American Towman Magazine - November 2023 by dortiz-towman

AMERICAN TOWMAN EXPO XXXIV NOV. 16-18 EXHIBITORS PAGE 42

The Road Calls

UPRIGHTING A LOADED SEMI

STOLEN SUPER MARIO WRECKER WAYS TO REDUCE OVERHEAD EXPENSES CAR CARRIERS FOR RECOVERIES

TowIndustryWeek.com

NOVEMBER 2023 AmericanTowman.com

$10

Volume 47 Issue 11

November Cover Feature Contents

Slippery Slope by Steve Temple Robert Young’s Auto & Truck uprighted a heavy semi mired sideways in deep snow, carrying a cargo load of coffee creamer and baby food.

Features

Ways to Reduce Overhead Expenses Beefing up Your Bottom Line by Brian J. Riker

Car Carriers for Recoveries

2023 Departments 8

The Walkaround

News Share

Road Tools

Zoom In

Tow Manager

Hands-On Tech

Ad Index

Tow Boss

Classic Wrecker

Supplier Scoop

Towman’s Market

My Baby

Lowdown

Adventures of A.T.

Not Your Father’s Flatbed Anymore by Randall C. Resch

Stolen Super Mario Wrecker

A Recovered Rotator Finds its Way Home by Steve Temple

6 • November 2023 | Towman.com

First on the scene since 1977

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 7

The Walkaround Talking to Our “Towing Gurus” Fall fashion is in the air so be sure to join us on towing’s fashion runway to view what’s “in vogue” November 16-18 at the Baltimore Convention Center during the American Towman Exposition. The exhibit floor will feature a flurry of new units for sale along with a glamorous display of wreckers in the American Wrecker Pageant. Not only does the Expo offer beauty, but also brains. In the seminar rooms and Dennie Ortiz throughout the show you will have the opportunity to Publisher speak with all of our editors who are excited to share their expertise with you—we call them the “Towing Gurus.” In this issue, Brian Riker, one of our respected Towing Gurus, drills deep into the details of how to ensure your towing business survives and prospers in an economy that’s hitting some headwinds. He suggests there is light at the end of the tunnel, and insists your diligence will be the conduit to ensure that light shines on you. Another of our Towing Gurus is Terry Abejuela, who continues to bring you valuable technical knowledge on all things towing. In his article, Terry walks you step-by-step through the quick- clearance technique known as the “California Rollover.” Wowza! This month’s recovery will impress even the most veteran of recovery specialists. The team from Robert Young’s Auto & Truck, Inc. of Roanoke, Virginia, executes a seamless and impressive recovery by bringing their big guns to the battle! Speaking of recoveries, Towing Guru Randall Resch, makes the case in his piece that rollbacks should absolutely be used in certain recovery scenarios. He maintains that a skilled operator can perform the job effectively, and that it is the burden of the towing industry to ensure that the capabilities of carriers are understood by first responders. A Wowza #2 moment can be seen in this issue’s My Baby department. This rotator featured is not only a looker with Super Mario graphics, but also comes with a remarkable backstory of how this baby was loved, lost and then reunited with its owner, all with the help of our superb towing community. Enjoy the issue and we hope to see you in Baltimore. As always stay safe out there!

Tow Operator Barbie

Steve Temple Editor

My daughter Caitlin insisted that I watch the hugely popular Barbie movie with her the other night. She’d already seen it a few times, and I relented to her request (even though I’m more a fan of action flicks). What surprised me though, was how a movie about plastic dolls that become human could make such an insightful statement about the importance of one’s personal potential. What’s that have to do with hardworking towmen? Well, we’re seeing a whole lot more women working as tow operators and business owners lately, so that’s right

in keeping with all the different career-oriented Barbie versions depicted in the film. We’ve covered a few female towers in recent issues and planning on even more in 2024. Speaking of our upcoming editorial calendar, we would like to hear from towers of all types as to what you’d like to see in American Towman magazine. We strive to provide an informative and entertaining mix of articles, from challenging recoveries to colorful wreckers, and some practical tech and business tips as well. Thanks in advance for your input—and “Kenergy” too!

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Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Steve Temple Randall Resch Terry Abejuela David Kolman John Borowski Mark Lacek Brian Riker George Nitti Henri “Doc” Calitri

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

Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Bill Johnson Kurt Wilson Tasha Mora Ron Meyers

Dallas, Texas South Hadley, Mass. Creve Coeur, Ill. Austin, TX. Cambridge, OH.

American Towman Staff President AT Expo Corp. Art Director Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager Finance Manager Conferences & Events Sr. Mgr. Events Manager Publisher’s Assistant Registration & Subscription Mgr. ATTV Producer Customer Service

Henri “Doc” Calitri Anne Ruzsilla Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Lisa Ciraldo Ilce Negri Bryna Stankiewicz Stephanie Marchese Andrea Wynn Emily Oz Henri Calitri

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 9

News Share Colorado Tow Association Ignites Legislation Despite a Towing Bill of Rights passed last year in Colorado to halt predatory tow practices and give consumers more rights, Colorado lawmakers are considering making further changes, with an idea proposed by Colorado’s towing association: Have property owner/ managers pay for the tows. John Connolly, the president of the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Colorado, noted that in the 1970s and 1980s, towers only removed a car from private property if specifically directed by the property manager. But in recent years, carriers have taken responsibility for patrolling lots and determining who gets towed. “There are bad actors in every industry,” Connolly pointed out. “You can never legislate a moral compass, right? So how do you put the moral compass back into the game? You eliminate it from the tower’s hands, right? So, if the property owner wants to tow something, that’s their problem, right? That’s their moral compass.” His idea is to restructure the towing industry in Colorado, and to make property owners or property managers pay once again for tows, instead of consumers. Rep. Andrew Boesnecker, D-Fort Collins, commended the towing group for seeking solutions and proposed legislation which has already passed through a transportation committee and is ready to be drafted into a bill. “It’s clear that there is just a fundamental divide in recognizing the seriousness of the problem,” Boesnecker said. “I think what I’m really encouraged by is the towing association’s willingness to come to the table, suggest a solution, which is vastly different than the one we had imagined and yet one we feel could be very effective in this space,” Source: denver7.com

10 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Leaders from Agero presented a $15,000 donation check to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund.

Agero Donates

to the Survivor Fund

Agero, one of the largest roadside assistance companies in the country, gave a $15,000 donation to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund. Established in 2006, the Survivor Fund provides immediate financial support to the families of the several dozen towing operators who lose their lives in the line of service each year. Agero will match its donation, made on Oct. 4, with an additional $15,000 at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore in November. This

contribution will bring the company’s total monies given to the Survivor Fund since 2019 to $135,000. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Agero partners with more than 7,000 towing providers around the U.S. to respond to over 12 million dispatches for help each year. The company has a longstanding commitment to both the Museum’s Survivor Fund and the State of Tennessee, where it employs more than 700 workers in Clarksville and the surrounding area. Source: Agero Press Release

Virginia Beach Ratchets Up Tow Rates Virginia Beach’s city council voted overwhelmingly to raise the city’s tow rates in a 9-2 vote. Most cars will now cost $200 to retrieve, a $55 increase. Storage fees for vehicles in tow yards has also gone up from $25 a day to $60 per day, after the first 24 hours. The maximum towing fine increases by weight, and it applies to unauthorized vehicles in private and public lots. The city hasn’t changed its rates in 10 years as the local towing industry, led by a Towing Advisory Board, pushed for rate increases to offset the rising costs of operations. The board is comprised of an advocate for towing businesses, a representative from the police department, and a citizen. The City Council will have the opportunity to review the towing fees in two years before deciding whether to increase them again. Before the vote, Councilman Michael Berlucchi said he has concerns not only about the

Virginia Beach has raised tow rates for nonconsensual tows and storage. financial burden of towing fees, but also understands the need to remove vehicles that are parked illegally or block access. “We have a dual role,” Berlucchi explained. “We have to ensure that we have an industry that can come and get those vehicles, but we also at the same time have to ensure we have some protection.” Source: pilotonline.com

News Share

Mechanics Impacted

Montana’s “Move Over” Penalties

by UAW Strike

Local mechanics in Ohio are beginning to feel the effects of the United Auto Workers strike since its inception. At Dave’s Auto Care and Towing in Norwood, Ohio, owner Senan Odeh said wait times were already long for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. “It’s doubling down on us, Workers on strike at auto parts distribution centers because I don’t think we fully will have an impact on mechanic shops. recovered from Covid,” he admitted. Targeting the strike to parts “Even before the strike we were distribution centers is an effective seeing it. Now with the strike, it’s going way of crippling a part of the to amplify it for sure.” automotive supply chain that’s close UAW Local 674 President Janet to the consumer, said Dr. Henry Jin, Billingsley said local dealers are Miami University Associate Professor already starting to feel the effects: “The of Supply Chain Management in longer we stay out, the harder it’s going Oxford, OH. to get.” “When you strike a parts center, UAW national president Shawn and these parts centers directly feed Fain highlighted his appreciation for consumer services and dealerships, the more than 5,000 union members then your statement becomes a whole on strike at parts distribution centers lot more amplified,” he noted. nation-wide. The result is delayed repairs and “These facilities represent a key frustrated workers, which puts more revenue stream for the Big Three,” pressure on companies, Jin said. he said. Source: wcpo.com

Flooding Inundates NY Tow Company with Abandoned Cars Heavy flooding throughout the NYC metro area had one tow company hopping. Historic rains brought a deluge to the Bronx River Parkway, bringing out Yonkers-based A&J Towing to remove at least 50 abandoned cars during a recent, extremely wet weekend. A contract with Westchester County requires A&J’s services to tow vehicles from the parkway.

A&J’s tow lot in Yonkers, NY was packed with abandoned vehicles after historic flooding.

