AT Expo Gallery, Crane Recovery Wins Donnie, Cable Barrier Dangers
Jamie Davis
Behind the Stardom of
‘Highway Thru Hell’ towman.com
towmantv.com
towweek.com
Whether it’s recovering an overturned tractor-trailer or towing a truck across town, you’re in command with your Vulcan V-100. The Vulcan V-100 is the tool you need to accomplish any task – just ask loyal Vulcan users who always demand the best from their fleets. Once you purchase
For versatility in light- and medium-duty towing and recovery, the Vulcan V-30 meets your demands. Available in an aluminum or composite modular body, this 16-ton powerhouse comes loaded with many features found on Vulcan’s heavy-duty units.
a Vulcan, you’re in command.
Vulcan has led the industry in heavy-duty integrated towing and recovery units for 25 years. Available in 25-, 35- and 50-ton capacities, the Vulcan heavy-duty integrated series easily tackles the toughest jobs.
Vulcan’s L.C.G. (Low Center of Gravity) car carriers features a deck height that’s 5 to 8-inches lower, offering more stability during transport, a lower load angle and greater ease in securing loads. For recovery, Vulcan offers the SP8000 Sidepuller, the ultimate in car carrier versatility.
INNOVATIVE. DURABLE. BRUTALLY TOUGH. 8503 Hilltop Drive • Ooltewah, Tennessee 37363
www.millerind.com • 800-489-2401 Number 143 on Reader Card
The Vulcan Intruder leads the light-duty line-up with an autoload crossbar capable of picking up vehicles at a 90-degree angle and your choice of steel, aluminum or composite modular bodies. Other popular Vulcan light-duty units feature Vulcan’s strapless wheel-lift system.
Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
FEATURE CONTENTS
Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . .18 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
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Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Behind the Stardom of ‘Highway Thru Hell’
AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .78 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
A look behind the scenes of “Highway Thru Hell” in an in-depth interview with Tow Boss Jamie Davis. by Brendan Dooley
Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .89
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Fatal Crane Scene Big Wheel Towing won the 2014 Donnie Award for Heavy Duty on this complicated crane recovery. by Eric Fouquette
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AT Expo Recap Did you miss the 2014 AT Expo in Baltimore? Catch up with this look back at all the action.
The elements and tough terrain are as much a part of cable TV’s “Highway Thru Hell” as Jamie Davis and his crew. p 28
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Number 196 on Reader Card
Shout Out to … What’s His Name? by Dennie Ortiz
This past November I met a young gentlemanly tower out of Florida who stopped to speak with me on the exhibit floor of the American Towman Expo in Baltimore. He asked if I wouldn’t mind taking a photo with him. He said he read my column every month and has read American Towman religiously since he became part of the industry 10 years ago. I asked for his business card, but he’d made so many contacts at the show that he was out of them. As it was his first year at the show, I might call that a rookie mistake. But I bet many people who haven’t yet attended the Expo in Baltimore don’t realize its massive size and scope— you can bring 1,000 cards and still run out. My young tower friend shared
with me that he’d been operating a tow truck for someone else for a long time, but this past year he took the plunge and bought a few tow trucks and opened up his own towing business. His excitement about starting his business and all the Expo offered him was infectious. He was one of thousands upon thousands that came through the doors of the Baltimore Convention Center this past November. In case you missed it, or just couldn’t get to everything, you can get a glimpse of the Expo in this issue’ recap. It’s refreshing to see the younger generation take such pride in the industry and be progressive enough to recognize the benefits of attending the trade show, events and educational conferences to further his professional interests. I wish I could recall the name of this young tower— regardless I am giving him a shout out as he really made my day!
How Some Stars Shine by Brendan Dooley
This month, I had the pleasure of writing about Jamie Davis, owner of Jamie Davis Motor Truck in British Columbia and central character on cable TV’s “Highway Thru Hell.” The documentary series is a fascinating look at a towing company’s recovery professionals and how they work together in some of the most brutal recovery terrain there is in North America along the Coquihalla Highway and in the coldweather extremes. I caught up with Davis himself for an extended interview during November’s American Towman Expo in Baltimore, where he was signing autographs in the Miller Industries booth. He also was on hand during Festival Night to watch his friend, Garry Leach, receive AT’s Silver Star award. As many would agree who talked to him at the booth, I found Davis to be level-headed about the show’s success and humble about his place in the industry. He said many fans implore him to “Keep it real”—I see no problems with his continued ability to do just that!
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First On The Scene! Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke
Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor
Randall Resch
Operations Editor
Terry Abejuela
Field Editor, West
Jim “Buck” Sorrenti David Kolman Bill Simmons
Field Editor, Northeast Chassis Editor Safety Editor
Emily Oz
On Screen Editor
Mark Lacek
Repo Run Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Don Archer Roy Carlson Debbie Collins Belinda Harris Bill Johnson Ron Mislan Kurt Wilson
Dallas, Texas Jefferson City, Mo. St. Paul, Minn. Las Vegas, Nev. Greensboro, N.C. South Hadley, Mass. Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.
American Towman Staff Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Neila Smith Miriam Ortiz Henri Calitri Toni Vanderhorst William Burwell Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Emily Oz Steve Calitri
Page Layout Artist Advertising Sales Mgr. Senior Account Exec. VP of Accounts VP Communications Subscription Manager Customer Service Publisher’s Assistant TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager ATTV Producer President
American Towman Media Headquarters 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546 E-mail: Publisher: dortiz@towman.com Editor-In-Chief: scalitri@towman.com Editor: bdooley@towman.com AT’S Digital Edition: itowman.com AT’S Website: towman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2015 American Towman Magazine is published 12 times a year by American Towman Media, Inc. 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.American Towman Media does not test or review products submitted for inclusion in its publications. All included information, specifications and abilities are as claimed by the equipment manufacturer who is solely liable for any defects or misrepresentations in its products.
Number 216 on Reader Card
Towman Killed in Homicide Chicago, Ill., tower Reginald Jones, 33, was killed on New Year’s Eve by a masked gunman who followed him into a tire shop office and shot him. Jones, who had operated his own tow truck for eight years, was scheduled to meet a customer who “needed four tires” around the time he was shot, according to the tire shop owner. Jones was on the street in front of the shop when someone approached and shot him several times. A store worker witnessed the shooting, but there wasn’t much of a description because the gunman was wearing a mask, said Jones’ mother, Judy. Family members say they are holding out hope that someone will assist police in capturing Jones’ killer. Source: www.chicagotribune.com
College Students Craft Tow Laws The city of Ogden, Utah, recruited Weber State University’s debate team to help craft a non-consensual towing law. Brittany Griffin, communications specialist for the city council staff, said the team will present several viewpoints, then the council will discuss options on the matter during subsequent meetings. “We don’t currently have any ordinance on predatory towing, but we’ve had a lot of complaints from residents on the issue,” Griffin said. Utah law dictates that all non-consent tows must be reported to the Utah Motor Vehicle Division before payment can be collected. Local law enforcement agencies are also contacted by towing companies to avoid confusion in case a citizen calls to report a stolen vehicle that has actually been towed. The team is scheduled to present its findings to members of the city administration and council during an upcoming special council work session. Source: www.standard.net 8 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Beached on Christmas Eve
Clayton’s Towing rescued this SUV mired in the sand on Christmas Eve. Clayton’s Towing photo.
A woman certainly had a Christmas to remember when her Escape became stuck on a Queensland, Australia, beach Christmas Eve. After she went to find help, she returned to find her car underwater. On Christmas Day, she was rescued as Clayton’s Towing spent the holiday bringing the car safely back to shore. The company said on its Facebook page that it was a “perfect day to head up the beach, even for work.” Source: www.sunshine coastdaily.com.au
Victims Complain
Following I-94 Pileup Coming on the heels of complaints of gouging from victims in the massive January 9 highway pileup in Kalamazoo, Mich., McDonald’s Towing told a local news station that they may not even break even after the work. “It upsets you because you know, my guys are doing everything they can to provide this service, and at the end of the day, people perceive it as we are doing them wrong,” said Operations Supervisor Zach Clothier. Nearly 200 cars were involved in the crash on Michigan’s I-94. The towing company, which took in more than 75 cars and semis, faced criticism for their hauling and storage fees postcrash. The company said that there were many cars they pulled out of the ditch
on the highway that they never charged for. A Michigan State Police sergeant called McDonald’s Towing to the scene to start clearing away vehicles. Since McDonald’s doesn’t have a contract with the MSP, they charged what they thought was fair, company owner Craig McDonald said. The average cost of a tow is $75, plus mileage, then the cost of storage. Source: www.wwmt.com.
. . . LAPD is also doing undercover stings . . .
Tower Killed on Beltway A tower who had stopped to recover an unattended vehicle on the shoulder of the Beltway was struck and killed Dec. 29 by a truck driver, Virginia State Police said. Najdi Hicham, 45, of Centreville, Va., was killed when he stopped his Fairfax Towing & Recovery wrecker and began to hook up the unattended vehicle. A box truck veered into the shoulder and struck him, according to a statement from Virginia State Police. Hicham died at the scene. The driver of the box truck, Anthony B. Custis, 34, of Baltimore, Md., was charged with reckless driving. The truck was also cited for having inoperable brakes and other CMV equipment and safety violations, police said. Source: www.nbcwashington.com
Two Years for Killing Tower A Fort Lupton, Colo., man involved in a crash that left a tow truck operator dead and a Colorado State Trooper injured has been sentenced to two years in prison and six years of probation, according to the Weld County District Attorney’s Office. Dana Beales was charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, third-degree assault on a first responder, reckless endangerment and reckless driving. Beales was arrested in October for the crash, which happened in August 2013. Troopers say Beales was driving on Highway 85 when his Ford F-250 crashed into a CSP cruiser that was blocking traffic for Martin Braden, a tow operator. Beales’ vehicle then hit Braden, who died at the scene. Trooper Scott Rendfrey had moderate injuries. Source: www.9news.com
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
LAPD Warns About Towing “Bandits’ Police in Los Angeles, Calif., are warning residents about tow truck “bandits,” referring to towers who arrive unsolicited at an accident scene, tow away cars and hold them for ransom for big bucks. Police say the towers monitor police scanners and show up unsolicited at accident scenes — often LAPD is conducting stings in the region trying to catch before police or paramedics “bandit” towers at accident scenes. Wikimedia.com image. — and falsely tell the driver they were alerted either by an onboard safety device, deployed air bag or an insurance company. They assure frazzled drivers that the tow will be covered by insurance and present paperwork to sign that gives them control of the vehicle. Bills for some victims have reached as high as $4,000, and the LAPD is fielding up to five calls a day about the scam on its towing complaint hotline, Detective Benjamin Jones said. The LAPD is also doing undercover stings, with officers posing as drivers who need a tow, but the department is limited because of the small number of detectives it has available for the assignment. Source: www.fresnobee.com
Wilkes-Barre Tower Donates Reward Money When a car struck and killed 5year-old Kevin Miller in 2012, City Wide Towing proprietor Bob Kadluboski of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., used donated money to offer a reward for the hit-and-run driver. But the person who helped break the case didn’t want it. Kadluboski said he wanted the money to help children, so he decided to split the $2,145 between three charities. “The reason we’re doing it this way is we want everyone to know, this is what we’re doing with your money,” Kadluboski said. Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots campaign as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation accepted cashier ’s checks for their respective organizations on Dec. 18.
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Justin Sanchez, left, and Maggie O’Brien, of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, right, accept donations from City Wide Towing’s Bob Kadluboski. Timesleader.com image.
Toys for Tots received $1,095, Make-A-Wish received $525, and a third check for $525 was made out to KISS Theatre Co. Source: www.timesleader.com
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Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Outrigger Option for Rotators Jerr-Dan introduced its S130 Outrigger option for its 50/60-ton Rotator at the 2014 American Towman Expo in Baltimore. Based on the S100’s scissor-style outrigger design, the company said the S130 provides up to 30percent increased over-the-side boom capacity, compared to the S100. An over-the-front load chart increases the working envelope by 40 percent. The S130 system allows the truck to be leveled on up to a 7.5degree slope without cribbing, while providing the same six-point platform as the S100 for greater rear and rear corner stability. A lock-out system, combined with the claw feet, provides anchoring for side-pull scenarios.
www.jerrdan.com Number 200 on Reader Card
Super-Swaged Winch Lines B/A Products said its new Super-Swaged Winch Lines feature a compact design that allows for up to 26-percent greater strength than standard winch lines of the same diameter, increased durability and resistance to abrasion and kinking and increased resistance to drumcrushing. The 6x26 IWRC lines are available in 3/8”, 7/16” and 1/2” sizes in any length with alloy straight, swivel or self-locking hooks.
www.baprod.com Number 201 on Reader Card
Stainless Steel Axle Strap Manufacturer Express followed up on its nickelplated 3”x7’ axle strap with removable tool with a stainless steel version with some modifications. The new no-maintenance design features a shorter ratchet, upturned lip, and the handle is more ergonomic and chrome-plated.
www.mfrexpress.com Number 202 on Reader Card
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Talbert Adds to Traveling Axle Series
Talbert Manufacturing’s new 4050TA trailer features a 36” deck height and a California-legal trailer length.
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albert Manufacturing expanded its Traveling Axle Series with the 4050TA, a California-legal trailer with a 36” deck height to clear bridges and tunnels when transporting taller equipment. The 4050TA’s capacity is 80,000 lbs. evenly distributed or 50,000 lbs. in 10’. The 4050TA features a 7-degree load angle and an updated metal e-chain for the air and electrical lines. Talbert increased the number of keyholes across the rear of the trailer for flexibility with tie-downs. Standard equipment for the TA Series includes a 15,000-lbs. planetary winch with a two-function wireless remote.
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
Optional equipment includes: • 20,000-pound winch. • Six-function remote to operate the movement of the axles, winch and deck while loading. • 48” aluminum/steel bulkhead. • Strobe and work lights. • Centralized lubrication system. • Right Weigh load scale.
www.talbertmfg.com Number 203 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 11
The Dangers of HighTension Cable Barriers
by Randall C. Resch
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et’s say a vehicle spins out of control and ends up under a center divider’s high-tension cable. You respond to find the casualty vehicle thoroughly lodged and tangled under the cable and it’s your job to get the vehicle out. What dangers exist to a cable that’s under extreme high tension? What options do you have to recover the vehicle other than cutting the cable? Working around and near traffic collisions that occur against or under hightension center cables is a dangerous process not to be taken lightly. Recovery and extrication of vehicles tangled in or under cables cause them to stretch and become rigid. The support poles potentially can launch if they break or are sufficiently lifted out of the ground or from mountings. Center divider cables and capture/retention systems aren’t new technology. They’ve been in place for many years, especially on California freeways where it’s commonplace for freeways to have high-tension cables vs. guardrail systems or newer Jersey walls. If a vehicle has nosed under the cable, preferred removal techniques (to prevent additional damage to cable) include: • Move or situate the vehicle back to the cable system’s center line. • If cable is under tension because the vehicle has pulled it out of line, use tow/recovery equipment to push, pull or drag vehicle back. • Carefully release tire air, remove tires or other car parts that are hung up on the cable. • If vehicle is lying atop cable, position tow truck with boom over the accessible end, lift straight up, and then drive forward bringing casualty over cable.
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The potential dangers working recoveries in and around hightension systems include great bodily injury, death, and/or liability for actions and property damage. Photos courtesy of Visual Perfection and Towing; Memphis, Tenn.
Lift vs. Cut I responded to a Caifornia Highway Patrol request where a BMW wagon was trapped upside down and wedged under a center divider tension cable. Although the wagon had stretched the cables to the max, the fire captain felt it was too dangerous to cut the cable. Because Caltrans wasn’t on scene, I suggested positioning one tow truck near the casualty vehicle, extend the boom directly over the cable, attach the winch line to the center tension cable and raise it slowly straight up. The captain approved.
