Tow Professional - Volume: 8 Issue: 8

Volume 8 • Issue 8 • 2019 www.towprofessional.com

TM

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

SERVICE TRUCKS

PLUS: LOCKOUT

TOOLS MOTOR CLUBS & Roadside Assistance

TOW PROFESSIONAL

CONTENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

FEATURES: 24 |

TOWING & RECOVERY

8| 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 |

Volume 8 • Issue 8

Jerr-Dan

LOCKOUT TOOLS

Hino Trucks ITRHFM TRAA Tow Professional

INSIGHTFUL TALK

28 |

BY DAN MESSINA ///

16 |

Recovery Hero Nomination: Ian Wallace

Best Tools

30 |

34 |

Steck Mfg. Tools

Access Tools

SERVICE TRUCKS

Technology and the Towing Industry: The Challenges

40 |

44 |

Dynamic

UPF

MOTOR CLUBS & Roadside Assistance

an expert Witness

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

20 |

Tow Association Membership?

TOW ASSOCIATION

MEMBERSHIP? 1234 5678 9098 7654 MEMBER SINCE

VALID THRU

2010

01/21

50 |

TowTrax

52 |

Urgent.ly

56 |

HONK

58 |

Questx

MEMBER NAME

22 |

Protect Yourself with Situational Awareness

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Editor’s Letter 59 | Dealers Place 63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index 2

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Mach 1

EDITOR’S

LETTER Volume 8 • Issue 8 WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

TM

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

PUBLISHER

FINISHING STRONG 2019 feels like an “I Dream of Jeanie” moment—we blink, and the year is nearly gone. The holiday season is on us again-a time of connecting with family, enjoying friends, tasting good food and hopefully renewing ourselves with some time off. Knowing your business is in good place and going to the next level will help all the above be more enjoyable and possible.

In this issue, we are focusing on Service Trucks and how manufacturers are tailoring their trucks with multi-functionality, so multiple trucks are not needed reducing wait time through advancing engineering.

We are also highlighting Lockout Tools. As cars are becoming more advanced in their safety features, lockout tools must evolve with them. Check out the newest innovations in tools that will be less likely to damage a vehicle, give a better reach for difficult-to-access car-unlocking features and others developments that make your job faster, so you can get to the next opportunity.

We also want to help you streamline your decision-making when it comes to choosing a Motor Club or Roadside Assistance option to secure a networking relationship that keeps a continual source of business without having to price your service below your profitability with key companies sharing what they have to offer.

Dan Messina chimes in highlighting the most common challenges facing the tower when it comes to making choices on motor club and roadside assistance options. Using his outline of the issues will help you as you develop your strategy for networking. We will also hear from James Lewis on using situational awareness to protect yourself (an excellent skill for all aspects of business) and the increasing need for tow association membership--many hands make light work, and a lot of work can get done!

The year is nearly gone, and though we don’t have a genie to blink in what we want for our businesses, strategic decisions and action with progressive products and services can help us all to have a strong finish! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Stay Safe and Keep Reading,

Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com Butch Cole National Sales butch@towprofessional.com

PRODUCTION Gene Eudy Editor gene@towprofessional.com Clint Cabiness Creative Director clint@dialedinmediagroup.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Copeland Rebecca Day-Urgent.ly Anthony Gentile-Dynamic Mfg. Jeffrey Jacklin-UPF James Lewis Dan Messina Jack Murphy-HONK Laura Narpaul-Mach 1 Adam Okdeh-Questx Julian Packin-Access Tools 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.

Gene Eudy Editor, Tow Professional

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

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With over 60+ years’ towing experience on our dedicated finance team, we speak your language and work tirelessly to help you identify and finance the equipment your operation depends on.

When experience counts, count on Jerr-Dan Financial Solutions.

POWERED BY ASCENTIUM CAPITAL

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Jerr-Dan Promotes Heath Fassnacht to Director of Sales 23-Year Veteran of Towing and Recovery Business to Lead Company Sales Hagerstown, MD (October 31, 2019) – Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE:OSK) and single brand leader in the towing and recovery business, has promoted Heath Fassnacht to Director of Sales.

He had been District Sales Manager for the southern region.

Fassnacht started his career in 1996 with Atlanta Wrecker and Carrier Sales, now known as Atlanta Wrecker Sales, a well-known Jerr-Dan distributor in the south. Following a progressive career with the company, he joined Jerr-Dan in 2015 as a national accounts manager before being named district sales manager.

“I’m humbled to have the opportunity to continue being a catalyst for Jerr-Dan’s growth in the towing and recovery equipment industry,” said Fassnacht. “I’ve been working in this business since graduating from college in 1996, and I’m proud to be representing the single brand leader in the industry.

“We have a great team in place across sales, operations, engineering and other key functions, and are poised to continue expanding into new markets, backed by the best distributor network in the country.

I look forward to continue supporting our current customers and building relationships with prospective Jerr-Dan distributors.”

In his new role, Fassnacht’s primary responsibilities will include sales growth strategy, sales team management and expansion into new markets.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone with Heath’s background in the industry willing to accept this

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responsibility,” said Richard Del Campo, vice president and general manager of Jerr-Dan. “It is increasingly challenging to find senior leaders with track records like Heath’s who continue to push themselves and those around them. Jerr-Dan is proud to place our sales team alongside his leadership.”

For more information on Jerr-Dan products, visit www.jerrdan.com.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

HINO TRUCKS INTRODUCES NEW MODELS AND CAB CONFIGURATIONS

North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show, ATLANTA, GA – Hino Trucks has been asking you for a few weeks now the simple question: What size are you? Well, now it’s time to answer that question. Hino has unified its entire lineup of trucks, including model names, to make it even easier for you to match the perfect Hino to you and your business’ needs. Hino is excited to announce their new ‘M Series’ Class 4/5 COE’s and new ‘L Series’ Class 6/7 Conventional trucks, which combined with Hino’s recently launched ‘XL Series’ Class 7/8 vehicles, creates a cohesive family of commercial trucks.

The badges are not the only updates either. Each vehicle now contains larger cab configurations and a full suite of features adding safety, fresh designs, durability, flexibility and connectivity options, making it clear why Hino is the fastest growing medium-duty truck brand.

The new COE truck models carry Hino M4 and Hino M5 badging with the number in the naming scheme representing GVW class. For 2021MY, these trucks have been upgraded with an all-new grille design complete with optional LED headlights and HD 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission with gear hold feature.

Available with the industry’s first OE fully integrated Lane Departure Warning System in this vehicle segment, and then we get to the interior upgrades with a new shifter layout, steering wheel controls, an all-new gauge cluster including a 4.2” LCD multi-information display and driver’s seatbelt sensor.

The new Conventional line is represented by the Hino L6 and Hino L7 models boasting a bolder front fascia with optional LED headlights. The cab interior has been re-engineered with an automotive grade finish designed 10

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for commercial use and improved functionality, steering wheel controls, a large 7” LCD multi-information display, more storage and leg room. Hino also takes your safety very seriously, which is why there are now an array of safety systems available on the Hino L Series including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Collision Mitigation System (CMS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Active Cruise Control (ACC) and driver’s seatbelt sensor.

Adding even more functionality to your business are new wheelbase options and extended and crew cab configurations.

“Having extended and crew cab choices will help us better serve our customers’ operational needs and open-up new markets for our trucks” explained Glenn Ellis, SVP Customer Experience. “It’s impressive how accommodating and spacious both cabs are. Our engineering and design team really did an outstanding job with our new full line-up!” The 30” extended cab will have seating for 5, and the 44” crew cab will have full-size doors, and seat 6 passengers and provide the comfort of rear zone A/C and heat.

The Hino XL Series also gets new advantages for 2021 model year including the extended cab and crew cab configurations and a snow plow package complete with an 18,000 lb. GVW front axle and front frame extensions.

The Hino XL7 and XL8 will now come standard with a driver’s seatbelt sensor and available ACC building on the trucks’ ESC, CMS and LDW active safety solutions.

Hino Trucks dealers are now accepting orders for the new 2021 models. The extended and crew cab variants will be added in the Spring and the XL snow plow package in Summer timeframe.

Think Safe.

Imagine a world where every vehicle to be towed is a lightweight compact sedan, parked away from the road and traffic, on level ground, above dry pavement, under clear and sunny skies. You may even forget you have dollies.

your reality — if every vehicle is as unique as its driver, if you can’t control the weather, the traffic or where a car breaks down, you can choose to be safe.