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“Abandoned, disabled, accident, impound, whatever,” noted owner Willy Mulvaney. “When the police call, we go.” Mulvaney added that there was no game plan, so when getting there, they just started picking cars as fast as possible. “Basically, we went through the night,” he added. “And just did what we could, when we could.” The vehicles were towed to A&J’s tow lot, which Mulvaney said was so crowded with abandoned cars that he couldn’t even drive through it the following morning. “This was to the limit,” Mulvaney said. “I don’t think we could fit another car.” Source: westchester.news12.com

In Montana, a new move-over law went into effect to include stiffer penalties if the law is not heeded. Under this new law, drivers must slow down to the temporary posted speed limit, if available, when approaching stopped emergency, towing, maintenance, or construction vehicles. If there’s no temporary speed limit posted, drivers are required to slow down by 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit on the interstate and move to the farther lane if possible. Stiffer penalties for not adhering to this law include a maximum fine of $10,000, and imprisonment for up to one year. For reckless endangerment of emergency personnel under this law, a first conviction charge could bring imprisonment for up to 90 days, a fine of $100 to $500, or both. Second or subsequent convictions would include imprisonment for a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of six months, a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000, or both. Source: kmmsam.com

TRAA Joins Safety Study

TRAA is joining forces with the University of Alabama for a research study on nearmiss incident reporting. The project is entitled, “Identifying Elements for Successful Near-Miss Reporting System.” TRAA’s commitment to the project includes serving on the Project Expert Panel, circulating survey invitations, and helping coordinate interviews with a focus group of select towing companies. The existing Towing Traffic Incident Reporting System (TTIRS) created by the Statewide Towing Association (STA) of Massachusetts is also being reviewed as part of the project. The study is supported by a grant through the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety seeking to collect data for a more robust understanding of risks faced by roadside response personnel and ways to protect them. The project will examine and document existing near-miss reporting systems used in other domains, such as firefighting and aviation, to inform the design of such a system for roadside responders. According to the AAA Foundation, “Collectively, these tasks will help the project team assess the data needs associated with a near-miss reporting system and to develop recommendations for a successful reporting system, from system design through to deployment.” Source: TRAA and aaafoundation.org

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 11

Road Tools Enhanced Safety Lighting TowMate, a leading manufacturer of LED lighting and roadside safety solutions, now offers the TowMate Wireless Trailer Light Controller (P/N: TBOX-M18). To further enhance the safety for tow truck operators, this innovative device is designed to provide wireless control of stop, tail, and turn signals for trailers with disabled semi-trucks in tow. The Wireless Trailer Light Controller features a plug-and-play system, simplifying its use and facilitating the setup process. Built to withstand diverse weather conditions, the unit’s robust housing ensures it will remain a reliable tool for roadside service providers in harsh weather conditions. The device employs TowMate’s proprietary “red antenna” receiver that guarantees signal reception over a distance of 1000 feet. This feature, combined with its compatibility with any TowMate red-wire transmitter, maximizes operational flexibility for users. The unit is equipped with a built-in, 7-pin plug and a mount for the Milwaukee M18 battery (battery and wireless transmitter not included). Made in the USA, the unit comes with a lifetime warranty on electronics.

towmate.com

EV Roller Rocks Electric Vehicle Recovery

steckmfg.com

Looking for an easier and safer way to winch an electric vehicle onto your car carrier? The EV Roller from Steck Manufacturing is designed for loading electric vehicles and hybrids on flatbed tow trucks. It’s also useful for wheel-off recoveries of internal combustion vehicles. This wheel loader is a lightweight, cutting-edge innovation that ensures the safe transfer of disabled vehicles onto a flatbed, all without the risk of inadvertently causing the electric vehicle’s tires to roll. In addition, the EV Roller serves a vital role in safeguarding electric vehicles by offering protection against the potential back-charging of the vehicle, which could result in irreparable damage to the batteries and drive line, and increase the risk of fire as well. Unlike unidirectional dollies, the EV Roller can be loaded on a car carrier by a single operator. This unit is available in a single kit or value-priced, four-pack options.

Counting Car Costs JunkCarPricer is an innovative pricing tool designed to give the salvage vehicle buyer the value of any junk car based on scrap weight, wheels, tires, battery, and converter. Applying 80 years of car data and patented calculation metrics, JunkCarPricer can instantly determine the value of any vehicle with a seller on the phone, so you don’t need to be a car buying expert to use it. The easy lookup process includes no typing or searches. Simply tap year, make, model and engine size to get any car’s value in just seconds. Results are produced from values that you preload into your customizable user dashboard with resale values for scrap metal and other components which you resell. JunkCarPricer’s subscriber base is projected to grow to 1300 users in 2024. If you buy junk cars, then this is a useful service, and is available for Android, iPhone and web users.

junkcarpricer.com 12 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Zoom In

Navistar’s Shining Safety Features Safety is a number-one concern for tow operators, so it’s always encouraging to hear about the latest developments in this area. While a lot of safety features already exist in International® Truck’s MV™ Series vehicle, Navistar has introduced several new ones this year. In addition to the International® Diamond Logic® electrical system that streamlines chassis and body equipment integration and allows you to program automated tasks to protect both the operator and equipment, there are new Bendix® optional features. These include steering wheel programmable features (with a pod variant option) and a Brigade backup camera. For structural protection, the Navistar MV™ Series cab wraps the operator with a high-strength, cold-rolled steel and alloy construction that combines the corrosion resistance of aluminum with the strength of steel. All MV™ Series configurations (regular, crew and extended cab) pass the rigorous SAE J2422 roof strength test, as well as the standard European ECE

29 roof strength requirement. Both tests measure uniform vertical load applied to the roof, and SAE J2422 also tests for angled side loads which is a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirement. In addition, Huck Bolt chassis fasteners provide extra clamping force without re-torquing, so they won’t come loose even under high stress loads. Safety also often comes down to spotting potential hazards, so the MV™ Series provides improved visibility through a sloped hood and optional LED headlights. Plus, there’s traction control to help drivers maintain control during heavy braking and on slick roads. Moreover, the optional Bendix® Wingman® Advanced and Bendix® Wingman® Fusion collision mitigation systems greatly enhance operator safety. By integrating adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, over-speed alert and stationary vehicle braking, these cutting-edge systems help the driver avoid a collision. Also, when connected to vehicle’s Control Area Network (CAN),

the optional Bendix® BlindSpotter® provides a 150-degree range of coverage capable of detecting objects up to 20 feet in front of and behind this radar. The coverage zone extends up to 10 feet to the right of the vehicle as well. In addition, the Nauto Camera System can help prevent collisions by using a dual-facing camera, plus external sensors designed to detect distracted and drowsy driving. The system’s in-vehicle predictive AI accounts for complex, realworld conditions, such as pedestrians, other drivers, vehicle speed, and more. The predictive AI automatically encourages safer driving behavior and can be set to only record collisions and high-risk events. This advanced, cloudbased feature can help drivers of the International® MV™ Series stay alert and can effectively coach and train drivers while maintaining driver privacy. All told, the MV™ Series really shines with many safety features for tow operators.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 13

Tow Manager

Beefing up Your Bottom Line Practical Ways to Reduce Overhead Expenses By Brian J. Riker

B 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

14 • November 2023 | Towman.com

efore digging into some tips on lowering overhead expenses, let’s start with a bigpicture view of the current economy, and then see how that applies to your towing business. Based on the stock market and consumer confidence indexes, it appears the U.S. economy is continuing to stagnate, with no quick-fix recovery plans on the horizon. Yes, the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has expanded by approximately 2.4% and consumer spending is still fairly level, but these factors have not kept pace with inflationary pressures on the economy. Essentially, this means that these gains are of no real significance. The fact is, trucking is a leading indicator of the overall health of the economy. As manufacturers ramp up production of goods, which happens when they believe they can sell a lot of stuff, trucking picks up in the early stages. This includes moving

raw materials into manufacturing plants, transporting containers to and from ports, and ultimately shipping finished products to the warehouses to await final distribution. When times get tough, trucking is the first to feel it, as it did this past November, when the overall freight volume for holiday shipments was down. It appears that the trucking segment is still in a downswing that is expected to continue throughout the end of 2023. As evidence, bigger LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers, which haul freight from multiple shippers, are normally the most stable employers in the trucking industry but have had to resort to layoffs or at the very least, slowed hiring. This has occurred even in the aftermath of the bankruptcy of the 99-year-old, behemoth LTL carrier, Yellow Corp. which resulted in nearly 30,000 workers being permanently laid off. Add to that the Federal Reserve’s

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response to higher-than-normal inflation—hiking interest rates in a deliberate effort to slow down the economy—along with a drop in personal savings, and we have a recipe for nervous consumers. Shoppers worry about how high the cost of everyday items will rise, and if their paychecks will stretch enough to cover those costs. Fortunately, those fears have been kept at bay for the time being, but they could rear their ugly head any day.

THE IMPACT ON TOWERS

All of which brings us to the towing business, a capital-intense industry, to be sure. Equipment, real estate, fuel, and labor are at all-time highs, with no end to the increases in sight. Many segments of the industry struggle with cashflow issues resulting from problems such as unpaid invoices, abandoned vehicles, and arbitrary rate caps set as

consumer-protection measures (often without regard to the costs associated with providing these services). Plus, there are call aggregators that simply refuse to pay a reasonable fee for the services they request. Even in the face of these hardships, towing can still be a very lucrative business, with many tow bosses running highly profitable, successful enterprises. They all have very similar constraints on their businesses, so what makes one tow company highly profitable, while another in the same area struggles to survive? The key is in controlling costs and knowing your numbers. As they say, the devil is in the details.

GETTING YOUR MONEY TO STICK

Any successful business depends on having a plan, knowing your costs, and understanding how overhead will make or break a business.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 15

While it’s true that larger companies benefit from economies of scale and some discounts on bulk purchasing of equipment and supplies, it’s also true that even the smallest of companies can find places to control costs and reduce overhead to allow for a greater profit margin. After all, it’s what you keep, not what you make, that counts. Always begin with a deep-dive into expenses when evaluating your company’s financial health. It is critical to identify each expenditure to determine if it is truly a business expense, or if perhaps it belongs on the personal side of the ledger. Often, small business owners mix together business and personal expenses, which results in an inaccurate picture of the overall health of their business. Despite the perceived tax benefits of commingling expenses, these advantages never outweigh having

16 • November 2023 | Towman.com

an accurate financial picture. Especially if you are preparing for a sale or trying to obtain financing in tightening market conditions.

NITTY-GRITTY DETAILS

Besides auditing your books to make sure expenses are properly accounted, also scrutinize the details of each expense. Using cell phone accounts as an example, are all the lines on your account active and necessary for the business? Extra lines can slip into our contracts, especially when you have multiple devices in addition to phones that use the cellular network. This includes telematics devices installed in outof-service trucks, mobile hotspots and so forth. These costs for unused services add up quickly. Also, what about insurance for your phones? Is it the right plan and will it cover replacement, or is it just a cost with no benefit? It

may be cheaper to simply buy a refurbished device online than pay for insurance you never use. This is just one example where a recurring charge can become so customary that no one thinks to verify its necessity. The same goes for long-term contract commitments when financing phones through your wireless carrier. Again, it may be cheaper to purchase outright instead of a finance contract. Speaking of insurance, do you have the appropriate coverage for your buildings, their contents and your vehicles? Are your properties and assets properly documented and valued? Being underinsured is just as much of a threat to your financial wellbeing as paying too much in annual premiums. Meet with your insurance agent regularly to keep them in the loop about significant changes in your business and equipment.

