American Towman Magazine - March 2021

The Road Calls

Four Co’s

TEAM

to

Win the

DONNIE

Jackknifed in Texas Woods

GET AT IT

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MARCH 2021 AmericanTowman.com

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Contents

Volume 45 Issue 3

March 2021

Cover Feature

30

Epitome of Working Together Four tow co’s team up on a crane that went down a slope to win the prestigious Donnie award.

by Justin Cruse and Steve Calitri Rotators used in recovery: (2) 1150 Century, 1075 Century, and a NRC 50/65.

Features

18

Departments 6

The Walkaround

8

News Share

10

Road Tools

11

Zoom In

12

Tow Safety

22

Tow Engineer

34

Ad Index

46

Tow Boss

54

Towman’s Market

56

My Baby

58

Lowdown

66

Adventures of A.T.

Pitstop

Towers should get at the job just like they do in the pit stop at a race track.

by John Borowski

36

Off-Road Load

A Texas tower uses two heavy duty units to recover a jackknifed tractor trailer than had gone off the road into the woods.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

4 • March 2021 | Towman.com

First on the scene since 1977

The Walkaround Do It Right and Quick

Dennie Ortiz Publisher

We can never speak enough about the importance of safety in this industry, it is why we have a monthly department focused just on that.

This department covers various aspects of safety protocols, procedures, and equipment to help ensure towers return home.

The dangers towers face day-to-day in the performance of their regular duties are many and there are some lurking hazards that may not even be considered. One of these potential dangers is brought to light in Randall Resch’s article. He explains why towers should consider having Narcan readily available to treat potentially life threatening exposure to fentanyl in responding to a tow or recovery. While this may not seem like an everyday risk opioid abuse is a nationwide crisis so it is a risk that should be evaluated.

Within this issue John Borowski suggests that tow operators approach each tow call on a roadway the same way a pit stop crew views a pit stop during a car race. John emphasizes the need to limit your time, hence exposure to peril, on the roadway. The obvious conclusion here is less time equals less risk, so he proposes what each tow operator can do in advance, and on scene, to minimize the time spent in jeopardy.

This month we feature two great recoveries, one was the winner of the 2020 Donnie Cruse Recovery award and featured four different companies collaborating on a challenging recovery of a 70-ton crane in a steep ditch. This a prime example of what can be achieved when working tow-gether! The second recovery showcases a Texas towing company executing and retrieving a jack-knifed tractor trailer from off the road and down an embankment … a job well done.

These recoveries showcase how rigging is essential to a successful recovery. How good is your rigging know-how? On page 22 Terry Abejuela has put together a few questions and answers for you to test your rigging knowledge.

Just as rigging is the key to any recovery there are certain equipment and procedures for loading a vehicle on a carrier bed. In our Tow Boss department the case is made against using loading loops and provides a real-world example of what could go wrong.

Last but not least, check out this month’s My Baby featuring Plaza Towing’s rotator. This California company celebrated over 50 years in business with the purchase of a 50-ton rotator.

Enjoy your reading and keep safe!

6 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Randall Resch Terry Abejuela Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons Mark Lacek Brian Riker

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor

Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn.

Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass.

Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

American Towman Staff Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec.

Customer Service Subscription Manager Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President

Gina Johnson Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Henri Calitri Patrice Gesner Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri

American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546

E-Mail: Publisher Editor-In-Chief AT’S Digital Edition AT’S Website AT’S Weekly ATTV

dortiz@towman.com scalitri@towman.com itowman.com americantowman.com towindustryweek.com americantowmantv.com

Copyright ©2021 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc.

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News Share Tow Work Spikes with 2021 Snows

The first quarter of 2021 is seeing a flurry of demand on towers as heavy snows have rocked the northern states.

In the Ozarks of Mo., Jason Harden of Terry’s Towing says he gets about 40 calls on a normal day. “We had all three [phone] lines lit up constantly,” he said.

“We had to get here, we had to get there, we had to hurry.”

Kaileigh Kupchin, office manager at Santa Fe Tow Service in the Kansas City metro area, said the company received nearly 300 calls for service by midday. “We have been crazy busy; this is definitely the busiest day for the season so far,” Kupchin said. “I don’t think anybody was really expecting such cold temperatures.”

In Chippewa Falls, Wi., Chad’s Towing & Recovery says since the below zero temps rolled in, service calls have doubled. They’ve handled 125 service calls, with many drivers needing a jumpstart or a tow after battery issues left them stranded.

Winter storms hit Quad-Cities, Ill., causing many crashes and multiple cars to flip over. Tow truck driver and owner of Goacher Towing, Bruce Goacher saw little relief. “It’s endless.

You can go right on around the clock if you want.”

After a week-long snowstorm and brutally cold temperatures covering Upper Michigan, Patriot Towing has been very busy. “The wrecker service right now with the weather we’re having is just crazy,” said Patriot Towing Owner Niel Marietta. “No starts to crashes... to people in the ditch.” Patriot Manager Kris Tapani said he gets a couple of hours of sleep here and there... but mostly he’s on calls getting people moving.

The Northeast has reported record snowfalls, up to thirty-five inches one week in February in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Eddie Cardiello, owner of Ed’s Auto Service and Towing in Mt. Pocono, Penn., says that when snow hits, dozens of calls come in for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. “We are a 24-hour company as it is. Each truck is probably doing at least 20 to 30 calls itself per day. On top of the recovery work then we have to do repair work on plow trucks. Everyone here is going nonstop,” said Cardiello.

8 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Risks to Towers

from Lithium-ion Battery Fires

A new National Transportation Safety Board report highlights the risk of lithium-ion battery fires for towing professionals and first responders.

“Thermal runaway and multiple battery reignitions after initial fire suppression are safety risks in highvoltage lithium-ion battery fires,” the NTSB wrote in the document released. “… The energy remaining in a damaged high-voltage lithium-ion battery, known as stranded energy, poses a risk of electric shock and creates the potential for thermal runaway that can result in battery reignition and fire.”

The NTSB report also criticized OEM first responder guides for lacking enough information to protect first responders like firefighters and “second responders” like towing companies.

The NTSB advises the Towing and Recovery Association of America to “Inform your members about the circumstances of the fire risks described in this report and the guidance available to emergency personnel who respond to high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles.”

Lithium-ion batteries pose the risk of electric shock and fire

Some recommendations include towing a damaged electric vehicle on a flatbed and arranging to tow the vehicle to an offsite location where it can be isolated. For more information on this report, go to Source:repairerdrivennews. com/2021/01/18/ntsb-reporthighlights-safety-risks-precautions-forelectric-vehicle-towing-storage

Quest to Find Home for Purple Heart

A couple of years ago, a purple heart was found laying in an abandoned car at All Points Towing at their tow yard in Reno, Nev. “You don’t find Purple Hearts laying in abandoned cars, I mean it’s just so unusual,” said Frank Greenwood, with the Disabled American Veterans Reno Chapter #1.

Subsequently, the medal was given to a neighboring business owner, Howard ‘Mac’ McField, a retired marine who owns a window tinting business.

With nothing to go by except the name on the back of the medal, Charles N. Lincoln, United States Navy, McField and Greenwood have been on a 2 year quest to find an heir of Lincoln’s. Lincoln died at the end of World War II in a kamikaze bombing of the U.S.S. Bismarck, soon after

Purple Heart found in Abandoned Car at All Points Towing in Reno, NV

receiving the honor.

“It’s so important that we get this back to the family,” Greenwood said. “It’s an heirloom. You know the family should be proud that he gave his life for this country.”

“A Purple Heart is a special story,” Greenwood said. “Purple Hearts are given to special people who do special things, and the family needs to know what he did.”

Source: kolotv.com

News Share “Adopting a First Responder” Program Initiated Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Honolulu Emergency Medical Services officials honored Vince Southon for his heroic efforts in pulling Timothy Phillip, 10, from a canal.

Tower in Hawaii Saves Boy

from Canal’s Raging Waters

Owner Vince Southon of Eastside Towing &Recovery LLC, located in Oahu, Hawaii, was loading a car in a down pour at his auto shop, when he suddenly found himself in the thick of a harrowing situation. He heard the faint cries of a 10 year old boy, Timothy Phillip, who was holding on to a branch over a raging canal nearby.

The tower quickly went back to his tow truck, grabbed some rope and tied a lasso, which Phillip wrapped around his body and then pulled him to safety.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Emergency Medical Services Division honored Southon for his heroic efforts. “Not only are you a hero; you’re an epitome of a hero in what you’ve done saving this young man,” Blangiardi said during a livestreamed ceremony.

After Blangiardi recognized Southon for his selfless act and offered the microphone to him to say a few words, Southon politely declined. “I’m not one for the limelight,” he said.

Source: staradvertiser.com

Milwaukee Towers Rescue Man from Burning Car Two tow truck drivers from two different tow companies in Milwaukee were hailed as heroes as they converged on a car that was on fire, saving the man inside.

Tower Frank Nee was heading home when he came upon the scene. He said, “Right place, right time is definitely it.”

When he arrived, the other tower was already performing CPR on the man inside the car. Nee stopped to help, using his vehicle to block off oncoming traffic. He then assisted with CPR and chest compressions. As the fire worsened, they pulled the man from the car and waited for other first responders to arrive.

