American Towman Magazine - March 2010

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FEATURE CONTENTS

12

The Ultimate Police Tower Partnership With its Official Police Garage program, Los Angeles, Calif. is a study in partnership between towers and police.

by Terry Abejuela

30

Rollover In Wyoming It’s not pretty but when a flatbed rolls over on a mountainside, someone has to deal with it.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Departments LowDown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Tow Americana . . . . . . . . . . . .36 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . .42 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . .45

36

Way Back When This was back when the wrecker was called an “Auto Ambulance.” Check out this old timer by Weaver Mfg.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Photo: Cleaning up in Wyoming after the flatbed rollover

Email your recovery images to scalitri@towman.com

Photos by: Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, Terry Abejuela Cover Design by: Ann Marie Nitti

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 5

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The Fireman And The Towman: A Blind Date

he successful tow boss must forge relationships within various business sectors, but perhaps none is more critical than with the fire department. And this is where the men are separated from the boys. When the fire department is there, lives are hanging in the balance, maybe the lives or a life trapped inside a wrecked vehicle, maybe the lives of everyone on the scene, such as an incident with leaking fuel and downed wires. In these situations a tower with knowledge, skill and experience is necessary.

Towmen who have proven themselves in the line of fire, so to speak, are remembered by fire captains and chiefs. When the next incident occurs, the fire department demands the services of that tower he knows he can trust to do the job. That’s the tower the police dispatch to the scene.

Because the Towman-fireman relationship is so important for a towing company to become established in his community, AT will be helping the industry to strengthen these relationships. We will be doing so in the pages of American Towman with regular editorial coverage, beginning in our April issue; and we will be helping towers by providing face-to-face education on interdisciplinary training between firefighters and towing professionals, starting in Houston at Tow Expo International.

Tow Expo is offering cross-training to the towing and firefighting community with the Xtreme Team

(see News Share on page 8). This training event, culminating with a mock incident for all attending the Expo, will help both sides to understand the needs and capabilities that each bring to the table, the kind of communication and knowledge sharing that helps get the job done in a timely and efficient manner when lives are at stake. The Jerr-Dan Corporation has stepped up to the plate as the event sponsor to help support this undertaking.

John Borowski, a certified trainer of the Xtreme Team cross-training program, says the relationship between firefighters and towers is indeed important, yet up to this point has been generally nonexistent. He says, “Firefighters have been reluctant to invite towers to the party because they don’t know the depth of the tower’s knowledge. Every firefighter has his own protocol he has been trained in – basically stabilize and crib, and is unaware of the tower’s capabilities. When there is communication, more often a question is asked incorrectly, and so the right information is not passing back and forth.”

For more information on Xtreme Team’s training course at Tow Expo, check out page 8. You will also be able to hear more from John on this issue in the pages of AT in the coming months.

Speaking of critical relationships, Terry Abejuela reports on perhaps the closest police-tower partnerships in the U.S. Check it out on page 12.

***************************************************** Publisher Dennie Ortiz-Sorrenti Editor-In-Chief Steve Calitri Operations Editors Terry Abejuela Randall Resch Chassis Editor David Kolman Contributing Editors Jim “Buck” Sorrenti Editorial Board Tommy Anderson, Dallas, Texas Roy Carlson; St. Paul, Minn.

Gary Coe; Portland, Ore. Frank Child; Cody, Wyo. Belinda Harris; Greensboro, N.C. Amado Llorens; Hialeah, Fla. Ron Mislan; Warren, N.J. Chuck Swider; Chicopee, Mass. ********************************************************** Art Director/Production Manager Ann Marie Nitti Graphic Manager William Burwell Advertising Sales Manager Dennie Ortiz-Sorrenti Senior Account Executive Ellen Rosengart VP of Accounts Norma Calitri VP of Communications Neila Kennedy Internet Developer Henri Calitri ***************************************************** American Towman Network, Inc. President Steven Calitri ***************************************************** Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 Fax: 845-986-5181 ***************************************************** E-mail: Publisher: dsorrenti@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com Weekly Industry News: towman.com Copyright ©2010 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Network, Inc. U.S. Subscription: $50–1 yr; $95–2 yrs • US $65 and $105 • International

Editorial Policy: the act of mailing or delivering a letter or article to American Towman Magazine, shall constitute permission to publish that letter or article or any portion thereof. American Towman Magazine reserves the right to edit any and all material submitted.

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 7

Favors And Rotation

Towers And Firefighters Team Up

More than a dozen Bakersfield, California tow truck companies want to put the brakes on an ordinance that allows only six towing operations to work for the Bakersfield Police Department. Some of the six Bakersfield towing operations are accused of playing politics with the Bakersfield Police Department by giving officers tickets to Los Angeles Lakers games and other perks that are against the police department's code of conduct. The issue has fueled an internal investigation.

Randall Davis, the owner of Joe's Towing, wants to work with Bakersfield police. He thinks he has been shut out because other companies are offering "favors" to police.

"I believe that the six companies do a lot of favors," Davis said. "Dinners, parties, haul them to Lakers games."

City Manager Alan Tandy's office says the police department pays $600,000 to $700,000 to each of the six companies per year for responding to accidents, DUI checkpoints, and crime scenes. A 1977 city ordinance limited the number of tow truck companies working for the Bakersfield Police Department to six, saying, "any more than that would split the service requirements up to a point where they could not effectively operate." Source: Lake County News-Sun

Xtreme Team leads a cross-training instructional team for a two day course in Houston at Tow Expo Int’l., April 29 – May 1. The program, sponsored by the Jerr-Dan Corporation, is an interdisciplinary approach to indoctrinating both firefighters and towing professionals on the knowledge-set and skills of each service called on at the scene of an incident involving extrication. It is an advance vehicle cross-training course designed for experienced professional emergency workers from fire, rescue, and tow services to meet requirements of NFPA Operations and Technician Level Certification. The Xtreme Rescue & Recovery Team is headed by instructors certified in cross-training, John Borowski and Erik Stewart and firefighters Dave Lander and John Kayda, totaling over 100 years of experience in their respective fields.

The course includes incident command management and vehicle extri-

Jerr-Dan Sponsors Cross-Training

Signature Luciano

Miller Brings Recovery Demonstrations To Texas Renowned trainer Tom Luciano of Miller Industries will conduct recovery demonstrations in Houston during Tow Expo International, April 30 and May 1. Uprighting techniques and use of the rotator will be shown. The demonstrations are part of an

8 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

cation with 18 hours of classroom and hands-on training.

The four-hour classroom of towing discipline includes rigging, attachments, understanding and overcoming resistance, and weight estimations.

Another fourhour classroom of firefighter ’s discipline includes stabilization, first responder tact, and Incident Command.

There is also an eight-hour hands-on field training. Students will do rigging, secure attachments, hydraulic tool usage, try the latest techniques of cutting and dash rolling. Every student will experience hands-on in every area of topics presented.

The course finale is a Mock Emergency Recovery Demonstration featuring a Helicopter Rescue taking place on Friday, April 30, at 5:30 pm.

