Tow operaTor The Electrical Storm, Part II

Safe Transport and Storage of EVs

By Ed Grubbs

In last month’s issue we discussed the assortment of health, safety, and environmental issues the incident management tower (IMT) will be confronted with as the world transitions to Electric Vehicles (EVs). As the regulatory world is still figuring out what can be regulated, the IMT is faced with making decisions based on available knowledge. Unplanned EV events can be properly managed through: Knowledge, Information, Training and Education (KITE).

We discussed the assessment needs necessary at the accident scene even before you move the EV. Once assessed, transporting back to your facility needs to follow an established protocol. This should be based on the vehicle’s rating by a qualified party. Once assessed, decisions must be made, such as towing versus carrying on a flatbed, and fire department escort or not. Those and other decisions should be preplanned and evaluated with all stakeholders such as police, fire, and even DOT (if necessary).

In the document SAE J2990, the Society of Automotive Engineers recommends towing a damaged electric vehicle on a flatbed, primarily to avoid generating voltage from the turning wheels. If the vehicle’s wheels must be turned—perhaps because it has run off the road—its speed should be kept below five mph. After being loaded onto a flatbed, possibly with skates under the wheels, the vehicle’s structural integrity should be checked. If the vehicle rolls while it is on the flatbed, the inspection steps listed above should be repeated.

Keeping Isolated

SAE J2990 also states that tow operators should arrange to tow the vehicle to an offsite location where it can be isolated. Once there, the vehicle should be inspected again for evidence of internal battery leaks, which could lead to short circuits or loss of high-voltage isolation. The battery needs to be examined as well for loss of mechanical integrity. If airbags have been deployed, conduct further diagnostic steps to assess the integrity of the highvoltage system, such as measuring the battery temperature.

Once the vehicle arrives, the IMT is now responsible for its safe storage. There are storage safety issues an EV presents that an internal combustion engine (ICE) doesn’t. The most dramatic consequence of a damaged EV is its ability to spontaneously combust. The longest reported post-accident fire was 45 days after being towed. Since this fire danger is unpredictable, damaged EVs demand special attention and storage requirements. Longstanding hazardous materials and fire codes call for “ignitable waste” to be stored 50 feet from the property line or buildings.

NHTSA’s recommendations for storage (see sidebar) are based on SAE J2990. This document recommends two barrier methods for an electric vehicle during storage: (1) separate the vehicle from combustibles and structures by 50 feet on all sides, or (2) create a barrier of earth, steel, concrete, or solid masonry around the vehicle.

The storage recommendations in SAE J2990 may create issues for the property owner as the regulations do not consider the environmental impacts. First, the space requirement may not be practical in most urban settings and unless you have acreage, may not be practical in rural settings. The other concerns are environmental issues with the way you create barriers.

Toxic Issues

There are two viable options currently available but, before we look at the solutions, we need to understand the problem we are trying to solve in its entirety.

Fire is not the only danger from a damaged EV. There are a wide range of chemical reactions that can take place at ambient, and heat-related temperatures within the battery cells.

The electrolyte solution is not like what’s in the sport drinks on the market. The solution is a toxic blend of chemicals designed for their specific purpose to create energy to the levels needed to power the vehicle. Byproduct releases can include hydrofluoric acid, heavy metals, and a wide array of toxins.

According to a study by the RISE Research Institute of Sweden, even without combustion, the flammable gases emitted from a battery (e.g., H2, CO, CH4 and other low boilingpoint hydrocarbons) could be of a larger and more immediate threat than the toxic gases due to the risk of gas explosion. Both flammable and toxic gases could also be produced if the battery is submerged in saltwater, as we have seen after hurricanes in Florida and other areas. This emittance is due to electrolysis of saltwater causing corrosion and short circuiting that results in flammable and toxic gasses being produced.

It is difficult enough to keep your property clean and un-contaminated when an ICE vehicle leaks, but storage of electric vehicles adds a whole new level of concern.

Sensory Warnings

Pre-planning is essential to the health and welfare of your facility.

Every person should be trained and knowledgeable in the procedures regarding EV storage. The EV can give audible (noise), aromatic (smell) and visual warnings prior to combustion. All facility personnel should be knowledgeable with these characteristics.