I prepared the tow truck’s positon and winch line. Caltrans workers arrived and removed cable mounts from eight upright posts (in opposite directions) to loosen their mounts (loosening the posts not bent over during impact). When the “all clear” was given, my tow truck lifted the tension cable while my second operator dragged the BMW out from under the cable and performed the roll. Ultimately, no cable was cut making for an easy repair. Damaged posts were re-installed and the tension cables were remounted and stretched into their original position.
Number 114 on Reader Card
Cut, No Cut The configuration of most retention systems is similar in design. Cable that’s mounted and stretched is ultimately tuned between 3,000- to 8,000lbs. of tension. The amount of tension can change significantly depending on ambient temperatures. Extreme cold will increase tension, while extreme heat will create a lower tension level. Cutting a stretched, high-tension center cable should never be a primary option. An attempt to cut cable without relieving the stretched cable’s recoil effect could result in catastrophic results. It’s paramount that tower’s know and understand the protocol of cut vs. no cut requirements for their state. A Tow411 forum response by one tower simply stated, “Just cut it.” I believe this reaction could immediately result in a tow operator injury or fatality, to include the tow company being liable for damage caused to the complete retention system. When a tension cable is cut, it cannot be re-spliced and the damaged cable must be replaced. How much do you think a 3/4” by 1,000’ tension cable costs to replace, not including the costs of installation? Is that a bill you’re willing to pay for? High-tension systems are designed to exacting tolerances; reversing the
effects of live kinetic energy means towers shouldn’t take action by simply whacking cable. There’s more to the process if safety is your No. 1 consideration. If it’s the decision of a rescue commander to cut cable, especially in case of life-threatening extrication, they bear the liability—not you. When circumstances occur, it’s a no brainer that tow operators should advise the incident commander or officer in charge to request that the area’s highway department respond and relieve the cable’s tension first. In a Yuku.com video from the Washington Department of Transportation, they offer the following steps. (Note: These steps pertain to the state of Washington and are included for illustrative purposes only and not necessarily recommended by the author or American Towman.) • Cutting cable is the last resort and is only appropriate in life threatening situations. • If it’s necessary to cut cables, it’s recommended to cut between two undamaged posts where the cables are parallel to and not being subjected to multiple forces, and, then cut only the minimum number of cables necessary. • It’s recommended that the cable be securely taped with duct tape on each side where it will be cut to prevent unraveling.
• If the cables are tangled around a vehicle, lifting the cables out of the post may be appropriate. However, if you start to raise the cables and the post is lifted, stop and pull the post out of the way. Use extra caution to secure the post with a chain or restraining device as the cable may be under significant pressure. Ron Parrish, Tow411’s administrator responded to a post on the same topic were he stated, “The cost of performing an unauthorized disablement or dismantle of the cable barrier could cost the company thousands of dollars in repair. Whereas when the DOT or FIRE takes the action they assume the responsibility for using the proper procedure.” This is an accurate statement not to be overlooked or ignored. Sure we have the tools and maybe some education on extrication techniques, but our business is recovery. Why not leave the danger and damage liability to those specifically trained and insured to assume the risk in these matters? The potential dangers working recoveries in and around high-tension systems include great bodily injury, death, and/or liability for actions and property damage caused by towers failing to follow extrication protocol per any state operations guidebook. American Towman does not
continue to page 17
Number 217 on Reader Card
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Number 125 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 15
Jackson Deputies Anger Repo Agent A repo man was angered when Jackson County, Ga., sheriff’s deputies would not let him a tow a vehicle from a man’s yard. Deputies were called to the home in Jefferson when the man reported that two men in a wrecker were trying to repossess his daughter’s 2004 Acura that was involved in a bankruptcy case, according to a sheriff’s report. The repo men could only produce papers showing that the buyer had stopped making payments in June and that a bankruptcy proceeding had been dismissed, but no mention was made of the car, deputies said. When told they would have to leave, one repo man demanded the deputies’ names and badge numbers. “If I can see the collateral, I’m supposed to be able to get it,” the man told the officer. Source: http://onlineathens.com
Kids Found in Repossessed Car A repo agent recently repossessed a car at a shopping plaza in Newark, Del., not realizing that children were in the car. The driver, a 32-year-old employee of All Hooked Up Towing, told police his truck is equipped with an automatic license plate reader that alerted him to Tonya F. Robinson’s SUV as he drove behind her. He waited a few minutes and then located the car parked in front of a store in the plaza. The driver told police the windows of the Aspen were tinted and, while he saw several large boxes in the backseat, he did not see or hear the children. Once back at the tow lot, he heard noises coming from the car, discovered the children and called 911. Robinson, 40, allegedly left the children – girls ages 5 and 1 – in her 2007 Chrysler Aspen while she went into BJ’s Wholesale Club, according to Delaware State Police.
Number 120 on Reader Card
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According to court records, Robinson told police she had been shopping with the children and was waiting for a clerk to retrieve an iPad from a storage cabinet. Robinson took the kids back to the SUV, drove the vehicle to a no-parking zone in front of the store and went back inside to pick up the iPad. “[Robinson] stated she did this because she could not carry everything and still handle the children,” the responding trooper wrote in court records. “When asked why she did not use a shopping cart, [Robinson] stated she did not think about that.” Police arrived at the tow lot, and the children, who were not injured, were released to the care of Robinson’s sister. Robinson was taken into custody and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and released on $4,000 unsecured bail. Source: www.newarkpostonline.com
BEACONS ON! continued from pg. 14 recommend or suggest towers take on any cable recovery based on this narrative alone. Towing professionals who respond to cable-involved recoveries and extrications are advised to seek topic-specific training on cable retention systems from qualified sources before becoming involved in hands-on cutting, removal or lifting of high-tension capture systems. Unless you’re specifically trained in tension restraint systems, you’ve got no business attempting to cut or work around high-tension cables. Getting trained in this process is knowledge every tower should attain.
Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and has been in the towing and recovery industry for over 40 years as a tow business owner, manager, consultant and light-duty trainer. Email Randy at rreschran@aol.com.
Number 209 on Reader Card
Number 135 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
Number 145 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 17
Silver Star Speaks Out Garry Leach was one of two Silver Star recipient’s during Festival Night at the 2014 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Md., last November. He shared with us some reflections on the award and the towing industry. Read more about the incident on page 60. —Ed.
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hank you to American Towman for selecting me as the recipient for this most humbling award. It’s still quite unbelievable and surreal and has triggered that true emotion that we all possess. While I was honored with this award, I don’t really consider myself deserving of it. While the incident that led to my nomination was certainly traumatic and life threatening and met the protocol, my battle to overcome it was due to my extreme passion and dedication for our industry and that’s where I have the trouble. I am only one of many many thousands of men and women who are
American Towman Editor Brendan Dooley presents recipient Garry Leach with his Silver Star award during Festival Night at the 2014 AT Expo.
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just as passionate, just as dedicated to our industry, what we do and the pride we take in assisting those that call upon us for our assistance on a daily basis. What happened to me could have happened to anyone who works within our industry and I sincerely believe that every one of them would have also fought to survive the event, overcome its hardships and continue doing what we all love and do best. In accepting this award I must acknowledge and pay tribute to the emergency personnel and professionals who made my survival possible. The Golden British Columbia Ambulance Paramedics, the flight crew of Shock Trauma Air Rescue, also known as Stars Air Ambulance. The surgeons and medical team at the Foothills Major Trauma Centre in Calgary, Alberta, that sutured, stapled and wired me back together, my oral surgeon and prosthodontist who still have several years of work left in rebuilding the massive damage that was done to my jaw, gums and teeth. And, of course, my close friend and industry associate, Jamie Davis (read more on Davis on page 28) who assisted in my recovery and convalescence by visiting me in Calgary and teaching me to drink vodka and orange juice through a straw while my jaw was wired shut. I sincerely urge anyone in our industry who faces an obstacle, whether physical or otherwise resulting from an accidental event or anything else unpreventable, to never give up. Always remember that we can fight to overcome anything because of our love for what we do, because it’s instinctive and because it’s what needs to be done in order for us to continue to help and provide assistance to those in need. By accepting this very prestigious award, I dedicate it to the memory of the many men and women of our industry who weren’t as fortunate as me, who were unable to return from their last call and whose names and memories are forever etched on our industry’s Wall of the Fallen. Thank you again to American Towman and to all of you for this true honor. Garry E.W. Leach, president United Towing Services Canmore, Alberta, Canada 2014 American Towman Silver Star
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ABCs of Fire Extinguisher Use by Terry Abejuela
D
oes your state require that tow trucks carry a fire extinguisher? For instance, the California Vehicle Code requires tow trucks to carry a fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing four units of Class B or Class C fires. But even though towers may be required to carry a fire extinguisher, they aren’t necessarily required by law to know how to use it safely and effectively. I require my drivers to attend fire extinguisher training every other year. Do not attempt to conduct this type of training without qualified supervision and the approval of the local fire department. You might also want to notify neighbors of what you will be doing so as not to alarm anyone. Upon completion of the training, they provide a certificate of completion for each driver that I keep on file. They tailor the training to automobile fires for us since this is what my drivers would most likely encounter. Make sure that your fire extinguisher meets the legal requirements in your state. California requires tow trucks to carry at least one fire extinA 5-lbs. dry chemical ABC fire extinguisher is common on tow trucks.The basic PASS guisher (dry chemical or carbon instructions are displayed on this fire dioxide) with an aggregate rating extinguisher. of at least 4-B, C units. It must also bear the approval of a laboratory nationally recognized as properly is stored in a toolbox it must be labeled equipped to make the approval. Most “Fire Extinguisher Inside” on the outtow trucks are equipped with a 5-lbs. side of the toolbox. ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher. What type of fire does an ABC fire The fire extinguisher must be extinguisher work on? The easiest inspected and serviced once a year by way for me to remember is: a licensed company. The fire extin• Ash. Anything that turns to ash guisher must be properly secured; if it is a Class A fire. Common com-
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bustibles such as wood, paper or cloth create Class A fires. • Boil. Fluid fires such as gasoline, diesel, oil or grease are Class B fires. • Circuit. Electrical fires are Class C fires. (There is also a Class D fire, which is combustible metals such as magnesium. This type of fire requires a special fire extinguisher. Your ABC fire extinguisher would not be effective on a Class D fire.) Fire can only exist if it has the three elements in the triangle of fire: fuel, heat and oxygen. If you take away any of the three elements, the fire will go out. In automotive fires, the fuel could be gasoline, upholstery, rubber, carpet or any common combustible. If you let a car burn it will eventually go out once all of the fuel is burnt. The fire has to have heat. If you take away the heat the fire will extinguish. The fire has to have oxygen. If you take away the oxygen the fire will extinguish. Many fire extinguishers work by taking away the oxygen. A dry chemical fire extinguisher will smother the fire by taking away the oxygen. A 5-lbs. fire extinguisher will only last about 15 seconds. If a vehicle is engulfed in flames, you will not be able to extinguish it with a 5-lbs. fire extinguisher—request the assistance of the fire department. Only attempt to extinguish very small fires and only if the fire department is not on scene yet. Vehicles on fire will emit toxic fumes that can quickly overcome anyone not wearing the proper breathing apparatus.
Number 174 on Reader Card
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
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The manufacturer’s recommended maintenance procedures.
Another hazard to tow truck operators around a vehicle fire are the hydraulic shock-absorbing bumpers on older vehicles or the gas shocks used to assist with lifting the hood or trunk lids. These parts could become a red hot projectile shooting off of the vehicle with tremendous force. Tow truck operators must stay clear of the front or rear of these vehicles when they are on fire.
To properly use a fire extinguisher stand upwind and approximately 8’ away from the fire and think of the acronym PASS: • Pull. Pull the safety pin on the fire extinguisher. Make sure you are not putting pressure on the trigger when you try to pull the pin. Twist the pin to break the small tie wrap that holds the pin in place and then pull the pin out. • Aim. Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire. Hold the extinguisher upright with one hand and aim the hose with your other hand at the base of the fire. • Squeeze. Squeeze the trigger to expel the firefighting agent on the base of the fire. • Sweep. As you aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire, use a slow side-to-side sweeping motion to extinguish the fire.
Only attempt to extinguish very small fires and only if the fire department is not on scene yet. Do not stop until the fire is extinguished or the fire extinguisher is empty. Make sure to maintain an escape route so the fire does not trap you. I recommend that all tow truck operators be provided professional fire extinguisher training conducted by qualified instructors at least every two years so that when the need arises they will have the knowledge and confidence to perform this task effectively, efficiently and, most importantly, safely.
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Vehicle codes may require approval by a nationally recognized laboratory.
Terry Abejuela has 30+ years of light-duty towing-and-recovery experience. He is also a light-duty level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association since 1998.
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Financing a Truck this Winter?
by Toby McDonough
I
s your fleet taking a beating this winter? Crashes and spinouts are at an all-time high, which means maintaining your fleet is the best way to ensure safety on the road. With all the ice and snow, it is a must to have enough trucks ready to get all those jobs done. But how do you go about updating your fleet without ruining your bottom line? Equipment financing may be your best option to get a tow truck in a hurry. Of course, while considering financing you have to be mindful and avoid common financing mistakes.
Investigate All Options Many business owners make the mistake of thinking that the bank is the only option for equipment financing. In reality, equipment financing can come from several other sources 24 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
including finance companies, credit unions and captive financing (equipment dealer or manufacturer). By exploring the various financing options available, your business can secure financing terms, conditions, and a cost that best meet your needs. John Miles from D&D Affordable Towing is a good example of someone who found funding from outside his bank. “[My equipment financing lender] was able to help my young company with options for expanding my business. My bank wanted a full year in business before any consideration,” he said.
Know Your Lender Remember, you are entering into a long-term relationship when you finance equipment. If you are not
familiar with a potential lender, ask them for references. Ask your equipment distributor who they recommend for financing. Find out if your lender is selffunded or a broker. Direct lenders typically retain the servicing of your loan or lease. Brokers simply act as a middleman in placing your deal with a larger lender. Most importantly, make sure you know whom to call with future questions, comments, and concerns. “Sometimes you have to move fast on buying a truck, so having a [lender] that knows you and the market is very important,” said Jason Ward of Safari Towing & Recovery. Here’s a quick tip: Check out your lender’s Better Business Bureau rating (www.bbb.org/us) before you enter into any new borrowing relationship.
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Be Realistic The cost of your financing should be directly related to your overall credit quality. The lower your credit risk, the lower your financing cost should be. Applicants with poor credit history will find it hard to qualify for the lowest cost financing. Prior to applying for financing, you should access your credit report and familiarize yourself with your personal credit scores. Understanding whether your credit is strong, mediocre or weak will allow you to set reasonable expectations. If there are any errors in your credit report, you should try to correct them before seeking financing. Also, by knowing your FICO score, you will know what the lender will be looking at to avoid any possible discrepancies.
Get It In Writing There are many variables and conditions contained in the standard equipment-financing contract. Don’t cut corners by choosing a lender based on a “verbal” quotation only. Require your potential lender to provide a written financing proposal that, at minimum, provides you with your all-in initial cash requirement, monthly payment, term and end-of-term obligation. Also require your lender to clarify
who will be servicing (sending you monthly invoices) your loan or lease. Finally, read your financing documentation to avoid potential surprises. Steve Carlson from Maverick Wrecker wanted to take all the right precautions to ensure he was making the right purchase. “We didn’t have to sign off on the deal … until we were able to fly in and inspect the truck to make sure it was what we wanted. That was the big plus. I could have walked away if I didn’t like something,” Carlson said.