Nee said, “You are so in tune with what’s going on, you really don’t think

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Frank Nee

about what’s happening.”

He said he is no hero. “I help where I’m needed and I saw that I was needed.”

Source: fox6now.com

To show his appreciation for First Responders, Billy Wade, a photographer, has started a program called “Adopt a First Responder and Public Safety in the 4 State Region.” The Four State area describes Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma with the Tulsa, Oklahoma Joplin, Missouri and Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Arkansas metropolitan areas included.

On its Facebook group page, the program is “a place where first responders from all walks of life will be recognized from a variety of citizens in the 4-state region. This group is to help bring awareness and recognize our unseen heroes.” Mention the name or post a picture of the first responder on the page and they can be adopted by anyone.

The program, which includes dispatchers, police, fire fighters, tow operators and paramedics, will accept donations such as gift cards, pre-made dinners or desserts, or anything else.

Wade said, “I think it is a blessing. I always give back to the first responders anyway. It makes for a better journey.”

Source:facebook.com/ groups/442024370499332/ Source: fourstateshomepage.com/

Repo Job Turns into Bizarre Arrest

John Beasly, 75, of Tenn., whose Kia was repo’ed then reported stolen, was arrested when pulled over driving his own car. The car was registered as stolen. Police confirmed Beasley was the registered owner of the car.

“It turns out the vehicle is his. He reported it stolen. It had been repossessed. He did not tell the police that it was not stolen and he got it back, so it could be removed from the system. So, it was still in the system,” said Belle Meade, Tenn. Police Sgt. Jon Carter.

It was then that police learned that Beasley had two warrants for his arrest, one for misdemeanor trespassing and the other for felony vandalism.

Sgt. Carter said, “Basically he called the cops on himself. He completely forgot he reported it stolen. Even when I told him it is still showing as stolen, he said, it is not, it is my car. And then it finally clicked that he reported it when it was repo’ed.”

Source: wkrn.com

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 9

Road Tools Unload From the Rear

Landoll Trailers has introduced a new option available for the 855 and 860 Construction Series detachable trailers. The all new PinOn Beavertail and Hydraulic Power Ramps option allows customers to load and unload from the rear of a detachable trailer.

All Landoll Detachable trailers come standard with Flip Axle brackets and will accommodate this new beavertail option. It pins onto the trailer in the same location as the flip axle. The heavy-duty ramps operate hydraulically from the trailer’s control panel where the power supply is located. Any current owner could field install this option and update his trailer to have this new feature.

This option may also be installed on other brands of trailers with very little work or modifications. This option gives the operator the versatility to haul a wider variety of payload and load or unload in a wider range of job site or over the top of a curb.

Landoll.com

New 579 Most Advanced Peterbilt Ever

Peterbilt Motors Company announced a new era of class with the launch of the bold and aerodynamic on-highway flagship, the new Model 579. Thoroughly redesigned, this major evolution of the Model 579 delivers outstanding improvements in Aerodynamics, Efficiency, Comfort, Technology and Uptime.

Peterbilt says its designers and engineers have delivered the most technologically advanced truck Peterbilt has ever built. The new 579 is also the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient Peterbilt thanks to the new exterior design featuring a new sloped hood and optimized aero components, as well as the new 2021 PACCAR MX-13 and MX-11 engines and PACCAR transmission. Improved comfort will have drivers feeling right at home on the road with a 10% quieter cab and sleeper, additional storage, a new smart steering wheel and an improved Bluetooth microphone. Highlighting the New 579s innovative technologies is a class-leading 15” Digital Dash Display, delivering all the information drivers need in a clean, intuitive interface. In addition, the new 579 features Advanced Driver Assistance Systems providing drivers the latest safety technologies in the form of collision mitigation, lane departure warning and the new lane keeping assist (LKA), among others.

Peterbilt.com

Access Tools Replacement Tool Tips

AccessToolsUSA.com 10 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Access Tools, the world’s leading manufacturer of car opening tools, has made replacement tips for its Long Reach Tools and In-The-Door Tools readily available. One’s tools tip is important as this is the portion that gives the tool the protection it needs against scratching a vehicles interior, as well as the grip that it needs to properly manipulate lock knobs, handles, and buttons.

The Store-N-GO Replacement Tips (#SNG-TIPS) bring 12 replacement tips for most of the Access Tools Long Reach Tools that feature the StoreN-Go Handle. The Power Grip Tip Set (#PGTS) bring 12 assorted replacement tips for a wide variety of Access Tools Long Reach Tools and In-The-Door Tools. For Long Reach Tools such as the Quick Max and Big Max, then the Store-N-GO Replacement Tips is the choice tip to use. If In-The-Door Tools are used as well as Long Reach Tools, then the Power Grip Tip Set are the choice tips. Every Car Opening Professional should have a backup set of tool tips available to them at all times, and Access Tools has made that possible with the Store-N-Go Replacement Tips and Power Grip Tip Set.

Zoom In

TowTract

Compact and Versatile TowTract is a vehicle recovery robot with Caterpillars controlled by radio-command and is halfway between the forklift truck and the tow truck. This unique invention is very effective for the towing and handling of a vehicle.

The concept is to remove all types of vehicles gently and without any technical constraints. The system slips underneath the vehicle and lifts it without traction effect.

TowTract is able to take a vehicle even if the car is locked, damaged or burned, from anywhere (underground parking, small courtyard, in a field, in the mud or in the snow, etc.), especially where a tow truck cannot go because of its size.

The TowTract can go on a carrier or trailer bed, even in a box truck with its load, which can be a vehicle of 2.5 tons. It is able to go down carrier bed on its own and park the vehicle to store it. At a highway incident, TowTract is able to quickly align vehicles and quickly clear a roadway.

Eastractna.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 11

Tow Safety

Narcan for Opioid Emergencies

By Randall C. Resch

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek. com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

Author’s Note: This narrative is a basis of training only and not intended as medical advice. In considering carrying Narcan, read the Surgeon General’s comments at: Link: https://www.hhs. gov/surgeongeneral/ priorities/opioids-andaddiction/naloxoneadvisory/index.html Training videos on Narcan are available on YouTube. Tow bosses may also consider organizing a training session with the local fire or police department.

T

he leading cause of death’s in the US is overdose and accidental exposure to opioid drugs. Notably, the danger to exposure danger exists in every vehicle you tow. A vehicle’s interior may contain trace amounts of deadly fentanyl in white-powdered form or in something as simple as a small medication bottle.

Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid; similar to morphine, yet fifty to one hundred times more potent where a direct exposure could prove fatal. Depending on the contents of any towed or impounded vehicle, what’s to say you wouldn’t fall victim to the deadly drug?

Incident: On, September 13th, 2020, a San Francisco (area) tow operator and four California Highway Patrol officers responded to 911 calls of an erratic vehicle swerving traffic lanes and nearly crashing into Golden Gate Bridge’s toll plaza. As the incident played-out, a total of seven (including the erratic motorist) were transported to area hospitals experiencing and claiming fentanyl exposure.

As the result of the DUI arrest and impounding the subject’s vehicle, this incident high-lighted the dangers tow operators and first responder’s face.

While impounds like this seem routine, the presence of opioids generates risk and liability. Because opioid exposure is far from recognizable, it begs to question; should towers be formally trained in “white-powder” emergencies as a matter of self-preservation?

Although towers do many things, this topic isn’t covered in industry training.

Also note; the (exposed) officers themselves didn’t immediately recognize the opioid overdose because its presence is extremely hard to detect. Officers instinctively

12 • March 2021 | Towman.com

reacted “as rescuers” not knowing the motorist experienced an opioid event.

The tower was simply doing his job. Still unanswered; was there ever a physical contact to an unknown drug or powder?

RESCUE OR BLUNDER

Naloxone, known as “Narcan”, is the medical communities’ drug of choice for treating opioid overdoses and exposures.

When administered, Narcan reportedly stops or reverses opioid effects with intent to save lives. But, it’s fact tow operators aren’t trained in medical emergencies or procedures for administering medication to individuals.

If a tower attempted to save someone’s life and something went wrong with the

◀

patient’s care, would current law protect their efforts? While rescue efforts are generally well-intended, not all states protect civilians (towers) under Good Samaritan laws as laws vary by state. Would you be protected under your state’s law to dispense Narcan?

The following link identifies states that approve or disapprove Narcan administration by civilian use (as trained).

Link: pdaps.org/datasets/ laws-regulating-administration-ofnaloxone-1501695139 Overdose recognition, administration procedures and after-care is part of training.

Administrating Narcan is more a happenstance procedure like administering CPR. Recognition and symptoms of opioid episodes may be similar to persons experiencing cardiac arrest.

Administering Narcan must be immediate and decisive. But, the drug has limitations. For example, how effective would, “age-ed”, Narcan be if it were stored twoyears in the tow truck’s box at temperatures over 77-degrees?

Because medications are sensitive to environmental conditions, Narcan must be stored and maintained in-accordance to manufacturer’s instructions.

TREAT ME FIRST

Every vehicle in today’s tow environment must be thought of as though it was a clandestine lab, or, a grenade was lying on the vehicle’s seat. If the loading scenario required using skates, dollies or dragging the vehicle onto the carrier’s deck, use whatever process to load, tow and off-load it, but, by all means, stay-out of its interior.