As examples, a sweet cherry smell could indicate battery gases. Any buzzing, popping or hissing sound could indicate a leak. Is there a smokey plume? If any of these sights, smells or sounds are present, immediately move everyone 75 feet away from the vehicle and alert the fire department.

Your local fire department should always be prenotified if you have a suspect EV, as this knowledge is critical in order to minimize your risk. A site visit or plan should be held with your local fire department to assess the storage and containment area to determine the best procedures if an emergency occurs.

Acid Test

Although a burning EV is the most dramatic of events, a damaged EV presents an array of environmental concerns the facility needs to be prepared for. The damaged EV battery can leak hazardous fluids so a containment measure must be included in your standard operating procedures (SOP). One of the most hazardous chemicals to leak is hydrofluoric acid, which is highly corrosive. Acid neutralizing products are available in many forms. This response item should be readily available or used as a preventative for a hazardous release.

There are currently two viable options for EV storage. One that has a more permanent feel is the use of large concrete blocks on a concrete pad. This containment system can be built to make a series of stalls to store multiple vehicles. The structure is solid, and the ◀

NHTSA’s Recommendations for Storing EVs

Do not store a severely damaged vehicle with a lithium-ion battery inside a structure or within 50 feet of any structure, vehicle, or combustibles. Ensure that passenger and cargo compartments remain ventilated. Prior to placing and while located in storage area/tow lot, continue to inspect vehicle for leaking fluids, sparks, smoke, flames, gurgling, or bubbling sounds from the HEV battery, and call 911 if any of these are detected. large concrete block offers protection from the high temperatures of the burning vehicle. However, the worry of polluting the facility is of great concern.

Maintain clear access to stored vehicles for monitoring and emergency response if needed.

If the EV catches fire, the fire department could discharge 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of water to cool the battery and put out the fire. It is important to understand that the water must be focused on the undercarriage of the vehicle where the battery compartment is located. Since the passenger compartment is a separate box, water will not cool the battery from that access point. This is a great reason to have your local fire department familiar with your EV storage area.

Another concern is that contaminants released from the EV’s battery could be released throughout the facility by the large volume of water used in the firefighting process. That much water could also find its way into the storm drains and culverts. While contamination levels could be very low, the environmental impact of these large releases could be significant and must be considered. A water collection system would most likely be required as the EV market grows, as these issues begin to percolate in the regulatory arenas.

Another option is a specialized containment box. These steel fabricated boxes are coated with a fire retardant, cementitious material that can withstand temperatures of up to 2000 degrees. They are patent pending and are designed to also address more of the environmental issues facing the IMT and the safe storage of EVs.

These containers are movable but are designed to be stationary. They have five-foot sides with a lower watertight tailgate for ease of viewing. They also have flooding ports on both sides so if there is a fire, the fire department can quickly flood the containment, drowning the fire and cooling the battery. Since the battery is located under the vehicle, the flooding would only need to go slightly higher than the battery itself. Should the passenger compartment be involved, standard firefighting techniques would remain very effective and fast. Make sure the windows are lowered to provide this access. The advantage of the metal containment system is the water is contained and through the built-in discharge port, can be easily removed and disposed of properly.

Higher Costs

Regardless of which type of storage used in your facility, there are going to be additional costs and fees associated with the safe handling of a damaged EV. These fees need to be addressed through legislation or regulatory processes, and environmental and public safety issues must be brought into focus with all the stakeholders. Work through your tow associations and industry partners to help facilitate the needed changes in Tow Service Agreements (TSA). They need to identify the hazards that EVs create and revise them to account for the safe and secure handling of these hazardous vehicles and other environmental requirements associated with damaged vehicles.

One last thought: An electrical storm is coming, and you had better be prepared. NHTSA, The Energy Security Agency, American Towman and others can help you get the education you need. Just be prepared to weather this storm.

What the Users Say

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.

AAA UNIFIRST: Tailored to Perfection

“We have been working with AAA Unifirst for over 20 years. They take care of our uniforms. If we have any issues like holes, tears or discoloration, they change them out. Or if we want long sleeve vs short sleeve uniforms or alterations, they swap them out and give you what you need. The uniforms are high VIS for safety with green neon to help our drivers stick out. They wash the uniforms weekly and bring them back to you, fresh and nice. Image means a lot. When a driver pulls up to help a member, it’s important he looks professional from head to toe. With Unifirst, they do.”

