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APRIL 2022 AmericanTowman.com
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Contents
Cover Feature
Volume 46 Issue 4
Appril 2022 36
In the Pit
Pulling an excavator out of quicksand is no easy job, but operators from Chancey’s Towing got it done. It earned them WreckMaster’s 2021 Heavy Duty Donnie Cruse Memorial Recovery Award.
Departments 8
The Walkaround
10
News Share
12
Road Tools
13
Zoom In
14
Tow Boss
20
Safety
28
Towman’s Toy
34
Ad Index
14
42
An American Towman
66
Classic Wrecker
70
Case Closed
84
Towman’s Market
Hazards of Septic Tanks and Sinkholes.
86
My Baby
90
Lowdown
96
Adventures of A.T.
Cover photo courtesy of Chancey’s Towing
Features
On Dangerous Ground by Randall C. Resch
47
Buyers Report
Firsthand feedback on all the products and services a tower needs. by George Nitti
86
Minions Aren’t Despicable
On a trophy-winning Century rotator. by Steve Temple
6 • April 2022 | Towman.com
First on the scene since 1977
The Walkaround Customer Comments and Hands-On Tips Dennie Ortiz Publisher
The customer is always right, so says the old adage. Though for purposes here I will slightly change the meaning of this expression. In our Buyers Report section of this issue, we contend that the customer is always right as it relates to knowing the value of a towing product or service that they themselves use. Our readers can count more greatly on what fellow towers recommend from their experience with these suppliers, since these opinions were gathered by our editors in speaking directly with the customers. So as Spring has sprung, and the time is ripe for new purchases, be sure to read through these testimonials to help in your buying decisions. We have a jam-packed issue and I’d love to break down all the interesting editorial, but alas that would require much more space, so instead I’ll highlight a few articles for you. In our Tow Boss department, Randy Resch discusses some unpleasant recovery hazards involving septic tanks and sinkholes. Does your company offer battery service? Terry Abejuela’s editorial details the basic procedures in jump-starting the battery of a disabled vehicle. He also recommends continued training to stay up-todate on the latest equipment as the key to keeping safe. Who doesn’t love toys, especially when the particular toy is a real-life TowMater? Contributing writer Joe Greeves makes the case that a “Towman’s Toy” can actually help your business with “a fun form of advertising.” Last but not least, Chancey’s Towing performed a comprehensive and successful recovery of a mired 80,000-pound excavator with over 250,000 pounds of resistance, which earned them the Donnie Cruse Heavy Duty Recovery Award. Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!
Work Truck Teaser
Steve Temple Editor
We just returned from the Work Truck Week event in Indy, and we’ll be highlighting what we saw in an upcoming issue. Innovations are bubbling in the commercial truck market, and we’ll be sorting out which ones might make the most sense for tow operators. So stay tuned for our firsthand impressions, including a short drive in a new medium-duty EV.
8 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Steve Temple Randall Resch Terry Abejuela David Kolman John Borowski Mark Lacek Brian Riker George Nitti Henri “Doc” Calitri
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Chassis Editor Safety Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Kurt Wilson
Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Creve Coeur, Ill.
American Towman Staff Art Director 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 Editor AT’S Digital Edition AT’S Website AT’S Weekly ATTV
dortiz@towman.com scalitri@towman.com stemple@towman.com itowman.com americantowman.com towindustryweek.com americantowmantv.com
Copyright ©2022 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc.
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All material published through American Towman Media (AT), to include American Towman Magazine, iTowman.com and TowIndustryWeek.com, including advertisements, editorials, articles and all other content is published in good faith. However, AT accepts no liability for any errors or omissions, and does not endorse any companies, products or services that appear. AT does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. AT does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of content, warranties or claims made or implied by its advertisers. The views expressed are the authors’ alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT. The act of mailing or delivering a letter, email or article to AT shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. AT reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted. No part of the magazine or websites may be reproduced without prior written consent of AT. AT reserves the right to not publish advertisements that disparage competitors or call into question the integrity of a competitors product or service.
News Share In Memoriam to Rob Thornton
Tower Rob Thornton was taken off life support following a flag ceremony on February 27 at Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey. Rob was clearing a scene on the busy roadway of Rt. 3 when another car barreled through the police closure. Nick’s Towing Service shared the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart we are informing you that, despite a mighty battle, our friend and towing brother, Rob Thornton has passed. Rob was 31 years old and joined Nick’s Towing Service approximately one year ago. He was a quiet young man who easily and quickly became part of the fabric of the NTS crew. He was laid back, friendly, and a genuinely nice human being. He enjoyed his work and did it well. Rob was someone who clearly believed in service to his community as evidenced by his choice of career, work as a volunteer EMT with the Moonachie First Aid Squad, and even in death as an organ donor. The Nick’s Towing Service family is devastated by this senseless and horrific tragedy. Rob was our brother in towing, dear friend, and co-worker. He will never be forgotten. RIP Rob, we’ll pull the chains from here.”
Downed Washington Tower Honored In Washington on February 15, tow truck driver Joe Masterson, 49, was killed on I-5 by a semi-truck while loading a box truck, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Masterson was a father of four who worked for Fife Towing, which issued this statement: “Joe had worked on our Fife Towing team for six years. He was an outstanding employee with extensive experience and knowledge of towing procedures, equipment and all safety measures...” Towers gathered for a vigil to remember Joe Masterson. John Lux, a tow truck operator of 15 years and owner of Shannon Towing Inc., said he knew Masterson and wanted to help remember his life. “When you’re able to meet somebody and remember them, that’s what kind of person Joe was. He would always help people out,” Lux said. Source: king5.com
10 • April 2022 | Towman.com
The tow company Route 66 Towing in Socal is adding a 10 percent surcharge to offset rising fuel prices.
Tow Industry Seeks Solutions to Soaring Fuel Prices In Southern California, where fuel prices are reportedly the highest in the country, tow truck operators are seeking higher payments to cover rising gasoline prices. Tow truck operators have appealed for assistance to cover increased fuel costs from agencies with which they contract, such as the California Highway Patrol, sheriff’s departments and the Auto Club, noted Darius Pirnazar, owner of two companies, Sea Country Towing and Orange County Motor Club. Behroon Nafissi, owner of Rt. 66 Towing Inc., reported to Tow Industry Week that he was adding a 10 percent surcharge on tows.
In Lexington, Kentucky, Roberts Heavy Duty Towing is adjusting its workforce because of the increases in fuel prices. Kevin Flanigin says their larger heavy wreckers go through anywhere between 11,000 to 13,000 gallons a year. Telling employees to stay in the shop until needed, and driving when only necessary, Flanigin says fuel is one of the biggest costs in their industry. In North Carolina, All Over Towing Manager William Angel said that with the amount that fuel costs have risen, “… it’s almost to the point where the prices that we have, it was almost costing us money to even operate.” Source: wandtv.com
6 Mile Procession for N.J. Tower Seth Newton On March 18, hundreds of people honored N.J. tow truck driver Seth Newton, who was killed on on March 9 while removing a disabled vehicle on Route 22 in Readington, N.J. Newton was a driver for Superior Towing. An approximately six-mile long funeral procession formed, made up of tow trucks, fire trucks, ambulances and police cars from all over Hunterdon, Warren and Somerset counties. “He was killed in the line of duty,” said Lebanon Fire Chief Kevin Saharic, who organized the procession. “When something like this happens, we all get together and we do what we got to do.” “Seth was the second tow operator in
An unprecedented turnout of first responders for the funeral procession of Seth Newton. New Jersey alone, killed in a little over three week’s time,” said Girgis.
News Share
“Lights On”
Trucker Returns Home after Blockade
for Martinez Michael Epolito’s parked tow truck with lights on serves to remind drivers to Move Over.
In Syracuse, New York, Michael Epolito of Midstate and Syracuse Towing parked his tow truck on the Onondaga Lake Parkway, with lights on, to remind drivers to Move Over after Syracuse tower Irael Martinez was hit by an SUV while loading a car onto his tow truck. Police said the driver who hit him, Richard Congel, was under the influence of drugs and was arrested
with a DWAI. “My truck is out there to show support,” Epolito said. “Things get forgotten. I want to make it known things aren’t being done.” Other tow truck drivers have parked their trucks on the parkway in solidarity with Martinez since he was struck, including John Sacco and Angela Stefanowski. Source: syracuse.com
Fire at Integrity Towing in Upstate N.Y.
Man Charged with Robbery of Tower
Fire consumed Integrity Towing’s operations building. Integrity Towing of Beekmantown, New York was subject to a massive fire as multiple fire departments showed up to battle the blaze. Flames erupted from the roof and side of the building as firefighters worked to put it out through the evening hours, snarling traffic along the state highway. A charred shell of the large three-bay garage still stood at nightfall, but the blackened interior showed signs of a roof collapse and widespread damage with debris covering what still remained inside. Crews remained at the site at 7:30
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
Pennsylvania-based trucker Bob Bolus’s plan to gridlock Washington’s Beltway by showing up with a convoy of trucks never materialized, with only a small number participating, including the 18-wheeler belonging to Bolus and five pickup trucks that were part of the caravan. The proposed event, which came on the heels of the Trucker Protest in Ottawa that gridlocked the city for three weeks, intended to serve as continued protest against vaccine mandates, and other grievances such as high inflation and illegal immigration. Bolus garnered press attention for his convoy after telling Fox 5 D.C. that he intends to “shut down” the Capital Beltway, likening his alleged group of truckers to a deadly boa constrictor, which “squeezes you, chokes you, and it swallows you—and that’s what we’re going to do to D.C.” As a result of the publicity and other truck convoys reportedly on their way, Capitol Police and D.C Homeland Security were put on alert to support traffic mitigation, in addition to the National Guard. Sources: wjla.com, thedailybeast.com
p.m. when the state highway was reopened for travel. A fire department company offered sympathy to the Racine family following loss: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan and the entire Integrity team. They have done a lot over the years for many area departments. Whether providing a free tow to a fire truck in need, doing our chassis service on your trucks and always doing what they can to fit our trucks into their busy schedule. We hope for a speedy rebuild.” Source: suncommunitynews.com
A man has been charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying a weapon after police say he shot a tow truck driver he was attempting to rob at a Houston car wash on February 7. According to officials from the Houston Police Department, 31-year-old Zachary M. Smith approached two towers, one of whom was Jimmy Alvarado, who was shot by Smith in the stomach. Smith then fled the scene, chased by the other tower, who fired shots at the vehicle. Police got involved as Smith was eventually captured and arrested after trying to evade roadblocks and ramming a police car. He was initially charged with felony evading and aggravated assault of a public servant and released on bond while the shooting of Alvarado remained under investigation. Smith was subsequently arrested again later that month for unrelated felony charges.
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 11
Road Tools Open Sez Me!
Access Tools has a unique product package called the Fast Access Car Opening Set. It includes all of the basic tools and accessories needed to open any vehicle quickly, easily, and without damage. The included Flexible Long Reach Tool works well with just about any vehicle. Also, the ballistic nylon Air Jack Air Wedge used in conjunction with the One Hand Jack Tool leave no vehicle unable to be opened. Also, the Strip Tool works very well on any vehicle with a stubborn vertical door-lock button. An instructional DVD and manual included with the kit provides quick, expert training on the proper use of the tool set.
CarOpeningTools.com
Pressing Item
Here’s a portable, lightweight press that should be on every towman’s “I want” list! With four tons of pushing, lifting, and holding power, it’s great for changing universal joints, even in the field! And it also presses bushings and bearings both in and out like a breeze. It also works as a spreading tool in the shop. This little guy even bends and shapes metal for brackets or braces.
PortablePowerPress.com
Telescopic Hook Lift
Stellar offers the next evolution of telescopic hook lifts with the NXT Series. This strong but lightweight unit has an 18,000-pound capacity hoist for loading, unloading, and dumping various truck bodies. The NXT18 is the first telescopic hook lift in the new NXT Series, and features a Z-channel base design and universal body-latching system. With a 7.5-inch lostload height, Stellar offers the lowest profile in the industry, providing a lower vertical center of gravity and the ability to accommodate down to four-inch subframe heights. The universal body latching system is completely flexible with both inside and outside locks that can be moved by unbolting, repositioning, and bolting back down. The NXT18 also features a universal hydraulic reservoir that can be mounted in four different places: a bulkhead or chassis frame mount, and on either the street or curb side of the unit. The NXT18 will be the first in the new series to come equipped with electronic controls for more efficient operation of the hook lift. The new system offers two-speed operation to allow for slowing the unit down for precise control in various situations. The new series will be introduced with a radio remote control to allow for unit operation in either the chassis cab or standing outside of the chassis cab.
12 • April 2022 | Towman.com
StellarIndustries.com
Zoom In
Going Big
with the TOWTRACT-XL
Now even larger vehicles can be handled, recovered, and towed with the new TOWTRACT-XL. Equipped with remote radio control, this innovative vehicle is the ideal solution for picking up bigger vehicles in places that traditional towing equipment can’t reach. Such as in a parking garage, basement, narrow courtyard, field, dirt road, on the snow, etc.—just about anywhere trucks can’t get into because of their size. The TOWTRACT-XL specializes in carrying larger framed trucks, ambulances, and dualies with up to a 185-inch wheelbase, which are disabled in cramped or low-clearance areas that are between five and seven feet in height. And also vehicles without keys or with locked steering columns. In addition, the TOWTRACT-XL’s tracks make it possible to pick up a vehicle on terrain where a traditional tow truck wouldn’t have any grip. What’s more, since the TOWTRACTXL isn’t very cumbersome and can be maneuvered in tight spaces, it can get on a truck with its load. The TOWTRACT-XL is the first and only tow robot to be operational in the United States, and is taking the industry to the next level where limited access and zero traction are towing issues. This versatile equipment not only makes getting vehicles out of cramped spaces safer and easier, but can also cut the time and physical effort required to get vehicles out of these areas. Prior to TOWTRACT-XL, tow operators had to endure the physical task of perhaps getting under the vehicle with jacks and blocks, and even pushing the vehicles out, risking physical injury and property damage. In addition, interstate highway median “cable dividers” present very dangerous recovery scenarios where TOWTRACT-XL excels in ease of use and safety. It has a track system to move, along with a winch, so it can go into muddy areas and pull vehicles out, as well as carry cars from the side and lift motorcycles off the ground. TOWTRACT-XL can eliminate as well the need for an additional wrecker needed for the newer aluminum-alloy frame vehicles which include Audi, BMW/Mini, Mercedes, Porsche, VW and Volvo. The TOWTRACT-XL can pick up the vehicle and then both be loaded onto a truck, and the tower can then drive away after strapping them down. This type of equipment has been in use several years by parking companies and property managers in Europe, and is now available in North America to resolve complicated towing recoveries.