Balance Cost, Cash Flow Most equipment buyers don’t want to pay too much, and they also want a low monthly payment. If you select a term that is too short, you save money—at a sacrifice to your cash flow. The key is to find the proper balance that satisfies your business’ cost and cash flow requirements.
Avoid Tunnel Vision Your monthly payment is only part of the overall financing equation. Additional factors that will influence the quality of your financing include all-in initial cash requirement, term, end-of-term obligation, prepayment penalty, equipment upgrade options, and potential fees.
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What Can You Afford Unlike a home mortgage, in which people look long and hard at what they will be able to pay over the next 10 to 30 years, equipment buyers do not always make the same consideration. “It’s only five years” is a familiar excuse for not evaluating the impact of such payments on your budget. Before buying equipment, you need to consider how much money you can put down, and what type of cash flow you anticipate to generate from the equipment you are acquiring. “We have always paid cash for our trucks, [our lender] overlooked our lack of credit and put together a package that was affordable. [My consultant] took the time to explain every little detail to me to make sure we were comfortable,” said Aaron Nelson of Express Towing. Being able to update and grow your fleet is important all year long— winter is no exception. So consider your equipment financing options, and you could be on your way to helping more customers than ever before. About the Author Toby McDonough is the VP of Sales & Marketing at Beacon Funding Corp., www.beaconfunding.com.
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 27
Behind the Stardom of
‘Highway Thru Hell’ by Brendan Dooley
O
riginally, he thought opening a small tow business a little more than a decade ago in Hope, British Columbia, Canada, would be an opportunity to “slow down a bit.” However, as business increased year after year, the Jamie Davis Motor Truck tow company evolved into a heavy-duty recovery specialist. The company is also the featured player—along with the treacherous recoveries they perform on B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway (the Coq) and in the cold extremes of northern Alberta—on cable TV’s “Highway Thru Hell.” Like so many towers, towing is in
owner Jamie Davis’ blood. The affable Davis said he grew up in this industry working at his parents’ tow business in Aldergrove, B.C. In the early 1980s, he started Aggressive Auto Towing in Abottsford, B.C., with his brothers Kelly and Jason. As time (and family) wore on, first Kelly left to do his own business and then Jamie set out for Hope about 12 years ago. “I really meant to be a small company in a small town, the idea was to maybe retire,” Davis said. “Aggressive was a large company with 38 trucks; a big busy outfit. “The company in Hope doubled in business each year for about six or seven years. We had decent equipment
and good guys in the trucks, so we just picked up business consistently. It was a small town, so you lived off the highway calls and what was traveling through the area.” Davis confesses to a longtime love of Holmes wreckers, which is evident on the show. The company is still running older mechanical Holmes wreckers, along with modern hydraulic heavy-duty Century wreckers and rotators. “Since the early days with Dad, we had a lot of Holmes equipment and still have a lot of Holmes equipment today,” Davis said. “Our family has followed the evolution of Holmes to Century … to Miller as it is today. We
are pretty loyal to the brand and Century has been pretty good to us. The relationships to guys that have been [with Miller] a long time, like Geoff Russell [former owner of Miller distributor Russell Truck Equipment in B.C.] and John Hawkins [Miller VP of Heavy Duty Sales], that’s generational—those relationships still stand. … “Over about our first seven years, we developed and added what we needed. As we grew, we added more sophisticated equipment, fire truck and rescue equipment, heavy rotators—the equipment that we needed. It was easy to handle four major wrecks in a day and get busier with it.”
After the 2014 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, he even took delivery of two new Century 9055 integrated wreckers (once he finished signing autographs in the Miller Industries booth). “We adapted and evolved to provide more of a high-end wreck recovery service more than general towing,” Davis said. “We did mostly heavy-
duty towing and not so much light work.” Then came TV.
‘Highway Thru Hell’ “The show started completely by accident,” Davis said of the three-yearold ratings giant. The show debuted in Canada on Discovery Channel in September 2012 and kicked off as the No.
On “Highway Thru Hell,” the weather and terrain are as much a part of the show as Jamie Davis Motor Truck’s crew and equipment.
The crew is seen working two or three recoveries in most episodes, often tackling tractortrailer and other heavy-duty recoveries along “The Coq.”
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 29
After the 2014 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Jamie Davis (right, signing autographs in the Miller Industries booth) went to Tennessee to take delivery of two new Western Star/Century 9055 integrated wreckers with XP-850 Side-Pullers (above and bottom).
1 series premiere in Discovery Channel Canada’s history. The show migrated south in spring of 2013, when it aired in the U.S. on the National Geographic Channel. (It moved to The Weather Channel here that October.) Davis said the show is now aired in 180 countries. Season three is currently airing in the U.S. as of press time, while they are filming footage for season four. The idea of HTH kicked off when Davis tower Adam Gazzola towed a rented moving van from the Coq and got to talking with the driver, who happened to be in the film industry. After work on “Deadliest Catch,” he was moving to work for producer
Mark Miller (who now produces HTH with Great Pacific Television). “Adam said, ‘You should come up here and film in the wintertime, it’s a regular ‘Gong Show.’ It’d be great entertainment,’ ” Davis said. “A year later, [Mark] Miller walked in with an agreement for five seasons of TV and we signed up. … We’re amazed at how popular it is. We get emails from all over the world.” Most episodes of HTH have two or three heavy recoveries in them, which may range from tractor-trailers that rolled over and down a steep embankment, or a shipment of wine or water or lumber that needs cleanup and recovery, or a trailer that was ripped in
half spilling electronics and hot sauce across an icy roadway stopping traffic for miles. In fact, the wine recovery was an interesting one that put the towers at odds with law enforcement who wanted the scene clear and an insurance company that wanted the expensive cargo saved. While Davis employs some “real characters” who seem made-for-TV, he emphasizes that the show is about towing first and foremost—and that his employees are no more made-forTV than the characters you’ll find at nearly every other tow company. Though he has expanded locations and personnel since starting the show,
HTH Stars in Baltimore At the 2014 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Md., Miller Industries hosted Jamie Davis in its booth for autograph signings; he also picked up two new Western Star/Century 9055 units while he was in the states. Another reason Davis came to the show was to attend Garry Leach’s induction as an AT Silver Star recipient during Festival Night (read more about Garry Leach and his Silver Star award on pages 31 and 60). Leach, who owns United Towing in B.C. and appeared occasionally on HTH, and Davis are longtime friends who originally bonded over an old Holmes 850 that Leach originally bought in the mid 1970s and Davis currently owns (there is an ongoing “conversation” between the two over the restoration of the unit). “I was blown away by Festival Night,” Leach said. “I certainly will take it in every year now in the future when I’m here, which I expect will be every year.” He said first being at Festival Night because of the traumatic injuries on a recovery was a “crappy way to get there,” but remarkable nonetheless. “It was an honor to go watch the Heroes and Silver Stars and be in a room with towers in an emotional setting; I was humbled to be in the room and at Festival Night,” Davis said, who co-nominated Leach for the award. “Garry is an inspirational example of the resilience of people in the towing industry. After his ordeal, a short time later he was at the 2013 Baltimore show picking up a wrecker and driving it back across North America to the shop,” Davis said. “I think towing people are very strong people mentally. That captivated me and made me want to nominate him for the Silver Star.” It was also Davis’ first year at the AT Expo. “It’s a world-class show,” he said. “With the Recovery Theater and seminars and everything else, I’m so taken by how huge this show is. You have to be on your toes just to best get the show, there’s so much going on. … It’s very dynamic, a top-shelf show.”
Davis said he continues to hire for the job, not ratings. In fact, he brought on a business manager, Hendrik van der Walt, to watch over the books, purchasing and personnel. “We went from five trucks and 10 guys to 35 people and 40 trucks. Growth changed the company and how we operate,” Davis said. “We evolved, I hope, to a better level.” Adding Hendrik, Davis said, freed him up to get more involved in the
equipment side of things, sales, heavy recoveries and doing the show. “I like to joke that the show is my highway through hell—trying to stay in business,” Davis said. “You see throughout the seasons, a company that’s got all this great equipment and operating and doing really well. Then it gets to the point where we might have to auction off equipment, then get the [opportunity] to go out to Fort McMurray and go to work because
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 31
The crew of Jamie Davis Motor Truck, seen on “Highway Thru Hell,” include (back row, from left) Ken Monkhouse, Adam Gazzola, Jamie Davis, Howie Irwin, Colin McLean; and (front row, from left) Brandon Kodallas, Kevin Ritchie and Samy Narayan.
we’ve heard there’s work out there. “The company is going through an evolution, and we’re steering the ship through it and how we stay in business is the biggest underlying storyline in the whole thing. … “Just because we’re on TV and you see our show and everything looks rosy, all that’s shiny isn’t gold. We have some tough days and some dark days. Every towing owner does.”
Davis said that season three (currently airing in the U.S.) goes back and forth between the teams in Hope and Alberta, and underscores the colder climate in Alberta and different recovery scenarios. “We weren’t making money with the Century rotator in Hope and moved it to Alberta and started running calls with it the next day,” Davis said. “One of my things is to show the
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reality of the business, the good and the bad. So the competition comes in and it gets worse and worse and we move to another town. This is stuff operators are dealing with all over, whether it’s Canada or America. How do you get sustainable? “Police and fire are sustainable through taxpayers, but the towing industry—which is an equal partner in risk management and clearing high-
ways—they don’t have a sustainable model. “The people in the towing business are not recognized enough for what they do. In our area, it starts with the difficulty of just staying in business. The next challenge, that people don’t recognize, is we’re so integral to transportation. If we don’t exist, people don’t move. The economy dies. … “In some of the northern areas where we are, around Fort McMurray where we work, there’s only two highways in and out of there. When they have a major accident, the community can run out of food and fuel. They’re cut off. It’s up to towers to get that fixed, and we really don’t get recognized for that.” For Davis’ towers, he seeks out experienced operators and tries to supplement their skills with training. “We’ve utilized WreckMaster training, Miller’s in-house training,” Davis said. “On-the-job experience has no substitute, but training is
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On the Web Learn more about Jamie Davis Motor Truck, including merchandise, applying for work, equipment pics and more at www.jamiedavistowing.com. For details specific to “Highway Thru Hell,” including more pics, operator bios, web-exclusive videos, an animated “rescue simulator” and episode guides go to http://highwaythruhell.discovery.ca. important, even for me. I sat in on John Hawkins’ and Tom Luciano’s training [in Baltimore]. I’m always interested in learning more; no matter how old you are or how long in the business, you can always pick up something more.” Davis is clear in his love for the industry, his people, his equipment, and hopes HTH can help the public better understand towing. He said one of the most frequent comments he gets from other towers—in person, by
phone and email—is “Keep it real.” Scenes are not scripted or subject to reshoots. Davis said the TV crews stay out of the way on recoveries. “We treat them like a news crew,” Davis said. “They’re not influencing any action we do on the show.” Likewise, Davis mostly stays out of the storytelling side of things where the producers are working with footage to craft each episode. “I do some technical evaluation of the scripts and make sure a lot of tech items are as accurate as can be,” Davis said. For example, a narrative might say a lift was 100,000 lbs., but Davis knows the tanker was empty and only weighed 12,000 lbs.—he corrects that. “And I make sure we don’t offend people in the industry or competitors. An example would be something like, ‘Jamie got called out to help a smaller company with a rolled-over tractortrailer.’ I would re-word that to say
continue to page 36
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STARDOM continued from page 33 ‘Jamie came out to help another company.’ We’re not belittling people, not offending people. I feel like that’s an important part of what I do [in the production side of the show.]”
TV Perks? Producer Mark Miller initially signed Davis on for five seasons; being on TV hasn’t meant an influx of cash, but there have been some benefits like the Toyota sponsorship that provides some of the flag trucks on the show. He also understands that HTH won’t go forever.
“There are some little perks, but dollars and cents is not why we do it,” Davis said. “TV is come and go. I still run a business, and need to get out of the show running a business. There’s some name recognition from the show that’s helping business grow in Alberta. “Things have changed since the show started. It brought a lot of competition to Hope. There’s six or seven outfits there now, competing for a limited pie. In Hope, we’ve reduced our fleet down to older paid-for equipment to make due, two Holmes 750s, a
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500, a flatbed and a 1-ton Century 411 and a couple flag trucks.” Those older Holmes mechanicals in Hope result from one of Davis’ money fears. “I have a phobia of not having paidfor equipment in the yard. I always think that there’s a rough day coming and I’ll have to bring out my secret weapon: the old Holmes wreckers. They’re paid for, they’re bulletproof … if the world came crumbling down around me financially, my old paid-for girls are going to keep me alive.” In addition to the increased competition in Hope, the success of HTH impacted the bottom line with some decrease in heavy-duty calls. Davis said there are some commercial accounts that don’t use his company anymore to keep their trucks off camera. Some commercial carriers fear any footage of their equipment in compromised positions. (This is something AT readers will remember Bill Gratzianna cited in the wake of the success of “Wrecked” several years back.) However, Davis said they’ve gained in industrial work in Alberta and through name recognition as they expanded. “There are 1 million households in Edmonton where we have a location now, and that’s a million households who know us,” Davis said. There’s plus and minus to all of it.” Currently past the halfway mark of the five-season contract, Davis knows what he wants the impact of HTH to be—whether five seasons is the end or not. He wants the focus always to be on what’s real. “I hope it sends a message to the public about how hard it is to do our business and that we’ve shown a lot of the good, the bad and the ugly,” he said. “A lot of people in the world wouldn’t have the tenacity to even do the business. I want to show the industry so people understand what we’re going through, so that when an insurance adjuster is writing a check for $45,000, he understands why that wreck cost that much and is not ‘giving you the gears’ to nickel and dime you. So he knows how hard that recovery is on the people who sacrifice for this industry.”
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San Antonio Considers ‘Tow Manager’ Plan The San Antonio (Texas) City Council’s Public Safety Committee heard an update recently from police, who reported on the city’s plan to move forward with a tow manager protocol. Steve Baum, assistant police director, told the committee that there have been a few problems with timeliness regarding towing situations. “What we want to do is to move for-
ward to where we go with a tow management system,” Baum said. “The desire is (to) get one tow management company (with) multiple subcontractors. (Then get) the subcontractors to do multiple towing services.” He said the city currently is divided into six towing zones, with different contractors responsible for each zone. Depending on how busy a zone is, the contractor responsible for that zone may not get a truck there within 30 minutes.
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A request for proposal will be issued on handling the city’s towing needs. The council is expected to take action in May. Source: www.ksat.com
Car Stolen by Tower A Grovetown, Ga., woman called police recently and accused a tow truck driver of stealing her vehicle. According to a report, the woman said she had to stop on the roadside because of car trouble. A short time later, she said, a man driving a tow truck pulled in behind her. The woman said she didn’t see any patches or other insignia on the driver’s blue work clothes or signs or writing on the black truck. The wrecker driver told the woman he could fix her car for about $200 and it would take about 10 days. The woman agreed. The driver gave the woman a ride to her home and towed her car. He did not give her a business card. The woman hasn’t heard from the driver since. She later received a call from the Rockdale County Sheriff’s office found her car on I-20 in their jurisdiction. Source: newstimes.augusta.com
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Evidence Preserved at
Fatal Crane Scene
Eric Fouquette (left), of Big Wheel Towing in East Freetown, Mass., receives the 2014 Donnie Cruse Recovery Award for Heavy Duty from WreckMaster Senior Instructor Terry Humelsine.