For safety’s sake, towers should wear industrial grade N95 masks and or respirators on calls. Since ya’ hafta’ wear masks 14 • March 2021 | Towman.com

for Covid anyway, that process is easily followed.

Fact: Although a towed car looks normal, you can’t see the deadly dangers that lurk. How can you know that a construction company’s pickup truck isn’t contaminated by fentanyl? Is the powder you see that of drywall dust, a bag of sea salt, or cooking flour spilled from last week’s shopping trip?

Carrying Narcan Nasal Spray for emergency “self-application” may be a foreseeable choice as the life-saving potential to counteract opioid exposure. It’s important that Narcan be readily accessible to an unannounced exposure. In the event of a right-now happening, Narcan spray offers no life-saving value if stashed deep in the truck’s side boxes.

Administrating Narcan is easy; a nasal spray that’s typically used in field applications and doesn’t require IV’s be started before medication is given. The nose-spray applicator is simple to use and (reportedly) delivers immediate relief to the effected person.

TRUTH OR FICTION

While this narrative isn’t intended to create pre-anxiety; being informed and trained are appropriate factors regarding reactive, lifesaving care. Other news accounts suggested that the CHP’s fentanyl scare was nothing more than media-hype regarding the drug. Could their symptoms have been nothing more than a panic attack?

Kristen Marshall, from the Drug Overdose Prevention and Education Project, commented to San Francisco’s, Examiner newspaper saying, “Accidental exposure to fentanyl, like touching it or being in the same room as it, does not immediately lead to an overdose. It doesn’t just magically

float in the air in critical mass enough to be inhaled.”

Ultimately, I found no defining follow-up accounts as to whetheror-not the substance was confirmed that of fentanyl. There are other explanations as to what fentanyl is and how it can enter one’s system. Other (national) fentanyl scares have suggested that substances found inside vehicles may have been other hazardous materials, but not fentanyl.

LIFESAVING TRAINING

Could it be that it’s only a matter of time before you’re exposed to or you happen upon someone in an opioid state? I believe it far smarter to understand what Narcan is, how to respond to it, and how-to use it. Being educated helps dissolve some of the panic and associated rumors behind knowing the drug could be anywhere, any time.

From the Internet, a source of on-line training courses comes from the, “On-Line Coalition for Healthy Communities”, located in Lansing, Michigan. Their informational webinars explain what Narcan Nasal Spray is, what signs and symptoms of opioid overdose look like and how-to use the spray device.

Link: achcmi.org/training/ narcan-training-save-a-life/ One final suggestion, if you’ve somehow learned that the towed vehicle or RV contained fentanyl or other dangerous drugs or products; park the vehicle away from the regular car-population at your tow facility. Clearly mark, “Haz-Mat, do not enter”, across front and side windows while making notes on all paperwork and computer entries associated with the call.

Fentanyl has proved itself to be a deadly substance and its presence is always dangerously close. Nonethe-less, the potential is real

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 15

and not to be taken lightly. Because of the current state of opioid dangers, it’s proper and important that towers ask law enforcement if opioids were part of the tow scenario?

EXPERIENCE SPEAKS OUT

Joey Cermak, is a long-time, second generation tower and co-owner of Ryan’s Towing and Recovery, Ithaca, New York. As a former Army, Delta Force medic, I know his qualifications to appreciate his safety comments that suggest; “Anything I can carry for selfpreservation is important to me.”

As an owner himself, Joey can’t say enough about the importance that tow owners and operators understand the legal ramifications necessary to carry and use Narcan.

The importance of being Narcan trained is a reality the industry faces.

Being a professional military

16 • March 2021 | Towman.com

medic, Joey says, “Having been trained in the use of Narcan, I like knowing I have potential to save my own life, or that of an officer if they’re ever exposed at a tow or accident scene. I highly recommend that towers are trained in its use and recognition.”

Considering Joey’s comments and especially true to towers serving rural communities, if you were exposed to fentanyl and you weren’t prepared to administer (yourself) a dose of Narcan, a rescue ambulance could be as much as twenty-minutes away.

Knowing what-to-do could be the fastest emergency treatment in-saving your own life. Once you’re immersed in the benefits of Narcan’s life-saving potential, Joey recommends, “If you feel you’ve been exposed … administer it.” To me, that’s the scary reality of being Narcan prepared.

NUTS N’ BOLTS

I recommend towers consider all liabilities before taking action on another person while remembering that having Narcan immediately available (for personal use) is solid advice. Remember, working as tow operator means you’re in direct line of exposure on all calls. Bringing aid to another is a personal choice and demands you are aware of your state’s laws.

The on-set of opioid reaction varies per incident and the amount of exposure. I believe that selfadministering a dose of Narcan may be the connection that may save your life. Accordingly, getting trained and carrying Narcan (in a uniform pocket or first-aid kit) is a solid defense against the effects of extreme exposure.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 17

Trained pit crews can get cars out and back on track in 10 to 12 seconds.

Performing Pit Stops

By John Borowski

John Borowski is VP of Tow Industry Programs for AutoReturn. John has over 45 years experience as a tow business owner, wrecker manufacturer specialist, trainer and writer. He was awarded the first “Towman of the Year” by American Towman magazine and two Towman Medals for heroism. He was inducted in the Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in 2001.

E

very time I think of dangers within our industry, the first thing entering my head is always roadside activity.

I honestly don’t know what it’s going to take to fix the enormous amount of distracted drivers that are on our roadways today. But I do know this, until we do, we have to treat every stop on the roadway, like a pit stop at a NASCAR race. I truly believe, and the numbers support it, that the less time spent on scene is the less amount of time that you’re exposed to certain and possible grave danger.

Being an avid Motorsports fan, I have always tried to make my roadside activity similar to a NASCAR team pit stop. The purpose of the pit stop is to perform the necessary work to get that car back on the track (of course, after doing the necessary adjustments and repairs as quickly and safely as possible).

As a tow operator what I always did whenever possible was, as I approached the incident and if I knew what was needed

18 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Not only would I not take

my eye off oncoming traffic, I would have an escape plan, if in fact I needed it from wherever I was standing.

to be done on scene, I would start planning from the time that I pulled up. Then I would get out and do a walk-around and solidify my plan. But, I do have to remind you that I never, ever turn my back to oncoming traffic. Just to make that a little more clear, not only would I not take my eye off oncoming traffic, I would have an escape plan, if in fact I needed it from wherever I was standing.

◀

what’s ready to go, what’s missing, and act on what needs to be replaced before going on the road. No driver needs to be surprised by the condition of his equipment or the lack of his equipment. Especially roadside while he’s literally got a target painted on him and the clock of disaster is ticking!

Compared to today’s state-

of-the-art pit stops... the contrast almost

makes NASCAR’s earliest crew members seem like cavemen

before the invention of fire.

60’s photo of race car pit-crewman. Note the lugs in his mouth.

With regards to the operator or occupants of a disabled vehicle, my first move would be to get them to a safe haven usually inside the tow truck and not have to worry about them as well as any moving vehicles that could possibly strike me, my truck, and the disabled vehicle.

Regarding tow operators, all equipment should be stored in such a fashion that it’s readily identifiable and usable. There should not be tangled up straps in a lump frustrating you on the roadside while you’re trying to make this a pit stop. After your last call, all of the equipment 20 • March 2021 | Towman.com

should have been cleaned and put away in a proper fashion.

Not having to search or untangle straps will help you to be focused on getting the job done safely and clearing the scene. The tow truck controls have been on both sides of the tow truck by manufacturers since 1992. Operators should be using the controls on the no traffic side of their truck, why aren’t they using them?

I do realize that sometimes tow companies assign multiple people to a truck, so in this case, I strongly recommend that at the beginning of the drivers shift that he/or she does inventory on the tow truck to know

I am very confident that a very large portion of our tow truck operators working on the roadside today are NASCAR fans so when I tell you that you need to act like a pit crew member on a NASCAR team, I sincerely mean it.

Compared to today’s stateof-the-art pit stops in which the exchange of four fresh tires and the addition of 18 gallons of gas takes place in 12 seconds or sometimes less, the contrast almost makes NASCAR’s earliest crew members seem like cavemen before the invention of fire. “It’s escalated now to where it’s unbelievable,” said Waddell Wilson, who turned the wrenches for three Daytona 500

victories and saw decades of advances first-hand. “If you were to take these boys now, put ’em back in the early ’60s at the race track, it would blow their minds.

They would not believe how far it’s come. Technology is unreal in this day and time.”

So, while I’m sure you’ve seen many races and you see how prepared and trained these pit crews are, you can see why these guys are not killed in the pits and get cars out and back on the track in 10 to 12 seconds.

I’m not saying you’re going to get your call done in 10 to 12 seconds but what I am saying is that you’re going to eliminate as much unnecessary time roadside that you can, thus improving your odds of not becoming yet another statistic.

While I don’t know how to stop the distracted drivers, I truly believe proper roadside behavior, not turning your back to oncoming traffic, and keeping your customer in a safe spot on scene whether it’s inside your truck or somewhere away from those vehicles. So if in fact they were ever hit that they would not strike the operator and the stranded motorist(s).

