American Towman Magazine - September 2015

Finding a Revenue Stream in

Traffic Control

Towman Medal

Towman Monument

towman.com

Best Presentation Trophy Basic Rigging Safety Raging River Recovery

Number 143 on Reader Card

My Baby page 72

FEATURE CONTENTS

A&M Towing’s Jerr-Dan JFB rotator helped bring in more emergency work in their region near Detroit.

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Wash Out

Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Beacons On! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . .70 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . .82

A loaded propane truck on a flooded bridge makes for a wet recovery.

by Cindy Beverly

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2015 AT Expo Baltimore is coming soon, and here’s everything you need to know in advance, including a registration page.

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Best Presentation Show off a bit more and get recognized for it with your carrier presentation.

by Steve Calitri

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Medals for Heroes The towing industry produces a rare breed of heroism.

by Steve Calitri

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Dirt Dump A half-full dump truck with compromised rear suspension and little access complicates a scene.

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti 4 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

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Museum Honors, Benefits Towing Industry Year-Round

by Dennie Ortiz

First On The Scene!

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley

The towing industry is like no other, though some comparisons may be drawn to other first responders— police and firefighters— in a feeling of fellowship and camaraderie. There is a deep innate understanding of the type of person, the content of character, it takes to be a part of that special group.

Towers have a sense of pride in the work they perform and relish the opportunity for helping those in need. Towers are a rare breed; the people and specialized equipment of this industry are unique in this world.

Towers are a rare breed.

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum offers a window into this world. It is an institution that preserves our heritage by showcasing the evolution and innovations of wreckers and conveying towing’s history through its various exhibits … it is a place that every tower should see.

The museum’s home is located in Chattanooga, Tenn., because the industry’s first wrecker was fabricated there. The museum is a Towing Mecca and visiting it should be approached as a pilgrimage. Journey to see all the museum has to offer in one-of-a-kind artifacts and memorabilia that shaped our industry.

It’s appeal is not just for the tower. The museum is such a cool, unique place that news outlets,

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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

national TV shows and PBS specials have prominently featured it for the world to see.

On the grounds of the museum you will find the Wall of the Fallen, a brick wall and statue that pays tribute to those towers who have been killed or died in the line of service.

Affixed to the Wall are bronze plaques with the names of the fallen towers etched upon them. The Wall serves as a reminder of the great risks faced by towers while working the roadways.

Each September marks the Wall of the Fallen Ceremony, a solemn occasion honoring towers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

As part of the museum’s dedication to the industry and recognition of the risks and lives lost, The Survivor Fund was established 10 years ago. The Survivor Fund collects donations and pays death benefits to the families of fallen towers. Many towing suppliers, towing associations, and towing companies have contributed to this fund. Every donation counts.

The Museum is open year-round; be sure to visit and learn more about this proud industry in which you are a valuable part. For more information, visit internationaltowingmuseum.org.

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 Helen Gutfreund 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 Communications 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.

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Tower Killed in Collision Rollover A tow truck driver died in a crash in July on I-295 in Cumberland, R.I. Police say 56-year-old Michael Morin Jr. of Woonsocket was trying to pass a dump truck driven by Robert Choiniere of Lincoln. Morin’s tow truck hit a trailer being towed by the dump truck.

According to police, Morin lost control and his truck rolled over and landed upside down in the center lane. Morin was pronounced dead at the scene, but Choiniere was not hurt. Both men were wearing seat belts.

The southbound side of the highway was closed for three hours as police investigated and crews cleaned up fuel and debris that had spilled.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash.

Source: necn.com.

Tow Truck Theft Yields $3,000 in Parts A thief made off with thousands of dollars in auto parts during what investigators said was a 10-minute tow truck theft.

Workers from Mobile Mike Media Group, an advertising agency, noticed a tow truck missing from their yard in Dania Beach, Fla., said a sheriff’s spokeswoman. Employees reviewed surveillance video and saw a white sedan pulled up to the front of the business.

A stout man in a white T-shirt got out and spent several minutes tampering with the truck’s driver-side door before getting inside. The man moved the truck to an adjacent parking lot, where he removed the front grille, headlights and two side mirrors.

The thief left the parking lot less than 10 minutes later with the parts, which are worth about $3,000.

Source: sun-sentinel.com.

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Company Owner Being Booted from Lot A Jersey City, N.J., tow truck company owner says he waited two years to get his tow yard approved in order to earn his state license— and now he’s getting booted from the site.

1 Extreme Towing has been leasing property on a monthly basis for two years. Owner Guillermo Concepcion was told his company had to be out with two weeks’ notice because the property is being redeveloped.

Concepcion said he was never given notice when the property was sold in 2013 and was told he couldn’t stay because construction would be starting on the property.

Representatives of the property owner could not be reached. Real estate websites have listed 60,000sq.-ft. at the site available for lease as of Jan. 1, 2016. In a letter to the

A New Jersey tow company owner said he was only given two weeks’ notice to vacate his lot by the property owners. Photos.nj.com image.

city council in March, a demolition company announced its plans to demolish the existing structure.

Concepcion said the reason he never got a long-term lease was because although he applied for a state license in 2013, it was not granted until May 5 of this year.

Source: nj.com.