Afterwards a self-critique will be conducted of procedures, methods and tools used.

extensive educational venue at Tow Expo that includes training by Southwest Tow Operators, tow-fire cross training, and American Towman seminars. Luciano has become a legend in recovery training, having first started as a tow operator in New York State before making his mark conducting training classes throughout the 1990’s to the present, inspired by a passion for teaching others. He will also be conducting a classroom seminar on recovery techniques at the AT Academy in Houston.

Educational venue expands at Tow Expo in Houston...

DOT Sets Texting Ban

NASCAR Awards Miller Industries

The U.S. Department of Transportation has banned texting for commercial truck and bus drivers as part of an effort to boost safety.

Violators may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of as much as $2,750, DOT said in a statement.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the issue a priority after more than 5,800 people died in 2008 in accidents where at least one form of driver distraction was cited in the crash report, Bloomberg reported.

The move comes about four months after President Obama banned federal employees from texting while driving on the job.

Research shows that drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds for every 6 seconds spent sending and receiving text messages, DOT said.

Each year NASCAR presents an award to an organization that goes above and beyond in support of the Track Services Team’s Mission which is to improve the safety of all at every NASCAR event. This year’s Track Services Mission Award was presented to Miller Industries for the support of the Track Services Team by not only providing equipment to pick up wrecked chassis and recovery equipment for training but actively assisting in many training programs at tracks around the country.

Miller Industries is the official towing and recovery equipment of many of

the most prestigious race facilities including Daytona International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, California Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Homestead Miami Speedway, Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Speedway, Darlington and Phoenix International Raceway. Miller Industries Race Recovery Team members are made up of towers who volunteer their time and services from across the country and complete a NASCAR training program.

had Ray’s name put on the rear doors and the five stars on the hood representing Ray’s stars on his company trucks.

As for the American Towman Exposition, Tim can’t wait to return. “During the Expo I met people from all over the United States not to mention all the folks from O’Hare Towing. They inspired me to

take a chance in a tough economy and build a truck.”

“I have to admit my business was getting a little stale until AT acknowledged my sacrifices. The folks at the magazine made me feel like someone special again.”

That First New Tow Truck There’s nothing like that first new wrecker. Ask Tim Rudolph of Pro Tow in Hackensack, Minnesota. In 1985 he purchased his first wrecker, a 1968 Dodge and from that point on used tow trucks were all he could afford. Then he attended his first American Towman Exposition in Baltimore in 2008 to receive the Order of Towman. “Awed” by the show, Tim “returned home with a dream to own a new state of the art carrier.”

“After meeting several times with Loren VanBraden at Zip’s Truck Equipment, “ said Tim, “they specked out the one truck does-it-all apparatus.” In November 2009, a year to the day of the 20th anniversary AT Expo Tim received his first new tow truck. This truck was dedicated to Ray Patton of Patton’s Five Star Towing, whom Tim credits for helping him grow as a towing professional and getting started in the business. Tim

continue to page 37 TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Hydraulic Front Stabilizer

Jige Teams With An Electric Truck

One of the many advantages of CENTURY© heavy-duty rotators is the ability to rotate the boom 180 degrees over the cab of the unit in many chassis configurations. This provides additional clearance when towing to retract loads such as snorkel trucks or fire trucks with front buckets in closer allowing the apparatus on the front of the towed vehicle to hang over the deck of the rotator. With the boom forward, it also provides additional front axle weight on the tow truck. Many towers have also found this feature useful for lifting or recovering off the front of the unit, eliminating the need to turn the recovery vehicle around when pulling up to the rear of a casualty on the roadway. To assist with supporting the front suspension in these applications, CENTURY© has introduced a hydraulic front stabilizer. The stabilizer is available on new Miller Heavy Spec Kenworth T800s. A version will also be available shortly that can be retrofitted to the Miller Heavy Spec Kenworth T800 and Peterbilt chassis from 2007 to present.

www.millerind.com Number 200 on Reader Card

New LED Vehicle Scene Lights from Superior Signals Superior Signals introduces their new Illuminator® Series of LED lights including the SYLED-SL10 Vehicle Scene Light. Utilizing 10 high intensity LEDs the SL10 Scene Light produces 80.6 lumens of light with a 90° viewing angle while drawing only 1.2 AMP @ 12.8 VDC and .6 AMP at 24 VDC. The use of LEDs means a brighter white light that lasts longer and draws less power than traditional halogen lights. The SYLED-SL10 is designed for professional use and is weatherproof, vibration resistant, features an aluminum housing and mount, and operates at temperatures from -40° F to 130° F. The SYLED-SL10 also has reverse polarity protection, and carries a 5-year warranty. Control products for heavy-duty, highway, commercial, construction, utility and emergency vehicles. The product line features Meteorlite® beacons, Traffic-Manager® arrow lights and boards, Safe-T-Alert® back-up alarms, Safe-T-Connect®cable assemblies, Super-Sight ™ collision avoidance camera kits and Illuminator® auxiliary lights.

www.superiorsignals.com Number 201 on Reader Card

Battery Rescue Booster Packs With new Rescue Battery Booster Packs Del City now offers two premium products to safely jumpstart your 12 volt electrical system. Each rescue pack comes standard with: Battery meter status, Built-in work light that doubles as a flashing safety light, LED clamp lights, Extra long 55" cables, DC power source, A safeguard audible single and light.

Del City's part number 991000 is rated up to 500 amp crank and 1000 amp peak and the 990960 is rated up to 400 amp crank and 5000 amp peak. Additionally the 991000 has a handy storage compartment while the 990960 features an air compressor with air gauge, a 120V power inverter and USB outlet that allows you to operate cell phones, lap top computers, MP3 players and other electronic devices.

www.delcity.net Number 202 on Reader Card

10 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

J

ige International, Miller Industries’ wholly owned French subsidiary, recently completed installation of the first Mid City Towing unit on a zero emission Modec chassis for delivery to a towing company in Paris. Modec is a British manufacturer that was founded in 2004 by a team of automotive engineering experts and they began producing the commercial vehicles in 2007 with over 150 in operation across Europe.

The vehicle is purely driven by a 3-phase electric supply with a range of 60 to 100 miles depending on the battery pack which takes about 8 hours to recharge. The vehicle was designed for an urban environment with a top speed of about 50 mph. The small, lightweight design of the Jige Mid City that is usually mounted on a Land Rover Defender or Toyota Land Cruiser was a good fit for the Modec chassis.

Although Navistar has teamed up with Modec to produce the vehicle in the United States for the North American market. Due to the light GVW, Miller does not foresee the application in the North American market at this time as compared to Europe where the lighter duty trucks are very common.

www.millerind.com Number 203 on Reader Card

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 11

Official OPG emblem on all OPG tow trucks.

The Ultimate Police Tower Partnership How LA Outsources To Private Towers

by Terry Abejuela

T

ow business owners looking to strengthen the relationship with their local police departments would do well to look at how towers have banded together in Los Angeles.