LOOK AT YOUR LOANS

Finance contracts or installment loans are another area that often gets overlooked. Consider the following questions: -Are you paying for shop equipment that you no longer need? -Did the lease expire and you failed to execute the buyout clause, and instead are still making monthly lease payments that exceed the buyout cost? -Is the finance charge appropriate, or are you stuck in a predatory situation because your credit is now much better than it was when you entered into the contract? Appraise items that can be paid off early or refinanced at a lower rate to preserve cashflow. Annually evaluate lines of credit and finance contracts to ensure you are getting the best value for your current economic situation.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 17

BRINGING ITEMS IN-HOUSE

Outsourced services are certainly convenient, but are they worth their cost? We all pay a high price for convenience, sometimes willingly, yet when looking to control your business costs, ask yourself: is there someone on your team who can handle some, if not all of these outsourced items? Maybe it’s time to bring overnight dispatch back in-house. Also, what about landscaping, property maintenance, or even bookkeeping services? In addition, one of the most expensive outsourced services at towing companies is vehicle service and maintenance. Many drivers have mechanical knowledge and skills, making them very capable of providing most of these services for your fleet, as long as they, in turn, are provided with supplies, equipment, and of course, compensation. When evaluating staff resources, many employers consider cutting labor costs as soon as the market begins to tighten. However, this should be a last resort and only considered after cost-control measures have been tried first. Your employees are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. Each person represents a family that depends on their income, as does yours. Look for ways to maximize utilization of their time, and possibly bring in additional revenue through diversification of your

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18 • November 2023 | Towman.com

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 19

What makes one tow company highly profitable, while another in the same area

struggles to survive?

company’s services. This saves the expense of replacing them later on as your business recovers, and putting employees first is also just the right thing to do!

FLEET FINANCIALS

Examine your fleet as well. Do you closely monitor fuel usage and out-of-route miles? With telematics and digital dispatch now widely accepted throughout the industry, most tow bosses know where their trucks are at all times. By streamlining dispatch for efficiency, you can find significant savings in fuel and maintenance costs all across your fleet. Instead of returning to base after each call, perhaps your trucks can be staged in high-volume areas to await the next call. Also, are takehome trucks really necessary for your operation, or is it just an added bonus for your staff? By monitoring asset utilization, you can identify which equipment is generating the largest percentage of your revenue, verses what is drawing down on your budget. While we all love our toys, if a piece of equipment is not generating direct revenue, it does not make sense to keep it around—unless it is merely to meet a contractual obligation. Even then, you must evaluate the total revenue from that contract, and include the fixed costs of having an underutilized piece of equipment, as compared with the profit generated by that contract.

BUDGETING VERSUS ACCOUNTING

With good record-keeping, educated decisions can be made surrounding your budget. A precise budget projection is key to understanding overhead and controlling costs. It should not be a record of where money went, as that is an accounting ledger. Instead, a budget is the instruction sheet for where your money needs to go before those dollars are actually in hand. By monitoring your budget closely, you can see where you are, both above and below your projections, and adjust other areas as needed to stay on track. Just because you have a good week doesn’t mean you get to spend that extra income. No, it should already be allotted to retained earnings, debt reduction, or some other area you have identified as essential. If you build a budget with the critical items first and 20 • November 2023 | Towman.com

allocate your income to them in order of importance, you will be on track to stay afloat. These critical items are your “four walls,” the foundation of your business. Line items such as payroll, utilities, insurance, fuel, equipment payments, and so on, should all top the list. Retained earnings and expansion plans must always come after paying for all the essential items first.

PAYING YOURSELF

within your means will benefit your company’s bottom line. Just because you have a seven-figure business top line doesn’t always mean you will have a fabulous personal lifestyle, at least not without any measure of discipline. As the owner of a tow business, your salary should not be whatever is left over when all the bills have been paid. The most successful owners budget a living wage for

themselves and return the excess into the business to ensure growth and survival. For example, consider retaining 20% of your net profit for growth and to cover unplanned events. The rest of the net profit is then paid out to the shareholders (which would be you in the case of a sole proprietor) as a dividend. This means that when your company has a great year, there’s a healthy bonus for you. But when it doesn’t perform

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An important item that many owners might overlook is their own salary. You have to pay yourself a steady salary, otherwise the stress of trying to run your personal household without any income will inevitably lead you to make poor business decisions. Bear in mind that this should not be an exorbitant salary, since your personal budget is just as intrinsic to success as your business budget, so living

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 21

as well, you must be prepared to live on your base salary.

HIDDEN FIGURES

How do you calculate your base salary? Early on, it could be determined by your financial needs to run a modest household. However, as resources change, so can your salary calculation. It might be based on your previous year’s gross profits as a percentage. So, it could become 30% of your gross profit as a base salary. Gross profit is what is left after all expenses are paid, including taxes, but excluding retained earnings, debt service beyond minimum payments, and funds set aside for special projects not included in the regular budget. Equipment replacement would be a regular budget item, but a major capital expenditure such as a new building or real estate, would be a special project.

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A percentage-based compensation plan fosters motivation to grow and sell, since you earn a greater direct salary if the business does well. Picking a specific percentage for your salary as an owner or partner is certainly a personal matter that fits your individual situation. But generally speaking, this approach has worked well for years across many different business types in several industries, and it will work for you, too. One final piece of advice: always seek the advice of a competent financial professional in your area who is best suited to evaluate your unique tow business.

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Hands-On Tech

Position the tow truck parallel to and just forward of the casualty on the side that you want to roll the casualty towards. Leave the appropriate amount of space to allow the casualty to land on its wheels, aligned with the tow truck for the wheel-lift hook-up.

The California Rollover A Quick-Clearance Method for Safety and Efficiency By Terry Abejuela

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

ll light-duty tow operators should be familiar with three basic ways to handle a rollover. These consist of the standard rollover that’s done towards the tow truck, the reverse rollover away from the truck, and the California rollover behind the truck. In the standard and reverse rollovers, the tow truck still needs to be moved into position to tow the casualty once it’s on its wheels. If the casualty is blocking traffic, then both the casualty and the tow truck are still in the way of traffic. In contrast, with a California rollover (also called a single-lane rollover or an end-roll), the casualty ends up behind the tow truck, already in position to be loaded and hauled away. In most cases, an operator will perform either the standard or the reverse rollover. However, when the casualty is located

24 • November 2023 | Towman.com

The California rollover requires some practice, so rehearse this technique in your yard and with several different types of vehicles and surfaces. in a traffic lane next to the right or left shoulder, and the shoulder is available to park the tow truck, the California rollover is likely to be the most appropriate method as a quick-clearance technique. Alternatively, if another lane of traffic can be opened once the casualty is uprighted, this may also be an opportunity to employ this technique.

NOT SO EASY

The California rollover does require some practice, though. Rehearse this technique in your yard and try it with several different types of vehicles and surfaces before attempting to perform it in a real-life scenario. Different types of vehicles will react differently on different types of surfaces. The more you

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Attach the endless loop to the rear axle of the casualty on the side closest to the tow truck using a short loop of chain so that only the strap is contacting the body of the casualty vehicle. The strap should be routed from the rear axle of the casualty vehicle on the side closest to the tow truck, under the body, to the opposite side ending at just about the middle of the casualty. Attach the wire rope hook to the strap.

Start the lift using the winch. If the vehicle starts to slide sideways, stop immediately and re-adjust the position of the strap.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 25

If the tow truck was aligned correctly, the casualty vehicle will land on its wheels behind the tow truck, and ready for the wheel-lift hook-up.

practice, the more likely you will encounter some sort of difficulty, and then you can take your time to figure it out in the yard—because you won’t

26 • November 2023 | Towman.com

have the time in the field. There are different ways to accomplish this rollover with a car carrier or a truck with no recovery

boom, but this article describes the technique using a truck with an independent wheel-lift and an extendable recovery boom. In this

If the casualty was partially blocking the traffic lane next to the shoulder and you were able to park the tow truck on the shoulder, the lane may be opened as soon as the casualty lands on all four wheels.

scenario, the casualty is in the slow lane next to the right shoulder, and there is space to park the tow truck out of the traffic lane on the right shoulder. To successfully perform the

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

California rollover, park the tow truck parallel to the casualty, and yet just far enough forward to allow the casualty to land behind the tow truck and not hit the wheel lift. If you park too far forward, the casualty will tend to roll toward the tow truck when it rolls onto its two downside wheels. This technique works best when performed at the heavy end of the vehicle, which likely will be the front of most passenger automobiles, light vans, and pickup trucks. The space between the driver’s side of the tow truck and the side of the casualty determines if you will be aligned to complete the wheel-lift hook up, without having to reposition the tow truck first. During your survey of the scene, it’s important to predetermine where the casualty will land and then position the tow truck the appropriate distance between the vehicles. In this scenario it is

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 27

estimated at about two feet.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Before proceeding, be sure to set the emergency brake and any additional supplemental brake system on the tow truck. Next, lower the retracted wheel-lift close to but not touching the road surface. Always keep an eye out for traffic and work on the non-traffic side of the incident as much as possible, even when other first responders are present and are controlling traffic flow. The procedure shown here in the photos used a 12-foot-long, 13,200 lbs.rated endless loop, and a small, fourfoot long piece of 5/16-inch, grade 70 chain rated at 4,700 lbs., along with grab hooks at both ends. A longer and/ or lower-rated endless loop will also work, as long as is it rated high enough for the load. An endless loop is used to reduce the amount of damage caused to the casualty during the uprighting process. The California rollover can be accomplished using a chain, but it will likely cause more damage where the chain contacts the body of the casualty. Attach the endless loop to the casualty, near the rear axle on the side closest to the tow truck, using the fourfoot chain. Make the loop in the chain just big enough so that only the endless loop is contacting the body of the casualty. If you don’t have a short piece of chain, just use a longer chain, adding a small loop, and drop the rest of the chain in the fender well. It will simply fall out onto the road surface sometime during the uprighting. Pre-spool the winch on the recovery boom. Elevate the recovery boom to just above cab height, then fully extend the recovery boom. Pull out enough winch rope to reach the opposite side of the casualty vehicle and attach it to a component on the undercarriage so you can reach it from the opposite side.

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28 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 29

Route the endless loop from the rear axle around and under the casualty vehicle to the opposite side so that the strap ends just about in the middle of the casualty vehicle and attach the hook from the winch rope to the endless loop. In this scenario, you will be on the traffic side, so spend as little time on that side as possible. Note that the positioning of the strap is critical! If the strap is too far to the rear of the casualty, the rear end will start to slide sideways when you attempt to roll the casualty vehicle. If the strap is too far forward, the front end of the vehicle will start to slide sideways. Lock the winch free spool and start pulling in the winch rope instead of elevating the boom. Once the slack in the rope is taken out, the casualty will either start to lift for the rollover or it will begin pivoting. If it starts to lift for the roll, continue with winching until the casualty is almost on its side, and complete the roll by elevating the boom. If you reach full boom elevation and the casualty has not dropped to its wheels yet, use the winch to complete the rollover.

SLIP AND SLIDE

If the casualty starts to slide instead of lifting for the rollover, stop immediately and re-position the strap. If the front of the casualty starts to slide sideways, move the strap rearward. If the rear of the casualty starts to

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30 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 31

slide sideways, move the strap forward. Once the casualty is on its side and there is no tension in the strap, make sure it is not behind the rear window. The strap will normally be in the middle of the roof, but sometimes it can get caught behind the rear window. If you continue the rollover with the strap behind the rear window of the casualty, it may cause it to roll towards the tow truck once it is on its downside wheels. If everything goes as planned, the vehicle will land right behind the tow truck, ready for you to remove the strap and chain, and then hook up to the wheel-lift for towing away from the scene. The California rollover is great as an additional technique to have in your toolbox, but this type of rollover should only be attempted in the field after a lot of practice and only in the appropriate situations.