Basel Berro, Tel-wick Amoco Service Center, Taylor, Michigan

ACCESS TOOLS Does it Right

“One of the best products/inventions ever created. I get in a car so fast that people really don’t want to be paying me. People tell me that I do a good job. I tell them, “If you have the right equipment, the right tools, you can do it.” With these affordable tools, you can make so much money helping people out.”

AKINS FORD Provides the “Best Bang for Your Buck”

Jason

Pogue, Mighty Speedy Roadside Assistance, Dallas, Texas

“We have been in business 45 years using Miller wreckers. We have eight of them in our fleet. The rollbacks from Akins are the best bang for your buck. Overall, their trucks have lasted the longest than other trucks that we have bought. Miller has done an exceptional job building them. The customer service at Akins is awesome.”

Adam Dees, Dees Used Cars & Towing, Lyons, Georgia

See Ad Pages N, S, M 83

ALL-AMERICAN JERR-DAN: Always There for Your Needs

“All-American Jerr-Dan is at the top of its game. Erin is always there to answer your call and either provide you with a truck or help you in your search for one. It’s incredibly hassle-free and handy. Picking up trucks at 5:00 p.m. isn’t always convenient for me, but Randy is always willing to wait until I get there, even if that means 6:30 p.m. The truck is loaded and ready to travel even if he can’t make it. You can find comfort at this establishment. Their kind staff and convenient accessibility serve the customer’s needs.”

Ronald Ketch, TMK Enterprises, Kenvil, NJ

See Ad Page S84

AUSTIN INSURANCE: Down-Home Care Wins Hearts

“I met the owner Sharon Austin at the Texas trade show and got to talking to her and fell in love with her personality and who she is. I like small family businesses and that’s who I support. They take care of you when you call, no questions asked. It’s never a problem. Bottom line: I like them, so I do business with them.”

Mike Freeman, Mike’s Towing Service, Wichita Falls, Texas

See Ad Page 18

ALLSTATE ROADSIDE Makes a Great Partner

“Allstate Roadside is easy to work with. Marla, their great account representative, is there when we have any questions or trouble. She goes to bat for us. Through Allstate we get a good amount of work. They take care of their customers, and we take care of them. It’s a great partnership. We look forward to continuing working with them.”

Max Kenworth, Elite Towing & Recovery, Portland, Oregon

See Ad Page 22

Dramatic Efficiency Improvement with AUTO DATA DIRECT

“Since working with Auto Data Direct, it has dramatically improved our efficiency throughout the unclaimed vehicle process. The multi-state integration has singlehandedly cut out hours of manual paperwork and streamlined it all electronically. The record keeping has been fantastic, giving us one less thing to worry about. ADD has simply made everything a click of a mouse.”

Brandon Harris, Capital Towing & Recovery, Columbus, Ohio

CHEVRON COMMERCIAL: The Chosen One

“Although there are tons of places that I can buy my trucks from, I buy all my trucks from Chevron Commercial. I have been buying trucks with them since 2014. Their customer service is excellent. I can call up anytime, with any questions. They have a friendly atmosphere, and they do custom-built work. I have never had any problems. I bought a 2023 International NV custom built by Chevron Commercial, extended Cab with a 16,000-pound bed and auto grip wheel lift; truck features 325 hp, lock-in diffs, and lots of lights which also has green under glow. I just love it! Will be ordering another one soon!”

Chris Higel, Anytime Towing & Recovery, Waynesville, North Carolina

CUSTER PRODUCTS Light Up for Safety, Ease, and Reliability

“I use Custer Products on 35 of my wreckers. Front strobes, little strobes, wireless light bars, flood lights—I use just about everything they have. I’m all lit up for safety. Custer is easy to work with. They are fast, getting me what I need. If I have a problem, they handle it. The price on the product is very reasonable and the product is reliable.”