Companies Donate

Tows Amidst Complaints As angry car owners in Cajon Pass, Calif., flooded social media with complaints that they had been charged $1,000 or more in towing fees in the I-15 freeway firestorm, at least two tow companies donated some services.

Richard Monroy, the manager of Gonzales Tow in Victorville, released a statement June 18: “Our company does not operate on people’s hopelessness,” Monroy’s statement said, “and any illegal activity or overcharging,” he said. “We understand the public’s concerns and decided we will not be a tow company who will profit from the obvious situation.”

He said that the time involved clearing vehicles from the freeway will be donated to San Bernardino County.

“They should be mad at the towing companies,” said Gloria Chairez, who owns AZX Auto Transport in Fontana. “I

Two companies donated services following Cajon Pass fire on I-15 in California in July. Latimes.com image.

own my own car carrier company. I went up to carry their cars down for free because it was the right thing to do.”

She said the CHP asked for volunteers to help clear the vehicles from the site to a dirt lot. Owners were forced to abandon their cars during the storm.

Twenty vehicles were destroyed on the freeway by flames when drivers couldn’t escape the fire and 10 more were damaged, officials said.

Source: sbsun.com.

“We needed to get this guy out from under the car “…

Festival Night Tosses the Tie Festival Night is tossing the tie and taking it to the trucks! After 26 years of celebrating towing’s heroism inside a ballroom, this year’s celebration will take place on the show floor by the American Wrecker Pageant, featuring an all-you-caneat International Feast. Attendees with tickets will be able to walk over from the exhibit floor at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and enjoy the Feast along with the music of Mike Corbin (Towman Ballads) and his Band playing favorite American songs from The Band, like The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.

“The American Towman Medal Ceremony,” said Expo founder Steve Calitri, “will be streamlined a bit to fit the new venue. The pageantry of the ceremony will still be there, but the stories being told will be more condensed.”

The Feast, engineered for hardy eaters, will feature Beef Brisket, Roast Suckling Pig, Bavarian Sausages and Chicken Tamales. Also served will be Eggplant Parmigiana and Risotto with Broccoli.

“It’s the best ticket in Baltimore for Saturday night for those who want to chill out and have a great time.”

WTRAA Awards $8,250 in Scholarships The Women of the Towing and Recovery Association Scholarship Fund awarded $8,250 in scholarships to four recipients.

Applicants were evaluated for application completeness, grade point average, community service, scholastic achievements and personal statements This year’s awards went to: Haley Grueber, Missouri Baptist University, $2,500; Taylor Powell, University of Central Florida, $2,500; Lindsey Westfall, Oregon State University, $2,500; and Sloan Coe, Columbia College, $750.

To donate to the WTRAA Scholarship Fund, write to WTRAA Scholarship, c/o Committee Chairperson Stacey Tucker; 130 Tweed Lane NW, Ste. 2; Bremerton, WA 98312.

Source: wtraa.org.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Gordon Sprint Cup Car in Baltimore This year marks Jeff Gordon’s final full season of Sprint Cup racing; for six of the races he was scheduled to take the track in a “Drive to End Hunger”-liveried car.

The collaboration with Gordon and team owner Rick Hendrick is to increase awareness and support for The Freightliner/Century 12 Series LCG SST ending hunger among older carrier with Jeff Gordon’s Sprint Cup “Drive to Americans.

End Hunger” car will be on display in the Miller In 2011, AARP FoundaIndustries booth during the American Towman tion initiated Drive to End Expo in Baltimore, Md., this November. Miller Industries photo.

Hunger to address the problem of hunger among people over 50 and develop solutions to the hunger problem. AARP Member Advantages sponsored four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Gordon’s No. 24 Chevrolet SS to spread awareness. The car wil be featured in the Miller Industries booth in November at the American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Md. The paint scheme was scheduled to be featured in six Sprint Cup Series events in 2015, beginning at Sonoma Raceway (June 28), Kentucky Speedway (July 11), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 19), Pocono Raceway (Aug. 2), Dover International Speedway (Oct. 4) and Martinsville Speedway (Nov. 1).

N.J. Tower Rescues Trapped Victim Good Samaritans were struggling to save a Department of Transportation worker who was pinned under a car, but it was a quick thinking tower who saved the worker’s life. The worker had been struck on I80 in New Jersey on July 29.

Richard Growe Jr. of Powder Mill Towing in Parsippany says it was God’s will that he was in the right place at the right time to help save Richard Growe Jr. explains his rescue of a trapped DOT worker. abc7ny.com image. the life of the injured DOT worker.

“We needed to get this guy out from under the car because the pressure of the vehicle was on his chest, on his body, he wasn’t able to breathe good,” said Growe.

Using the underlift, Growe lifted the vehicle off the victim. Moments after getting the car off of the badly injured DOT worker, police and emergency medical technicians went to work.

The wife of the DOT worker sent Growe a Facebook post, writing “Thank you so much Richard Growe Jr, if it wasn’t for you we don’t know what would have happened, and we don’t know how to truly repay you for what you’ve done for our family.”

Source: abc7ny.com.