32 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 33

AD INDEX Access Tools..............................................63 Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................33 All American Jerr-Dan................... N, S, M 75 Allstate Roadside.......................................58 American Society for Asset Protection........66 American Towman Expositions ............42, 69 Atlanta Wrecker Sales................................30 Austin Insurance..................................... N76 Auto Data Direct........................................16 Brown & Brown Insurance..........................64 Captain Recovery................................S,M 78 Chevron Commercial..................................23 Copart Transportation.................................31 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equipment Sales.........49 Custer Products.........................................32 Driver Locate (Affordable GPS Tracking)... N80 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers...................34 Durabilt......................................................66 East Coast Truck & Trailer..................... 60-61 East Penn Truck Equipment........................32 EdgeTech/Hooks......................................W76 ELC Towing Dispatch Solutions...................21 Elizabeth Truck Center................................50 FCar Tech USA........................................ N76 G.Stone Commercial............................... N77 Guniwheel..................................................39 Guttman Energy.........................................55 Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel.........................67 International Towing Museum.....................57

34 • November 2023 | Towman.com

November 2023

International Truck.......................................9 ITI Skates...................................................28 Jerr-Dan............................ Inside Front Cover Jump n Carry.............................................46 Kalyn Siebert.............................................18 Khasim Insurance Agency.......................W77 Landoll Corp...............................................41 Len Zermenos.......................................... 4-5 Lift Marketing......................................... N79 Matjack Jumbo Safelift..............................65 McMahon Truck Center...........................M77 Metrocom..................................................27 Mike Keith Insurance.................................46 MIller Industries.........................................19 Mobile Control Systems..............................20 MyGuestSpot.com......................................30 New England Truckmaster....................... N77 North American Bancard............................35 Nottingham Insurance/Tow Truck Wags... N78 NRC Industries................... Inside Back Cover OMG Tow Marketing...................................26 Pacific General Insurance........................M78 Peak Wrecker Sales................................W77 Performance Advantage Company..............22 Progressive Commercial Insurance...............3 PWOF.........................................................59 Quick Draw Tarpaulin System.................. N80 Recovery Billing.........................................66 RimSling....................................................18

RP Recovery..............................................62 SafeAll.......................................................58 Safety Track...............................................21 Santander Bank........................... Back Cover Santander Bank Merchant Services............40 Sea Crest Insurance Agency....................W78 Sepson USA/Patterson Manufacturing.........51 Speak Easy Communication.......................28 Talbert Manufacturing............................. N79 TDI Repair Facility......................................64 Tow Industries........................................W76 Towbook Management Software.................29 TowMate....................................................65 Tracked Machines......................................39 Trail King Industries...................................27 Traxero North America................................17 Two Way Radio Gear..................................22 US Fleet Tracking.......................................15 Utility Trailer Sales Southeast..................W79 Vpermits....................................................50 Warn Industries............................................7 We Buy Key Fobs.......................................48 West End Service.......................................23 Will-Burt Company.....................................20 Winches Inc............................................W79 Wreaths Across America.......................... N78 Wrecker Warehouse................................W75 Zip’s AW Direct....................................25, 47

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 35

Slippery Slope Uprighting a Loaded Semi Mired in Snow with a Cargo Load of Food Products

By Steve Temple

wrecked tractor-trailer often holds a few surprises that complicate a recovery. That was the case after an emergency call came into Robert Young’s Auto & Truck during a heavy snowstorm in mid-January of 2022. When the tow company’s operators arrived on scene, the Virginia State Police were already at the 36 • November 2023 | Towman.com

I-80 freeway where a tractor-trailer had rolled over from the southbound side, with the rear of the trailer in the roadway on the northbound side! The trailer had burst open with a cargo load of mixed food products (mostly liquid coffee creamer and jars of baby food) spilling out of the trailer.

The NRC 65-ton rotator was setup at the rear of the trailer and rigged using a snatch-block running through the outrigger.

Company Profile Robert Young’s Auto & Truck, Inc. is a family owned and operated 24/7 towing and recovery company based out of Roanoke, VA. Robert R. Young founded his business back in 1982, and is still currently active in the company along with his son Robert “Bobby” Young, son-in-law Chris Davis, and daughter Elizabeth “Beth” Davis who all handle and oversee the day-to-day operations. Robert Young’s currently operates at 10 locations with over 75 pieces of equipment to service the industry, and not only handles towing and recovery jobs, but also has been an NRC Distributor since 2000. As Beth points out, “It is always our mission to safely and professionally clean the roadway as quickly as possible to protect the motoring public.”

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Need some Nescafé coffee creamer? This rolled trailer had plenty of boxes to be unloaded before uprighting it.

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 37

Once all rigging was in place, Robert Young’s team of quick-clearance operators worked together to roll the tractor-trailer unit back on its wheels, while winching the unit sideways up the embankment.

RESPONDING EQUIPMENT CSR85 (85-Ton NRC Rotator) CSR65 (65-Ton NRC Rotator) 50CS (50-Ton NRC HeavyDuty Slider Wrecker)

Following direction from the VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation), Robert Young’s crew began the recovery by setting up an NRC 65-ton rotator on the southbound side, rigging and then winching the trailer over into the median to reopen the northbound lane for travel. Next, the VDOT provided instructions on when the complete recovery and cleanup removal would take place, scheduled for the following day at 9:00 p.m. Equipment, personnel, and a lane closure were all arranged by Robert Young’s crew, with staging taking place on Interstate 581 around the Peters Creek Road exit at approximately 8:30 p.m. Once given the go-ahead, Robert Young’s TRIP operators (Towing Recovery Incentive Program for quick clearance) descended on the scene with some heavies, an 85-ton NRC rotator, a 65-ton NRC rotator and a 50-ton heavy-duty NRC slider wrecker. Also included were additional towmen for a crash truck, a rollback with skid-steer, a rollback with mini excavator, two roll-off trucks with roll-off containers, a TRIP supervisor and six extra TRIP operators and skilled laborers for extra manpower. The VDOT and HAZMAT (Cedar Hill Farms Environmental) were both on scene as well to prevent any fuel spillage. Robert Young’s team began the recovery cleanup process by

RESPONDING OPERATORS

Robert Young’s quick-clearance crew worked long hours in the cold and dark to recover the wrecked tractor-trailer.

38 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Robert Young Bobby Young Chris Davis Jason Niday Jeffrey “Gibby” Gibson Beth Davis

Beth Davis (center), who normally handles office duties, also lent a hand to unload numerous boxes filled with jars of baby food.

prepping to remove the cargo. A pair of light poles were set up for safe illumination for all on scene. The skid-steer and mini excavator were also unloaded for the cleanup process. The skid-steer began clearing the heavy, deep snow to provide working room for the operators and equipment. Once the recovery area was opened up, the first roll-off truck was backed into position at the rear of the broken trailer. The roll-off container was then unloaded for the removal of the cargo, and the operators and skilled laborers placed the food products in the skidsteer bucket for dumping into the roll-off container. While the first roll-off container was being filled, a hole was cut at the other half of the trailer for the completion of the unloading of the cargo. A second rolloff truck with roll-off container was then backed into position at the front-end of the trailer where it connects to the tractor. Operators continued working at each end of the trailer, painstakingly unloading by hand, all of the cargo into the two roll-off containers for removal and ultimately, in preparation of recovering and removing the tractor-trailer unit. Once the cargo completely filled the roll-off containers, they were transported to storage in Roanoke. Also, the TRIP operators applied some rigging in preparation for the roll-over of the tractor-trailer unit back onto its wheels. The lane closure in place on the northbound side of I-80 had to be moved to the southbound side, and

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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 39

other recovery vehicles, were then staged off the exit on Plantation Road, ready to proceed to the southbound side. The next day around 2:00 a.m., after the OK was given to proceed, the staged equipment proceeded to setup on the southbound side. TRIP operators began setting up the 85ton rotator, 65-ton rotator and 50ton heavy-duty slider wrecker. The 50-ton heavy-duty slider wrecker was setup at the nose of the semi and rigging chains were attached with pressure applied to stabilize the tractor during the recovery. The 85-ton rotator was setup at the middle of the tractor-trailer unit and rigged to both the tractor and the trailer. The NRC 65-ton rotator was setup at the rear of the trailer and rigged using a snatch-block running through the adjacent outrigger. Once all rigging was in place, all units worked together to roll the

40 • November 2023 | Towman.com

damaged/wrecked tractor-trailer unit back onto its wheels while simultaneously winching the unit sideways up the embankment to the southbound shoulder of the roadway. After it was safely moved onto the shoulder, TRIP operators began prepping the unit for removal; air lines were supplied, and straps were added to the trailer for removal. Other TRIP operators continued with cleaning up debris from the scene. The skid-steer went down the embankment from the southbound side to the northbound side to retrieve large broken pieces of the trailer’s side and roof, while other TRIP operators and laborers gathered up debris by hand and filled numerous large black trash bags with the scattered remains. Approximately 10 pallets were moved by hand up the embankment from the northbound side to the southbound side. Once the large broken pieces of

the trailer/roof were retrieved, it was moved up the hill for loading and removal from the scene. An additional rollback had been dispatched, and once it arrived on scene and was positioned in place, the large pieces of the trailer side and roof were loaded onto the bed for removal. The large trash bags of handpicked debris and pallets were also loaded for removal. The trucks and rigging were then packed up and everything was cleared from the scene, restoring it back to preaccident conditions. Beth Davis, who normally handles billing and invoicing for Robert Young’s, also got involved in the cleanup work. “It was really cold,” she recalled. “But we’ve got six rotators and the manpower to get the job done. Recoveries are what we do, so it was just another day’s work for us.”

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 41

NOVEMBER 15-18, 2023

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER

EXHIBITOR ROSTER

Exhibitor Roster as of 10/19/23 *Supplier names in bold are display advertisers in this issue with their ad page number cross-referenced 360 Payments

Beacon Funding

Environmental Chemical Solutions

ITI Skates - pg.28 booth# 602

5Star Specialty Programs

Benchmark Payment Network

EPulse

J & R Products & Towing Access.

AAA Club Alliance

Big D’s Fabrication

Excel Sportswear

Jerr-Dan - pg.C2 booth# 1505

AC RadioCom

BlueBridge Financial

FCar Tech USA - pg. N76 booth# 1206

Junk Car Pricer

Access Tools - pg.63 booth# 1318

Breg Environmental

Federal Signal

Kalyn Siebert - pg.18 booth# 745

Agero

Brown & Brown Ins. - pg.64 booth# 4811

First Business Bank

Kapnick Insurance Group

All American Auto Group - pg.N, S, M 75 booth# 1514 & 1519

Car-Part.com

FleetNet America

Landoll Company - pg.41 booth# 430

Century booth# 223

Fleetway Capital Corp.