Surely such a place exists, but if that isn’t

www.collinsdollies.com

Collins Safety Ratchet System helps lift a range of vehicles in steps, holding the vehicle safely in place, even if you were to lose your grip or footing from ice, snow, gravel or uneven terrain. And it’s a backup safety while in tow. Let Collins Dollies do the heavy lifting so you can get back to daydreaming.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

ITRHFM Adds 28 Names to Its Wall of the Fallen October 22, 2019 / CHATTANOOGA, TN – The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum added twenty-eight new names to the Wall of the Fallen during its recent annual ceremony honoring towing and road service operators who have died in the line of service.

The names include those from previous years as the details of fatalities become known. In all, the Wall of the Fallen now has over 450 names of men and women who have lost their lives while serving the motoring public in the towing and road service industry. (See below for complete list of towing operator names added in 2019.)

The Wall of the Fallen ceremony seeks to honor towing operators whose lives were cut short and the Survivor Fund provides a one-time gift to the families.

Survivors’ families also receive a Certificate of Honor at the ceremony.

“It is with great sadness that we find ourselves in a position that requires the Wall of the Fallen,” stated Jeffrey Godwin, Wall of the Fallen and Survivor Fund co-chairman.

“Despite the tragedy represented, we do find comfort in honoring our fallen operators and in serving their families in their time of loss.”

The annual ceremony also aims to boost motorists’ awareness of Move Over laws in effect in all 50 states that require drivers to move over one lane and/or slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle.

Annually, the motoring public’s failure to slow down or move over, in addition to drunken or negligent driving, unnecessarily claims many towers’ lives.

About ITRHFM The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Chattanooga, TN, houses an array of displays and exhibits showcasing the history of towing and recovery. The rotating collection includes early equipment

by Manley, Holmes, Vulcan, and Weaver. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly advanced the industry. The Museum includes a theater, a library, and a gift shop selling souvenirs related to the towing industry.

On the outside grounds is the Wall of the Fallen memorial, dedicated to towers who died in the line of service. The ITRHFM Survivor Fund assists the families of the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of service by providing a uniform financial gift at the time of their loss. ITRHFM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and accepts donations for its programs and operations from individuals, corporations and groups. Learn more at www.towingmuseum.com.

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2019 Wall of the Fallen (in alphabetical order) Honoree Name

State

Year

Phillip F. Amsden

IN

2010

Patric Noel Barrio

TX

2019

Michael Charles Buffington

MS

2019

Patrick Cisneros

NM

2019

Garold L. Cline

WV

2018

Jerry E. Davenport

AR

2018

Ernest Linden Dean

KY

1945

Steven E. Eldridge

NC

2019

Erwin Mendoza Geremillo

CA

2019

Trevor A. Haas

IL

2018

Richard Arturo Hernandez

CA

1999

Jesse Hettmann

WI

2019

Keith Holt, Sr.

TX

2019

Elwood Allan Humphries

VA

2018

Clarence C. Jones, Jr.

PA

1963

Charles C. McGough

TX

2018

Juan Manuel Morga

CA

2018

James Robert Morris

CA

2019

Terrell Dean Pack

TX

2019

Willie J. Passmore, Jr.

NE

2011

Edgar Arthur Pilon

Canada

1954

Kevin B. Raasch

KS

2019

Clarence Hugh Souther, Jr.

GA

1962

Benny G. Sprinkle

NC

2019

John L. Stewart

MO

2018

Paul Wayne Taylor, Jr

TX

2018

Jason Stuart Throne

IN

2019

Michael R. White

OK

2018

TRAA Joins Coalition to Halt Four Bills with “Burdensome” Unfunded Mandates A coalition of 31 trucking and trade groups is urging Congress to halt four bills it claims would cost the industry billions of dollars in “burdensome” unfunded mandates.

The coalition sent a letter on Sept. 16 to Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), chairman, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), ranking member, of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon), chairman, and Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, ranking member, of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

The four bills are:

•

The Stop Underrides Act (H.R. 1511/S. 665): which would require the installation of front, side and rear underride guards on all trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that exceeds 10,000 pounds and all single-unit trucks with a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds and a carriage that is more than 22 inches above the ground.

•

The Cullum Owings Large Truck Safe Operating Speed Act of 2019 (S. 2033): which would mandate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 26,000 pounds to be equipped with speed limiters set to 65 mph.

•

The Safe Roads Act (H.R. 3773): which would require new CMVs to be equipped with and utilize an automatic emergency braking (AEB) system.

•

The INSURANCE Act (H.R. 3781): which would increase the minimum liability coverage for motor carriers from $750,000 to over $4.9 million. This increase would apply to all businesses transporting property, not just long-haul trucking operations.

In addition to TRAA, the other members of the coalition are: the Agricultural Retailers Association; Agriculture Transportation Coalition; American Dairy Coalition; American Farm Bureau Federation; American Pipeline Contractors Association; American Pyrotechnics Association; Associated Equipment Distributors; Associated Oregon Loggers; Association of Professional Towers of Ohio; Corn Refiners Association; Distribution Contractors Association; Mid-West Truckers Association; National Asphalt Pavement Association; National Association of Small Trucking Companies; National Cotton Council; National Cotton Ginners’ Association; National Council of Farmer Cooperatives; National Grain and Feed Association; National Hay Association; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association; National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association; National Utility Contractors Association; National Wildfire Suppression Association; NFIB; North American Millers’ Association; Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association; Police Towers of America; Power and Communications Contractors Association; Precast/ Prestressed Concrete Institute; and United States Cattlemen’s Association.

Preliminary Injunctive Relief Regarding the Massachusetts State Police (“MSP”) Request For Response (“RFR”) The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) has joined the Statewide Towing Association, Inc. of Massachusetts, and several Massachusetts towing companies, in filing a request in Federal District Court seeking preliminary injunctive relief regarding the Massachusetts State Police (“MSP”) Request For Response #SP20-TOW-X81 (“RFR”). The MSP RFR is a bid request for companies to provide towing, recovery, and roadside services for the MSP relating to law enforcement actions, accidents, roadway clearance, and disabled motorist services and would replace the current Tow Service

Agreement (“TSA”).

The RFR includes several areas of concern from tower safety, tow company appeal rights, onerous equipment requirements, and contradictory educational requirements for tow operators. TRAA has signed on as a party to protect not only our own interests with the National Driver Certification Program® but also our many member towing companies and certified towing professionals within the state.

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INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

NOT “FAKE NEWS”

By Tow Professional Magazine

Straight Talk to our Readers and Advertisers What is the best approach to reach the most decisionmakers with the most unbiased presentation of products?

Readers want exposure to the best sampling of products not skewed by shareholder bias. Advertisers simply want their products in front of the widest audience of those who can buy them. In 2011, Darian Weaver wanted to start a new publication in the towing and recovery industry even though he was told there is no room for another magazine in the market. So, he had a choice to go with a paid subscription and use shareholders to create capital or to offer the magazine for free to all the owners and launch an individually owned, small business to make a large impact on the industry without the concern of shareholders that could be product and service-biased. He chose the latter and Tow Professional (TP) magazine was born. TP was not concerned with trying to be the largest circulation in the towing industry. With circulations, the key questions are, “Who makes up your circulation and how many magazines do you send to one address?” Darian chose a paid-for mailing list rather than a subscriber-based circulation because the subscriber cannot be controlled.

The person subscribing may be a dispatcher, a driver, a non-towing industry person, or company looking to sell to the industry. TP’s rifle approach over the shotgun approach by design does not have the “largest” circulation. TP targets a mailing list of tow company owners who registered their trucks with the DMV and then are crossreference by Dunn & Bradstreet. This ensures the readers nationwide are buyers. TP prints 25,992 printed copies and sends out 9000 plus digital copies to double opted in owners 9 times a year, every 6 weeks. So, who makes up TP’s circulation? Owners, presidents, and CEOs do-those who write the checks. Also, how many copies of TP is sent per company? One is sent. Our circulation numbers are not inflated with multiple copies sent to one company.

Instead of “fake news,” TP offers fact-based straight talk.

So, as an advertiser what matters most? Is it the largest circulation or a magazine that targets the largest number of owners that can buy your product? Nine years later, targeting owners has worked for Tow Professional. We appreciate our advertisers and thank you for giving us the opportunity to work for you!

