sometimes does not agree with the tow company’s way of doing business, but changes will have to be made by the tow companies. In Texas, the new trend is to open a storage yard and let multiple tow companies bring their vehicles to them. The advantages for the tow company are:

1. A storage yard and the ability to bid on contracts. 2. No worries about state rules and regulations. 3. No overhead expenses of running a storage yard. 4. No staffing problems.

The downside is they lose the storage fee and auction revenue. The little guy doesn’t care about auctions; they just want one or two trucks and a few customers to take care of, and they are happy. Since most of the companies in Texas are three trucks or less, this approach works for them. The marketing approach for tow companies is also going through major changes. It used to be that a simple website was all you needed; now enters social media. With the Internet, Facebook, tweeting, and all the other media parts you must be prepared to change your strategy if you want to survive. I talked to a lot of my friends in towing, and they are using OMG, a social media company out of Florida that offers all the latest social media approaches. Technology has had a major impact on our industry already. Here are some of the changes that have taken place over the years: 1. Dispatch Software – Tow companies need a computer today to run their business. This type of software provides you with everything you need to run a storage and towing business. 2. GPS - Your drivers can’t hide anymore. 3. Cameras on trucks – This makes it easier to fight damage claims. 4. E-mail – Most potential customers don’t want to talk on the phone; they want you to send an e-mail. 5. Smart Phones – You can run your business from your phone. 6. Social Media – This is the towing company’s marketing approach of the future.

After working in the industry for over 25 years, I am going to introduce new technology (TowTrax) that will help sup22

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port the industry. I started by building a network of thousands of tow companies nationwide that respond to the tow request using smart-phone technology. If you’re a motor club, a law enforcement agency, or any source that generates a tow, our phone app will provide you with the closest tow truck available to you at a fair-market tow rate depending upon your request and the city you are in. Depending on your geographic location, we have established fair-market pricing for all tow service request from changing a flat tire to hauling a tractor trailer from a scene of an accident. Because of our network of tow companies, we can respond to any request regardless of what type of vehicle it is, or the type of service needed. For the tow company, TowTrax will: 1. Give tow companies tows they never had before. 2. Cut expenses by cutting the dis-

tance for each tow. 3. Provide fair pricing on each tow. 4. Offer no negotiating prices. 5. Get the tower paid immediately. For the motor club, TowTrax will: 1. Improve ETA’s. 2. Connect motor club to a larger towing network. 3. Offer no-negotiation prices. 4. Provide real-time tracking by customer. 5. Provide real-time tracking by motor club. 6. Improve communications with tow company. There are also benefits for each state association: TowTrax will pay the state association for each tow performed in their state using TowTrax. This is a big revenue stream the association does not have today.

This technology will be rolled out at the Baltimore tow show and will go live in January. If successful, this will be a major change in the industry that will benefit all. Just another one of the many changes that are taking place in the industry.

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TowMate

®

Light Bars for Your Service Trucks By C h r is A n de r s o n - Vice Pr esident, Tow Mate ® , LLC Be it coming to someone’s aid needing a flat tire repaired, emergency gasoline delivered, or minor mechanical issues addressed, a simple service truck certainly has its roles in today’s towing company fleets. Service trucks are most often converted pickup-truck chassis with any number of configurations of storage boxes for tools of the trade. These trucks are often equipped with a compressor for filling tires, jumper cables, possibly a generator, fuel tanks, and tools for performing basic mechanical repairs. Due to the nature of the job, these service vehicles find themselves on highways and roadsides nearly as often as tow trucks, which we all know poses major safety concerns. This is why it is crucial to equip them with strobes and other provisions that assist in increasing driver awareness and moving traffic over. Adding lighting to a truck can be done a variety of ways, but the most universal is the overhead light bar. Light bars today almost exclusively use LED technology to produce intense bursts of light while using minimal energy. While there are as many brands to pick from as there are days of the year, few stand the test of time, and even fewer still are made in the USA and carry warranties that will not leave you having to spend an arm and a leg to get your bar running were it to fail. TowMate has developed a series of light bars under their Power-Link line that install with just power and ground. They are essentially wireless and carry a lifetime warranty--all while being produced in the USA. Additionally, the optics (the mechanism that focuses the light) of their light bar modules are ideal for sending the light long distances and alerting traffic of a roadside workers presence while not blinding those in the immediate area. They call this Peripheral Parabolic Technology (PPT), and it is incredibly effective. All Power-Link light bars include multiple strobe patterns that can be configured along with traffic arrow patterns.

‘essentially wireless’ warning light systems, but it provides an assortment of strobe patterns, traffic arrows, and work lights (if equipped with white LED’s in the color mix). Further, it is fully configurable to activate with any of 20+ flash patterns to any of up to 8 inputs on a given Power-Link controller. You do the math… impressive, right?