EasTractNA.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 13
Tow Boss
On Dangerous Ground
Hazards When Recovering a Cracked Septic Tank or Heavy Equipment From a Sinkhole 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.
A heavy-duty wrecker might fall through a septic tank lid or sink into wet, soft soil near the tank and extended leach field. Where access is problematic, a smaller wrecker is obviously the better choice for lifting a sunken casualty.
T Author’s Note: Special thanks to Uzek Susol, owner of Orcas Island Towing, Orcas Island, Washington, and, Jeff Asher, owner of BC Towing, Salem, Oregon, for supplying photos for this feature.
he delivery of a customer’s car ended up with dropping a loaded carrier into a 30-year-old, abandoned septic tank in a Saint Petersburg, Florida neighborhood. The tow company returned with a load of dirt with hopes of filling the void, and calling the problem fixed. Unfortunately, state health and environment laws said, “Not so fast.” The blunder was a hot topic on the five o’clock news. Both septic tank and sink-hole recoveries can become instantly problematic when on-site considerations aren’t understood before a recovery starts. Like repairing an old house, it seems simple enough at first,
14 • April 2022 | Towman.com
but often the job deteriorates quickly into a money pit. For tow companies working these kinds of recoveries, especially with rotators or heavy-wreckers, extracting commercial vehicles, dump trucks, or construction equipment is a common occurrence. How can a tow company prevent the initial approach or set-up from going wrong?
TIME-WORN TANKS
Driving vehicles of size over time-worn septic tanks is an industrial accident waiting to happen. Also called seepage pits, capture systems, or wastewater chambers, towers don’t necessarily understand the bigger
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When heavy equipment drops into a sinkhole, a tow operator needs to take extra care in positioning his rig. Position outriggers on a stable surface near roadway edges. The closer the wrecker to the casualty, the greater the danger of unstable ground. Bolster it with sheets of heavy plywood, metal sheeting, or metal beams.
picture necessary to avoid inflicting further damages to underground utilities—and the personal health risks too. In communities of age, items such as pipes, cisterns, vaults and septic tanks have been buried for better than half a century. After being infiltrated by roots and years of moisture, they turn mushy and fragile, causing them to crumble. In addition, early septic tanks were likely built on site, and topped with flimsy materials like plywood, carpet, and dirt. A typical residential tank would be three inches thick, buried three feet below the surface, and might support only 500 pounds per square inch. Over time the cover turns soggy. In what appears to be an easy winchout recovery, a truck could plop through a septic tank’s lid. What can be done to prevent this messy accident from happening?
BEWARE THE APPROACH
Arrival and access are the two critical considerations during septic and sinkhole recoveries. Commercial truck drivers (nontowers) often don’t consider what’s underground, ignoring subterranean systems completely obscured by the environment. So when unsuspecting drivers 16 • April 2022 | Towman.com
drive over soft spots on rural properties or access roadways, it’s imperative that a tower correctly position recovery equipment that’s close to work areas. Especially problematic are vintage commercial properties, such as small Momand-Pop motels hidden miles off the interstate. When properties are covered by years of leaves and debris, tanks aren’t readily seen. It’s appropriate that towers have a G.O.A.L.: “Get Out And Look.” If a heavy wrecker were to drive across buried, underground systems, the wrecker’s weight could crush through a tank, only to become a casualty itself. In following a G.O.A.L. protocol, keep heavy wreckers on solid-ground and conduct a visual, pre-recovery walk-through. If the recovery site is near a residence, look for culverts, sinkholes, dips in the roadway, buried drainage pipes or areas where rain runoff is likely. Access should include not crossing dilapidated or vintage bridges. Rickety bridges, regardless of what they’re made of, are dangerous at best and won’t support a massive, 50-ton wrecker. Septic tank recoveries are more problematic than simple winch-outs, requiring creative planning and a wellexecuted extraction.
When recovery plans include construction-type equipment, such as tractors, dozers and longreach trucks, can they be safely brought on-site to aid in recovery? If large machines are driven over septic fields and tanks, they too could damage existing pipes, fall through tank lids, or, inadvertently compress soils near the tank and extended leach fields.
PULLING SPLINTERS
When a casualty drops in from above, first consider removing it the way it went in—via the path and direction it was heading when it dropped or crashed. When septic and sinkhole recoveries are drop-ins, the recovery plan should consider “lift” instead of “winching” as the better alternative. Operators must understand the complexities of sunken recoveries before commencing. Here’s a good case in point: An experienced wrecker operator arrived to tow a car from a dilapidated, yet still operating, rental complex. Because the property was rural, there were open spaces leading to a dozen cabin-like mini houses. The customer’s car was near a small house easily reached from a hard-packed entry road. The tower took a shortcut,
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driving across a sidewalk separating the main house from the car’s location. On this side of the sidewalk, the heavy, 4600 International wrecker dropped through the top of an unseen, 35,000-gallon cement septic tank, settling midway to its frame. Simply dropping through the septic tank’s lid wasn’t yet reason for panic, so the tower called a co-worker who arrived in another wrecker. Their plan: “We’ll winch it out.” Because the partially submerged wrecker’s front wheels landed inside the tank’s walls, in the process of winching the wrecker rearwards, they partially ripped-down the tank’s adjoining wall, releasing a large flow of nasty liquid into the surrounding dirt. What they thought to be an easy winch-out instantly became an uncontainable, environmental health hazard of serious proportions.
18 • April 2022 | Towman.com
NASTY EXPENSE
When liquid excrement releases into surrounding soils, an immediate emergency evacuation of the property’s residents woefully adds another huge cost factored into the claim. This tower created an extremely expensive clean-up scenario, the need to rebuild the septic tank itself, along with the red tape, hoops, and fines the county bestowed on his company. There’s much to know about approach, turn-around, and access where large-sized tow vehicles can’t go. Obviously, towers must initiate a G.O.A.L. strategy where septic systems typically are built inline with houses or structures. In addition, if a property owner or site manager is present, be sure to ask about buried leach lines, septic tanks, or other underground utilities. Also see if the property’s septic schematic is available for
review. If so, examine the system’s footprint to estimate, or even measure, where tanks and leach lines are buried. Another important consideration for working septic recoveries is to know if your company has sufficient insurance that covers “after the fact” damages caused during recovery. These types of recoveries require the property owners or their designates to sign a “Hold Harmless Disclaimer.” While we’ve found that hold-harmless agreements are of little value in court, a signed document is proof that the recovery operator discussed pre-recovery cautions and dangers with the property’s owner or agent. For larger scenarios creating a public safety hazard, consider contacting the county health department for advice. If law enforcement is on scene, it’s always wise to discuss your recovery plan
with the officer in charge. Prior-to-work photo documentation is your best “CYA” to include in the recovery plan. Be sure to take closeup photos of already damaged areas where the customer’s vehicle or equipment item traveled and where it fell through. On-scene photos are necessary as part of your company’s submitted and itemized invoice.
STAY ON SOLID GROUND
Septic recoveries and sinkhole winch-outs are admittedly “muy stinkin’ work,” requiring towers to get up close and personal to the muck when rigging. Tip: For unusual “smell situations” like this, a thick line of Vick’s VapoRub under the nose can make this unpleasant work more bearable. Also PPE’s are really important. Wear rain gear, heavy rain boots, eye protection and thick rubber gloves to protect your skin. Position heavy wreckers away from potentially soft ground at the tank’s location. Consider that soggy earth could result in unrecognizable undermining below a stretched-out heavy wrecker. While lifting may be the preferred technique for recovery, be mindful that liquid-infused soil could cause an unstable platform to cave in and create tip-over conditions. Position pads, stabilizers, outriggers, and downriggers when setting up near roadway edges or unstable surfaces. Danger: The closer the wrecker positions to the casualty, the greater the danger of unstable ground. Bolster with sheets of heavy plywood, inch-thick construction metal sheeting (shoring walls), or metal beams factored into your plan. Enlist a spotter while backing-up to the recovery site versus making U-turns. This technique requires a closer approach, but is successful provided this “approachability” can bear the wrecker’s weight. Work with calculated and methodical precision in order Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
to avoid health hazards and environmental damages. For complete containment and health safety, consider hiring a commercial grade, septic “suckertruck” to first lower the level of nasty liquid before recovery commences, and vacuum any liquid excrement that made its way outside the tank’s walls. For small, rural tow companies, why not team up with an experienced and properly equipped tow company and split
the total invoice? But keep in mind that rotators and heavy wreckers might not be the best truck for these complicated jobs. Make wise decisions by knowing when to say, “No!” That’s the wisest mindset in not taking on recoveries when you’re not equipped or trained to do so. Septic tank and sinkhole recoveries are considered successful when there are no additional driver-inflicted damages. Oh, and by the way, is your tetanus shot up-to-date?
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 19
Safety
Juice Master
Boosting Your Battery Service 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.
O
ffering battery jumpstart service to your customers seems both simple and lucrative, right? Depending on your business model, battery jumpstart service can account for a significant percentage of the services you provide, and be a substantial source of income. Even so, your employees need to have the knowledge and proper equipment to provide this service safely. If not done correctly, it can be a huge liability for damages and injuries.
20 • April 2022 | Towman.com
WELL EQUIPPED FOR SAFETY’S SAKE
As with any job, it is important to provide your employees with the proper tools to perform this service. Depending on what percentage of your work is battery service you will need to decide what equipment to carry on the trucks. (Note the accompanying box with a minimum list of recommended items.) Always wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when providing
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ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO CARRY FOR BATTERY SERVICE • Safety glasses • Work gloves • Latex gloves • Fender cover • Battery pliers • Battery terminal ratchet • Battery terminal cleaner tool • Battery terminal spreader • Side terminal adapters • 500 amp plug-in jumper cables (25’ long) with a reverse polarity indicator • Portable jump pack with a reverse polarity indicator and on/off switch • Mechanics belt • Hand cleaner • Eyewash • 1/4 , 3/8, 7/16 and 9/16inch open and boxed-end wrenches battery jumpstart service. A quality pair of safety glasses are worth every penny you spend on them. Protect your eyes from battery acid, and pieces of the battery casing that can fly off a battery in an accidental explosion. In addition, first ensure that the disabled vehicle is in a location where it is safe to provide the service. Otherwise the situation could require additional precautions or assistance.
RISKS OF EXPLOSION AND RESTARTING
Several significant safety hazards are present when jump starting batteries. They produce explosive hydrogen gas as a normal function, so any open flame, small spark, or lit cigarette can easily 22 • April 2022 | Towman.com
ignite these fumes. If the fluid in the battery is at the proper level, there is only a small space for hydrogen gas to accumulate inside, and the vents should allow it to exit the battery and dissipate in the air. Placing a wet shop towel over the top of the battery will minimize the potential for a spark to ignite the hydrogen gas. Another precaution: The tow operator should take possession of the keys or key fob and make sure the disabled vehicle is in park (automatic transmission) or neutral (standard transmission), and the parking brake is set prior to attempting to restart the disabled vehicle. The key fob should be kept away from vehicle until you are ready to attempt to start the disabled vehicle. Also, do not attempt to jumpstart a battery that has damage, such as broken posts, a cracked or leaking case, and/ or a hot or bulging case. Nor should you try to jumpstart a frozen battery or a battery that is emitting a strong rotten-egg smell. Make sure to keep your customer in a safe location away from the battery. Turn off all accessories unless the manufacturer of the disabled vehicle recommends they be turned on during a jumpstart. Unplug any additional devices such as cell phones, MP3 players or navigation systems that are connected to a power port or USB connector. Most newer batteries are maintenance-free products, and you might not be able to remove the caps for the cell in order to add water to the battery. However, if you have a battery that has a low fluid level and removable vent caps, you should be able to add distilled water to ensure the fluid level is
where it should be. When the fluid level is low there is more space in the battery for hydrogen gas to accumulate inside the battery, and more potential for an internal spark to cause a battery explosion. Avoid attaching battery jumper cable clamps to components that are in close proximity to moving engine parts such as the fans, pulleys, or serpentine belts. The tow operator should not stand in front or behind the disabled vehicle if allowing the customer to attempt to start the disabled vehicle.
DIAGNOSING A DEAD BATTERY
The best way to check for a dead battery is to use a MultiMeter. Check the voltage by probing the positive and negative battery terminals. If you get a reading of 12.6, the battery is charged and
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USEFUL EXTRAS If a significant percentage of your calls are for battery jumpstart service, additional equipment might include the following as well (and even more equipment might be required if you’re providing battery-replacement service).
• 800 amp plug-in jumper cables (25’ long) with reverse polarity indicator • Battery terminal cleaner spray • MultiMeter • High-voltage rubber gloves • Acid neutralizing absorbent • Spill kit • Torx sockets • Allen wrenches
ASSORTED BATTERY SERVICE HAND TOOLS • Battery terminal puller • Battery terminal ratchet • 3/8- and 7/16-inch open-end wrench • Battery pliers • Battery terminal spreader • Battery post and terminal wire brush cleaner • Side terminal adapters • Spare battery terminal the terminals have good connection. If you get a lower voltage, probe the positive and negative posts. With a 12.6 reading at this location the battery is charged, but there is likely a poor connection at the positive or negative terminal.
24 • April 2022 | Towman.com
If you don’t have a voltmeter, you can conduct a battery check by turning on the headlights. When they don’t come on, or come on and are bright but turn off when you attempt to start the engine, turn off the ignition and check the battery terminal connections to ensure they are tight and clean. Tighten loose terminals with the appropriate tool and turn on the headlights again. Headlights that remain bright when attempting to start the vehicle indicate a problem other than a discharged battery.