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Improved Hydraulics Increase Speed Landoll recently updated its trailer line with new hydraulic operating systems, nicknamed HOSS, and a High Visibility Lighting package. The 400 A Series Traveling Axle trailers will be the first models with these added standard features. The company said HOSS cuts overall operational time in half. The axle’s forward travel increases by 36 percent and rearward by 58 percent. Tilt deck positioning increased to nearly 63 percent, while winch speeds increased close to 66 per-

cent. This improvement will allow for more loads to take place. Removal of restrictors eliminates back pressure, resulting in cooler operational temperatures and a quieter environment. Continuous oil encasement of valves in the control panel require less maintenance. The control panel is at chest height, encouraging ergonomic and visual improvement; controls are in five predetermined hydraulic function locations, cutting out the need for modifications to the frame.

www.landoll.com Number 200 on Reader Card

DC Packs in 12V and 24V Muncie Power Products’ improved line of DC power packs feature new motors available in 12VDC and 24VDC. Used for numerous applications including dump bodies, single-acting cylinders and lift gates, Muncie’s line of DC power packs is available with custom circuits. The company said horizontal and vertical mounting capabilities along with pre-assembled packaging make the DC power pack’s installation easy. Other basic options include D03 valves and accessory blocks, polyethylene and steel reservoirs in a variety of sizes, an assortment of pumps up to 3.2cc and options with and without corded control prewired from the factory.

www.munciepower.com Number 201 on Reader Card

Temporary Extension for Can-Ams The Can-Am Deck Extension from AmeriDeck allows the ability to load the Can-Am Spyder in an efficient, easy fashion.

Instead of purchasing the Can-Am deck, this option will lengthen your deck temporarily. The deck adds 12” to your SuperDeck III/Motorcycle Deck to accommodate the Spyders with room to spare. This extension is 76” wide, which will make it wider than the rest of the deck for the front tires.

www.powerdecks.com Number 202 on Reader Card

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Vulcan Heavy with Third Winch, PolyBilt Body The new Vulcan V-703 heavy-duty wrecker combines the 22,000-lbs. thirdwinch option (introduced on the V-100 and V-70 bodies at the 2014 AT Expo) with the PolyBilt Body. The third winch advances the rigging capabilities on an integrated heavy-duty tow truck, while the PolyBilt Body provides strength, durability and resistance to rust and corrosion. The aluminum roll-up doors increase safety by allowing the operator to work closer to their truck. The PolyBilt Body includes remote locks, adjustable shelves and built-in storage holders. The new Vulcan V-703 with the PolyBilt Body is scheduled to be on display at the 2015 American Towman Expo this November in Baltimore.

www.millerind.com Number 203 on Reader Card

Hydraulic Valves Add Control Prince Manufacturing Corp. recently released hydraulic valve assemblies including inlets that give pressure compensated characteristics without the need for an expensive pressure compensated pump and inlets that manage the flow and allow high-flow tractor pumps to be used with nominally sized valve assemblies.

This valve can be used in towing to provide the control needed by operators without the expense of the pressure compensated pump. These new valve assemblies also feature optional Radio Frequency Control integrated solutions for maximum ease-of-use.

www.princehyd.com Number 204 on Reader Card

Portable LED Warning Beacon The Emergi-Safe LED beacon combines the functions of a high-power warning beacon, flashlight and lantern into one product and is a safer alternative to incendiary strike flares and provides more proactive warning than reflective triangles alone. Each LED module features 16 high-power, dual-color red/white LED (other color combinations available) as a warning beacon or a lantern. There is a 3-watt LED and reflector at the top for a powerful flashlight function. Operates up to 145 hours on three D-cell batteries.

www.dnsafety.com Number 205 on Reader Card

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 11

Preventing Pavement Damages, Part 2: Heavy Recovery

by Randall C. Resch

T

he potential of pavement damages inflicted by big rigs is such that any company operating heavy equipment should have steps in place to prevent it. I’ve seen numerous examples of heavy recoveries, both in residential and commercial areas, and it seems to be an even split among companies who took care to prevent pavement damage as didn’t.

The bigger and heavier the recovery truck, the greater potential for costly damages if no act of prevention is employed. Could your company be held liable for inflicting cracks, gouges or other pavement damages at a recovery scene?

There’s plenty to worry about when it comes to damage liability. As much of the setup process includes rigging for the best mechanical advantage to lift as it demands a solid platform under the tow truck. An unstable platform or footprint leads to potential slippage or angle compromise, which could lead to breakaway or overturn.

Regardless of scenario, a rotator or wrecker cannot experience instability.

There’s plenty to worry about when it comes to damage liability.

Today’s modern big rigs have evolved into the monsters of recovery.

Just the very act of arriving, set up and then managing an effective recovery is far more than simply parking and working; there are many pre-recovery factors that could result in damages to pavement and property.

Big rigs recoveries employ side and rearward outriggers, downriggers, spades, even scotch block, with each being equally problematic, but sometimes necessary to the whole of heavy recovery.

Operators need to be aware of preexisting cracks as they are setting the wrecker and make the scene coordinator, supervisor or incident commander aware of them; photos or video

Showing Off As one of the judges to American Towman’s beauty pageants, I take into consideration all aspects of the wreckers.

I make notes, assign kudos, and tally higher scores to companies who have neatly stacked and arranged lumber or cribbing that’s well organized or color-coded; I’ve even seen lumber with old seatbelts attached to the blocks for ease of carrying.

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footage—prior to commencing heavy recovery—could be in the company’s best interest should you be accused later of damaging pavement.