The VIZ300 36” Visor Light One thing about the lighting on a vehicle, whether it be a service truck or otherwise, is the importance of ease of use. A driver must be able to activate their lights quickly and effectively in order to focus on the job at hand. No other company makes it quite as simple as TowMate with their line of Power-Link controllers, the most advanced version being the new PLC-TOUCH. With the Power-Link lighting systems a user can set all the lighting on a vehicle to operate in one way with the push of one button and entirely differently or in different groups with the push of another. All of this with minimal wiring involved.

The PCX48 Overhead Light Bar

The PLC-TOUCH Touchscreen Controller

In the event a light bar is not preferred or is not practical, there are other solutions to effectively light the truck and provide warning to passing motorists. For forward projecting light, one alternative is an internal visor light. The TowMate VIZ300 is a brand-new model that has just been released and offers unparalleled brightness and functionality to conventional visor lighting solutions. Not only is the VIZ300 part of the Power-Link line of

Other elements to the warning light setups on service trucks include body lights and grill lights. Often it is the case that the lights used for the grill can also be mounted to the truck body itself. In other cases, one might choose to have a light like the True Dual Color (TDC) technology WA400DC on the grill for forward projecting strobes and/or work lights while utilizing a combination lamp like the PLC4RND 4” round Power-Link light to the

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rear, both manufactured in the USA by industry leader TowMate. The combo lamps will act as stop, tail, turn in red and then switch to an amber or amber/white strobe with the push of a button on the controller. Even still, push another button and the light switches to a bright work light for area lighting at the rear of the truck.

The PLC-ARO51 Power-Link Traffic Arrow The PLC-ARO51 is literally shaped like an arrow and presents the greatest degree of clarity when directing traffic, although the lower profile PLC-TCA48 does a very fine job with the incredibly bright Class I LED modules, which all TowMate light bars contain.

WA400DC Grill/Body Lights PLC4RND Combo STT/ Strobe/Work Light Some companies may choose to present the greatest visual impact at the rear of the service vehicle by outfitting it with a traffic arrow in order to get traffic to move over. In this instance, there are several solutions available, but only one company with the ‘essentially wireless’ Power-Link technology integrated into it.

VoltMate Looking at adding a service vehicle to your fleet but unsure where to start? TowMate earlier this year rolled out a new

line of toolboxes that can drop into the bed of a pickup or bolt to the floor of a service van and contains much of the functionality one would need to handle most service calls. The VoltMate line of toolboxes integrate DC jump start power with up to 2,100 cranking amps, 110AC power with up to 17 amps of continuous draw supported, and a built-in compressor that will produce 120psi of air pressure at 4CFM. Talk about an all-in-one solution! There are currently three models available, each with various upgrade options that can be added: a chest version, a ‘crossover’ version that sits on the rails of a pickup, and a more portable version that gives you the power but not the air. The world’s population continues to increase daily, and with it the amount of traffic on the roadways. Be prepared when you get those calls for roadside assistance. Do yourself a service and contact your nearest TowMate dealer for more information on which systems may be right for you. www.towmate.com

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Prolift Lift & Catch Bags for Towing and Recovery B y L y n de n C ox, Ope r a t io n s Ma n a g e r, and Head of Pr oduct Development, Pr olift, LLC

With proven leadership in innovation and performance since 1999, Prolift is a premier lift-bag company providing top products made here in the USA. With the latest in cutting-edge technology, Prolift provides lift bags for those doing recovery and repair in some of the most extreme recovery and rescue conditions. Our durable bags can be used for a variety of 26

weight-lifting needs and are designed to last for many years down the road. In the past 17 years, 50% of our currently active customers are still using bags they purchased from us in 1999! Now, it is not just about being in it for the long haul though, it is also about being in it for the heavy-duty lifting challenges a tower faces today. Whether you need to lift 3

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tons or 80 tons, Prolift can provide bags and bag systems for your varying needs with such diversified applications as underwater salvage and construction, buoyancy, draft reduction bags, cable and pipeline installation, aircraft recovery lift bags, underwater vehicle catch bags and wrecker towing and recovery. Because Prolift has tested its bags in a variety of


situations, we are uniquely qualified to offer the towing industry bags that have remarkable durability and flexibility as they are able to adapt to the different scenarios a tow truck driver may face on a consistent basis in light- to heavy-duty recoveries. Here are some of the products we have to offer:

The Prolift Starter Bag For the lighter lift needs, the Prolift Starter Bag can be used with our wrecker bag sets or as a stand-alone lift bag for search and rescue. It has a double-layered top and bottom with non-skid fabric! You get 3 tons of lift power from this little guy at only 6 psi. The Starter Bag includes

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our standard flange inflation port, over pressure valve, 1/2” Air Coupler, two handles, 25-ft. industrial 1/2” EPDM hose, and carry bag. It lays flat enough when deflated to fit in less than a 2” cavity and is manufactured from specially formulated TPU Drop Stitch fabric which will stand for years of abuse.