POTENTIAL DAMAGES
Several common damages can be caused during the jumpstart process. The most common setup used on passenger vehicles, lightduty vans and pickup trucks is a negative-ground, 12-volt battery system. Incorrectly attaching the positive jumper cable clamp on
the negative battery terminal, and the negative jumper cable clamp on the positive battery terminal or engine ground will result in reverse polarity. Reverse polarity can cause permanent damage instantly. The proper use of jumper cables, or a jump pack with a reverse polarity indicator, will minimize the potential for creating reverse polarity. A voltage surge occurs every time the jumper cables or jump pack is connected or disconnected to the disabled vehicle battery system. This surge always occurs during the jumpstart process, but in older vehicles with less electrical or computer components, damage is caused over a course of several jumpstarts. On the other hand, with all of the electrical components and computer-controlled systems on today’s vehicles, damage resulting from voltage surge can be instant. To reduce the potential for
If not done correctly,
jumpstart service can be a
LITE-IT UP WITH
CUSTER PRODUCTS
huge liability for damages and
injuries.
damage caused by voltage surge, follow the disabled vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations for jumpstarts. Some manufacturers recommend that a strong component on the disabled vehicle be turned on prior to attaching the jumper cables. Once the disabled vehicle has been started and before disconnecting the jumper cables, let the engine idle on the disabled vehicle drop down to a normal level. Avoid idling the disabled vehicle at more than 1500 rpm as some vehicle transmissions can be otherwise damaged at higher revs. Follow all of the disabled vehicle manufacturers recommendations for jumpstarting their vehicles. Some manufacturers recommend that a vehicle component such as a heater’s blower motor be turned on before removing jumper cables in order to reduce the potential for damage caused by voltage surge. Protect painted surfaces using a fender cover so your jumper cables do no damage the paint. Wear a mechanics belt to avoid damage to the fenders when leaning against it. A mechanics belt does not have a buckle that can cause damage.
www.custerproducts.com • 800-490-3158
STEP-BY-STEP TIPS
Before attempting to jumpstart a disabled vehicle, check to see if the battery voltage is low enough to cause memory loss. Many late-model vehicles have control units and modules that will lose memory when the battery voltage drops below eight volts.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 25
Anti-theft radio codes, electronic throttle control, and automatic transmission shifting controls may lose their memory and require resetting. This procedure might have to be done by a mechanic. Memory loss can be checked by turning the ignition on and looking at the time on the clock. If the clock has reset to 12:00 or 1:00, this readout likely indicates memory loss. In this case, explain to your customer that they may need to take the vehicle directly to
26 • April 2022 | Towman.com
their mechanic to reset these codes for the vehicle to operate correctly. Document your paperwork with “Clock time appears to have reset and customer was notified of possible memory loss due to loss of power.” If you need to remove battery terminals for cleaning, connect your battery jump pack to maintain power to avoid memory loss. Document this step on your paperwork also. Batteries can be equipped with
a top post, a side post or dual posts. The disabled vehicle might also have a remote positive terminal to use for a jumpstart. This setup is common when the battery is hidden such as in the trunk or under a seat. Most vehicles have a 12-volt negative ground battery system. Using a set of jumper cables with a reverse-polarity indicator, plug in the jumper cables to the box on the tow truck. Attach the positive jumper cable clamp to the remote positive terminal, or if that is not available, to the positive terminal on the battery. Use the reverse polarity indicator and touch the negative terminal on the battery. If the polarity is correct the green light will light up. Then attach the jumper cable negative clamp to a metal ground at least 18 inches away from the battery. If the red indicator light turns on, the cables are connected incorrectly. You could also encounter disabled vehicles with a different battery system, such as a pair of six-volt batteries connected in series to produce 12 volts, or, a couple of 12volt batteries connected in parallel for higher cranking amperage (typically on diesel vehicles), or 12volt positive ground systems. Follow the manufacturers recommendations for jumpstarting these vehicles. If you are not familiar and are not able to confirm the proper procedure for the jumpstart, it is better to just offer a tow to avoid costly repairs from damage. Since this article covers only the basics, tow operators who provide battery jumpstarting need to attend formal training on a regular basis to stay up-to-date on the latest electrical system technologies and equipment in order to perform this service safely.. Boost your battery service by carrying the appropriate equipment, and arming your tow operators with the knowledge necessary to be safe, effective and efficient—so they too can be juice masters.
Towman’s Toy
Company Mascot
A Retro Promo Vehicle That’s Working Even When It’s Parked! By Joe Greeves
Joe Greeves is a retired Marine Corps LtCol as well as an active automotive photojournalist since 1974. Enjoying all phases of the hobby, Joe shoots feature articles, tech articles, and show coverage, with more than 2200 published articles in 48 years.
S
mart tow-business owners are always looking for creative ways to market their services. Getting the public to notice what you do is a surefire way of ensuring that your company prospers. If you have a fleet of tow trucks like Aerial Hernandez of Kings Wrecker Service in Miami, Florida, adding a dash of customized vintage fun to his marketing plan was the right approach, made easier by the character Mater from the Cars movies. Humorously voiced by comedian Larry the Cable Guy and
The vintage International body is period-correct with lots of authentic touches. Inspired by the Cars movie cartoon character Mater (as in “TowMater”), all the truck needs is a pair of big eyes in the windshield and some buck teeth in the grille.
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based on a rusty old 1951 International Harvester boom truck, Mater owned the junkyard in Radiator Springs and brags about being the “World’s best backwards driver.” The movie was a great hit with both kids and adults, and Aerial’s lovable tow truck, patterned after Mater, became a colorful addition to the Kings fleet. While Aerial’s truck omits the big eyes in the windshield and the buck teeth in the grille, there is still a reasonable resemblance, especially recognizable among the younger set. He wanted to create a ride that he could take to car shows, entertain the
crowd, and become a focal point for his Kings Wrecker Service. It would be his publicity piece and the Mater character from Cars was the inspiration. Although Aerial has been in the tow business for 17 years, Kings was established more recently in 2019. His firm runs a fleet of 19 trucks with five dispatchers and a staff of 15 drivers, ranging in age from 23 to 71 years old. The fleet consists of 10 light-duty wreckers, six medium-duty flatbeds and three heavy-duty rigs. They are well known on the streets of Miami, and Aerial’s unique Materstyle truck is a favorite, a company mascot of sorts. But building it required parts and talents from several different sources. Searching the Internet, Aerial found a 1947 International body in South Dakota. Amazingly, it was in remarkable condition for its age. When it arrived, all that was necessary was to carefully clean it, taking care to preserve the weathered patina with layers of clear coat. The cab, front fenders, hood, grille, and headlight buckets were solid, with virtually no rust and just a few carefully removed dents. The amber warning lights on the boom are period correct, and the headlights use the original housings with aftermarket bulbs and lenses. After adding a distressed version of the company logo to the doors, Aerial’s next step was to find a modern chassis, since the plan was to create a reliable running truck with a classic look. Before long, a late-model donor was located, in this case a
More than just a movie character, Mater is a fully functional tow truck, thanks to its 12-ton Holmes 512 wrecker bed. The “Split the Booms” setup was a major factor that made this wrecker setup a true workhorse in the tow and recovery industry.
The interior is straight out of the late ‘40s with the exception of the sound deadening, a custom leather bench seat, and air conditioning. Reconditioned gauges on the dash monitor the Cummins under the hood.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 29
The 5.9L Cummins 12V turbodiesel, sourced from a 1993 Dodge, provides plenty of power and modern reliability.
1993 Dodge dually complete with a turbocharged 12V Cummins diesel and automatic transmission. It was the ideal choice, with the modern power train producing more than enough power in stock form. With the cab prepped and then set aside, preparations for the chassis began at Reds Hydraulics in Miami. The Dodge’s underbody was updated with a modern air-bag system that would provide better handling, along with an adjustable elevation. Reds owner, Frank Carralero, is an air suspension expert, having designed and built systems for hundreds of vehicles over the years. Keeping function in mind, Frank installed Slam Specialties RE7 bags up front and heavy-duty, Airlift 2800 bags in the rear, supporting the three-link, Ford F-350 rear suspension. The bigger bags out back ensure that the truck is genuinely usable as a wrecker. The bags are activated by a pair of Viair 444 compressors underneath the driver’s seat with reserve tanks hidden under the chassis. A built-in air chuck allows for tire inflation on the side of the road, which can be called into play as well at car shows to assist other participants.
Winch gear
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While only a few standard adjustments were necessary to mate the cab to the chassis, the bed was another story. Mater is definitely a functional wrecker with a 12-ton, Holmes 512 boom on the back. Since the original bed on the International was not salvageable, a replacement came from an early ‘60s Ford wrecker, chosen for its stout construction. Good friend and talented welder, Juan “Veneno” Garcia handled the fabrication work, along with
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The Holmes wrecker bed boasts big spools and a hand-crank.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 31
the custom rear fenders that cover the distinctive 24-inch dually rear wheels from Diesel Wheels. When it was time to get the rig rolling, Aerial did not want a set of wheels that everyone else had. He teamed up once again with Frank Carralero, choosing a blank 24.5 X 8.25-inch Alcoa wheel. He machined the rims down to 24 inches so they would accept standard size tires, then polished the aluminum until it shone like chrome. The custom center section sports a Diesel Wheels crest in the center, and the valve stems are hidden from view. The front wheels have a standard offset, but the rear dually wheels feature a deep recess. The combination created an ultra smooth look to the rims, wrapped in Roadclaw 295/35R24 rubber. While the truck’s patina fits the retro theme perfectly, the interior boasts the beginnings of what will later be a luxurious interior. Sound deadening is already in place and the custom leather upholstery dresses up the bench seat. The original gauges on the dash were reconditioned, the Dodge steering column and wheel were adapted, and the truck sports a pushbutton start. The switches on the dash activate the wrecker lights. All told, this customized truck took a year to build, and although the completed rig is fully capable of towing a vehicle, Aeriel keeps it as an attention-getter that draws a crowd whenever it’s on the road. Mater is not only fun to drive, but also has become a fun form of advertising, making it one of the “Kings” of the road.
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AD INDEX AAA...........................................................71 Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................51 All American Jerr-Dan.............. N, S 91, M 93 Allstate Roadside.......................................73 American Towman Expositions...................89 Anchor Graphics........................................18 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................82 Austin Insurance..........................S, 93, M 95 AutoReturn.................................................33 B/A Products..............................................83 Captain Recovery............N, S 93, M 92, W 94 Chevron Commercial..................................74 Command Light.........................................34 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip. Sales................77 Custer Products.........................................25 DewEze Mfg...............................................82 DP Winch...................................................17 Dri-Dek......................................................32 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers...................55 Dynamic Towing Equipment.......................23 East Coast Truck & Trailer....................... S 95 EasTract N.A..............................................39 Edgetec.................................................W 92 Elizabeth Truck Center................................75 Enzo’s Cleaning Solutions....................... N 93 ESTRA Tow Show................................... N 92
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April 2022
FCar Tech USA...........................................76 GM Consultants..........................................43 G.Stone Commerical.............................. N 92 Hino Trucks..............................................100 Integrated Veh. Equip. Leasing....................75 Intek Truck Equipment................................25 ITI..............................................................26 Jerr-Dan......................................................2 Landoll Corp.................................................3 Lodar USA..................................................43 Lynch Truck Centers...................................45 Matjack Jumbo Safelift..............................81 McMahon Truck Center..........................M 91 Metrocom..................................................31 Miller Industries.........................................15 Mobile Control Systems..............................74 Mobile Video Computing.............................59 North American Bancard............................46 OMG Tow Marketing...................................72 Online Impound Auctions............................41 Pacific General Insurance.......................M 92 PeakPTT....................................................68 Peak Wrecker Sales...............................W 95 Performance Advantage Company..............43 Phoenix USA..............................................32 Quick Draw Tarpaulin System.....................44
Recovery Billing Unlimited..........................30 RimSling....................................................30 SafeAll Products.........................................39 Santander Bank.........................................99 Sea Crest Insurance Agency...................W 91 ServiCase..................................................27 Smyrna Truck & Cargo...............................69 Specialty Vehicle Equip. Funding................35 Steck Mfg. Co............................................78 Towbook Management Software...................9 Tow Brokers Insurance...........................W 95 Tow Industries.......................................W 93 TowMate....................................................31 TowXpo Dallas/Fort Worth..................... 63-65 Trail King Industries...................................55 Traxero North America..............................4, 5 Ultra Built Mfg............................................39 Urgently.....................................................24 Utility Trailer Sales of S.E. TX..................W 91 Warn Industries............................................7 West End Service.......................................80 Winches Inc...........................................W 93 XINSURANCE..............................................79 Zacklift International..................................69 Zip’s / AW Direct..................................19, 21
That Sinking Feeling
Courtesy of WreckMaster and Chancey’s Towing
2021
Winner:
2021 Donnie Cruse
Recovery Award
Presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster
36 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Donnie Cruse Memorial Award
Chancey’s Towing
The excavator’s engine cover was all dented, and water from a spring was creating a quicksand-like condition.
A Chancey Recovery of Stolen Equipment Mired in Muck
E
ver think like you might be getting in too deep? That was the ominous feeling on August 6, 2021, when Chancey’s Towing received a call that an excavator had been stolen from a local landfill. The survey revealed that the 80,000-pound tracked excavator was mired up to the operator’s cab. Making things worse, water from an underground spring was continuing to fill the area around the casualty. Paraphrasing the Chancey operators’ reactions, “Oh crud—we gotta get this thing out fast!” But eventually it would take a really long day’s work to accomplish that.
ALL Recovery Specialists Qualify:
First, to avoid further sinkage, on-scene supervisor Dewayne Chancey quickly assigned three heavy-duty wreckers to the job. They were Peterbilts, fitted with Miller, Vulcan and B&B tow rigs. Next, an initial survey and calculations revealed that they would need to overcome approximately 150,000 pounds of resistance to extricate the excavator. Since then, however, WreckMaster indicated that track weight actually multiplies the resistance many times over, to about 250,000-plus pounds! Dewayne Chancey decided on a multi-step approach to recover the submerged excavator. A winching method would be employed to remove it from the muddy hole it was buried in. Then, the excavator would be slid up the embankment.
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 you may be contacted for further details. Recovery must have been performed between 2001 and 2021. Send submissions to stemple@towman.com.
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Co-Sponsored by:
&
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 37
Dewayne Chancey laid out a 14 lines to overcome the load resistance from the muck.
TOW OPERATORS Dewayne Chancey Stacy Chancey Scott Kleuser Brian Hardin
38 • April 2022 | Towman.com
That was his rigging and his setup, deciding what lines were going where, and who was doing what.
RESPONDING EQUIPMENT 2015 Peterbilt with a Miller 1150 2000 Peterbilt with a Vulcan V100 2006 Peterbilt with a B&B 70-ton To accomplish this job, Chancey’s directed his crew to use multiple snatch blocks and the winches from three heavy wreckers, laying up a grand total of 14 lines to the load. “That was his rigging and his setup, deciding what lines were going where, and who was doing what,” recalled son Dexter. Once the winches were engaged, though, the recovery crew noticed that moving the excavator caused it to begin sinking even deeper into the hole! This sudden subsidence was attributed to water from a natural spring flowing around the machine. So the operators decided to employ a bulldozer to remove material from in front of the casualty so that its tracks could be lifted up to the surface. Once the hole was cleared out and the tracks
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 39
were raised towards the top of the embankment, the recovery crew repositioned their wreckers and began winching the excavator up the slope. In preparation for this final winching operation, the recovery team installed a two-part line onto the excavator’s bucket to focus more force on that part of the casualty. At last, the excavator was on level ground. Two rotators were used to lift it into loading height, and then lower it onto a lowboy trailer. Once secured for transport, the excavator was relocated back to the landfill from where it had been stolen. Due to the difficult nature, extreme circumstances and precision execution of this recovery, it was selected for WreckMaster’s 2021 Heavy Duty Donnie Cruse Memorial Recovery Award. All told, Chancey and his crew rose to the occasion, overcoming that sinking feeling.