We lose a tow operator every 6 days in this industry, which is ridiculous! I do understand that most of the incidents are in no way and no fashion being the fault of the operator, but you have to be on the defensive at all times in this industry, if you want to have any time of length under your belt. When I was in business, my company was the largest police towing company in the northeast performing 22,000 police tows a year alone and I’ve also been involved in many industries for 50 plus years. I am very happy to say that I still have two arms, two legs, ten fingers and ten toes because I was always on the defense. I managed to beat the odds and never got struck.

I do believe having the operators train on their skills to clear scenes quicker and safer while doing the job without any additional damage is key.

This type of practice will possibly keep you alive out there. In the down time keep practicing your recovery techniques and hook up and loading techniques. I would go as far as having employee contests monthly with a prize, maybe, a free lunch.

While we all sincerely love our job, our job can and will be dangerous and possibly deadly, if we don’t respect the dangers at hand.

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 21

Tow Engineer

Test Your Basic Rigging Knowledge

By Terry Abejuela

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 40-plus years of light-duty towing and recovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

T

he term rigging refers to the equipment as well as the act of designing and installing the equipment to move objects. A tow truck operator who is raising, lifting, sliding, or dragging an object will use rigging to perform that task. Designing your rigging plan requires basic knowledge of the proper use and working load limit of the equipment, the effects of line angles, anchor loads, and block loads. If you do not have a good understanding of these concepts it may result in overloading your rigging and/or an unsuccessful recovery.

Many experienced tow truck operators know how to use rigging in the field and that it works but enjoy testing their knowledge. Here are some rigging questions that you can come up with your answer and then check your answers.

EXAMPLE 1

HITCHES

Whether you are attaching a steel chain, synthetic chain, wire or synthetic rope sling to a load to lift or move it you will use one of three basic hitches. Each type of hitch has a WLL based on a percentage of the vertical hitch WLL. Tow truck operators must determine the most appropriate hitch to use to ensure a safe and controlled lift or moving of a load.

In examples 1 through 5, using a synthetic strap that has a vertical hitch rating of 1,000 pounds, what is the WWL for each hitch?

LINE TENSION BLOCK LOADS

How many lines to the load, line tension due to line angles, and block tension due to line angles are important concepts to understand if you expect to be successful with your rigging plan. The number of lines going to the load will determine your mechanical advantage and the reduction in line tension. How much reduction in line tension will be

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22 • March 2021 | Towman.com

EXAMPLE 2

EXAMPLE 3

EXAMPLE 4

EXAMPLE 5

determined by the line angles. The loads on your snatch block and anchors will be determined by the angle of the lines. For the purposes of this quiz disregard tension due to friction in the snatch blocks and assume all multiple lines to the load are parallel.

24 • March 2021 | Towman.com

In examples 6 through 10, what is the total percentage of load on each part of the rigging?

Bonus question: What is the mechanical advantage in example 10?

Examples 6 through 10 are all simple pulley systems but example

10 is known as a compound pulley system. A compound pulley system is a system where a simple pulley system is working on another simple pulley system.

In a simple pulley system you can determine the mechanical advantage by counting the lines to the load. If all the lines are parallel the mechanical advantage would be the number of lines to the load.

With 4 parallel lines to the load you would have a 4:1 mechanical advantage. In a compound pulley system counting lines to the load doesn’t work. If you counted lines to the load in example 10 it looks like a 6:1 mechanical advantage but it is actually an 8:1 mechanical advantage. For a compound pulley system you have to use the tension method. If you start at the load there are two lines to the load so if they are parallel each line would have 50 percent. At the second snatch block there is only 50 percent of the load on the line attached to the block and there are two line to the block. If

EXAMPLE 6

EXAMPLE 7

EXAMPLE 8

EXAMPLE 9

those lines are parallel each line would have 25 percent. At the third snatch block the line coming from the load has on 25 percent on it and the block has two lines so there is 12.5 percent on each line. Only 1 line goes to the truck so the winch only has to pull and the truck only has to anchor 12.5 percent of the load. There are three lines that go to the anchor and they have 12.5, 25 and 50 percent respectively so the anchor is holding 87.5 percent of the load.

Mechanical advantage is the ratio of the amount of effort that goes into a machine versus the amount of effort that comes out of the machine. If you look at the percentages as pounds with the load being 100 pounds of resistance, the winch is putting out 12.5 pounds effort and it is moving 100 pounds of resistance. 100 divided by 12.5 equals 8 thus you have an 8:1 mechanical advantage.

In the real world you have to take into consideration the amount of added tension due the friction created by the bearing in the snatch block. Most snatch blocks used in the towing industry are about 90 percent efficient so there is an increase in tension of about 10 percent each time the rope passes through a snatch block. With only a few snatch blocks in the rigging this amount of tension is not enough to be significant.

However, the more blocks you add to your rigging the more this increase in tension will add up and reduce your mechanical advantage.

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26 • March 2021 | Towman.com

EXAMPLE 10

This is just some of the basic information on rigging that you should know. There is much more information available such as calculating the tension on each leg of a multi leg sling, determining center of gravity and how much tension is on each leg of the sling due to where you have to pick up the load in relation to the center of gravity, proper use of hooks and shackles and much more. If you study it enough to really understand it you will be amazed at what you can accomplish with this rigging knowledge.

Answers Example 1: 1,000 lbs.

Example 2: 800 lbs.

Example 3: 2,000 lbs.

Example 4: 1,414 lbs.

Example 5: 1,000 lbs.

Example 6: A–25% B–25% C–50% D–25% E–50% F-25% G-50% H-25% I-75% Example 7: A-50% B-50% C-100% D-50% E- 70.5% F-70.5% G-50% H-50% Example 8: A-100% B-100% C-141% D-100% E- 141% Example 9: A-50% B-50% C-100% D-50% E-100% F-50% G-150% Example 10: A-12.5% B-12.5% C- 25% D-12.5% E-25% F-50% G-25% H-50% I-100% J-50% K-87.5%

28 • March 2021 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 29

2020

Donnie Cruse

Recovery Awards

Presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster

ALL Recovery Specialists Qualify: Choose the most challenging recovery your company has performed with excellence.

Send in your photos or video of the recovery along with your name, company, address, phone # and email, and we may contact you for the details. Recovery must have been performed between 2001 and 2021.

Why They Received the Donnie Cruse Recovery Award:

The recovery team worked efficiently together, communicated effectively and executed the recovery in a professional manner.

2020

Winners: Donnie Cruse Recovery Award

Marty Massey Towing & Recovery Marty Massey Justin Duke

Matthews Wrecker Jeremy Matthews Wilson Matthews

Southside Wrecker Service Ricky McDonald

Marietta Wrecker Service Matt Culberg

Co-Sponsored by:

&

30 • March 2021 | Towman.com

T

he 2020 Donnie Cruse Memorial Recovery Award encompasses four tow companies and six tow operators.

Expert collaboration was required for the engineering the rigging and timing between the wreckers at work. The recovery took place in Atlanta, GA on June 26th, 2020.

The winners were recognized with a virtual awards ceremony produced by WreckMaster and conducted online this past November 24th. American Towman and WreckMaster were co-presenters of the award, sponsored by B/A Products and Zip’s/AWDirect.

Editor’s note: Much of the text here was drawn from the awards presentation read by Justin Cruse, president of WreckMaster.

Four Tow Companies Share The Donnie

PROFESSIONAL TEAMWORK

Earns the Donnie

by Justin Cruse and Steve Calitri

Teamwork was the hallmark of this recovery. “We’ve worked together and trained together many times, so getting everyone together and on the same page for this job was easy,” said Walter McDonald of Southside Wrecker Service.

“The hardest part,” said Walter, “was where to rig the crane so not one truck would be overloaded. We needed to get equalization so that the weight on each line was within 2,000 lbs of each line’s load.

The recovery focused on a 70 ton link-belt crane that ran off the side of Interstate 20 in Atlanta GA and came to rest on its side at the bottom of a steep ditch.

Massey Towing received the call and reached out to Southside

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We’ve worked together and

trained together many times, so

getting everyone together and on the same page for this job was easy.

Wrecker, Marietta Wrecker and Matthews Wrecker to assist. The companies coordinated (2) 1150 Miller rotators, (1) 1175 Miller rotator and (1) NRC 50/65SR from their fleet of equipment.

The static weight of the casualty was 100,000 lbs and after calculating the incline it was estimated that the combined resistance would be approximately 207,000 lbs.

The initial step of the recovery

effort was to upright the crane that had rolled onto its side.

Once the crane was on its wheels, all four rotators rigged multipart lines to work together to winch the front of the crane around so that it was pointing towards the surface of the roadway.

The recovery team rigged for a slingshot style recovery where the casualty is winched between the recovery units.

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 31

The recovery team rigged for a slingshot style recovery where the casualty is winched between the recovery units.

Multipart lines were rigged to winch front of crane around.

32 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Casualty winched by four rotators back onto roadway.

The teams worked together to winch the casualty back up onto the roadway. Once it was back to the roadway two rotators held it in place while the other two repositioned and re-rigged to position the crane with the flow of traffic.

The casualty was prepped for towing back to Massey’s storage yard.

The recovery began at 8:30 am and it was dropped at the storage yard by 5:30 pm.

This recovery was selected for the Donnie because the recovery team worked efficiently together, communicated effectively and executed the recovery in a professional manner.