Concrete freeway lanes, bridges and roadway surfaces are at risk for damages at outward edges of pavement where the highway’s asphalt shoulder edges meets the dirt.

Depending on the construction design of bridges with expansion gaps, a well-spread footprint is necessary to prevent cracking of joints and gaps.

In today’s towing and recovery environment, there still are towers operating older style heavies not equipped with outriggers, but are equipped with spades. Spades make for a solid winching platform, especially in dirt locations where protecting solid paved surfaces isn’t an issue.

But, spades and asphalt, especially in high temperatures, are blacktop killers.

Employing plywood, rubber pads and wood blocks provide a greater footprint to support the total weight of recovery.

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Rubber pads help protect expensive concrete from damage.

up the block’s surface and the attached dock chain tightens to cease rearward movement of the tow truck. When employed in the proper manner, scotch blocks (best used in pairs) gain tremendous mechanical advantage as the tow truck’s combined weight and drives the anchor point on a difficult pull.

If ever employed on asphalt surfaces, the scotch block’s serrated metal teeth can inflict huge damages in a short amount of time. If used in heavy winch out strategies on paved surfaces, scotch blocks are still capable of immediate and expensive damage.

Although some towers say that scotch blocks are a tool of the past, they’re an awesome addition to your tow truck’s stability equipment when a solid platform is necessary.

Always Stable

Old vs. New While many think of scotch blocks as museum pieces, they are an effective, aggressive piece of recovery equipment in heavy winching (and are not to be confused with wheel chocks). Scotch blocks, when attached to a tow truck’s rear dock bumper, allow for the truck’s rear wheels to set atop the block’s ramped surface and cause downward pressure to anchor blocks into the ground.

The concept behind scotch blocks is simple and mechanical advantage is immediate. When setting up and initiating the winching process, the tow truck’s rear wheels are rolled

A huge requirement of big rig recovery is total and complete stability. Big rig setup is critical to ensure that the recovery truck’s foot print is totally and completely solid, there cannot be any possibility that outriggers or downriggers will puncture through pavement or dirt surfaces and potentially cause the recovery truck to become unbalanced.

Whenever employing outriggers and downriggers, operators should ensure that they avoid existing cracks in pavement areas where they are setting up. Equally important is to remember that setting outriggers atop wet shoulder areas may not provide the most stable platform.

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To increase total stability and protect pavement surfaces, big rigs may be outfitted with heavy (beam) lumber or rubber outrigger pads. Some tow companies go as far as having heavy, construction-grade plywood that’s stowed in support trucks and delivered to recovery sites.

Available to today’s towers are custom-built ground protectors made of lumber and plastic. Specifically designed for big rig operations, ground protectors serve as a means to protect the pavement from outriggers and spades.

Employing plywood, rubber pads and wood blocks provide a greater footprint to support the total weight of recovery; cost should not be the deciding factor to outfit your heavy. Additionally, heavy lumber and ground protection/padding is only as good as the operator who includes blocking and padding as part of their recovery plan.

Another consideration is the ability to use heavy timber beams in soft and

mushy grass access areas common to most highway edges beyond the shoulder—employing stacked, heavy lumber onto soft surfaces is a way to gain much needed stability.

Operators are reminded and encouraged to periodically check outriggers and downriggers surfaces to ensure there is no movement or evidence that stability is moving or sinking. Too many operators get over focused on recovery and fail to evaluate if there is any change to the footprint of their work.

Who Pays?

One big rig owner recently told me that her company unintentionally inflicted damage to a section of an asphalt freeway lane during a big rig recovery operation in extreme Southern California heat. What resulted was a huge bill sent to the company from Caltrans.

While it’s a fact that accidents (during recovery) happen, part of smart operations is the ability to pre-

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think those “What if?” scenarios before they happen. When setting up to conduct recoveries that involve your tow truck’s outriggers, downrigger and spades, make the effort to provide sufficient ground and pavement protection.

These are considerations that should be at the forefront of your company’s big rig department training events and after-action reports. Operational protocol should demand that pavement protection be applied on all scenarios as a matter of routine. In doing so, there are two important advantages in working safer and avoiding a heart-stopping bill for failure to take care of someone else’s pavement.

Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek.com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.

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Basic Rigging Safety

by Terry Abejuela

I

n the crane industry, when you have a crane operator and a rigger, rigging may include all chains, hooks and attachments below the lifting hook. For us in towing and recovery, the boom operator and the rigger are often the same person, so most consider rigging to include all load-bearing equipment used to lift or winch a load.

Safety is a key component for riggers and rigging in any industry; basic rigging safety includes inspections, working load limits and proper use of equipment.

Inspections An initial inspection should be performed on all new rigging equipment. Make sure the equipment is clearly marked as to its manufacturer, working load limit, size and material.

If you are not familiar with the markings, seek the advice of a qualified source such as the equipment manufacturer or distributor.

Some manufacturers provide identification tags or markings with all pertinent information labeled in a user-friendly format. Make sure the rigging equipment is designed and intended for your use.

Prior to using any rigging, the tow operator must perform a pre-use inspection, which is a quick visual inspection to ensure there are no missing parts or stretched, bent, cracked, worn or otherwise damaged components. For synthetic straps you would be looking for tears, snags, cuts, punctures, abrasion damage, damaged stitching, and burns from heat or chemical damage.