Lift And Tow

Alliance Funding Group

Chevron booth# 223

Fullbay

Lift Marketing Group - pg.N79 booth# 1213

Allstate Roadside - pg.58 booth# 2415

Chevron Commercial - pg.23 booth# 1230

FYX Fleet

Lighthouse Insurance Services

Allstate Roadside Education

Coast Pay

GEICO

Lightsafeworks Co

American Safety & Supply

Collins

Guniwheel - pg.39 booth# 602

Lodar USA

American Towman Magazine booth# 1333

ConsumerPay

Guttman Energy - pg.55 booth# 131

Lokithor

American Towman TV booth# 1333

Copart Transp. - pg.31 booth# 3201 & 3408

HAAS Alert

Lucky’s Trailer Sales

AmeriDeck™

Crouch’s Wrecker Equip. - pg.49 booth# 1118

Hale Trailer Brk. & Wheel - pg.67 booth# 948

Lynch Truck Centers

Anchor Graphics

Curbside SOS

HD Trailers

Madison Capital

Apache2way.com

Custer Products - pg.32 booth# 1337

Hino Trucks

Magnify Payments

APR Plastic Fabricating

Custom Built MFG

Holly’s Towing Dispatch

Marshall & Sterling Insurance

ARI Phoenix

David Clark

Holmes booth# 223

Matheny Towing Equipment

Ascentium Capital

DewEze Mfg.

Hunter Engineering Company

Matjack Jumbo Safelift - pg.65 booth# 1328

AT & T Business

Ditch Hitch

Huntington Bank

Maxxeon

Aussie Rimshine

DOT Tie Down

I Buy Remotes

Maryland Carrier & Wrecker Sales

Austin Insurance - pg.N76 booth# 800

DRIVE

IAA

Metro Tow Trucks

Auto Data Direct - pg.16 booth# 3110

Dual-Tech - pg.34 booth# 2601

Illusions Wraps

Metrocom - pg.27 booth# 400

Autogod

Dynamic Tow Equip.

In The Ditch Towing Products

Miller Industries - pg.19 booth# 223

Axle Spindle Repair

Infinity Massage Chairs

Mobile Road Service Solutions

Azuga

East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales - pg.60-61 booth# 3605

Int’l Towing HoF / Mus. - pg.57 booth# 4602

Mobile Video Computing Sol.

B/A Products

East Penn Truck Equipment - pg.32 booth# 216

Integrated Veh. & Equip. Leasing

Myers Benner Corp.

Bad Dog Tools

Echo 911

Intek Truck & Equip. Leasing

Mytee Products

Battelini Wrecker Sales

EDGETEC (Hooks) - pg.W76 booth# 202

International Recovery Systems

Nanjing Miao Run Sen

Bay Street

Emergency Responder Safety Institute

International Trucks - pg.9 booth# 206

National Automobile Club

BBSI

Energy Security Agency

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America

National Interstate Insurance

42 • November 2023 | Towman.com

National Recovery USA

Talbert Mfg. - pg.N79 booth# 945

Nite Beams

The Hilb group

Novawinch USA

TJR Equipment and Controls

NRC Industries - Inside Back Cover booth# 1425

Topdon USA

NSD + Questx

Tow Canada

NYO Bolt

Tow Industry Week booth# 1333

OMG Tow Marketing - pg.26 booth# 2721

Tow Life

On The Scene Supply / Matheny OnlineParkingPass.com

Tow Truck Wags Nottingham Ins. - pg.N78 booth# 1801

OnPoint - AVL & Navigation

Towbook Management Soft. - pg.29 booth# 3212

Paccar Winch

TowCom

Parkva

Towing & Recovery Prof. of Connecticut

PayLogix Merchant Services

Towing Forward Company

Peak Auto Auctions

Towing.com

Peddle

TowingWebsites.com

Penny Pockets

TowMate - pg.65 booth# 3309

Phoenix USA

TowToolz

Pinnacle Trailer Sales

Tracked Machines - pg.39 booth# 540

PipeBreak USA

Trail King Industries - pg.27 booth# 951

Pop - A - Lock

TRAA

Power Home Remodeling

Transit Pros

Pruuvn

TransUnion

Purpose Wrecker Sales

Traxero NA - pg.17 booth# 1115

QuakeLED

Truck Crane Solutions

QuickLoadz

TruckMax

R&A Insurance

TrxNow

Ramsey Winch

Tulsa Winch-dp Winch

Ranger SST

TW Products

Razor Wraps

Two Way Radio Gear - pg.22 booth# 2200

RC Industries

UHS Hardware

Recovery Solutions & Title

Ultraband USA

RimSling - pg.18 booth# 602

Urgently

Roadside Protect

US Fleet Tracking - pg.15 booth# 1332

RoadSync

Verdant Commercial Capital

Robert Young’s NRC Sales & Service

Warn Industries - pg.7 booth# 1403

Royal Truck & Equipment

Warrior Winches

RP Recovery Consulting - pg.62 booth# 1433

We Buy Key Fobs - pg.48 booth# 2800

RRA Tow Truck Insurance

Wellnex Group

RRL Insurance

West End - pg.23 booth# 616

SafeAll - pg.58 booth# 602

Whelen Engineering Co.

Safety Vision

Will-Burt Company - pg.20 booth# 120

Santander Bank - pg.C4 booth# 1323

Worldwide Equipment Sales

Sepson US - pg.51 booth# 2816

Wreaths Across America - pg.N78 booth# 4915

Specialty Vehicle Equip. Funding

WreckMaster

Spill Tackle

Vulcan booth# 223

Stamp Works

Xpress-Pay

Steck Mfg. Co.

Yaldi Premium Finance

Stertil-Koni, USA

Ynot Services

Stephens Truck Center

Zellner Insurance Agency

T-Mobile

Zero Fee Commerce

2023 SPONSORS Events and Specialty Items

REGISTRATION COUNTER

WELCOME CRUISE SUNDAY PIE

Zip’s / AW Direct - pg.25,47 booth# 602

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 43

Tow Boss

Rollbacks for Recoveries

CHP’s Tow Service Agreement, Section 3 (2), “ Tow Truck Classifications,” states that, “An operator who has a car carrier is exempted from the recovery, wheel lift, and boom capability requirements. However, the car carrier must be an additional unit and shall not be used for recovery.”

Not Your Father’s Flatbed Anymore

PROBLEMS WITH CARRIERS?

By Randall C. Resch

W 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.

ho says car carriers can’t be recovery trucks? The daily work of tow operators clearly proves otherwise. Carriers aren’t what they were 30 years ago, and modern innovations in their design and construction make flatbeds more user-friendly and mechanically capable to meet and even exceed the standards of law enforcement. Yet, note how California’s Vehicle Code Section 615 (a) describes tow trucks: “… a motor vehicle which has been altered or designed and equipped for, and primarily used in the business of, transporting vehicles by means of a crane, hoist, tow bar, tow line, or dolly or is otherwise primarily used to render assistance to other vehicles. A rollback carrier, designed to carry up to two vehicles, is also a tow truck.” Even though California’s Vehicle Code refers to carriers as a “tow truck,” the CHP (California Highway Patrol) doesn’t recognize them as recovery trucks. The

44 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Perhaps this questionable directive stems from the agency’s stance that carriers are for transport only. If so, then why are carriers handling rollovers on state highways? Moreover, highway patrol and safety officers allow towers to work recoveries with flatbeds. Isn’t that because they’ve proved their worth many times over? Maybe law enforcement is unable to accurately request the proper tow equipment that is needed for the recovery. Or, maybe tow companies are sending untrained operators to handle on-highway incidents. A bit of both are reasonable explanations. So, where’s the disconnect? For law-enforcement rotation tow providers, working rollovers and recoveries is a process more advanced than load-andgo procedures. Speed and efficiency are attained by positioning recovery trucks properly, allowing operators access to recovery equipment, and the opportunity to initiate industry-standard techniques. Safe and efficient recoveries include dispatching properly equipped trucks outfitted with modern equipment, along with operators trained in “Quick Clear” techniques. Skilled carrier operators are

handle reverse-roll procedures better, but they are completed by skilled operators who know how to work the technique. Regardless of whether a carrier or winch-truck is used, too many wrecker operators aren’t properly trained and can’t work basic rollovers. Don’t blame an operator’s inability on the truck, but consider instead the possibility of a tow company’s incomplete or even non-existent training program. Using some ingenuity and the right equipment, a car carrier like this NRC unit can handle a roll-over recovery. Photo credit: Sonya Messier | Mayacom

worth their weight in gold. There’s little a carrier- operator can’t do, other than work scenarios that require extension or lift. Even so, a great percentage of operators are wary of advanced carrier recoveries like reverse rollovers, pointing out that they’ve never been trained to handle them, or claiming that, “They take too long.” True, twin-winch wreckers

THE RIGHT TRUCK

Light-duty carriers of taller and heavier classifications (up to 25,999 pounds) handle SUVs and pickup trucks. Their extra weight makes roll-overs and recoveries less problematic, while small carriers are limited to recovery use. Carrier Recovery 101 suggests a well-equipped truck and its operator are successful recovery artists when applying the following safe techniques: Rigging-for-Roll—While many rollovers are easy enough to handle, some are problematic. Anticipate a

Jerr-Dan’s side-recovery system with a pivoting boom is one example of practical innovations in carrier design that enhance recovery operations.

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

“car-from-hell” scenario by initially rigging the recovery chain where a “stiff-leg” can be added—but only as a last resort. Looking for a Possible Spin Out— Over-aggressive winching often causes the casualty to spin where mechanical advantage is lost. To prevent this from happening, ease winch controls “in” and as slowly initiated, watch out for the casualty to “bite the pavement.” Anticipate the Landing Zone— For carriers outfitted with 50-feet of cable, winching on happens within 30-feet of total space, sufficient to rotate the casualty in line with the deck. If cable length becomes an issue, additional chain can be added. Preventing Roll Away—Rollaway dangers are always present, and failure to arrest a vehicle’s roll could result in a secondary crash. Position long, 4x4-inch timbers as wheel chocks where the casualty drops to the pavement. Also, a oneinch motorcycle strap can be attached to the vehicle’s e-brake cable from the underside. For larger vehicles, thread chain through the vehicle rims attached to its frame. Monitor the Fall Zone—There’s nothing more unprofessional to see than carrier operators showing off and conducting roll-over recovery, only to watch the casualty vehicle slam onto the carrier’s deck. Triedand-true recovery techniques allow a casualty vehicle to drop to the pavement without hitting the deck. When allowing sufficient room between the landing zone and carrier’s deck, skilled operators simply attach the winch line to the vehicle’s end and spin it into the proper loading angle. All that’s left is winching it onto the awaiting carrier. Load-and-Roll—Once the casualty returns to its wheels, all that remains is to load, secure and transport it. Carriers provide better functionality when casualties

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 45

are motorcycles, a vehicle is split in two, or there’s a large amount of debris. Experienced operators don’t have to load upside down, either.