Prolift Recovery Wrecker Lift Bag Set For the heavier and higher lift needs, Prolift has the Low-Pressure Bag System lift bags that operate at 6.0 psi maximum working pressure. It comes with low-pressure cushions that provide vertical lift over a large surface area and work espe-

cially well on thin skinned, light walled vehicles like aluminum truck trailers, tankers, buses or aircraft. The construction of low-pressure bags utilizes doubleply strong, reinforced fabric material for the top and bottom surfaces. The internal structure is designed with nylon strapping supports. The cushion itself is constructed of a simple MS4000 TPU Blend fabric that's fortified and bonded with specially formulated compounds. The largest low-pressure lifting bags are 60 inches in diameter and can lift 10 tons at a height of 110". Maximum lifting capacity is achieved only when the bag is fully inflated. Also, Prolift Low Pressure Systems have pressure relief valves installed at a working pressure of 6.0 psi.

(No Cribbing Needed!) If you are in a situation where you need maximum force and height, lifting capacity can be increased using two or more low-pressure bags side-by-side and simultaneously inflating the bags. This means that no cribbing is needed with Prolift Low Pressure Cushions to achieve maximize lifting height as well as lifting force.

Complete Sets of 40 to 80 Tons of Lifts When you purchase a Prolift Recovery Wrecker Lift Bag Set, you don’t have to keep making additional purchases to get what you need to do the recovery. Prolift includes what you need with every set: • 25-foot EPDM 1-1.25” Inflation Hoses with Choice Lock fittings • 10-Foot EPDM Black Manifold Hose with Cam Lock Fittings • 6 or 12 Bank Control Manifold Lightweight Aluminum Construction • Position Poles 6-12 ft, Adjustable Length • Gas-Powered Compressor Maximum Thrust Blower • 25-foot EPDM ½” Inflation Hose Starter Bags • Hot Air Repair Kit - Never Glue a repair again! • Instruction/Maintenance Manual 28

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you would never think of patching and when applied creates a water and air-tight seal that conforms in every direction, even over irregular surfaces. Also, not only is AST impressively adaptable, AST is cost effective--because it is reusable!

Prolift’s Wrecker Bag “5-Year Manufacturer Warranty “ Water and Air-Tight Seal Bag Repair: Aquantum Seal Tape Prolift does not just provide some of highest quality airbags in the industry and everything you need to use that bag, we provide a way to repair a damaged bag with an air and water-tight seal with our “Aquantum Seal Tape” (AST). We hired a marine microbiologist who formulated a blend of microbes and chemicals that will bond with any known substrate surface. AST will also contour to shapes and sizes

Prolift stands behind the quality and durability of its product by providing a 5year Manufacturer Warranty on its wrecker bags. Having fulfilled the conditions of the warranty, you will receive the following guarantee: During the two years after delivery date, your warranty will cover repair or replacement of your wrecker bags and/or catch bags. You will receive an extended three years pro-rated warranty for a total of five years. If any lifting bag fails due to defects in either material or workmanship while a trained profes-

sional operator is utilizing the lifting bag and /or blower system supplied, Prolift, LLC will repair or replace the lifting bag at our option. See our website below for more details.

As a company, Prolift does not just provide industry leading products, we provide industry-leading customer service to develop trusted business relationships for years to come. We have a high customer retention rate--yes from our quality products but more so from our business culture of trust, value, and reliability. Prolift is a company who delivers in time, on time, every time. We are built for professional, by professionals, and you can visit our website at www.profliftbags.com. To order products, call us at (850)-865-0119 or email us at sales@proliftbags.com. www.proliftbags.com

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Custer Products By A n dy H a a g - Pre si dent, Custer Pr oducts, Li mi ted

“We’ve been selling more than just lights for the past 25 years,” said Brad Custer of Custer Products Limited in Massillon, Ohio. “We’ve also been selling safety.” Custer offers a wide array of products for service trucks that will help you both see and be seen. Custer Products Limited sells dozens of varieties of work lights, roof bars, marker lights, Class 1 and 2 beacons, flashers, rooftop strobes, and light bars. “If we don’t have it, you probably don’t need it,” joked Brad Custer. When you telephone Custer, your call is answered by a customer-service specialist who will not only handle your transaction but will also offer recommendations as to what might be best for your specific requirements. “Sometimes our