A more detailed inspection must be performed periodically on all of your rigging equipment at an interval recommended by the manufacturer.

Inspect, link by link, all chains, and 18 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Choker hitch through a wheel rim.

Choker hitch around a lower control arm.

incorporate a full-length inspection of the wire rope, including connection to the drum, and rope terminations. All

hooks, latches, connecting links, shackles, snatch blocks, synthetic straps and attachment points on the

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tow truck must be examined. Any rigging equipment that is damaged must be immediately removed from service.

Follow all equipment manufacturer recommendations for inspections, maintenance and operation.

Applying WLL

Basket hitch through a wheel rim with an endless loop.

Operators must have a thorough understanding of how to apply the working load limit information for the rigging. The manufacturer of the equipment is a good source of information on the WLL, intent and proper use of the rigging. Each piece of equipment was developed and designed to serve a specific purpose. As the end user, it is your responsibility to know the intended purpose and abide by all manufacturer recommendations.

Tow truck operators must be able to interpret the markings on the equipment used in the field. The “XX-7� on a chain link indicates the manufacturer (XX) and grade (7).

Synthetic straps should have a rating tag attached to them with the WLL information. Do not use a synthetic strap with a missing, damaged or illegible ratings tag. The information on the tag rarely has information about how choke angle and leg angles affect the WLL, however this information is available from the manufacturer or distributor of the equipment. You can get the info from them or print hard copies from the Internet ahead of time to carry with you in the truck.

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When using chains or synthetic straps in your rigging, there are basically four different types of hitches you can use to attach to the load: vertical hitch, choker hitch, basket hitch and bridle hitch. The WLL is different depending on which hitch you use.

The WLL provided for the chain is normally applied to a vertical hitch. In this type of hitch the load is on the attachment hook at one end and the pull is provided at the other end of a straight length of chain or strap. If the manufacturer rates their 5/16 Grade 7 chain at 4,700 lbs., it is in a vertical hitch. For synthetic straps the vertical hitch is the first hitch shown on the ratings tag.

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Basket hitch angles.

In a choker hitch with a length of chain, one end of the chain is attached to a lifting or pulling device and the other end of the chain is routed around the load and the grab hook is attached back to the chain. When the chain is used in this application, the WLL of the chain is reduced by approximately 20 percent. A 5/16 Grade 7 chain rated at 4,700 lbs. used in a choker hitch has a reduced WLL of 3,760 lbs. (4,700 x .20 = 940, so 4,700-940 = 3,760).

This 20-percent reduction factor applies when the angle of choke is 120

degrees. The choke angle is determined by measuring the angle created in the live end of the chain where the grab hook attaches to the chain or for a strap it is the angle created in the live end of the strap when it passes through the eye of the other end of the strap. If you have to use a choker hitch when the choke angle is 90 degrees instead of 120 degrees, the WLL is further reduced. You would need to review the chart provided by the manufacturer to determine how much to reduce the WLL based on a choke

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angle of less than 120 degrees.

In a basket hitch, the chain or strap is routed around the load and both ends of the chain or strap are attached to a lifting or pulling device. If both ends of the chain or straps are parallel, the WLL is double the vertical hitch WLL. A 5/16 Grade 7 chain with a 4,700-lbs. WLL used in a basket hitch where the legs are parallel would have a WLL of 9,400 lbs. When the legs are not parallel the WLL will be reduced. To determine the WLL when the legs are not parallel you would

need to review the charts provided by the manufacturer based on the loadto-sling angle.

The most common method used is the increased tension method that uses a tension multiplier. First determine the total amount of resistance to overcome to move the load. Determine the load-to-sling angle as measured from horizontal. Determine the load applied to each sling leg. Multiply the sling leg’s share of the load by the tension multiplier to determine the sling leg tension. If the load is 5,000 lbs., each leg of the basket hitch would support 2,500 lbs. If the load-to-sling angle is 90 degrees, the tension multiplier is 1.00 so each leg of the basket hitch would have 2,500 lbs. of tension.

You would need a chain or strap with a basket hitch WLL of at least 5,000 lbs.

However if the load-to-sling angle is 45 degrees, the tension multiplier would be 1.414, so each leg of the basket hitch would support 3,535 lbs.

(2,500 x 1.414 = 3,535). You would need a chain or strap with a basket hitch WLL of at least 7,070 lbs.

Choke angles.

Another way to use your chain would be to apply it in an endless loop. Make a big loop around the attachment point and attach the pulling hook to the other end of the endless loop. The technique is a little different than a true basket hitch because the pull is not being applied to both ends of the chain separately and the grab hook is attached back to the chain. I have never seen a chart

that gives the WLL in this application of the chain, but it will be close to double the vertical hitch WLL. I would recommend that you reduce the basket hitch WLL by at least 20 percent to compensate for the grab hook application to the chain and the fact it is not a true basket hitch.

An alternative technique is the reduced sling capacity method. First determine the load to sling angle as measured from horizontal. Use the loss factor chart provided by the manufacturer to determine the loss factor for the load to sling angle. Multiply the sling basket hitch capacity by the loss factor to determine the actual sling capacity at any given load to sling angle. If the basket hitch WLL is 5,000 lbs. and the load-to-sling angle is 45 degrees, the WLL would be reduced to 4,330 lbs. (5,000 x 0.866 = 4,330 lbs.)

