American Towman Magazine - May 2021

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The Road Calls

UPan

Oregon Cliff

STANDARDIZING Classes of

Recoveries

THE

PROFESSIONAL

Recovery Operator

Lights

on the Scene TowIndustryWeek.com

MAY 2021 AmericanTowman.com

$10

Contents

Cover Feature

Volume 45 Issue 5

May 2021 42

Up the Cliff Josh Mast details how three wreckers recovered 60,000 pounds of machine up an Oregon cliff.

by Josh Mast

Departments 6 The Walkaround 8 News Share 10 Road Tools 12 Tow Safety 19 Lighting 24 Tow Boss

A Jerr-Dan rotator is center stage in this cliff recovery

Features

22

Classifying Recoveries

34 Ad Index 38 Beacons On! 52 Chassis Chalkboard 62 Towman’s Market 64 My Baby 66 Lowdown N, S, M 73 Adventures of A.T. W 77

John Borowski and Steve Calitri present a new standard for classifying recoveries, designed to support tow and recovery invoices.

by John Borowski and Steve Calitri

19

Let There Be Light

David Cotsmire does a walkaround on the usage of light towers on the recovery scene.

by David Cotsmire

4 • May 2021 | Towman.com

First on the scene since 1977

The Walkaround

Celebrating Recovery

May is a month in which many causes are celebrated from national cheese month and national barbecue month to critical awareness initiatives such as national skin cancer awareness and national water safety month. Well, American Towman this month is celebrating the specialized work of Recovery, as we Dennie Ortiz do every month, just more so this May issue.

Publisher Dangers are many while working on the roadside, add the element of darkness (night-time recovery) and the risks increase dramatically. Brian Riker contends when used properly, lighting is an excellent tool for operator protection. Brian makes the case that towers should make every attempt to use lighting to identify their presence without overuse to avoid distracting oncoming vehicles. He also emphasizes why the lighting that can be seen from the greatest distance is the most important of all scene lighting as it allows enough time for the motorist to react.

Keeping with the subject matter of escalated danger during night hours, our Beacon’s On department, Davis Cotsmire suggests that light towers (as in tall structure) are the optimal tools to light up a scene. Very pertinent here is the type of light used, as it is advocated that “day light” replicating illumination is the ideal lighting to avoid blinding operators and motorists alike … an important feature to look for when making your lighting purchase. A brief but relevant take away from the article, from a business management perspective, is that some states allow towers to charge a fee for the use of this auxiliary lighting.

This issue also presents a classification system for recoveries, meant to support any towing or recovery invoice. This is an interesting and dynamic approach to standardizing billing and rate structures, which serves to help the customer understand a recovery bill and its itemized fees. Take a look and see what you think.

A recovery issue would not be complete without hearing from an authority in the recovery business. Justin Cruse, president of WreckMaster, provides us with just that level of experience. He delves deeply into the character and nature of the towing professional with attention given specifically to recovery professionals. Justin provides an innate appraisal of the rare breed that makes up this unique and specialized profession. He pays tribute to the hard work and dedication recovery specialists exemplify while also addressing one of the biggest challenges our industry faces … operator recruitment and retention.

Question: What is a shared characteristic of most towers? Answer: The enthusiasm they have for a recovery job and the details of how it was performed. We feature three different recoveries this month ranging from an overturned pick up and RV camper in Utah, to an incredibly challenging recovery of a 60,000 pound machine down a 142 foot cliff in Oregon and then to a Wisconsin winter wreck of a tractor trailer bent 90 degrees around a tree. Fun stuff!

A slight departure from the recovery theme is our Chassis Chalkboard section. Climb aboard with Randy Resch as he dives deep into Kenworth’s new offerings. He carefully details all aspects of the new chassis’ and which would be more beneficial for this industry. We know it’s always ideal to have an equipment evaluation done through the eyes and mind of a tower.

I would be remiss not to mention this month’s My Baby. Here we feature Beard Towing’s pride and joy. Be sure to check out this beauty.

I am very happy to announce the resurrection of the AT Adventures serial comic in this issue … more more on this see Lowdown on page 66.

Enjoy and be safe!

6 • May 2021 | Towman.com

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

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

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

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn.

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

Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subscription: Single Copy: $10 1 yr: $60 – 2 yrs: $110 International: $75 & $135

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.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 7

News Share TRAA Advocates for Towers on ATA’s Towing Task Force

The Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) has secured a seat to represent towers on a Towing Task Force that was formed by the American Trucking Association (ATA).

The Towing Task Force plans to release resources for truckers on how to prevent becoming a victim of what they believe is billing fraud. Second, they plan to introduce two pieces of model legislation in conjunction with the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association and the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud.

According to Jennifer Wieroniey, Executive Director of ATA’s National Accounting & Finance Council, “The first bill would provide more protections for consumers against towing companies through tools such as regulating when a tow can occur and mandating more transparent billing practices, like the use of a rate sheet and itemized invoices... The second bill would outlaw ‘runners’ who solicit their tow services at the scene of an accident without being requested by law enforcement or any parties involved in the accident.As the national towing association, TRAA will be the tower’s advocate on ATA’s Towing Task Force.

Source: traaonline.com

Kansas City Tow Truck Operator Sues Police Commissioners Kansas City tow truck operator Allen “Jay” Bloodworth sued the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners over an illegal search, alleging that officers violated his civil rights in March of 2019. While executing the search, officers killed his dog.

His attorney, Ed Stump, said officers who showed up to locate a red 1995 Ford Ranger made their way into Bloodworth’s residence without knocking, which the warrant didn’t allow.

Bloodworth filed the suit 3 months after a suit against him was dropped, which alleged that he had improperly towed dozens of vehicles from private property and forged required paperwork. At issue was the discovery of a recording in which a police union official appears to issue a threat while trying to retrieve a towed relative’s car.

Source:joplinglobe.com/region/kansascity-tow-truck-operator-sues-over-2019search/article_722562fe-6fe3-5b5abd05-b990755dcc53.html

8 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Friends & Family Gather for

Nevada Tower Ryan Billotte

Vigil held for Ryan to bring awarness for Slow Down Move Over law.

On Friday, April 9, family and friends gathered to remember Ryan Billotte by holding a candlelight vigil for him and raising awareness of the move-over law.

Billette was killed by a hit-and-run driver working on the shoulder of the 215 beltway just outside of Las Vegas.

Outside of a church, Billotte’s wife, Becca Billotte said, “We want to

push the ‘slow down and move over’ movement. People just need to be more aware this can’t keep happening, they need to come home to their families we need them home.”

Ryan Billotte leaves behind four stepchildren, all he helped raise and six grandchildren.

Source: fox5vegas.com

Tow Truck Driver Fights Back to Defend Turf

Tow truck driver Terry Devers

Tow truck driver Terry Devers was assaulted in Fort Worth, Texas on March 15 by four people when he attempted to tow a vehicle that was illegally parked. The 4 suspects, who were purportedly part of a moblike crowd following the YouTube Canadian prankster group Nelk Boys, are currently sought after by police.

Speaking about one of the persons involved, Devers said, “He wanted me to drop his car. I told him it would be $125. Or if he didn’t want to pay the $125 to drop, he could come pick it up

from the yard.”

As a result of that confrontation, Devers was bloodied and beaten.

“They busted my eye open. I had a bruise on my left shoulder, and they busted my forehead open,” he said.

“They came over, they surrounded me, I guess they figured, ‘Oh, well he’s outnumbered. He’s going to drop the car.’ Well they had a different story coming to them, I wasn’t dropping the car.”

Source: fox4news.com/news/fortworth-tow-truck-driver-assaulted

News Share

Tow Owner Protesting Non-Payment of Abandoned Tows In Egg Harbor Township, NJ, tow owner Lou Altobelli has been protesting to the township over non-payment for towing abandoned vehicles.

He says the township owes him at least $8000.

Altobelli, owner of Court House Towing in Rio Grande, has been in conflict with the township for four years.

Some of the cars Altobelli has towed have been sold by the township, and the profits from the sales have been added to the township’s general fund, but he has not been paid for his towing services, he said.

At a township committee meeting, he warned that treating

Lou Altobelli of Court House Towing.

the towing of disabled cars as a free service opens the door to corruption.

Source:pressofatlanticcity.com

New Television Tow Series New tow series, Hustle & Tow, premiered on A&E in April.

A&E has launched Hustle & Tow, a brand new series that focuses on the lives of tow truck drivers. The new episodes began airing on the cable channel on April 20th.

Hustle & Tow pops the hood to take a close-up look at America’s unsung essential workers who perform daily under extremely dangerous conditions, despite every imaginable encounter with unexpected terrain, wildlife and weather: tow truck drivers. These hard-working men and women respond to a massive array of calls from recovering stolen cars, to handling contentious impounds, clearing behemoth

big rig wrecks, rescuing families who have veered off the highway and much more.

Embedded with diverse shops and drivers in both rural and urban communities across the country, “Hustle & Tow” offers viewers a rugged “day-inthe-life” perspective on tow truck drivers, where, depending on the call, drivers can be hailed as heroes or labeled as villains. These drivers – part-mechanics and part-first responders – endeavor to keep the country mobile while moving from one call to the next to get the job done.

Source: tvseriesfinale.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Roadside Safety Commission Names Founding Members Seven tow industry stalwarts have been named to American Towman’s Roadside Safety Commission, Publisher Dennie Ortiz announced, as AT begins to build the brain trust that will proactively address the current state of roadside safety, what is and what isn’t being done to protect tow operators working the white line.

The Commission will consist of industry veterans. Justin Cruse is president of WreckMaster, the world’s foremost towing and recovery training organization. John Borowski, a tow business owner and operator for over thirty years is VP of Towing Programs for AutoReturn, the leading national dispatcher of police tows; he is also AT’s Safety Editor.

Tommy Anderson, a tow business owner for thirty years, is the founding, executive director of the Southwest Tow Operators, one of the nation’s largest tow associations.

Brian Riker, a tow operator for twenty-six years, is president of Fleet Compliance Solutions and a field editor for American Towman.

Veteran tow-business owner, Ron Meyer, and Spirit Rider, Mike Corbin, have also signed on to the American Towman Roadside Safety Commission. Meyer is president of Pine Tree Towing, running out of three Ohio cities: Cambridge, Caldwell, and Marietta. Meyer is a member of the Governor’s Ohio Traffic Safety Council and sits on the executive board of the Association of Professional Towers of Ohio. Meyer is also the lead-author of the industry’s first Quick-Clearance Certification program.

Mike Corbin led the legendary Spirit Ride through 310 cities across America, where he met with first responders and conducted ceremonies honoring their fallen. Corbin suffered serious injuries as a teenager when he was struck by a passing vehicle on the roadside, having stopped to help a motorist who was broken down. He is also known for recording the songs, The Road Calls and Booms in the Sky, which pay tribute to the tower’s heroism, dedication, and sacrifice.