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customers think they know what they need, but our experience enables us to suggest a better solution. We pride ourselves in our product knowledge and solution selling,” commented Custer. We also have a product expert who will help with any wiring issues or problems you may have during installation. “Service after the sale is the hallmark of our business. You also don’t have to hit a series of numbers and wait on hold. Who thinks that’s a good idea? We certainly don’t.” Custer Products is having tremendous success with its line of Lite-It Wireless Tow Lights. “We’ve achieved record sales in 2018 as of the end of October, and we had a record year last year. The towing industry is recognizing the quality and value of our wireless line. We’re grateful for this success and look forward to set-

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ting another record in 2019.” Most Custer work lights and light bars have an IP Rating of 67 or better. IP stands for ingress protection, and 67 means the product can be placed 3 feet underwater for 30 minutes without water leaking into the case. “With an IP rating of 67, you can rest assured your lights won’t fail in the field--even under the most extreme conditions,” commented Custer. 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of Custer Products. “We’ve never wanted to be the biggest, just the best,” remarked Brad Custer. “We think of ourselves as a ‘small giant’ in the towing and service truck industry. Our focus is on supplying high-quality products at fair prices coupled with extraordinary service. This formula has fueled our growth for the past 25 years, and we’re going to remain faithful to it. You don’t have to be the biggest


to be the best.” Custer Products, Ltd. sells hundreds of towing and servicetruck products through a distribution network that covers North America, South America, Central America, Europe, and Australia. Custer sells to distributors, both large and small, and has a significant presence with original equipment manufacturers. In addition to the towing and service-truck industry, Custer offers lighting products to the trucking, RV, off-road, marine, agricultural, and safety industries. Custer continued, “In the final analysis, we define our success from the viewpoint of the customer: exceeding their expectations, having a personal relationship with them, and making sure we are an extraordinary supplier to them. When we do that, everything else takes care of itself. “ www.custerproducts.com

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®

UPF Offers PolyBodies for Towing and More B y Pa t C a h ill, D ire c t o r of Sales and Business Devel opment United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. (UPF) has been the choice for first responders in the firefighting industry for over thirty years. But we offer more than just fire truck tanks and foam trailers. In the past seven years, UPF has designed and built several hundred PolyBodies® for lightduty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, rotator, and service truck applications in the towing, rescue, communication, wastewater treatment, street sweeper, sewer, and commercial applications. UPF designs and builds new and replacement PolyBodies® for light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty, rotator, and service-rescue battery trucks. These include new PolyBodies® built directly for 32

OEM’s such Miller, Dynamic, Jerr-Dan, Weldbilt, DeWalt, and Metro. UPF has also replaced various older body styles directly for tow companies owning NRC, Saferec-Bro, Century, Vulcan, Jerr-Dan, AATAC, and other trucks. In addition, we have designed full PolyBodies® for quick swaps and fifth wheel detachment units to accommodate Tru-Hitch, Zacklift and NRC models. The UPF PolyBody® services communities from Webb’s Towing and Recovery Service in Anchorage, Alaska to the Webb’s in Auburndale, FL. “The UPF Poly-Gen™ series represents the next step in the evolution of non-corrosive tow truck bodies. UPF has over 30 years designing and constructing water

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and foam tanks for fire apparatus around the world and has applied these proven practices to building bodies for the tow truck industry. Our bodies are made from the same high-impact resistant polypropylene material used in our water tanks and is guaranteed to increase durability and eliminate rust while saving weight. All bodies are custom built. We do not use any molding processes in the manufacturing processs, so we can tailor each body to your specific needs whether your truck is new or used. Our available on-site measure guarantees a perfect fit.” - Stan Wojonowski UPF Project Engineer,


TRUCK BODIES Placing an order shouldn’t be an ordeal for you, and it’s our goal to make sure. We work with you to address any concerns throughout the process and aim to give you the best service possible. Our employees have the requisite skills to tailor the ordering experience to fit your needs and have seen it all. Whatever your unique needs, we can help! “The process of ordering a replacement body is simple. Once the model style is determined, a quote will be generated for your approval. A deposit is required and then our body designer will discuss details involving dimensions, option requests, and specifications. We will do a mock-up drawing and can schedule a measuring meeting at your facility if necessary. On return, your design starts, and in a few weeks, you’ll receive an approval drawing. The next step sending the design to manufacturing and the process of assembly starts! All together the process in most cases takes about twelve weeks.” - Pat Cahill UPF Director of Sales and Business Development

“Each PolyBody® is custom-designed and hand-manufactured by welding plates of polypropylene material together. Technological advancements in the design and fabrication of the bodies have allowed this process to be more cost effective than in the previous decades leading to a rise in popularity.” - Andrew Lingel UPF President