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INSIGHTFUL TALK

BY DAN MESSINA ///

TECHNOLOGY & THE TOWING INDUSTRY:

THE CHALLENGES Dan Messina-President/Founder, TowTrax Since we are talking about the motor clubs and dispatch systems, let me point out a few things I’ve discovered as I deal with many service providers. I have contacted no less than 25 service providers, and most of them are fighting the same problems:

1.

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Pricing – This industry is very competitive as motor clubs fight to survive. As they fight for their share Tow Professional | Volume 8 • Issue 8

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of the market, they must lower their tow fee as low as possible to win business. As I look at some of the pricing, I can see why they have trouble getting tow companies to take calls. I talked to a tow company last week, and he told me that he was the 32nd company the service provider called to get someone to run the call. I was asked by several providers not to put their names on the tow for fear that the tow company would not take the call if they knew who it was. We can make the call look

the change would be too hard compared to what they do today. It’s interesting that the service provider wants to change, but no one wants to be first. They can’t afford to disrupt the poor service they offer today.

like a TowTrax call and not display the service provider.

2.

Remote Areas – One motor club asked me if I could cover their remote areas. I asked them what they considered a remote area; they told me Milwaukee. That surprised me since Milwaukee is a large city. When TowTrax looked at 50-mile radius in Milwaukee, we found 72 tow companies. We registered over 30 in the Milwaukee area, so if any service provider needs help in that area, let us know.

3.

Change – The service providers have been operating for years doing what they do today. They are 20 years behind in technology, and they know they must change but there is a fear factor. When I first developed TowTrax, one of my partners told me there is no way you will get these service providers to change the way they do business because

4.

Poor ETA’s – Some service providers admitted that their ETA’s were over an hour on average.

A girl in the office was telling me she waited over two hours when she broke down and called her service provider. She was in the Dallas area which makes it worse.

5.

Their Tow Network – The service providers go to tow shows and try and register tow companies to service their calls. There are over 70,000 tow companies nationwide, but it’s the same 15,000 tow companies that go to all the shows. These are usually large tow companies

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INSIGHTFUL TALK

BY DAN MESSINA ///

that use the tow shows to see what is new in the industry.

These companies don’t use many service providers for their main line of business. They do police rotation, body shops, and other sources as their main source of business. As a result, the motor clubs struggle with their towing network.

6.

Multiple Contracts – When service providers sign contracts with tow companies, they may offer one company a price for light or medium duty with a permile fee after 5 miles. Then they go to a second provider and offer that tow company different prices for the same

No matter what you’re towing, we’re always behind you.

Stay protected with insurance from Progressive. With policies customized for tow truck drivers, we offer Primary Liability limits up to $2 million and specialized coverages like On-Hook and Garagekeepers Liability.

Call your local agent or visit ProgressiveCommercial.com.

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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Specialized coverages may not be available in all states or situations. In Texas and Virginia, Garagekeepers Legal Liability coverage is called Storage Location insurance. In these two states only, On-Hook Towing insurance is then called Garagekeepers Legal Liability coverage.

area. The service provider ends up managing multiple contracts with multiple tow companies. Then, when they get in a remote area, the service provider will call anyone to take the call. Even if there is no contract between the service provider and the tow company.

7.

Fees and Credit Cards – When a service provider can’t find a tow company to run a call, they are forced to pay double the fee to get a company to run the call.

When the tow company takes the call, they ask for a credit card to make sure they get paid.

8.

No Resources – I talk to several providers that want to use TowTrax but have no technical staff available to work with us. They will continue to lose money and provide a poor service until they make time to upgrade their technology.

The new problem for many service providers is the new companies that are entering the industry. They have plenty of money and tech staffs that can that can develop whatever is needed to support their business.

They advertise on their websites that they are here to put the old service providers out of business. When you have money and resources at your disposal, you can do whatever is needed to win the business.

I know for a fact that several major customers that are currently with a service provider have gone to them for some changes, but the service provider ignores them for reasons I don’t understand. It will not be long that new technology will start to take customers away from some service providers.

A message to the service provider: you can’t continue to do business the way you do today. A lot of companies have developed something that connects with the consumer. Remember you can’t service a call without the tow truck. At some point in time, you will have to improve your technology if you want to compete in the business. TowTrax makes it simple and provides a service like no other. The change in your business is made easy with TowTrax.

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an expert Witness

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

TOW ASSOCIATION

MEMBERSHIP? 1234 5678 9098 7654 MEMBER SINCE

VALID THRU

2010

01/21

MEMBER NAME 240,000 men and women in 35,000 companies are directly involved in our industry: 35,000 company owners with just as many managers and lead drivers. On top of that, add in other people associated with the industry through contacts, business relationships, vendors, dispatch providers, software providers, and those in truck and equipment sales.

I figure the total number of people in our industry and associated with it is near 400,000. Yet, based on my rough calculations and considering the several major national tow associations and many, many state and regional associations, only about 5% of that 400,000 are current members of any association, and fewer than 1% are truly active with their associations.

Where am I going with this? Am I trying to lead some crazy membership drive? Well, yes, I am, and I’ll go over several reasons why. I’m going to single out three organizations and explain what they’re doing, and why increased membership would help us as an industry. I’ll also explain why there is strength in numbers.

The Towing and Recovery Association of America® (TRAA) has taken the lead to work towards legislation and lobbying to help our industry. They were the first and only to hire a professional lobbyist to push our agenda. They’ve teamed with other organizations and have helped with their agendas as well. You can surely bet that whatever positive 20

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results they achieve will benefit every single one of us.

Southwest Tow Operators out of Texas is another organization using a lobbyist to work towards improvements. The Statewide Towing Association from Massachusetts is doing the same. Why Texas and Massachusetts? These two states are home to the most regulated and controlled sections of our industry, and these state associations have the most to lose and gain from increased burdensome regulation and the ability to relax some constraints in our business.

Numbers count. I can imagine a lobbyist or one of our association presidents making a plea to state or national government concerning a major issue that hampers safe and profitable operation of YOUR company. They’ll say, “There are 240,000 active members of our industry spread across 35,000 companies, and WE represent over 50% of those people through their active membership.”

Imagine if they were left to explain that out of 240,000 active industry members and 35,000 companies, that they only represented 5% of those people? That’s not strong.

That’s weak. And it doesn’t make an impression at all when you have 15 minutes to make a presentation and drive your point home, but 95% of the industry wasn’t interested enough to pay a small fee and put their signature on a petition to get something done.

I was at the recent Southern Tow Expo in Orange Beach, Alabama, and we talked about state membership. As I brought up talking to people in other companies around you, I got pushback from some people who said they couldn’t talk to the owners of other companies in their town or area. I get that Bob down the street “stole” one of your good drivers and subsequently took your Chevrolet dealership account, so you have a beef with Bob. Belonging to your association allows you to have contacts all over your state and region, and you can talk to owners and managers three states over or in the big city 50 miles away.

You can talk about whatever problems you’re dealing with, and you’ll quickly find that others have dealt with the same issues – they may have already solved the problem, or maybe it’s you who can help them. Either way, we

improve as an industry when industry leaders and company owners put their heads together to solve problems. This multiplies exponentially when you get together with other company owners and work with your state or national association.

M O B I L I T Y

•

•

James E. Lewis is a driver, trainer, and manager in his third decade of experience in the towing industry. He is a published author with works in fiction, self-help, and technical guidance.

Originally from Lake Jackson, Texas, he now calls Missoula, Montana home.

F L E X I B I L I T Y

Belonging to both your state association and a national group helps you immensely. There are issues that people in Texas deal with that people in Mississippi don’t have to worry about.

Conversely, people in California have a set of rules to abide by that people in Montana don’t have to consider.

Communicating about all of this opens everyone’s eyes and enables them to make better decisions at the local level, become more profitable, and of course, helps at the state and national level to improve regulations.

Please considering joining every association you’re eligible for – the dues are low, they’re tax deductible, and your membership lends incredible strength to those advocating for our industry. So, should you become a member of a tow association both locally and nationally? Yes!

S I M P L I C I T Y

•

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877.374.7225 Ext. 2 Or visit vts-systems.com

VTS Systems is a leading North American software company, dedicated to providing products and everyday support for the towing, recovery and vehicle impound industry. www.towprofessional.com

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an expert Witness

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS !

I

n the past few weeks, a tow driver in Texas was shot and killed by two men at an apartment complex in Houston. Another driver attempting to perform a private-party impound (PPI) and aggressively defending his “catch” was shot but survived. Another driver was shot while being robbed.

There are several subjects that immediately come to mind when I hear of an unfortunate chain of incidents like this. First and foremost, I think of ways we can avoid putting ourselves into scenarios where we might be in danger. Danger is common in the repossession and PPI areas of the industry, but it can also crop up during much more routine tows. The other issue is very complex – carrying a weapon. You need to know your legal rights to do so or not, to know how to handle yourself in potential high-risk situations, and to know that carrying a weapon can land you in jail or be used to legally defend yourself.

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We often work alone in our industry. You have communication via a radio, phone, or satellite system, but none of those methods can truly help you if you are confronted with violence or an otherwise threatening situation. In high-risk areas or on high-risk tows, perhaps you can use the buddy system and have another driver work in an “overwatch” position able to respond to your location easily or at least call for help. I performed PPI towing in San Antonio and Denton, Texas, and PPIs and repossessions in the greater Philadelphia area. We ran in packs of two or three trucks or rode with two people in a single unit, consequently and thankfully, we avoided trouble. There’s a safe way to do an unsafe job, but you must plan and keep your head on a swivel.

Tow Professional magazine isn’t a forum for gun rights or the Second Amendment, so I’m not about to get on my soapbox about what we should or could do out there. I know from my background in law

enforcement and as a licensed concealed/open carrier via my state concealed- carry license and my federal Law Enforcement Officer’s Safety Act (LEOSA) carrypermit, there are still huge restrictions, even with the latter’s 50-state reciprocity. There are many places you already can’t carry a weapon, like government buildings, hospitals, and any business with proper signage prohibiting weapons. With that said, and I’m sure some will argue, there is absolutely no restriction for carrying a weapon in a commercial vehicle, unless prohibited by laws in your state or city. As long as the law allows it and your company allows it, and you’re properly licensed and trained, you may carry. Please think again about the restrictions, and the notion that merely showing your weapon as a matter of threat or intimidation is a felony in most jurisdictions. To cut a complex idea to simpler terms, you can’t pull your weapon unless confronted with an equal threat.

There have been many arguments about the “weapons in commercial vehicles” subject, and after years of debate, I figured out where this notion came from. According to 18 USC 926a, when transporting

weapons or ammunition as cargo, weapons must not be transported with ammunition, and said weapons or ammunition must not be accessible from the passenger compartment. The most important aspect of that directive are the words “as cargo.” Transporting a load of shotguns to a sporting goods store isn’t the same as carrying your personal weapon. This 18 USC reference is supported in FMCSA 49 CFR. One last thing, other than keeping your head on a swivel – if you’re remotely thinking about carrying a weapon, please understand that just because your uncle was in Vietnam, and he taught you to shoot a .22 rifle into a tree when you were 12, that doesn’t count as training and experience. Training and experience are far more valuable than a weapon itself – get some decent marksmanship safety training and spend significant time at the range before considering carrying a weapon.

Most people who attempt to defend themselves without proper training and familiarity or brandish a weapon due to ego and lack of experience and knowledge, end up dying or seriously injured or in jail. Check your ego, get some training, and be careful.

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IAN WALLACE HERO NOMINATION

By John Copeland

D

uring August 2018, while in the course of his shift as a heavy-vehicle recovery driver, 34 yr. old, Ian Wallace, who works for R. D. Avery Recovery of Romsey, Hampshire, was dispatched at approximately 11:00 am to attend and recover a broken-down, 44-ton articulated vehicle.

He arrived at the scene at the junction of the A34 and A 303 to find the vehicle totally blocking the exit road.

He met the Man service technician who he knew as John and who was already on-scene and attending the initial breakdown of the vehicle with his technical service van; however, the breakdown was a major component failure, and it was necessary to have the vehicle towed to the workshop for repair. While waiting for the heavyrecovery vehicle to arrive, John started making the necessary preparations that are required to make the vehicle ready for towing. He had removed the drive shaft and had lifted it into his van.

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When he arrived, Ian maneuvered his recovery vehicle into position to enable him to lift the front of the truck which was ready to tow. He connected the necessary airlines in from the recovery vehicle to the casualty vehicle’s braking system. Because of the dangerous position they were in with trucks and cars passing only inches away at speeds up to 70 mph, John said, “Let’s get out of here! Don’t worry about lights on the trailer; I will follow you back to the workshop with my emergency lights on.”

They got underway and proceeded along the A34 southbound. Because of the extreme length of the recovery vehicle towing the articulated vehicle, Ian decided to pull into the service truck area at Sutton Scotney anyway to put on the lights. On arrival at the services area, Ian got out and walked to the rear of the vehicle with his light board and cable over to where John was parked in his van with the engine running and all the

emergency lights on. Without looking up, Ian called out to John, “Where do you want me to put this in the lot when we get to your garage?” There was no reply. He looked up and noticed John was slumped over the wheel. He shouted out, “JOHN!“ There was no reply; so concerned, he ran up to the van not knowing what was wrong. His first thoughts were, “Was the handbrake on?” “Was it in gear?” He opened the driver’s door and turned the engine off and placed the vehicle in gear.

He raised John’s head off the steering wheel as he took his last gasp of air before he stopped breathing! He shouted to the driver of the truck he was towing, “CALL AN AMBULANCE! HE’S GONE!” The driver immediately did that, but at that time, did not come over to see what was happening.

Ian pulled John out of his van onto the tarmac. (He was not the smallest of people.) He laid him on his back and began CPR. It was something that just came to Ian after seeing it on TV. John was turning greyer and greyer as several onlookers had gathered. The emergency services were now on the speaker phone talking him through the CPR procedure. This went on for seven and a half minutes until the ambulance arrived shortly followed by the air ambulance. They got the defibrillator

and shocked him. They asked Ian to carry on with the compressions until the next shock. They shocked again and again, and then John resuscitated after 10 minutes since Ian had started CPR. John was transported to the hospital and placed into an induced coma for the next 10 days. Ian kept in touch with John’s company to check on his progress. It was not looking good, but then on day 11, Ian received a phone call saying that John had come out of the coma and was responding well--even sitting up, eating, and drinking!

Ian was shocked and relieved that John was going to be okay.

Ian had occasion to tow another vehicle into the same Man dealership a few weeks later only to be informed that John was back at work! Ian was in disbelief. Wow! It seemed much too early, but there John was! Ian went into the workshops to see him, and the first thing John said was ”Ian, you broke my ribs!!“ John was laughing at the time, so after they both embraced and shook each other’s hands. Ian replied, “No Problem, Any Time!”

The only effect John has from his ordeal is a loss of a few weeks’ memory which proves to Ian that miracles can and do happen! At the time of the incident, Ian had never had any first aid training and could not believe that he

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IAN WALLACE HERO NOMINATION

saved a man’s life! He has since taken first aid training and fully believes everyone should do a course in basic First Aid. Here is a hero for you—Ian Wallace.

John Copeland Background Info: He was born in the UK in 1946 and has been in the towing and recovery industry for 58 years along with his wife, Aileen, and his sons, Matthew and Graham.

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He established one of the largest towing and recovery operations in south of England, operating over 100 vehicles out of 5 locations.

He is currently involved in organizing and presenting numerous recovery and rescue demonstrations to the industry, fire and police authorities, and the general public. He is strongly committed to raising the public awareness of “Slow Down Move Over” and the dangers that the recovery operators face at the roadside. He is also active in several trade councils working on raising of standards of training, safety, and public perception of the towing and recovery industry.

Concerning honors: In 2019, he was inducted into the Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in Chattanooga.

In 2013, he received a Fellowship from the Institute of Vehicle Recovery for services to the Recovery Training programs. Also, in 2013, He received the UK Towing and Recovery Industry Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding services to the recovery industry. In 2007, he received an honorary lifetime membership to the Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators, for services rendered to the association.

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LOCKOUT

TOOLS

“BEST TOOLS” You Can Depend On

By Todd Wiles - Best Tools

B

est 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 everchanging 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 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 municipalities. 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 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

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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 something 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!” You can check out our products through your local dealer, check us out online www.besttoolsusa.com or give us a call 800-541-8568. Maybe we will even see you a trade show!

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS W W W.S H O P H A R D M O D E G E A R . C O M

2 6 0 - 8 2 4 -3 57 3 www.towprofessional.com

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LOCKOUT

TOOLS

STECK MFG.