Lastly, AT’s Operations Editor Randall Resch has been named to the Commission. A former police officer, Resch has been writing and conducting seminars about roadside safety issues for over four decades.

Today the problem of distracted drivers on phones has added to the dangers towers face, joining alcohol and drugs as primary culprits. About 100 towers and other first responders are killed annually working the roadside, struck by passing vehicles. “Individual tow business owners have been innovative with their practices, and progress on enforcing move-over laws has been slowly improving,” said Dennie Ortiz. She added that the progress has been ”too slow” while deaths and injuries keep mounting. “Our industry needs to be focused, all pulling on the same rope, toward actions that will reduce the risk for towers.”

American Towman will continue to name members to its Roadside Safety Commission. Ortiz will chair the Commission’s first in-person meeting in San Antonio, August 6th.

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 9

Road Tools Miller Industries adds the AutoGrip™ II Dock Stabilizer

Miller Industries Towing Equipment Inc. introduced a new dock stabilizer for the AutoGrip™ II underlift on Series 10, 12, & 16 car carriers. This new dock stabilizer adds additional support for the subframe of the car carrier during loading and unloading. Additionally, the dock stabilizer allows tow operators to adjust the height of the carrier bed to better line up with a loading dock. Traditionally, dock stabilizers are used in a loading dock situation to safely align the rear edge of the car carrier bed so that it overlaps the loading dock for a smooth transition during loading and unloading. The dock stabilizer also allows the application of slide-on rear spade attachments for added recoveries capabilities in the field. This new solution is available for all new car carrier orders with the Auto-grip™ II underlift and can be retrofitted to any existing second generation 10, 12, and 16-series car carrier at any of the many Miller Industries distributors across the globe.

Car carriers represent the highest volume and most popular style of towing unit on the road today.

Moving forward, this dock stabilizer expands usage abilities for car carriers outfitted with the Autogrip™ II underlift specifically in loading dock situations, such as freight and equipment transport.

MillerInd.com

16-Watt CREE LED Compact Work Light with Switch by Custer Products This is a 16-Watt Compact Flood Light (lens is 3” x 3”) with CREE LED’s.

It’s 1600 lumens and Class III Certified. Part Number is WL16FQ-SW

CusterProducts.com

• 16 Watts • 1600 Lumens • Die cast aluminum housing • Sixteen 1-Watt CREE LEDs • 10-30V operation • Waterproof switch • Flood Beam • Lens: 3” x 3” • Polycarbonate Lens • IP67 Waterproof Rating • 40 pieces per case • Class III Certified

RP Recovery’s Portable, Inflatable Light Towers

The Air Light series of inflatable light towers offered by RP Recovery Consulting is a dynamic solution for lighting up accident scenes for recovery work. The AirLights inflate in thirty seconds to ten foot in height (Airlight), twelve foot (Airlight Pro), and in one minute to fourteen foot tall (Airlight Pro Max). The light output ranges from 36,000 to 111,000 lumens.

The AirLight Pro series, two sizes of professional grade inflatable LED light towers, is a great solution for area lighting. Simply plug in power and the tower erects itself to cast light in all directions.The combination of direct and diffused light creates an amazing bright and soft lighting condition.The heavy-duty case and durable materials make for a reliable tool perfect for any type of night-time operation. The AirLight inflatable towers range from twenty-nine to seventy-two pounds.

The AirLight series is designed and manufactured in Cookeville, Tennessee by LTA Projects.

10 • May 2021 | Towman.com

RPRecovery.com

Road Tools The SL Slim from Command Light Command Light, a leader in emergency vehicle lighting, is introducing a new “slim” light tower design that joins Command Light’s existing Shadow Series lineup, featuring 4.5’ tower reach. The SL Slim marks Command Light’s narrowest design yet, making this light tower perfect for tight dunnage areas or high-side aerial compartments.

This new light tower touts Command Light’s patented (US Patent #5303621) movement, which allows the SL Slim to be raised and rotated into endless positions to illuminate dark ditches, mountain slopes and other terrain. The SL Slim is also able to overhang the side of a vehicle in Command Light’s exclusive streetlight position to light work areas and prevent shadows near the side of the apparatus. All Command Light towers deploy in less than 15 seconds with the push of a button, and the light tower stows just as quickly and easily with the unit’s one-touch auto-park feature. For a virtual demo of Command Light’s patented design.

CommandLight.com

TowMate MO-PRO

TowMate.com

Forget the chemical flares and leave the traffic alert strobe at home. Your MO-PRO replaces both of these items in an environmentally friendly way! The MO-PRO features a red/blue strobe, red/red strobe, amber/white strobe and white area fill light.

The MO-PRO mounts using our new magnetic power base. Not only is the MO-PRO waterproof and designed for use in rain, sleet and snow, but the MO-PRO is also shock resistant in case of accidental dropping.

The MO-PRO has a long-life lithium battery with a quick charge time to ensure it is ready for use at any time. With up to 16 hours of run time, the MO-PRO includes hard shell case, battery base and charge cord.

LIFETIME WARRANTY ON ELECTRONICS AND LEDs. MADE IN THE USA!

NightScan Spot from Will-Burt

The Night Scan Spot is a rotatable, remote-controlled LED light. The wireless remote allows the light to be remotely adjusted by the operator.

With a vertical tilt up of 70˚ and 45˚ tilt down and an infinite horizontal rotational range (clockwise and counterclockwise), The Night Scan Spot from Will-Burt allows for pantilt motion. Also equipped with a flashing alert feature, the remote-controlled LED light can be used to warn approaching motorists or pedestrians of potential hazards or help as needed. It can also be used with service vehicles to alert the on-coming vehicles there are people at work, and more.

The Night Scan Spot can be mounted on any flat surface: cab-roof, headache rack, tool box, etc.

Specs: • 6,720 Lumens • Operating Voltage – 10 - 30VDC • Power Consumption – 80W • Maximum Distance for Operating Remote Control – Up to 130 ft.

• Weight – 7 lbs. (3.2KG) • Remote Control Battery – (1) 23A battery (12V) • (2) Handheld Remote Controls Included • Height: 9.6 inches

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

NightScan.com AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 11

Tow Safety

Being Seen on Scene, The Basics of Good Lighting

By Brian J Riker

Brian J. Riker is a third-generation towman, with 26 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator, and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. He specializes in helping navigate the complex world of federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. He can be reached at brian.riker@fleetcompliancesolutions.net

W

orking alongside the highway during daylight with good visibility is dangerous enough.

Add in the darkness of night or inclement weather and the danger increases many times over. Proper selection and deployment of lighting products on your vehicles can help to mitigate some of these risks. There is so much more to lighting a work area than just throwing on some bright lights and calling it good enough.

Depending on the task at hand and the duration you expect to be on scene the choice of lighting products will change.

For the simplest of tasks basic lighting such as white colored work lights and amber (other colors as permitted by local laws) warning lights are sufficient, provided they are deployed correctly. For

12 • May 2021 | Towman.com

longer duration or more complex events a combination of devices is warranted.

Oftentimes I come upon a work zone or emergency response scene and am dismayed by the amount of lighting present and the disarray it has been deployed in. This chaos causes even a seasoned professional, someone that is fully aware of the dangers of approaching a roadside event, to become disoriented and distracted.

Less is more. Most emergency response agencies have lighting policies that direct their personnel to only activate the minimum number of lights required to effectively communicate their intention or the hazards present. This means that once the emergency vehicle has come to a stop and is parked along the roadway they reduce their lighting so that lights

◀

Will-Burt light tower illuminates scene.

are only directed where needed.

Studies have shown that turning off forward facing flashing lights, headlamps and other lighting features reduces the distraction of oncoming motorists when there is no need for the oncoming motorist to react. This is an important procedure to follow on all highways to prevent oncoming motorists from becoming distracted by your presence.

I have noticed a disturbing trend of installing hundreds of flashing or pulsating lights on trucks, often in locations where DOT required clearance or identification lamps should be. With the availability of inexpensive LED marker lights and other small footprint devices it has become easy to install these lights, yet one must ask, should these be used roadside or only for show when not working on the 14 • May 2021 | Towman.com

highway? I would say the latter is true, again following the concept of less is more I have found these lights to be personally distracting and confusing. It becomes hard to distinguish what type of vehicle or incident is ahead when there are lights mounted in non-traditional positions sending conflicting signals to a motorist’s brain.

Focus is fantastic. General work lighting should be focused in a manner that makes it effective yet keeps it from blinding traffic approaching from the direction the lighting is facing. This is very important with rear facing lights common on tow trucks and carrier decks. These lights are often stationary and other than on/off have no other user controllable functions. Consideration should be given to the most common position a vehicle is in when these are

activated, care must be taken not to activate these lights when they can or will blind traffic and they should only be activated when safe to do so. Consideration of the workers ability to see without being blinded by the work and warning lights is also critical to prevent injury.

Having work lights on multiple elevations (levels) at the rear of tow trucks and carriers is common today. It should be a standard specification to have the upper and lower level of these lights on separate on/off switches to allow the operator to only deploy the lights that are needed. Think about the potential for distraction or blinding of an approaching motorist from your lower work lights on a carrier as you raise the bed into the transport position. The lower lights are not needed beyond the initial approach and backup maneuver to position the carrier for loading, yet many operators leave them on for the entire loading process. As you tilt the bed up these lights are directly at eye level for the average motorist and could cause them to strike you or your vehicle due to momentary blindness.

When your budget allows, consideration should be given to remotely controlled lighting options. There are several great options on the market today for lights that can be controlled from within the cab to change their intensity and focus allowing the operator to put the light exactly where it is needed without worry for the safety of the workers or passing motorists. These remote controlled lighting products may even allow a truck to have fewer lighting devices yet have an overall more effective scene lighting footprint.

Color is cool. There is a belief among many towers that the color of their emergency warning

lights makes a difference in how the public perceives the hazard ahead.

Even where this may be true most states still restrict towers from using lighting colors other than amber (see American Towman May 2019). When multiple colors of emergency lighting are permitted it is important to only deploy these colors in compliance with the law. Always have a method to switch off the lighting in segments so as to allow for limited use when necessary or to prevent distraction when having the front or side facing lights activated.

Color does not only apply to emergency warning lights. Multiple color under body aka “area lights” can be deployed in a manner to provide extra illumination around the truck while also providing a noticeable difference to warn approaching motorists of your presence. It is important that this lighting, regardless of color, is not blinding and is a constant glow not a strobe or flashing effect.