PolyBody Features • • • • • • • •

Corrosion and Rust Proof Resists Dents and Dings Maintenance Free Lighter Weight Improves Fuel Economy Custom Configurations Automotive Painted Finish Dry Compartments Increased Storage Capacity

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option for Dynamic Manufacturing’s Lighting and Fusion lines. Dynamic also

features the PolyBody® option on their service and battery truck models. • Durable with Long-Life Capability • Reduces Compartment Noise • Roll-Up or Flush Doors Currently, if you are in the market for a new truck, Miller offers the UPF PolyBody® on most of their light, medium, heavy, and rotator models for both Century and Vulcan. These include the 812 Express and Intruder self-loading models, which offer the industry’s largest toolbox and built-in, deck-mounted dolly

wheel holders. A lower cost option with no holders has been designed and will be available soon! Miller also offers the 3212cx model, 7035, 9055: 1150R, and 1075 in the Century line as well as the V30 through V-100 PolyBody® option in the Vulcan lines. Miller is the only tow truck OEM to offer full poly-doors in their heavy-duty products. If you are shopping for the original selfloader, UPF fabricates the PolyBody®

Customer Testimonials: “One morning I looked out in the tow yard and said its time to refresh the fleet. But, I also realized that costs money. So, I decided to start with my flagship, my 96 Kenworth with a 60-ton rotator. It’s been a great truck, has low mileage, and the wrecker is mechanically sound. But, age and weather had put its toll on the steel body with wear and rust. My research pointed me to UPF and a polypropylene replacement body. I installed the body, and it “fit like a glove!” Excellent service! Excellent product! Thank you UPF!” - Phil Webb Webb’s Towing “I have a Zacklift quick swap, and I wanted a full body to carry my equipment for the long hauls. It had to be lightweight and tough. Poly was a great option. UPF listened to my needs and built what I wanted! Thank you for all you help.” - Joe Cripe Miller’s Garage - Middlebury, IN “I have seen a couple of those in person. Man are they sweet!!! You guys turned my old century 5030t with the ford van tail lights into a v100 body with roll-up doors!” - Brandon Brown, via Facebook post “I’ve built many of my own bodies over the years, but I’ve never been able to stop rust. I knew UPF and their polypropylene tanks being affiliated with our fire depart-

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TRUCK BODIES

ment. It saved our industry. So, when it was time to replace my

wrecker body, I had a winner with a PolyBody®. I was so impressed, I got a second. There is no other choice for me.” - Dan Bennett Bennett’s Towing - Earl City, IN “When I saw UPF at the Florida show, I knew someone finally understands what ice, sleet, and sub-zero temperatures do to my tow trucks in the real snow belt areas here in Anchorage.” - Nick Webb Webb’s Towing - Anchorage, AK (50-ton wrecker replacement)

The PolyBody® Wrecker can be specified as a new or replacement wrecker body. For more information, call UPF at 800-638-8265 to speak with one of our sales representatives. About UPF: In the mid-80s, the founders of United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. evaluated water tanks used for fire apparatus. They determined that water tanks could be made from highimpact polypropylene instead of the galvanized steel design of the time, which was heavy and prone to corrosion. This strong, lightweight plastic could be welded using extruded sheet and made into a water tank- the PolyTank®. With a lifetime warranty, the PolyTank® offers weight savings and eliminates corrosion at the same time. PolyGen™ is a trademark of United Plastic Fabricating, Inc.PolyTank® and PolyBody® are both registered trademarks of United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. www.unitedplastic.com Volume 7 • Issue 8 | www.towprofessional.com | Tow Professional

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RENEW TRUCK BODY The Polymer Difference By Ro be r t Mc G in ty, O w ner, R enew Tr uck Body When it comes to truck bodies, there are a lot of options in the market place right now. We are all familiar with the traditional steel, aluminum, and stainlesssteel options but maybe not with the newer composite and polymer bodies. This editorial will focus on the polymer body’s characteristics and growth in availability. Most of the major brands now offer a polymer option with one brand choosing to offer a composite body instead. These are generally expensive, up-sale options. Right now, a lot of the polymer bodies are being sold to replace existing steel bodies or are sold to customers who bought trucks without bodies. There is 38

even one new brand that offers only polymer bodies, believing that it offers the customer a more cost-effective total product. As polymer becomes a more common customer demand, the cost from OEMs should come down as it has with other new technologies. Polymer bodies for the towing industry are generally made from co-polypropylene commonly referred to as “poly.” This material is used in many common products, including those molded storage containers that come in all sizes and colors. These tubs are used to hold everything from holiday decorations at home to equipment on tow trucks, but the poly that is used for bodies should not be