BigEasy GLO with Easy Wedge & Carrying Case Glow-in-the-dark powder coating allows you to see the tool at night or through tinted windows.

• 55 inches long.

• Improved non-marring wedge. Now it’s wider, longer, and smoother.

• Lock Knob Lifter for cars with flat lock knobs at the top of the door.

• Easy Wedge for inflatable controlled opening of car door for insertion of the BigEasy • Paint Protector reduces friction between the car door and the BigEasy • Carrying Case with convenient pockets for holding all of your lockout tools.

BigEasy Loop

BigEasy Night Light Suction cup LED light illuminates dark car interiors.

A great addition to your BigEasy kit, the BigEasy Night Light allows hands-free illumination of the vehicle interior at night to allow tow driver, lock-out technician, officer and/or first responder to locate the door lock or keys while using the BigEasy Lock Out tool or other similar devices. Suction-cup design adheres the Night Light to the windshield or window of the vehicle. Powerful LEDs illuminate the interior so you know exactly where to position the BigEasy tool.

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A simple and inexpensive device to assist the technician in using the BigEasy to open locked cars by grasping door handles and window cranks.

The BigEasy Loop snaps on to any of our BigEasy Lockout Tools to provide easy leverage to pull door handles and window cranks during the door unlocking process. Handy accessory tool easily snaps on the end of the BigEasy Tool avoiding need to purchase additional and more costly specialty tools. BigEasy Loop is made from high-density polyethylene which provides a strong but flexible tool to adapt to any angle required to complete the unlocking process. It is mold injected with reflective substances which will ‘Glo’ after absorbing sunlight for use with tinted windows and headlights for night time lockouts. BigEasy Loop is easily stored in pant’s pocket or BigEasy Carrying Case.

Super Easy Wedge 7” x 9” Our bigger wedge can provide more power as well as a bigger opening in which to maneuver the BigEasyTM lockout tool. If the surface area is not large enough, the possibility of damage is increased; a bigger wedge allows you to spread the force being exerted over a larger surface area, reducing the possibility of damage.

The Super Easy Wedge is a 7” x 9” inflatable wedge made from ballistic nylon, to aid in preventing slippage in extreme weather. The Super Easy Wedge also has a taffeta print on the exterior, with a 30-gauge polypropylene insert for stiffness, which will lend to ease of insertion into the vehicle.

The Super Easy Wedge has a contact area of 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” equaling 11.25 square inches; multiplied by 15 psi, giving the wedge 168.75 pounds of force.

The bulb has been increased by 50% allowing for fewer compressions to fill the wedge.

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LOCKOUT

TOOLS What is the

ACCESS TOOLS Dif ference?

By Julian Packin - Senior Vice President-Access Tools

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ince 1986, Access Tools has traveled the road to becoming the leading manufacturer of automotive lockout equipment for the towing industry. Our products have achieved the respect of car-opening professionals worldwide due to the highest quality control, consistent innovation, and superb customer service year after year.

Access Tools makes a wide variety of Long Reach Tools in all different lengths and for a variety of vehicles. The popular Quick Max Long Reach Tool shares many of the same features as the other Long Reach Tools, such as: • a protective vinyl coating that prevents damage to a vehicle’s delicate painted surface • a special EPDM rubber tip that provides excellent grip for manipulating buttons and switches • a Store-N-Go Handle that holds extra tips for the long reach tool as well as a place to clip the accessory bag • precise bends that put the tool in the right position for any job

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For more information, contact: info @ add123.com | 866.923.3123

ADD123.com Copyright © 2019 Auto Data Direct, Inc. All rights reserved.

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LOCKOUT

TOOLS Other tools in the industry are painted or powder-coated which easily scratches a vehicle’s delicate painted surface. A long reach tool can be used to pull a door handle, push an unlock button, pull a trunk or hood release lever, push a key fobs buttons, or grab a keyring.

Access Tools also makes a variety of Air Jack air wedges designed to help spread the door away from the vehicle, giving the user enough space to insert a Long Reach Tool. These include the: • Mini Starter Air Jack for soft metal / painted b-pillars • Standard Air Jack that is functional on virtually every vehicle • Super Air Jack that tackles heavyduty door frames

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•

Twin Air Jack that works well on stiff door frames.

All these Air Jacks share the same special features: ballistic nylon construction for durability and strength, triple-sealed edges for leak-proof functionality, replaceable inflation bulb and valve components, and an internal stiffener that aids in the insertion of the Air Jack. Vinyl and Rubber air wedges made by other manufacturers will tear a vehicle’s weather-stripping causing leaks and other issues.

The One Hand Jack and Super One Hand Jack are unique wedges that function as pry-bars grabbing just the lip of the door frame avoiding any contact with the weather stripping or other delicate parts of the door typically damaged by traditional wedges.

The Glassman Wedge is designed specifically for frameless window vehicles such as highend BMWs, Mercedes, and other convertible vehicles. These vehicles are susceptible to easily broken windows when using traditional wedge methods, and so the Glassman Wedge functions as a protective double-sided wedge that distributes the force of your long reach tool over a wide surface of the glass, reducing the chances of shattering an expensive window.

The revolutionary Spare Tire Kit from Access Tools will change the way tire changes are performed by making the job faster, safer, and more effective. The Spare Tire Kit is a Multi-Piece Socket-Based system that allows for quick and easy spare tire removal during an emergency flat or routine service. The kit works on any SUV, Pickup Truck, as well as many other new vehicles where the www.towprofessional.com

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LOCKOUT

TOOLS spare tire is difficult to access, and a special key and crank are required to remove the tire from underneath the vehicle. Other kits on the market are big, bulky, and incomplete.

The Easy Off Twist Socket Set works like magic to remove all damaged or locked lug nuts without a key.

With our exclusive sure-twist grip technology locked wheel lugs spin off with no effort. These sockets griplock nuts that threaded or wedge style sockets can’t touch. Five socket sizes fit virtually every lock lug nut on the market and are so easy to use with a breaker bar, socket wrench, or tire iron.

Smash Film is the industry’s best crash and collision film available. This extra thick 4-ml. material is puncture resistant and features extended UV protection. With a high-tack adhesive that leaves behind no residue, this film is perfect for storing a vehicle on your lot or for protection during transport.

The Roadside Creeper is an extra thick low clearance creeper or roadside mat for any professional working on an automobile. Its weather-proof design makes it rain, mud, gravel, snow, and oil resistant.

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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.

The thick foam is durable and features a cutout handle for easy transportation.

The popular One Hand Jack Set is the most widely used car opening tool set in the industry, consisting of the basic components like the Quick Max Long Reach, One Hand Jack Tool, Air Jack Air Wedge, and Button Strip Tool. The Ultimate Long Reach Kit shown here is the most complete Long Reach Tool set available from Access Tools and contains many of the tools manufactured by the company. With the right tools on hand, any job can be done quickly, efficiently, and safely. This is the Access Tools difference.

Our new Hurricane System will blow you away with Easy to use headsets providing it’s power and quick inflation system to make the hearing protection and a ultimate in Quick Clear technology. Available in Five convenient way for your team to communito Eight Jumbo Cushion Sets. All MATJACK Recovery cate in noisy environments. Voice operated Systems including our Landing Bag Sets provide and no additional equipment required. operators with the best equipment available.

Helmets have maximum comfort with Kevlar head protection, 6 color options available.

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SERVICE TRUCKS

Dynamic’s SERVICE TRUCK A Solid Towing Industry Solution!

By Anthony Gentile, President – Dynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing

D

ynamic Towing Equipment and Manufacturing has another solid towing solution to the industry!

Dynamic worked with motor clubs and towers across the country to design a service truck specifically tailored to satisfying the customer’s needs. We spoke 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 and lower costs of operation.

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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:

WE CREATED PLENTY OF STRATEGIC STORAGE SPACE. The Service Truck is equipped with four rollup-door storage compartments for safe and easy curbside access totaling an amazing 80-cubic feet of usable space. The

fenders are poly, so no more rust, and they are lighter, so you can carry more cargo weight without the risk of being overweight. These huge compartments can be delivered 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 batteries to cover most vehicles on the road. The boxes have adjustable shelves with tie-downs, so the batteries are always secured 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 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, when equipped with out stealth unit.