Charlie Higgs, Cierra Towing and Crushing, Amarillo, Texas

CROUCH’S

AND EQUIPMENT SALES: Friendship With Service

“I’ve been doing business with Crouch’s since 2014. It’s become more of a friendship than business. When I buy a truck from them, I don’t have to worry about any issues. Everything works! They build great equipment and make it easy to buy a truck because of their servicing. If I had a major issue with a truck, which I rarely do, they have the connections and the resources to get the problem fixed. They do an awesome job.”

Troy Brown, Troy’s Wrecker Service, Louisville, Kentucky

DEWEZE: Excellence and Longevity

“We have been selling the DewEze hydraulic clutch pump kits for 35 years. They are an excellent company to work with and their service and engineering teams are responsive and knowledgeable. The product is straightforward to install; it works very well and has great longevity. Some of the ones that we have out there have been running for 20 years. It’s the only one that we sell because we just like that kit better.”

John Gardner, American Wrecker Sales, Cayce, South Carolina

BFamily Feel at DUAL-TECH with Quality and Service

“We have been running Dual-Tech carriers since 2015. They are great carriers. The quality is as good as any out there. Service is excellent as well, especially after the warranty period. We like the local feeling of Dual-Tech. We are a family-owned business dealing with a family-owned business. And as a big AAA service provider, we put miles on our trucks and need to have trucks. Dual-Tech has been able to supply us.”

Jimmy Collins, Casper’s Bodyshop and Wrecker Service, Greenville, Tennessee

DYNAMIC: Solid and Exceptional

“We first started using Dynamic in 2016 and now have purchased 30 total of their 701 Wheel Lifts and wreckers. Their units have been reliable, keeping us up and running. The parts of the wrecker are very solid and the reach on the Dynamic is exceptional. I love their customer service. Anthony answers his phone day or night. If we need parts, they are always shipped out on the same day.”

Brandon Tester, Relentless Recovery, Cleveland, Ohio

Upgrades and Professionalism at EDGETEC

“We do a lot of business with EdgeTec. When EdgeTec took over the business from Coker Equipment Sales a couple of years ago, they revamped the organization, making significant upgrades. They significantly increased their supply and have made it a priority to service their local market with quality service and great equipment. Chris Bouressa, manager and co-owner, has his hands on everything and doesn’t leave a stone unturned. Their level of professionalism has doubled from what it used to be. The customer has become a priority.”

James Bennett Jr., Beard’s Towing, Fort Worth, Texas

ELIZABETH TRUCK CENTER Customizes and Serves Promptly

“Working with Elizabeth Truck Center is super easy and simple. You tell them what you want, and they facilitate everything throughout the production. Last year, I purchased an 1140 Rotator, and they gave us a custom front bumper, custom door cover, and extra lights on the side of the sleeper and along the body rails. If there are any issues, they take care of them immediately. They are one hundred percent on top of everything.”

Joey Bushway, Joey’s Towing, Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio

FCAR USA: Capable and Does It All

“The FCAR Scan Tool has quite the capabilities. It’s not just for heavy trucks but it’s for cars as well, unlike its competitor’s scan tool, which is not integrated and is three times the price. If you are doing roadside assistance for tractor trailers, this tool can force regenerations on trucks. This is a huge feature, saving truckers a lot of money from what would otherwise be an expensive tow.”

Luis Perez, Elite Towing & Recovery, Mooresville, North Carolina

G-STONE: A-1 All-Around

“G-Stone is a great dealership. We’ve been buying trucks from them for about 30 years. They give great service. If you need something, you call them, and they take care of it. We bought five trucks from them in the last two years—light-duty flatbeds, 550 Rams and Fords. We bought two Dodge 550 flatbeds in the last month. Andy Donor is A number one. They are a family-owned dealership for 70 years. That says it all.”

Carl Stone, Stone’s Shell, East Fairfield, Vermont

See Ad Page 79

GM CONSULTANTS: Invaluable and Highly Recommended

“I would recommend any towing business owner that intends to buy or sell a towing business in the next 5 to 10 years to engage GM Consulting now and have them look at what you are doing today, and make a three-, five- and ten-year plan. Owner George Metos is an excellent resource and has coached me in making my company more valuable. He is very well versed and articulate in giving advice for towing business owners looking to acquire a new business, or perform a valuation on an existing business.”