WHAT’S LINE?

THE

BOTTOM

Fact: Carriers have gotten a bad rap! When flatbed operators are competent and know their equipment, they’re fast and successful in their work. Some tow truck manufacturers might feel that flatbeds aren’t warranted, guaranteed, or even recommended, yet today’s carrier operators actively use side-pulling devices, snatch blocks and tailboard-mounted rollers to conduct recoveries. While such a view could be a long-ago ploy to sell more wreckers back in the day, carrier capabilities have advanced well beyond this old-school mentality. As mentioned above, the CHP states that car carriers shall not be used for recovery. However, this statement is debatable and often challenged by towmen such as rotation responder, Dave Clark, a long-time owner/ operator of Clark’s Towing, in San Jacinto, CA. “Carriers are a mainstay to tow companies everywhere,” Dave points out. “Especially carriers that are equipped with side-pullers which are particularly advantageous on the mountain roads and the rural areas that I serve. While a regular carrier gets the job done, my carrier gives me the best of both worlds to recover and transport.” When heavy wreckers are called to extract over-the-bank recoveries, Clark adds, “With a side puller, I don’t have to block the road like a regular wrecker, I just bring it up, load it and go.”

INVERTED LOADS?

Winching vehicles upside down onto carrier decks is a difficult proposition, yet a process that towers conduct regularly. While fire,

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 47

cargo spillage, and leaking fluids is always a concern, there are few if any reports of upside-down vehicles spontaneously combusting during transport. Law enforcement has been brainwashed to think that carriers can’t do rollovers. However, skilled operators are capable of working rolled vehicles with carriers. The operable word here is, “skilled,” noting that carriers have responded to recovery scenarios for better than 35 years. It’s unfortunate that a lack of operator training fuels the misperception that carriers aren’t meant for recovery. Also, tow companies and state tow associations have openly failed to promote using carriers for recovery. It’s a known fact that some big-box training entities and statewide associations don’t train in use of rollovers. If your training entity doesn’t teach carrier recovery,

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you’re not getting the best bang for your buck.

COPS AREN’T TOWMEN

Why is such a large percentage of responding companies sending flatbed carriers to rollover calls? Is there typically a communication breakdown when officers on-scene neglect to request a “recovery truck” or “wrecker” at accident scenes? That being said, is the carrier sent away, or does the skilled operator work the recovery? The answer is usually the latter option. If you’ve worked the industry for a long time, you’ve likely worked recovery scenes where law enforcement officers think they know more about recovery than you do. For newbie towers, that may be true, but if you’re confident, skilled and competently trained, isn’t it your job to “work it” in a professional, competent manner?

The truth of the matter is that law enforcement academies don’t teach recovery. It’s something that officers learn it on-the-job. And when an officer sees incompetent operators struggling to work a recovery, negative opinions can be quickly formed. As a retired traffic-accident investigator, I’ve observed carrier operators work recoveries with relative ease. While a carrier’s deck might be twisted and bent during recoveries that have gone wrong, that typically happens as a result of operator incompetence, improper setup, or shoddy maintenance. Notably, none of those is typically caused by the carrier’s design. Recovery speed and efficiency is entirely in the hands of trained and experienced operators. Rollover recoveries aren’t new, and techniques don’t change, regardless of the type of tow truck. When untrained

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operators can’t work simple recoveries, it’s commonplace for law enforcement to order towers to load cars upside-down out of frustration. The bottom line; if companies send carriers to recovery calls, their operators had better be capable of working them.

GETTING CURRENT

It doesn’t make sense for the industry to stifle one of the best types of tow trucks serving today’s towers. This is easily proved by simply counting the number of flatbed carriers serving the tow and recovery industry today. Today’s carriers can be option equipped with side-pull devices that include down riggers, stabilizers, and socket pullers to create efficient and capable recovery trucks. The success and usability of carriers outfitted with modern devices enhance recovery capabilities of car

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carriers, so they can conduct front, side, and rear winch-outs. Refuting the CHP’s wording that requires a recovery truck to “have an extendable/retractable recovery boom”, one major equipment manufacturer builds a side-puller that includes a swinging boom, capable of swinging left or right, along with down riggers to increase winching stability. (The only component lacking is an “extendable boom” for lifting procedures). Equipment advances like these directly challenge the CHP’s wording and the current way law enforcement thinks. Perhaps it’s time state tow associations and equipment manufacturers revisit and share with the new generation of police tow administrators that carriers are effective in recovery capabilities and operations. To say carriers aren’t for recovery is an old-school mentality.

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Classic Wrecker

Raggedy Rat Rod A Conglomeration of Historical Parts That Pays Tribute to Grandpa Dub By Steve Temple

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There was quite a contrast between these two trucks from Isaac’s Wrecker Service at our 2023 TowXpo in Fort Worth.

The chassis and exhaust system were custom fabricated by Thomas Adams.

This wrecker turns heads wherever it goes.

hy not dare to be different? Even though we normally favor featuring tow trucks with glossy graphics and colorful lighting, taking a totally opposite approach can be just as attentionWork the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

getting. That was the case with Keith Isaac of Isaac’s Wrecker Service from Tyler, Texas at our TowXpo event in Fort Worth this past Summer. While he won an award for his snazzy 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 Century 2465 in the Pre-

2023 Light-Duty category, what gravitated spectators as well, was his rusty “rat rod” wrecker. Powered by a a cleverly customized 12V 5.9L Cummins turbo diesel, the truck’s cab hails from a ‘45 Ford half-ton pickup and sports

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Keith’s favorite embellishments are the antique glass doorknobs.

For a laugh and to fit with the rat rod theme, Keith added fake rodents all over his tow truck.

a deliberately worn-down finish. It also displays non-automotive, repurposed items, such as antique glass doorknobs, a beer-tap shifter, and a handsaw doubling-down as a sun visor. This whimsical hodgepodge of parts is not only a counter-culture statement, but also serves as a personal tribute to

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The 12V Cummins diesel provides plenty of grunt.

There’s a bit of everything on this old wrecker, both inside and out.

Company Profile In business since 1999, Isaacs Wrecker Service LLC was founded by Keith and his wife Sammie Isaacs with only one truck and a dream. They now run a fleet of 18 heavies, five of which are rotators, plus 22 rollbacks, three wheel lifts, and ten heavy-haul trucks, along with multiple pieces of service equipment (trucks, airbag trailers, four Bobcats and excavators). The company serves 12 different counties in Texas, and has ten storage yards scattered across East Texas. Keith says he’s been blessed with great employees and an awesome family. The steering wheel is made of welded-up chain and hand tools.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 55

For a nostalgic tribute, the ’72 Holmes 440 bed came from grandpa Dub’s ‘78 tow truck.

Keith’s grandfather J.W. “Dub” Isaacs, with a ’72 Holmes 440 bed that he used on his ‘78 tow truck. “It means a lot to me,” Keith says. “He was my idol, like my Dad.” While his tow truck represents a wealth of history for Keith, building a rat rod on any type of vehicle is no simple matter, as it takes a lot of work to craft such a conglomeration of components. Isaac’s entire crew, along with welder Thomas Adams, combined all sorts of junk-pile parts to give this wrecker a fun and funky look. Also referred to as a “resurrection rod” due to its strange mix of archaic items, the buildup started out with Adams’ custom, tubeframe chassis fitted with an airbag rear-end and cantilever

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Emily Oz of American Towman TV interviewed Keith Isaacs at the TowXpo in Fort Worth, Texas.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 57

suspension up front. The nose cowl came from a Farmall 60 series tractor, and was topped with a Mack bulldog hood ornament. Additional mismatched items include an industrial air filter from an autoloader, a fuel tank from Lincoln welder, and a George Dickel liquor bottle to handle coolant overflow. Inside the cab, the rusted-out floorpans were replaced with sheet metal from a Case bulldozer, along with patches made from metal signs and license plates, and a steering wheel crafted from welded-up chain and hand tools. Not everything is old-school stuff, though, as the sound system blasts out through modern ski boat speakers. “It kinda has a bit of everything,” Keith sums up. That includes some rubber rodents mounted throughout the truck, complete with a rat skeleton holding a spark plug in its mouth (a visual joke, since plugs obviously aren’t used in a diesel engine). No surprise that all the kids get a kick out of this wild wrecker, and Isaac also see lots of thumbs-up from onlookers, too. “It’s a lot of fun to drive,” he adds, despite not having an a/c system. He’s done his grandpa Dub proud!

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 59

Supplier Scoop

toll system, powered by 4See by Grote and the new EHP system. The Alertoll offers layers of safety and money savings for the owner/ operator, while the EHP system offers another alternative with “Electric Hydraulic Power.” The October festivities were one of the many events Landoll planned to celebrate 60 years of manufacturing trailers. Source: landoll.com

U.S. Roadside Assistance Market Size

Don Landoll founded the Landoll Company in 1963.

Landoll’s Diamond Anniversary

The Landoll Company in Marysville, Kansas kicked off the company’s 60th anniversary celebration

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October 9 to 13 in conjunction with manufacturing week. The Landoll trailer sales and material handling teams visited to learn about new products, including the new Aler-

According to a study published by Custom Market Insights, the demand analysis of U.S. Roadside Assistance Market size and share revenue was valued at approximately USD 2156.3 Million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 2247.1 Million in 2023. The Roadside market is also projected to climb to about USD 3346.2 Million by 2032, at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2023 and 2032. The expanding number of ve-

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 63

hicles, with ages of more than 10 years, is more prone to experience mechanical and electric issues, which has considerably added to the market development. Vehicle makers likewise have fostered a more noteworthy tendency towards roadside vehicle assistance for their customers. In addition, extreme weather conditions affecting a great many drivers make driving circumstances incredibly unsafe with a high risk of mishaps, which in turn drives up the roadside assistance market. Source: custommarketinsights. c o m / re p o r t / u s - ro a d s i d e - a s s i s tance-market

Trucking Companies Add More Diesel Rigs

The California Air Resources Board’s ambitious new zero-emissions rule for trucks is backfiring, as trucking companies are loading up on diesel rigs before the dead-

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line. This rule requires that all new trucks sold in California be zero-emission by 2040 in order to reduce air pollution. However, the high cost of zero-emission trucks is forcing trucking companies to buy diesel trucks now, which will lock in emissions for years to come. While the rule also phases out older diesel trucks, it still allows trucking companies to keep operating them for a certain number of years, which means that there will be a large number of diesel trucks on the road in California for many years to come.