2014 Donnie Cruse Recovery Award for Heavy Duty by Eric Fouquette Big Wheel Towing and Recovery; East Freetown, Mass.
T
he Bourne (Mass.) Police Department called us directly in April 2014 stating that they had a very unusual and dangerous situation in which our recovery expertise and assistance was greatly needed. The chief explained that two men were doing line work on the high-voltage lines within a sand pit off the Route 6 Scenic Highway when at full extension, the boom was compromised and both men plummeted to the ground. Both men were fatally injured, while the entire 150’ section of the boom was stretched out, up and over a large sand dune. The weight and distance of the boom caused the entire tri-axle crane truck to stand completely straight up on its rear section. The unit was near 90 degrees to the surface of the ground with nothing
but the rear outriggers and the weight of the boom section holding it from crashing down at any moment. Our crew responded in our 2007 Peterbilt 378/Century 1060S 60-ton rotator, 2009 Kenworth T800/Jerr-Dan 85-ton rotator, 2001 Freightliner FLD/Century 7035 heavy wrecker and our Hazmat response truck. Once given the go-ahead by investigators, our crew began a thorough walkaround of the entire recovery scene. We began devising a recovery method and discussed it with officials on scene to determine if there were any concerns with the method of recovery. Our recovery method consisted of our rotators being setup on either side of the disabled crane and attaching heavyduty rigging chains to the two front outriggers. Our heavy-duty 7035 was then to
*The Donnie Cruse Recovery Award is presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster. The Donnie* is co-sponsored by B/A Products and AW Direct.
be placed straight ahead of the disabled crane with both wire ropes running through snatch blocks at the rear of the wrecker and attached to the two rear outriggers, applying steady pressure so the rear of the truck would not kick out from underneath during the lowering process. Our Hazmat truck would be in close proximity of the boom section in order to use the torches to cut the large boom section off prior to lowering the crane.
In responding to the fatal crane accident, Big Wheel Towing’s crew had to first stabilize the upended crane truck. 40 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
After the rotators were rigged to the crane truck, cribbing was installed and a fire department bucket truck was used to rig to the underside of the crane truck.
This recovery method had to be foolproof because our crew only had one chance to properly position our trucks and install the necessary rigging because all of our equipment had to be grounded as there was approximately 350,000 volts directly over the working zone. First, both of our rotators were brought in and carefully positioned. The outriggers were deployed and prior to us rotating our booms, linemen grounded our trucks. Cribbing was installed underneath the boom section and underneath the rear outriggers of the disabled crane and safety chains were attached from our cranes to the rear outriggers to ensure stability while the necessary rigging was installed. In order to install the rigging on the front outriggers, the Bourne Fire Department brought in their ladder truck and one of our crewmembers went into the bucket with one of the firefighters. The heavy duty chains were installed Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
onto each outrigger one at a time and duct tape was wrapped extensively around the ends of the hooks to ensure that they would not come free from the chain itself. After the heavy-duty chain was properly installed, the wire rope from our crane was attached to the chain and tension was placed on it. The same process was repeated for the opposite side. After all of the necessary rigging was properly installed, the ladder truck was removed from the scene and our heavy-duty wrecker was placed in the area in front of the disabled crane. Once it was properly positioned and at an appropriate distance away, both wire ropes were brought to the rear outriggers of the disabled crane. Heavy-duty rigging chains were attached to the rear outriggers and downward pressure was applied to ensure that the bottom of the disabled crane would not kick out and to prevent swaying in the wind. With the disabled crane secured by our three trucks, cutting the boom could begin. First, a hole was cut into the side of the boom to view what was located within the structure. Two cables and a piston had to be cut inside the boom in order for the section to be removed. A hole of the same size was cut on the opposite side of the boom so that the cutting process could be performed on both sides. After the cables were easily cut, the task to cut the thick piston was more time consuming. After an initial incision with the torches, we used our K2 cut-off saw to get through the piston. Finally, the piston was completely cut through and the only thing left was to torch the bottom half of the boom in order to completely sever it from the disabled crane. Upon completely severing the boom from the disabled crane truck, our initial thoughts that the boom would naturally come back towards the ground were incorrect. Due to the weight still placed to the rear of the crane from the partially extended and raised boom, and the weight of the crane house, the disabled crane truck still stood straight up and would not naturally come down. Our crew then assisted the crane truck in the descent back to the ground. This required an additional rigging of a heavy-duty recovery strap onto the middle section of the underside of the crane to assist in get-
ting to the initial tipping point. The drag winch off of one of our rotators was used and a snatch block was attached to our heavy-duty wrecker and then brought up all the way to the center of the underside of the disabled crane. The wire rope from the drag winch was used to initially start the descent and once the tipping point was reached, both of our rotators were used in conjunction to carefully lower the large crane truck back down to the ground. This entire process was completed by each of our crew communicating via wireless headsets instructing one another on when to rotate the boom, lower the boom, apply more or less tension to each wire rope, etc. It was of paramount importance that the crane truck was brought to the ground as smooth as possible since an investigation was ongoing and officials wished to preserve as much as they could.
The crane truck was winched to its tipping point; at that time, the rotators worked together to lower it safely to the ground.
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In cutting the boom sections of the crane on day two, operators also safely collected hydraulic fluids for later safe disposal.
After a slow and steady descent, our crew was able to safely lower the disabled crane back down to the ground; the recovery would continue the following morning to remove the disabled crane and large boom sections. All of our rigging and equipment was stowed and our crew returned back to our facility.
Day Two We responded the next morning with both of our heavy-duty rotators, our Hazmat truck and our heavy-duty front-end loader. Our crew worked with a member of Mass Bay Electrical Corp. to attempt to close up the crane to prevent our crew from having to cut the remaining boom section and outriggers from the disabled crane. One of our employees located a manual override switch and we were able to lower the main boom, rotate it up and over the cab of the truck, lock the boom 42 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
into the cradle, and retract the outriggers. This process saved our crew a tremendous amount of time with more torch cutting and preserved the integrity of the crane for further inspection. After the crane was closed up, it was brought to the top of the sand pit so that our crew could begin cutting the boom into sections for transport. An extra set of torches meant we could have two men cutting simultaneously to save time. Capeway Towing supplied an extra laborer for the day as well as the use of their Landoll trailer to transport the several boom sections from the scene. The first section of boom to be cut was the first stage that housed the beginning of the piston. After several holes were cut in the side of the boom revealing the piston, our crane was able to lift the entire boom section and slide it out from underneath the piston. This section was then placed onto the forks of our heavyduty front-end loader and placed onto Capeway’s Landoll trailer. The next task was to close up the piston as much as possible to allow it to fit onto the trailer, using our rotator to hold the piston in place and the front-end loader to push the other end. As this processed, hydraulic oil was collected in a safety pan and pumped into two 55-gal. drums. Once the piston was as dry as it could be, it was ready to be loaded onto the trailer with the cut boom section. Next, the rest of the boom section, including the basket, needed to be recovered from the other side of the large sand dune. Our other rotator was used to winch the large section up and over the large sand dune into the area where our crewmembers could begin cutting this section. Both rotators were used during this process because the boom section needed to be lifted and winched simultaneously without digging further into the sand. More cutting was performed and both pieces were loaded onto the Landoll. The final procedure was to cut the basket from the very end of the boom to ensure that it did not become detached during transport. After this was cut off, the final boom section was lifted and placed onto the trailer. At that time, all of the items were removed from the scene and the scene was then placed back into pre-accident condition. The crane truck
was prepared for towing, which included removing the driveshaft and supplying air to the unit. The crane truck was then transported to our storage facility as well.
Day Three Our crews worked with Massachusetts State Police DOT Enforcement at our facility to perform a DOT inspection on the crane truck. Upon completion of the inspection, the crane truck was then towed with our heavy-duty wrecker to our inside storage facility.
Day Four Our crews worked with OSHA and HAAG Engineering to inspect the basket as well as boom sections from the fatal crane accident. After the boom inspection was completed, each of the sections was placed back into outside storage.
Once boom sections were removed and loaded on a trailer for transport, the crane was operated through an override to return the boom stem above the cab and retract its outriggers for towing.
Number 149 on Reader Card
Number 168 on Reader Card
Woman Dies in Tow Truck Hit-&-Run A woman died after being run down by a tow truck along a Northeast Philadelphia street on Dec. 23, police said. The truck then fled the scene. The woman was hit by a speeding black tow truck around 5:20 p.m., Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. She was not crossing at the crosswalk. Witnesses told a local television station the 33-year-old woman was hit with such force she was thrown down the street. The woman suffered severe head trauma and a possible broken neck from the impact, Small said. She was rushed to Aria Torresdale Hospital for surgery, but died just after 6:30 p.m. Witnesses did not get a good description of the tow truck, but the vehicle is said to have front-end damage. “We found several pieces of glass, broken glass, that we believe came from this tow truck,” Small said. Police expect to charge the driver with vehicular homicide once he is arrested, according to Small. The Philadelphia Police Accident Investigation Division is investigating the crime. Read more: www.nbcphiladelphia.com Number 158 on Reader Card
Teen Turns Self in after SWAT Standoff A 17-year-old who sparked a standoff with Bexar County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office deputies after firing shots at a mobile home park on Dec. 10 has been arrested. Devonnce Gant, 17, turned himself in Dec. 14 and was released on bail the same day. He faces a charge of deadly conduct. Gant had been inside a mobile home when repo men showed up to pick up his mother’s vehicle. A sheriff’s spokesman said Gant had fired at least one shot into the air during the incident, prompting deputies to make the scene and surround the property. After a standoff that lasted more than two hours, deputies entered the home and found no one inside. Authorities said he may have escaped through a hole in the floor. Source: www.mysanantonio.com
Man Arrested for Arson at Tow Company Police arrested a Rochester, N.H., man on Dec. 10, accusing him of setting fire to a vehicle at a towing company in June. Fred Watson III, 25, is facing a felony arson charge for allegedly setting a pickup truck on fire at Bob’s Auto Repair and Towing. Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said the fire was wellinvolved by the time officials arrived to the scene, and police got involved into the matter after the fire marshal determined the incident was suspicious. Number 210 on Reader
46 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Number 191 on Reader Card
Number 207 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 47
Office Manager Tammy Jones said the vehicle was parked in the area that was not covered by surveillance cameras at the time of the arson. She said the pickup truck had been towed to Bob’s Auto Repair and Towing from Alton after a drunk driving incident, and the owner had been unable to pay the towing fees. Watson was arrested on a warrant, after police received a tip from the public that led police in identifying Watson as the suspect. Watson is currently free on $5,000 personal recognizance bail, with his arraignment scheduled for Jan. 26. Source: www.fosters.com
Council Rejects Fee Increase The Austin (Texas) City Council rejected a request to raise the towing fee from $150 to $185 for non-consent tows on Dec. 11. The fee for non-consent towing for vehicles below 10,000 lbs. last increased in 2006 to $150. The higher rate would have put Austin roughly in the middle among central Texas governments for such towing fees. It would also have put Austin well above the $125 average of 10 large Texas cities, according to city report. San Antonio currently has the highest rate of $177. The Austin Towing Association originally requested a 50 percent increase to $225. Source: www.statesman.com
Number 186 on Reader Card Number 100 on Reader Card
48 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Number 187 on Reader Card
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2015 Attendee Registration
Las Vegas, NV • May 14-16,2015 Mail to: 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 • Fax to 845-986-5181 Phone: 800-732-3869 ext. 214 By advance-registering, the company “Boss” and one guest are admitted free to Exhibit Hall. A $5 fee applies to all others. Children under 14 free.
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Produced by AT Expo Corp.
Title Title
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3rd Registered Name ($5): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title 4th Registered Name ($5): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Title Company: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Address: City: State: Zip:
Country:
E-mail: 3. # Employees: ❏ 1-5 ❏ 6-10 ❏ 11-20
How are you traveling to the show: ❏ Driving or ❏ Flying
1. Is your Primary Business Towing/Recovery: ❏ Yes or ❏ No
❏ 21-50 ❏ 51-100 ❏ 100+ 4. Check one that best describes your purchasing authority:
2. Secondary Business (check those that apply):
1a. If NO check your primary business: ❏ Towing/Recovery ❏ Service Station ❏ Auto Repair/Serv. Ctr. ❏ Auto/Truck Dealership ❏ Repossession ❏ Vehicle Leasing ❏ Transport/Trailer Serv. ❏ Distributor Equip ❏ Salv/Autoparts ❏ Lockout ❏ Truck Repair ❏ Other______________ ❏ Auto Body Shop
❏ Towing/Recovery ❏ Auto Repair/Serv. Ctr. ❏ Repossession ❏ Transport/Trailer Serv. ❏ Salv/Autoparts ❏ Truck Repair ❏ Auto Body Shop
❏ Service Station ❏ Auto/Truck Dealership ❏ Vehicle Leasing ❏ Distributor Equip ❏ Lockout ❏ Other______________
❏ I authorize/approve purchases ❏ No authority ❏ I recommend 5. # tow trucks in fleet: ❏ 1-3 ❏ 4-7 ❏ 8-12 ❏ 13-16 ❏ 17+ 6. Types of trucks in fleet (check those that apply): ❏ Light Duty ❏ Medium Duty ❏ Heavy Duty ❏ Transport ❏ Class 7/8 ❏ Service Vehicle ❏ Carriers ❏ Rotators ❏ Other 7. Number of unclaimed vehicles sold to salvage or auctioned each month: ❏ 10 ❏ 20 ❏ 30 ❏ 40 ❏ 50 ❏ 75 ❏ 100
3. EVENT REGISTRATION – Exhibit Hall Open Fri. & Sat. 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM
Police Towing • Heavy-Duty Recovery Getting Paid by Clubs • Diversification • Repo
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Please Check the Events You Wish to Attend (All special events and conferences take place at South Point Hotel & Casino.) EXHIBIT HALL • Fri. & Sat.: 12 Noon - 6 pm; 5/15-16. • 1st & 2nd registrants are free: each additional $5 per person. ❏ Yes, please advance register me for exhibit hall. Badge is good for both exhibit hall days! . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5 per person ❏ Conference Passport • Passport good for all Conference Seminars starting Thurs. afternoon, Fri. & Sat. mornings. $75 advance registration fee; $125 on site – Save $50 & register now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75 per person ❏ 1st registrant ❏ 2nd registrant ❏ 3rd registrant ❏ 4th registrant ❏ Heavy-Duty Recovery Training: Conventional & Rotator • Thurs. 5/14: 8 am-Noon; 1-5 pm, Fri. 5/15: 8 am-Noon, 4-8 pm $595 per person advance registration fee; $695 on-site. Fee also includes Conference Passport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$595 per person Includes 8-hrs. classroom & 8-hrs. hands-on instruction inside South Point Arena. ❏ 1st registrant ❏ 2nd registrant ❏ 3rd registrant ❏ 4th registrant ❏ American Towman Cup • Wrecker Pageant. Check class you will compete in. One vehicle per class & up to four per company. $50/$75 Trucks enter Thurs. 8 am-5 pm, Fri. 8-11 am and stay in Arena until Sat., 7 pm • $50: ❏ Light (pre-2014) ❏ Light (2014-2015) ❏ Medium ❏ Vintage (Pre-1985) ❏ Service/Support Truck • $75: ❏ HD Single Axle ❏ HD Tandem ❏ Carrier ❏ Rotator ❏ AT’s Desert Smoke VIP Passport • Fri. 5/15, 9 pm; In the poolside gazebo at South Point Hotel. Sponsored by Savatech Includes (1) AT Signature cigar, (1) drink ticket, (1) premium cigar & a special gift by Savatech. . . . . . . .$20 per person: ❏ AT Open (Golf) • Thurs., 5/14, 8 am; Tow Bosses & Industry Suppliers compete for AT Open Golf Tourney. Sponsored by USAC/MD ❏ 1st registrant ❏ 2nd registrant ❏ 3rd registrant ❏ 4th registrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$125 per person ❏ The Towman Monument Reception - AT Chops Thurs. 5/14, 6 pm; FREE “All Chops” buffet. South Point Arena Concourse. . . .# attending: ❏ Live Recovery Demo • Thurs. 5/14, 7 pm at South Point Arena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .# attending: ❏ AT’s Desert Smoke • Fri. 5/15, 9 pm; Poolside at South Point Hotel. FREE hand-rolled cigar, Sponsor: Savatech . . . .# attending: ❏ Live Recovery Demo • Sat. 5/16, 11 am at South Point Arena. Sponsored by Miller Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .# attending: ❏ Saturday RIBS FEST Sat. 5/16, Afternoon; FREE to Advance Registrants only: South Point Arena. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .# attending:
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South Point Hotel & Casino & Convention Ctr. • AT ShowPlace Headquarters Hotel • S/D Wed. Thurs. & Sun. $55 – Fri. & Sat. $95. 9777 Las Vegas Blvd., So. Las Vegas, NV. • Hotel, Casino and Convention Center-site of AT ShowPlace Exhibits. Complimentary items included: In-room Wi-Fi/Internet, Fitness Center, Airport Shuttle, Free local phone calls, Wi-Fi in Business Center, and parking and valet.