Conor Gleason, Priority Towing, Phoenix, Arizona

See Ad Page 17

GUNIWHEEL: A Great Tool Sought After!

“About two years ago we had a rash of tow calls for stolen vehicle recoveries that were missing rims and tires. It was a struggle to either load them with conventional skates and cribbing, or coordinate picking up wheels and tires from another local dealer. I saw an ad for the Guniwheel and decided to purchase a set. It has been a great tool for us. After seeing them in use, most of our customers now ask where they can buy a set for their shop. That’s probably the ultimate compliment.”

Tim Grube, Grube’s Towing, Mequon, Wisconsin

INTEGRATED VEHICLE EQUIPMENT FINANCING Makes It Happen

“Integrated Vehicle Equipment Financing is easy to work with. Once you have found a piece of equipment, account representative Doreen Aragona doesn’t let up until she gets all the documents that she needs. If you want a financing deal to happen, Doreen is the one to call. Integrated has financed 15 trucks for me in the last 10 years. Tell Doreen what you want to happen, and she’ll make it happen!”

Jordan McIntosh, Rapture Enterprises, Inc., Burnsville, North Carolina

INTEK TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT LEASING —Always There for Us

“We have been doing business with Intek Truck and Equipment Leasing for over 25 years. We have financed numerous pieces of equipment from light-duty trucks to an 80-ton rotator. They have always been extremely responsive and conscious of our needs. Adam and his father treat us like family. We look forward to continuing our relationship with them.”

Joe Haines, Haines Towing, Columbus, New Jersey

ITI SKATES Work Like Magic

“The ITI control arm skate works like magic every time. When I am dealing with a nonfunctional control arm or ball joint, including a missing wheel, I like that the ITI skate is super lightweight and versatile. I use the control arm skate for vehicles that have been in an accident or if the suspension fails on their vehicle. I love how the skate sits on a busted ball joint or rotor. It rolls smoothly on flat surfaces, dirt or rocks with its smooth rounded sides. It is the best product in the towing business for what it does.”

Daniel Vaca, Affordable Towing, Moreno Valley, California

JERR-DAN: Lasting Love for “The Ultimate”

“I love the brute strength of the Jerr-Dan 35-ton wrecker. For its size and platform, it really handles well. The tilt factor on it is great. The way they set it up for recovery, for our capabilities, is much stronger. I tow a lot of loaded heavy dump trucks and tankers. For how short the platform is on the truck, it’s able to maneuver into areas that a bigger truck wouldn’t be able to. We love the sales and customer service end of the business too. So much so that we have turned our light duty side over to all Jerr-Dan trucks.”

Evan Yocum, Yocum Towing & Recovery,

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Fantastic Guidance with KHASIM INSURANCE AGENCY

“Richard Khasim and his team are very knowledgeable and professional. Whenever we have questions on coverage, they can provide us guidance. We have been with his agency for over 10 years, and everything has run smoothly. His agency insures everything we own. I have recommended many friends and family to his agency, and all have nothing but great things to say. I highly recommend any business, including tow truck companies, to use Richard; he is fantastic!”

Anthony Tazbaz, Pacific Towing, Oceanside, California

LANDOLL: A Trailer You Can’t Live Without

“With the Landoll Trailer, you can use them to move containers, haul equipment or go out to wrecks... we use them for everything. They are versatile and handy. I don’t know how we ran our business without them. The trailer is smooth, sturdy, and dependable. I’m happy we have them.”

Jeff Senica, Senica Interstate Towing, LaSalle, Illinois

LYNCH TRUCK CENTERS Defines Excellence

“I have been using Lynch for as long as they have been there. Sales and service are excellent. Robert does a great job ordering trucks. He knows exactly what my specs are and can already foresee what we are looking for. They have always taken good care of us. Every time we call them up and it’s an emergency, they squeeze us in. They are always looking out for you.”

Larry McKay, Suburban Towing, Elk Grove Village, Illinois

MATJACK: Flawless Cushions and Customer Service

“I don’t have enough good things to say about John and his team at Matjack. Their air cushions are an awesome product, and their customer service is the best, hands down. The product has worked flawlessly every time we’ve had to use it. If you have problems with the compressors, the pumps or have any small issues, you can pick up the phone and get service from anyone that represents the product. I enjoy doing business with people like that.”