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After a 14-hour day’s work, the excavator was finally loaded onto a lowboy.
40 • April 2022 | Towman.com
IN MEMORIAM Dewayne Chancey started with one truck in 1988, a Ford F-350 with a Chevron flat bed. To draw attention to his fledgling firm, still located at his company’s main location on Mike Padgett Highway in Augusta, Georgia, Dewayne applied metallic, multicolored paint striping to the truck body. Over the years, he grew the company with his hard work and a drive to be the best. Chancey’s Towing now has over 50 pieces of equipment and a large group of dedicated employees. Sadly, Dewayne passed away just a few days after this recovery, but he left them doing what he loved.
An American Towman
Persistent Compassion
Tim Moody is Always Looking Out for People
By Charles Duke
American Towman Magazine Senior Editor Charles Duke has written and served as editor for trade, music and nonprofit publications. He also serves as the editor for AT’s online sister publications Tow Industry Week and Tow Industry Today.
T
im Moody is now in his 40th year in towing, which first entered his bloodstream in Dallas, Texas, before he relocated to Arkansas 14 years ago where he has become a very active member of the tow community. Moody also currently serves as president of the Professional Towing & Recovery Association of Arkansas, an association representing 715 towmen in the state. Tim’s down-to-earth manner comes across in his passion for bettering the industry, and his compassion for his fellow man. These traits were on display during the American Towman Spirit Ride campaign of 2018 when he transported the Spirit Ride casket five and a half hours from Dallas to North Little Rock, having arranged for law enforcement escort for the complete sojourn. “That was almost impossible to do, but we did it,” Tim related. He hosted Spirit Ride ceremonies twice because he believes that getting the message out about the “Slow Down, Move Over” law is of prime importance. “The problem that I recognized is that a lot of people don’t know of the ‘Move Over’ law,” Tim pointed out. “I’ve worked real hard in expressing to people how serious it is to abide to the ‘Move Over’ law for all first responders.” Through his work with Professional Towing & Recovery Association of Arkansas, he was instrumental in getting a proclamation signed by that state in recognizing this law. Tim mentioned that he consults monthly with Linda Unruh, the prime mover of getting “Bobby’s Law” passed in New Mexico (a Move Over measure to protect towers, in honor of her son who was killed while assisting a police officer). Many of the ideas brought up in those conversations are shared with the association.
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TIM MOODY Vice President, J-Hook Towing & Recovery; North Little Rock, Arkansas
President, Professional Towing & Recovery Association of Arkansas
Moody teamed up with his state’s law enforcement agencies and organized prayer ceremonies for Arkansas hospitals during the outbreak of the pandemic.
Aside from his statewide work, Moody takes pride in the work he does on a community level. Before the onset of the pandemic, he traveled to high schools in his area with law enforcement personnel teaching students about the perils from distracted driving and the importance of the “Move Over” law. After the pandemic hit, he teamed up with his state’s law enforcement agencies, and organized prayer ceremonies for Arkansas hospitals. “We set up prayer ceremonies in all of our major hospitals here,” Tim stated. “Two of the ceremonies we did the year before last, and we had over 700 representatives of tow companies and law enforcement. We had some pastors there, and we lined up
in front of the hospitals. We drove around with our lights on. We did this when Covid first hit; then we did them again last year.” Of course, it’s about helping people in stressful and sometimes life-threatening situations that is the heartbeat of this towman’s existence. One of Tim’s most memorable jobs showed the compassion he has for people who run into hardships.
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“We got this lady who had run out of gas. She was going from Oklahoma to Nashville, Tennessee to pick up her grandchildren; her daughter got killed in a car wreck. She didn’t have any money at all,” he recalled. “I brought her into my house,” Tim continued, “and she stayed in my house for 24 hours where I could get her fed, put a couple of tires on her car, drew some
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 43
FAMILY REALLY MATTERS Tim Moody emphasizes that one of the most important things for him to be able to do his job with J-Hook Towing & Recovery is to have a supportive family that understands and appreciates the towing industry. He credits his wife, Angela, for anchoring that support. Son Brandon has worked for J-Hook Towing for 22 years and does heavy-duty recovery. Moody’s brother Jimmy has worked for Tim for 25 years, handling the rollbacks. Both Brandon and Jimmy have been with him since his time in Dallas, Texas. Daughter-in-law Tammy has been his office manager and dispatcher for 15 years, and high-schooler Elizabeth also does dispatch work during the summer.
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money out of my bank and gave it to her so she could go pick up her grandkids. On her way back, she stopped to let me see her grandkids.” Recalling another job, Moody spoke of the time when a car traveling on Interstate 40 had rolled over and went down in a ditch. Fighting darkness, wind and sleet, he followed the trail of the fallen car down into the woods–and found that the car had rolled into a creek. “There was a man and a woman in there and they were trapped,” Moody said. “The car was filling up with water. I tied a line onto the door and pried it open. I got them out of the car, got them up to the road, wrapped them up in blankets, and waited for the ambulance to get there.” He went on to say if he hadn’t have stopped or been in that place, they would’ve probably died. Today, J-Hook Towing & Recovery is running seven heavy-duties, complemented by 15 small wreckers in a company that boasts 30plus employees. What spurred the growth to get J-Hook to where they are today? “I was taught years ago that, number one, your drivers have to look presentable,” Tim emphasized. “They’ve got to be in uniform, they’ve got to be professional. Your response times have got to be good, and you have to be honest with people. My dispatchers are very professional. That seemed to be the way to lock everything in, and we have grown as a result.” Not only that, Tim is always looking out for people in need.
Buyers Report what the users say
Product reviews of participating advertisers compiled by AT Staff in speaking directly with the users themselves.
The annual Buyers Report in American Towman Magazine is where you can go to get real word-of-mouth recommendations on the companies, products and services you use to enhance your business. “It’s just another advertisement,” you might think in skimming over this section. But you’d be wrong. In assembling this feature every year for the April issue, we reach out by phone, text and email to real users to get the information we need straight from the customers themselves. It is a task that is several months in the making; as we all well know, the life of a tower is not 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. For every tower, business owner or tow manager we reach in one try - who actually has time to talk right then we leave a half dozen or more voicemails, emails and text requests. Why do we do this? In order to get the best product information possible for our readers to evaluate tow industry suppliers, which results in all the details big and small - you can find in these pages.
See Ad Page 71
AAA/DRIVE Program Mentors Tow Owners to Effectively Run a Business
“I have been with AAA/DRIVE for quite a while. I have really enjoyed having them as my guide and helping me become more responsible as an owner. I’ve learned how to hire people correctly, how to keep people employed, and how to communicate with different types of people. For example, I took a course in millennials and learned how to offer them goals. One huge thing I’ve learned is the importance of keeping statistics. From monitoring employee productivity to how the shop is doing overall, stats have allowed me to pinpoint areas in my business that are lacking and need improvement.”
See Ad Page 51
Akins Ford for the Best Experience and Follow Through “Working with Akins has been one of the best experiences as far as sales and service. I have no complaints at all with anything they have done or sold us. This year I purchased a 2022 Freightliner M2 extended cab which a Chevron rollback. I love all the features: the wheel lift function, a wider bed, removable rails, and plenty of extra tie-downs. Jeff was the only one who called me back and followed up all the way through. He gave me exact numbers and found me trucks when nobody else could.”
Buddy Harrelson, Master Body Works; Leesburg, Georgia
Charlie Entwistle, Entwistle’s Garage; Leicester, Massachusetts Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 47
Buyers Report
See Ad Pages N, S 91, M 93
All-American Jerr-Dan: The Preferred Choice
“Jerr-Dan is the preferred product choice for our emergency towing and road service department. The equipment is easy to use, extremely reliable and the drivers are satisfied with the efficiency of the products. Our 2020 Ford F-550 MPL40 has the flexibility to handle not only LD recoveries and tows, but also can tow up to 16,000 pounds with the sling attachment. The low clearance on the MPL is a huge advantage. An added feature is the negative tilt wheel lift which provides excellent clearance and tilt ability. Our flatbeds are extremely functional, versatile and allow for easy access into tight driveways and other difficult areas. We continue to expand our fleet and our plans are to continue to add Jerr-Dan products to our fleet.”
See Ad Page 73
Allstate Roadside Assistance: A Bridge to Success
“Allstate has been great to us. Since starting with them, I have been able to triple the business. When we first started, we were getting $35 a hook, and now we are getting $100. During the pandemic, with oil and gas prices surging, it means a lot to handle our business with care while increasing our financial reward. We also love the personal touch. Our relationship with Dana has been great.”
Lee Dukes, Great Towing Service; Fayetteville, Georgia
Mike Vidal, Crew Towing; Edison, New Jersey
See Ad Page 82
Atlanta Wrecker Sales Has Your Back
“The quality of the work at Atlanta Wrecker Sales is number one. The prepping, painting and the way they put things together is the reason I buy from them. The beds of two rollbacks that I bought several years ago are still in pristine shape. No rust, no flaking. Also, their parts department is phenomenal. Because I have a fleet of trucks, I’m always contacting them and they get me whatever I need. It’s about after the sale.”
Mark Chapman, Advanced Recovery/ Excel Service & Towing; Rochester, New York
48 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Pages S 93, M 95
Austin Insurance: Turn it Over to the Trusted One
“We have been with Austin Insurance for over 15 years. An insurance claim is something no one wants to deal with, but when they do come around, they handle it completely. Whether it is workman’s comp or a truck needing to be fixed, we turn it over to Austin. There is no call center, no ‘press one’ for English. You deal directly with Rob, Sharon, or Tyler who are available 24/7, 365 days a year. They have earned my complete trust and have become great friends over the years. I recommend them to everyone.”
Andy Knepp, Reichert and Knepp; Plymouth, Indiana
B/A Products Has You Covered from Every Angle
“What I like about the B/A Products is their 8-point, tie-down kit. It’s a great product and easy to use. That kit covers you from all angles when you are tying/ loading a vehicle on a carrier. The design keeps the wheels from moving forward, backwards or side-toside. Very versatile piece of equipment. When you are securing a vehicle, you are reducing any damage a bridal would do.”
Kelly Owens, Stephens Truck Center; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
See Ad Page 34
See Ad Page 74
Chevron Commercial Stands-up and Stands-out
“I have had no problems at all with Chevron Commercial. We have bought 60 or 70 trucks with them over the last seven years. Anything from light-duty wreckers, rollbacks, heavies, and industrial carriers. They provide great service, do all of the custom lighting for us and there is always somebody there we can talk to when we call. They take care of our problems and stand by their product.”
Tom Ogden, Ogden Auto Towing; West Haven, Utah
See Ad Page 77
Command Light Commands Respect
Crouch’s Goes All Out
Jerry Barbour, Barbour’s Towing and Truck Repair; Raleigh, North Carolina
Kevin Goodyear, Goodyear Towing/ Eastern Diesel; Bonita, Florida
“I have had multiple light towers on my equipment for many years and had a lot of trouble with other brands. I searched around and found the Command Light brand. After much research, the info I gathered seemed to favor the Command Light for dependability, deployment time, weight (light), size (compact) and ease of operation. We have used our Command Light many times in all weather conditions and have had no issues. I would recommend this light over the others 10-to-1 in my experience.”
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“We’ve bought a lot from them, including a 2021 Peterbilt 389 Twin Steer with a Chevron 1075S Rotator. Steve Ferry, the salesman, worked with me through every step, paying attention to every little detail. Everything was just right. I asked for Grab Rails on the Wrecker bed and a water tank and it was exactly like it was supposed to be. We had a warranty issue on a 20-ton rig and the salesman went to bat for us. The owner of the business knows me by name and speaks to me wherever he sees me and that means a lot to me. I’ve never picked a vehicle up. It’s always brought to my doorstep.”
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 49
what the users say
See Ad Page 83
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 25
Custer Out Shines the Rest
“During the EZTOW development cycle our engineering team was in search of a lighting company that could provide quality work and safety lighting with great customer support. We found it with Custer Products. Custer Products has been one of the easiest companies to work with. They are quick to answer questions and make a great product.”
Matthew Freeborn, Zacklift International; Cle Elum, Washington
See Ad Page 55
See Ad Page 82
DewEze is the Only Way to Go “We’ve been using Dew Eze pumps for 40 years. It’s the only one out there that I buy. They are a great product. We’ve never had any problems with them. They are just an all-around good company for what we do. Anytime we call and need help they help us, and they always have stuff in stock.”
Ryan and Brian Marshall, RPM Equipment; Houston, Texas
See Ad Page 23
Dual-Tech Wreckers and Carriers are Strong as Steal
Dynamic Towing Equip. and Mfg. Is Dynamite
Mike Ryan, Counts Kustoms; Las Vegas, Nevada
Salvatore LoDico, Midnight Towing; Ronkonkoma, New York
“The Dual-Tech Carrier is built stronger and tougher than it has to be. It’s been built beyond what industry standards would require. The technology that Dual-Tech puts into their bed system stands alone because it’s tougher than other industry trucks. Their side-puller technology and the way it’s designed makes it very convenient to get to the cars where you don’t have room to back up.”
50 • April 2022 | Towman.com
“All of my tow trucks are Dynamics. Their reputation, quality of work, longevity, service and fair pricing stand out. Not to mention that they are family owned and operated. I have two Dynamic slide-in units, which are versatile. You can easily switch out the unit from one brand to another. Bottom line: Dynamic treats us well, services our equipment, and has a great product.”
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 39
EasTract N.A. - A Specialized Asset and Investment
“We use the EasTract for a lot of underground parking and low-clearance areas. It’s a touch-free way to do towing. Many Police Departments want no-touch transport for vehicles, to preserve all evidence. It saves on people and labor. I used to send out multiple trucks; now I don’t have to. These machines are a great investment and asset. We get a lot of use out of it in Atlanta, and also all over Georgia, as it goes out multiple times per week.”
Lionel “Bo” Clarke, Tow Atlanta; Atlanta, Georgia
See Ad Page W 92
Edgetec Keeps Us Moving Forward
“For 20 years, Abbey’s Wrecker is happy to have Edgetec as a partner that keeps our business moving forward. From selecting the right cab, chassis and equipment, and building the truck to our specifications, we can count on Edgetec. Randy Olson is the best. His prompt service both during and after the sale, including warranty work, keeps our trucks on the road, which is exactly where they need to be.”