Growing Demand for High-Vis Apparel

The high-visibility clothing market is estimated to have acquired US$ 1.6 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to register a 6.6% CAGR from 2023 to 2031. Thus, by 2031, the market is likely to gain US$ 2.9 billion. Innovative fabric technologies are transforming these products, with materials such as retroreflective microspheres and photoluminescent pigments which enhance visibility, further ensuring maximum safety for workers in diverse settings, from low-light environments to inclement weather conditions. In addition, the integration of AR into safety gear can provide wearers with real-time information about their surroundings, hazards, and instructions, all displayed on their clothing. This can significantly enhance worker safety, particularly in complex work environments. Beyond brand-

ing, there is also growing interest in highly customized high- visibility clothing. This includes tailored fits, modular designs, and personalized safety features based on individual job roles and preferences. Manufacturers offering custom solutions can cater to the specific needs of various industries, ensuring optimal safety and comfort. The high-visibility clothing market is marked by strong competition among global manufacturers, such as 3M Company, Honeywell International Inc., and Ansell Limited, among several others. Source: transparencymarketresearch.com

Hard-Working Hustlers Rewarding Great Tow Service Providers

The Agero Summer Hustle celebrates the outstanding performance of in-network towers and roadside providers. Winners are selected based on top-performing metrics and direct, positive customer commentary. This is the third consecutive year Agero has run the Summer Hustle, and excitingly, the program has evolved quite a bit. Agero has tripled the weekly winners from four to twelve, now called “The Deserving Dozen,” which means that over the course of the 2023 Hustle, 120 providers have been rewarded for an outstanding commitment to their jobs! These providers deliver on a promise of high-quality, predictable services, and the greatest possi-

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 65

ble client and consumer satisfaction. The full list of winners/providers from all over the country is on TowIndustryWeek.com.

Access Card Features

As a new innovation, Ford Motor Company recently filed a patent for a vehicle-access card. Instead of being used to simply access a vehicle or start it, though, the card would have a built-in display to show a variety of aspects, such as which vehicle it belongs to, vehicle status, maintenance reminders, and lock status. The card will receive this information via a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a technology already in use by airlines to track luggage.

Digital Fleet Management Program

Mack’s new fleet management portal provides customers with actionable information about their trucks. Called Mack Connect, it enables customers to digitally access information about their trucks, the company announced at American Trucking Associations’ Management Conference & Exhibition. This service brings

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together several connectivity-related services under one platform, with the aim of improving customer visibility into the health and performance of their vehicles while simplifying access to that data. Mack Connect was developed from customer feedback so fleets can improve their operational efficiencies and profitability. The platform gathers information for customers on their trucks, services, and their specific application. The customers can then use this data to improve fuel efficiency, safety, and productivity. The various functions and services available through the platform are organized into what is known as its toolbox. It includes data about asset location, idle time, traffic information, fuel efficiency, safety performance and vehicle speed. Customers can access the status of their Mack vehicles through a 4G Telematics Gateway.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • 69

My Baby

Recovered Rotator How Super Mario Found His Way Back Home By George L. Nitti

I George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009. He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

magine the sinking feeling when realizing that one of your most prized wreckers is missing from your towing facility. That’s what P.J. Daly of P.J.’s Towing woke up to on September 10. His beloved and valuable 2020 T880 Kenworth equipped with a Century 1150 Rotator disappeared soon after it was dropped off at a secured facility in Lansing, Michigan. The company’s crew had locked it inside a building that included nine surveillance cameras on the property. Daly recounted how thieves jumped the fence and punched a hole in a window on the garage door and ransacked the shop, despite the security measures throughout the property. The tenacious thieves removed the GPS from the truck to prevent being tracked, cut the lock off the entrance

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gate, and drove the truck away, shortly after midnight. For Daly, the loss was sickening. “I’ve worked my butt off to build a good company, and to have a special truck like that one,” he related. “I was proud of it. It was beautiful, fully stocked, and ready to work. It was a show truck. The graphics were incredible.” The day before it was stolen, the rotator won best of show at the Ultimate Truck Show in Michigan at the Gilmore Car Museum, with its masterfully designed Super Mario Brothers themed wrap. Back in the mid 1980s, this Nintendo game was all the rage, becoming one of the most all-time popular video games ever. More recently, it became the subject of a hit movie as well, with the Mario cartoon character voiced by famed actor Chris Pratt, and now appeals

A tan-colored area with tribal flames offsets the vivid colors on the rest of the rotator.

A tow chain winds through all the Super Mario images.

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

to a whole new generation of Super Mario fans. Daly was convinced that he would never see his wonderfully decorated wrecker ever again. The loss wasn’t merely the visual presentation either, as his Kenworth was fully loaded with a 605hp Cummins X15 diesel backed by an 18-speed trans, along with five winches, including an SP 850-XP side puller, knee boom lift, and hefty outriggers. The finishing touch consisted of Whelen strobe

lighting complete with green underbody glow lights. Like all of the trucks in P.J.’s impeccably dressed fleet, operating out of five different locations, this unit shined. “I like giving every truck its own little personality,” said Daly, who has drawn on an archive of superheroes and patriotic themes over the years, with the assistance of graphic design company 180 Designs, to create memorable wraps. In the case of the Super Mario

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Engine: Cummins X15 605 hp Transmission: 18 speed Chassis: 2020 Kenworth T880 Wrecker: Century 1150 Rotator with knee boom Winches: 5 (Two on boom, drag winch and SP 850-XP Side Puller) Lights: 16 M6 Whelen Strobe Light, Miller Strip Lights, Green Underbody Glow Graphics: 180 Designs

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P.J.’s Towing works closely with several emergency responders for a common purpose of helping each other and the local community.

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Daly is so happy to have his beautiful wrecker back home, once again fully dressed and ready for work.

The hood graphics boldly show who’s the tow boss here!

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Brothers wrap, it displays the magical Mushroom Kingdom’s characters who graced the game over the years, filled with a colorful landscape of lush greens and bright, happy colors. On the lower half of the unit, a tancolored section accented with tribal flames serves as a counterpoint to those brighter colors. Onlookers can easily imagine themselves battling their way through this life-size version of the beloved game. “This wrap shows all of the tunnels and some of the backgrounds from the game itself,” Daly recalled. “I find that if you can create a cool character that people can relate to, it helps business because they want to use that truck. It gets people excited about towing.” Imagery connected to the towing industry also abounds, like the large tow chain that winds its way through the enchanted landscape. There are also slogans, with one on the boom extolling, “Get Hooked on P.J.’s;” and another on the sides, proclaiming,

Fans of Super Mario Brothers will recognize all of the characters from the game and movie.

“1 Team, 1 Goal” that stands out in large, bold lettering. “We work hand in hand with emergency responders,” he explained. “That includes fire, police, EMS, and ourselves. We are local people helping our communities and helping each other all with the same goal.” That sentiment would come into clearer focus as the tow community bonded around P.J.’s cry for help to find his missing rotator. Through social media, Daly informed the towing community about the theft, posting before-and-after pics of the wrap. And at the urging of his 16-year-old son, Daly made a video on TikTok which went viral. Several days later, an owner of an auto body shop in New Jersey, after seeing the Facebook post of the stolen rotator, remembered seeing the truck pass through earlier in the week, and let Daly know that he had seen it. Not long thereafter, a driver at Hawks Towing in Trenton, New

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Jersey, was picking up a box truck in a private parking lot, when he discovered a rotator sitting next to it that the owner of the lot also wanted removed. The driver sent a picture of the rotator, which had been stripped of its wrap, to the owner of Hawks, who then remembered seeing the video on TikTok. Hawks then personally went out to find the truck, but discovered it was no longer in that lot. Determined to locate it and knowing it couldn’t have gone far, Hawks scoured the area until he spotted the stolen rotator at the back end of a lot, wedged between two tractor-trailers. “He called the police and then

called us,” said Daly. “Hawks Towing picked it up and held it for us.” Desperate to get his truck back, Daly made the trek from Michigan in the wee hours of the night with his heavy-duty operator Jeff West, to pick up the recovered rotator and bring it back home. Wasting no time, the unit was rewrapped with the same Super Mario Brothers design and is once again out on the road to the delight of its owner and the community. “We are so thankful for all the people that helped us through this,” Daly enthused. “I’d like to give special thanks to Jason Cleffi from Ajaco Service, who called us every day, put calls out and checked lots. That guy was absolutely amazing. Also, thanks to Michael Cavitch, who was the owner of the body shop in New Jersey who first spotted it. And to Antonio Joseph ‘Tony the Tow Man’ who has over 5,000 towers on his social media page and shared it with his social media platform. And Hawk from Hawks Towing in Trenton, NJ, who found it.” Just like the Mario brothers, all of these friends had to run and jump through many levels in order to rescue Daly’s kidnapped rotator.

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Lowdown

The Show Mirrors Your Value

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

The rate hike to $200 for a nonconsensual tow in Virginia Beach has followed a gradual trend of towns recognizing that towing services should be recompensed for the value and importance of their work. Yet, the tower’s investment, costs, and expertise warrants more than that. A tow operator deserves to be paid more than $30 an hour. Cost of equipment and insurance on the wrecker place the needed fees much higher than most cities pay. No one entity in or related to this industry has understood the value of the towman and the service he offers more than American Towman. The Exposition mirrors this value. American Towman striving to reflect the true value of the towing industry with its Exposition has made it the greatest trade show in the world. It’s spectacle is unmatched: booms reaching to the ceiling, wreckers painted with a flourish and skill that would give the Louvre in Paris a run for its money, murals spanning city blocks depicting this trade ‘s unique work, a medal honoring the towman’s bravery, a pin for his valor, seminars breeding success, a monument that makes people choke with pride, a designer chopper with a towing theme, dramatic ceremonies, music filling the air from fiddlers to bluegrass bands to marching bands to towman ballads.

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All set with the backdrop of a magnificent harbor—a destination site worthy of hosting this great industry. All these things lend to a celebration spanning four days that no other trade event can top the world over. But it wouldn’t all be real without the men and women who are the grit of this trade, and the heroes among them that make Baltimore’s Inner Harbor truly the Home of the Brave. At any given moment, this grit and valor are displayed on the streets and highways of America. When they step into the Baltimore Convention Center, they actually change the atmosphere in the space, and the structure becomes vibrant from the presence of men and women who keep our roads clear, who bring help to those broken down, who are masters of chaos doing the work no one else can, or will. The exhilaration of the AT Expo experience feels something like that of the home-run hitter thrusting his arm toward the sky while running around the bases; it is inside the American Towman Exposition these unique professionals feel the acclaim the society at large does not give them. Among the thousands of towmen attending AT Expo XXXIV, many will feel a new sense of worth and have the revelation their rates need to be significantly raised.

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News Flash Bolus Truck Parts and Towing’s Christmas Dinner

Bob Bolus, Sr., owner of Bolus Truck Parts and Towing, announced his 30th Annual Christmas Day Dinner, to be held at St. Patrick’s Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Bolus welcomes all who want to attend, as the annual event now serves nearly 4000 dinners, 600 of which are delivered to families in the community. He promises there will be plenty of food (to take home as well) amidst the day’s c a m a r a d e - Bob Bolus carving up a turkey rie and at last year's Christmas Dinner.