The City of Los Angeles Official Police Garage (OPG) program currently consists of 18 independent towing companies under contract with the city to provide vital towing services for 21 divisions of the LAPD and LADOT. The City of Los Angeles and private towing companies have been demonstrating how local government and the private sector can work together since 1938.

Official OPG emblem displayed on uniform jacket.

12 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

The OPGs assist the city with crisis response, such as floods, earthquakes, fires and other major incidents. In addition to providing priority towing services for traffic accidents, and police requested services on a 24-hour basis, the OPGs are instrumental in providing the towing services in support of major events in the city such as the Academy Awards, Los Angeles Marathon, and Hollywood Christmas Parade.

To keep traffic flowing on major highways, city streets and residential areas in a city with 3.8 million residents and over 1.9 million automobiles requires a well planned and executed traffic management program. The OPGs play an important role in reducing traffic congestion and managing incidents that affect the traffic flow in the city. A research study by the Texas Transportation Institute in 2001 estimated that people travelling roads in the Los Angeles and Orange County area experience an average of 93 hours of delay annually. For most geographic areas of the City of Los Angeles, the average response time for tow trucks from the OPG system is only eight minutes. Quick response by tow trucks dispatched to tow vehicles that are impeding traffic not only reduce traffic delays but also reduce the number of secondary accidents that can be caused by vehicles blocking traffic.

Towing Companies The towing companies that are selected to serve the city through the OPG program are among the most highly regulated businesses in the City of Los Angeles.

A team made up of representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Department of Transportation and the City Administrator’s Office administrates the selection process. The most qualified candidates are selected and submitted to the city council for approval. Contracts are awarded for a five-year period with a five-year renewal option. An OPG operator may only own two OPGs. The Los Angeles Police Commission’s Commission Investigation Division (CID) oversees the regulation of the OPGs. CID ensures that the OPGs comply with state and local laws, investigate complaints and sets uniform policies, procedures and rates. Police Commission investigators conduct unannounced monthly surprise inspections of the OPG’s equipment, employees and facilities to ensure compliance with local

and state regulations. In addition the investigators audit computer data systems and financial information.

Facilities The OPGs currently maintain approximately 93 acres of storage space including over 200 indoor and secure investigative hold spaces. These facilities are among the most professional looking and operated facilities in the industry. The customer friendly waiting areas display the City of Los Angeles rules and regulations along with the city approved rates.

FACT: This 1934 Ford tow truck is the first tow truck for Black and White Towing and is one of the first tow trucks used exclusively for the needs of the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles.

This classic truck has been featured in Hollywood movies and television including the movie “ The Postman Always Rings Twice” and the television series “ Mr. Ed.”

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 13

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Legal Questions and Answers

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Professional look of the OPG tow truck and uniformed driver.

Tow Trucks The OPGs currently operate over 208 tow trucks and 62 forklifts. All tow trucks used in the OPG system have a uniform appearance and display the OPG emblem along with the division name and company information. The lettering and equipment on the trucks comply with all state and local ordinances.

Employees The OPGs currently employ over 500 people. The diverse OPG workforce includes drivers and office personnel who wear a uniform that includes the OPG emblem as well as the name of the driver. All OPG employees must pass a criminal background check and be approved by the LAPD to be employed by an OPG.

Community Involvement The OPG program believes in supporting the communities in which they serve. Throughout their history the OPGs have partnered with many organizations to improve the social conditions within the communities in which they operate. The OPGs annually donate over $250,000 to nonprofit organizations that serve victims of child abuse and domestic violence as well as programs for the elderly and youths in the community. They support programs such as the Explorers and Reserves, LAPD S.W.A.T., Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Los Angeles Fire Department Jaws of Life program, Police Athletic

Leagues, Los Angeles Police Foundation and the Los Angeles Police Protective League.

OPGs by the numbers (2009) During the calendar year 2009, the OPGs towed and stored over 161,000 vehicles, while generating over $15 million dollars (inclusive of vehicle release fees, franchise fees, city parking tax, and vehicle forfeiture overages) in revenue to the city. Since the OPGs do not cost the city any money, they are looked at as a model of successful municipal outsourcing.

LAOPG Website The future of towing management is happening today in Los Angeles.

Working with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the Official Police Garage Association has

reinvented the municipal towing business.

In 2005, the Official Police Garage Association of Los Angeles developed and implemented the Vehicle Impound Information Center (VIIC) with the input of the LAPD, DOT and City Information Technology Department. The web-based system, which is owned and operated by the OPG Association, is provided to the city at no cost.

The VIIC system contains information regarding impounded vehicles and was designed to be used by the Los Angeles Police Department, Department of Transportation and other city departments. The system also has a public search section for the general public to locate their vehicles and to determine towing and storage costs.

Using world-class technology, people and practices to manage every step of the towing, storage and vehicle return process, the $475,000 VIIC system was developed at no cost to the city. Unlike other systems being marketed to municipal governments, the OPGs do not charge the customers or the city for use of the VIIC system.

You can view the Vehicle Impound Information Center (VIIC) at the LAOPG website at www.opgla.com.

The website contains a wealth of information about the OPG program.

Once on the website, the public can locate impounded vehicles, determine costs and find information on how to retrieve their vehicle.

Indoor secure investigative hold spaces.

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 15

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The LAPD utilizes the system to obtain information to answer questions about impounded vehicles as well as to monitor tow companies regarding impounds and charges.

The LAPD uses the system to conduct unannounced financial audits of the OPGs. Federal, State and local governments require vital towing services that can and should be provided by private towing companies.

The private sector working together with governments can develop professional, effective, safe, efficient and mutually beneficial programs to provide these towing services.

The LAOPG program is a perfect example of a successful partnership between the City of Los Angeles and private towing companies that has endured the test of time.

OPG Association of Los Angeles Board of Directors: Al’sTowing, Kelmark Tow, Howard Sommers Towing, Archer’s Vineland Service, Keystone Swanney & McDonald, ATS Northeast Tow, Quick Silver Towing, U.S. Tow, Black & White Towing, Ross Baker Towing, Viertel’s Central Div., Bruffy’s Del Rey Tow, J.Wilshire Tow Viertel’s Rampart Div. For additional information about the OPG’s visit their website at www.OpgLA.com or contact their Executive Director Eric Rose at (805) 624-0572.

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* Terry Abejuela has 30 years of experience in the light-duty towing and recovery industry. He has been a light-duty level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association since 1998. As AT’ s Field Editor, he reports on carrier, light, and medium-duty techniques.

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TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 17

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Triple K Industries, the underreach add-on manufacturer based in Canton, South Dakota, is back in business, says its president and founder, Roger Kooima. He and his wife, Clarene Kooima, had retired a year ago. At least that’s what they thought.

The Kooimas had entered into an agreement with Jerr-Dan Corp to market their Triple K True Tilt 5th Wheel Quick-Tach as the Jerr-Dan HDUL 450-D. But the deal was aborted before it got any traction, as head management at Jerr-Dan changed and the economy tanked. The timing couldn't have been worse. So Roger and Clarene have their business back.