THE #1 ALL-IN-ONE TOW MANAGEMENT SOLUTION Simpler: Easy to Use Smarter: More Effective Teamwork: Faster • Towing (LD, HD) • Lot Management • Recovery • HD Repair • Transport/

Heavy Hauling • Relocation/ Private Property

440.498.1495 https://info.rangersst.com/

Try the Ranger Solution Risk Free! - 60 Days: NO Charge, NO Obligation www.towprofessional.com

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SERVICE TRUCKS

WE INCREASED OUR TRUCK’S RECOVERY CAPABILITIES ELMINATING 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 8000-lb. 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 from a battery boost to a battery replacement to a tow or all the way up to a recovery with one vehicle. 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, as in many cases, the battery is not the cause of the breakdown. After eliminating all the things a Service truck can do to assist the stranded customer, all you must do now is hook up the car.

Consequently, 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.

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arrive, and you as an owner do not have to send multiple vehicles to the same 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 new service truck is truly a solid 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!

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS:

• • • • • • • •

4-year warranty Designed to us a 60CA OR 84CA chassis with an additional 24-in. tunnel box All poly-fender construction 4 large roll-up door compartments with shelving 3 fold-down door compartments with plenty of additional storage Optional adjustable battery racking system Optional 5000-lb. wheel lifts with or without winch and recovery boom.

Open deck space to store dollies, go jacks, cones, and fuel and water tanks.

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SERVICE TRUCKS

A Replacement PolyBody® for YOUR TRUCK

By Jeffrey Jacklin, UPF Mechanical Design Engineer

W

hether your “Ole Reliable” wrecker has an aluminum or fiberglass body that has started to stress and crack or a steel body that you can see through, the wrecker mechanism itself likely still has many years of service left in it. Replacing

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the body side packs is a mere fraction of the cost of a whole new wrecker. A custom polypropylene body from United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. (UPF) is a competitive alternative to the stock metal replacement from an OEM manufacturer.

UPF is the original creator of the polypropylene water tank for the fire service. Each year, UPF supplies thousands of water tanks to fire-truck manufacturers across the United States and internationally. Most of these tanks are individually customized for the end user based on specifications provided by the fire-truck manufacturer.

What does this experience in customization mean to a tow professional? A PolyBody® by UPF can be adapted

to fit any wrecker currently in use. These lightweight bodies are impervious to corrosion and resistant to dents and dings. Most importantly, the PolyBody® can be customized to meet each individual customer’s requirements. Compartment configuration, size, and shape can be adjusted or changed to fit layout or the customer’s preferences.

OEM bodies are necessarily of a cookie-cutter design.

BUILDING THE BEST WIRELESS TOW LIGHTS IN THE BUSINESS!

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Contains Auto-grade circuitry Individually serialized to prevent cross-talk & protect against theft

Toll Free: 800-490-3158 CusterProducts.com www.towprofessional.com

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SERVICE TRUCKS

UPF can build a PolyBodyÂŽ to make use of the available space on your truck. In most cases, the new body will be taller and deeper with larger compartment openings than the original. While poly slam doors are available, UPF recommends roll-up doors as a safer, more economical standard. The poly slam doors are very heavy duty and look great, but they are very labor and part intensive to

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manufacture. The roll-up doors offer larger compartment openings and better visibility for the operator, both outside the truck and within the compartments.

The Design Process Pricing for a replacement body is based on the overall size, axle configuration, style of doors, and a list of the

typical options. Specific custom add-ons are priced on an individual basis. Pictures of the current truck can be very helpful for communicating these details.

Once an order is added to the system, engineering will contact the customer to set up a measurement visit and to review their order. Usually the engineer will have a preliminary cad model of their body in process already.

The idea is to have a complete design available for review before arriving at the customer’s shop. This is critical to identify any potential fit-up issues, or questions to resolve with the customer. During the visit, the customer can view the 3D CAD model, and the engineer can show them the results of any changes in a matter of minutes. It often works best to set up the laptop right next to the truck in

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Don’t lose your customers and your livelihood by being unable to answer the call. Rent a wrecker from Wrecker Rentals and keep your business in business while your asset is down.

Wrecker Rentals can deliver a wrecker or carrier to your location in a matter of hours so that you have limited service interruption.

770.898.1200 • rentawrecker.com www.towprofessional.com

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SERVICE TRUCKS question. After every detail has been verified, the engineer will measure and document the existing components.

Often a wrecker receiving a replacement body has already been modified from the original configuration. This measurement allows UPF to confirm that nothing will interfere with the planned body.

One unique characteristic of a PolyBodyÂŽ is the flexibility of the material. This flexibility protects the body from stresses that could damage a metal body. This flexibility also requires additional supports versus what is typically used on the original body. In most cases, the original supports are reused. Additional supports are added at the tail and between the compartments.

Confirming the location of these supports is a primary goal of the measurement trip.

After the visit, the customer will receive a set of approval prints to review. These prints show every important feature and provide dimensional information.

Details of the additional mounts and the mounted body are also included. This is a final opportunity for the customer to make any last-minute changes before the body is sent to production.

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Into Production After making any final changes, Engineering prepares the body CAD model for production, creating the necessary files to the UPF cut center. The typical heavy-duty wrecker body will be made up of approximately 150 to 200 individual parts cut from three or four different thicknesses of polypropylene. UPF utilizes sophisticated nesting software to arrange the parts on the 5’x10’ sheets for cutting. CNC router tables cut the outline of each piece, as well as slots used for locating the mating pieces.

Over the next few weeks, these parts are pieced together; the fit is confirmed, and they are welded into place. The finished joints are water-tight and nearly as strong as the base material. Once rubber fenders are fitted and the doors are hung, the body is palletized and ready for shipment.

The result is a tough, light, quiet, maintenance-free body that will outlast the life of the chassis. If you have a good-working truck that is showing its age, you don’t need to replace it. UPF can work with you to make your truck better.

THE LEADER IN TOWING MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE G

19 years and 44 million calls in the making!

Mobile Applications Motor Club Digital Dispatch GPS Integration Image Storage Inventory Management

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Municipality Tools Daily Metrics Reporting User Security Quickbooks Integration So much more!

Automated and Custom Pricing Custom Reporting Inspection Database Lien w/DMV Integrations Auction

STABLE • RELIABLE • COMPLETE

towxchange.net | 866-800-8677 opt 2

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TowTrax

Tomorrow’s Technology for Today’s Business INDUSTRY PROBLEMS • • • • • •

Poor ETA to motorist Communication Billing Prices Vary Too many contracts Service provider could not service remote areas

W

e created TowTrax with the goal of utilizing modern GPS technology to create a nextgeneration platform for the “old school,” non-automated roadside assistance industry. Our app offers a complete solution that allows its users to rapidly request the nearest tow companies from wherever they may be.

We provide our partnered tow companies and service providers with a network that allows them to manage requests, track their truck locations in real-time, and more. The best part: it costs nothing for a tow company or a service provider to register with TowTrax. Our approach was to identify industry problems between service providers and tow trucks and fix them.

Never before has a service hit the towing industry that’s a win for everyone.

Win – Tow Companies – Get More Tows/ Lower Expenses Win – Service Providers – Improve ETA’s/ Real – Time Tracking Win – Consumer – Feeling Safer/Better ETA’s

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TowTrax is building a network of 25,000 tow companies nationwide to service its customers nationwide. Our service providers told us where they need help, and that was our target areas. We are active in MN, WI, PA, FL, NC, GA, TX, and MT. CA and Canada are coming soon.

Service Provider Benefits

• • • • • • • • • • •

Larger tow company network Can watch tow truck approach customer Better ETA’s for their customer Track each tow assigned Can offer a competitive tow rate to the tow company Cut expenses Cut phone time with tow companies Reduce accounting expenses by time stamping process Reduced disputes with tow companies Tell us where you need help White label TowTrax

TowTrax allows you to watch every tow in real time. You can see when the tow was entered, when it was accepted, and when it was completed.

TowTrax will provide reporting by job, by Tow Company, by date, and others as requested by the service provider. You can watch every tow in real time and select the job number to see the details of that job. TowTrax is composed of two parts:

DRIVER APP

DASH BOARD Allows service providers to enter their tow

This allows the driver to

rates and monitor their jobs in TowTrax.

get tows from TowTrax.