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The 26th American Towman Exposition broke all records. With12,000 in attendance, tow business owners came from all over the world and the Union’s 50 states. Friday through Sunday was a whirlwind of networking, purchasing, educating and celebrating.
AT Expo inside the Baltimore Convention Center lived up to its billing as the “Monster Tow Show.�
More than $100 million was transacted among 200 suppliers and 14 national call providers.
Tow business owners came to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to find ways to boost business and
establish industry alliances through networking and education. They also came to have fun.
The American Towman experience uplifted the spirits and perspective of tow bosses in the U.S. and around the world. Mark your calendars for
Nov. 20-22, 2015, when the Towing Industry gathers again in Baltimore!
Number 194 on Reader Card
2014
American Towman Medal Recipients John Reese; John Speaks, Mike's Auto Body & Towing; Thurmont, Md. The Incident: On the chilly, drizzly evening of March 20, 2014, manager John Reese and John Speaks responded to a minivan submerged in a creek in Emmetsburg, Maryland. The driver was still in the vehicle in three feet of water, which was more than 10 feet from the shoreline and more than 300 feet from the road. John Reese The towmen tied themselves off to a tree and entered the fast flowing water to get the driver out before rigging the van. The air temperature itself was in the 20s. “The sheriff on-scene stayed nice and warm and dry in his squad car,” Reese said. The freezing, rushing water got to be waist-deep at times for the men, who worried about hypothermia for the victim John Speaks who’d been in the car nearly 25 minutes by the time they arrived. After helping him safely navigate the rushing water, dips, crags and boulders back to safely, Reese once again waded back in to rig and plan the complicated winching out of the minivan. “We set one truck on a bridge to get the minivan out … it took everything—winch lines, straps—on both trucks to rig it and get it back,” Reese said. “I am glad to have employees that can handle these types of calls and that they and the equipment come back home safely,” said owner Mike Jensen. For the simple act of bravery, we recognize John Reese and John Speaks with the Towman Medal. American Towman Medal 58 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Tim Rudolph, Pro-Tow Auto Care; Hackensack, Minn. The Incident: The snow was coming down fierce and near white-out conditions caused even plow service to be suspended in some areas of northern Minnesota on January 25, 2014. Owner Tim Rudolph, a member of the Towman Order and Towman 500, was just returning from a night out in formal wear and had just taken back the phones when a AAA call came in at 10:01 p.m. for an elderly man crashed in a ditch who was running low on oxygen. Without changing, he left for the shop to get his truck and get to the scene. He called the victim direct and kept him on the line while he could en-route. It was roughly six miles to the shop, then another 15 in his medium-duty wrecker to the scene. AAA time-stamped him there in 21 minutes at 10:22. “I raced to the scene,” Tim said. The Escalade was packed hard and deep into four feet of snow on the side of the rural road, and Rudolph dug out the front bumper as fast as he could to hook it and drag the SUV back to the road. “The man’s oxygen bottle was empty when I arrived; as soon as I got him out, I had to convince him to leave the scene and get to his lake house nearby to get a new bottle.” When Tim got his gear packed, he went out to the house to check on the victim who thanked him tearfully. “It made me feel good again about what we do; the calls we take and the lives we impact,” Rudolph said. For the simple act of bravery, we recognize Tim Rudolph with the Towman Medal. American Towman Medal
Paul Aleksandrowski, B&C Towing; Newark, N. J. The Incident: In October 2012, as Hurricane Sandy was building force, B&C Towing was scrambling to protect its offices and move equipment to safer ground as the water unexpectedly began backing up from nearby run-off sewers negating previous sandbagging and preparations. As Paul was moving equipment in the yard, a Newark police officer flagged him down to help with their rescue efforts for two police officers and two civilians trapped by floodwaters at the nearby armory, about two miles away. Previous police efforts to reach them by boat and garbage truck were both negated. Paul jumped into his Case W24 bucket loader and headed toward the scene as water quickly rose even beyond the tires of the machine. As the rising tide added to the driving rain, water rose to where Paul couldn’t even make out the tires beneath the waterline. “It hit me how real what we were doing was. The officer who was riding with me asked if we were alright. I said, ‘As long as we keep moving, we’re alright.’” When they reached the gun range, the four trapped people were clinging to a fence above the guard shack. Paul got in as close as he could for them to climb into the bucket to bring them back to safety and paramedics who treated them for hypothermia, and one of the men for shock. For the simple act of bravery, we recognize Paul Aleksandrowski with the Towman Medal. American Towman Medal
Tex Randall, Randalls Towing; Apache Junction, Ariz. Incident: On the morning of June 20, 1994, Tex Randall was on the side of rural U.S. 60 loading a burned car for the Arizona Department of Public Safety. As he was clearing the scene, he heard the squealing tires and saw the impact of a speeding Camaro as it smashed into the rear of the squad car in front of him, pinning his friend, DPS Agent Bill Reno.
The impact chopped one of Reno’s legs off completely and severely damaged the other. Tex jumped into action to help his friend on the roadside, applying a tourniquet as best he could to stem the bleeding and then tried to radio for help, but the impact was so severe, it knocked out all the radio equipment in the squad car. Tex used his Nextel system to contact his son Bo at the shop in Tempe and relay enough information to demand paramedics and air evac ASAP. Medical assistance was on-scene in 10 minutes. If not for Tex’s quick actions, Reno may have lost his life instead of just one leg. After many surgeries, rehab and a prosthetic leg, Reno worked hard and made it back onto DPS two years later. He and DPS credited Tex Randall for that chance. When Tex died in 2001, the DPS officers honored him and his family by serving as his pallbearers. For the simple act of bravery, we recognize Tex Randall posthumously in presenting his son, Bo Randall, the Towman Medal. American Towman Medal Larry Cyrus, Eitel’s America’s Towing & Transport; Orient, Ohio The Incident: In May of 2011, a semi-tanker carrying isopropylbenzene rolled over on I-270 during morning rush hour in Columbus, Ohio. The tanker was leaking the highly flammable chemicals, endangering the hundreds of passing commuters as well as rescue workers on-scene. First responders were unable to stop the leak, so Cyrus and his crew were ready with Plan B to upright the tanker. Cyrus and his crew were outfitted with firefighting gear and selfcontained breathing apparatus, adding 40 lbs. to each man, to enter the hazardous atmosphere for the recovery. “Larry … meticulously pulled off one of the smoothest operations I have ever witnessed,” said Deputy Fire Chief James Cannell Jr. “Larry’s precision performance that day saved countless lives and property.” For the simple act of bravery, we recognize Larry Cyrus with the Towman Medal. American Towman Medal
The American Towman The Joe Doblmeier Memorial Award Garry Leach, United Towing Services; Alberta, Canada Garry Leach got into towing in Winnipeg with United Towing in the early 1970s; he served as a Winnipeg police officer at the same time until he put towing on hold to focus on police work and become a detective. After an outstanding career with the police service, he retired and went back to his first love: towing and recovery. In August 2013, Garry was seriously injured on a scene loading a sea container when some rigging snapped and he was hit in the face by the recoiling chain and snatch block. His injuries were life threatening, including a fractured mandible, palate, ocular bones, nose and ribs. His face was severely lacerated from his lower lip to his Adam’s apple and an emergency tracheotomy was necessary to preserve his airway and permit breathing. The rear of his scalp was lacerated when he was thrown backwards onto the pavement and required 47 staple-sutures. After serving as a police officer for 20 years, he had not had a brush with death like it. The declared weight of the container contents was 40 percent of its actual weight; it was believed to have been misrepresented to obtain a lower service rate. Treatment included an emergency air evacuation following basic life saving stabilization at the local hospital, an induced coma to survive transport, six days in an intensive care unit before being brought out of the coma and another 17 days in hospital care and specialty units before being discharged. “He has overcome extreme adversity from his injuries, and continues to contribute to the company’s daily operations and success with a dedicated work ethic under his physical limitations,” said his son, Colin Leach. Since the accident, Garry has returned to work and continues to influence his business and the industry. Within a few months of the accident, he attended Miller Industries’ Rotator School, continued with filming and promotion of Discovery Channel’s “Highway Thru Hell” program, purchased and drove heavy wreckers solo back to the operation from all over the U.S. He has also participated in a 60 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
number of complicated heavy-duty recoveries during varying weather and seasonal conditions. During the 13 months since his accident, he has attended numerous medical treatments and appointments; the recovery process is expected to go another two years yet with more reconstructive surgeries. For overcoming adversity and inspiring this industry, we recognize Garry Leach as a 2014 recipient of the Silver Star. Randy Langer, Langer Towing; Independence, Mo. Randy Langer started Langer Tow 26 years ago in Kansas City, Mo. According to his wife, Cynthia, he was a “typical” operator/owner who worked long hours and towed day and night. Due to diabetes and other health issues that affected him during the 1990s, he lost his eyesight in 2002 after a surgery for diabetic retinopathy—he’d been running calls until the day before. He worked as a driver up until he lost his eyesight; then he continued to go into the office to dispatch calls. He was also teaching safety procedures to operators, ordering parts for repairs for the trucks and arranging maintenance, and problem-solving throughout all aspects of the business. In 2005, he suffered kidney failure and needed dialysis three times a week, but even after a long morning of dialysis he insisted on going into the office and dispatching calls afterwards. He received a kidney transplant after five years of dialysis. Cynthia said, “He was so passionate about the towing industry and his business and giving business advice to other tow owners, or drivers. … That’s what kept him going. To stay alive on dialysis, he looked forward to get to work everyday to do his part, even though we didn’t know what tomorrow would bring for him because tomorrow is never promised.” For overcoming adversity and inspiring this industry, we recognize Randy Langer as a 2014 recipient of the Silver Star.
Number 102 on Reader Card
Mark Your Calendar for AT EXPO XXVIl Nov. 20-22, 2015
AAA AASP-PA Access Tools pg. 61 Actus Manufacturing Advantage Funding pg. 21 Agero pg. 13 AHT Automotive all-Grip Vehicle Recovery Sys. Allstate Roadside Services Amdor American Express Open American Safety & Supply pg. 46 American Towman Magazine AmeriDeck Amsoil pg. N 85 Anchor Graphics Aramark Uniforms ARI-Hetra Astralease Associate Auto Data Direct pg. 15 Automotive Training Institute AW Direct pg. 17 B/A Products pg 27 B&B Industries Bad Dog Tools Beacon Funding Beacon Software Big Tows Birdsong Environmental Solutions Boxes4U/Crashfilm Budget GPS C3 Location Systems Car-Part.com Card Connect Challenger Chevron Chevron Commercial pg. 14 Century Coach-Net pg. 36 Comeup USA pg. 15 Commercial Fleet Financing Copart Auto Auctions CPAAM Software Crouch's Wrecker & Equip. Sales pg. 25 Custer Products pg. 26 Custom Radio Dalton Bearing & Hydraulic Dangelo's Custom Built Mfg. Demandforce Detroit Wrecker Sales DewEze Mfg. Digital Ally Dual-Tech pg. 25 Dynamic Towing Equip. & Mfg. pg. 63 East Penn Truck Equipment ECCO Excel Sportswear Extreme Toys Eye3Data EyeRide Federal Signal FleetDown Fleetmatics FleetNet America FleetSharp Fleetway Capital Ford Commercial Vehicles Free State Nam Knights GEICO GM Fleet/Commercial Green Pinnacle Energy Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel 62 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Happy Feet HCR Home Fix Custom Remodel Hino Trucks Holmes Hooks Towing & Equipment I Tow In Ice-E-Liminator Icom North America IGTC pg. 33 Incident Management Solutions Industrial Netting Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) pg. 34 International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum Integrated Veh. Equip. Leasing Intek Leasing pg. 17 Jerr-Dan Corp pg. 92 Jiffy Jump Kalyn-Siebert pg. 91 Landoll Corporation pg. 21 Lattimer's Warehouse LDC Insurance Services Lift And Tow Locksmith Resource Lodar USA pg. 38 Lynch Chicago pg. 43 Magic Massage Therapy Magnetworks/Stamp Works Manufacturer Express pg. 23 Marlow Ropes Martens Johnson Insurance Maryland Carrier & Wrecker Sales Matheny Motors pg. 57 Matjack International Wreckers pg. 48 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter of Silver Spring Metro Tow Trucks pg. 81 Mike Keith Insurance Miller Industries Minimizer Minute Man Wheel Lifts, Inc. Montana Commercial Credit Muncie Power Products Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) National Interstate Insurance Co. National Purchasing Partners Nature’s Broom NRC Industries Ohio Power Systems Olson & Company Omadi OMG National pg 81 OnlineParkingPass.com Parker/Chelsea pg.38 PassTime USA Penny Pockets Penske Truck Leasing Permco Hydraulics Phoenix USA Photo Card Specialists PlateSmart Pneu-Tek Tire Tools Police Towers of America Pop - A - Lock PowerBilt Wrecker Mfg. pg. 16 Pro-Vision Video Systems Professional Dispatch Service Progressive Commercial Insurance Quest Towing Services R.O. Writer R-O-M Corp. Ramsey Winch Ranger SST
RC Industries Recovery Billing Unlimited Ricky's Sales & Service Road America Road Mate DVR Robert Young's NRC Sales & Service RP Recovery Consulting Santander Bank pg. 19 Savatech Corp. pg. 32 Sky Patrol Slick Top Solutions Smart Power Snappy Box Specialty Vehicle Funding Group pg. 5 SpeedTech Lights pg. 31 Spireon Sprint SSCS Star Headlight (Signal Veh. Prod) Steck Mfg. Co. SuperSprings Int'l Superwinch LLC SureFleet Maintenance Software T.R.A.A. T.R.P. Maryland Talbert Mfg TCF Equipment Finance The Insurance Professionals The RuptureSeal Company Tie 4 Safe Time-Out Seated Massage Corner TOMAR TomTom Telematics Tow Canada Tow Ramps Towing.com Towlot.com pg. N, S, M, W 87 TowMate pg. 47 towPartners TowProgram.com towXchange Tracker Management Sys. Trail-Eze Trailers Travis Barlow Insurance Traxxis GPS Solutions Tri-State Trailer Sales Truckers Assist Truck Crane Solutions TTN Fleet Solutions Tulsa Winch UniFirst Corp. United Plastic Fabricating Urgent.ly USAC/MD Velvac Verizon Networkfleet Virgo Fleet Supply Vulcan pg. 2,3 Warn Industries WeldBuilt Wreckers & Carriers Weldex West End Service, Inc. Whelen Engineering Co. Whiterail Media Will-Burt Company WorkSafe USA Worldwide Equipment Sales pg. 80 Wrecker Rentals WreckMaster Wyless Telematics Zip's Truck Equipment
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BADGE INSERTS LUXURY VEHICLE TRAINING
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Number 165 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 63