They are back into selling and servicing their equipment just like before.

Their telephone numbers and website are still the same. Roger says, “You will get the same honest, straight forward answers to any of your questions when you give us a call. And we have some units painted black we'd make a good deal on.” Visit Triple K at www.triplekindustries.com or call 800-624-2892.

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SETS & ACCESSORIES

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Truck-n-Tow 888-918-8150 Detroit, MI truckntow.com Casanova Towing 800-746-8802 Compton, CA casanovatowequipment.com Robert Young’s 800-246-4785 Roanoke, VA robertyoungparts.com Bliss Auto Supply 267-252-8554 Quakertown, PA Pennsylvania

Southeast T. Supplies 954-563-0158 Oakland Park, FL salstowing.com House of Wreckers 800-594-0005 San Carlos, CA houseofwreckers.com SoCal Tow Equipment 800-400-8085 Anaheim, CA towequipments.com Harding Parts 800-931-3890 Rochester, NY uneedmoreparts.com

Hedinger Equip.

866-869-1717 Indianapolis, IN hedingers.com B & B Chain 866-799-5514 Milford, NH towtran.com Best Equipment 510-569-1288 Oakland, CA bestequipment.net Towtran USA 800-898-8777 Corona, CA towtran.com

24 high-powered LED’s. This innovative product will run for hours on one set of standard AA batteries.

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AA Access (Canada) 800-957-2838 Surrey, BC accessequipment.ca BG Dist. (Canada) 888- 607-0585 Montréal, QC bgdistribution.ca Auckland Auto (NZ) 649-838-7980 West Harbor, Auckland New Zealand Prolux (Germany) +49-7304/9695-0 Blaustein prolux.de

THE LIGHTBAR BRACKET THAT FOLDS, LOCKS, AND LAYS FLAT 3 YEAR GUARANTEE! PATENT PENDING

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AMERICAN TOWMAN ACADEMY Dispatching: Driving Business Through Your Dispatcher The Tow Doctor shows how professionalism in the dispatch room will improve your bottom line. DJ Harrington, Phone Logic • Thursday & Friday Vehicle Recovery Techniques Tom Luciano of Miller Industries is well known worldwide as a premier Heavy-Duty Instructor. He brings his expertise as being a past owneroperator and industry trainer with all types of recovery and tanker wreck experience to you. Tom Luciano, Miller Industries • Thursday Diversify to be Successful in Today’s Economic World With the cost of fuel you can’t afford to return from a tow empty or have a truck sit idle. Paul Stevenson of CoPart and DJ Harrington of Phone Logic will discuss how to think outside the box and make extra income using your present equipment. • Thursday & Friday How to Save Money on Tires Goodyear Tire & Rubber, Co. and Road America Motor Club will present tire cost saving measures. Learn how to select the best tire for your towing equipment, understand a tire cost per mile, where to buy tires at competitive prices, tire maintenance procedures, what makes a quality tire and more. • Thursday & Saturday Understanding Battery Service and Adding Revenue Interstate Batteries and Road America Motor Club will demonstrate battery maintenance techniques and how to identify a quality battery. Additionally, the unveiling of an exclusive mobile national battery program will be detailed to add additional revenue to your existing business. • Friday Getting Started in the Digital Age Are you tired of hearing about all the benefits of “using technology” but don’t know where to start? Then this seminar is for you. Al Stoeberl, SSCS-Digital Dispatch • Friday Myths and Fallacies What every operator needs to know! Worldwide acclaimed instructor, Tom Luciano of Miller Industries will separate fact from fiction and dispel the myths and fallacies in our industry. Towers can participate in question and answer. • Friday

Reinventing Your Business and Taking Control of Your Life Treat your towing as a business, how to hold people accountable, assign responsibility, and measure your business for success. Dan Messina, Southwest Auto Tow • Friday Vehicle Storage Facilities - What You Need and Want to Know This is an overview of everything you want to know that is required by TDLR for a vehicle storage facility. It will also address the top 10 violations. Angela Roper, Team Towing • Friday & Saturday Municipal Rotations - to Contract or Not This seminar will present the national standard model that identifies the basic rotation procedures and service categories used by municipalities for the purpose of police, or other public authority towing. This model will help towing companies who wish to provide service in their community.

John Borowski of the Tow Technology Institute. • Saturday How Technology Can Improve Your Bottom Line Learn how towing operators use technology to improve productivity, grow their business and quickly analyze their day-to-day operations. Al Stoeberl, SSCS-Digital Dispatch • Saturday Private Property Towing The owner of the largest private property business tells you how he built his company by hiring the right staff, buying the right trucks, getting accounts, and how to market your company and impact your bottom line.

Dan Messina, Southwest Auto Tow • Saturday Vehicle Entry Techniques - Lockout Clinic AAA will demonstrate effective use of approximately 17 industry-common entry tools. Some highlights will be describing and applying basic entry techniques; How to use and get the full benefit from the AAA lockout manual; Common and uncommon lockout damages and how to avoid producing them; what vehicles you should not attempt to open; and vehicle entry difficulty ratings. • Saturday Texas Towing Law - Tow Hearings to TDLR Mark Hull will guide you through a mock tow hearing with real people and real issues, followed by a discussion on legal issues ranging from Texas towing law to TDLR penalties and fines. • Saturday

Tow Expo Int’l • April 29 - May 1, 2010 • George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX • Exhibit Hours: Fri. & Sat. 11 am - 5 pm

CROSS-TRAINING COURSE SCHEDULE

SOUTHWEST TOW OPERATORS TRAINING

Thursday, April 29: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Classroom; 6:00-9:00 PM Hands-on and Friday, April 30: 8:00 – 11:00 AM; 5:30 PM Mock Demonstration (Open to all attendees)

TDLR Incident Management Training 8 hour Light-Duty Towing and Incident Management Training Course to all professional towers. The course, developed by STO and other industry experts, will consist of light-duty tow truck operations safety, all proper equipment usage, pre-trip inspections, recovery techniques and the latest highway incident management practices available to date. Written program materials will be provided. Each person attending the course will receive a certificate of completion and will walk away a safer and more professional tow operator. $150 Show Special • Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

• Four-hour classroom of towing discipline that includes rigging, attachments, understanding and overcoming resistance, and weight estimations.

• Four-hour classroom of firefighter’s discipline that includes stabilization, first responder tact, and Incident Command.

• Eight-hour hands-on field training. Students will do rigging, secure attachments, hydraulic tool usage, try the latest techniques of cutting and dash rolling. Every student will experience hands on in every area of topics presented.

• Two-hour Mock Emergency Recovery Demonstration is actual final exam; a full blown mock incident with self-critique of procedures, methods and tools used. Certificates handed out at end.