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underrated as flimsy. This material is usually one-half inch thick with some parts one-inch thick or more. The bodies are not molded but are cut from sheets on cnc tables into panels and then welded together. These welds are made in a manner like metal welds, except hot air is used to melt the surface and filler materials instead of electricity. Welds are rated at several hundred pounds per inch to break with larger welds rated around a thousand pounds per inch. While the material isn’t as strong as steel, this can be overcome with good support design. Many customers are concerned about how to paint or apply graphics to a polymer body. The major paint manufacturers


TRUCK BODIES all have a paint system and process for polypropylene. For instance, PPG has had a paint process since 2001. In general, it is like painting any plastic car part. It requires the added step of applying an adhesion promoter and using a paint with an elastomer additive, which allows the paint to flex with the poly without cracking. Another alternative is to wrap the body in a printed vehicle wrap skin. This is usually more cost effective with quicker turn-around times. It also has the advantage of allowing for changes to company logos, colors or repairs at a lower cost. Anyone, who has owned a steel body and lives in an area with salt or moisture, knows why polymer bodies are becoming more popular. Obviously, a polymer body is not going to rust, so the rust/repair/rust again cycle is something you don’t have to worry about anymore. We often get questions about chemical resistance especially in areas that spray de-icing pre-treatments on roadways. Polypropylene is rated highly resistant to almost all common chemicals, and it is

often the material of choice for the tanks that carry those same de-icing sprays. However, this isn’t the only reason to consider a polymer body. A polymer body is normally much lighter than steel and about the same as aluminum in weight. This weight difference gives advantages in allowing the truck to carry more equipment weight or be lighter overall. As one owner pointed out, most of a truck’s travel time is spent coming and going from

the shop unloaded, so having an overall lighter truck can have significant fuel savings especially in less densely populated areas. Another advantage of polymer is impact resistance. Obviously, if an immoveable object is hit, it is going to do damage no matter which material you use for the body. If you bump into something at low speed though, where steel and aluminum get bent or dented, polymer will flex and rebound. If you were to

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hit your metal body with a sledge ham-

were direct replacements. Our product is

give the customer a body that better suits

mer, it is going to dent or break, but most of the time a polymer body will flex and bounce the hammer back often not even leaving a mark. Starting about 4 years ago, we realized that there was an obvious fit for the product and growing interest in the market, so we started Renew Truck Body. We manufactured polymer truck bodies and accessories exclusively for the retro fit market initially, making bodies that

comparable in cost to a fabricated steel body and is often less than a factory replacement body giving our customers the confidence to try out a new product. Recognizing that our customers are saying more space is always a good thing, we push forward the idea that custom design is the way to get that extra space either through custom storage and organization solutions or changes to compartment sizes and layouts. We strive to

their individual needs. Recently customers have been requesting a more modern look to their body. In response, we offer several door- handle options as well as roll-up doors. Light cutout configurations and overall body- and tail-section contours are customer specified. It was this focus on body design appearance that lead us to our first OEM contract. They were also a newer company and wanted a body design that no one would

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TRUCK BODIES

say is a knock-off of some other brand, as well as being concerned about proper equipment storage and long-term cost of the body. The body that resulted is made in three sections to reduce cost in the event of an accident. If a section is destroyed by a vehicle collision, only that section must be replaced instead of the entire side. The body is also designed with custom storage sections to hold specific equipment like the wheel-lift grids

and snatch blocks. We continue to try to bring more storage options to body design such as the polymer drawer system that we recently started to offer. The same reasons that drive customers to polymer bodies have them looking at the underbody storage boxes on their carrier deck trucks. Here we also offer custom sizes and storage options to help keep these trucks organized. As one customer said, “the less time I spend bent over look-

ing for something in the box is less time I spend standing in traffic.” With our customers safety in mind, we continue looking at the ways our customers use their tools to try to suggest more effective ways to store and access them. This led us to a couple of new design features that we hope to offer in 2019. www.renewtruckbody.com

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Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. provides towers with many unique top-of-the-line light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty towing solutions. When it comes to light-duty service trucks, Miller Industries provides the HolmesÂŽ TSV and LSV which provides THE service truck solution. The HolmesÂŽ TSV (Towing Service Vehicle) and the LSV (Light-Duty Service Vehicle) provide an impressive capacity to hold 36 vehicle batteries securely in 42

their front two poly-lined, all-aluminum, powered-coated compartments. The strategic positioning of the battery storage in the front two compartments moves most of the storage weight forward of the rear axles providing optimal vehicle weight distribution. Both the drivers and passengers side front battery storage compartments include aluminum shelves, as well as adjustable dividers. Each compartment contains two air vents