The Equipment Marietta Wrecker 1150 rotator Century Southside Wrecker 1075 rotator Century Matthews Wrecker NRC 50/65 Massey Towing and Recovery 1150 Century

Submit Your Recovery for the 2021 Donnie Cruse Award: Email: scalitri@towman.com or Mail to: 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 33

AD INDEX Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................51 A.T. Expos.......................N, S 64, M 63, W 62 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................53 Austin Insurance.................................... S 63 AutoReturn.................................................27 Bolt On Technology......................................3 Calvin Berkey Enterprises.......................M 65 Captain Recovery.......................... N, S, M 60 Chevron Commercial..................................48 Collins Dollies........................................ S 62 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip. Sales................49 Custer Products.........................................45 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers...................46 Dynamic Towing Equipment.......................35 East Coast Truck & Trailer................... N, S 59 EasTract.....................................................21 EdgeTec.................................................W 63 Elizabeth Truck Center................................45 Enzo’s Cleaning Solutions.................. N, M 61 Fayetteville Ford.........................................29 G. Stone Commercial.............................. N 61 Hawkeye Truck & Wrecker...................... S 63 Hydraulic Shop...........................................52

34 • March 2021 | Towman.com

March 2021

Intek Truck & Equipment............................53 Isuzu Commercial Truck of America..............5 ITI..............................................................24 Jerr-Dan Corp..............................................2 Joyride......................................................41 Kenworth of South Florida..........................47 Landoll Corp...............................................29 Len Zermenos............................................17 Matjack Jumbo Safelift..............................67 McMahon Truck Center..........................M 59 Metrocom..................................................28 Miller Industries.........................................13 Mobile Control Systems..............................44 Mobile Create............................................21 New England Truckmaster...................... N 63 North American Bancard............................25 NRC Industries...........................................21 OMG Tow Marketing...................................15 Pacific General Insurance.......................M 62 Peak Wrecker Sales...............................W 64 Performance Advantage Company..............44 PWOF...................................................42, 43

Quick Draw Tarpaulin System.....................16 RimSling....................................................28 SafeAll Products.........................................17 Santander Bank.........................................68 Sea Crest Insurance Agency...................W 64 Select Truck & Equipment......................M 65 Sierra Pacific Insurance..........................W 63 Smyrna Truck & Cargo...............................34 Specialty Vehicle Equip. Funding................19 Towbook Management Software.................39 Tow Brokers Insurance.......................S, W 61 Tow Industries.......................................W 62 TowMate....................................................50 Trail King Industries...................................40 Trucks for Sale.....................N, S, W 65, M 64 Utility Trailers.........................................W 59 Valor Trailers..........................................W 60 West End Service.......................................47 Winches Inc...........................................W 60 Wrecker Warehouse...............................W 59 Zip’s/AW Direct......................................7, 15

Regional: N = North, S = South, M = Midwest, W = West

Off-Road Load in Southwest Texas

By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

A 4th Generation Southwest Texas tow company gets the call to recover a truck jackknifed off the road and down an embankment.

36 • March 2021 | Towman.com

T

avo’s Towing LLC owner Tavo informed, “The Real County, Texas Dept of Public Safety dispatch call came in at 8:15am on a Saturday morning for a loaded dry van that ran off the road on Hwy 83 north of Leakey, Texas. We dispatched the heavy-duty recovery team with a scene supervisor, two heavy-duty recovery units, a rollback wrecker with a skid steer and a utility trailer with tools and equipment for recovery and environmental clean up.”

The recovery team included; Recovery Team Supervisor Tavo Jimenez, III, operator Gilbert Lopez in Unit 257, a 2018 Kenworth T880 7035 Century 35-ton, operator Gustavo Saucedo in Unit 317, a 2017 Pete with a 9055 Century 50-ton, and Gustavo Jimenez, IV was the rollback & skid steer operator.

The recovery team rolled out of Tavo’s home office in Crystal City at 8:55am, and arrived on scene at 10:25am. Leakey is about 80 miles north of Crystal City, making the drive to the accident scene 93 miles one way.

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Tavo’s recovery team analyzes scene before rigging.

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 37

The 2018 Kenworth T880 7035 Century 35-ton, was positioned perpendicular to trailer to keep it steady.

When they arrived the team analyzed scene and started rigging for the recovery. The plan was to stage their Unit 317, a 2017 Pete with a 9055 Century 50-ton to the

it from going over the embankment.

Tavo informed, “We blocked off the road with traffic cones to divert traffic away from where our trucks were staged. After all rigging was

Unit 257, a 2018 Kenworth T880 7035 Century 35-ton, would be perpendicular to the trailer to keep it from going over the embankment. rear of the trailer to winch the trailer straight back with both winch lines doubled up with snatch blocks.

Unit 257, a 2018 Kenworth T880 7035 Century 35-ton, would be perpendicular to the trailer to keep

38 • March 2021 | Towman.com

in place, we began the recovery with the trailer coming out the way it went in. Unit 257 used its second winch line to assist in pulling the tractor from the rear frame. We then rigged up the frame line to

the driver’s side steer tire to unjackknife the tractor and get it in line with trailer.”

When the trailer reached Unit 317 they repositioned Unit 317 further ahead from the embankment and continued the pull. “Unit 257 continued holding the trailer with a flat strap coming from landing gear and over the trailer to keep it from going over,” said Tavo. “When the trailer again reached Unit 317 we held it in place to allow Unit 257 to reposition further up the embankment to get a better angle and keep it from losing leverage.”

The team asked the Texas State Trooper in charge of the scene to close the road to allow Unit 317 to go across the road for final pull that would get the truck and trailer to the side of the road.

At approximately 12:30pm the truck and trailer were out

◀

Units used in recovery were a 2018 Kenworth T880 7035 with a Century 35-ton, and a 2017 Peterbilt with a 9055 Century 50-ton.

At approximately 12:30pm the truck and trailer were out of the embankment.

40 • March 2021 | Towman.com

of the embankment. We then proceeded to use Unit 257 to winch the front of the tractor toward the shoulder of the road to prepare the truck and trailer to transport to the storage facility in Crystal City. Unit 257 hauled the truck and trailer back to their storage facility.

Tavo stated, “All units left

the scene at 1:45pm, arrived in Uvalde, Texas at 3:00pm washed up and rechecked the casualty. The team then continued to our storage facility in Crystal City. They arrived at 4:30pm, all units were back in service by 5:00pm.”

Another memorable job well done by Team Tavo!!!

About Tavo’s Towing Gustavo Jimenez, Jr., established Tavo’s Automotive in Crystal City, Texas in 1974, as a repair shop with towing services. Before his passing the business was passed onto his son Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez, III. In 2007 Tavo took over operations and began concentrating on towing and heavyduty recovery work. Tavo’s Towing, LLC is a 4th generation family owned and operated tow company located in Southwest Texas. Tavo III’s oldest daughter, Iliana Mata is in charge of billing and collection aside from other duties, while Tiana Jimenez does dispatch and invoicing and Gustavo Jimenez, IV is part of the recovery team.

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 41

Supplier Scoop Jerr-Dan® Adds Midco Sales of Chandler, Arizona, as a Distributor

Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE: OSK), has added Midco Sales of Chandler, Arizona, as a distributor of its complete line of towing and recovery vehicles.

With its proximity to I-10 and additional interstates, Midco Sales is situated to conveniently serve the Phoenix-metro area as well as the entire southwestern United States.

“We’re pleased to be able to expand our footprint throughout the American Southwest by partnering with Midco Sales,” said Hal Wyatt, Director of Aftermarket Support at Jerr-Dan. “Midco has a strong existing reputation as a provider of high-quality transport trailers. We look forward to growing this new line of Midco’s business and delivering on our customers’ expectations together.”

Midco Sales was founded in 2012 as a trailer dealership for the over-the-road, aggregate hauling, construction, and equipment transport industries. Its addition as a Jerr-Dan distributor will complement its experience in the heavy-haul transport industry and its current line of heavy- haul transport trailers, said Mark Otto, the owner of Midco Sales.

44 • March 2021 | Towman.com

“I have always viewed Jerr-Dan products as being top of the line in the towing and recovery industry,” Otto said. “That is the standard I have always set with the trailer lines I sell at Midco, and I am looking forward to expanding my offering with Jerr-Dan, a brand I’m proud of.”

In addition to being a Jerr-Dan and trailer distributor, Midco Sales also offers parts and service and offers more than 20,000 square feet of service bays.

Jerr-Dan’s distributor network covers 60 locations throughout North America and 15 internationally. The manufacturer claims to be the single brand leader in the towing and recovery industry.

LITE-IT UP WITH

CUSTER PRODUCTS

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

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www.custerproducts.com • 800-490-3158

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 45

Tow Boss

Against Loading Loops

By Randall C. Resch Randall Resch is American Towman’s and Tow Industry Week’s Operations Editor, a former California police officer, tow business owner and retired civilian off-road instructor for Navy Special Warfare. Randall is an approved instructor for towers serving the California Highway Patrol’s rotation contract.

His course is approved by the California law enforcement community.

He has written over 500 industry-related articles for print and on-line, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame, and, a recipient of the 2017 Dave Jones Leadership Award.

T

owers typically use factory loading loops as the main, recommended tool when loading vehicles onto flatbed carriers. This process is typically recommended by vehicle manufacturers and passed down to motor-clubs and vehicle owners. But I believe using loading loops is a calamity waiting to happen and don’t recommend their use.