Abbey Vafaee, Abbey’s Wrecker Service; Dallas, Texas
52 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Page S 95
East Coast Truck & Trailer Makes Us Proud
“Our heavy-duty 60-ton rotator and our 50-ton wrecker, which were purchased from East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales, are the pride of our 21-truck fleet. East Coast is the best for sales, finance and part service. Jerr-Dan products are quality built for superior strength, boom length and excellent finishes. Jim Kerr is the best sales manager.”
Tom Culgan, Culgan’s Towing; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
See Ad Page 75
Elizabeth Truck Center Gives the Customizing Touch
“Over the past three or four years I’ve purchased around 10 trucks from Elizabeth Truck Center. I’m very happy with the service and with the trucks. They custom-build them and put on whatever custom tool-boxes I want and specific wheel-lift attachments. Jim Powers, their sales representative, always has answers to our problems. If he doesn’t, he gets back to me with solutions. I talk to him three or four times a month as he follows up to ensure that everything is in good working order.”
Rich Paris, Rich’s Towing; North Brunswick, New Jersey
FCAR Scan Tool is Invaluable
“The FCAR scan tool has been a valuable addition to our diagnostic abilities. The versatility of this unit has been critical to our performance. With capabilities well beyond on-road diesels, the portability of this unit allows us to perform extensive diagnostics right on site wherever our customers need us.”
Danny Murphy, Don Oralls Garage; Binghamton, New York
G. Stone Commercial: “A-number-one” from Start to Finish
“Their trucks and service are A-number-1. The Dodge Ram 550 wrecker that I got is the best truck I’ve ever had. Super easy to use, operator friendly, and it does the job. Adam at G. Stone is awesome. If we have a problem, like we have one going back for warranty, they are awesome. They do it right from the start. They order the truck, build the truck, ship it to us, and put the decals on it. They do everything.”
Carl Stones, Stones Texaco; East Fairfield, Vermont
See Ad Page 43
See Ad Page 75
GM Consultants Gives and Gets You More
Integrated Vehicle and Equip. Leasing Satisfies with Ease
Peery Holmsley, Sheffield Towing; Sheffield, Texas
Taylor Kirby, Southside Towing & Recovery; Nashville, Tennessee
“GM Consultants found us a buyer for our business, getting us twice as much as we would have gotten from anybody else. The most important thing that George from GM Consultants did for us is that he put all of the loose pieces together (titles, deeds, LLC’s, tax information) from start to finish, and saw to it that we were able to push through until the end of the sale. George was on top of everything and took care of my interests from day one.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
“Integrated is easy to work with. They are straight shooters, giving us the most direct pathway to getting a vehicle, like the Peterbuilt 389 35-ton Century we are waiting on. It’s a big deal when you are committing to that kind of purchase. With the financing, there are no strings attached. If we want to make payments more than the monthly payment, we can do that. They are always there when we need to call and treat us like they have known us forever.”
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 53
what the users say
See Ad Page N 92
See Ad Page 76
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 25
See Ad Page 26
Intek Truck & Equip. Leasing: The Best “Go To” Lender
ITI Skates are Indispensable
Kristin Klementz, B&W Towing; Painted Post, New York
Keith and Brent Baker, Jerry’s Towing & Recovery; Whitecloud, Michigan
“Intek has been our go-to lender from day one when we started. They have always treated us like family. Intek understands the Towing & Recovery industry and is flexible to our financing needs as a company. They have always gone above and beyond for us. They are literally the best lender to go with!”
“Our family business has been using Rodney Poynter’s ITI Skates since he opened his doors! All of our car carriers have his long-lasting ITI skates in them! We use ITI Skates daily in our operation. ITI Skates stand out to us because of their wide variety of products. From Wheel Skates, Control Arm Skates, to Trailer Skates, and many others, they have us covered for all of our loading needs!”
See Ad Page 2
In Jerr-Dan We Trust
“The Jerr-Dan 50/60 (HDR1000) rotator platform is so good—it doesn’t lean, it doesn’t rock, it doesn’t crack and pop. We provide everything from light- to heavy-duty towing, and we also do a lot of recovery work. Once we were working on a gas tank that turned over and was leaking gas. The tractor and trailer came apart in the wreck and there was about eight inches of gas spilled on the side of the road. The Jerr-Dan rotator had to reach across and grab the tractor to bring it to a safe location. There’s no piece of equipment I’d put more trust in for a job like that.”
John Brinkley, Brinkley’s Wrecker Service; Suffolk, Virginia
54 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Page 3
Landoll Creates Another Winner
“Landoll trailers are great for hauling forklifts, roller equipment, and low ground-clearance vehicles. A fairly new feature that I believe is one of their best ideas is the power ramp. You are able to drive on it, as opposed to using wood or cribbing. In the past, we were only able to haul one forklift at a time. You would have to winch them on and off the trailer. With the power ramp, ease of access is ten times greater. We can actually load three forklifts. It’s been really nice to have.”
Kyle Kupchin, Santa Fe Tow Service; Lenexa, Kansas
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 55
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 43
Lodar is Tops in Wireless Control Technology
“Lodar products have made it easier than ever before to add wireless controls to our new Miller Industries towing equipment. With demand for wireless technology increasing, we have found Lodar systems to be by far the most reliable and cost-effective means of fulfilling this need for our customers.”
Ben Swaim, Blackburn Truck Equipment; Liburn, Georgia
See Ad Page 45
Lynch Chicago Takes Care of You in Every Way
“Classic Towing has been buying trucks from Lynch Chicago and Miller Industries for over 25 years. We are treated like family. I’m always warmly greeted by name and feel like a priority. No matter what out-ofthe-ordinary or crazy custom modifications that we request, Lynch Chicago has always come up with an effective solution. On the rare occasion a problem has arisen, Lynch has made it right. Both the warranty and service departments are outstanding, while the sales staff and service personnel are so knowledgeable that they have on multiple occasions steered me away from making some serious mistakes. These are all the reasons that we have done business with Lynch Chicago for decades and have never felt the need to shop elsewhere.”
George Garbis, Jr., Classic Towing; Plainfield, Illinois
See Ad Page 81
Matjack Earns its Loyalty
“Matjack products never let you down! Our company has purchased many Matjack products over our 62 years in business. We upgraded to the Hurricane System in 2019 and it has lowered our time on scene and allowed for quick clearance. We equip all of our wreckers and service vehicles with Matjack products. Landing bags are also a great product and prevent secondary damage to units. Matjack sales and service departments have always provided top-notch service to our company. And Matjack is made in the USA!”
Wes Kochel, Wes Kochel; Rockdale, Illinois 56 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Page M 91
McMahon Truck Centers has the Goods
“My first dealings with McMahon Truck Centers was 18 months ago. We bought two tandem-axle Jerr-Dan rollbacks and a Mack tandem-axle wrecker with a 35-ton Jerr-Dan. The Jerr-Dan has far exceeded our expectations. We are very happy with the performance of the units and the service we’ve received. Nothing but a pleasure! I look forward to buying many more trucks from them.”
Stacy Wills, Eitel’s Towing; Orient, Ohio
Miller Industries Innovates to Perfection
“I’ve been operating heavy-duty Miller wreckers with Century bodies since 2007. What I enjoy most about Miller is the ability to customize and choose every single spec for my trucks. Because my niche is towing motorcoaches, I always have ideas on how to improve the capabilities of towing buses. I’ll ask Miller if an idea is possible and they just about always have the innovation to make it become reality. The newest addition to my fleet is a 2021 Kenworth T880 with a Century 1150 rotator with a knee boom. I love the Raptor controls and their ability to smoothly operate multiple functions on the recovery boom with just the use of two joysticks. And also the knee boom, with its ability to reach the furthest setback axles, and its lift height. For me, Miller’s Century 1150 with the knee boom underlift is the perfect towing and recovery combination.”
See Ad Page 72
OMG Markets to the Max
“OMG has advanced our online marketing in many ways. They’ve helped us receive more light, medium and heavy-duty calls. They help people understand what services we offer. They help market our environmental company. They will help you if you were to receive a bad review from an upset customer who thinks you overcharged them $5. Their expertise and knowledge in what they do has simply taken us to the next level.”
Bobby Koehler, Ultimate Towing & Recovery; Mt. Airy, North Carolina
Mark Sylver, Sylverline Towing; Temple Hills, Maryland
See Ad Page 41
Online Impound Auctions Makes Selling Impounded Cars Easy
“For selling and hosting a large number of vehicles per month, Online Impound Auctions has been fantastic. A Tow has two to three auctions a month, selling hundreds of cars. Online Impound Auctions streamlined and optimized the process to reduce our overhead while increasing our revenues. A Tow was able to eliminate security, eliminate registration process for hundreds of people, and focus on premiering vehicles to be sold. Online Impound Auctions post reporting is useful to ensure you have the needed information for a successful auction. Their competitive host pricing can’t be beat.”
See Ad Page 68
PeakPTT Walks the Talk
“PeakPTT Talk Radios are used in our operation 24/7. Their functionality and dependability are why we choose to continue partnering with PeakPTT. They provide for rapid communication, which is extremely vital in our industry. In addition, they provide another layer of security and accountability with its tracking capabilities. I can’t speak enough of the durability of PeakPTT products and the customer service that is provided. Without a doubt Stealth Towing and Recovery Services, is more efficient, profitable and safer in our partnership with PeakPTT.”
Amy & Shannon Smithers, Stealth Towing & Recovery Services; Azel, Texas
Page Porter, A Tow; Atlanta, George Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 57
what the users say
See Ad Page 15
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 43
Performance Advantage Company Secures Your Tools
“I’ve been using tool mounts from Performance Advantage Company for over 15 years now in all my trucks. With all the equipment that towing and recovery vehicles need to carry nowadays, I was looking for a method to secure my tools so they wouldn’t fall out every time the toolboxes were opened. From brooms to shovels, chainsaws to air hoses, Performance Advantage Company makes a specific bracket that will help keep your equipment organized for easier use.”
Nathan Buckler, Buckler’s Towing Service; Hyannis, Massachusetts
See Ad Page 30
RimSling is the “Go To” Rigging Tool
“We are one of the largest tow providers in the Western U.S. and the RimSling products are in every one of our trucks. We buy them all from Zip’s. RimSlings have changed the scope of how we do things. With the ease of access, additional rigging points, and the light weight of the synthetic product, it makes it easier for our guys to use. RimSling is their “Go To” rigging tool. I don’t think we’d be the same without it!”
J.R. Cady, 10 West Towing; Bakersfield, California
58 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Page 44
Quick Draw Tarpaulin Systems Has You Covered
“Quick Draw Tarp enables high-end vehicles to be moved without damage. Debris from the road or inclement weather can damage cars being moved on a car carrier.We also have companies moving high-valued electric equipment that need to be protected from inclement weather. We have many high-end car dealerships and large towing services that we sell this product to that agree that Quick Draw Tarp is a valuable tool in the toolbox.”
Chris Lambiase, New England Truck Master; North Haven, Connecticut
See Ad Page 99
Santander Lends in a Snap
“Santander has made financing my tow trucks very easy. I can find a truck and have it fully funded within one to two business days! Sure beats all other banks I have dealt with before.”
James Wheelock, Triple-City Towing and Road Service; Vestal, New York
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 35
Specialty Vehicle Funding at Your Fingertips
“I’ve dealt with Specialty Vehicle since 2012, and they finance all my trucks exclusively (20 trucks). With Specialty, once you are established with them, buying a truck is one phone call away and super easy. Brian DeClesis and the entire staff at Specialty are prompt, professional and make your truck financing headache free! I highly recommend them and have never had a problem!”
Alfred Cioffi, Cioffi’s Towing Service; Cherry Hill, New Jersey
See Ad Page 9
Towbook is Revolutionary and a Must Have
“Towbook is revolutionary to the towing industry! It streamlines the process of getting the customer’s information to the drivers as soon as possible. Of all its many features, my favorite is the digital dispatching from a roadside / insurance company where no phone call is required to get or accept a call, with all the information we need automatically downloaded into our company’s Towbook account. Towbook saves time, cutting my workload by 75 percent! It’s a must have for all towing companies no matter what kind of towing they do. I couldn’t imagine going back to the way we did business before.”
Pam Cline, Cline’s Towing; Dallas, Georgia
See Ad Page W 93
Tow Industries is Honest and Comes from the Heart
“My first experience with Tow Industries L.A. was when I met Tony Santiago, who sold me a very decent truck for the price. This enabled me to start working and buying other trucks off Tow Industries L.A. In a year and a half, I have bought six trucks, including three Hino flatbeds, an International and two Ford F-450 wheel lifts. I like Tony because he comes from the heart, he’s honest, answers the phone, and takes care of you. He uses bubble gum and black tape to put you together.”
Behroon Nafissi, Route 66 Towing; San Bernardino, California
60 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Page 31
TowMate Life Saver Gets Attention and Saves Lives
“Over 50 years as a tower, I have tried everything to get traffic to pay attention: warning lights, cones, a flashlight on the fog line. Butch, my driver, was working a scene in his heavy-duty wrecker on I-90 at night in the pouring rain, and had put his triangles out. Unsurprisingly, they had no effect. Remembering that he had been given the Life Saver, he placed it on a cone in advance of the triangles. What he saw next was like magic. He turned that light on and those people were all over in the far lane. He said he couldn’t believe how well it worked. It’s the best thing since a pocket on a T-shirt.”
Dave Stephens, Kellogg’s Service & Towing; Mead, Washington
Trail King: An “Absolute Brute” with Quality
“No other manufacturer can touch Trail King’s quality. Their ability to customize a trailer for our needs made Trail King the right choice for us. Our TK80HT dovetail and TK110HDG detach are put to the test daily with heavy loads and rough terrain. The remote control and hydraulics on the dovetail work flawlessly. The TK110HDG is very easy to operate, unlike the competition, and is an absolute brute of a trailer. The engineering behind these trailers and the materials used to build them are top notch. With Trail King behind us, we always get the job done!”
Rob Schneider, Equipment Source; Naples, Florida
Traxero’s TXI Software Saves Time and Money
“Merl’s Towing has been using Traxero’s TXI Software for 22 years. It’s a great one-stop solution. It handles all of our vehicle inventory, customer contact information, and GPS needs, which tells us not only where our trucks are, but also where are customers are waiting for us. One highlight of the system is that it tracks and sets pricing on a per-customer level, making it a lot easier for our drivers and accounting department. The other highlight is that the inventory management system is extremely robust. It makes things easier not only for tracking incoming calls, but also managing the lien process of our abandoned vehicles, tracking them all the way through to auctions and the disposal process.”