Color also plays into the effectiveness of your work lights on scene. Some lighting products provide a more natural light that is easier on the eyes, especially when deployed for long periods of time. Lighting that emulates natural daylight helps prevent eye fatigue and allows for your personal protective equipment to really stand out in its natural colors.

Communication is key. Motorists have come to understand that certain light colors or specific patterns represent specific hazards.

Subconsciously most of us can recognize an ambulance from a great distance, long before we are close enough to read the lettering or see the vehicle design, simply because of the pattern of the emergency lighting.

This is by design. There are very specific lighting design specifications for ambulances, fire apparatus and police vehicles yet there isn’t one Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

definitive specification for towing, recovery or road service vehicle.

This is something that must be addressed by the industry however this article is not the place for such discussion.

Towers and road service personnel should make their best effort to use lighting in a way that identifies their presence and communicates the hazard and action they wish the motorist should take. Since we do not have a uniform lighting standard

for towing yet, one of the more effective methods to communicate this hazard is by using a variable message sign board. These devices come in many designs ranging from free standing towable devices to small fold-flat truck mounted devices perfect for very short duration events where a simple message must be communicated.

Combined with advance warning signs, flares and/or traffic cones a variable message sign may be more effective than dozens of

◀

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 15

flashing lights of various colors. I feel these are a must on a response truck for major incidents and should be seriously considered for road service and other traffic control vehicle.

Advanced warning is an absolute. All the warning lights in the world are not going to make you safe if the motorists do not have time to react to the hazard. This is why the most critical of all scene lighting is the lighting that can be seen from the greatest distance. Advance warning can be accomplished in many ways and the deployment chosen will vary with each unique scene. The common components of advance warning are what I want to touch on.

Portable, battery powered lighting has been available for many years. The technology has greatly improved to the point where these lights can provide many hours of light between charges. These devices come in many designs, some free standing and others designed to attach to traffic cones or signs. I personally like having flashing lights mounted on both early warning signage and a few traffic cones near the work zone. It is simple to stop and deploy a few of these devices as you approach the scene.

When I was actively working as a tower the first thing I did, after securing the occupants of the disabled vehicle, was install my tow lights at the rear of the vehicle if I was going to prep the vehicle for towing. This allowed me to have some advance warning light, especially important with larger vehicles that may block the warning lights on my tow truck. I would then properly deploy other remote warning lights, flares, signs or reflective triangles as needed.

While on the subject of advanced warning, for long 16 • May 2021 | Towman.com

duration events, deploying a few portable light towers may be called for. These towers can be placed at the beginning of the work area to help illuminate the change in traffic pattern as well as throughout the work area to provide a more uniform illumination for the safety of the workers and the motorists. Portable light towers are universally associated with road construction and other special activities so it is my opinion that motorists may react to

clear work lights built into hats and headbands as well as flashing red warning lights clipped to my safety vest for years and have found them to be some of the most effective safety technology available.

Something is better than nothing. As I travel across the nation, something I do weekly, I am saddened by the number of towing and road service operators I witness using no warning lights, advance warning devices, work lighting or even reflective clothing. Often

Portable light towers are

universally associated with road construction and other special activities so it is my opinion that motorists may

react to the presence of these light towers better than they do to multiple flashing colored light.

the presence of these light towers better than they do to multiple flashing colored lights.

Safety is in fashion. Wearable warning lights have been available for decades although with the advent of flexible LED lighting strips it seems imagination is the only limiting factor today.

Combining well placed wearable lighting products, both colored warning lights and clear work lights, with reflective safety apparel is a smart decision. Not only does wearable work lighting reduce the need for potentially distracting bright scene lighting it also helps assure the light is exactly where the worker requires it – in front of their eyes and focused on what they are looking at. I have personally used

they are working with nothing but their truck’s hazard flashers and a handheld flashlight. I believe this is even more dangerous than the overly lit scenes I mentioned at the top of this article.

I understand that not everyone has the budget to purchase the latest and greatest products but there are many budget conscious devices that are effective on the market today. At least have a basic light bar that functions with user selectable front and rear flashing amber light options, a basic white work light and a few flares, cones or portable flashing lights. Even simply setting a wireless tow lightbar to the rear of the scene, even for road service calls, can provide some protection.

Bottom line, lighting is an

Lighting Advertisers Custer Products........................ see p. 60 RP Recovery.............................. see p. 28 TowMate.................................... see p. 34 Will-Burt Company.................... see p. 27 excellent tool for worker safety when used properly.

Less is usually the best choice provided the selected lights provide the flexibility to focus their output only where it is required. Place yourself in the shoes of the average motorist when designing your lighting upfit for your next response vehicle. Just because you know what you are attempting to say, or what you believe the lighting color/pattern choice will convey, does not mean the average motorist will understand.

Humor me with a little experiment. Try asking friends and family from outside the emergency responder community to evaluate your warning and work lighting choices and provide feedback. I bet you will be shocked how often the intent of our emergency and work scene lighting is misunderstood or found to be blinding, distracting or otherwise confusing.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 17

Lighting

Light towers are a critical component to night-time recovery work.

Let There Be Light!

By David Cotsmire

L

Note: David Cotsmire is VP of Marketing and Customer Service for Will-Burt Night Scan HDT light towers.

Will-Burt is known worldwide for its light tower products.

ight towers are the ultimate tools when it comes to lighting up an accident scene or job site. The advent of the LED light allowed light tower manufacturers the ability to offer what was once only able to be installed on a fire truck with a full-size generator to be customized for the specific needs of the tow professional who works every day and night. A misconception about light towers is that they are too big or expensive for anything other than the outfit that has heavy wreckers and rotators. Thanks to the lightweight and compact design of folding light towers they can be used on any vehicle that has a roof! The roof surface on a standard rollback has more than enough area for a lightweight folding light tower.

What benefits does a Night Scan HDT deliver? Simply put, it provides more light from a higher height. Break it down a bit further - light from a higher point allows the illumination to be focused and spread over a wider area. This gives you more coverage and provides a safer work site. Also, the light from this higher

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

vantage will not blind you. The light is created from above like the sun. This is also important if you are working a traffic scene, it will not blind oncoming traffic.

A light tower also gives you the ability to rotate and tilt the lights, so you can focus on the location that you need regardless of the position of the truck or boom. Higher end light towers offer the ability to control two banks of light separately so that you can cast the light a full 360°.

Light towers are available in two basic configurations: folding, which are designed to be installed on a flat surface and vertical which requires less surface area to install and are typically available in higher heights.

Lights typically come in pairs to balance the load and disbursement of light.

A light tower gives you the ability to take on nearly any job at night. We have seen examples of house demolitions, moving heavy equipment and providing emergency lighting for municipal emergencies. A light tower, which is always with the vehicle, frees an operator from relying on the fire

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 19

department or a second crew with a tow behind light trailer both of which can cost extra money or be unreliable. Let’s face it, you are always the last to leave the scene.

The light towers’ safety benefits are obvious. You can see to perform the job in near daylight conditions AND most importantly, oncoming traffic will be able to see you.

Will-Burt light tower positioned to shine on the recovery not highway traffic.

Light from a

higher point allows the

illumination to be focused and

spread over a wider area. This gives you more coverage and

provides a safer work site.

Not so obvious are the various ways you can make more money. Some states allow the use of a light tower to be charged as auxiliary equipment necessary for the job. We have heard that some charge up to $250 / hour, but many are more in the $250-$500 range / job. Another way is to take on jobs that are more easily done at night when there is less traffic on the road.

Moving heavy equipment or demolition jobs are common.

Light towers can be installed as part of the original truck build or as a retrofit.

The installation is straight forward, and most shops can install a tower in a day or less - there is a good chance you can install it yourself if you are mechanically inclined. A light tower is an investment that will pay off by giving you safer working conditions, enabling you to do the job more efficiently and enabling you to make more money.

20 • May 2021 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 21

Classifying RECOVERY Work

By Steve Calitri and John Borowski

Y

ou know those TV reporters who stand in the wind and rain talking about the hurricane hitting land. Imagine if their union negotiated their hazard pay based on the established category of the hurricane. Those out there during a Category Five hurricane would be earning the optimal pay. Well, the Recovery Classification Standard presented here was created with the categorization of hurricanes in mind as a general model. Towers, like those reporters, have no choice but to work outdoors in all conditions. What are the elements that classify the severity of a storm? Well, what are the elements that classify the level of risk and challenge of a recovery, is the question we answer in this presentation.

22 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Tow work, regulated or not, is easily defined, and parameters one uses to set tow rates are relatively simple. This is not the case with Recovery work. Not only does Recovery take more training and skill than towing a vehicle, but the risks associated with the conditions of terrain, weather, and other hazards grow more acute. A tow involves a vehicle upright on its wheels on a road or pavement. A Recovery involves a vehicle or heavy object not on its wheels, not upright, perhaps in a ditch, down a slope or cliff, in a river or lake, leaning precariously on a rock or tree, or caught in countless other predicaments. The work is inherently dangerous. Add inclement weather and it is more dangerous.

There has been a great disparity of rates among towers all over the country for Recovery work. A disparity in tow work will be in two digits; in Recovery work the disparity will be in four or five digits.

In these instances, a tower may be more or less accurate about the costs entailed for a job. The attitude on billing and making a profit may be different from one tower to the next.

What amount of money one tower figures he needs to make may be far from the amount another tower figures, all for various reasons.

There has never been a standard guideline characterizing recovery work that would support an itemized invoice. There are methods of how to price a job; per truck, per hour or price per pound. Some towers have created a flat fee for different kinds of jobs as a minimum charge. Still, there has never been a standard way of defining a job as it affects the charge, taking in the most critical aspects of the work.

The Standard Classifications sheet being proposed here takes in critical elements that should be considered in the fee for any recovery job. You will see it even will apply to a basic tow.

Many towers do, and many do not, take into consideration the factors listed in each Class, as detailed here.

This sheet offers a standard way at defining a job. It does not tell the tow business owner what rate to charge.

It tells he or she what the percentage of surcharge is warranted given the class of the recovery.

This sheet offers guidance to those who may need it, and support to the most professionally detailed invoices.

If you have a detailed, itemized invoice, and you’ve surcharged for things like inclement weather, difficult terrain, hazmat, what-haveyou, this Recovery Classification Sheet may be attached, showing support for these surcharges. With

Standard Tow & Recovery Job Classifications

(based on conditions at the scene and levels of risk and hazards to operators)

Inclined terrain would categorize this recovery as Class 3.

this sheet attached, it isn’t only your company saying you are justified for upcharging, it’s the industry standard, sanctioned by industry-wide organizations.

A few of the items bear discussion.

Under Class 1, note the item: Law Enforcement Traffic Control Present. If there is no police officer or trooper on the scene to help protect the tow operator from passing traffic, even the simplest breakdown could be a Class 2 tow or recovery. This standard states you are warranted to increase your charge by 50%. This item also sets the framework for using your own traffic-control vehicle and operator and charging for it.