To illustrate this point, a west-coast tower experienced an on-scene catastrophe during the loading process of an expensive foreign car valued around $83,000. The operator was somewhat new and not thoroughly trained in advanced techniques necessary for loading high-end vehicles. Loading this vehicle was supposed to be nothing more than an easy winch-on, winch-off process,

46 • March 2021 | Towman.com

I believe using loading loops is a calamity waiting to happen and

don’t recommend their use.

to be delivered to a dealership.

As the tower located the loading loop, he carefully removed the bumper’s plastic socket-cap, inserted the factory tow-loop, and tightened it into the front-bumper

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 47

Loading loops became standard to facilitate carrier loading.

as required. He attached the winch’s cable to the loop and began winching it onto the carrier’s deck.

When the vehicle’s wheels rolled onto the carrier’s deck, without indication, the loading loop violently detached and ripped away from

48 • March 2021 | Towman.com

the bumper’s mount. Because the tower didn’t include a catch-strap in his hook-up process, the rollaway car damaged two parked cars, a mailbox, and a residential yard full of landscaping. The subsequent insurance claim topped $19,000.

In early years, towing vehicles with a tow-rope, or, recovery-type straps, as a means of assisting disabled vehicles, was reasonably common. The process of flattowing was nothing more than attaching a straight-line, rope, or strap, from service vehicle to the disabled vehicle and towing it at a slow-speed to remove it from the disablement’s location to a repair destination. Flat-towing is an easy process, yet, in many states, it’s still legal (on city streets) where motorists and users are subject to comply with relevant road rules and regulations.

At some point in automotive history, loading loops became standard as a means to facilitate carrier loading. I believe, however, that loading loops were only intended for flat-towing because of minimum pulling/rolling resistance on the pavement.

◀

While the concept of loading loops is a good one (in load theory), they’re known to strip, pull-out of its mounting socket, or break the factory welds intended to hold them steadfast. And for the purpose of

12 to 15-degrees of sloped carrier’s deck. At this point, you would have approximately 35-percent load on a 25-percent rated attachment point.

Peter Fuerst, a well-respected industry trainer, wrote, “In most

Loading loops were only

intended for flat-towing because of minimum pulling/rolling resistance on the pavement. incline loading, a scary proposition.

When you’re loading a vehicle by rolling it onto a carrier, there’s approximately 10-percent surface resistance for the vehicle’s tires and about 25-additional percent for the

50 • March 2021 | Towman.com

cases the eye and the receptacle are not really a rated attachment point.

The only thing I have seen them rated for is a straight-line pull, for 25-percent of the vehicle’s weight.

Then again some manufacturers

say not to use them for loading onto carriers.”

Volvo’s owner’s manual, for many of its model year cars, says to not use loading loops for loading onto a flatbed carrier.

Because loading loops represent huge potential for property damage, runaway injuries, or ultimate fatality, I train away from using them. Rather, I teach alternative ways to load vehicles onto carriers such as v-bridles, back-hooking, motorcycle straps, round-sling straps and more. But because loading loops are recommended by some manufacturers, I teach the reality of past experiences and some basic lessons learned.

Owners, be smart and evaluate the risks. What works for you is your choice, but keep inmind those accidental scenarios that were the direct result of a separating loop.

Supplier Scoop

EasTract Will Be Available in April EasTract, a European leader with equipment revolutionizing the Automobile Industry announced that Eastract North America will distribute and sell the Eastract Machine under the name of towTract; the manufacturer’s carTract product name will remain the same. These machines will be imported from Italy and will be available for purchase after April 5, 2021.

EasTract is ideal for working in cramped areas and parking structures, lots and garages.

The first two companies in the U.S. to purchase and operate the machines were A. Superior Towing in Miami Florida and Tow Atlanta, in Atlanta, Georgia. They have been using this technology for two years.

The towTract is powered by a 35hp. VanGuard Engine and operates on a track system to move and a 5,000lb. winch, so it can go into muddy area’s and pull vehicles as

52 • March 2021 | Towman.com

well as carrying cars from the side and lifting motorcycles off the ground.

The Eastract Products, towTract and carTract will also eliminate the need for an additional equipment needed for the newer aluminum alloy frame vehicles which include Audi, BMW/Mini, Land-Rover, Mercedes, Porsche, Tesla, Volkswagens, and Volvo.

Because they will pick-up a vehicle without the need of entry or keys.

They will get under the tires lifting to move it out of tight areas, low clearance parking decks/garages with cramped space easier with cutting

the time and physical effort required to get vehicles out of these

areas.

These products have been in use for over 10 years by parking companies, towing companies and government agencies in Europe and arnow available for sale, in North America. The manufacturer states that according to the insurance industry, this equipment is a big game changer for U.S. automotive market. youtu.be/mb2O1ILzjeI

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 53

Towman’s Market SPECIALTY VEHICLE U & EQUIPMENT FUNDING GROUP S Craig R. Nadolny E CNadolny@easternfunding.com D 2017 Hino 258 / 2017 Jerr Dan 22’ T R 2018 Hino 268A / 2017 Jerr Dan 22’ U 2019 Dodge 4500 / C 2019 Jerr Dan MPL NG K S 646.723.6393

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Through five videos and corresponding quizzes, operators will learn the basics of towing. Students will receive a certificate of completion, and company owners are able to track their progress!

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 55

My Baby

Plaza’s Heavy Duty Star The history of a truck, and a family’s celebration of more than half a century of pride and passion for towing and recovery.

By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

P Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, a longtime editor of American Towman, has been our field editor for the past 10 years.

He is a freelance writer and photographer with more than 40 years of experience covering motorcycle, hot rod, truck and towing culture. He writes weekly for TowIndustryWeek.com.

laza Towing, a family owned and operated business located in Palm Desert, California, is owned by Trent Lee Butzlaff. Trent grew up in the towing and recovery business which his parents Bob and Leanne Butzlaff started in 1969. In those early towing days, starting at around age 5, Trent would do everything in his power to ride shotgun in a tow truck with his dad. At sixteen he resigned his position as an attendant at the family gas station and assumed the title of tow operator.

At his father’s urging he completed a business management degree in 1992. At that point, he helped grow the company’s fleet from six to over sixteen trucks and purchased Plaza Towing from his parents in 2004. The company now employs twentyeight people in two locations, Indio and Palm Desert. Trent “JR” Andrew Butzlaff is the company’s Operations Manager.

Plaza Towing now has a fleet of 34 trucks including: four wheel lifts, six flatbeds, 12-ton and 16-ton mediumduty wreckers, four Landolls, five battery service vehicles, one dedicated RV service truck, a 16 tire Cozad heavy-haul trailer, a reefer trailer, a heavyduty recovery support trailer, an expandable stretch trailer, a 48-foot flatbed trailer, an A/T forklift, telescopic Gradall reach forklift, skip loader, a dump trailer, two 35-ton heavies

56 • March 2021 | Towman.com

and the 50-ton rotator featured here.

This is their Unit 50 built by Miller Industries and Tow World Inc. in Hawthorne, CA. JR proudly exclaimed, “This truck was rightfully named Unit 50 because it is our 50th-year anniversary truck and it is a 50-ton rotator.”

Unit 50 is a 2019 Peterbilt 389X with a 2019 Vulcan 950 50-ton rotator. Powered by a 605HP Cummins engine mated to an 18-speed manual transmission. It has a 3-stage recovery boom, an SDU-4 underlift, two 50,000-pound main winches and a 50,000-pound drag winch. JR informed, “This truck is pre-plumbed for auxiliary winches but not equipped with them for weight saving purposes.”

Special equipment on Unit 50 includes, Sonetics Headsets, a full arsenal of Milwaukee battery operated power tools and a 24ton ball

bearing swivel hook allowing for rotation of the load when needed.

JR stated, “We certainly have done some interesting jobs with this unit. One of these being lifting, on multiple occasions, modular container houses. In addition to this, this unit is well known by local agencies and requested for odd jobs such as cars submerged in canals or golf course lakes as well as cars into ravines on the steep mountain passes surrounding our valley.”

Desert Wraps in downtown Palm Desert, Ca did the awesome wrap on this truck and it took three days to comp lete.

Desert

Wraps creates some large format crisp and sharp eye-catching vehicle graphics along with wraps for boats, g o l f

Tech Highlights

Chassis: 2019 Peterbilt 389X Wrecker Body: 2019 Vulcan 950 Engine: 605HP Cummins Trans: 18-speed manual Winches: Twin 50K two-speed planetary main, 50K drag Built by: Miller Industries & Tow World Inc. Extras: Sonetics Headsets, Milwaukee battery operated power tools, 24-ton ball bearing swivel hook Nicknames: Unit 50 Graphics by: Wrap by Desert Wraps

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carts, planes, RVs and ATVs. They also create wall mural wraps, trade show displays and graphics, store front graphics and more.

JR explained, “Considering this unit was purchased on our 50th year of being in business, we wanted to do something big and something special to commemorate it. Therefore we incorporated on various places on the truck commemorations to 50 years as well as flares such as gold leaf lettering.”