Sponsored by the Jerr-Dan Corporation

AMERICAN TOWMAN ACADEMY SCHEDULE Thursday, April 29, 2010 2:00 PM 2:00 - 4:00 PM 3:00 PM 3:00 PM

Dispatching: Driving Business Through Your Dispatcher Vehicle Recovery Techniques Diversify to be Successful in Today’s Economic World How to Save Money on Tires

Friday, April 30, 2010 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:15 - 1:00 PM

Dispatching: Driving Business Through Your Dispatcher Understanding Battery Service and Adding Revenue Diversify to be Successful in Today’s Economic World Getting Started in the Digital Age Myths and Fallacies Reinventing Your Business and Taking Control of Your Life Vehicle Storage Facilities - What You Need & Want to Know

Saturday, May 1, 2010 8:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:15 - 1:00 PM

Municipal Rotations - to contract or not How to Save Money on Tires How Technology Can Improve Your Bottom Line Private Property Towing Vehicle Entry Techniques - Lockout Clinic Texas Towing Law - Tow Hearings to TDLR Vehicle Storage Facilities - What You Need & Want to Know

All schedules subject to change.

Texas Continuing Education Training 4 Hour: Basic 101 Class meets the Texas TDLR annual continuing education requirement for Consent and Private Property tow operators. Topics will include Texas Towing Laws and Roadside Safety. Courses were developed by STO and other industry experts. $75 Show special • Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM; Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Texas Continuing Education Training 4 Hour: Repo 101 This course is for consent towers or anyone wanting to learn the basics of Repossession. This approved TDLR course teaches the basic guidelines for repossessions, laws and mistakes that are made. It is recommended for new employees and office staff. $85 Show Special • Friday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Texas Continuing Education Training 4 Hour: Hybrid Class This TDLR approved course will outline the safety techniques needed to work on or around hybrid vehicles. It outlines jump starting, towing and recovery procedures on most models. It contains many cautions, notes and warnings to be followed. It is a great course for anyone in the towing industry. $85 Show Special • Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Incident Traffic Control Covered is unique traffic control characteristics of each major, intermediate and minor traffic incident classifications and their needs to meet the MUTCD guidelines. Included is basic principles of temporary traffic control applicable in traffic incident management areas and their component parts, such as advance warning areas, tapers and buffers. Typical ETC equipment kits and device requirements are reviewed. Emergency flagging operations and National Fire Protection Association standards are also discussed. ATSSA is a charter organization with the National Traffic Incident Management Coalition. Angela Roper, Team Towing. Saturday • 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM • $50 per tower, $25 per state employee

Texas • 2010 REGISTER NOW BEFORE MARCH 31 & $AVE! Houston, April 29 - May 1

2010 Attendee Registration

Guaranteed $avings on special events, seminars & hotels by registering before March 31!

Mail to: 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 •

— REQUIRED INFORMATION —

1. REGISTER HERE 1st Registered Name: |

Fax to 845-986-5181 Phone: 800-732-3869

By advance-registering, the company “Boss” and one guest are admitted free to Exhibit Hall.

A $5 fee applies to all others. Kids under 14 free.

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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title 3rd Registered Name ($5): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title 4th Registered Name ($5): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title Company: |

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Quantity

2. EVENT REGISTRATION – Exhibit Hall Open Fri. & Sat. 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

$ Amount

Please Check the Events You Wish to Attend ❏ American Towman Academy • Thurs., Fri., & Sat., April 29-May 1; sponsored by American Towman Mag. $55 advance registration fee; $75 on site – Save $20 & register now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .__________ __________ ❏ 1st registrant ❏ 2nd registrant ❏ 3rd registrant ❏ 4th registrant __________ ❏ Cross-Training for First Responders • $300 per person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .__________ 18 Hour course with classroom and hands-on training. Sponsored by the Jerr-Dan Corp. ❏ TDLR Incident Management Training Conducted by Southwest Tow Operators • $150 Show Special.

Contact STO at 972-247-9454 to register. Non-Texas tow operators are welcome to take this training covering light-duty operations. ❏ Continuing Education Classes for Texas Towers (4 Hr Class) Conducted by Southwest Tow Operators $75 & $85 Show Specials. Contact Southwest Tow Operators at 972-247-9454 to register. __________ ❏ Incident Traffic Control Training • Angela Roper $50 per tower, $25 per state employee . . . . . . . . . .__________ ❏ 1st registrant ❏ 2nd registrant ❏ 3rd registrant ❏ 4th registrant __________ ❏ USA Wrecker Pageant • Check class you will compete in. One vehicle per class & two per company. . . . .__________ Trucks must enter Thurs. and stay in hall until Sat., 5 pm • $75: ❏ Light (pre-2009) ❏ Light (2009-2010) ❏ Med ❏ Vintage (Pre-1985) • $100: ❏ HD Single Axle ❏ HD Tandem ❏ Carrier ❏ Rotator • See new “BEST” categories listed on page 3. ❏ Southwest Chili Cookoff • Friday, April 30, 7:00 PM, GRB Conv. Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Number of people attending: __________ ❏ I just want to attend ❏ Yes I want to enter the Chili Cookoff contest! contact name: ___________________________________ __________ ❏ Ten Gallon Gala • Saturday, May 1, 7:00 PM, Hilton Americas, Grand Ballroom. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .__________ $50 per person includes dinner & entertainment FREE ❏ Casino Classic • Sat., May 1, 9:00 PM following Gala dinner at the Hilton, Grand Ballroom, Admission Free . . .__________

3. PAYMENT

Total Fees:

Credit Card Number:

Expiration Date:

Name on Card: Check Enclosed Payable to A.T. Expositions

Signature:

❒

HOTEL RESERVATION REQUEST FORM Make your reservation here

$ ________

Make out separate check to hotel if not using credit card (1st night amount payable to 1st choice hotel) ❏ Hotel check enclosed $_____________ ❏ Guarantee reservation to card or check Special Requests _________________________________________________________________________ Arrival Date:____________, 2010 - Depart Date: _____________, 2010 # of Rooms ______ # of Guests in ea. rm _______ # of beds _____ If reserving more than one room please list names for each room: 1st :______________________________________ 2nd:_________________________________________ 3rd____________________________________

HOTEL INFORMATION - Make Your Reservation Today! Please list your 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choice in the box next to hotel. We will notify you which hotel has your reservation.

Tow Expo Headquarters Hotel:

Americas Hotel • $145 S, $155 D, $165 T ❒ Hilton 1600 Lamar St. • Five Star Hotel Pool, spa, fitness center, 2 restaurants and bar.

Gala dinner and Casino night takes place here.

Catwalk to GRB Convention Center

PLEASE CHECK BOXES BELOW

❒

complimentary shuttle, fitness center, outdoor pool Four Seasons Hotel • $145 S/D 1300 Lamar St. • 4 blocks to Conv. Ctr, fitness center, spa, outdoor pool.