In a bridle hitch, there are two legs of chain or strap that attach at one end to a ring or hook and have an attachment hook at the other end of each leg.

As long as the ring or hook is rated

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 23

On the Net: On the Web • wstda.com: Web Sling & Tie Down Association.

• nacm.com: National Association of Chain Manufacturers. high enough, the total sling WLL would be the single leg vertical hitch rating times the number of sling legs—as long as an adequate load-tosling angle is maintained. Use the chart provided by the manufacturer to determine a sling’s WLL based on the load-to-sling angle.

In order to safely utilize your rigging equipment during towing and recovery operations, you must have a thorough understanding of how to inspect the equipment, apply the working load limits and use the equipment as it was intended by the manufacturer.

Author’s note There is much more to rigging safety than what is included in this article so make sure to do your homework and attend training classes on the subject.

Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 30plus years of light-duty towing-andrecovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.

Council Votes to Limit ‘Predatory’ Towing The Montgomery County (Md.) Council unanimously voted to approve a bill to reduce “aggressive and predatory” towing in Montgomery County recently.

Several provisions were added to the bill after it was introduced in April.

According to a county council memo, some of the provisions include requiring one notice for every 25 parking spaces for parking lots with 100 or more parking spots, requiring photographic evidence of violations, prohibiting the use of spotters and more.

“The bill we passed today will better protect consumers. Notably, it will ban the use of spotters, who are used to identify and tow away vehicles as quickly as possible, and it will give the Office of Consumer Protection the powers it needs to enforce the law and protect consumers,” said council member Roger Berliner.

According to the Office of Consumer Protection, each year approximately 50,000 vehicles are towed in Montgomery County; OCP Director Eric Friedman supported banning the use of spotters.

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24 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

“We want a situation and a business model in which a tow truck is responding to a parking problem.

And the fact that they have a contract with a company owner is not a license to go hunting looking for vehicles,” said Friedman.

Montgomery County requires all towing companies to register with the Office of Consumer Protection which will give OCP “the power it needs to enforce the law and protect consumers,” according to Berliner.

Other provisions include authorizing the county executive to set flat rates for certain towing services, requiring towing companies to have personnel available 24 hours for people to be able to retrieve their vehicles, requiring towing companies to accept credit cards as well as cash for payment for redemption of vehicles, and requiring property owners who want to engage in nonconsensual towing of vehicles violating property policies to electronically register commercial lots and provide annual reports on towing activity.

Source: thesentinel.com.

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 25

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Consulting Business Built for Towing Brad McIntosh and Brad Thoma recently announced their Towing Solutions & Consulting LLC enterprise that seeks to “help professionalize the towing and recovery industry.”

“We’re trying to generate a new, educated perspective on the towing business,” said McIntosh. “Our approach is focused on measurable metrics and efficient operations.”

The two co-owners (towingsolutionsandconsulting.com) have towing and recovery experience through Sandy’s Towing in Dayton, Ohio.

“We put metrics in place so business owners know at what point they are losing money and making money,” McIntosh said. “That is different for each business. It helps owners see what’s really going on in their companies and how to change to be profitable.”

Jerr-Dan Gets Permit, Adds to Team

Jerr-Dan has officially obtained a Purple Permit in the State of California for the JFB Rotator, allowing Jerr-Dan rotators to be legally run in that state. Recently the company (jerr-dan.com) announced the completion of the first production Twin Steer JFB Rotator at the factory in McConnellsburg, Pa., and the hiring of J. Heath Fassnacht to support the commercial and towing segments and the Jerr-Dan distributor network’s national and fleet programs.

Chevy Re-enters Low Cab Forward Chevrolet will offer low cab forward medium-duty trucks in the U.S. in 2016. It’s returning to the growing segment of the commercial vehicle market with Chevrolet 3500, 3500HD, 4500, 4500HD, 5500 and 5500 HD models based on the Isuzu N-Series, which GM will procure from Isuzu and distribute through Chevrolet dealers.

The new trucks (chevrolet.com) will be offered in regular-cab and crew-cab body styles. A General Motors-sourced 6.0L V-8 gas engine and six-speed automatic transmission, or Isuzu-sourced 3.0L and 5.2L turbodiesel engines will be available, depending on the model. The gaspowered models will be assembled in the United States in Charlotte, Mich.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 27

AAA Awards Tower Who Freed Toddler A Billings, Mont., tower received an award for helping a man whose child was locked in a car.

AAA Mountain West recently presented Dwayne Cramer from Agave Towing and Recovery the Mountaineer Award for his service in January.

Cramer responded to a call for roadside assistance on a frigid, 20degree day and helped unlock a man’s car freeing the man’s two-yearold child from inside.

Automotive services manager Joe Beatty said AAA responds to about 60,000 calls in Montana, Wyoming and Alaska each year.

Cramer says he wasn’t expecting the award and was just doing his job.

Source: kulr8.com.

ITRHFM Honors Military, First Responders Due to the recent tragedies in Chattanooga, Tenn., the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum honored military personnel and first responders by offering free admission during August. Chattanooga’s Doug Yates Towing & Recovery and the museum sponsored the free admission.

Source: towingmuseum.com.