“Not only does this unit make us more efficient and safe at the jobs we already have, but it has also opened many doors for our company that otherwise would not have been within our reach,” stated Trent. “We have long said that we would never acquire the need for a rotator in our fleet but that has since changed. Having this unit in our arsenal has completely changed the way we approach jobs and as mentioned results in a much more efficient and safe way of handling these jobs.

Being able to rotate the boom and handle heavier lifts with the acquisition of this unit has proven to be beneficial to our company and the services we provide.

We often joke a r o u n d saying; where has this truck been all our lives?”

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • 57

Lowdown

Back to the Future

By Doc Calitri

Doc Calitri is president of AT Expo Corp. Since rejoining American Towman twenty years ago, Doc has been the impetus for bringing towers new show experiences in more locations around the country. Doc is also a former editor of American Towman Magazine.

I

t seems it was only yesterday that Santa Claus visited our last Exposition in 2019.

He sat on a carrier bed in one of the great big wrecker booths putting smiles on the faces of the children who sat on his lap and on the faces of the towers who brought them.

Towers have often remarked how an American Towman show was like Christmas to them, that new red wagon under the tree, the surprise train whistling around it, and here these silver and red wrecker booms reaching to the ceiling. It is the season of giving, and Expo attendees feel that. They feel it when they stand in the middle of a great manufacturer’s booth, enthralled by a wrecker expert standing atop a carrier bed giving all his knowledge about how this carrier and that wrecker can help make a tower’s job easier and the company more profitable.

Then there are those booths filled with what seems like a never ending collection of items, accessories, tools and more at special, show prices from the great tow accessory companies in our industry.

Booths brimming with expertise like that of the world’s largest training organization, and those of our ingenious innovators.

Booths filled with the promise of growth like the booths of the call providers and motor clubs.

As part of a tower’s annual work habit, attending a tow show was part and parcel of being involved in an industry, these days, more than before, the boss with his smart phone can stay in touch with his business back home while mining the show for new ideas, new allies, new equipment, and old friends.

2020 was the year where business professionals and people in general missed the normal hub bub of human interaction.

Gone for towing industry people was the face-to-face phenomenon of buyer and seller meeting each other, testing their mettle,

58 • March 2021 | Towman.com

The more a business relationship and business friendships grow, the richer everyone is. learning about who this customer is and how to really help them with their business, the tower sizing up the other,who seems to offer a wealth of knowledge in their product or service that can boost the tower.

This personal interaction is so important for the growth of any business, both on the buyer and the seller side. You can only get to really know your customer by looking him or her in the eye and measuring their character and sincerity in doing business with them. People have a lot to offer one another, and the more a business relationship and business friendships grow, the richer everyone is.

As we turn toward the second quarter of 2021, we are moving Back to the Future.

Back to what we’ve missed and need, and forward to a new time. A new time when we will smile again for each other, reach out a hand, or an elbow.

Human contact in person is most important for good emotional and mental health and critical for always being motivated to get on with our work. As American Towman plans its Comeback Tour of Expositions, both buyers and sellers are eager to go back to the future, face to face. It’s who we are and that will never change.

I have spoken with many industry suppliers and towers and the overwhelming message they repeat is they can’t wait to participate in this year’s tow shows. We are chomping at the bit ourselves to be back in the game.

News Flash Towmen of Yesteryear Rude System of Towing was started in1925 by Nat & Rachel Rude. For 50 years, Rude System of Towing served the east coast with devoted service. With learned knowledge and dedication, in 1973, Murray and Estelle Rude, Nat and Rachers son and daughter - in- law, started their own towing service - Murray Rude Services.

Murray Rude Services continued to serve all 5 boroughs, up and down the east coast and many other states and cities around the United States.

They continued to grow with the times as the years went on. Murray Rude was the Vice Presidents of the Interstate Towing Association (ITA) where he advocated for tow-men and women everywhere.

“Murray Rude was a tireless advocate for the towing industry and towers in New York, fighting unfair restrictions imposed by city and

RD600 with Holmes 850

state authorities,” said American Towman’s Steve Calitri. “No towman ever gave a greater effort in the good fight than Murray”

North 60 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Marc Rude continues the family tradition with Marc Rude Services, LLC- Greenwich, CT & Allstate Roadside Responder.

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • North 61

News Flash Towman Games Rescheduled to Oct. 14-16 in Cleveland

American Towman announced that The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) has been moved to new dates in the fall. The site remains the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

The new dates are Oct. 14-16 (Thurs.-Sat.) with the intensive training and management seminars slated to start on Thurs., Oct. 14 and run through the show days of Friday and Saturday, Oct 15 and 16.

“It is of paramount importance that we produce a trade show and educational program that is successful prioritizing the health and safety of attendees and exhibitors alike,” says Henri “Doc” Calitri, A.T. Expo Corp. president.

The Covid-19 health crisis of the past year has resulted in shows of all industries being re-scheduled

to 2021. With the number of cases decreasing significantly across the country and people being vaccinated for the virus at an accelerating pace, many health experts predict life and commerce returning to normal by this Spring and Summer.

Held in conjunction with the show is the Association of Professional Towers of Ohio (APTO) annual convention, plus training/educational sessions with the nation’s premier trainers and educators: WreckMaster, CRT, Resch, Abejuela, Borowki, Meyers and others.

Registration will open online in May for those who are interested to sign up for the training classes and seminars as well as attending the trade show.

The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) is produced by A. T. Expo Corp. and American Towman Magazine, the industry’s premier trade publication. It also produces the American Towman Exposition

North 62 • March 2021 | Towman.com

in Baltimore (Nov. 11-14), American Towman ShowPlace – Las Vegas (Sept. 16 & 17), and TowXpo San Antonio (Aug. 4-7).

Bad Press for Roadside Assistance in Atlanta

The Associated Press (AP) ran an article distributed by Newswire. com attacking towers that serve roadside-assistance companies.

According to the article, “Georgia Roadside Tow Companies lack training, accountability and fail to meet legal requirements according to a recent Insurance Risk Assessment on Georgia’s towing industry

by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia (IRSG). They found 87% of Atlanta area Tow Companies fail to meet legal requirements to operate that perform roadside assistance for automotive manufacturers and insurance companies.”

These tow companies, reports

Newwire, are failing to obtain business licenses, annual USDOT safety inspections, medical-cards, and training.

The article, which appears to have been written by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia, puts the blame on the state of George for its lack of oversight on this segment of towing, and “the ignorance of tow company owners, who fail to charge appropriate rates from roadside assistance companies” catering to car manufacturers, insurance companies and automotive garages.

This problem is reportedly greatest in the four-county, Atlanta area.

The AP, which feeds newspapers world-wide with daily reporting, carried the article that claims most Roadside Assistance Towing Companies dispatched do not have proper training and equipment. It goes so far as to warn motorists they should call independent tow companies not as-

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sociated with roadside assistance call-lines. Note: AP did not author the article.

Iowa Bill Could Ban Red/ Blue Lights on Tow Trucks

A new bill in the Iowa legislature could change some rules for tow truck drivers. Senate File 331 would change the color of the lights allowed when working on the side of the road.

It makes provisions for lights on vehicles like snowplows and other emergency vehicles, but the bill would also ban towing or recovery vehicles from having red and blue lights unless the state or a municipality owns it.

Tow truck drivers are pushing back on a bill. Andy DeBoard, the president of longtime Des Moines towing company Perry’s Service, said he and leaders of other towing companies worry that removing red and blue lights adds more danger to an already perilous job.

“Every time we open the door of our truck on the roadway, we’re putting our lives on the line,” DeBoard said. “The red and blue lights are visible and because they’re on every emergency vehicle, you know, almost universally, they demand the respect; they demand the attention of the drivers.”

DeBoard said he doesn’t think drivers would pay attention to amber lights, for instance, that are widely used on non-emergency vehicles.

“They just don’t demand the respect of the motoring public, like they have in the past,” he said.

Source: kcrg.com Source: kcci.com

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • North 63

Episode 195

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

News Flash

Towman Games Rescheduled to Oct. 14-16 in Cleveland

American Towman announced that The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) has been moved to new dates in the fall. The site remains the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

The new dates are Oct. 14-16 (Thurs.-Sat.) with the intensive training and management seminars slated to start on Thurs., Oct. 14 and run through the show days of Friday and Saturday, Oct 15 and 16.

“It is of paramount importance that we produce a trade show and educational program that is successful prioritizing the health and safety of attendees and exhibitors alike,” says Henri “Doc” Calitri, A.T. Expo Corp. president.

The Covid-19 health crisis of the past year has resulted in shows of all industries being re-scheduled to 2021. With the number of cases

decreasing significantly across the country and people being vaccinated for the virus at an accelerating pace, many health experts predict life and commerce returning to normal by this Spring and Summer.

Held in conjunction with the show is the Association of Professional Towers of Ohio (APTO) annual convention, plus training/educational sessions with the nation’s premier trainers and educators: WreckMaster, CRT, Resch, Abejuela, Borowki, Meyers and others.

Registration will open online in May for those who are interested to sign up for the training classes and seminars as well as attending the trade show.

The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) is produced by A. T. Expo Corp. and American Towman Magazine, the industry’s premier trade publication. It also produces the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore (Nov. 11-14), American

South 60 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Towman ShowPlace – Las Vegas (Sept. 16 & 17), and TowXpo San Antonio (Aug. 4-7).