If a vehicle is broken down on a road inclined 30 degrees or more, it poses greater difficulty and risk. This makes it a Class 2 incident, whether it is being just towed or it needs to be recovered. It too warrants a surcharge of 50% on the total amount.

Most of the items listed need little or no explanation to the experienced tow operator. Two more items may need explanation to some.

First: Nights, Holidays, Weekends. Most service businesses will not come out on these days and may not be at all available. Some will come out in an emergency.

The customer will be charged for it. If a tow boss values the mental health and spirits of his or her operators, he will value the time they need to spend with family, or any kind of time off. Towers who work these days should be paid a premium wage, and to do so the business must charge extra.

The last item to point out is listed in Class 4: Trapped or pinned victims or bodies. Work involving trapped victims calls for courage and skill under pressure. Liabilities come into play in such circumstances, and the operator is doing more than just recovery on a machine. Many modest and honest towers would not think to surcharge for this, but the standard we present her states it is warranted to surcharge the total by as much as 200%.

Read over the classifications list shown here. We encourage you to email us your comments. Email scalitri@ towman.com and Johnborowski@comcast.net.

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Class 1 standard rates apply • Tow or Recovery with usual risks • Level ground • Fair to clear weather • Law Enforcement Traffic control present Class 2 50% increase of rates is warranted • Inclement weather: rain, fog, snow, high winds, extreme cold or heat • Nights / Holidays / Weekends • N o Law Enforcement Traffic control present • Incident on an elevated bridge • Vehicle is down on a plane inclined or declined 30 degrees or more • Vehicle is resting in precarious position • Flammable (high flash point) • Illicit discharge (fluid spill) Class 3 100% increase of rates is warranted • In water (lakes, ponds, rivers, ocean) • Inclined or declined embankment • Utility hazards present (gas, electric, propane, etc.)

Class 4 200% increase of rates is warranted • Explosives • Hazmat • Chemicals • Flammable (low flash point) • Trapped or pinned victims or bodies Class 5 300% increase of rates is warranted • Nuclear or Radioactive Only one listed condition is required to define the incident classification.

Example of rate change from an invoice starting at $5000.00 and increasing with each incident class. Four-hour minimum charge for a Recovery is standard.

Note: This Standard may be applied to any towing & recovery job with just fees. This Classification method does not and cannot characterize whether a company’s basic tow and recovery rates are fair and just, high or low. An individual tow-business owner sets rates upon many factors: the cost of equipment, providing emergency service, dispatch, and fielding trained operators being but a few of the many cost factors involved. One company’s basic rates may be justifiably different than another company’s rates.

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 23

Tow Boss

The Professional Recovery Operator

By Justin Cruse

Justin Cruse is president of WreckMaster, the world’s leading towing and recovery training organization.

R

esilience is the word that comes to mind when I think about today’s recovery professionals. In this industry, you must be able to adapt and recover quickly from the challenges that come your way. Don’t forget that it is critical that you are able to back it up with the technical ability to get the job done.

Many veteran operators will tell you that towing is in their blood but if you dig a little deeper you will find that they have a strong work ethic and a desire to help others. I have also noticed their commitment to family; this could be a natural result of a generational industry, but I believe that this is a true reflection of their character. Our industry is made up of good people and in my opinion, they cherish their family because they constantly must leave them when they respond to the call.

The generation of operators that built this industry lived by that call; they took great pride in responding to that call, because they knew that they were making a difference. They shouldered this responsibility at all hours of the night and in all weather conditions. They did this knowing that their workday would not end at 5pm and usually, their obligations would extend well into the night.

We choose to refer to them as highway heroes because they set their needs aside to help the motoring public get back home to their family. They put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that our roadways are cleared as quickly, and as safely as possible.

If only the public would judge them by the contributions and the sacrifices they make, rather than of the stereotype that we as an industry, are trying to break.

Changing the way the world looks at the towing industry has been an uphill battle but through our resiliency as an industry, we will one day make sure our highway heroes receive the appreciation and the respect that they so rightfully deserve.

24 • May 2021 | Towman.com

THE DANGERS OF RECOVERY WORK

Ask any experienced operator to tell you about their favorite recovery job and you will see their eyes light up. The raw passion for recovery lives deep in the heart of today’s recovery professionals and woven throughout these stories you will uncover some important lessons.

There are countless dangers that recovery professionals must be aware of at the scene of an accident, especially when working on a busy highway. If you want to have a long career in this industry you must be mentally present and constantly assessing the dangers around you. This is why it is critically important to ensure you have the knowledge and competency to perform the task you are sent to do.

One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects about this career is the variety of situations that you will find yourself in. These situations will pose varying degrees of risk. Any given call can put you down a slope or even a cliff. You may find yourself in a river waist high in the current. The sun isn’t always shining. A storm may be swirling around you. Icy roads may make for treacherous footing.

Look around, power lines may be down.

You can find yourself stretched beneath a vehicle and trying to lay straps round a car perched in a precarious situation.

The career, recovery professional will face countless dangers on the job.

The work always requires caution, because as you develop more experience is it easy to find yourself slipping into a habit.

Therefore, the best advise that a veteran operator can provide to a new apprentice is never take on a job that exceeds your capabilities and always stay within ratings of your equipment. Most importantly, when working on a busy highway always be aware of your surroundings and keep your attention focused towards

◀

oncoming traffic.

These recovery professionals are a committed group of operators, but their qualities are also hard to find and even harder to attract

to this industry. Therefore, if you consider yourself to be a recovery professional; I must ask you “What are you doing to attract individuals like you, to this industry?”

RECRUITING THE OPERATOR OF TOMORROW

The industry-wide recruitment problem poses a significant risk to the future of the towing and recovery industry. Every day, towing company owners submit job postings with the hopes of attracting operators that are eager to learn and have strong work ethics. Historically, our industry was able to fill these positions but in today’s market it is becoming more and more difficult.

We could point the blame on the applicants considering a career change, but then we would not have any control over the outcome.

Instead, if we own the problem, we are much more likely to contribute to the solution. The obvious way to attract higher caliber operators is to offer a more competitive wage.

But we also need to provide

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26 • May 2021 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 27

them with the tools they need to feel supported in their role and to ensure that they make it back home to their family at the end of their shift.

Imagine the day when our industry can promote towing and recovery as a career option for tomorrow’s trades people.

Just think how we could promote working with the coolest equipment in the world, in all kinds of challenging environments.

Only the hardest working and

28 • May 2021 | Towman.com

most resilient operators will be considered… Who’s in?

The first question from the crowd, “What is the pay like?

– Well, it’s a combination of hourly and commission-based compensation so it depends on how hard you want to work.” The next question, “What are the hours like? – Well, you are typically on call, and expected to work some evenings, weekends and even holidays.” Lastly a hand at the back goes up, “Is it a dangerous

job? – Unfortunately, yes, we lose 1 operator every 6 days as a result of on the job fatalities.”

If we want to change this narrative, we must protect our front-line workers; provide a better work life balance and increase compensation to attract the trades people of tomorrow.

Today’s young adults are ideal candidates for our industry, but we encounter a roadblock when attempting to add them to the corporate insurance policy. Most insurance carriers will require that new operators meet a minimum age and have a clean driving record with a minimum amount of experience.

These young, hardworking and resilient operators could very well become the recovery professionals of tomorrow but how do they achieve the minimum amount of experience if we can’t hire them to establish this experience?

If we want our insurance partners to consider operators in this age category, then we must change the way we onboard these prospects. Just imagine if we could deliver a comprehensive inhouse training program that includes a documented apprenticeship period and is backed by the telematics that validates it is working?

We have been working with a proactive group of individuals that are gathering the data to support a program like this and we want to hear from the companies in this industry that are leading the way. If you are a company that is focused on the future of our industry, please email me at jcruse@wreckmaster.com to get involved.

The towing community has a promising future in incident management and regardless of the challenges we face today; if we stick together and help one another, there is nothing that we can’t accomplish.

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 29

Frigid BLACK RIDGE Recovery

By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

“I utilized the sling shot technique to load the RV trailer, “which had completely separated from the rolling chassis/frame.”

30 • May 2021 | Towman.com

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

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

E

stablished in 1994, Mountain Towing & Recovery, based in Cedar City, Utah, is owned and operated by Wayne Hall.

The company utilizes over 30 local independent repair facilities to deal with foreign or domestic vehicles, gas or diesel, auto, light truck, RV, or semi. They also have mobile gas and diesel repair, mobile tire service and Sunday service available to get motorists back on the road in Utah. They handle light, medium, and heavy towing, 4×4 off road recovery, and FAA licensed A&P aircraft recovery and also utilize owner/operator drivers to get any job done.

At 10:55 am on a Sunday morning in January, Mountain was called by the Utah Highway Patrol dispatch. Wayne informed, “We were told that a truck and trailer had rolled over blocking...

They had no description as it was mile post 37 southbound 20 plus miles south of Cedar City.”

Wayne decided to muscle up, so he and his crew responded with two medium-duty 16-ton wreckers, a 1975 Chevrolet C-65 with Holmes 600 and 1995 GMC Topkick 7500 with Holmes 616 and a 1992 International 4800 factory 4x4 with an industrial 20,000-pound 24-foot roll back. Justin Mosher operated the 1975 Chevy, Jeff Rexrode operated the 1992 International and Wayne the Topkick.

When the Mountain crew arrived on scene they saw the silver Dodge pickup and RV trailer on their side blocking the road. They were told that a retired couple from Enoch, Utah, a town adjacent to Cedar City, had been driving the pickup when they lost control and rolled it and the RV trailer they were towing. The couple were taken by ambulance to Cedar City Hospital.

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 31

The RV trailer off of the industrial rollback on the ground back at Mountains lot being rigged to upright.

The RV trailer uprighted and on a razor trailer attached to the rear of the 1979 Chevrolet K-30 4×4 with a Holmes 500 twin boom wrecker and headed back to the accident scene. A razor trailer is a one-person ground-loading trailer.

Wayne lead the crew with rigging and briskly clearing lanes in the frigid cold. First they rigged to the undercarriage of the pickup, winched it back over onto its wheels and towed it off the road. Then they uprighted the RV rolling chassis/frame and towed it off the road. Wayne said, “I utilized the sling shot technique to load the RV trailer, which had completely separated from the rolling chassis/frame.”

They wound up with a fourth truck on this job, a 1979 Chevrolet K-30 4×4 with a Holmes 500 twin boom wrecker. Wayne explained, “When Jeff Rexrode took our industrial rollback back to the yard with the trailer box, I had him jump in the 1979 Chevy and head back to the accident scene to tow the trailer frame with a razor trailer attached to the rear.”