First time at Expo: ❒ Yes ❒ No

1. Is your Primary business Towing/Recovery: ❏ Yes or ❏ No 1a. If NO check your primary business: ❏ Towing/Recovery ❏ Service Station ❏ Auto Repair/Serv. Ctr. ❏ Service Truck ❏ Repossession ❏ Lockout ❏ Transport/Trailer Serv. ❏ Auto/Truck Dealership ❏ Salv/Autoparts ❏ Vehicle Leasing ❏ Truck Repair ❏ Distributor Equip ❏ Auto Body Shop ❏ Other______________

Plaza • $129 S/D ❒ Crowne 1700 Smith Street • 1 mile to Conv. Ctr,

2. Secondary business (check those that apply):

❏ Towing/Recovery ❏ Auto Repair/Serv. Ctr. ❏ Repossession ❏ Transport/Trailer Serv. ❏ Salv/Autoparts ❏ Truck Repair ❏ Auto Body Shop

❏ Service Station ❏ Service Truck ❏ Lockout ❏ Auto/Truck Dealership ❏ Vehicle Leasing ❏ Distributor Equip ❏ Other______________

Inn Marriott • $142 S/D/T/Q ❒ Residence 904 Dallas Street • All Rooms are Studio Suites Outdoor pool, 5 blocks to Conv. Ctr, complimentary shuttle and hot breakfast.

Produced by

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Child Towing & Recovery gets to recover a semi-truck rollover on U.S. Highway 14-A in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti as told by Frank Child

Email your recovery images to scalitri@towman.com

Rollover in

Wyoming 30 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

I

n the early afternoon of November 10, 2009 Frank Child was called by ATA to recover a semi tractor-trailer that had rolled over in the Big Horn Mountains. He drove out to Mile Post 222 on US 14A to survey the scene.

The Big Horn Mountains extend from the Plains and Great Basin area of Wyoming northward into south central Montana. US 14A, known as The Medicine Wheel Passage, rises

The trailer was loaded with 50-pound bags of soda ash (baking soda) on pallets.

sharply from the Bighorn Basin near the city of Lovell and travels 25 miles through high alpine meadows to Burgess Junction, where it intersects with the Bighorn Scenic Byway. “This is a steep road with a 10% to 14% down grade,” said Frank.

It seems that the Texas truck driver had missed his turn at Casper and chose the mountain route west as a short cut to make up the time by driving over the Big Horn Mountains.

His mountain crossing ended in his descent when he lost his brakes 25

miles east of Lovell, Wyo. Luckily the driver escaped without serious injury, but the tractor and loaded trailer were not so fortunate. The trailer literally slid off the road and flipped over the concrete Jersey barrier, and the tractor also turned over and the cab snagged the roadside barrier. Child said, “The only thing that stopped the truck was that the cab was upside down and it hooked onto the barrier.”

Child informed, “Heated brakes on the truck and trailer were the driver’s downfall on the steep descent.

He told troopers that he lost his brakes just prior to that corner so he couldn’t slow down. A trooper said the front wheels of the truck were “extremely hot” when he arrived at the scene 20 minutes later.” Child continued, “The driver tried to get to the inside lane on the corner, and the trailer started to track outside the truck. It started to slide, and it tipped over. The trailer skimmed up and over the Jersey barrier, riding on the scattered cargo. It was lucky that no one was coming up the mountain when this happened.”

The trailer was loaded with 50pound bags of soda ash (baking soda) on pallets. It was estimated that the load weighed 50,000-pounds.

First to respond to the scene was the Lovell Fire Department, followed shortly by Wyoming troopers, Wyoming Department of Transportation employees, and Big Horn County emergency management coordinators.

The Lovell fire chief, said the firefighters would have gone through their standard procedures of cutting brake cables, but the truck was so unstable that they shut it off and opted to stay away from it, because if it went over the hill, they didn’t want to be in it. Frank added, “A trooper said the truck was still sliding after he reached the scene.”

From the point of impact with the Jersey barrier, it was estimated that the truck slid 230 feet down the road. The rear set of axles and wheels came off the trailer when it went over the bank and came to rest about 300 feet down the mountain.

Frank Child with “The General” using a Holmes 650 to lift the trailer.

TOWMAN.COM - March 2010 • 31

A skid steer was used to move the bags of ash off the road.

Child’s Landoll was used to transport the recovered trailer.

Mountain Recovery Units Even though he was called by ATA, Frank informed, “The owner didn’t want to go through them so he worked directly with me.”

Frank and his crew arrived on the scene with a few of his homemade mountain recovery rigs. His crew on this recovery consisted of Pat Brown, Bill Holley and Scott, one of Bill’s workers. Frank has a working fleet of unique and specialized equipment built to handle the rough terrain.

Everything on his mountain recovery units is functional. For this recovery he brought the General, Redeemer (Can Do), and one of his Landolls hauling a skidsteer.

The General is a GM General 392 twin turbo pushing 500 horsepower with a 13-speed trans. Set up with a Holmes 650, a 60,000-pound Braden drag winch and a Triple K 5th Wheel Quick-Tach.

Redeemer (Can Do) is a 1991 White/Volvo combo 113. It has a series

60 Detroit pushing 400-horse power with a 10-speed single axle 32,000pound chassis and a Jake. It has an Ashton hydraulic conversion on the business end, the boom extends to eight feet with a 4-speed gearbox on the 30,000-pound main winch and a 15,000-pound auxiliary winch and a Triple K underlift.

Frank’s Freightliner 350 CAT with 13-speed hauled his Landoll 316 trailer loaded with one of his skid steers to help with the clean-up.

Childs: "The first thing we did was secure the unit so it wouldn’t continue down the mountain. We ran a line from the Redeemer to the front of the trailer and then were able to pull the unit even with the wall. The General lifted while the Redeemer kept the unit from rolling away.”

"After the tractor and trailer were back on the road we loaded the trailer on my Landoll and the tractor was hooked to the General and we hauled them both back to Cody.”

"We used the skid steer to move the bags of ash off the road and pushed them up against the barrier. A hazmat crew was called out with a sweeper to clean the spilled ash from the road."

Frank and his crew worked until after dark on Tuesday and were back on Wednesday to recover the trailer’s rear axle that had been torn off and was lying about 300 feet down the side of the mountain.

This time he took his rig Smokey

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along. Smokey (because it used to smoke like mad) is a Kenworth 318 cabover 5 plus 3-speed with a 60,000pound massive boom and a 40,000pound drag winch.

Frank and the crew got Smokey into position then pulled out the wire rope and climbed the 300-feet down the mountain to hook it to the rear axles. They then winched up the axle and secured it to Smokey for the drive back to Cody.

Frank also rented two tandem dump trucks on which to load the bags of soda ash – again putting the skid steer to good use. Once the bags were loaded the job was done.

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Most common cause of accidents involving trucks on these roads is riding the brakes, taking the sharp turns too fast and brakes overheating and giving out.”

Another invention he has working is a brake monitoring system for brakes on large trucks and motor homes. It monitors brake usage, measures application pressure, correlates time and temperature and warns when to back off.

"It’s cumulative, it will tell someone if the brakes are getting hot or have been used long enough to be serviced," he said. Frank and a friend are already using this system in their trucks.

Another day at the office for Frank and his mountain recovery crew and fleet.

Frank Child is the owner of Child Towing & Recovery in Cody, Wyo. An elder statesmen of the towing industry, Frank began towing in Minnesota when he was 13 where he started out with a horse and rope. After moving to Wyoming he returned to towing when he saw a need to handle towing and recovery work in the rugged country.