Light-Duty pre-2013 Class
Light-Duty 2013-2014 Class 1st
1st
2014 Dodge 5500 Chevron 408V Bud’s Towing Bridgeport, Conn.
2nd
2013 Ford F-450 Vulcan 807R Horton’s Wrecker Service Haymarket, Va. 64 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
2011 Ford F-350 Jerr-Dan “Element” Hawk’s Towing & Recovery Trenton, N.J.
3rd
2015 Ford F-450 Jerr-Dan MPL40 Michael’s Towing Fredricksburg, Va.
2nd
2011 Ford F-550 Chevron “Renegade” Norton’s Tow Squad Philadelphia, Pa. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
3rd
Sponsored by American Towman
1991 International Eagle Claw Parke’s Auto Repair & Towing Elverson, Pa. TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 65
1st
Medium-Duty Class
Carrier Class 1st
2015 Freightliner M2 Century EB-4T Norton’s Tow Squad Philadelphia, Pa.
2nd
2007 International 4400 B&B Custom Maurer Road Services Lockport, Ill. 66 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
2013 Kenworth T-270 Century Right Approach Pinehill Towing King George, Md.
3rd
2015 International TerraStar Custom Built 12-ton Fulmer Recovery & Transportation Wysox, Pa.
2nd
3rd
2014 Peterbilt 337 Chevron 12-Series LCG Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Md.
2014 Dodge Ram 5500 Century 19’ aluminum bed J&J Towing Staten Island, N.Y.
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 67
Vintage Class
Service/Support Truck 1st
1st
2012 Ford F-450 Reading Service Body Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Md.
1966 Ford F-500 Wreck-Master Wreckers Morton’s Mobil Truck Repair Clarksburg, Va.
2nd
2013 Chevrolet 3500 Reading Utility Body K&S Towing & Recovery Havertown, Pa. 68 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
3rd
2011 Ford Crown Victoria (Police Interceptor) ASA - Road Service Boston, Mass.
2nd
1971 Chevrolet C-30 Cowell Industries Hawk-A Acme Towing Laurel, Md.
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3rd
Sponsored by American Towman
1977 Chevrolet C-20 Homebuilt Truck Unit Five J-Automotive Bronx, N.Y. TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 69
Heavy-Duty Tandem Class
Heavy-Duty Single-Axle Class 1st
1st
2013 Peterbilt 389 Century 9055 Apple Towing Brooklyn, N.Y.
2nd
1992 Ford F-800 No-Mar 2530 Morton’s Towing & Recovery Clarksburg, Md. 70 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
2008 Peterbilt 345 Century 5130 A-1 Non-Stop Towing Freeport, N.Y.
3rd
2010 International 4400 Vulcan V-30 K&S Towing & Recovery Havertown, Pa.
2nd
2014 Kenworth T880 Vulcan V-100 Rob’s Automotive Bristol, Pa. Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
3rd
Sponsored by American Towman
2014 Kenworth T800 Century 5130 Aaron’s Towing The Plains, Va. TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 71
Rotator Class 1st
Best in Show
2015 Kenworth T880 Century RXP1150 Mike’s Heavy-Duty Brooklyn, N.Y.
2014 Peterbilt 337 Hackney 30’ Box Quality Towing/Michael Biggs Jr., Inc. Vail’s Gate, N.Y.
2nd
2004 Peterbilt 378 Century 1060S Redmans Fleet Services Lorton, Va. 72 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
3rd
2013 Peterbilt 338 Century 1060 Bill’s Towing Stamford, Conn.
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 73
Best Work Truck
2012 Ford F-750 Jerr-Dan 16-ton Sullivan’s Towing Fredericksburg, Va.
Sponsored by American Towman 74 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
The Repo Revolution
Dave Craze
The third self-loader built and in operation (above right), and an early version of the technology (left). Vehicle photos courtesy of Dynamic Towing Equipment.
by Mark Lacek
T
here are times when the towing business and the repossession industry are as different as steel chain and hemp rope. A towing professional is in the towing business, and a repossessor is in the repossession business. But there are those times when much of what we do is similar. Towing professionals and repossession specialists, both drive tow trucks, hit the streets early in the day and often late into the night. We maneuver our rigs through heavy traffic, poor weather conditions and bad drivers. Happy, sad, hungry or tired, we set out to do a job with safety on our minds and the hopes of a profitable day. Working at a gas station in 1975, I remember jumping into that Ford tow truck equipped with a Holmes 220 sling and running a AAA call. I remember throwing the chain and hooks so clearly, with my left hand on the chrome rear bumper, I could toss that hook with my right hand and make it land perfectly on the axle. I also remember having to sling those chains while high-speed traffic passed by—sometimes just inches away—as I lay there on my back hooking a car. Years later I would find myself
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Vulcan 812 Intruder II
using the same technique repossessing cars. I remember my No. 1 fear back then was how vulnerable I was if the debtor came out during the repossession. Flat on my back offered me no advantage if a confrontation turned hostile. Sometimes you just don’t know when someone has saved your life. Decisions you make every minute can change the outcome of the day. It might have been a quick change of direction. You make a right turn and you live, you make a left turn and get hit by a drunk driver. You go on your way and you never know the decision you have just made might have kept you out of the next morning’s news. I remember 1986 was a pretty big year. Ronald Reagan was midway through his second term. The N.Y. Mets won the World Series. Chuck Berry was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And Dave Craze and Calvin Russ invented the self-loading wheel lift at Dynamic. Ronald Reagan is one of my heroes, I own a few Chuck Berry CDs and I couldn’t care less about the Mets. For the towing and repossession industry, the most important part of
1986 was this self-loading wheel lift. Dave was working for his father-inlaw (Calvin Russ) at the family Texaco station near Norfolk, Va. He had recently purchased a Holmes 440 tow truck and began towing cars for area dealers. Dave also found himself towing for local repossessors. One day while towing a disabled vehicle off of a local interstate, a car nearly ran over Dave’s extended leg while he reached under a car to hook a chain on its axle. He realized how dangerous it was for towers and repossessors to lie on their backs to hook up a car and set out to find a better design and build his own creation, a device to help make hooking up to a car safer and faster. The idea was to design something to swing from the inside out to lift the vehicle by cradling the tires. Resolute in his efforts, Dave labored day and night with bloodied knuckles and exploded hydraulic hoses and cylinders. He welded and sheared tons of metal until, finally, the project was completed. Since then, lifting and towing an automobile has never been the same. During the late 1980s and early ’90s, repossession companies focused on
becoming more professional, trying their best to separate themselves from the public perception that repossessors were car thieves and thugs, a stigma that had attached itself to the “repo man” image. The self-loading wheel lift was the tool that provided towing companies and repossession specialists the ability to move ahead of the competition. The new self-loader provided not only faster hookup times, but also a much safer alternative to the outdated hook-and-chain method. Repossession companies began advertising that they were using it. The lenders took notice and would choose a repossession company who made the investment in the latest technology. Hooking up to a debtor’s car fast and without confrontation reduced lawsuits for the lending community. It was common for a lien holder to ask over the phone, “Do you have one of those new self-loaders?” For the towing companies, new auto clubs and roadside assistance companies were entering into the towing market. These new companies were contracting with towing companies who had the ability to handle the growing demand for services. As their memberships grew, the new auto clubs and roadside assistance companies were becoming a predominant source of revenue. The ability to handle more towing and service calls was critical in a profitable relationship to volume-based contracts. The self-loading wheel lift was the answer to completing more calls than before. Instead of purchasing another truck and hiring a new driver, the towing provider could shorten the time needed to provide the service. Having the ability to lower the boom, hook and lift the auto in just seconds instead of minutes was a real time-saver. And as we all know, time is money. Editor’s Note: Dave Craze eventually had a falling out with Calvin Russ and sold his half of the patent on the self-loader to Miller Industries in 1998, who immediately came out with a self-loader using this technology (today with the Century Express, Vulcan Intruder and Holmes 440SL). Years later, after the 20-year time restriction on the patent expired, other manufacturers started their versions of the self-loading wheel lift (JerrDan and DualTech today use this technol-
ogy). After Craze left Dynamic the company fell into bankruptcy (12 years ago). Anthony Gentile, a tower and Dynamic distributor, took over the assets. Under Gentile’s ownership, Dynamic gained sound footing once again, moved into an expanded production facility and is a popular brand in the selfloader market today. Today, just about every towing and/or repossession company uses a self-loader wheel lift. The towing companies now have the ability to hook and remove an automobile from the scene of an accident faster, opening roads sooner. Towers who are involved in parking enforcement are using less time on
impound scenes. Repossessors have the ability to back into a driveway, hook up and repossess a debtor’s car with less chance of a confrontation. Hats off to those manufacturers making the self-loader today. And hats off to Dave in his retirement, and Calvin too, may he rest in peace. Both industries are safer because of their invention.
Author Mark Lacek is a 30+ year recovery industry veteran and former editor of Professional Repossessor magazine. Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 77
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 79
Owner Charged with Stealing Tow Lights
Stertil-Koni Adds Touch-Screen Controls
The owner of Black Rock Service Center in Bridgeport, Conn., was charged with stealing the strobe lights off another business’ tow truck. Paul Fanciulli, 35, of Stratford, was charged by Fairfield police with third-degree larceny and released on a $5,000 bond. According to police, the upright strobe light bars found on a wrecker at Fanciulli’s shop on Fairfield Avenue Bridgeport were taken from tow trucks owned by Route 1 Auto Body. The theft of the equipment, worth $4,500, was reported on Nov. 20. On Nov. 24, an employee of the Fairfield tow service said he saw what he thought were the light bars from the Route 1 shop on a Black Rock tow truck. Another employee said he saw someone from Black Rock Service checking out the light bars on his tow truck when he had made a visit to Napa Auto Parts. Police investigated and said they determined the light bars in question looked as if they had been recently installed on the Black Rock Service wrecker. They also said that, according to State Police, Black Rock sent the truck to tow a car Nov. 19 and it had no upright strobe light bars. Source: www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com
Stertil-Koni added a full-color 7” touch-screen control console on its wireless mobile column lifts, the ebright Smart Control System, that the company said provides “intuitive ease of use with maximum visual information about the lifting process.” The company (www.stertilkoni.com) said the new touch-screen technology will initially be available on its EarthLift hydraulic “green” wireless mobile column lift. The system can fully synchronize up to 32 mobile columns in a single set. It also shows how many columns in the wireless mobile column set are being used, the load on each individual column in the set, the battery status of each column and when the mechanical locks are engaged.
Beacon Enhances ‘Dispatch Anywhere’ Beacon Software said its recent release of Dispatch Anywhere for Drivers features enhanced user interface graphics and reduced text. The company (www.dispatchanywhere.com) said more visual interaction makes access faster and easier, getting you and your drivers back in the cab more quickly. In addition, jobs are visible (after initial viewing) even when Internet access is poor or nonexistent. A vehicle damage inspection and reporting feature allows drivers to select damage points on a vehicle diagram, add notes and optionally take pictures before they tow. Customers can review the vehicle inspection and sign off on the damage. This protects the tower and reduces time spent fighting unjust insurance claims. Drivers can now electronically capture a key drop signature when a car is dropped at a dealership or other location where a driver leaves a key.
Agents Using Social Media to Skip Trace
Number 151 on Reader Card
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Social media is now being used to find people who have defaulted on their auto loans, as a way to track down vehicles earmarked for repossession. According to Art Sookazian, vice president of special services at the Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, skip-trace companies and investigators are finding people with delinquent accounts by scouring Facebook and other social media sites. “Finding people in today’s market is really not that tough,” Sookazian said on the sidelines of a panel discussion about the state of the auto finance industry. “People post where the wedding is, where the reception is, and how we took a trip. You’ll see a lot of interesting information on these public websites,” he said. Though social sleuthing is legal, some common social media practices, such as “friending” someone on Facebook to find a person’s whereabouts, could be perceived as deceptive and violate the Federal Trade Commission Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, he cautioned. Source: www.autonews.com
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • 81
Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer by Steve Calitri
T
ow bosses are a wealth of experience and savvy. That’s why it’s an industry calamity that most tow business owners don’t speak with one another, share notes and discuss the challenges of running the business. They don’t do so generally because they don’t trust the people with whom they compete. The distrust is inherent in a trade where each local towing company is vying for the finite number of accounts, including either a spot on the town’s rotation or an exclusive contract. More often than not, if you get a commercial account you’re taking it away or keeping it away from someone else. Small numbers of tow bosses congregate periodically on the state level at towing association meetings. At annual state tow shows, more towers show up creating more opportunity to network with peers. At the big shows, like the recent one in Baltimore, or the ones coming up in Orlando and Las Vegas, there is an explosion of networking, providing the rare opportunity to rub shoulders with other tow bosses and pick up other ways of doing things. What is shared can cover myriad issues: the firing of an employee or the rewarding of one, the fight to get on the city’s rotation or to raise its tow rates, the different options in using a carrier to recover a rolled-over car, navigating through health-care options, insurance liability options, and on and on and on. All toward the goal of reducing costs, making more money, and doing things smarter, safer. The Expositions will always be a networking mecca for the progressiveminded tow boss. It’s one of the dynamics that draws them away from home for a few days. But the intelligent ones need
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to be finding ways to share notes with the towers in one’s area, even if it means pow-wowing with the enemy. Imagine the change that would take place in this industry if this took place. Coming to know towers in one’s area up close and personal, you would learn that there are those you could trust to contract out a call when its smart to do so. You would find opportunities for sharing equipment, personnel, and other resources. You would learn to team up with others to deal with city issues. You would share ways of doing things that save money and reduces stress. I would be very happy if the norm was that tow bosses fraternized with one another. American Towman Expositions would get the benefit of word-of-mouth promotion spreading like wild fire. Now I know some of you are reading this with a smirk, thinking, “Is this guy nuts? My main competition would skewer my &%$# given the slightest opportunity.” Yes, but that same competitor might throw you a bone when the occasion arises, or realize the sense of working with you on certain fronts, if he knew you and in knowing you, came to respect you, maybe even like you. I’m sure even Michael Corleone shared a joke, or an official, with a few of the other Dons. Drop the competitive growl and the reality is that most other towers are much like you, working long, hard hours, grappling with the many challenges of running a towing operation, and at heart, decent people. So get together with other towers in your town. Find the common ground for working together. Join your state towing association. Go to a monthly meeting. Leave your guns at the door.
Coverage of Jamie Davis and Bill Johnson is a good example of American Towman Media working in concert. American Towman Magazine first covered Johnson’s standing up to the insurance companies a few issues back. Tow Industry Week announced in October that this was the subject of his keynote address to the Captains of Industry in Baltimore. And Emily Oz interviewed Johnson at the Captains Conference about this issue, which first played in January on American Towman TV on TIW.
TowIndustryWeek.com first announced that “Highway Thru Hell” star Jamie Davis would be appearing at the Miller Industries booth in Baltimore. ATTV’s Oz and AT’s Brendan Dooley both interviewed him there. You can see the Oz interview online at Towmantv.com.