Wayne stated, “It was nice to work with our Washington County crews on this Sunday morning wreck in the frigid cold of Black Ridge.”

32 • May 2021 | Towman.com

I utilized the sling shot technique to load the RV trailer, which had completely separated from the rolling chassis/frame.

Tow hooks and chains are hooked under the RV rolling chassis/frame.

AD INDEX Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................55 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................53 AT Expositions...............................S 71, M 69 AT Originals......................................... 46-47 AT ShowPlace Las Vegas............................61 Austin Insurance....................................M 70 Captain Recoery....................... S, M 70, W 75 Chevron Commerical..................................59 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip. Sales................41 Custer Products.........................................60 Donnie Cruse Recovery Awards..................57 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers...................54 East Coast Truck & Trailer................... N, S 67 Edgetec.................................................W 75 Elizabeth Truck Center................................27 ESTRA Tow Show................................... N 68 Fayetteville Ford.........................................39 Ford Truck....................................................3 GSI Tow Truck Insurance.........................W 72 G. Stone Commercial.............................. N 70 Guniwheel Distributed by LKQ................ N 69 Hawkeye Truck & Wrecker......................W 70 Int’l Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame..........33 Intek Leasing.............................................60

34 • May 2021 | Towman.com

May 2021

ITI..............................................................26 Jerr-Dan Corp..............................................2 Joyride......................................................29 Len Zermenos............................................29 Lodar USA..................................................58 Matjack Jumbo Safelift....... Inside Back Cover McMahon Truck Center...........................M 67 MercurySend.com..........................N, S, M 68 Metrocom..................................................54 Midco Sales...........................................W 73 Miller Industries...........................................7 Mobile Control Systems..............................40 New England Truckmaster...................... N 69 North American Bancard.............................25 Northeast Wrecker Sales........................ N 71 Nottingham Insurance............................ N 71 OMG Tow Marketing...................................21 Pacific General Insurance.......................M 71 Peak Auto Auction......................................21 Peak Wrecker Sales................................W 71 Performance Advantage Company..............17 Recovery Billing Unlimited..........................53 RimSling....................................................17 RP Recovery..............................................28

SafeAll Products.........................................18 Santander Bank........................... Back Cover Sea Crest Insurance Agency...................W 70 Select Truck & Equipment.......................M 71 Sierra Pacific Insurance..........................W 68 Smyrna Truck & Cargo................................57 Towbook Management Software.................13 Tow Brokers Insurance.................. S 69, W 67 TowXpo San Antonio............................. 35-37 Tow Industries........................................W 72 TowMate....................................................34 Trail King Industries....................................26 Trucks for Sale..................... N, S, M 72, W 76 Truck Source..........................................W 68 Urgent.ly....................................................59 Utility Trailer Sales S.E. TX......................W 73 Warn Industries............................................5 West End Service.......................................40 Will-Burt Company.....................................27 Winches Inc...........................................W 71 Wrecker Warehouse...............................W 69 XINSURANCE..........................................M 69 Zip’s/AW Direct....................................15, 20

Beacons

On!

AR’s New CEO Knows Real-Time Towing

By Steve Calitri

Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com

Note: Editor-in-Chief Steve Calitri interviewed Jerry Carnahan by phone in April for this article.

J

erry Carnahan’s background and experience was tailor made for the job he’s taken on as the new CEO of AutoReturn (AR), known by towers as a national dispatcher of police tows; as Carnahan details it, “the nation’s leading provider of a full-service, lawenforcement, towing management solution for municipalities.” AR’s tow-management system combines leading edge technology with 24/7 support to keep law enforcement, dispatchers, towing companies, and citizens connected from dispatch to impound. This system, says Carnahan, has proven to reduce crash-scene, tow-truck response times by two-thirds to an average of twelve minutes.

Carnahan grew up in the towing business, operating trucks for his father in Great Falls, Montana. Jerry’s “little brother,” Mel, runs Carnahan’s Towing today and “Dad still operates a truck and goes on calls at age eighty-seven,” said Carnahan, knowing full well how towing can get into one’s blood.

Carnahan’s resume covers law enforcement, towing, incident management, and risk management. He was a Secret Service agent at age twentyone on President Jimmy Carter ’s detail.

When he left the Secret Service, Carnahan became an adjustor for Farmers Insurance and led its towing program. Later, he was a deputy sheriff in Weber County Utah, involved with accident scenes and disabled vehicles. Adding to his incident management credentials, he served five years with Metro Las Vegas’ Critical Incident Review Team.

Carnahan began consulting with AutoReturn in 2016.

Eventually, AutoReturn’s founder, John Wicker, decided that Carnahan had some important bonafides for running a towing-technology company that served law enforcement and municipalities; he saw that Carnahan could contribute to

38 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Jerry Carnahan

AutoReturn’s success in a big way. So Wicker made a shrewd executive decision; he handed the helm to Carnahan.

Meanwhile he continues to be involved in planning for the company’s future as AutoReturn’s chairman.

AutoReturn is now contracted with over thirty cities, counties and states in the U.S., plus, Rome, Italy. Its responsibilities to both the municipalities and towing operations are unique in this industry.

Some towers over the past ten years have been misinformed regarding AutoReturn, assuming AutoReturn’s business model was similar to that of a motor club. But the two models couldn’t be more polar opposite. AutoReturn does not set rates and the more calls dispatched the merrier; AutoReturn’s revenue is driven by the number of calls it dispatches and the more the tower makes the more AutoReturn makes.

Still, the wrong a s s u m p t i o n s persisted around how AutoReturn operated.

AutoReturn would drive down non consensual tow rates, the misinformed towers feared.

“AutoReturn never sets rates that towers are paid,” Carnahan said. Towers interviewed by American Towman over the past several years have been okay with rates paid to them through AutoReturn. In some cases those rates were higher than paid before AutoReturn came onto the scene.

The second fear among those who towed for the police was that AutoReturn would come into a city and mess with an established rotation list. Over the years these fears have largely proven unfounded.

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Brother, Mel Carnahan (inset) and Dad, Gene Carnahan, circa 2017.

As to the issue of upsetting an established rotation in a city, Carnahan has this to say, “We don’t want to upset the status quo. For example, if a city has four towers in the rotation and it’s working well and the city is happy with that, we take that approach.”

One of the specific tower

concerns had been that AutoReturn would flood an area by adding more towers to a rotation list and dispatch strictly to the truck closest to the breakdown, overriding the tower who was up on the rotation.

“The law enforcement agency,” says Carnahan, “determines if

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 39

the call goes rotation, closest to the scene or a hybrid model. We can and do work with all three. Some use closest to scene to speed response, some prefer rotation and a few use rotation and closest to dispatch with a priority call when they want the vehicles cleared quickly.

The facts prove a model allowing a closest to dispatch can drastically improve response times, but, as I have said, we work with whichever model the city requires.”

‘The city,’ says Carnahan, “besides managing the tow rates, sets the service level requirements.”

AutoReturn provides the cities a quantified level of accountability. “AutoReturn measures everything,” said Carnahan. “And we provide comprehensive data on service performance. Response times are critical for reducing secondary crashes and saving lives.”

Carnahan believes that AutoReturn and towers have mutual interests and AutoReturn has been a positive force for towers in the cities they dispatch for. “In my estimation,” said Carnahan, “the biggest issues facing towers is spiraling costs, unfair competition and unprofessional tow operations.

We strive to help communities run smoothly by connecting law enforcement, towers and vehicle owners to keep traffic moving and officers and tow truck operators safe.”

40 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Up Cliff the

By Josh Mast

42 • May 2021 | Towman.com

142 feet from the cliff to ocean floor.

O

n February 12th, 2021 a geo stabilization company was contracted with Oregon DOT to reinforce and stabilize the narrow portion of highway 101 on the cliffs, seventeen miles north of Florence, OR. The machine was a Komatsu 200 c with an air compressor and drill unit on the end of stick; to bore and insert threaded pins into the rock face of the cliffs and anchor the highway in the places it was sliding. During installation one of the old historic retaining walls collapsed, the highway gave way and the machine weighing 60,000 pounds, and the operator, tumbled 142 feet down the cliffs to the ocean floor below.

The waves were hitting the tracks on the machine and high tide was not even for four more hours.

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 43

Mast Bros. was contacted by the general manager of the company after being referred by a number of people and crane companies for the recovery. Over the next few weeks the company engineers, ODOT and others had to reinforce and stabilize the road prior to us retrieving the unit. After the collapse on February 12th the highway was closed entirely from 7am to 7pm with only one lane open with 24 hour flagging for local residents that had to get home.

After a few weeks of road prep the company contacted us again and had me come look at the repairs and see if it was suitable for the large trucks to recover the unit. We made plans to upright, and prep the unit for removal on February 25th. We arrived in the morning at 7am and began the prep work, 44 • May 2021 | Towman.com

removed the compressor unit from the rear in order to gain access for attachment points, and unbolted the drill head for the steep near-

placing a strap on the rocks beyond the machine, hanging the block off it, then connecting the line to the upper track rail. This pulled the

Winds were at 60 miles per hour on the peak of the cliffs and it was hailing sideways. We decided to come back after the storm passed. vertical incline it had to go back up. Hydraulic hoses were wrapped and secured in place, loose items strapped to the unit.

We uprighted the unit by

unit down to its tracks, we then secured the lines to the back and turned the machine in line with the rock cliffs to complete the removal the following day.

It was nearing dark and we had to have all the trucks disconnected and the road clear by 7pm. We made the decision to return the following morning to finish the removal but upon arrival a storm had come in that night and the high surf advisory was making conditions hazardous; the waves were hitting the tracks on the machine and high tide was not even for four more hours. Winds were at 60 miles per hour on the peak of the cliffs and it was hailing sideways.

We decided to come back after the storm passed. On February 27th we left our base shop at 5:30am, arrived on scene just before 7am and had to wait for ODOT to close the road. The weather was decent and we began set up. Trucks were placed into position, lines were pulled out and connected back to the rigging that we left in place. We began pulling on the machine at 9am and at 12:30pm the unit landed on the highway. We spent the next few hours bringing debris out and loading the machine onto our Versamax trailer.

We arrived back home and unloaded by 7:43pm.

About Mast Bros Mast Bros Enterprise, Inc. covers an area of almost 8,000 square miles from six locations up and down the Oregon coast, operating 26 trucks.

UNITS (page 42):

• Lower wrecker: 2002 Kenworth T2000 325” wheelbase with a Vulcan 940 recovery unit 45 ton primary and 35 ton secondary winches • Middle wrecker, positioned parallel: 2018 Peterbilt 567, 373” wheelbase twin steer 5 axle with a Jerr-Dan 50/60 hdl 1000 jfb rotator unit with 50k primary winches, 25k secondary winches and a 35k drag winch • T op unit: 1995 Peterbilt sleeper 305” wheelbase with a Jerr-Dan hdl 600 /350 30 ton wrecker unit • Further down the road Mast used a 1999 Kenworth T2000 tractor with a 2020 versa max 50 ton, 53 ft extendable trailer to load the machine and parts to transport back to the yard.