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AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • North 77

festivities. The event has evolved since its inception 30 years ago, when Bolus noted that he was stuck with a pallet of turkeys that none of the stores would take. Bolus took it upon himself to feed the community with those leftover turkeys through his church, and the event has continued to grow. Bolus plans on spending the day in the kitchen carving up turkeys. “It’s all about giving of yourself and putting people first on the most import-

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Most of the charges against A1 employees were dropped by the District County Office.

ant day of the year,” he said. “For me, it’s an opportunity to give back. I know that the towing community shares in this spirit.” Source: facebook.com/bolus. towing

Memphis Tow Employees Cleared of Criminal Charges

A judge from a County District in Memphis has dropped criminal charges leveled against at least four A1 employees, who were arrested in six different incidents involving the towing of 18-wheelers. In five of the cases, the A1 tow truck drivers were charged with carjacking after police said they took the big rigs by force. In another case, an A1 employee was charged with aggravated assault. Another employee still has charges pending for theft and driving with a canceled or revoked license. However, Chancellor Melanie Taylor-Jefferson said the Memphis Police Department violated a previous court order prohibiting officers from going on private properties and enforcing rules. Several truck drivers have complained bitterly about being booted and paying hefty charges to have their vehicles released, accusing A1 of being quick to the draw in booting their trucks while police are required to sit idly by. Source: wreg.com Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

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Episode 31

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

News Flash from a driveway and the other from the street in front of a home. "They had an AirTag in their vehicle, and it pinged,” said Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen. “So, our officer was able to get in touch with the person and go and find where the pinging was coming from.” Law enforcement found the vehicles, but they were totaled, with the SUVs completely stripped of all their parts. After several weeklong investigations, Castaneda was arrested, and his wrecker was seized. Source: abc13.com

Repo Driver Ambushed and Killed in Chicago

Memphis Tow Employees Cleared of Criminal Charges

Most of the charges against A1 employees were dropped by the District County Office.

Tow Scheme Unveiled by Video and Tracking Device

A tow truck driver in Houston is facing charges of theft, after a couple of cars he allegedly towed were found parted out in a chop shop where he had taken them. Ignacio Ulisis Castaneda, 36, is charged with tampering with a record and two counts of theft between $30,000 and $150,000. Surveillance video showed a black wrecker pull up outside two homes on separate days, and tow one car

The chop shop where a tow truck driver brought stolen vehicles for disassembly.

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we have.” A 34-year-old man from Buffalo was driving the tow truck, and purportedly in a relationship with the woman. Her older sister, Jaqlene Bullock, indicated that Turner was trying to get out of an abusive relationship. She said Turner loved life and her 10-year-old son too much to ever consider jumping out of a moving vehicle. Source: wivb.com

A child straying from a front yard play area while unsupervised was struck by a tow truck.

his fiancée had been preparing for their baby shower that coming weekend, according to his mother, who rushed to the scene of the crime with his fiancée. Investigators are now pulling video from a city pod camera nearby, and Glasgow said the tow truck was also equipped with several cameras. "They provide a very wide swath of visual view for what occurs during a repossession and what happens after the repossession in order to protect our drivers," Glasgow said. Source: abc7chicago.com

Tow Truck Driver Runs Over Toddler

A 21-month year old toddler was struck and killed by a tow truck driver on a busy roadway in Chelsea, Maine. The child, named Majesty, had wandered away from a front yard play area. Maine State Police say the 62-year-old driver, who was towing a vehicle at the time, didn't realize the child was in the road until it was too late. The child’s foster mother said that she had gone into the house to grab some laundry when Majesty was hit. According to state police, the driver says the girl was lying in the road. Roderick says two young women stopped and tried to save Majesty. One of them knocked on her door after paramedics got there. Authorities reported that the tow truck driver was not speeding and stated that the Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

Tow Owner Incarcerated for Emissions Tampering

roadway is reportedly dangerous. Source: fox23maine.com

Woman Killed Exiting Tow Truck

A woman riding on the passenger side of a tow truck on I-90 in the Buffalo, New York metro area was killed after she exited the vehicle while the truck was still in motion. New York State police found Gabriel Turner, 32, dead on the shoulder of the highway. According to Trooper James O’Callaghan, no charges have been filed, but an investigation is pending as authorities examine the situation. “Why did this happen? Was it a suicide? Was it intentional? Was she a victim of a crime?” wondered O’Callaghan. “We have to look at all the stuff with the evidence that

Dennis Cleveland, owner of Affordable Towing in Springfield, Missouri was sentenced for illegally tampering with the emissions controls of the company’s diesel tow vehicles. He was sentenced to two years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Cleveland to pay a $255,000 fine. “This business owner intentionally polluted the air in southwest Missouri for more than a decade with massive amounts of cancer-causing toxins in violation of federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “He pursued personal profit at the expense of the environment and the health of his neighbors.” On March 9, 2023, Cleveland pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act, and one count of tampering with

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Affordable’s diesel truck emissions were tampered with in order to reduce maintenance costs.

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • South 77

a Clean Air Act monitoring device. Cleveland admitted that, since 2011, he has directed his employees to physically disable emissions control components on multiple heavy-duty diesel tow trucks. Source: justice.gov

Man Sentenced for Towman’s Death

Justin P. Rodriguez, who was charged with the death of New York tow truck driver Alex Bleickhardt, was sentenced to 22 ½ years in prison. Bleickhardt was attending to a disabled box truck on the highway’s shoulder when he was rear-ended by Rodriguez who was traveling at 76 mph in his pickup truck. Rodriguez, 42, was found guilty in July after a threeweek trial of three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, criminal weapon possession, leaving the scene without reporting property Justin P. Rodriguez was sentenced to 22 1/2 years for the death of

towman Alex Bleickhardt.

South 78 • November 2023 | Towman.com

damage, and a violation of the "Move Over Law." Before the crash, Rodriguez “consumed excessive amounts of alcohol and showed signs of severe intoxication.” His blood alcohol concentration was 0.26 percent at the time of the crash. He also had cocaine and cannabis in his system, the district attorney’s office said. Evidence also showed he illegally had a loaded semiautomatic pistol in his vehicle. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from having a firearm, prosecutors said. Senior Assistant District Attorney Shawn Lescault said during sentencing, "We hope Alex's family may find some solace in knowing that justice has been served in this case. For the defendant, tomorrow marks a different realization - the beginning of a 22½-year chapter behind bars." Source: timesunion.com

South 80 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 31

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • Midwest 75

News Flash

Memphis Tow Employees Cleared of Criminal Charges

Repo Driver Ambushed and Killed in Chicago

Most of the charges against A1 employees were dropped by the District County Office.

had taken them. Ignacio Ulisis Castaneda, 36, is charged with tampering with a record and two counts of theft between $30,000 and $150,000. Surveillance video showed a black wrecker pull up outside two homes on separate days, and tow one car from a driveway and the other from the street in front of a home. “They had an AirTag in their vehicle, and it pinged,” said Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen. “So, our officer was able to get in touch with the person and go and find where the pinging was coming from.” Law enforcement found the vehicles, but they were totaled, with the SUVs completely stripped of all their parts. After several weeklong investigations, Castaneda was arrested, and his wrecker was seized. Source: abc13.com

A repo driver working in Chicago late at night was gunned down in his tow truck after repossessing a black Land Rover. The 27-year-old Jack Jacobsen, who worked for Northwest Recovery, was attacked by a large group of people around 1:30 a.m., and his tow truck was riddled with bullets. “We don’t know if this was a random act, if it was a directed action, or if it was simply car thieves that saw someone turn the keys to a very expensive automobile over,” said Northwest Towing attorney Tom Glasgow. “He was a great kid. I just saw a tremendous kid who had a great personality and was always upbeat. It is such a tragic loss.” Jacobsen was a U.S. Navy veteran and an expectant father. He and his fiancée had been preparing for their baby shower that coming weekend, according to his mother, who rushed to the scene of the crime with his fiancée. Investigators are now pulling video from a city pod camera nearby, and Glasgow said the tow truck was also equipped with several cameras. “They provide a very wide swath of visual view for what occurs during a repossession and what happens after the repossession in order to protect our drivers,” Glasgow said. Source: abc7chicago.com

Tow Scheme Unveiled by Video and Tracking Device

A tow truck driver in Houston is facing charges of theft, after a couple of cars he allegedly towed were found parted out in a chop shop where he

The chop shop where a tow truck driver brought stolen vehicles for disassembly.

Midwest 76 • November 2023 | Towman.com

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Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • Midwest 77

Tow Truck Driver Runs Over Toddler

A 21-month year old toddler was struck and killed by a tow truck driver on a busy roadway in Chelsea, Maine. The child, named Majesty, had wandered away from a front yard play area. Maine State Police say the 62-year-old driver, who was towing a vehicle at the time, didn’t realize the child was in the road until it was too late. The child’s foster mother said that she had gone into the house to grab some laundry when Majesty was hit. According to state police, the driver says the girl was lying in the road. Roderick says two young women stopped and tried to save Majesty. One of them knocked on her door after paramedics got there. Authorities reported that the tow truck driver was not speeding and stated that the roadway is reportedly dangerous. Source: fox23maine.com

Midwest 78 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Midwest 80 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 31

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • West 75

News Flash Memphis Tow Employees Cleared of Criminal Charges

West 76 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • West 77

draw in booting their trucks while police are required to sit idly by. Source: wreg.com

Tow Scheme Unveiled by Video and Tracking Device

pull up outside two homes on separate days, and tow one car from a driveway and the other from the street in front of a home. "They had an AirTag in their vehicle, and it pinged,” said Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen. “So, our officer was able to get in touch with the person and go and find where the pinging was coming from.” Law enforcement found the vehicles, but they were totaled, with the SUVs completely stripped of all their parts. After several weeklong investigations, Castaneda was arrested, and his wrecker was seized. Source: abc13.com

Repo Driver Ambushed and Killed in Chicago

The chop shop where a tow truck driver brought stolen vehicles for disassembly.

West 78 • November 2023 | Towman.com

his tow truck was riddled with bullets. "We don't know if this was a random act, if it was a directed action, or if it was simply car thieves that saw someone turn the keys to a very expensive automobile over," said Northwest Towing attorney Tom Glasgow. “He was a great kid. I just saw a tremendous kid who had a great personality and was always upbeat. It is such a tragic loss." Jacobsen was a U.S. Navy veteran and an expectant father. He and his fiancée had been preparing for their baby shower that coming weekend, according to his mother, who rushed to the scene of the crime with his fiancée. Investigators are now pulling video from a city pod camera nearby, and Glasgow said the tow truck was also equipped with several cameras. "They provide a very wide swath of visual view for what occurs during a repossession and what happens after the repossession in order to protect our drivers," Glasgow said. Source: abc7chicago.com

Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!

AmericanTowman.com | November 2023 • West 79

West 80 • November 2023 | Towman.com

Episode 31

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990