Towers Protest Proposed Arkansas Legislation

A convoy of tow trucks drove in opposition to a house bill that was filed in the Arkansas State Legislature, encircling the roadways around the Capitol building and congesting traffic. The protest was in response to a bill that would strip towing companies of the ability to put a lien on cargo if their services were not rendered.

House Bill 1563 would amend the law concerning the attachment of a possessory lien held by a towing and storage firm to include “Cargo,” which is defined to include pallets, containers, bracing, air pillows, tiedown assemblies, chocks and all other dunnage or packaging.

The bill maintains that companies keeping this cargo until bills get paid are causing supply chain issues and “inflicting harm to national and state economies.”

In contesting this bill, Tow owner Matthew Ross, legislative chair for the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board, stated that, “It takes an awful lot of capital investment to efficaciously perform these recoveries…This bill robs from us the ability to hold on to the items that allow us to get paid for our services.”

Ken Pence, owner of Ken’s Towing said, “Most Trucking Companies like owner operators or small companies are either not insured or under-insured and the cargo is the only thing of value! They do not understand that we are out a lot of money upfront on these types of accidents that include labor, special equipment, traffic control, fuel, etc.”

Sources: towforce.net

Tow Truck Safety Bill Moves Forward in Washington Legislature

Senate Bill 5023, proposed by Washington state Sen. Jeff Wilson, would allow tow truck drivers to use flashing blue lights while at the scene of an accident to increase their visibility to drivers. It also requires drivers on highways or other high-speed roads to reduce their speed below 50 mph while passing a tow truck in an emergency zone.

“This is about the safety of those drivers who are responding and us, everyday people that need those services, who need to be safe while we are in our cars along the roadway,” Wilson said. The bill is unofficially named after the drivers who were killed in 2021, Arthur Anderson, owner of Longview’s Affordable Towing, and Raymond Mitchell, who worked for Ridgefield’s TLC Towing.

Source: columbian.com

An ordinance that has been in effect since 2019 for Milwaukee towers was overturned by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. No longer will towing companies be required to report the cost and equipment used for nonconsensual tows, including private property tows.

Calling it a “partial victory,” attorney Emil Ovbiagele said, “There is no ordinance or any law that I’m aware of in the city, and probably the state level, where businesses are required to perpetually just share their private internal data.” He challenged the ordinances for his client Jason Phehowski, owner of Always Towing.

The three-judge appeals court panel ruled that the city’s reporting requirement is in legal conflict with the state statute that requires towing companies to call the local police department before towing to confirm the vehicle isn’t stolen and to provide a record of where it will be taken.

However, the appeals court left in place the drop-fee policy which requires tow truck operators to allow those about to be towed from both private and public property to pay a $50 fee to “drop” the vehicle if the owner spots their vehicle being prepared to be towed before it is “fully hooked up.”

The court ruled that the city’s drop-fee policy is not preempted by state law and does not violate the spirit of, conflict with, or defeat the state’s regulation of tow trucks.

“Rather, we conclude that the dropfee ordinance falls into a gap in state law where the owner or authorized operator of the vehicle to be towed arrives before the tow of the vehicle occurs,” said the decision.

Ovbiagele noted that his client’s objection to the drop-fee policy wasn’t the fee itself, but the alleged dangerous situations it creates during the process. He said tow operators are vulnerable to angry vehicle owners and must wait at the scene because of the policy.

Source: urbanmilwaukee.com

Getting on the Grid

Jerr-Dan’s XLP Autogrid automatic wheel grid option introduced in 2022 received a patent for both design and operation on January 31, 2023. Used on carriers and other tow vehicles, the Autogrid allows an operator to hook up a car quickly and easily without manually installing L-Arms. Engineered with the operator in mind, the grid design offers a 3,500 lb. rating and a crossbar that can rotate 90 degrees on either side of center. The grid pivot has a center detent bar that prevents excessive crossbar swing during setup. The grid center drop area is designed to provide better support for tires as well as less sidewall push. The long-term cost of ownership and product longevity are addressed with replaceable wear items that include crossbar ends, L-arm tips, and plates at strategic locations. In addition to these standard elements, Autogrid customers may choose from several add-on options including wireless remote control, a dual-camera system, and boom level stop.

The Cable Guy

Bolt’s Cable Lock deters theft of items on tow vehicles such as tools, rigging, and fuel containers. Made from six-foot long, 1/4-inch coiled cable, it features an automotive-grade lock shutter to keep out weather and debris, and a six-plate tumbler sidebar that prevents picking and bumping. Rugged and weatherproof, the Cable Lock not only secures expensive equipment but also has the added benefit of one-key technology that permanently codes to a truck’s ignition key. When it is inserted into the lock cylinder, spring-loaded plate tumblers align with the ignition key, eliminating the need to carry multiple keys.

boltlock.com

A TowMate for Towmen

Although wireless tow lights have been available for some time, TowMate has just introduced an upgraded version, the TM22XR. It boasts a number of improvements, such as a battery life of more than 50 hours on a single charge, plus a quick-reference battery level indicator. In addition, new and improved magnets provide a stronger 100-pound hold compared with those having a 90-pound pull. Rubber coated to protect from scratching a vehicle, the lightweight design of the TM22XR makes it easy to handle and maneuver while working. Made in the U.S.A., the TM22XR comes with a lifetime warranty on both the LEDs and electronics.