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 45

Wisconsin

Winter wreck

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

48 • May 2021 | Towman.com

A harsh Wisconsin winter leads to severe road conditions and multiple semi accidents.

O

n February 1st, 2021 Lanser Garage & Towing was called by the Wisconsin State Patrol for a wrecked tractor-trailer. Third generation tower Jamon Ingelse advised, “This was an empty T/T unit out on I43 northbound at 138 MM in Cleveland, Wisconsin. The Volvo tractor tandem bent 90° to the cab around a tree. The trailer stayed attached.”

A Century 9055 50-ton, front, and a Vulcan V100 50-ton, in back, teamed up on the recovery.

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 49

Jamon responded with his 2009 Mack with a Vulcan V100 50-ton equipped with a SP850 Side Puller unit, along with operator Scott Winkle in their 2018 Mack with a Century 9055 50-ton and operator Hunter Gottschalk with their 2018 IHC 12 Series rollback.

Jamon informed, “This accident happened two days prior to us doing the job in negative temperatures and wind chill to -40 degrees. Multiple semi accidents were left to do scheduled recoveries throughout the entire county in cooperation/ coordination with the Wisconsin State Patrol, Manitowoc Sheriffs and Highway departments.

Recovery day had a high temperature below zero.”

The semi was northbound and due to wind, ice and blinding conditions lost control, slid down the hill jack-knifing and hit the tree on the passenger side ahead of 50 • May 2021 | Towman.com

the tandem. At the point of impact the tandem bent 90° around the tree with the trailer still attached behind the tree. The entire unit was approximately 60 feet down a hill with the trailer parallel to the interstate.

traffic to be in the correct position to remove the wreck from the tree and be in the right position to tow back to Lanser’s holding facility.

“The V100 was rigged to the front axle area and to the fifth wheel area with separate lines to straighten the

This accident happened two days prior to us doing the job in negative temperatures and wind chill to -40 degrees.

The Lanser recovery team positioned the Century 9055 forward of the wreck to winch out after it was removed from the tree.

The Vulcan V100 turned around and faced the opposite direction of

Volvo out and “unwrap” it from the tree,” said Jamon. “After it was cleared of the tree, our 9055 rigged to winch the unit to the interstate as the V100 stayed hooked to the fifth wheel plate area and re-rigged

the second line to the rear of the trailer.”

As the entire unit approached the interstate the Vulcan V100 winched the rear of the trailer onto the shoulder of the interstate. They used the Century 9055 to separate the units and re-positioned to tow the trailer. The V100 then backed up to the rear of the Volvo.

Using a cutoff saw, the crew removed broken, bent and twisted metal and plastic to assist with the tow to Lanser’s.

The Volvo was chained together from the rear tandems to the transmission cross members with support blocking under cross members and frame rails to make

it possible to keep it together during transport.

Jamon explained, “The unit was towed approximately 35 miles to our storage/holding facility where a salvage yard contracted through the insurance came and cut the unit into manageable pieces for transport to Minnesota.

Total time was 3 hours and only one lane was closed for this recovery. Great work with everyone involved.”

About Lanser Garage & Towing Inc Lanser Garage & Towing, based in Belgium, Wisconsin, was founded by George and Grace Lanser in 1951. The family owned company is currently owned by George’s daughter Donna and son-in-law, Randy Ingelse, with their son, Jamon Ingelse, representing the very involved third generation.

Lanser handles light- and heavy-duty towing and recovery, local and long distance and also offers forklift sales, rental and service. They are proud members of the Wisconsin Towing Associaton.

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

Once at the storage lot the tractor was cut from the trailer and all segments of the unit were transported to Minnesota

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 51

Chassis Chalkboard oard

I Test-Drive New Kenworths

By Randall 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.

Low Pro Class 5, Resch checks out steps and cab entry.

T

his narrative speaks to newgeneration, light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, where, on April 1st, 2021, I attended, Kenworth’s, “Editor’s Drive Event,” in Phoenix, AZ, sponsored by Kenworth Trucks.

CLIMB ABOARD

I reviewed five, brand spankin’ new Kenworth trucks suited to light, medium and heavy-class tow and transport operations, in a driving circuit that skirted Phoenix’s Convention Center. With a popularity explosion favoring flatbed carriers and medium-duty wrecker chassis’, I scrutinized (for you) each model carefully.

Although a Kenworth (prepped) wrecker and carrier weren’t available for review, I focused on obtainable cab and 52 • May 2021 | Towman.com

chassis’ details for industry applications.

My mission; to share an unbiased observation in-how these units’ best serve towers in light and medium-duty (tow) classes where commercial CDL’s aren’t required for trucks weighing less than 26,000 GVWR. When spec’ing cabs and chassis’, my selection criterion is: • Climb-ability entering/exiting cab • In-cab safety protection • Cab and seat comfort • Access to controls & steering • Front windshield/Mirrors and blind spots • E-Brake type/positioning • Engine/Transmission performance • Easily maintained • Drive and sway factor • Double-wrapped frames

SIZING IT UP

For this day’s editor reviews, five Kenworth models represented operational needs of light, medium and heavy-tow providers; specifically, Kenworth’s new T180 (low-profile), T280 and T380 chassis respectively. With the industry’s dramatic increase favoring heavier trucks getting the most, “bang for the buck”, it goes beyond TV commercials or drooling over a competitor’s truck.

With close scrutiny from a risk management standpoint, Kenworth’s re-designed ground-to-cab steps; configured to eliminate those oh-too-frequent stumble and fall claims common to drivers and riders.

Reacting to customer and owner input, the cab’s height was lowered two-inches (on certain models) with bottom-steps closer to ground surfaces, yet avoiding drag or snag.

The fuel tank’s D-shaped top step-tread was moved inward allowing for more “stepping-surface” atop the treads. True to driver and passenger safety were inside and outside (positioned) grab-handles promoting threepoint entry and exit.

All gauges and dash-features were, “ergonomically designed and positioned,” where over-reaching is no issue. Unfamiliar to me was the truck’s column-mounted gear-selector, but took only seconds to learn. In T280

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 53

and T380 models, I noted the dashmounted, air-activated emergency E-Brake-button was inches from the shifter. The smaller T180 utilized a floor mounted, “pull-style”, emergency brake handle.

Except for the big, T480V Industrial (mixer), all models had expansive; easy-to-open aerostyled hoods allowing easy access to systems and components. For pre-trip readiness, dipsticks, washer fluid and air-drier’s were prominently accessible inside the driver’s side front-well. For headlight-bulb replacement, access is behind the cab’s inner wheelwell to eliminate take-apart surgery when changing bulbs.

INSIDE OUT

Kenworth’s total fit-and-finish is high-quality and traditionally known to its global branding.

Comparably, the smaller, 19,500-

54 • May 2021 | Towman.com

GVWR low-profile, T180 stake-bed lacked (driver’s) air-ride seating with no air-seating capable of shaking the fillings from one’s teeth.

But, remember, a loaded truck is far smoother than an empty one.

While T180’s ride was irritatingly bumpy, its cab and appointments were of same high-quality as T280 and T380. By upgrading T180’s seating and its suspension … problem solved.

The heavier T280’s interior features and air-ride driver’s seating was extremely comfortable with fingertip control for (seat) adjustability.

The High-back driver’s seats had ample padding to decrease, “Numb-Butt”, common to too much time in-the-saddle.

Comparably, T180’s seating couldn’t match the comfort and support of T280’s air-ride seat.

For trucks with aerodesigned hoods, wide and

◀

T180 Stakebed.

massive windshields provided unobstructed forward views. From the seated position, visually, there’s no extended hood to block forward view; making it important that drivers remember, “There’s plenty of truck still out-front.”

And, because we all know it’s bound to happen, a three-piece, chromed, tear-away bumper with replaceable sides and center section is standard on certain models. For that driver who tends to get stuck, standard are front-end recovery eyelets on all models.

Trucks had tall and wide sidemirrors for rearward vision noting no obvious blind spots from the driver’s position. Mirrors could pull inward; a safety feature especially valuable for tower’s working on-highway events.

From the dash, virtual gauges were soothing and easy to read with switches and controls ergonomically positioned within driver reach.

Other likable features were storage cubbies across the dash, a solid mount for phones/tablets plus accessory plugs and USB ports.

Except for the T180 there was a Bendix, radar-based “fusion sensor” overseeing the truck’s position within roadway markings.

If the truck strayed outside its lane, an audible alarm alerts the driver to 56 • May 2021 | Towman.com

adjust positioning.

Not mandated for commercial trucks, missing was the presence of driver’s, passenger or sidemounted (crash) air-bags. I rested easy knowing the truck’s massive bumper, engine and nose delivers another important safety feature when considering flat-faced chassis’ versus conventional truck; solid frontal protection is my personal safety preference.

TRUCKS WITH GUTS

Kenworth’s, “tag-on systems”, allow easy marriage of tow, transport and recovery equipment.

Massive frame-rails provide a

T280 Class 6 Negotiating a u-turn.

solid platform for fitment mounts.

Extended frames are available to meet carrier and equipment (mounting) requirements.

I focused on whether or not systems could handle extended idle-times typical to loading and recovery events. All models had robust radiators and high-output alternators for better-than-efficient cooling and increased sustainability for powering strobes, flashers and emergency lighting. Electrical systems were well-wired allowing tow accessories and junction boxes to be added.

And, if you’ve got the itch, “for the bling”, chrome addons are available. Exterior paint colors are limited with certain models available in grey, white, crimson and, “Cerulean Silk Blue”, Kenworth’s most striking color, meaning, “heaven, sky”.

For heavier, two-car carrier (transport) capability, or wrecker (towing) configurations, my pick was Kenworth’s, T280 series, standard cab, Class 6 (GVWR’s 19,501 to 26,000).

Note: Lowpro T180’s wears 245/70R 19.5 Bridgestone tires versus T280’s taller, 295/75R 22.5 Continental’s.

The frame height (difference)

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 57

is noticeable and may challenge carrier load-angles.

For industry’s gearheads, Kenworth’s T280 series mediumduty (class) truck meets “lightduty” (industry) applications.

Power comes from an, “Award Winning”, 300 to 325-hp Paccar/ CUMMINS PX-7 engines and Paccar’s TX-8, eight-speed, automatic tranny. Kenworth’s, AG210L single-axle, 16k rear airride suspension creates a super smooth ride with SteerTek’s, 10k front-axle, providing solid and responsive steering. For snowbound states, four-wheel drive is available.