For more than 30 years, he has been building his own unique specialized equipment to fit the particular needs of Wyo. and Mont. terrain. Frank holds patents on almost 360 inventions.

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It's a tow show filled with fun activi ties for you and your enlire famil y!

2010 FLORIDA TOW SHOW SCHEDULE THURSDAY - APRIL 15

11 a.m.............................3RD ANNUAL USAC/MD CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Benefiting the International Towing & Recovery Museum’s Survivor Fund. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Tournament begins at 1 p.m. Call 770-967-8405 for more information and to register. Sponsored by USAC Noon..............................FREE REGISTRATION Sponsored by USAC 5 - 7 p.m. ........................Brainstorming with the Pros, By Tom Luciano and Nick Ovenden. Brought to you by Miller Industries 5:30 - 8 p.m....................USAC/MD Awards by Invitation Only Sponsored by USAC/MD 7 p.m...............................Jerr-Dan Kick-Off Party Outside Food, drinks and fun for all with the Caribbean Chillers Jimmy Buffett Tribute show! Hosted by

FRIDAY - APRIL 16

in the Miller Industrie l booth .

FRIDAY - Day 1of the Miller Rotstor Challenge .

Drive your tr uck to the show and antar it in the Tow Truck Beauty Contest .Registration on Fridag, judging on Saturday at 10 a.m.

7 p.m...............................Miller Industries Demonstrations and Refreshments Outside Hosted by Miller Industries

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8 a.m. - 5 p.m..................DRIVER TRAINING CLASS Light- & Medium-Duty Day 1 of 2-Day Class with Dave Lambert Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services & North American Towing Academy 8 a.m. - 5 p.m..................TRAA Level 3 Testing 8 - 9 a.m. .........................Advance Dispatching and Fleet Management

By Jim Weaver, Tracker Management 8:30 a.m. ........................FREE REGISTRATION Sponsored by USAC/MD 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. ..............EXHIBITS OPEN 9 a.m................................Tow Truck Beauty Contest Registration Sponsored by Dynamic 9 - 10:30 a.m...................Dealing With Difficult Customers and Situations

By Christine Corelli Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 10 a.m..............................BMW/Mini & Porsche – Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 10 - 11 a.m......................Marketing Your Business to Stand Out

By Annie Lasek and Clarissa Powell, Tow Times 10 - 11 a.m......................“Ask The Professor” Myths and Fallacies in Light-, Mediumand Heavy-Duty Towing, Transporting and Recovery

By Terry Humelsine of WreckMaster 10:30 - 11:30 a.m............Synthetic Oil and Additives/How to Make and Save Money

By Al Rich, Amsoil 12:00 p.m. .......................GM and Sprinter - Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. ............LOCKOUT CLASS By Steve Young, Lockmasters 1 p.m. ..............................BMW/Mini & Porsche – Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 1 - 2 p.m..........................Managing Your Fuel Expenses Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 1 - 3 p.m..........................FLORIDA LIEN AND TITLE WORKSHOP Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 1:30 - 3 p.m.....................Are You A Boss or a Leader? By Christine Corelli Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 2 - 3 p.m..........................Lowering Your Telecomm Expense Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 3 p.m. ..............................GM Medium- & Heavy-Duty Training Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 3 p.m. ..............................Pimp Your Tow Truck (Demonstration) Brought to you by Allstate and Dynamic

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3 - 4 p.m..........................How to Conduct A Safety Meeting that Matters Led by Bill Giorgis Sponsored by Tow Times 3 - 4 p.m..........................Wreckers and Industry Weight Laws Led by Weldon Wright Sponsored by Jerr-Dan 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ..............Using Social Media to Promote Your Business

By Rony Mirzaians, Towing Guru 5 - 7 p.m..........................Brainstorming with the Pros By Tom Luciano and Nick Ovenden Brought to you by Miller Industries 7 p.m. - Midnight ............Customer Appreciation Party Outside Free food and drink, lots of activities for kids of all ages, exciting demonstrations and more. Hosted by

SATURDAY - APRIL 17

8 a.m. - 5 p.m..................DRIVER TRAINING CLASS Light- & Medium-Duty Day 2 of 2-Day Class By Dave Lambert Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services & North American Towing Academy 8 - 11 a.m........................TRAA TESTING Level 1 and 2 8:30 a.m. ........................FREE REGISTRATION Sponsored by USAC/MD 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. ..............EXHIBITS OPEN 9 a.m................................Lil’ Towers Driving Contest Sponsored by Tow Times West Side Lot 9 - 10 a.m........................Marketing Your Business to Stand Out

By Annie Lasek & Clarissa Powell, Tow Times 10 a.m..............................BMW/Mini & Porsche – Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 10 - 11 a.m. ......................“Ask The Professor” Myths and Fallacies in Light-, Mediumand Heavy-Duty Towing, Transporting and Recovery

By Terry Humelsine of WreckMaster 10:30 a.m. .......................Tow Truck Beauty Contest Sponsored by Dynamic 10:30 - 11:30 a.m............Focus On Profit By Jim Weaver, Tracker Management 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ..FLORIDA LIEN AND TITLE WORKSHOP Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 11 a.m. - Noon ................Automating Motor Club Billing

By Todd Althouse, Beacon Software 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. .........WOMEN OF THE TOWING INDUSTRY LUNCHEON Presented by PWOF – Women’s Division Sponsored by GEICO 12:00 p.m. .......................GM and Sprinter – Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ............Synthetic Oil and Additives/How to Make and Save Money

By Al Rich, Amsoil 1 p.m. ..............................GM Medium- & Heavy-Duty Training Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 1 p.m. ..............................BMW/Mini & Porsche – Hands On Training and Certification Outside

By Allstate Roadside Services 1 - 2 p.m..........................How to Conduct A Safety Meeting that Matters

By Bill Giorgis Sponsored by Tow Times 1 - 2:30 p.m.....................Local Search and Google Adwords, The Killer Combo

By Rony Mirzaians, Towing Guru 1 - 3 p.m..........................LOCKOUT CLASS By Steve Young, Lockmasters 2 - 3 p.m..........................Maximize the Power of Your Fleet with GPS Tracking Sponsored by Cross Country Automotive Services 3 p.m. ..............................Pimp Your Tow Truck (Demonstration) Brought to you by Allstate and Dynamic 6 p.m. - Midnight ...........Allstate Roadside Services Appreciation Night Dinner and Entertainment Provided by

SUNDAY - APRIL 18

8 - 9 a.m. .........................Church Service 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ..............EXHIBITS OPEN

Old Days, Old Ways

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

The1923 Weaver Auto Crane is owned by Mike Massey of Valparaiso, Florida. The unit dates to the late 1920's and is mounted on his 1936 Chevy 1.5-ton wrecker.