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Don’tHide Your Gold Share What You Know, Maybe You’ll Grow by Don Archer
O
n more than one occasion, it’s been mentioned that what I write about the towing industry may help my competition. It’s not quite a scold or a reprimand, but a curious attempt to understand my motives. I admit that on occasion I wonder if I’ve gone too far. Will my competition be able to take what I’ve written and run with it—to my detriment? But, then I’m reminded of Aesop’s fable of the miser. The short version: A guy sold all he had and bought a lump of gold. To keep it safe, he buried it deep in a hole and did nothing with the gold. One day he went to the burial spot and someone had dug up his gold; it was gone. He became upset and pulled out his hair. A neighbor attempted to console him by suggesting that he find a rock, bury it in the hole, and pretend it was the gold. He reasoned that the rock would do just as good as the gold would, since he hadn’t invested it in anything. I think our unwillingness to talk about our business is akin to hiding our gold in the hole. I believe when we’re open about our industry and honestly discuss the problems and opportunities that exist, we’re making an investment. It may take decades to see a return; however, it’s one that will eventually result in an industry that millions perceive is as valuable as others in the public safety arena. When we talk about the challenges we face in the industry, it alerts our competition to things they might not have considered. Sure, this may give them a shortcut or upper hand, but it’s also slowly moving the ball forward.
If you bury what you know, your chances to grow are going to be limited.
What do I mean by that? When we move the ball forward, such as teaching tow operators that it’s no longer acceptable to have a surly attitude when dealing with paying customers, it’s like clearing the forest floor so that only quality trees can grow. Customers will eventually come to expect a higher level of service. When customers continually expect a higher level of service, they’ll respect us more … and despise us less. When some towers refuse to provide this now-expected higher level of service, they’ll wither on the vine. Those who want to continue in the business will make the necessary changes, thrive and grow. Our industry will then move forward. Many are skeptical. They hear what I’m saying, but don’t believe change will ever happen. They can’t see it, because they believe the forest
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floor is littered with those who will take their gold should they mention its existence. Why give anyone information? How’s that going to help me? As far as I see, there are two choices: Sit tight-lipped with fear or open up and see where it takes you. There’s one thing you can be sure of in life, and that’s change. Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to check it out each week.
Don Archer lives and works in Jefferson City, Mo., where he and his wife, Brenda, own and operate Broadway Wrecker, a 12-truck operation that’s been in business since the 1950s. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..
Car Repossessed by Mistake An Evansville, Ind., woman said a repo man made a mistake that could have compromised security at a number of businesses and could have even cost the woman her job. Tina Gordon said Dick Williams Auto Sales had a customer who failed to make payments. On December 8, she said the dealership sent out a repo man with a spare key to the street address. It was the next morning that Gordon woke up without a car. Gordon cleans businesses, and had those businesses’ keys and security codes in her car. Gordon said the repo man told her he didn’t check the VIN number. “When I found out it was the repo company, it shocked me that they could made a mistake like that and have someone’s car seven days before
continue to page N 86 Number 129 on Reader Card
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TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • NORTH 85
NEWS FLASH continued from page N 85 they realized they had the wrong car,” said Tina. Nearly a week later, Gordon looked out the window to find her car out front. She said the repo man was back to say he was sorry and she needed to go pick up her license plate. When she got there, she said the owner of Dick Williams Auto presented her with $100 and a new battery asking her to sign a waiver that she refused to sign. “I was actually insulted that he had offered a battery and $100,” said Tina. “I thought after everything I went through it was definitely worth a lot more. I feel like I don’t feel safe in my home. The whole time it was gone I didn’t know who took it or if they could get in my house or if they lived in my neighborhood, so it was a very uneasy feeling.” Source: www.14news.com
Peterson Marks 70 Years Peterson Manufacturing Co. marks its 70th year in the vehicle safety lighting industry in 2015. The Grandview, Mo., company (www.pmlights.com) supplies lighting materials to the automotive aftermarket from a 670,000 square-foot facility that includes engineering and design, photometric and environmental testing, tool and die production, harness and wire manufacturing, plastic injection molding, final assembly, warehousing, sales and customer service. A release said the company strives to keep top quality, U.S.-made products the company-wide standard.
Tower Charged With Stunt Driving An Ontario, Canada, tow truck driver is facing a stunt driving charge after police say he was travelling nearly 37 mph over the posted speed limit. Police said an officer monitoring traffic on Jan. 2 clocked a tow truck travelling east at (nearly 86 mph) in a posted (50 mph) zone. The officer pulled over the truck and charged the 27-year-old driver with stunt driving.
He immediately lost his license for seven days, along with the truck. If convicted, police say he could face a maximum fine of $10,000 and have his driving privileges revoked for two years. Source: www.thebarrieexaminer.com
Former EMT Sentenced for Killing Tower A 28-year-old former emergency medical technician convicted of driving drunk and fatally striking a tow truck driver in Long Beach, Calif., was sentenced Dec. 12 to four years in state prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Raymond Burley III of Los Angeles pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for striking and killing Faapuna Manu, 27, of Long Beach on Dec. 2, 2013. Burley, who was driving a 2005 Toyota, swerved onto the right shoulder and struck Manu, who was standing on an on-ramp to the freeway with his tow truck assisting a stranded motorist. Burley also sideswiped a 2005 Mercedes-Benz with a flat tire that was parked on the shoulder. Manu was killed on impact, officials said. Burley was driving home from a holiday party when the incident took place. Authorites presented evidence that showed Burley had a blood alcohol level of .11, well over the legal limit of .08, according to the D.A.’s office. A restitution hearing was scheduled as of press time at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Long Beach in Department 20. Source: www.presstelegram.com
Town Left with Single Tower In Falls, Pa., police will have just one tow truck operator to call on in 2015 to help clear car crashes in the township, officials said. That’s down from nine this year. The sudden drop is because several tow truck operators who had been on
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the call list for a number of years missed the Nov. 30 deadline to register. A handful of them told the Falls supervisors that the renewal packet they received from the township led them to believe they had until the end of December to send in their registrations. “It was misleading,” operator John Beck said. The packet included paperwork for everything that needed to be reregistered with the township for 2015, including business licenses and the tow list application, supervisors said. In years past, different parts of the paperwork package were sent separately. City officials said they consolidated the paperwork to save money. The first page of the packet that was recently sent out had Dec. 31 listed as a deadline, but that was for the business tax. The second page was for the tow operation, which had a Nov. 30 deadline, as stipulated by a township ordinance.
They pleaded with the supervisors to extend the deadline. The tow operators said they saw the Dec. 31 deadline on the first page, which was labeled annual business license, and thought they had until the end of the year to sign up for the tow list. They pleaded with the supervisors to extend the deadline, but the supervisors said they couldn’t do so because one tow operator filed the paperwork in time as called for by township ordinance. Such a move would likely land Falls in court because the tow operator who did register in time could sue the township, solicitor Michael Clarke said. And that would be a legal battle the town would likely lose, he said. Unlike the 2015 standard tow list, there were no towing operations that signed up as of Nov. 30 for the 2015 heavy-duty tow list. Thus, the supervisors extended registration for that list to Dec. 19. Source: www.buckscountycouriertimes.com
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Ga. Towman Collected Gifts for Needy It’s every parent’s wish to check off their child’s Christmas list. But some families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. That’s where towman William Everson of Houston County, Ga., comes in. He collected Christmas gifts for families in need. Everson says he’s just paying the generosity forward. Friends and family stepped in to help him when he was run over, trying to stop his tow truck from hitting three women after his brakes failed. “I was looking out the back of the truck and I see two younger girls and an elderly lady getting stuff out of the back of their vehicle.” said Everson, “So it was God’s intervention, that made me reach up and grab the shifter cable and pull down on it, knowing what would happen, that caused the truck to roll over me forward with the back tires. So really at that point, that’s all I remember about it. I mean it was
the truck running over me and I woke up in hospital.” After his accident, Everson’s friends helped him get back on his feet. “There are still people out there that care, and are willing to help,” said Everson. “And that’s what’s brought me to the position of wanting to help other people for Christmas.” Source: www.13wmaz.com
Thieves Caught on Tow Yard Video Windsor, Canada, police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects wanted after a motorcycle was stolen at a towing yard. Police say the suspects broke into the yard at Myers Towing and stole an unplated Yamaha motorcycle on Dec. 30. The suspects can be seen in video released by Windsor police wearing distinctive jackets. The first suspect has a fur-hooded bomber jacket with an insignia on the right upper sleeve. He is described as a
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white man, 20 to 25 years old, tall and slender, with a thin face. He was wearing a waist-length bomber style jacket with a fur edged hood, low-riding baggy jeans, and a baseball cap. The second suspect is shorter than the first suspect. He is described as a white male, 20 to 25 years old, with a stocky build and dark hair. He was wearing a baggy winter jacket with a distinctive logo on the back. Police say the videos have the wrong date and time stamp. Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-2556700 ext. 4350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com. Source: windsor.ctvnews.ca
Bail Amended to Enable Tow Truck Sale A judge has amended the bail conditions of two Troy, N.H., auto shop owners to allow them to sell a 2013 tow truck, which prosecutors say was purchased, in part, with proceeds from fraudulent insurance claims. Jay Coppo, 50, of Troy and Jodi Anne Champney, 45, of Winchester are charged with two counts each of insurance fraud dating back to 2012. The brother and sister own J&J Autobody, where prosecutors allege a fire was intentionally set to a 1987 Peterbilt wrecker on Jan. 26, 2012, for the purpose of collecting insurance money. Coppo’s attorney wrote in a motion to amend bail that Coppo can no longer afford the $4,000 monthly payment for the truck. Champney’s attorney expressed similar concerns, noting that the criminal matter has affected the auto shop’s business. The prosecutor initially objected to the sale of the truck. He wrote in court documents that the owners “took steps to acquire the 2013 truck before the arson of the 1987 truck.” The attorneys agreed on Dec. 15 to the submission of 12 color photographs in place of the truck itself as evidence, should the cases proceed to trial, according to court documents. Source: www.sentinelsource.com
Copyright 2015 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
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Ga. Towman Collected Gifts for Needy It’s every parent’s wish to check off their child’s Christmas list. But some families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. That’s where towman William Everson of Houston County, Ga., comes in. He collected Christmas gifts for families in need. Everson says he’s just paying the generosity forward. Friends and family stepped in to help him when he was run over, trying to stop his tow truck from hitting three women after his brakes failed. “I was looking out the back of the truck and I see two younger girls and an elderly lady getting stuff out of the back of their vehicle.” said Everson, “So it was God’s intervention, that made me reach up and grab the shifter cable and pull down on it, knowing what would happen, that caused the truck to roll over me forward with the back tires. So really at that point, that’s all I remember about it. I mean it was the truck running over me and I woke up in hospital.” After his accident, Everson’s friends helped him get back on his feet. “There are still people out there that care, and are willing to help,” said Everson. “And that’s what’s brought me to the position of wanting to help other people for Christmas.” Source: www.13wmaz.com
Number 180 on Reader Card
Service King Acquires Grand Sport Auto Body Service King Collision Repair Centers, a multi-state operator of collision repair facilities, acquired Grand Sport Auto Body’s eight collision repair centers in Philadelphia. “We are extremely proud to welcome Grand Sport’s teammates into the Service King family,” said Jerod Guerin, Service King Regional VP of Northeast Operations. “We plan to use this foundation as a platform for our continued expansion throughout the Northeast.” Grand Sport Auto Body was founded in 1982. Source: www.prnewswire.com Number 170 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • SOUTH 83
Don’t
Hide Your
Gold
Share What You Know, Maybe You’ll Grow by Don Archer
O
n more than one occasion, it’s been mentioned that what I write about the towing industry may help my competition. It’s not quite a scold or a reprimand, but a curious attempt to understand my motives. I admit that on occasion I wonder if I’ve gone too far. Will my competition be able to take what I’ve written and run with it—to my detriment? But, then I’m reminded of Aesop’s fable of the miser. The short version: A guy sold all he had and bought a lump of gold. To keep it safe, he buried it deep in a hole and did nothing with the gold. One day he went to the burial spot and someone had dug up his gold; it was gone. He became upset and pulled out his hair. A neighbor attempted to console him by suggesting that he find a rock, bury it in the hole, and pretend it was the gold. He reasoned that the rock would do just as good as the gold would, since he hadn’t invested it in anything. I think our unwillingness to talk about our business is akin to hiding our gold in the hole. I believe when we’re open about our industry and honestly discuss the problems and opportunities that exist, we’re making an investment. It may take decades to see a return; however, it’s one that will eventually result in an industry that millions perceive is as valuable as others in the public safety arena. When we talk about the challenges we face in the industry, it alerts our competition to things they might not have considered. Sure, this may give them a shortcut or upper hand, but it’s also slowly moving the ball forward.
If you bury what you know, your chances to grow are going to be limited.
What do I mean by that? When we move the ball forward, such as teaching tow operators that it’s no longer acceptable to have a surly attitude when dealing with paying customers, it’s like clearing the forest floor so that only quality trees can grow. Customers will eventually come to expect a higher level of service. When customers continually expect a higher level of service, they’ll respect us more … and despise us less. When some towers refuse to provide this now-expected higher level of service, they’ll wither on the vine. Those who want to continue in the business will make the necessary changes, thrive and grow. Our industry will then move forward. Many are skeptical. They hear what I’m saying, but don’t believe change will ever happen. They can’t see it, because they believe the forest
SOUTH 84 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
floor is littered with those who will take their gold should they mention its existence. Why give anyone information? How’s that going to help me? As far as I see, there are two choices: Sit tight-lipped with fear or open up and see where it takes you. There’s one thing you can be sure of in life, and that’s change. Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to check it out each week.
Don Archer lives and works in Jefferson City, Mo., where he and his wife, Brenda, own and operate Broadway Wrecker, a 12-truck operation that’s been in business since the 1950s. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..