Tow Company Benefits

• • • • • • • • • • •

It’s a free down load Improves ETA Gives tow companies tows they never had Gives tow companies free GPS Provides quick pay Cuts expenses Additional revenue stream Increase and track driver productivity Option to accept/decline assignments Know fee prior to tow No negotiating

Cut Your Expenses While improving ETA’s by 35% to 50% with TowTrax

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URGENT.LY Partners with Tow

Professionals to Drive the Future of

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

By Rebecca Day, Marketing-Urgent.ly

L

aunched in 2014 as a digital roadside assistance service, available on-demand directly to US consumers, Urgent.ly intelligently connects motorists in need with the nearest available and qualified service providers. Today, Urgent.ly’s platform is delivered through business partners around the world – comprised of automotive, insurance, telematics and new technology transportation companies in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The service provider network is a vital part of Urgent.ly’s work to deliver increased customer loyalty, improved customer retention, and an overall better roadside assistance experience to partner brands. From the beginning, the service providers in Urgent.ly’s network, with more than 80,000 digitally connected and accountable service providers nationwide, have been vital to Urgent.ly’s success. Urgent.ly has built this network by treating service providers as partners, driving network loyalty and superior service quality to help grow their business and increase efficiency. By treating service providers as true partners, Urgent.ly has created a high-performing, technology-savvy and responsive network for servicing today’s needs while ensuring service capability for the future.

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Service providers also benefit from being part of the Urgent.ly network. Urgent.ly supports the network with tools and training to help service providers adapt to changes in the mobility market and take advantage of opportunities to grow their business. In a recent survey of service providers, service partners that are embracing new technology like Urgent.ly are experiencing above average growth. Urgent.ly ranked no. 1 among roadside assistance companies and auto clubs for providing the best overall experience for service providers, for proximity of jobs, dispatch portal, payment process, technology, and support.

Urgent.ly was also identified as the roadside assistance brand service providers would most likely recommend to a friend or colleague.

Safety, for motorists and tow professionals, is a top priority in roadside assistance. Urgent.ly demonstrates its commitment to safety in a number of ways – from donations to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivors Fund, to sending out local weather alerts, to delivering greater transparency throughout the roadside experience. The use of mobile technologies, innovative processes, and business standards are important aspects of Urgent.ly’s

commitment to safety and transparency.

Urgent.ly requires service providers to maintain standards that set them apart: things like a minimum of level of insurance, experience, customer ratings, branded uniforms and vehicles, background checks, service technician photos, and information shared with motorists in advance. These standards have resulted in a highly qualified service provider network. Consequently, it’s because of this network that Urgent.ly has been able to partner with premium global automotive, insurance, telematics, and transportation technology brands.

Global automotive and new mobility companies are increasingly designing and marketing more transportation options with varying tasks, sizes, and complexity – from electric and autonomous vehicles, to micro-mobility options, drones, robotic delivery, and more. For this reason, Urgent.ly has built its service provider network with the future in mind. Its network is comprised of roadside assistance and towing professionals whose business goals and practices align with the expanding future of the mobility ecosystem.

Urgent.ly will continue to build its service provider network to support the expanding mobility assistance market and welcomes tow professionals that share the

company’s commitment to servicing today’s vehicles and the fleets of the future.

Tow professionals can learn more about Urgent.ly and how to join its service provider network by visiting the company’s website or by emailing towsupport@urgent.ly.

JOIN THE NETWORK THAT POWERS LEADING BRANDS

SIGN UP at geturgently.com/towpro • CALL US at 888.461.3621 Tow Pro 7x4.7 Half Page Ad-SEPT-2019_v1r2.indd 1

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MOTOR CLUBS &

Roadside Assistance

An Open Letter to

Tow Bosses:

What’s Your Biggest Complaint About the Towing Industry?

By Laura Narpaul-Co-founder/President, Mach 1

L

et’s face it; with the current model, there could be many responses to the question of what your biggest complaint about the towing industry is. So, what would you say? Is it the profit-slashing bidding wars for work, the challenges of communicating through dispatchers, the slow payouts, or having no GPS to customers?

Probably the most common complaint we hear is about being price haggled and bidding wars. In an industry where your work should be recognized, someone asks you how low you’re willing to go. That’s just not right. You may also be worried that you’ll be one of many companies contacted for a job, and then you still get into a bidding war for the work. It’s hard to improve your bottom line when you have to low ball your work just to break even. So, what if you never had to deal with that again?

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Well, with Mach1, you won’t. When we built the Mach1 platform, we didn’t just do it with our company’s bottom line in mind, we built it with yours too. We also wanted to create a fair environment for customers who don’t have a membership and order on-demand. This is what our company was built on, “People Helping People.”

As a Mach1 provider, you don’t get a phone call about how low you’re willing to do any given job. We’ve built integrated platforms that work with each other to truly automate the dispatch process and give you more control.

Our dispatching system finds the closest provider to the customer and sends them a push notification with the request. It goes to one person, not multiple companies for bidding. You accept the request and turn-by-turn navigation automatically turns on, getting you to the customer.

You can even call or text the customer in the app without giving out your personal phone number. Once

UNIVERSAL VEHICLE MOUNTING SYSTEM

NO WHEELS & TIRES? NO PROBLEM!

Use GUNIWHEEL™ to mount and move vehicles onto tow beds

you’ve completed the service, there is a price window set, and you get to choose the final price. You can also add services and charges as needed on-site without anyone but the customer’s permission--sound good?

The customer pays through the app, and you get money in your account 48 hours later. We’ve even built dashboards that let you change the services you offer at the touch of a button. You can view reports, and even manage employees’ services there.

Are you wondering what the catch is? We can’t run our business on sweat and integrity alone. We charge an operating fee of 15% per transaction that runs through the app. It’s taken out automatically, so you don’t have to worry about any invoices- at all! The system tracks that for you too! We’ve been building our provider network for a couple of months now and have providers in 49 states.

Oh, and I also want to tell you about our veteran and first responder program. If you have honorably served in the military or are a current first responder, we want to thank you! We’ll also reimburse your background check fees, make sure to sign-up when you apply. We are also veteran-owned and operated.

If you’re interested in getting started with us, please visit us at provider.mach1services.com to apply. We look forward to working with you!

A

A

WWW.GUNIWHEEL.COM

One-Stop Visits Safely Mount Vehicles No more multiple spare tires

www.lkqonline.com

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Roadside Assistance

Offers a Platform to Combat the Changing World of Towing Professionals

By Jackie Murphy – Sr. Product Marketing Manager-HONK

What Is HONK?

T

he global towing and roadside assistance market continues to undergo a transformation toward digitally connected motorists who expect immediate, responsive roadside assistance services, available in just a few clicks directly from their smartphones and mobile apps that mirror the memorable, efficient, and reliable digital customer experiences similar to their favorite brands - like Amazon, Zappos, Netflix, and Uber. HONK has delivered a platform that is helping service providers meet this demand.

In 2014, HONK entered the towing and roadside industry with a goal of changing it for the better. HONK realized that motorists stranded on the side of the road didn’t just need a tire change; they needed to pick up their children from school on-time. HONK’s vision of roadside assistance for the 21st century was not just to fix a broken-down car, but to empower motorists to complete their journey, turning car breakdowns into nothing more than a small bump in the road. HONK is proud of the industry changes they’ve made since its inception. As a technology company first, HONK will continue to drive innovation for motorists and service professionals alike through the introduction of new technologies and a fresh, new mindset geared towards the future.

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HONK, an innovative on-demand mobility and roadside assistance platform, has created the first digital and transparent ecosystem for motorists, service providers and carriers, resulting in a safer, smarter alternative to the hour-long waits and insufficient options plaguing the market today. HONK’s web and mobile app solution provides on-demand towing and roadside assistance services to motorists from a trusted network of service providers. At the press of a button, motorists simply identify what service they need, and the best-positioned service provider is immediately alerted through their HONK driver app. In most cases, the motorist receives assistance within 30 minutes of their request for help.

As a result, HONK’s network has set a new standard for customer satisfaction, retention, and performance with ETAs/ATAs averaging 50% faster than the motor clubs.

For insurance carriers and fleet management companies who entrust HONK to manage their roadside assistance programs, this translates into increased retention rates, customer satisfaction, and a new level of confidence in service due to the transparent data available within the solution. HONK’s clients report double-digit increases in their roadside assistance service Net Promoter Scores (NPS) with significantly fewer customer complaints. HONK additionally supplies services directly to motorists through their consumer app available on Android and iOS.