Brian Young, Merl’s Towing Service and Grand Rapids Towing; Wyoming, Michigan
See Ad Page 17
See Ad Page 80
TWG-Tulsa and DP Winch: An Exclusive Partner Built on Performance
West End Service Builds Trucks with Love and Passion
John L. Hawkins, Miller Industries; Ooltewah, Tennessee
DJ, Sebastian Towing; Baltimore, Maryland
“Starting with our 16-ton 3212 up to the mighty 100ton M100, Miller is exclusive with the DP family offering. They have listened when we saw the opportunities to make improvements, and always supplied us with a model that would fit our needs. Together, we have established a working relationship that meets or exceeds our clients’ needs throughout the world. DP is a perfect example of being an American manufacturer like Miller Industries, where price should not be the sole objective, but [instead] performance.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
“West End Service has always gone above and beyond for my tow business. Rick Hindle, who I met almost ten years ago when I first began towing, has always been my go-to guy. With only two months of towing under my belt, Rick was kind enough to give me a few free detailing sprays. This was a huge gesture to me! I never imagined being able to walk into West End Service and purchasing my first truck from him. Fast-forward a few years and I have now purchased quite a few trucks on my own! They are always built with love and passion—the same a tow truck operator/owner desires.”
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 61
what the users say
See Ad Pages 4, 5
See Ad Page 55
Buyers Report
See Ad Page 79
X-Insurance is a Name You Can Stick With
“I have been with X-Insurance for 18 years. They are one of the few insurance companies that are involved with the repossession business which is also involved in towing. When I found them, I loved how they worked. Since they have people located all over the United States, they already knew the requirements of finance companies and had established connections. Those are 95 percent of the people I work with. If I had questions, I immediately got answers. It was never, “I’ll get back to you in two or three days.” One member of the company flew out to Kansas City just to see how we were doing. That showed they cared. I don’t have any problems with what they are doing. That’s for sure.”
See Ad Page 69
Zacklift International’s Genesis 30T: Cutting Edge Technology with Durability and Strength “The Genesis 30T is Zacklift’s all-new, state of the art, heavy-duty recovery product. Appealing features on this unit include a tiltable wheel lift, outriggers with superior holding power, swing down serrated spades or swing up flat surface, and a redesigned head for more control. The Genesis is very reasonably priced but durable, maintainable, and built for longevity. It’s been an awesome addition to our fleet.”
Allen Dosch, Elite Towing & Recovery; Yakima, Washington
Ken Jeanneret, SYR Associations; Kansas City, Missouri
See Ad Pages 19, 21
Zip’s / AW Direct Serves All Your Towing Needs
“Over the past two years, I’ve purchased more than ten tow trucks from Zip’s AW Direct. They offer a simpler prime truck all the way to a fully customized truck. I buy from the Detroit location and truly value the one-stop shop Zip’s provides their valued customers. Zip’s has a wonderful parts and service department with a huge selection of equipment and parts to keep my growing fleet out on the road. I highly recommend Zip’s!”
P.J. Daly, P.J.’s Towing; Lansing, Michigan
62 • April 2022 | Towman.com
See Ad Pages 19, 21
Zip’s Used Truck Marketplace for Buying and Selling Trucks
“We have successfully used Zip’s Used Truck Marketplace to buy and sell towing-related equipment for several years. Their service is completely cost free to use and it quickly connects you to serious and motivated buyers and sellers. Using this service allows you to sell your equipment directly to another customer without taking a heavy loss, like you would trading in your equipment to the dealer. Zip’s allows you to maximize your buying power when purchasing from the dealer.”
Paul Thelan, Armory Shell Towing & Autobody; Virginia, Minnesota
Classic Wrecker
Rock ‘n Roll REO
Can’t Fight This Feeling About a Speed Wagon By Steve Temple
Photos by the author
Steve Temple has many years of experience as an automotive photojournalist and editor of numerous magazines, both consumer and trade. He has a passion for diesel engines, and one of his personal rigs is a one-ton Dodge dually with an upgraded Cummins turbodiesel, often used for both towing and hauling.
E
ver wonder how the rock group REO Speedwagon got its unusual name? Back in the late Sixties, its founder Neal Doughty was a college student at the University of Illinois. One day he walked into his class on the History of Transportation, and written on the blackboard was the name of a milestone truck built by Ransom Eli Olds of Oldsmobile fame: the REO Speed Wagon (sometimes spelled differently with two words, depending on the era). Significant in its heyday for performance, strength and reliability, it also just happened to sound like a cool image for an emerging rock group, so the name stuck. Known for Eighties hits such as “Keep on Loving You” and “Can’t Fight This
66 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Feeling”, REO Speedwagon still tours and has a loyal following of fans. Unfortunately, the band’s namesake has not fared so well. Fewer than 10 of these legendary pickups are still in existence, making them really rare birds. The ’26 tow truck shown here was originally used in San Francisco, California to haul Speed Wagon chassis’ from the rail spur to the REO factory. This rig was later purchased by Drakes Bay Garage in the early 1940s and used until the 1950s. The previous owner claimed that the truck is known to be “California’s
Oldest” operating tow truck. It’s now kept preserved in the AAA collection in Costa Mesa, California. Initially the club’s roadside service actually didn’t include towing, but the need for it was soon realized. So this tow truck was restored to resemble an early Club tow vehicle with a wooden bed and hand-crank rig by a group of teenagers learning automotive repair as part of a joint effort between the Auto Club of Southern California and MudTown Motors, a subsidiary of the
Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). All told a worthy project, not just for training youths in a trade, but also to preserve such a handsome ride, with distinctive lines and flowing fenders. Borrowing a line from the REO band’s hit single, teens and towers alike can’t fight their feelings for the truck’s wonderful styling, and were able to help this Speed Wagon make a big comeback (the pickup, not the band).
Just as the group’s members have changed over the years, so have the Speed Wagon’s specs during restoration. After all, its top speed was originally only 35 mph (actually rather fast for the era), and the beam axle front end and drum brakes didn’t exactly make for great handling and stopping performance—especially with a flivver in tow. Regarding the drivetrain, the smaller REO Speed
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 67
Wagons ran a Silver Crown 230cube, inline-six T-6 engine (partly to reduce license plate fees that were previously based on engine size). While other engines of this time period might require major work after 10,000 miles, this chrome/ nickel/iron cylinder power plant, boasting 50 hp or so, lasted ten times longer with little sign of
wear, in keeping with Ransom’s aforementioned dedication to durability. As already noted, in its day the REO Speed Wagon was highly regarded
for its quickness and durability. That theme goes back to the beginnings of Ransom Olds involvement in the automotive industry. Indeed, his pioneering efforts are noteworthy for helping to popularize the automobile in the early part of the 20th century. The REO Motor Car Company started making trucks in 1909, and REO Speed Wagons set the standard for power, reliability, and quality workmanship. They came in all types; fire trucks, tow trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, busses, hearses, ambulances. With 68 • April 2022 | Towman.com
the virtually bulletproof Gold Crown 268-inch flathead engine, REO trucks were used for the most demanding tasks, both on and off-road. O l d s ’ independent spirit and innovative thinking contributed enormously to the growth of the fledgling automotive industry, and his pragmatism is evident in the Speed Wagon. Even though the company stopped building cars in 1936, it continued making sturdy trucks until the 1950s. A common comment from spectators who encounter this AAA tow truck is that they didn’t know that REO was a car company before the band. Well, even though there isn’t a direct connection between these two, the lyrics from the band’s #1 hit still fit with this stylish Speed Wagon: “Keep on Loving You—‘cause it’s the only thing I wanna do.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 69
Case Closed
Did GoFundMe Commit Fraud With Truckers’ Money? By Josh Brown, Esq.
Josh Brown is an attorney at Cassone Law Offices, LLC. where he represents dozens of small businesses throughout Ohio as business counsel and litigator.
Editor’s Note: This article is not legal advice, nor does it necessarily represent the opinions of American Towman Magazine. if you need legal advice please seek an attorney. Also, this column does not constitute any comment or opinion whatsoever on the merits of any legal disputes or issues between any parties.
T
ow and recovery companies have a bond with the trucking industry. A few months ago, we saw our brothers and sisters in the Canadian trucking industry have $9 million taken from them. Perhaps there are some lessons here for tow and recovery companies, as we may find ourselves raising money for a cause as well. How did this situation develop? Canada, at the urging of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, imposed vaccine mandates on truck drivers as part of its state-mandated Covid-19 protocols. Despite the fact that 90 percent of Canada’s truckers were already twice vaccinated. In response, Canadian truck drivers protested by engaging in the “Freedom Convoy” through Canada’s capital of Ottawa. The mainstream press largely ignored it, but it was hard to overlook due to its size and scope. It also received widespread coverage in non-mainstream media outlets. The Canadian Trucking Alliance said it “strongly disapproved” of the gathering in Ottawa. A ”GoFundMe” web page was set up to raise money for the truckers’ Freedom Convoy efforts, and received nearly $9 million in contributions. GoFundMe is
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a large tech company operated out of California. It operates fundraising efforts for people who set up accounts on this organization’s website. On February 4, 2022, GoFundMe took down Freedom Convoy’s fundraising site, and issued a statement saying that donors had two weeks to request a refund. All remaining funds would be given to “credible and established charities.” Obviously, the idea that a California big-tech company would redistribute donations made to truckers at its own discretion is about as outrageous as it gets. There is widespread and welldocumented criticism of the tendency of social media and tech companies to act as dictatorial governing bodies. They make their own policies, enforce them at will, and provide little to no relief or explanation to those affected. Meanwhile, they use their wealth and size to insulate themselves from accountability. At least one substantial player fought back. On February 5, 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is a Harvard and Yale-educated military lawyer, tweeted the following, “It is fraud for @ gofundme to commandeer $9M in
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The idea that a California big-tech company would redistribute donations made to truckers at its own discretion is about as outrageous as it gets. donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing. I will work with [Florida Attorney General] Ashley Moddy to investigate these deceptive practices—these donors should be given a refund. Later, the GoFundMe said in a Twitter post, “due to donor feedback” it would refund donations.
WHAT IS GOFUNDME LIABLE FOR?
While knowing little about Canadian law, and only have the
72 • April 2022 | Towman.com
facts publicly available concerning this situation, I represent many U.S. entities that raise money and provide legal counsel on how to do it properly. Based on this legal experience, here’s an overview of how an attorney would normally approach this situation. The number-one rule in fundraising is to be clear on what you are going to do with donor money, and do what you said you would do with it. GoFundMe did not do that. So GoFundMe likely did something illegal. First, let’s examine the possibility
of fraud. In my home state of Ohio, as in most U.S. jurisdictions, a lawsuit for common-law civil fraud has five essential elements: (1) a material false representation or a concealment (2) knowingly made or concealed (3) with the intent of misleading another into relying upon it, (4) reliance, with a right to rely, upon the representation or concealment by the party claiming injury, and (5) injury resulting from the reliance. The public facts do not indicate that GoFundMe falsely represented or concealed their intent, with the purpose of misleading Freedom Convoy into relying upon it. Rather, it appears GoFundMe made its decision to shut down the fundraiser after the fundraiser was well underway. So GoFundMe is not likely guilty of common-law fraud because the evidence we have does not suggest that GoFundMe
intended to deceive Freedom Convoy at the outset. Even so, fraud is a possibility, depending on what facts come out after the lawsuit. Next, there is a much better chance that GoFundMe is liable for breach of contract. GoFundMe says Freedom Convoy violated their policies, presumably agreed to by Freedom Convoy. I suspect that GoFundMe does not have an explicit, clear provision in its user agreement that Freedom Convoy violated. Rather, GoFundMe is likely pointing toward some vague provision that they interpreted to allow themselves the tyrannical power they so wish to possess. GoFundMe, like most tech giants, sees itself as a master of the universe. However, the law does apply to them and they cannot do this. Generally, if a contractual provision is ambiguous (that is,
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
unclear) it must be interpreted against the drafter of the contract. So any ambiguous provision must be construed in favor of Freedom Convoy. I am sure that GoFundMe is the drafter of its user agreement. Further, even if the user agreement says, “We can do whatever we want with your money,” this organization is still not off the hook. An agreement to do nothing is not a contract. That would likely make the entire contract vulnerable to legal attack. Further, there were certainly reasonable expectations as to what GoFundMe would do with the money. There was an understanding, based on many reasonable facts between GoFundMe and Freedom Convoy, that GoFundMe would hold the money and distribute it to Freedom Convoy. If GoFundMe fails to perform this basic duty, it is likely
breaching some agreement. The next question would be damages. Damages constitute what GoFundMe would be ordered to do by the Court. Generally, in contracts you can only get money for the actual damages caused—no damages for punishment. However, damages to punish are available if the breach of contract had the effect of a tort. A tort is an indefensible act that recklessly, intentionally, or negligently causes harm to another, but is not necessarily a crime. Here, GoFundMe caused significant damage to Freedom Convoy. Based on GoFundMe’s agreement to hold and distribute the money, Freedom Convoy relied on GoFundMe in communicating with and accepting money from donors. GoFundMe then failed to do what it said it would do, and created a new and substantial barrier to making donations
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 73
to Freedom Convoy. Logically, this will cost Freedom Convoy substantial amounts of donations. So GoFundMe could be liable for the money Freedom Convoy lost as a result of GoFundMe’s actions. However, whether punitive damages can be added on is a question of whether GoFundMe’s acts were reckless, negligent, or intentional. Certainly, GoFundMe’s action was at least intentional, but were GoFundMe’s actions defensible? GoFundMe says the contract allowed them to do it. However, I suspect that GoFundMe was motivated more by the political ideology of its board members than its sudden dedication to its user agreement. Political ideology is not a defense to breach of contract. Further, GoFundMe facilitated transactions for many questionable organizations. GoFundMe is a private business, which gives them some leeway in terms of refusing service. However, GoFundMe’s previous actions may serve as evidence of the meaning of the words in the user agreement. The lesson learned is this: if you or your tow company are going to raise money or facilitate donations, you must be clear about what you are going to do before entering into contracts, not after. A good lawyer can walk you through the possible situations and how to handle them.