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which provide airflow to prevent build-up of battery gasses and to minimize moisture and condensation build-up. All compartments come standard with LED lighting. The passenger side rear compartment comes standard with a 3-socket 12volt power port for convenient charging and powering of equipment. Another critical design component on both the TSV and LSV is improved


TRUCK BODIES MILLER’S TSV AND LSV: THE SERVICE TRUCK SOLUTION

rearview side visibility by way of tapered body compartments. Additional safety features include gullwing style doors that open upward so they don’t protrude into traffic lanes. The Holmes® TSV and LSV are also ergonomically designed to allow the driver easier access when lifting and storing batteries and tools inside the compartments. Offering a true service solution is what Miller Industries’ Holmes® TSV and LSV do by providing plenty of storage space to

carry everything needed like dollies, jumper cables, and gas cans as well as other tools such as an electric air compressor. Both the TSV and LSV come standard in a modular three-compartment configuration for secured storage of batteries, tools, jacks, lock-out kits, repair components, extension cords, and air hoses, just to name a few. The standard three-compartment configuration allows for a modular tray and optional mounting brackets giving towers easy access to their stored self-loading dollies, GoJack®’s, pails of oil dry, fuel cans, emer-

gency cones, brooms, shovels, sledge hammer, and pry-bar. Both the TSV and LSV come standard with a 12-volt air compressor, retractable hose reel, front and rear corner strobes, and rear LED work lights. Specific to the Holmes® TSV is the compliment of a Holmes® 220 Snatcher® self-loading wheel lift providing a 7,500lb. towing capacity. Whether using the included spacer socks to tow a damaged casualty or the optional trailer hitch bracket for towing a trailer, the Holmes® TSV comes equipped to handle even the toughest service calls. However, not all service vehicles require a wheel-lift, and in

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TRUCK BODIES those cases the HolmesÂŽ LSV satisfies this need with even more space for storage and equipment. Optional for both units, but popular on the LSV, is the option for a fourth enclosed modular compartment in lieu of the open tray. Both the TSV and LSV offer superior light-duty service truck options for your fleet. With Holmes, the oldest name in towing and recovery behind them, the TSV and LSV clearly set the standard for light-duty service trucks in the towing and recovery industry. For more information on specifications and different configuration options, please visit our website or contact your local Miller Industries distributor. Holmes is a registered trademark of Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. GoJak is a registered trademark of The Zendex Tool Corporation. Some optional equipment shown in photos. Specifications provided may be configuration specific and are subject to change without notice. www.millerind.com

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Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing is at it again, bringing yet another solid towing solution to the industry. Dynamic worked with motor clubs and towers across the country to design our Service Truck satisfying the needs of our customers. We spoke 46

directly with those who already owned our trucks and even spoke to our potential customers who are considering them. Listening to what they said, we then turned their feedback into features that empower them to work more efficiently and quickly resulting in higher revenues

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and lower costs of operation. Specifically, we found that an effective service truck needs plenty of storage, additional recovery capabilities, and increased safety so here is what we did to design a service truck that delivers what our customers need:


TRUCK BODIES

Dynamic’s Dynamic’s New Service Truck: A Solid Towing Industry Solution! WE CREATED PLENTY OF STRATEGIC STORAGE SPACE. The Service Truck is equipped with four ROM rollup-door storage compartments for easy curbside access totaling an amazing 80 cubic feet of usable space. These huge compartments can be deliv-

ered with an optional adjustable rack system for vehicle batteries and can provide safe stowing of up to 36 batteries in large boxes able to hold enough AAA batteries to cover most vehicles on the road. The boxes have adjustable shelves with tie downs so the batteries are secured at all

times while in motion. In addition, both sides of the Service Truck have wide toolboxes and another large storage compartment on the deck for a total of seven compartments. Accompanying deck space measuring 54” x 85” allows for plenty of space for dollies, go jacks, and

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additional storage options. Also, tool box compartments are installed to accommodate all normal roadside assistance tools and equipment as well as an air compressor with front and rear quick disconnects to allow the tech complete flexibility to service vehicles in all positions. Even with the additional storage boxes, the center deck is still open for additional storage of equipment. WE INCREASED OUR TRUCK’S RECOVERY CAPABILITIES ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLES. We originally started with a 4000-lb. lift, then went up to a 5000-lb. under lift. We decided to add a 5000-lb. wheel lift with a recovery boom and an 8000lb. Ramsey winch. A front push bumper is also available with an optional winch. We did this because after speaking to our customers, we found that they were wanting one vehicle to do as much as possible so now you can do everything 48

from a battery boost to a battery replacement to a tow or all the way up to a recovery with one vehicle. So, to help to determine what a battery needs, our Dynamic Service Truck is equipped with a battery tester and a supply of batteries to assist any stranded motorist. The service technician can test the disabled vehicle’s battery and electrical system to get the vehicle running under its own power. If necessary, the tech can install a new battery in the vehicle at the breakdown site. However, at times, the battery is not the cause of the breakdown. In many cases, the service tech needs to call for additional assistance. Because of the increased capabilities of our Service truck, we don’t have to dispatch a tow vehicle to complete the service call and tow the customer to their repair facility; our Dynamic Service Truck can handle the job. The customer does not have to wait for another vehicle to arrive, and you as an owner do not have to send multiple vehicles to the same