Roadside Assistance Technology Built by People Who Care Service providers joining the HONK Partner Network are searching for innovative and efficient ways to supplement their business with ease. HONK’s industry-best, 24-hour payment for completed jobs and precise job information allows providers to add smart revenue while maintaining

the freedom to manage their core business effectively.

HONK’s optimized dispatch technology powers an easyto-use app that prioritizes providers for performance and customer service. HONK’s instant job alerts with detailed service information, customer GPS pin-point location data and a customer-driver communications channel are all designed to help service providers be more efficient. HONK understands that running a towing and roadside business is hard - with HONK, having the tools to optimize it just got easier.

HONK stands by its Service Provider Network being their biggest asset and is committed to investing in this network through continuous technology advancements, industry education, business training, and safety awareness. This includes increasing awareness nationwide for “Move Over” laws. HONK is doing its part to help protect the safety of tow truck professionals by passing out thousands of “Slow Down, Move Over” bumper stickers and continuous promotion. HONK joins our Partners in the firm belief that by educating the public about “Move Over” laws together, we can save lives and that’s a huge win for everyone.

Join HONK Today!

the HONK Partner Network for free upon meeting their quality and safety standards. HONK is not a motor club but rather a technology platform designed to create the most effective and customer-focused connection between a service professional and a motorist in need.

Service professionals excited about joining the highest performing network in the industry should sign up at www.joinhonk.com/towpro and experience the difference.

Towing and roadside professionals may apply and join

www.towprofessional.com

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Questx

By Adam Okdeh, Marketing – Director-Questx

Who We Are Quest is a leading tech enabled claims solution provider for insurance companies. With a national network of 35,000 providers across the country, Quest connects the best tow providers with drivers in their time of need. Our powerful, intuitive, and cutting-edge technology makes the entire process hassle-free for the customer, the tow provider, and the insurance company.

Due to our phenomenal growth over the last several months and our focus on a wide spectrum of “top-tier” solutions, we are rebranding our company to QuestX. The new QuestX brand reflects our next generation technology and our heritage of world class service.

Our History QuestX was established in 1988 to provide business management and automation solutions for small business.

Headquartered in St Johns, Michigan, Quest markets and maintains a suite of software applications for the auto and flat glass retail business, supporting over 1700 glass retailers nationally with their business management software needs including electronic invoicing (EDI), electronic ordering, inventory management, job scheduling, and accounting interface. Since that time, we have grown into a full-service Third-Party administrator, supporting carriers with their FNOL, Towing and Glass TPA needs, as well as several other niche carrier-based products.

Although Quest began providing roadside and towing services in the mid-90s as part of its FNOL services, Quest Towing Services was established when Quest obtained the operations and service provider network of ERS (Emergency Roadside Services) Corporation of Atlanta. At the time, ERS was one of the three largest national providers of roadside 58

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and motor club solutions and rated by J. D. Power as industry’s best service provider network. Upon acquiring the ERS network, Quest began marketing national roadside programs and today has over eighty Roadside Assistance, Accident and Secondary tow program clients.

Our Rankings Rank #1 by TowPartners.com #1 Fastest Paying by Tow411

The QuestX Difference Brand new Towing Provider Portal with full control of your profile - Select the services you want to offer, the service area you want to work in, and the rates you want for each service.

Electronic payment within 48 hours - Helps you work more jobs for better performance.

See your key performance metrics at a glance giving you instant feedback on your performance and how to improve it without being called and lectured.

• • • • •

100% Human Interactions when you call in.

Responsive to tow provider needs and concerns.

Quick and painless resolution on damage claims.

Quick resolution on billing concerns.

Easy onboarding process to our new portal.

Streamlined and automated communications - Get concise notifications to help you get the job done quickly and correctly.

Highly trained CSRs and Network Managers at all our offices - East and West coast call centers with 450 + agents.

Owners active in the business.

2012 Peterbilt 388 with Jerr-Dan 35-ton Integrated HDL700/350INT • Stock Number U1396 • ISX15 Cummins – 500hp • Fuller RTL016913A 13-spd manual trans • 163,194 miles • 20,000lb Dana Spicer front axle/ 46,000lb Dana Spicer rears • 25,500lb GVWR

2020 International MV607 Extended Cab with 22ft Jerr-Dan SRR6T-WLP Steel Carrier • Stock Number U9029 • 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel – 260hp • Allison automatic transmission • 11,307 miles • 255/70R22.5 tires • 8,000lb front axle; 17,500lb rear axle • 25,500lb GVWR

2020 International MV607 Extended Cab • Stock Number U9029 • 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel – 260hp • Allison automatic transmission • 11,307 miles • 255/70R22.5 tires • 8,000lb front axle; 17,500lb rear axle • 25,500lb GVWR

Eastern Wrecker Sales Inc is the oldest active Jerr-Dan Corp distributor in the nation and we also proudly offer the Landoll line of transportation products, trailers tough enough to move the world. Since 1969. We have one of the largest inventories of new and used tow trucks, carriers, and trailers in the nation and a full parts and service facility. Financing is available, and the process is easy.

13401 US 70 Business Hwy West Clayton, NC 27520 • www.easternwrecker.com / 919-553-4038

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DEALERS PLACE

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Market PLACE

M O B I L I T Y

•

F L E X I B I L I T Y

•

S I M P L I C I T Y

•

S E C U R I T Y

Nobody does Storage Lot Management like we do...

Period !

Don’t lose your mind and profits paying endless regulatory fines for storage lot errors. Invest in your peace of mind!

VTS Systems is a leading North American software company, dedicated to providing products and everyday support for the towing, recovery and vehicle impound industry.

Call today for more details.

877.374.7225 Ext. 2 Or visit vts-systems.com

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Advertiser Index COMPANY

PG

Tow Professional | Volume 8 • Issue 8

PG

Hide-a-Lift ............................................ 63 Hino .....................................................BC Holly’s Towing Dispatch .................... 26 HONK ................................................... 57 INA Towing Network ......................... 48 Jerr-Dan ..............................................6-7 Kendall Products (Dri-Dek) .............. 27 Lodar ..................................................... 23 Mach 1.................................................. 55 Marking Pen Depot ............................ 63 Matjack ................................................ 39 McMahon Truck Centers .................. 62 Midwest Keyless ................................ 38 Mike Keith Insurance ........................ 63 Mobile Create USA ........................... 36 Progressive Insurance ...................... 18 PWOF ...................................................... 9 Quest ..................................................... 59 Ranger SST ......................................... 41 Recovery Billing.................................. 43 Ricks Truck .......................................... 60

Access Tools ......................................... 5 Alliance Funding ................................. 31 American Safety & Supply ............... 46 Austin Hinds ........................................ 62 Austin Insurance ................................ 49 Auto Data Direct ................................. 35 Beacon Software ............................... 17 Best Tools............................................. 29 Clore ...................................................... 25 Collins Dollies ...................................... 11 Custer Products .................................. 45 Custom Built ........................................ 37 CW Mill ................................................ 36 Dynamic .............................................IBC Eastern Wrecker Sales, Inc ............. 59 ECM Performance.............................. 19 Flow Stop ............................................. 64 GPS Fleet Management Solutions..... 31 Guni Wheel .......................................... 55 Hal Kresser .......................................... 63 Hardmode Gear .................................. 29

64

COMPANY

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COMPANY

PG

Robert Young ....................................... 62 RP Consulting ...................................... 19 RV Wheel ............................................. 63 Southern Communication Services ...51 Steck Mfg............................................. 26 TLC Triuck & Equipment .................... 60 TOPS ..................................................... 49 Towbook ................................................. 3 Towing Museum ............................32-33 Towmate ................................................. 1 TowTruckLocator.com ....................... 38 United Plastic Fabricating .............. IFC Urgent.ly ............................................... 53 VTS Systems ................................. 21, 63 Waters Truck ....................................... 61 Weiss Ins.............................................. 63 Winches, Inc ....................................... 27 Wrecker Rentals................................. 47 XINSURANCE ...................................... 15 Zellner Insurance ............................... 46

THE TRUCK IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

When you start up your new Hino Truck, our journey with you is just beginning. That’s because every Hino comes standard with a 5-Year Warranty, 24/7 HinoWatch, and Hino Insight Connected Vehicle Solution. Why? Because taking care of you and your truck is what we call the ULTIMATE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

WWW.HINO.COM