Jake Schraeder, Tegeler Body and Frame Wrecker and Crane, Dyersville, Iowa

BMCMAHON TRUCK CENTER: What You Want, You Get

We have nothing but the best to say about McMahon Truck Center. They have gone above and beyond on every truck that they have put together for us. Their workmanship is the best, and so are their mounting practices. And we are so happy with their service. Paul Blackston, who handles their Jerr-Dan, is so easy to communicate with. He always answers the phone, anytime of day; he can’t do enough for us. When we wanted something, we got it, every time. When you buy a Jerr-Dan, you buy more than a truck. You buy that person too.

George Logan III, George Logan’s Towing, North Brunswick, New Jersey

MIDCO SALES: Impeccable Quality & Service from Start to Finish

“This is my first Jerr-Dan, and my expectations were completely surpassed, not only with the truck build itself, but also the team at Midco. I am beyond impressed with the quality, engineering and innovation that went into this unit. From the first interaction when I met Jim and Pete from Midco Sales, the service has been impeccable every step of the way, from delivery to customization. It’s confidence inspiring knowing that I have Jerr-Dan and Midco to help service my business for the future.”

Brandon Devahl, BD’AZ Heavy Duty Towing, Surprise, Arizona

MIDWESTERN MANUFACTURING: “First of Its Kind” Customized Innovation

“The Cat M100 Winch Recovery System is the first of its kind in the country. It was put on the Caterpillar 335 style excavator. It runs the boom, winch and track simultaneously, versus doing one function at a time. A towing company that does a lot of emergency response and handles large-scale, heavy-style recovery incidents or special operations should consider Midwestern Manufacturing. We have enjoyed the product support and engineering design team throughout the process of building this specialized piece of equipment.”

Phillip McCorquedale, Phillips Towing Service, Fayetteville, North Carolina

MILLER INDUSTRIES: Dedicated to Making the Best

“In business for 40 years, we bought our first Miller heavy-duty wrecker two years ago and were very happy with it. We’ve bought two more heavies since then, and have continued to buy their light-duty wreckers. The build is strong and sturdy, and many features are well thought out and adapted for the kind of work we do. This shows their dedication to making the best product there is for the towing and recovery industry.”

Francis Berry, Unipro Towing & Recovery, Montreal, Canada

MOBILE CONTROL SYSTEMS’ Simple, Affordable Solutions

“This system is extremely simple and quick to install. It requires no actuators, no modifications and allows you to operate your wrecker manually. Mobile Control has been extremely receptive to input from operators and distributors, and it shows in their design! We have installed these on several units already and our customers are extremely happy with it. It’s inexpensive, durable, and easy to use. We are proud to offer these as a remote-control solution to our customers.”

Tim Ryan, East Coast Truck & Trailer, Portsmouth, Virginia

NEW ENGLAND TRUCKMASTER Stands by Their Builds

“RJB Service Station, Inc has had seamless rapport with New England TruckMaster for 14+ years. We’ve ordered numerous new trucks from them, in addition to trade-ins. Specifications and details of each truck are as discussed, and financing is completed in minutes. Workmanship is great and pricing is fair. New England TruckMaster stands by their builds and has always worked with us in establishing and maintaining our fleet. Friendship and business go hand in hand with New England TruckMaster.”

Robert J Ballasedis, RJB Service Station Inc, Harrison, New York

OMG: Efficient Marketing Creates Profits

“I have had a very positive experience working with OMG. They are easy to work with and get stuff done when I call them. They did our websites, our SEO, weekly social media marketing, and monthly updates to our website. All this has translated into more business!”

Daniel Wojcikowski, Big Boy’s Towing & Recovery, St. Louis, Missouri

ONLINE IMPOUNDS: Lucrative, Easy and Honest— Gets Our Business

“We love Online Impounds because it’s easy, user friendly, and allows us to design our own auction. And it’s financially lucrative. They are great people to do business with. I wouldn’t go anywhere else because the owner is a very fair and honest person, and works with you if there are any issues or suggestions on how to make it a better auction.”