The T280’s heavier, two-car (capable) configuration makes transporting pickups, doubleloading police impounds, or delivering auction vehicles within load ratings. Especially true to todays’ heavier SUV’s and Urban Mom Mobiles, you’ll appreciate the T280’s heavier platform.

And, to complement, “recovery potential”, for carrier operations, I envision a carrier body and sidepuller device married to T280’s chassis. For wreckers, “more meat on the bones”, means wreckers stay in-place when heavy pull commences. Higher GVWR’s adds tow-ability while keeping necessary nose-weight allowing heaver vehicles to be towed with minimal effort.

58 • May 2021 | Towman.com

As in all of Kenworth’s, newgeneration trucks, there’s no getting’ around the, “dreaded DEF system”, (Diesel Exhaust Fluid); a system we’ve come to dislike. The

Designed with

comfort and ease in-mind, I give T280 double thumbs-up for ride, comfort and safety, including noting

recognizable performance differences

between 300 and 325-hp engines.

T180, 19,500-GVWR low-pro, has a smallish 5.5 gallon DEF tank, while the 26,000-GVWR, T280, has a larger 15-gallon tank. For clean-air states like California, “Certified Clean Air” stickers note their in-compliance status.

AT DAY’S END

As I was privileged to participate in this editor’s drive event, I’ll share that Kenworth’s commercial productline exceeded my requirements.

These trucks are, “Sure to wow”, savvy tow owners.

I found T280, “User-friendly”, to allow tow companies to work with increased style and efficiency.

Designed with comfort and ease inmind, I give T280 double thumbsup for ride, comfort and safety, including noting recognizable performance differences between 300 and 325-hp engines. I couldn’t resist, “stomping the accelerator pedal”, where PACCAR’s TX-8, eight-speed automatic transmission shifted seamlessly. Because auto-trans are user-friendly, the days of burned-up clutches are long gone.

It’s obvious my review favored the T280 for wreckers and carriers weighing up to 26,000-GVWR. For medium-duty selection at 33,000GVWR, T380 was beyond stout in-meeting higher GVWR needs.

T380 had the same rideability found in T280.

While I conclude that for the trucks I drove, each was solid, distinctive and befitting to Kenworth’s reputation. I was impressed with ease of operation, safety-features, comfort, drive-ability and its sexy, European appearance.

As for cab design and ride quality, Kenworth’s aero-cab reduces interior noise up to 50-percent. Except for the basic, non-air-ride driver’s seating in Class 5’s, T180; I found T280’s ride superbly-smooth and virtually noise-free … “Forgetaboutit.”

Even with the high and lengthy cube riding atop T280’s rear and T380’s high-reach bucket-truck, I appreciated their solid, stable rides.

For tower’s requiring, “big-boy bones”, T480V, is nothing less than all beast; powered by its torque-capable PX-9, 380-hp engine.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 59

Supplier Scoop Driver Technologies Selects HONK

LITE-IT UP WITH

CUSTER PRODUCTS

www.custerproducts.com • 800-490-3158 60 • May 2021 | Towman.com

HONK Technologies, the digital platform connecting drivers and towing professionals, announced it is now managing a co-branded roadside assistance program for Driver Technologies. This New York-based tech company provides an artificial intelligence-based automotive-technology that transforms a driver’s phone into a dashcam designed to improve road safety and lower insurance costs.

Driver is a hardware-free mobile app that allows users to video record their trip while receiving audio alerts such as collision warnings and distracted driving which are powered by computer vision and telematics. Driver also provides customers with augmented reality, turn-by-turn navigation, seamless integration with mobile voice assistants, entertainment controls, roadside assistance services, and insurance discounts of up to 50% from more than 40 national providers based on a privacy-controlled, “DriverScore.”

With this partnership, HONK enables Driver to offer their users a seamless app experience through an integrated co-branded roadside assistance solution.

“Our Dashcam App includes ‘Driver Roadside’ from a single click of a button so users can quickly and easily order roadside assistance in the event of a vehicle emergency, breakdown or accident,” said Rashid Galadanci, CEO at Driver Technologies. “HONK was the only partner that offered us a complete, frictionless solution that was Driver-branded. Our users no longer need to click off to a third-party site for roadside service requests, which created some confusion and additional out of pocket expenses for customers.”

CEO of HONK, Corey Brundage, states that his company’s network of service providers extends to over 75,000 service vehicles across the U.S.

Towman’s Market F O R S A L E U S E D T R U C K S

SPECIALTY VEHICLE

& EQUIPMENT FUNDING GROUP

Craig R. Nadolny

CNadolny@easternfunding.com

2015 Ford F450 Reg Cab/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2016 Ford F450 Reg Cab/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2016 Ford F550 Lariat Ext Cab/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2015 Ford F450 Reg Cab/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2016 Ford F450 Reg Cab/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2016 Ford Super Duty F450/ Jerr Dan MPL NG

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$6 per Hour Special Introductory Offer

562-306-5107

CTTA INTRO TO TOWING The California Tow Truck Assn. presents INTRO TO TOWING. A new 5-part online course for towing beginners and new hires!

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

646.723.6393

Available now at: ctta@ctta.com LOOKING TO RETIRE OR JUST GET OUT ?

HIRE ME TO SELL YOUR TOWING BUSINESS GM Consultants is a business brokerage specializing in the sale of towing companies and auto salvage yards.

Most times we can sell the company without alerting the competition.

Call or Text George Metos for a confidential conversation

801-440-3176.

I will give you an honest opinion of the value and what your prospects are of a sale.

GeorgeMetos@aol.com www.businessbrokergeorge.com See George’s profile on LinkedIn.com

To Advertise In Towman’s Market CALL 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com ILLUSTRATOR WANTED

for The Adventures of the American Towman Send sample illustrations and contact information to: scalitri@towman.com

62 • May 2021 | Towman.com

A locally installed towing program trusted for over 20 years

Keep your company’s info safe on YOUR OWN computer, not the internet

CALL OR EMAIL TO TRY OUR FREE DEMO!! towtracksoftware.com

772.223.5351

stevew@towtrack.com

Towman’s Market SPECIALTY VEHICLE

& EQUIPMENT FUNDING GROUP

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CNadolny@easternfunding.com

2015 FordF450 Reg Cab Diesel/ Jerr Dan MPL NG 2018 Ford F650 Supercab/ 18 Century 21.5 LCG 2017 Dodge 5500/ 17 Century 21’ Carrier 2016 Ford F550/ 2015 Danco 19’ Carrier 2015 Dodge Ram 3500/ Dynamic Wrecker 2015 Ford F550 4x4/Jerr Dan 19’

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410-784-7029 Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 63

My Baby

The BIG Boss One of two big twin-steer tators from one of Texas’ biggest tow companies.

By Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Tech Highlights Chassis: 2018 Kenworth T880 twin-steer Wrecker body: 2018 Century 1075S 75-ton rotator Engine: Cummins X15 Trans: Fuller 18-Speed Winches: Dual 60,000lb Planetary, dual 50,000lb, dual 35,000lb drag Built by: Mikel Johnson through Miller Industries Equipment: Dual spreader bars, Full Snap-On tool kit, Power saw Extras: Collapsible second pylon, Air recovery mats, Custom built mini fridge Graphics/Lettering: Artworks Graphics in Dallas, Texas Nickname: Boss

64 • May 2021 | Towman.com

T

here are 29 vehicles in the company’s extensive fleet of state-of-the-art equipment, which includes one lightduty snatch truck, three mediumduties, 13 carriers, six heavies, three service trucks, a Skidsteer with winch unit and two twinsteer 75-ton Century 1075 rotators.

Unit 62 is “The Beast” and the one featured here is Unit 58 “Boss.”

Boss is a 2018 Century Rotator 1075S 75-ton rotator mounted on a 2018 Kenworth T880 twin-steer.

A Cummins X15 engine mated to a Fuller 18-speed trans moves it down the road.

This massive unit has plenty of pulling and lifting power. It is equipped with dual 60,000-pound Planetary 2-speed boom winches, dual 50,000-pound Planetary 2-speed drag winches and dual

35,000-pound Planetary 2-speed auxiliary winches. “This 1075S is completely loaded out with every option Miller offers,” stated James Jr. “My buddy Mikel Johnson of T-Wrecks LLC built this unit through Miller Industries.”

Mikel Johnson has been in the towing industry all his life.

Starting out in the repossession industry at age 16, he went to work for Texas Towing in Fort Worth when he was 20. There he learned everything about the industry and became an expert at car carrier, self-loaders, mediumduty under reach, heavy-duty towing, 75-ton rotators and heavy haul equipment. In 2003 he went into management and learned how to dispatch on a large scale, managing over 27 pieces of equipment and operators. Mikel

has trained hundreds of operators and several dispatchers as well as owners throughout his career.

As an outside sales contractor for the Miller brand, Mikel works closely with Miller Industries Inc. He has an extensive knowledge of how wreckers are made and what they are designed to do. With the help of James Jr., Mikel and Catherine started T-Wrecks LLC in Poteau, Oklahoma, in September of 2018. This is their second successful wrecker business. Mikel is well-respected and has contacts in the wrecker industry across the US. Artworks Graphics in Dallas, Texas did the graphics.

James Jr said, “The graphics were inspired by my daughter.

Her favorite color is green. It took two weeks to do.”

“This unit has performed many memorable jobs. Two that stand out are the Texas 135 car pile up during 2021 ice storm in Fort Worth, on February 11, 2021 and lifting a 75,000-pound natural gas engine inside a building on March 25th 2021,” said James Jr. James Jr stated, “The most important attribute this unit brings to our business is that this unit makes the job a lot safer with utilizing less lanes of traffic, as well as its brute strength in tight spaces.”

The Boss has won several awards including first twin-steer T880 in Texas. James Jr’s entire fleet is well-kept and well-maintained and operated by trained professionals. A strong believer in training, he has regular training sessions to keep his operators on top of their game and holds cross-training sessions with fire and police.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

About Beard’s Towing James Bennett Jr. owns Beard’s Towing in Fort Worth, Texas. Beard’s is a family-owned and operated business founded in 1954. The company now has 40 employees and boasts a combined 100 years of experience providing 24/7 emergency light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing and recovery and roadside assistance to Fort Worth and surrounding areas.

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • 65

Lowdown

The Adventures Returns

A

Steve Calitri Editor-in-Chief scalitri@towman.com

pril 2021 was the first issue in sixteen years without the Adventures of the American Towman in the back of the magazine, or anywhere. We immediately heard from the fans who religiously followed the exploits of AT, Pop, and HP (Horsepower). Phone calls, emails, messages. We had always run into Adventures fans at the shows and in aside remarks during phone conversations, but never so many in a short period of time.