74 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Supplier Scoop Jerr-Dan Celebrating 50 Years
“We’re looking forward to representing Jerr-Dan alongside our Florida distributors TruckMax, TLC, and Florida Wrecker Sales, and providing our customers with a great show experience,” said Rachel Miller, marketing communications manager for Jerr-Dan. “We have the annual pre-show get-together scheduled again this year on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. where we’ll provide some product updates, snacks, and beverages” “Jerr-Dan and distributor personnel will be on hand to provide information on our full offering of solutions,” said Heath Fassnacht, director of sales for Jerr-Dan. “We look forward to the opportunity to talk about the performance, reliability, and durability of Jerr-Dan products that the industry has come to rely on for 50 years now.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 75
Supplier Scoop Traxero Combines Towing Software Providers
Traxero North America announced today that the industry’s leading towing software providers are coming together as one company. The establishment of Traxero marks the collaboration of the industry’s pioneers and its forward-thinking innovators to deliver comprehensive solutions for every towing and roadside service business. Traxero’s products create a powerful shift in the industry, combining to provide towing and roadside companies with a comprehensive suite of integrated solutions that will empower customers to save time and money. With the collaboration of leading software solutions under single management, towing and roadside companies will now have direct access to the best software and the most experienced solutions
76 • April 2022 | Towman.com
providers in the industry. The true power and benefits of this innovative company come from the people behind the software. Together, the team behind Traxero brings more than 300 years of collective experience within the towing and roadside industry, as well as experienced SaaS leadership. Traxero’s Chief Executive Officer Mark Sedgley’s previous experience in leading software companies includes serving as CEO of MemberClicks and CRO of Personify. He expressed that: “I am honored and excited to be part of Traxero. But more importantly, I am eager to engage our customers and support their businesses with continued innovation and a commitment to service. All of us at Traxero understand and deeply respect the fact that our customers provide an incredible service to our communities every day and we look forward to building software that is
designed to make their jobs easier and more profitable.” Traxero’s product lineup includes some of the earliest pioneers of the industry, including Beacon Software, TOPS Dispatch, and DENTED Development, as well as key innovators such as Omadi, Auctions Simplified, and BudgetGPS. In addition to these established brands, Traxero is also committed to identifying current gaps in towing and roadside software in the development of new, innovative solutions to help make their customers more efficient, including upcoming solutions for integrated payment processing and more.
WEBFLEET Launches New App
Webfleet Solutions, a telematics solutions provider, has partnered with TomTom (TOM2), the mapmaker and location technology
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Supplier Scoop specialist, to launch the WEBFLEET Work App and TomTom Go Fleet App into the market. WEBFLEET Work App gives fleet managers and their drivers access to a wide range of workforce management features without the need for any additional hardware. They include locating vehicles, logging working times, registering drivers, setting trip modes, managing orders and schedules and staying in touch with the back office via twoway communication. TomTom GO Fleet application is seamlessly integrated, allowing drivers to always have the most upto-date maps with traffic and navigation at their fingertips in a single location. They can automatically start their route to their order destination conveniently from the Work App, and fleet managers benefit from real-time visibility of the current ETA and destination. Paul Verheijen, Vice President of Product Management at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, commented: “WEBFLEET Work App is the perfect solution for businesses and drivers who want to leverage their existing mobile devices to effectively manage day-to-day tasks. Setup and onboarding are quick and easy,
78 • April 2022 | Towman.com
allowing great flexibility with an intuitive user interface, making it a perfect combination with the TomTom GO Fleet app…”
Dual-Tech Delivers to Counts Kustoms
A new Dual-Tech built M2 Freightliner Rollback arrived in Las Vegas at Counts Kustoms, featured on the History Channel’s Counting Cars TV show. Dual-Tech’s Don Roberts commented that, “Having the opportunity to get one of our rollbacks at the
top auto body and customization shop is only going to expand our footprint and help us achieve more growth as a company.” Danny Koker noted that: Having a Dual-Tech rollback here at the shop daily gives us one additional amazing tool in the toolbox to make what we do so much easier and efficient. I’m honored to stand behind what they build.” Based in Bean Station, Tennessee, Dual-Tech has been manufacturing towing equipment since 1989.
Supplier Scoop Peterbilt’s New 18-Speed PACCAR TX-18 Automated Transmission
Peterbilt Motors Company has added the all-new PACCAR TX18 and TX-18 Pro automated transmissions to its family of PACCAR TX transmissions. The TX-18 Transmission is available in Peterbilt Models 567, 389 and 579 equipped with PACCAR MX engines. The PACCAR TX-18 was built from the ground up to provide excellent productivity, efficiency and uptime. The TX-18 is designed to work exclusively with the PACCAR MX-11 and MX-13 engines. It is the optimum workhorse for a variety of vocational applications including heavy hauling and towing, dump truck, and cranes. The combination of the TX-18 transmission and the MX engine provides up to
80 • April 2022 | Towman.com
1,850 lb./ft of torque and is rated up to 140,000 lb. GCWR. The PACCAR TX-18 transmission features a high-pressure diecast aluminum casing, one-piece serviceable input shaft, helical gearing, precision lubrication system, extreme duty clutch and an integrated clutch housing. The PACCAR TX-18 can be configured with an optional transmission cooler to help keep it operating efficiently in the most demanding of workloads. The transmission features 4 application-specific calibrations and comes standard with two PTO openings capable of a combined 160 hp. An automotive-style, stalk-mounted shifter with Drive, Neutral, Reverse and Manual modes ensure the operation of the TX-18 is simple and intuitive.
Cummins Buys Meritor Axle
To further accelerate the development of electrified power solutions for commercial vehicles, Cummins is acquiring Meritor Inc., a global provider of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket, and electric powertrain solutions. According to the agreement, Cummins will pay $36.50 in cash per Meritor share, for a total value of about $3.7 billion. The acquisition is expected to position Cummins as one of the few companies able to provide integrated powertrain solutions across combustion and electric power applications. Cummins also noted that it believes e-axles will be a critical integration point within hybrid and electric drivetrains. Last year, Meritor began production of its 14Xe all-electric, fully integrated, commercial electric powertrain for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
Supplier Scoop Selling Impounded Cars Online
Looking for a quicker and easier way to sell abandoned vehicles? Check out OnlineImpoundAuctions.com, an online auction platform that allows tow lot owners to seamlessly dispose of their abandoned vehicles and maximize their sales revenue. With no cost to the seller, and said to have the lowest bidder cost in the industry, this live-auction platform not only can increase your bidder pool, but also eliminate the cost and effort of holding an on-premise auction. Other benefits include keeping the cars on your lot—no movement required. Also, this online service eliminates overhead costs such as security, staffing and food. A streamlined system for after-auction paperwork provides invoices immediately after a car sells. Special offers are available to members of towing and recovery associations. Online Impound Auctions LLC is a majority women-owned business with over 38 years of experience in the towing industry. This firm’s software is designed with a keen understanding of tow lot owners’ goals and business practices. OnlineImpoundAuctions.com
82 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Towman’s Market TOWKING NETWORK Dispatch
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$6 per Hour Special Introductory Offer
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To Advertise In Towman’s Market
410-784-7029 84 • April 2022 | Towman.com
CALL 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com
Supplier Scoop Western Global Fuel Tanks
STRONG ARM YOUR AUTO-LOADER…
SLEEVE IT!!
The L-Arm Protector Sleeve • The only product designed to protect L-Arms of self-loaders. • No upgradable L-Arms available for sale or even manufactured. • Available in a variety of *colors-custom and hi-vis. • Patented, trademarked and manufactured in USA. • L-Arm Protector Sleeves made of A500 steel.
Anything stronger, and it would be armor plating. jrproducts2021@gmail.com
682-321-6227
*Custom colored sleeves require additional fee and delivery time.
Best Prices in the Industry Maximize your Return On Investment with protective tapes & films
Contact Tom Hrynda
tom@roiprotectivetape.com
610-564-7135
roiprotectivetape.com Windshield Wrap 36” x 200’ roll, No Minimum, $54 per roll
Western Global’s FuelCube and TransCube Global tanks are now available for purchase online. “We are looking forward to seeing the ease and success of how this online option can improve the logistics of our customers’ operations,” said John Cleary, Western Global Americas Vice President of Sales. “This is a convenient resource for our customers, allowing them to order at any time, day or night—whenever they are ready to make their purchase.” Western Global’s TransCube Global features 110-percent fluid containment and is DOT approved to provide safe fuel transport anywhere it’s needed. With features like a lockable equipment cabinet, galvanized frame and four-way forklift pockets, the TransCube Global can save time and money, while reducing risk on busy job sites. TransCube Global fuel tanks are manufactured in sizes ranging from 132 to 1,204 gallons. Western Global’s FuelCube is a compact and economic stationary fuel tank that is field proven for onsite supply and refueling in construction and distribution. The FuelCube offers features such as an integral lockable equipment cabinet for security, double-walled and weatherproof containment, stackable corner brackets for better storage and two-way forklift pockets for easy mobility when empty. Western Global’s FuelCube is available in a variety of sizes ranging from 243 to 1,862 gallons. Customers can view and order from Western Global’s online store at store.western-global.com.
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 85
My Baby
Minions Are a Priority!
On a Century Rotator That’s Anything But a “Despicable Me” By Steve Temple
A
t Priority Wrecker Service, each of its two dozen heavy-duty rigs has a distinctive look, with different colors and graphics. “Every truck is unique, has its own personality,” explains Priority’s manager Ryan McGrail. But one in particular is really special—the one owner Jon Maye personally designed, and decorated with those endearing Minion characters from the Despicable Me movie. The portrayal of those cartoon characters was inspired by a brief appearance of a wrecker in the film. Plus, “They’re cool characters— something that works,” grins Ryan. Other visual treatments include pin-striping and a jaunty angle for the license plate in the grille. Yet this rig has way more than meets the eye. Jon asked Zip’s to pull out all the stops in the equipment and functionality of this 2021 Kenworth T880, used for both towing and service calls, including fixes on the side of road. The truck runs a 100th anniversary Cummins X15, and is fitted with a 35-ton Century 1135 rotator and knee boom. Also setting this truck apart are more than three 86 • April 2022 | Towman.com
times the usual amount of accent lights, with under-glow and programmable strobes for varying weather and night conditions. And not just for flashy looks,
either, as the white “puddle lights” illuminate the surrounding ground at a recovery scene so the operator can spot any debris or tools. One of the more frequent applications of this rotator has been on bridge-collision jobs. A recent casualty involved a truck that slammed into an overpass, separating the cab from the trailer, leaving it behind, jammed underneath. The rotator had to hook up i t s pair of 35,000-pound boom winches and a 50,000-pound drag winch to extract the trailer
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AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • 87
backward from underneath the bridge. Priority prefers to use synthetic rope on its rotators, as it doesn’t stretch, so there’s no stored energy load. Maintenance is reduced as well, and it also floats in case the rigging has to go swimming. Considering all the goodies on Priority’s rotator, along with the trophies won at both American Towman’s Ohio and Baltimore pageants, there’s no surprise that Jon proudly says, “It’s my baby!”
TECH HIGHLIGHTS Chassis: 2021 Kenworth T880 Wrecker Body: 35-ton Century 1135 rotator and knee boom Engine: 100th anniversary Cummins X15 Built by: Miller Industries and Zip’s
88 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Lowdown
Saving the Life of an Industry By Steve Calitri
Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com
T
he work done to prevent approach to address the problem. roadside accidents that One, tow bosses can wise up and are killing first responders no longer perform freeway calls seems to have been a drop in without cover; either provide the cover the bucket as to an overall effect. themselves with a second traffic-control Tow operators continue to be vehicle (creating a second revenue clipped, their lives taken in a split stream for the business), or they refuse to second of distraction. The tower is go on the freeway without cover by law generally distracted by focusing enforcement. Tow associations must on the job at hand. The motorist get on this bandwagon to promote is distracted from a myriad of this to members and demand it of the issues: substance abuse, alcohol, state’s highway patrol. cell phone usage (texting), Any tow company is justified sleep deprivation, emotional bringing out a second vehicle on distraught, you name it. a freeway call for traffic control; The risks posed to first that also goes for any high-speed responders working the white highway. A $100 up-charge for line has long been an issue no that vehicle and driver cannot be one has tackled head on. The disputed. The motorist senses the move-over laws are helpful, danger being broken down on but enforcement by troopers the shoulder. That motorist will would have to be prevalent chalk it up to the cost of for the law to have any staying alive. significant effect. Tow bosses who There are roadside early on became safety products on the accustomed to the danger Towmate’s Life Saver cone lighting system market that can deter of working the white errant motorists, and it line need to understand is incumbent on tow bosses to scout them out that the majority of applicants for a towerand invest in the ones that offer protection. position are not accustomed to facing the In this issue’s Buyers Report, a tower gives danger day in and day out. This industry has testimony to TowMate’s Life Saver, a conealways had a high turnover in operators. It’s mounted, warning light-system he says far high time we realize the number one reason outperforms the triangles or cones alone. why: no protection on the roadside! American Towman will be publishing a The job offers a lot of rewards, roadside safety protocol for tow operators, compared to most jobs: the opportunity to as advised by the National Roadside Safety help people in moments of distress, learn Commission. This protocol may be adapted a skilled trade, work alongside police by tow operations or used as a guide for a and fire professionals, perform a function company’s own explicit S.O.P. critical to the transportation industry and I believe this industry has to strike at the our way of life. issue that allows this vulnerability to go The number one responsibility of the tow unchecked. Towers usually tend to vehicle boss is to assure a safe workplace. That’s a breakdowns without any cover from police challenging one for the towing industry, or highway patrol. This industry does not but it’s the first and most important. What have to accept this. It can take a two-pronged actions have you taken?
90 • April 2022 | Towman.com
News Flash
Ross Booker of Tatman’s Towing
Tow Operators Organize Tribute to Fallen Tower
Several tow operators from around Champaign, Illinois organized a tribute on March 6 for Ross Booker, a 20-yearold tower who was struck and killed by a 16-year-old driver while cleaning debris from a roadway on March 5. The driver was cited for failure to slow down/move over under Scott’s Law. Towers, along with police and fire workers, showed up in the pour-
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North 92 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • North 93
News Flash
ing rain at Tatman’s Towing, where Booker worked, with their lights on. One tower said, “You always hear about it happening everywhere else. But it really hits close when you’ve worked scenes with the kid.” Another tower commented, “Words can’t describe how people feel about it, because it’s a death... especially in your community.” Sources: wandtv.com, wcia.com
Michigan Driver Complains of Unscrupulous Tow
According to Michigan Police, seemingly unscrupulous tow bills are not illegal, unless the tow company was called in by police. One case involved a recent pileup, where stranded driver Kellie Rockwell received a bill for $9000 from 10G Towing and Recovery, the company that recovered her car. “It makes me frustrated, because
North 94 • April 2022 | Towman.com
After a pileup strands drivers in Michigan, one driver claims unscrupulous charges.
how as a civilian do we feel protected from people like this?” said Rockwell. “The tow driver just walked up to our car, asked if we wanted him to get us out, and we said ‘yes’ because we assumed they were with the police,” Rockwell said. She would later learn that police did not call the company. Lawyer Steve Lehto, who specializes in consumer protection, says the State’s high court struck down a law that made it illegal to charge a price grossly in excess of the value of a good or service, like the $9,000 bill that 10G gave Kellie for one towing job. “I’m not happy with the fact that we don’t have a law to protect us
and I’m going to hopefully get people to join me to push that we get that law back,” Rockwell said. Eventually Rockwell got her car back, after her insurance company negotiated the $9000 bill down to $2500.