Car-Part.com recently introduced Car-PartSalvage.com, a new way to connect auto recyclers and salvage sellers online. The company’s suite of products is designed to help auto recyclers buy vehicles, manage their businesses and sell parts.

Car-Part Salvage sells the vehicles from their current location to an extensive buyer base, all of whom are Car-Part.com recycler customers located throughout the United States and Canada.

Navistar Launches New Vocational Line

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Car-Part.com Adds Salvage Search

Navistar Inc. will launch a new line of premium vocational trucks for the severe service segment beginning in early 2016, leveraging shared technology and intellectual property from its venture with Caterpillar.

In addition, the company (navistar.com) announced that it will transition to Caterpillar the production and engineering of the Cat-branded severe service trucks the company has been supplying to Caterpillar since 2011.

Navistar will continue to manufacture trucks for Caterpillar through Dec. 31, 2016.

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 29

Wash Out

Rotator Goes Off-Road to Rescue Propane Truck

A 1981 Mack/Holmes 850 helped recover a propane truck on a washed-out bridge.

By Cindy Beverly

Once the water receded enough the second day, operators from Auto Towing & Repair were able to rig the truck for recovery.

Auto Towing & Repair; Lexington, Va.

I

n April 2015, a propane truck loaded down the road to anchor the front end with about 3,100 gallons of fuel was of the propane truck, but the Century washed part way off a flooded saw some off-road time getting to the bridge in Virginia. Auto Towing & scene, Southers said.

“We couldn't pull straight out Repair of Lexington got the call.

A swift-water rescue team was because the propane pump was removing the uninjured driver from caught on the bridge—it’s what kept the propane truck when the operators the truck from going further off the arrived on scene. After carefully bridge,” he said. “Once we took the observing the situation, it was deter- fenders off and got the straps through the tires, it lifted just permined that the water fect. was flowing too “I had to really hold swiftly after the recent I had to really on to keep from getting flooding to perform a washed out,” the 195-lbs. safe recovery that day. hold on to Southers said.

The next day, three The Century did the of our WreckMasterkeep from heavy lifting once the certified operators— rigging was done; the James Southers, 4/5; getting Holmes’ job was to Edward Southers, 4/5; ensure the truck didn’t and Jim Glass, 6/7— washed out. slide further into the went back on scene to perform the recovery. The water was water once the pump was freed from still flowing about 1-1/2’ over the the bridge.

“Once the propane truck was in a bridge.

A 1981 Mack/Holmes 850 and a safe and secure position, a driver was 1985 Mack/Century 40-ton rotator able to drive the propane truck away,” were used to recover the propane Southers said. “The recovery went slick … no complications.” truck.

The company’s 19-truck fleet “The first day, we couldn’t get close,” said Jim Southers. “The bridge includes a converted 5-ton military is on a dead-end road and we had to wrecker for off-road situations, but access it through woods and fields to Southers said they didn’t want to get it to the scene and not have enough lift lift it.”

The Holmes was able to come to move the loaded propane truck.

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 31

The 1985 Mack/Century 40-ton rotator did the heavy lifting once the rigging was done (above). Once the propane truck was secure on the bridge, it was towed off and driven away (below).

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AD INDEX Page #

AAA

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RS#

57

101

Access Tools 33 Advantage Funding 14 Akins Body & Carrier Sales 19 American Tranport. Ins. S 75, W 79 Atlanta Wrecker & Carrier Sales S 77 Austin Hinds Motors S 77 Austin Insurance M 77 Auto Data Direct 26 AutoReturn 27 B/A Products 64 Beacon Software 22 B & Z Sales S 76 Century 2, 3 Chase Insurance Agency S 76 Chevron Commercial 24 Columbus Truck Center M 75 Crashfilm 28 Crouch’s Wrecker Equip. & Supplies 55 Custer Products 28 Dan-Am/Sata Spray Equipment 26 Dangelo’s Wrecker Sales 59 Dual-Tech Wreckers & Carriers 34 Dynamic Towing Eq. & Mfg. 58 Elizabeth Truck Center 65 Equipment Sales & Service N 75 Ford Commercial Truck 13 Ginn Carrier & Wrecker Sales 21 G Stone Motors N 75 Hub International 20 Insurance Auto Auctions (IAA) 23 Intek Truck Eq. Finance & Lease 59 ISU Insurance W 79 Kalyn-Siebert 15 Kavanaugh’s Towing Equip.

M 78 Landoll 29

102 106 126 105 179 135 173 127 133 108 136 170 143 180 217 189 210 177 128 169 122 192 165 123 152 176 125 182 196 110 145 130 162 134 174

34 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Fax to: 888-847-6035 Setember 2015 Page #

Lift & Tow Loganville Ford Matjack Jumbo Safelift Metro Tow Trucks/Big Tow MFR Express New England Truckmaster N North American BanCard NRC Industries OnlineParkingPass Pacific General Insurance Agency M Pardo’s Sales & Services M Prince Manfacturing R.O.M. Corp.