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breakdown location. We improve operational efficiency saving on fuel, vehicle wear and tear, and overhead while still providing the same high level of service our customers have come to expect. WE IMPROVED SAFETY THROUGH OUR STORAGE-COMPARTMENT DOOR DESIGN. Our units have roll-up doors that do not swing out into the path of traffic, but rather roll up into the truck. This eliminates the possibility of passing vehicles catching an open storage compartment door and creating a traffic incident with the service truck endangering the life of the tower or customer. Now even though utility and safety for our customers are premium values to us, we didn’t sacrifice aesthetics--we wanted our trucks to look good. As a result, the sleek body style makes this Service Truck a definite eye-catcher on the road and within the industry. Dynamic’s Service Truck is truly a solid


TRUCK BODIES FEATURES: • 3-YEAR WARRANTY • DESIGNED TO USE A 60CA OR 84CA CHASSIS WITH AN ADDITIONAL 24 IN TUNNEL BOX • ALL-STEEL ONE CONSTRUCTION • 4 LARGE ROLLUP DOOR COMPARTMENTS WITH SHELVING • 3 FOLD-DOWN DOOR COMPARTMENTS WITH PLENTY OF ADDITIONAL STORAGE • OPTIONAL ADJUSTABLE BATTERY RACKING SYSTEM • OPTIONAL 4000- AND 5000-LB. WHEEL LIFTS • OPTIONAL REAR HYDRAULIC WINCH OR FRONT PUSH BUMPER, ELECTRIC WINCH, OPEN DECK SPACE TO STORE DOLLIES, GO JACKS, CONES, FUEL & WATER TANKS, ETC.

towing solution to the needs of the industry with its practical and spacious storage compartments and enhanced recovery capabilities, all while providing more protection for the lives of towers. It’s a Dynamic solution! Testimonial Dewayne Chancey of Chancey’s

Towing & Recovery purchased two Dynamic Service Trucks to add to their fleet. The Service Trucks were equipped with the optional wheel-lift and winch. Dewayne stated, “We are tremendously please with the units. They give me a broader window of opportunity for use. The vehicle pays for itself, and we refer to them as our ‘Superman Units!’” Chancey’s Towing uses the units for lockout, AAA battery service, battery jump,

towing, and with the help of the winch, recoveries as well. Dynamic Towing Equipment has built a reputation on trust, providing personal service and developing solid products for the industry. Dynamic further demonstrates our commitment to your satisfaction by providing a 3-year, limited warranty for the Service Truck. www.dynamicmfg.com

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Hooked UP 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

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FlowStop VAC PUMP CADDY

• 3 / 3”x3“ wide Wedge x 12” • 3 Indivdually Packaged FlowStop Football Containment Plugs • 3 Indivdually Packaged FlowStop Golfball Containment Plugs • 1 Sturdy Poly Storage / Carry Box www.flowstop.net

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• 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 dam-


Hooked UP 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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Dealers place

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Dealers place

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market place

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COMPANY

PG

COMPANY

PG

COMPANY

PG

Access Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Florida Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

All American Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

FlowStop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Sanderson Truck Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

American Safety & Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

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

Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash . . . . . . . .5, 12

Austin Hinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

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

Spill Tackle Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Holly's Towing Dispatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Steck Mfg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Auto Data Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

INA Towing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Swoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

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

Tomar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Best Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Jerr -Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

TomTom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Cover

Budget GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Len Zermenos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Tow Trax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Bully Dog / Derive Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

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

Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Towing Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36, 37

Custer Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

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

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

Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Mike Keith Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

TowPhotos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

CW Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Next Generation Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

TruckMax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

DieselSite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Back Cover

Prolift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

United Plastic Fabricating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Don Jackson Commercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

PWOF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

USAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Driveline Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Ranger SST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Waters Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Eastern Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Renew Truck Body LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Weiss Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

ECM Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Ricks Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Wrecker Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Fallsway Equipment Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

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

Wrecker Supply USA / Wiscolift Inc. . . . . . . .63

Fitzgerald Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

RP Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Zellner Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

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