Pricing Regulations Proposed in Wyoming
The Wyoming Legislature is proposing a bill requiring a fee schedule for tow companies that are on the call lists of police rotations. The legislation is coming as a result of complaints from drivers of cars and trucks about unfair pricing, such as a $70,000 invoice for a semi-truck recovery job.
House Bill 119 would give government entities recourse to take legal action against companies charging unreasonable rates and would require carriers to provide Wyoming Department of Transportation with an outline of their average rates for various aspects of towing and recovery jobs. This outline would include winch, labor, storage and mileage costs, as well as daytime and nighttime call rates. Some towing and recovery workers are not in accord with pricing regulations, saying it would hurt their business due to the uncertain nature of the job, price increases for fuel and insurance, and the overhead in running trucks. Others say better enforcement of rules governing the call rotation list are necessary.
Repo Report Highlights Key Stats
A 2021 Repo Report published by Experian, a credit reporting
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
agency that notifies banks and financial institutions of individual credit worthiness, includes key repo stats such as the number of yearly repossessions (2.2 million), average daily repossessions (5,418) and the most repossessed trucks (Ford F-150) and cars (Honda Civic) currently on the market. Stats also include the ten highest repossession rates in 2021. Nine states and DC are listed. Nevada is at the top of list. 10. Virginia 9. District of Columbia 8. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 6. Texas 5. Florida 4. North Carolina 3. New Mexico 2. Arizona 1. Nevada According to the report, for every 2.4 cars sold, one existing vehicle on the road will be repossessed each year.
Driver Shortage Causing Longer Response Times
In Baton Rouge, a shortage of tow truck drivers has been reported to cause extensive traffic delays. That’s because in the COVID economy, finding qualified tow truck drivers is hard. Suzy Simoneaux of Louisiana Towing is down to just six operators when she usually has ten. She said, “It makes our process slower on getting customers served.” On the Mississippi River Bridge, where a towed vehicle is almost a daily occurrence, a wreck took two hours to clear, a problem tow companies say is becoming worse. “[With] wreckers, you know, it’s just not any driver,” Simoneaux points out. “You do have to be trained in either the light-duty wrecker or the heavy-duty wrecker and those drivers are few and far between right now.” Source: wbrz.com
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • North 95
Episode 7
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
News Flash Michigan Driver Complains of Unscrupulous Tow
According to Michigan Police, seemingly unscrupulous tow bills are not illegal, unless the tow company was called in by police. One case involved a recent pileup, where stranded driver Kellie Rockwell received a bill for $9000 from 10G Towing and Recovery, the company that recovered her car. “It makes me frustrated, because how as a civilian do we feel protected from people like this?” said Rockwell. “The tow driver just walked up to our car, asked if we wanted him to get us out, and we said ‘yes’ because we assumed they were with the police,” Rockwell said. She would later learn that police did not call the company. Lawyer Steve Lehto, who specializes in consumer protection, says the State’s high court struck down a law that made it illegal to charge a price grossly in excess of the value of a good or service, like the $9,000 bill that 10G gave Kellie for one towing job. “I’m not happy with the fact that we don’t have a law to protect us and I’m going to hopefully get people to join me to push that we get that law back,” Rockwell said. Eventually Rockwell got her car back, after her insurance company negotiated the $9000 bill down to $2500.
Consumer complaints have sparked legislation in Wyoming.
Pricing Regulations Proposed in Wyoming
The Wyoming Legislature is proposing a bill requiring a fee schedule for tow companies that are on the call lists of police rotations. The legislation is coming as a result of complaints from drivers of cars and trucks about unfair pricing, such as a $70,000 invoice for a semi-truck recovery job. House Bill 119 would give government entities recourse to take legal action against companies charging unreasonable rates and would require carriers to provide Wyoming Department of Transportation with an outline of their average rates for various aspects of towing and recovery jobs. This outline would include winch, labor, storage and mileage costs, as well
After a pileup strands drivers in Michigan, one driver claims unscrupulous charges.
South 92 • April 2022 | Towman.com
as daytime and nighttime call rates. Some towing and recovery workers are not in accord with pricing regulations, saying it would hurt their business due to the uncertain nature of the job, price increases for fuel and insurance, and the overhead in running trucks. Others say better enforcement of rules governing the call rotation list are necessary.
Driver Shortage Causing Longer Response Times
In Baton Rouge, a shortage of tow truck drivers has been reported to cause extensive traffic delays. That’s because in the COVID economy, finding qualified tow truck drivers is hard. Suzy Simoneaux of Louisiana Towing is down to just six operators when she usually has ten. She said, “It makes our process slower on getting customers served.” On the Mississippi River Bridge, where a towed vehicle is almost a daily occurrence, a wreck took two hours to clear, a problem tow companies say is becoming worse. “[With] wreckers, you know, it’s just not any driver,” Simoneaux points out. “You do have to be trained in either the light-duty wrecker or the heavy-duty wrecker and those drivers are few and far between right now.” Source: wbrz.com
Ross Booker of Tatman’s Towing
Tow Operators Organize Tribute to Fallen Tower
Several tow operators from around Champaign, Illinois organized a tribute on March 6 for Ross Booker, a 20-year-old tower who was struck and killed by a 16-year-old driver while cleaning debris from a roadway on March 5. The driver was cited for failure to slow down/move over under Scott’s Law.
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • South 93
News Flash Towers, along with police and fire workers, showed up in the pouring rain at Tatman’s Towing, where Booker worked, with their lights on. One tower said, “You always hear about it happening everywhere else. But it really hits close when you’ve worked scenes with the kid.” Another tower commented, “Words can’t describe how people feel about it, because it’s a death... especially in your community.” Sources: wandtv.com, wcia.com
Repo Report Highlights Key Stats
A 2021 Repo Report published by Experian, a credit reporting agency that notifies banks and financial institutions of individual credit worthiness, includes key repo stats such as the
number of yearly repossessions (2.2 million), average daily repossessions (5,418) and the most repossessed trucks (Ford F-150) and cars (Honda Civic) currently on the market. Stats also include the ten highest repossession rates in 2021. Nine states and DC are listed. Nevada is at the top of list. 10. Virginia 9. District of Columbia 8. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 6. Texas 5. Florida 4. North Carolina 3. New Mexico 2. Arizona 1. Nevada According to the report, for every 2.4 cars sold, one existing vehicle on the road will be repossessed each year.
South 94 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Supplier Scoop Isuzu Appoints Shaun Skinner as Executive Officer
Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan (IML) has announced that Shaun C. Skinner, president of both Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Canada as well, has been appointed as an executive officer of IML. The appointment marks the first time that a local executive of an overseas Isuzu distributor has been named to an executive officer position in the parent company. In making the announcement, Takashi Sadaoka, president and chief executive officer of Isuzu North America Corporation, said, “This historic appointment signifies how highly thought of Shaun is and how important our business in North America is to Isuzu Motors Limited.”
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • South 95
Episode 7
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
News Flash Michigan Driver Complains of Unscrupulous Tow
According to Michigan Police, seemingly unscrupulous tow bills are not illegal, unless the tow company was called in by police. One case involved a recent pileup, where stranded driver Kellie Rockwell received a bill for $9000 from 10G Towing and Recovery, the company that recovered her car. “It makes me frustrated, because how as a civilian do we feel protected from people like this?” said Rockwell. “The tow driver just walked up to our car, asked if we wanted him to get us out, and we said ‘yes’ because we assumed they were with the police,” Rockwell said. She would later learn that police did not call the company. Lawyer Steve Lehto, who specializes in consumer protection, says the State’s high court struck down a law that made it illegal to charge a price grossly in excess of the value of a good or service, like the $9,000 bill that 10G gave Kellie for one towing job.
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Midwest 92 • April 2022 | Towman.com
News Flash
“I’m not happy with the fact that we don’t have a law to protect us and I’m going to hopefully get people to join me to push that we get that law back,” Rockwell said. Eventually Rockwell got her car back, after her insurance company negotiated the $9000 bill down to $2500.
Pricing Regulations Proposed in Wyoming
The Wyoming Legislature is proposing a bill requiring a fee schedule for tow companies that are on the call lists of police rotations. The legislation is coming as a result of complaints from drivers of cars and trucks about unfair pricing, such as a $70,000 invoice for a semi-truck recovery job. House Bill 119 would give government entities recourse to take legal action against companies charging unreasonable rates and would require carriers to provide
Wyoming Department of Transportation with an outline of their average rates for various aspects of towing and recovery jobs. This outline would include winch, labor, storage and mileage costs, as well as daytime and nighttime call rates. Some towing and recovery workers are not in accord with pricing regulations, saying it would hurt their business due to the uncertain nature of the job, price increases for fuel and insurance, and the overhead in running trucks. Others say better enforcement of rules governing the call rotation list are necessary.
when she usually has ten. She said, “It makes our process slower on getting customers served.” On the Mississippi River Bridge, where a towed vehicle is almost a daily occurrence, a wreck took two hours to clear, a problem tow companies say is becoming worse. “[With] wreckers, you know, it’s just not any driver,” Simoneaux points out. “You do have to be trained in either the light-duty wrecker or the heavy-duty wrecker and those drivers are few and far between right now.” Source: wbrz.com
Driver Shortage Causing Longer Response Times
Tow Operators Organize Tribute to Fallen Tower
In Baton Rouge, a shortage of tow truck drivers has been reported to cause extensive traffic delays. That’s because in the COVID economy, finding qualified tow truck drivers is hard. Suzy Simoneaux of Louisiana Towing is down to just six operators
Midwest 94 • April 2022 | Towman.com
Several tow operators from around Champaign, Illinois organized a tribute on March 6 for Ross Booker, a 20-year-old tower who was struck and killed by a 16-yearold driver while cleaning debris from a roadway on March 5. The driver
was cited for failure to slow down/move over under Scott’s Law. Towers, along with police and fire workers, showed up in the pouring rain at Tatman’s Towing, where Booker worked, with their lights on. One tower said, “You always hear about it happening everywhere else. But it really hits close when you’ve worked scenes with the kid.” Another tower commented, “Words can’t describe how people feel about it, because it’s a death... especially in your community.” Sources: wandtv.com, wcia.com
Ross Booker of Tatman’s Towing
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • Midwest 95
Episode 7
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • West 91
News Flash workers are not in accord with pricing regulations, saying it would hurt their business due to the uncertain nature of the job, price increases for fuel and insurance, and the overhead in running trucks. Others say better enforcement of rules governing the call rotation list are necessary.
Consumer complaints have sparked legislation in Wyoming.
Pricing Regulations Proposed in Wyoming
The Wyoming Legislature is proposing a bill requiring a fee schedule for tow companies that are on the call lists of police rotations. The legislation is coming as a result of complaints from drivers of cars and trucks about unfair pricing, such as a $70,000 invoice for a semi-truck recovery job. House Bill 119 would give gov-
West 92 • April 2022 | Towman.com
ernment entities recourse to take legal action against companies charging unreasonable rates and would require carriers to provide Wyoming Department of Transportation with an outline of their average rates for various aspects of towing and recovery jobs. This outline would include winch, labor, storage and mileage costs, as well as daytime and nighttime call rates. Some towing and recovery
Repo Report Highlights Key Stats
A 2021 Repo Report published by Experian, a credit reporting agency that notifies banks and financial institutions of individual credit worthiness, includes key repo stats such as the number of yearly repossessions (2.2 million), average daily repossessions (5,418) and the most repossessed trucks (Ford F-150) and cars (Honda Civic) currently on the market. Stats also include the ten highest repossession rates in 2021.
Nine states and DC are listed. Nevada is at the top of list. 10. Virginia 9. District of Columbia 8. Georgia 7. Oklahoma 6. Texas 5. Florida 4. North Carolina 3. New Mexico 2. Arizona 1. Nevada According to the report, for every 2.4 cars sold, one existing vehicle on the road will be repossessed each year.
Driver Shortage Causing Longer Response Times
In Baton Rouge, a shortage of tow truck drivers has been reported to cause extensive traffic delays. That’s because in the COVID economy, finding qualified tow truck drivers is hard. Suzy Simoneaux of Louisiana Towing is down to just six operators when she usually has ten. She said, “It makes our process slower on getting custom-
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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • West 93
News Flash ers served.” On the Mississippi River Bridge, where a towed vehicle is almost a daily occurrence, a wreck took two hours to clear, a problem tow companies say is becoming worse. “[With] wreckers, you know, it’s just not any driver,” Simoneaux points out. “You do have to be trained in either the light-duty wrecker or the heavy-duty wrecker and those drivers are few and far between right now.” Source: wbrz.com
Michigan Driver Complains of Unscrupulous Tow
According to Michigan Police, seemingly unscrupulous tow bills are not illegal, unless the tow company was called in by police. One case involved a recent pileup, where stranded driver Kellie Rockwell received a bill for $9000 from 10G
West 94 • April 2022 | Towman.com
After a pileup strands drivers in Michigan, one driver claims unscrupulous charges.
Towing and Recovery, the company that recovered her car. “It makes me frustrated, because how as a civilian do we feel protected from people like this?” said Rockwell. “The tow driver just walked up to our car, asked if we wanted him to get us out, and we said ‘yes’ because we assumed they were with the police,” Rockwell said. She would later learn that police did not call the company. Lawyer Steve Lehto, who spe-
cializes in consumer protection, says the State’s high court struck down a law that made it illegal to charge a price grossly in excess of the value of a good or service, like the $9,000 bill that 10G gave Kellie for one towing job. “I’m not happy with the fact that we don’t have a law to protect us and I’m going to hopefully get people to join me to push that we get that law back,” Rockwell said. Eventually Rockwell got her car
back, after her insurance company negotiated the $9000 bill down to $2500.
Tow Operators Organize Tribute to Fallen Tower
Several tow operators from around Champaign, Illinois organized a tribute on March 6 for Ross Booker, a 20-yearold tower who was struck and killed by a 16-year-old driver while cleaning debris from a roadway on March 5. The driver was cited for failure to slow down/move over under Scott’s Law. Towers, along with police and fire workers, showed up in the pouring rain at Tatman’s Towing, where Booker worked, with their lights on. One tower said, “You always hear about it happening everywhere else. But it really hits close when you’ve worked scenes with the kid.” Another tower commented, “Words can’t describe how people feel about it, because it’s a death... especially in your community.” Sources: wandtv.com, wcia.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | April 2022 • West 95
Episode 7
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990