Bad Press for Roadside Assistance in Atlanta

The Associated Press (AP) ran an article distributed by Newswire. com attacking towers that serve roadside-assistance companies.

According to the article, “Georgia Roadside Tow Companies lack training, accountability and fail to meet legal requirements according to a recent Insurance Risk Assessment on Georgia’s towing industry by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia (IRSG). They found 87% of Atlanta area Tow Companies fail to meet legal requirements to operate that perform roadside assistance for automotive manufacturers and insurance companies.”

These tow companies, reports Newwire, are failing to obtain business licenses, annual USDOT

◀

News Flash safety inspections, medical-cards, and training.

The article, which appears to have been written by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia, puts the blame on the state of George for its lack of oversight on this segment of towing, and “the ignorance of tow company owners, who fail to charge appropriate rates from roadside assistance companies” catering to car manufacturers, insurance companies and automotive garages.

This problem is reportedly greatest in the four-county, Atlanta area.

The AP, which feeds newspapers world-wide with daily reporting, carried the article that claims most Roadside Assistance Towing Companies dispatched do not have proper training and equipment. It goes so far as to warn motorists they should call independent tow companies not associated with roadside assistance call-lines. Note: AP did not author the article.

Marietta Wrecker Acquires New Image Towing

Marietta Wrecker Service (“MWS”), the Marietta-based towing & recovery company which has been providing towing, roadside assistance, heavy equipment transport, and mobile diesel maintenance since 1974, has acquired New Image Towing and Recovery (“NIT”) in Atlanta. Founded in 2000, New Image has over 50 pieces of equipment and over 40 employees providing towing and recovery services in South Metro Atlanta. Both companies will continue to operate under their existing brands under the Welchel Enterprises umbrella.

MWS has been serving metro Atlanta and beyond for over 47 years.

MWS holds high standing relationships with local law enforcement and city and state municipalities.

“Chris and I are extremely excited to expand our service offerings

South 62 • March 2021 | Towman.com

and to be able to provide our customers with faster response times throughout metro Atlanta. We are honored to be able to forward the legacy that Susie and Lawton and their employees have built.” ~Steve Welchel, Co-President

Nation Safe Drivers and Chipotle

Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) is working with Chipotle restaurant in Boca Raton, Florida to raise money for charitable causes, including towing’s Survivor Fund.

Customers who patronize Chipotle on Wednesday, March 10th from five to nine p.m. will cause thirty three percent of the sale to be donated to the NSD “Never Stop Doing” campaign. A portion of these proceeds is expected to go toward the Survivor Fund in Chattanooga, TN. Note: patrons will need to show the promo fly-

er in print or on a smartphone that details the NSD Chipotle promotion.

NSD is a national call provider located in Miami, Florida.

Pandemic Appears to be Winding Down

By Steve Calitri

The U.S. is on a trajectory of herd immunity, due to the vaccination rollout successfully underway and the number of people today with Covid-19 antibodies in their system.

While the mainstream media still colors its reporting in doom and gloom, there are qualified voices predicting that the current downward spiral of infections will lead to the end of the Pandemic by the Spring.

“There is reason to think the country is racing toward an extremely low level of infection,” Marty Makary wrote in the Wall Street Journal on February 19. Makary is a surgeon and professor at John Hopkins Hospital and University.

He also teaches at the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“As more people have been infected, most of whom have mild or no symptoms, there are fewer Americans left to be infected. At the current trajectory, I expect COVID will be mostly gone by April, allowing Americans to resume normal life.”

Based on random surveys of people testing positive for Covid 19 antibodies, the number of actual cases of infections, including those non-symptomatic, is anywhere from ten to twenty times of reported cases. Herd immunity kicks in when a population is over 60% immune from the virus, which thwarts the spread of the disease.

Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • South 63

Episode 195

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

News Flash

Towman Games Rescheduled to Oct. 14-16 in Cleveland

American Towman announced that The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) has been moved to new dates in the fall. The site remains the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

The new dates are Oct. 14-16 (Thurs.-Sat.) with the intensive training and management seminars slated to start on Thurs., Oct. 14 and run through the show days of Friday and Saturday, Oct 15 and 16.

“It is of paramount importance that we produce a trade show and educational program that is successful prioritizing the health and safety of attendees and exhibitors alike,” says Henri “Doc” Calitri, A.T. Expo Corp. president.

The Covid-19 health crisis of the past year has resulted in shows of all industries being re-scheduled to 2021. With the number

of cases decreasing significantly across the country and people being vaccinated for the virus at an accelerating pace, many health experts predict life and commerce returning to normal by this Spring and Summer.

Held in conjunction with the show is the Association of Professional Towers of Ohio (APTO) annual convention, plus training/ educational sessions with the nation’s premier trainers and educators: WreckMaster, CRT, Resch, Abejuela, Borowki, Meyers and others.

Registration will open online in May for those who are interested to sign up for the training classes and seminars as well as attending the trade show.

The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) is produced by A. T. Expo Corp. and American Towman Magazine, the industry’s premier trade publication. It also produces

Midwest 60 • March 2021 | Towman.com

the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore (Nov. 11-14), American Towman ShowPlace – Las Vegas (Sept. 16 & 17), and TowXpo San Antonio (Aug. 4-7).

Bad Press for Roadside Assistance in Atlanta

The Associated Press (AP) ran an article distributed by Newswire. com attacking towers that serve roadside-assistance companies.

According to the article, “Georgia Roadside Tow Companies lack training, accountability and fail to meet legal requirements according to a recent Insurance Risk Assessment on Georgia’s towing industry by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia (IRSG). They found 87% of Atlanta area Tow Companies fail to meet legal requirements to operate that perform roadside assistance for automotive manufacturers and insurance companies.”

These tow companies, re-

◀

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • Midwest 61

News Flash ports Newwire, are failing to obtain business licenses, annual USDOT safety inspections, medical-cards, and training.

The article, which appears to have been written by Insurance Risk Services of Georgia, puts the blame on the state of George for its lack of oversight on this segment of towing, and “the ignorance of tow company owners, who fail to charge appropriate rates from roadside assistance companies” catering to car manufacturers, insurance companies and automotive garages.

This problem is reportedly greatest in the four-county, Atlanta area.

The AP, which feeds newspapers world-wide with daily reporting, carried the article that claims most Roadside Assistance Towing Companies dispatched do not have proper training and equipment. It goes so far as to warn motorists they should call independent tow companies not associated with roadside assistance call-lines. Note: AP did not author the article.

Midwest 62 • March 2021 | Towman.com

News Flash

Iowa Bill Could Ban Red/ Blue Lights on Tow Trucks

A new bill in the Iowa legislature could change some rules for tow truck drivers. Senate File 331 would change the color of the lights allowed when working on the side of the road.

It makes provisions for lights on vehicles like snowplows and other emergency vehicles, but the bill would also ban towing or recovery vehicles from having red and blue lights unless the state or a municipality owns it.

Tow truck drivers are pushing back on a bill. Andy DeBoard, the president of longtime Des Moines towing company Perry’s Service, said he and leaders of other towing companies worry that removing red and blue lights adds more danger to an already perilous job.

“Every time we open the door of our truck on the roadway, we’re putting our lives on the line,” DeBoard said. “The red and blue lights are visible and because they’re on every emergency vehicle, you know, almost universally, they demand the respect; they demand the attention of the drivers.”

DeBoard said he doesn’t think drivers would pay attention to amber lights, for instance, that are widely used on non-emergency vehicles.

“They just don’t demand the respect of the motoring public, like they have in the past,” he said.

Source: kcrg.com Source: kcci.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • Midwest 65

Episode 195

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

News Flash Towman Games Rescheduled to Oct. 14-16 in Cleveland

American Towman announced that The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) has been moved to new dates in the fall. The site remains the Huntington Convention Center in downtown Cleveland.

The new dates are Oct. 14-16 (Thurs.-Sat.) with the intensive training and management seminars slated to start on Thurs., Oct. 14 and run through the show days of Friday and Saturday, Oct 15 and 16.

“It is of paramount importance that we produce a trade show and educational program that is successful prioritizing the health and safety of attendees and exhibitors alike,” says Henri “Doc” Calitri, A.T. Expo Corp. president.

The Covid-19 health crisis of the past year has resulted in shows of all industries being re-scheduled to 2021. With the number of cases decreasing significantly across the

◀

West 60 • March 2021 | Towman.com

country and people being vaccinated for the virus at an accelerating pace, many health experts predict life and commerce returning to normal by this Spring and Summer.

Held in conjunction with the show is the Association of Professional Towers of Ohio (APTO) annual convention, plus training/educational sessions with the nation’s premier trainers and educators: WreckMaster, CRT, Resch, Abejuela, Borowki, Meyers and others.

Registration will open online in May for those who are interested to sign up for the training classes and seminars as well as attending the trade show.

The Towman Games (Mid-America’s Tow Show) is produced by A. T. Expo Corp. and American Towman Magazine, the industry’s premier trade publication.

It also produces the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore (Nov. 11-14), American Towman ShowPlace – Las Vegas (Sept. 16 & 17), and TowXpo San Antonio (Aug. 4-7).

West 62 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | March 2021 • West 63

West 64 • March 2021 | Towman.com

Episode 195

Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.