The last several weeks has been like fielding registration calls for AT Expo. “What happened to the Adventures!?” everyone wanted to know.

The Adventures comic-illustrator and co-writer, Don Lomax, has for now had to step back from the rigor of creating the monthly series. Don is truly irreplaceable, a throwback to the old comic creators who colored and lettered each comic frame by hand. Each Adventures episode is a priceless hand creation, unlike today’s comics produced and colored digitally via Illustrator or Photoshop graphic software.

Let this Lowdown serve as a call-out to any comic illustrator who is a member of a towing family or somehow a part of our industry: if you’re interested in taking the baton on the Adventures, email me, scalitri@ towman.com.

Meanwhile, we are reviving the original first episodes of the Adventures that so mesmerized readers two decades back.

Episode One is presented in the back of this issue. Many of today’s Adventures fans were too young to be reading AT back during the first episodes. I know they will be a thrill for you to read. For those who did read them back then, you’ll enjoy a second read all the more, like a long lost brother come back home to regale once again with the old tales.

The early Adventures were filled with episodes of intrigue involving terrorism and espionage and even a stint in the middle east. The episodes involved unusual recoveries and a flashback into our hero’s origins. Episodes featured a battle with a

66 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Hp and AT rescue abducted newscaster

town councilman, abductors, a romance with a TV reporter, and the mystery of the beached whales.

For sixteen years the Adventures of the American Towman have represented the colorful world of the towing industry through the trials and tribulations of A.T. Armada, his Pop, and HP, his sidekick. We salute Don Lomax for his incredible work.

Thousands of people in our industry are grateful for his talents and the dedication he brought to his drawing table.

The Adventures will also be reprised through a series of four books collecting all the episodes in exclusive printed and bound editions. The first book of about fifty episodes will be available by August.

Should you need even more of an Adventures fix before then, Adventures illustrations will be available on posters, coffee mugs, t-shirts and hats at www. towmanoriginals.com, AT’s new online merchandise store. Meanwhile, enjoy Episode One.

News Flash Pennsylvania Creates PSA to Promote Move-Over

By Brian J Riker

On Saturday, March 27th over 287 emergency responders with 139 emergency vehicles came together at the Manheim Auto Auction in Manheim, Pennsylvania to film a new Public Service Announcement that promotes roadside safety while educating motorists of the updates to the Slow Down Move Over law in the Commonwealth. Towing played a large part in this effort with companies from all across the Commonwealth bringing equipment and manpower to participate.

Organized by PennTIME under the direction of Todd Leiss, Traffic Incident Management Coordinator with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and event Co-Chairs Lori Shenk of Northwest EMS and Sherry Morgan of Morgan’s Towing, this event was inclusive of all that put

North 68 • May 2021 | Towman.com

their lives at risk to keep our Nation’s highway system operational. Having towing well represented at the event, and in the coming PSA video, brings greater awareness to the need to react to vehicles other than law enforcement or fire/ems when alongside the roadway.

The timing, just before distracted driving awareness month in April, was perfect to get a jump start on promoting safe driving before the summer travel season kicks off. “Distraction-free driving keeps everyone safe, including first responders who put their lives in harm’s way to help when emergencies occur,” said Dr. Candice McDonald, 2nd Vice President of the nonprofit Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association that oversees ResponderSafety.com.

According to a recent poll conducted by the National Safety Council 4 out of 5 respondents admit to using their cell phone, with or without hands-free devices, while driving. 25% of those surveyed felt

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AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • North 69

News Flash that speeding, distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors had increased in the past year due to COVID-19 and the resulting reduced traffic volume. Even more troubling to those of us that work roadside is the fact that most of the respondents to this survey still underestimate the risk presented when approaching an emergency responder vehicle on the side of the roadway. Only 2 out of 5 reported seeing a higher risk when an emergency responder is outside of their vehicle on the roadway.

Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum

Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and

North 70 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries

February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.

“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to

help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.

Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.

Supplier Scoop

Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks

Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks.

Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.

The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems.

The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.

Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.

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

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • North 71

Episode 1

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

Supplier Scoop

Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum

Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.

“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.

South 68 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries

Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date

with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.

Supplier Scoop Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks

Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics. This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.

The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redun-

South 70 • May 2021 | Towman.com

dant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.

Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driv-

er shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.

Episode 1

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

Supplier Scoop

Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum

Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.

“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with the Pros sessions have been a win-win. We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.” Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.

Todd Harless, Marketing Manager, Miller Industries; Cathy Brumgard, General Manager, International Towing Museum; Tom Luciano, Product Specialist, Miller Industries

Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date

Midwest 68 • May 2021 | Towman.com

with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.

Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks

Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics.

This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will

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Supplier Scoop accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.

The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.

Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.

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

Midwest 70 • May 2021 | Towman.com

In Memoriam

Tribute for Tow Legend James “Jim” Hix, Who Passes

64-year veteran Indiana tower James “Jim” Hix passed away on March 16 and a “Light up the Night” Tribute was given for him on Friday with the towing community coming out in large numbers.

Hix was considered a legend in the business, starting from scratch and building the largest wrecker service in the Midwest during the 70’s and 80’s.

Hix He bought his first wrecker by trading in his car and giving the man who sold it to him his paycheck of $290. He drove a wrecker by day while working another job at night until he and his wife focused solely on towing. Then he purchased other wrecker services and consolidated them into Hix Wrecker Service of Indianapolis.

In addition to his tow activities, he owned an auto parts store and an auto crushing unit. In his younger years, he was an avid race car driver, working for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for many years. He worked the Indy 500, the Brickyard 400, Formula One and Raceway Park. He was a member of the Old Timers Club at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Source: legacy.com Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

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Episode 1

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

Supplier Scoop TDLR Clears Way for Credit Card Fees

In March the Texas Towing Advisory Board met to take up and consider a number of items, including the ability to pass along the credit card fees on transactions.

Under current Texas law tow companies and VSF’s are required, by statute, to accept credit cards, but have been prohibited from passing along the surcharges to the credit card holder. Southwest Tow Operators has been working for several years to reverse this position by the agency.

In 2019, a federal district court found that 604A.0021 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code was unconstitutional because it violates commercial free-speech rights under the First Amendment. This is the law that TDLR has been working under prohibiting businesses from passing along the fee.

On behalf of SW Tow Operators, Joann Messina, testified. Mrs. Mes-

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Supplier Scoop sina stated, “Our tow and VSF fees are highly regulated, so we are not able to increase our prices when our costs for fuel, insurance, or anything else goes up. The pandemic hit all small businesses across the state very hard and many employees lost their jobs. Being able to recoup credit card fees we are paying will help our small businesses rehire employees.”

TDLR reversed their position on the prohibition on passing through the credit card fee. Effective immediately, towing and storage facilities may begin charging the credit card fee. As part of the court ruling, businesses may not charge any more than they are being charged. Since fees vary, TDLR will form a workgroup to determine if a set fee should be set to reduce confusion.

TDLR plans to set rules to help provide specific guidance. At this time, businesses are not required to list this credit card fee on the tow ticket.

TDLR staff requests your input on this issue as they develop guid-

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Supplier Scoop ance. Please submit your comments to Board.Comments@tdlr.texas.gov and include the rates you are paying on the swipe fees. They are also interested in knowing what the low, middle, and high fees are that you are charged when accepting payment via credit card.

Brainstorming Funds Donated to Tow Museum

Miller Industries donated donate $10,941.85 raised from their first two online Brainstorming with the Pros sessions with Tom Luciano to the International Towing Museum and Hall of Fame. The online sessions were held in January and February of 2021 and ticket sales greatly exceeded expectations.

“It’s been exciting to see so many close personal friends from the towing and recovery industry come together to learn and help raise money for the museum.” Said Tom Luciano, SME and Product Specialist for Miller Industries. “Our Brainstorming with

◀

West 72 • May 2021 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | May 2021 • West 73

Supplier Scoop the Pros sessions have been a win-win.

We’ve been able to take the opportunity to help others grow as operators and couple that with the ability to give back.”

Said Todd Harless, Marketing Manager for Miller Industries.

Miller Industries plans to offer future online sessions of Brainstorming with the Pros throughout 2021. You may stay up-to-date with more information regarding future sessions by subscribing to the Miller Industries newsfeed at news.millerind.com.

Isuzu And Gatik Will Collaborate on Autonomous Medium Duty Trucks

Isuzu North America Corporation and Gatik have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks. Isuzu is a market leader in Low Cab Forward (LCF) trucks in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Gatik is the industry leader in automating on-road transportation networks for B2B middle-mile logistics.

This collaboration is an industry first in the medium-duty category and will accelerate the commercialization of autonomous delivery fleets while contributing to a safer and more sustainable logistics community in the future.

The collaboration will integrate Gatik’s autonomous driving technology into several Isuzu medium-duty N-Series trucks to produce SAE Level 4 delivery vehicles with redundant systems. The first vehicles will be deployed this year thanks to the cooperative efforts of Gatik’s and Isuzu’s engineering teams.

Rapidly increasing e-commerce sales and a well-documented driver shortage have caused businesses to struggle to meet the expectations of on-demand goods movement. The development of autonomous trucks seeks to address this issue.

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

West 74 • May 2021 | Towman.com

In Memoriam

Tower Killed in Sacramento, Cal.

Tow truck driver Obinna Ugorji died after being struck by a suspected DUI driver in Sacramento, Ca. He was standing by the driver’s side of his tow truck when a Chrysler mini-van approached it and the disabled vehicle and ultimately hit the tow truck and driver, the California Highway Patrol said.

Authorities said the crash sent the tow truck driver into the roadway with fatal injuries, and that the tow truck driver was ultimately pronounced dead by Sacramento Fire Department.

CHP identified the suspect driver as Larry Godbold, 46 of Sacramento. CHP said Godbold didn’t provide a statement on the crash, but did say he wasn’t hurt and stayed at the scene.

He was arrested for suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Source:sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article250275595.html

Slain Tower Remembered

AZ Metro tow owner John Weeks, 50, was shot and killed at his tow yard in Arizona, on Friday, April 9. Police say the suspect, Donovan Johnson, then stole a vehicle and took off. He was arrested the following Monday.

Amanda Matuschak-Keesler says her uncle cared for her as one of his own. “I watched my uncle work, sometimes, 7, 10 days straight,” says Amanda. “I’d find him in the yard sleeping in that truck.”

The family says Weeks had just purchased a flatbed truck to grow his business which employed and supported many relatives and close friends. A group of tow truck operators described Weeks as a generous business owner and a mentor. “I owe the man my life,” says Otis Parrish. “Bottom line, if I had been there, this would not have happened.”

Anyone who would like to help with unexpected expenses can at spotfund.com.

Source: azfamily.com

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Episode 1

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