Number 179 on Reader Card
Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
Number 113 on Reader Card
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • SOUTH 85
Number 105 on Reader Card
Number 111 on Reader Card
SOUTH 86 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Number 159 on Reader Card
Ga. Towman Collected Gifts for Needy It’s every parent’s wish to check off their child’s Christmas list. But some families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. That’s where towman William Everson of Houston County, Ga., comes in. He collected Christmas gifts for families in need. Everson says he’s just paying the generosity forward. Friends and family stepped in to help him when he was run over, trying to stop his tow truck from hitting three women after his brakes failed. “I was looking out the back of the truck and I see two younger girls and an elderly lady getting stuff out of the back of their vehicle.” said Everson, “So it was God’s intervention, that made me reach up and grab the shifter cable and pull down on it, knowing what would happen, that caused the truck to roll over me forward with the back tires. So really at that point, that’s all I remember about it. I mean it was
the truck running over me and I woke up in hospital.” After his accident, Everson’s friends helped him get back on his feet. “There are still people out there that care, and are willing to help,” said Everson. “And that’s what’s brought me to the position of wanting to help other people for Christmas.” Source: www.13wmaz.com
Thieves Caught on Tow Yard Video Windsor, Canada, police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects wanted after a motorcycle was stolen at a towing yard. Police say the suspects broke into the yard at Myers Towing and stole an unplated Yamaha motorcycle on Dec. 30. The suspects can be seen in video released by Windsor police wearing distinctive jackets. The first suspect has a fur-hooded bomber jacket with an insignia on the right upper sleeve. He is described as a
Download music on iTunes and Amazon.com
SOUTH 88 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
white man, 20 to 25 years old, tall and slender, with a thin face. He was wearing a waist-length bomber style jacket with a fur edged hood, low-riding baggy jeans, and a baseball cap. The second suspect is shorter than the first suspect. He is described as a white male, 20 to 25 years old, with a stocky build and dark hair. He was wearing a baggy winter jacket with a distinctive logo on the back. Police say the videos have the wrong date and time stamp. Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-2556700 ext. 4350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com. Source: windsor.ctvnews.ca
Bail Amended to Enable Tow Truck Sale A judge has amended the bail conditions of two Troy, N.H., auto shop owners to allow them to sell a 2013 tow truck, which prosecutors say was purchased, in part, with proceeds from fraudulent insurance claims. Jay Coppo, 50, of Troy and Jodi Anne Champney, 45, of Winchester are charged with two counts each of insurance fraud dating back to 2012. The brother and sister own J&J Autobody, where prosecutors allege a fire was intentionally set to a 1987 Peterbilt wrecker on Jan. 26, 2012, for the purpose of collecting insurance money. Coppo’s attorney wrote in a motion to amend bail that Coppo can no longer afford the $4,000 monthly payment for the truck. Champney’s attorney expressed similar concerns, noting that the criminal matter has affected the auto shop’s business. The prosecutor initially objected to the sale of the truck. He wrote in court documents that the owners “took steps to acquire the 2013 truck before the arson of the 1987 truck.” The attorneys agreed on Dec. 15 to the submission of 12 color photographs in place of the truck itself as evidence, should the cases proceed to trial, according to court documents. Source: www.sentinelsource.com
Service King Acquires Grand Sport Auto Body Service King Collision Repair Centers, a multi-state operator of collision repair facilities, acquired Grand Sport Auto Body’s eight collision repair centers in Philadelphia. “We are extremely proud to welcome Grand Sport’s teammates into the Service King family,” said Jerod Guerin, Service King Regional VP of Northeast Operations. “We plan to use this foundation as a platform for our continued expansion throughout the Northeast.” Grand Sport Auto Body was founded in 1982. Source: www.prnewswire.com
Landlords Towing Tenants’ Vehicles An Orlando, Fla., television station discovered a completely legal practice that some landlords are using to tow vehicles belonging to their own tenants. Residents pay for a spot, but someone else can still have them towed since the resident doesn’t “own the spot.” TV station WFTV found residents have been towed for expired registration stickers. Traffic attorney Albert Pucylowski said that Florida law says nothing about expired registration on vehicles not in use, yet it’s the reason some central Florida condos have been citing to tow their own residents. “There is no prohibition on having parked in a parking lot or your driveway,” said Pucylowski. Building management at one complex said they couldn’t answer questions about the practice. Constellation Towing and Recovery has towed 336 vehicles from apartments since May. The tow truck company also wouldn’t comment. Residents said just because a practice is legal, doesn’t make it right. All tow contracts must be filed with the city and show rates and reasons why a person can be towed, although rental companies do not have to share that information with residents. Source: http://www.wftv.com
Number 193 on Reader Card
Number 119 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • MIDWEST 83
Car Repossessed by Mistake An Evansville, Ind., woman said a repo man made a mistake that could have compromised security at a number of businesses and could have even cost the woman her job. Tina Gordon said Dick Williams Auto Sales had a customer who failed to make payments. On December 8, she said the dealership sent out a repo man with a spare key to the street address. It was the next morning that Gordon woke up without a car. Gordon cleans businesses, and had those businesses’ keys and security codes in her car. Gordon said the repo man told her he didn’t check the VIN number. “When I found out it was the repo company, it shocked me that they could made a mistake like that and have someone’s car seven days before they realized they had the wrong car,” said Tina. Nearly a week later, Gordon
looked out the window to find her car out front. She said the repo man was back to say he was sorry and she needed to go pick up her license plate. When she got there, she said the owner of Dick Williams Auto presented her with $100 and a new battery asking her to sign a waiver that she refused to sign. “I was actually insulted that he had offered a battery and $100,” said Tina. “I thought after everything I went through it was definitely worth a lot more. I feel like I don’t feel safe in my home. The whole time it was gone I didn’t know who took it or if they could get in my house or if they lived in my neighborhood, so it was a very uneasy feeling.” Source: www.14news.com
Peterson Marks 70 Years Peterson Manufacturing Co. marks its 70th year in the vehicle safety lighting industry in 2015. The Grandview, Mo., company
Number 189 on Reader Card
MIDWEST 84 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
(www.pmlights.com) supplies lighting materials to the automotive aftermarket from a 670,000 square-foot facility that includes engineering and design, photometric and environmental testing, tool and die production, harness and wire manufacturing, plastic injection molding, final assembly, warehousing, sales and customer service. A release said the company strives to keep top quality, U.S.-made products the company-wide standard.
Former EMT Sentenced for Killing Tower A 28-year-old former emergency medical technician convicted of driving drunk and fatally striking a tow truck driver in Long Beach, Calif., was sentenced Dec. 12 to four years in state prison, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Raymond Burley III of Los Angeles pleaded guilty in July to a felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while
intoxicated for striking and killing Faapuna Manu, 27, of Long Beach on Dec. 2, 2013. Burley, who was driving a 2005 Toyota, swerved onto the right shoulder and struck Manu, who was standing on an on-ramp to the freeway with his tow truck assisting a stranded motorist. Burley also sideswiped a 2005 Mercedes-Benz with a flat tire that was parked on the shoulder. Manu was killed on impact, officials said. Burley was driving home from a holiday party when the incident took place. Authorites presented evidence that showed Burley had a blood alcohol level of .11, well over the legal limit of .08, according to the D.A.’s office. A restitution hearing was scheduled as of press time at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in Long Beach in Department 20. Source: www.presstelegram.com Number 134 on Reader Card
Number 138 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • MIDWEST 85
Don’t
Hide Your
Gold
Share What You Know, Maybe You’ll Grow by Don Archer
O
n more than one occasion, it’s been mentioned that what I write about the towing industry may help my competition. It’s not quite a scold or a reprimand, but a curious attempt to understand my motives. I admit that on occasion I wonder if I’ve gone too far. Will my competition be able to take what I’ve written and run with it—to my detriment? But, then I’m reminded of Aesop’s fable of the miser. The short version: A guy sold all he had and bought a lump of gold. To keep it safe, he buried it deep in a hole and did nothing with the gold. One day he went to the burial spot and someone had dug up his gold; it was gone. He became upset and pulled out his hair. A neighbor attempted to console him by suggesting that he find a rock, bury it in the hole, and pretend it was the gold. He reasoned that the rock would do just as good as the gold would, since he hadn’t invested it in anything. I think our unwillingness to talk about our business is akin to hiding our gold in the hole. I believe when we’re open about our industry and honestly discuss the problems and opportunities that exist, we’re making an investment. It may take decades to see a return; however, it’s one that will eventually result in an industry that millions perceive is as valuable as others in the public safety arena. When we talk about the challenges we face in the industry, it alerts our competition to things they might not have considered. Sure, this may give them a shortcut or upper hand, but it’s also slowly moving the ball forward.
If you bury what you know, your chances to grow are going to be limited.
What do I mean by that? When we move the ball forward, such as teaching tow operators that it’s no longer acceptable to have a surly attitude when dealing with paying customers, it’s like clearing the forest floor so that only quality trees can grow. Customers will eventually come to expect a higher level of service. When customers continually expect a higher level of service, they’ll respect us more … and despise us less. When some towers refuse to provide this now-expected higher level of service, they’ll wither on the vine. Those who want to continue in the business will make the necessary changes, thrive and grow. Our industry will then move forward. Many are skeptical. They hear what I’m saying, but don’t believe change will ever happen. They can’t see it, because they believe the forest
MIDWEST 86 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
floor is littered with those who will take their gold should they mention its existence. Why give anyone information? How’s that going to help me? As far as I see, there are two choices: Sit tight-lipped with fear or open up and see where it takes you. There’s one thing you can be sure of in life, and that’s change. Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to check it out each week.
Don Archer lives and works in Jefferson City, Mo., where he and his wife, Brenda, own and operate Broadway Wrecker, a 12-truck operation that’s been in business since the 1950s. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..
Number 159 on Reader Card
Ga. Towman Collected Gifts for Needy It’s every parent’s wish to check off their child’s Christmas list. But some families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. That’s where towman William Everson of Houston County, Ga., comes in. He collected Christmas gifts for families in need. Everson says he’s just paying the generosity forward. Friends and family stepped in to help him when he was run over, trying to stop his tow truck from hitting three women after his brakes failed. “I was looking out the back of the truck and I see two younger girls and an elderly lady getting stuff out of the back of their vehicle.” said Everson, “So it was God’s intervention, that made me reach up and grab the shifter cable and pull down on it, knowing what would happen, that caused the truck to roll over me forward with the back tires. So really at that point, that’s all I remember about it. I mean it was
the truck running over me and I woke up in hospital.” After his accident, Everson’s friends helped him get back on his feet. “There are still people out there that care, and are willing to help,” said Everson. “And that’s what’s brought me to the position of wanting to help other people for Christmas.” Source: www.13wmaz.com
Thieves Caught on Tow Yard Video Windsor, Canada, police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects wanted after a motorcycle was stolen at a towing yard. Police say the suspects broke into the yard at Myers Towing and stole an unplated Yamaha motorcycle on Dec. 30. The suspects can be seen in video released by Windsor police wearing distinctive jackets. The first suspect has a fur-hooded bomber jacket with an insignia on the right upper sleeve. He is described as a
Download music on iTunes and Amazon.com MIDWEST 88 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
white man, 20 to 25 years old, tall and slender, with a thin face. He was wearing a waist-length bomber style jacket with a fur edged hood, low-riding baggy jeans, and a baseball cap. The second suspect is shorter than the first suspect. He is described as a white male, 20 to 25 years old, with a stocky build and dark hair. He was wearing a baggy winter jacket with a distinctive logo on the back. Police say the videos have the wrong date and time stamp. Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-2556700 ext. 4350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com. Source: windsor.ctvnews.ca
Bail Amended to Enable Tow Truck Sale A judge has amended the bail conditions of two Troy, N.H., auto shop owners to allow them to sell a 2013 tow truck, which prosecutors say was purchased, in part, with proceeds from fraudulent insurance claims. Jay Coppo, 50, of Troy and Jodi Anne Champney, 45, of Winchester are charged with two counts each of insurance fraud dating back to 2012. The brother and sister own J&J Autobody, where prosecutors allege a fire was intentionally set to a 1987 Peterbilt wrecker on Jan. 26, 2012, for the purpose of collecting insurance money. Coppo’s attorney wrote in a motion to amend bail that Coppo can no longer afford the $4,000 monthly payment for the truck. Champney’s attorney expressed similar concerns, noting that the criminal matter has affected the auto shop’s business. The prosecutor initially objected to the sale of the truck. He wrote in court documents that the owners “took steps to acquire the 2013 truck before the arson of the 1987 truck.” The attorneys agreed on Dec. 15 to the submission of 12 color photographs in place of the truck itself as evidence, should the cases proceed to trial, according to court documents. Source: www.sentinelsource.com
Number 157 on Reader Card
Service King Acquires Grand Sport Auto Body Service King Collision Repair Centers, a multi-state operator of collision repair facilities, acquired Grand Sport Auto Body’s eight collision repair centers in Philadelphia. “We are extremely proud to welcome Grand Sport’s teammates into the Service King family,” said Jerod Guerin, Service King Regional VP of Northeast Operations. “We plan to use this foundation as a platform for our continued expansion throughout the Northeast.” Grand Sport Auto Body was founded in 1982. Source: www.prnewswire.com
Landlords Towing Tenants’ Vehicles
Number 198 on Reader Card
Number 156 on Reader Card
WEST 84 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
An Orlando, Fla., television station discovered a completely legal practice that some landlords are using to tow vehicles belonging to their own tenants. Residents pay for a spot, but someone else can still have them towed since the resident doesn’t “own the spot.” TV station WFTV found residents have been towed for expired registration stickers. Traffic attorney Albert Pucylowski said that Florida law says nothing about expired registration on vehicles not in use, yet it’s the reason some central Florida condos have been citing to tow their own residents. “There is no prohibition on having parked in a parking lot or your driveway,” said Pucylowski. Building management at one complex said they couldn’t answer questions about the practice. Constellation Towing and Recovery has towed 336 vehicles from apartments since May. The tow truck company also wouldn’t comment. Residents said just because a practice is legal, doesn’t make it right. All tow contracts must be filed with the city and show rates and reasons why a person can be towed, although rental companies do not have to share that information with residents. Source: http://www.wftv.com
Number 208 on Reader Card
Number 105 on Reader Card
Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!
TOWMAN.COM - February 2015 • WEST 85 Number 157 on Reader Card
Ga. Towman Collected Gifts for Needy
Number 199 on Reader Card
It’s every parent’s wish to check off their child’s Christmas list. But some families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their kids. That’s where towman William Everson of Houston County, Ga., comes in. He collected Christmas gifts for families in need. Everson says he’s just paying the generosity forward. Friends and family stepped in to help him when he was run over, trying to stop his tow truck from hitting three women after his brakes failed. “I was looking out the back of the truck and I see two younger girls and an elderly lady getting stuff out of the back of their vehicle.” said Everson, “So it was God’s intervention, that made me reach up and grab the shifter cable and pull down on it, knowing what would happen, that caused the truck to roll over me forward with the back tires. So really at that point, that’s all I remember about it. I mean it was the truck running over me and I woke up in hospital.” After his accident, Everson’s friends helped him get back on his feet. “There are still people out there that care, and are willing to help,” said Everson. “And that’s what’s brought me to the position of wanting to help other people for Christmas.” Source: www.13wmaz.com
Thieves Caught on Tow Yard Video Windsor, Canada, police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects wanted after a motorcycle was stolen at a towing yard. Police say the suspects broke into the yard at Myers Towing and stole an unplated Yamaha motorcycle on Dec. 30. The suspects can be seen in video released by Windsor police wearing distinctive jackets. The first suspect has a fur-hooded bomber jacket with an insignia on the Number 195 on Reader Card
WEST 86 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
Number 159 on Reader Card
right upper sleeve. He is described as a white man, 20 to 25 years old, tall and slender, with a thin face. He was wearing a waist-length bomber style jacket with a fur edged hood, low-riding baggy jeans, and a baseball cap. The second suspect is shorter than the first suspect. He is described as a white male, 20 to 25 years old, with a stocky build and dark hair. He was wearing a baggy winter jacket with a distinctive logo on the back. Police say the videos have the wrong date and time stamp. Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police at 519-2556700 ext. 4350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS), online at www.catchcrooks.com. Source: windsor.ctvnews.ca
Bail Amended to Enable Tow Truck Sale
Number 218 on Reader Card
Download music on iTunes and Amazon.com WEST 88 • February 2015 - TOWMAN.COM
A judge has amended the bail conditions of two Troy, N.H., auto shop owners to allow them to sell a 2013 tow truck, which prosecutors say was purchased, in part, with proceeds from fraudulent insurance claims. Jay Coppo, 50, of Troy and Jodi Anne Champney, 45, of Winchester are charged with two counts each of insurance fraud dating back to 2012. The brother and sister own J&J Autobody, where prosecutors allege a fire was intentionally set to a 1987 Peterbilt wrecker on Jan. 26, 2012, for the purpose of collecting insurance money. Coppo’s attorney wrote in a motion to amend bail that Coppo can no longer afford the $4,000 monthly payment for the truck. Champney’s attorney expressed similar concerns, noting that the criminal matter has affected the auto shop’s business. The prosecutor initially objected to the sale of the truck. He wrote in court documents that the owners “took steps to acquire the 2013 truck before the arson of the 1987 truck.” The attorneys agreed on Dec. 15 to the submission of 12 color photographs in place of the truck itself as evidence, should the cases proceed to trial, according to court documents. Source: www.sentinelsource.com
Number 162 on Reader Card
Number 124 on Reader Card