I

n the days before wreckers, there was the Weaver Auto wheels so that they could be placed on a dolly. Then the dolly Ambulance produced by Weaver Manufacturing Com- was towed behind the truck to the destination. This dolly pany of Springfield, Illinois. The auto ambulance was was the Weaver Auto Ambulance. Some cranes are still basically a dolly – just a long iron bar with a two-wheel found mounted in trucks, but the dollies did not survive as axle at one end and a hitch at the other. When the old time well. vehicles got stuck, or broke The Weaver Auto an axle or a wheel, you Crane is a very simple tow would just drop that end of hook, especially when conthe car onto the auto ambutrasted with the slings and lance. You would then ramp trucks, hydraulics hitch the ambulance to a and the high-tech units of horse, or another vehicle, today. Still it was a simpler and take the car to be time, and equipment was repaired. sturdier and, in some ways, The Weaver Auto harder to abuse, like the Ambulance clamped on to people of those good old the front or rear axle of days. even the biggest touring The Weaver Ad is for cars and moderately the Auto Crane and Auto heavy trucks and susAmbulance combination. tained the roughest roads.

The Auto Ambulance This was high-tech stuff in could be used on either the the early days of towing front or rear axle.

This Model T is an unrestored 1927 wrecker. and recovery.

The Weaver ManufacAn early tow truck was the Weaver Auto Crane, a hand- turing Company made the winch and crane assembly on the powered unit from the ‘20s. The purpose of the winch on this back of the Model T pictured above. unit was not to transport the car, but rather to raise the front

36 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

continued from page 9 Code 3 LED 2100 Arrow Stik lightbar (2) 48” stainless toolboxes (2) 72” stainless toolboxes Lighted toolbox with air reels insideleft and right 12,000 pound winches

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to learn more about the trucks that rank "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with T r ansmissio n s , Two Years in a Roww "

FLORIDA FT. MYERS Tri-County Truck & Equipment 239.690.4900 www.tricountytruck.com trucksales@tricountytruck.com •Dynamic, Miller

FLORIDA continued POMPANO BEACH Tri-County Truck & Equipment 954.971.4022 www.tricountytruck.com trucksales@tricountytruck.com •Dynamic, Miller

JACKSONVILLE Rush Truck Center 813.361.1199 www.rushtruckcenter.com shafferd@rush-enterprises.com •Jerr-Dan

WEST PALM BEACH Tri-County Truck & Equipment 561.712.1190 www.tricountytruck.com trucksales@tricountytruck.com •Dynamic, Mille

MIAMI TruckMax 305.777.9000 www.truckmax.com dshelow@truckmax.com •Century, Challenger, Champion, Vulcan, Holmes, Chevron, Eagle

ILLINOIS ALSIP Chicago Truck Sales & Service 708.371.7010 www.ustrucksales.com gherdzina@ustrucksales.com

ILLINOIS continued CHANNAHON Mack of Joliet 815.521.1900 www.ustrucksales.com gherdzina@ustrucksales.com SUMMIT Chicago Mack Sales & Service 708.594.5151 www.ustrucksales.com gherdzina@ustrucksales.com MAINE PORTLAND O’Connor Motor Company 800.464.6225 www.oconnorwheels.com dan.doiron@oconnorwheels.com •Jerr-Dan, Century

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MASSACHUSETTS LUNENBURG Chapdelaine Truck Center Inc. 800.395.5800 www.chaptruck.com askus@chapdelainegm.com •Jerr-Dan

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MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL ALLSTATE SALES & LEASING CORP. 877.343.HINO (4466) www.allstatepeterbilt.com

LYNDHURST Frank’s Truck Center 201.939.7708 www.frankstruckcenter.com ckoumoulis@frankstruckcenter.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE ROCHESTER Rochester Truck 800.335.2085 www.rochestertruck.com hulk@rochestertruck.com •Miller, Chevron, Jerr-Dan, NRC

TEXAS SAN ANTONIO Rush Towing Systems 877.5RUSHTOW www.rushtowingsystems.com wilkinsong@rush-enterprises.com •Jerr-Dan

MACKAY HEAVY TOWING

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ackay Heavy Towing operates 14 trucks ranging from tilt-trays to semitilts to heavy-duty tow trucks, including this “Baby,” which may be the biggest recovery rig in Australia.

40 • March 2010 - TOWMAN.COM

Husband and wife team Dean and Chris Pullen own and operate the business in Queensland and Dean is a hands-on operator, 24/7 in the trenches.

Truckworks at Winfield in South Australia imported the unit (Ken-

worth T408) last Spring and had it ready to roll in four weeks. The rig is fitted with 10 storage lockers and the operating controls at the rear of the Century 1075-S. The 1075-S 75-ton Rotator is fitted with 60,000-pound planetary two-speed winches, with

newly designed winch buckets, and increased boom reach. Century’s Rotators are equipped with a hydraulic stabilization system that includes front hydraulic outriggers with over 17 inches of spread and rear-patented outriggers designed for stability, in lifting as well as anchoring the unit for hard and tough recoveries.

The Duco (Australian for automotive paint) on Dean’s Kenworth T408 is Kawasaki Purple and the graphic artwork was done by East Coast Air Brushing (Rod Tickle) with the theme from The Dark Knight. Across the bonnet is the arch-villain, The Joker, while down the sides of the recovery unit body, the Batman motif has been continued, including graphics on the Editor’s note: the source of this article was an article written by Steve Morris that appeared in Truckin’ Life magazine. Morris also shot the photos.

sleeper and rear of the cab. “Rod took a full week to do the amazingly detailed work in the decals, which look like a million dollars,” Dean said.

(In fact, the cost of this amazing unit is over $1 million dollars!)

The final touch of the Batman theme is a classic quote from The Joker’s character in the film: ‘Why So Serious?,’ which has been laser-cut into the front bumper.

For Dean and Chris, the purchase of the new Kenworth T408 is a highlight of the family-run business.

“There is no better truck on offer in Australia, the Kenworth is brilliant for our applications of hauling heavy recovery units,” Dean commented.

The T408 has twin-steer with a

third axle, a Watson Charlin self- steering caster axle with the rear end riding a Neway air-bag suspension. The T408 is fitted out with a Century 1075-S 75ton Rotator with operating remote and five winches.

For a rig of this size, Dean went for the Caterpillar In-Line six cylinders ACERTTwin Turbo 550hp engine, with 18-speed Roadranger gear box. The Kenworth has the 28-inch integrated sleeper, while the wood-grain dash complements the gold bezel gauges.

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Copyright 2009 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to scalitri@towman.com or American Towman, 7 West St, Warwick NY 10990

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With the new stringent emission standards taking effect in 2010, most chassis manufacturers will be converting to a SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system that will require the use of an operating chemical called urea along with additional after-treatment equipment that will add weight. Navistar will take a different approach using an advanced EGR system to meet the new standards. There are still many unanswered questions on all these systems, but one thing is for sure, the cost of the chassis with the new 2010 emissions will increase.

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Miller Industries has ordered a selection of pre-2010 emission chassis that are available through your Miller Industries distributor installed with a new Century, Holmes, Vulcan, Chevron or Champion towing and recovery unit or carrier.

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