Jeff and Donna Robards, Twisted Hook, LLC., Griffin, Georgia

PERFORMANCE ADVANTAGE COMPANY Performs Storage Solutions

“PAC Tools has been around a long time. We use this company because of its quality and affordability. It provides a great solution to a problem: where do I store things on a truck? A lot of the mounts are universal so that you can store multiple items; you are not dedicated to finding the right bracket for the right tool. The brackets are adjustable, which is a plus when you don’t know exactly what’s going to go in a spot. The PAC tool quality is something we recommend and stand behind.”

David Rottinghaus, Zip’s AW Direct, New Hampton, Iowa

Greater Profits With RECOVERY BILLING UNLIMITED

“They have given me the confidence of how to charge for my services, to charge for everything I do and to change the outlook of how I look at incidents and billing. I do less volume than before, but I make 2.5 times more revenue just by revamping how we do business. Doing all the work in the world doesn’t mean much if you don’t get paid. Recovery Billing shows you there’s a better way.”

Ed Cardiello, Ed’s Towing, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania

RIMSLING Beats the Chain

“I use RimSling daily! From lifting equipment to standard winch outs and recoveries, RimSling has the strength to get the job done as well as the flexibility to get in tight spaces. The material does not cause cosmetic damage to the vehicle/equipment. I also like how the rim sling has a protective sleeve to prevent it from getting cut or damaged on sharp edges. Rim slings are light weight for carrying as well as storing inside the truck. We’ve used these on several water recoveries and the divers always comment on the use of the rim sling versus a standard chain. The rim sling is so versatile we also use them as secondary safeties that connect to our chains to the vehicle that is being towed.”

Chris Nieman, Nieman’s Service, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

SAFEALL: Precision and Fine-Tuning for the Best

“The wireless proportioned remote is used for the winch control on our flatbeds. With this remote you are able to be more precise with the start and stop of the winch, and able to fine tune the speed of the operation. When you are loading expensive cars, you want to have that kind of performance. We bought the kit from ZIPs. It was easy to install and easy to set up. My operator loves it so much that he doesn’t want to drive any other truck because of the remote.”

Steve McGuire, McGuire’s Towing & Recovery, Ashland, Kentucky

SANTANDER BANK for all our Financing Needs

“I have done over 100 tow truck loans with Santander Bank. They have been nothing but awesome as far as getting my stuff done quickly and efficiently. I wouldn’t use anybody else. Even when you call their customer service, they never put you off, but help you out right on the spot.”

Leonard J. Lopez, Sr., A & A Auto Recycling, Inc., Denver, Colorado

SPECIALTY VEHICLE FUNDING: Financing with Friendliness and Ease

“Specialty Vehicle Funding has financed all my trucks. I buy a lot of tow trucks and the process is super easy. I just call them and send over the paperwork. They will call me back the next day and ask me a couple of questions, like how I want to make the payments and for how long. I have a good relationship with Pete. We are like friends. When you feel like you have a relationship with somebody, you stay with that person. I have referred him to some friends, and they have been financing with him since.”

Doug Stone, Elite Towing, Gainesville, Florida

TALBERT Meets the Highest Standards

“Talbert has been a staple in the heavy haul industry for many years. In our fleet, we utilize Talbert’s trailers as they are strong, versatile, lightweight and very user-friendly. The trailers are engineered and built to the highest quality standards, while still being competitively priced. Talbert and their dealers provide exceptional customer service helping to keep our trailers on the road, servicing all our customer’s needs.”

Aaron Abers, Aber’s Towing & Crane Service Inc, Ashland, Ohio

TDI REPAIR & RECOVERY Has Our Back

“TDI Repair & Recovery is highly reliable. I call them whether I need a tow or work done on one of our trucks. We can send them an email or call them and say, “We need help. Can you get a guy down here?” They are responsive. They are usually down within a few hours. It’s also nice to work with a family owned and operated business.”

Andrew Bean, Old Dominion, Milton, Vermont

TOWBOOK MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE: Advanced and Flexible

B“Towbook Management Software has been fantastic. Our teams dispatch on average 600 calls a day through this operating platform. We like its ease of use; how our data can be locked down and secured; the driver mobile app; the ability to receive electronic dispatches; and the ability to store pictures inside the program to protect the customers and the drivers. The Towbook team has been great to work with, both integration-wise on new terminals and on development requests that we have made to enhance Towbook overall. They have been great at working with our people, coming out in the field, and hosting training classes. I like the fact that they are flexible and willing to make changes within the software for us. With 23 locations, we have a unique need for analytics reporting requirements and customers to build special reports. Overall, we have a great relationship with them.”

Tom Tedford COO Guardian Fleet Services, West Palm Beach, Florida

TOWMATE: Top of the Line Service

“TowMate is a great company with great products and even better customer service. Their timely service to dealers and customers is top of the line. If problems arise with their products, they have great warranties and their goal is to get you back to work and making money quickly.”

Jake Crane, Rocky Mountain Wrecker Sales, Salt Lake City, Utah

TRACKED MACHINES NORTH AMERICA: Safety and Mobility at Their Best

“With the advancement of technology of all-wheel drive and hybrid vehicles, the tracked machine makes it a whole lot easier for you to grab all four wheels safely. You don’t have to worry about putting skates on something and winching it up on a rollback. You don’t have to worry about finding something to hook up to on a lot of these new cars. Using the tracked machine is a whole lot safer and it can go anywhere, especially in places where we can’t get our trucks.”

Garrett Scarlette, Garrett’s Towing, Thomasville, North Carolina

TRAXERO: Integrated Technology with Many Benefits

“Traxero is a secure platform that simplifies the back-office duplication of different tasks. Our company uses Traxero’s towing management system TOPS, with certified mail and integrated auctions as well as BudgetGPS for fleet tracking. The fact that everything is integrated into one system is excellent. This has freed up our staff to remain focused on running our business while saving us on labor, fuel, and trucks. Having a system that is reliable is very important. We have processed over 190,000 calls through Traxero and the systems are always up. Anytime we have asked for custom software development or to add different features, Traxero has accommodated to provide the best experience for our customers and employees.”

James Whittredge, Pro Tow, Columbus, Ohio

TRAIL KING INDUSTRIES: Versatility that Fulfills All our Needs

“We purchased a new 40-ton Trail King sliding axle trailer, and it is by far the most versatile trailer in our fleet. Its dual side control boxes are great and provide safe and convenient access to the trailer’s mechanics. We’ve been able to use the trailer for a variety of jobs, from hauling full-size buses cross country to accident scenes on major highways, to transporting 20’, 40’ and even 45’ ocean containers. We also use it to carry paving equipment or small loaders or mid-size excavators—whatever we need! The best part about this trailer is how easy it is to load and unload—even when carrying heavy loads. There are so many opportunities for us with this new piece of equipment.”

David Parker (Heavy Haul Division), Guardian Fleet

Services,

West Palm Beach, Florida

WEST END SERVICE Earns Exclusivity

“I buy everything from West End Service, whether it’s trucks or parts. I’ve been dealing with them exclusively for eight years. All our tow trucks are from Miller Industries and West End is my one-stop shop. What they have in stock is extensive for the trucks that we have, and if they do not have it, they can get parts quickly. Everything is ordered and spec’d the way we want it. We recently purchased a 2023 Freightliner M2 with a Chevron 22-foot 16 series Load Right with features that include unlimited tie-down points, great load angle, galvanized subframe and side puller. This truck’s got all the bells and whistles.”

Bruce Leibowitz, Rockdale Towing, Reisterstown, Maryland

WRECKMASTER Masters in the Art of Training

“I am a big advocate of WreckMaster. WreckMaster sets the standard through hands-on and online training. They teach you to think outside the box. They teach discipline, integrity and safety while providing you the opportunity to network and bond with your classmates. They instill confidence and knowledge with safety being the main priority. WreckMaster has prepared me to be a better operator, business owner and person in life. They can do the same for you.”

Dennis J Boyce, Boyce’s Towing, Morganville, New Jersey

Superior Quality and Durability with ZIP’S AW DIRECT

“The quality of craftsmanship and paintwork on our new Vulcan V70 is incredible. Being in Wisconsin with cold, snow and salt, we need a product that holds up in extreme weather conditions. ZIP’s has made a superior product even better.”

Chase Leonard, Floyd and Sons, Towing Inc., Racine, Wisconsin