Rush Towing Systems W Santander Bank SavaCOMM SavaTech Sea Crest Insurance Agency W Silver Star Award Smyrna Truck Center S Specialty Vehicle & Equip. Funding SpeedTech Lights Sun Country Trailers W The Light House W TIS Transportations Info Sys. 1&2 Tow Industries W Towlot.com TowMate Triple K Industries Truck Body Sales W Twin Cities Wrecker Sales M TwinState Equipment W Utility Trailer Sales S.E.TX W Winches Inc. M Worldwide Equipment

56 29 83 69 16 77 5 17 20 76 76 65 25 75 84 26 51 80 63 75 7 62 76 78 25 78 69 59 69 80 75 77 76 77 26

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139 207 186 137 213 171 109 190 166 193 119 141 188 115 103 158 118 156 206 113 195 112 117 104 137 199 159 191 100 198 138 157 208 148 151

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Note: Sample air fares for November 19-22, as of June 20th

Special exhibits: Towman Monument, Towman Chopper, Hero, Towman Mural, LifeLines.

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Save on Events, Seminars & Hotels • Avoid On-Site Lines!

AT Expo: Fax: 845-986-5181 • Mail: 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 • Phone: 800-732-3869 / 845-986-4546 x214 •

X ITION X

V

Title: Title: Title: Title: Show Special

State:

PLEASE CHECK BOXES BELOW

Zip: E-mail:

First time at Expo:

2. Secondary business (check those that apply): Towing/Recovery Salv/Auto Parts Auto Repair/Serv. Ctr. Truck Repair Repossession Auto Body Shop Transport/Trailer Serv.

Service Station

DISASTER-RESPONSE CONFERENCE Working Within A Disaster Network Disaster Force Panel: The Response Disaster Force Panel: The Aftermath NEW REVENUE CONFERENCE Make Money Thru Traffic Control Private Property Towing & Technology New Money Thru Diversification Don’t Crush Your Cash Auction Unclaimed Cars Online

MOTOR CLUB CONFERENCE Getting Paid by the Clubs Agero Nation Safe Drivers Coach-Net Road America FleetNet USAC/MD GEICO OPERATIONS CONFERENCE Guarding Your Reputation Leading Customer Service Telematics For Everyone Effective Succession Planning TOWING & RECOVERY CONFERENCE Scooby’s Mystery Theatre Car Carrier Securement Techniques Synthetic Rope: Right For You? Bus & Coach Towing Recovery Night Light Duty Rollovers Made Easy

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Subscribe to 5. No. tow trucks in fleet: 1-3 4-7 8-12 13-16 17+ American 6. Types of tow trucks in fleet (check those that apply): Towman Light-Duty Wrecker Heavy-Duty Wrecker Transport/Trailers (or extend your current Medium-Duty Wrec.

Carriers Class 7/8 Tractor subscription) and receive Service Vehicle Rotators the Official AT Expo Beer Stein on show floor.

7. Number of unclaimed vehicles sold to salvage or auctioned Advance-Registrants Only 10 20 30 40 50 75 100 each month:

EVENT SIGN-UP

PRICING FILL IN PRICE AT EXPO: Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 19-22 EXHIBIT HALL , 2-5 pm, , 11 am-6 pm • , 10 am-4 pm, 11/20-11/22. Your badge is good for all days Yes, advance register me for the exhibit hall. 1st & 2nd registrants are free: addt’l $5 each. $5 PP ..........................$ ______ ACADEMY PASSPORT All Seminars, 11/19-11/21 $75 PP ..................................................................................$ ______ 1st registrant 2nd registrant 3rd registrant 4th registrant Register now & save: fee is $150 on-site.

RECOVERY BILLING COURSE Sat. & Sun. 8-12 noon, Rec. Billing Unlimited $1850 (2 people per co.)..................$ ______ HEAVY DUTY RECOVERY WITH ROTATOR TRAINING WreckMaster instructors, Thurs. 8-5 pm Fri. 8-noon $595 PP: fee is $695 onsite. R ec o v er y B i l l i n g C ou r s e a n d R ot a t o r Tr ai n i n g i n c l u d es A c a d em y Pa s s p or t . .................................$ ______ AMERICAN WRECKER PAGEANT Fri.-Sun., 11/20-11/22 $100/$150...................................................................$ ______ One vehicle per class/three per company. Trucks enter Fri., stay in hall until Sun., 5 pm $100: Light (pre-2014) Light (2014-15)

POLICE TOWING CONFERENCE Special Requests From Law Enforcement Securing Municipal Contracts Working On High-Speed Highways On-Scene Survival

No 1. Is your Primary business Towing/Recovery :

Auto/Truck Dealership Vehicle Leasing Equipment Distributor Other______________

3. No. Employees: 1-5 6-10 11-20 21-50 51-100 4. Check one that best describes your purchasing authority: I authorize/approve purchases No authority I recommend

"

Yes

Country:

Med

Vintage (Pre-1985)

Service/Support Truck $150:

HD Single Axle

HD Tandem

Rotator

Carrier

CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY DINNER & CONFERENCE Thurs. 11/19, 6:30 pm. Sponsored by American Towman Magazine, Renaissance Hotel; Surf ‘n Turf Dinner & Legendary Captains Long Table Limit: 2 per co. # of People ___ $75 PP .........$ ______ A.T. WELCOME CRUISE Thurs., 11/19, 6:30 pm Board, Cruise 7 pm, Dinner & Show. # of People ___ $75 PP...................$ ______ TOWMAN SKEET SHOOT Fri., 9 am, 11/20. Includes fees, lunch & transp. # of People ___ $75 PP..........................$ ______ RECOVERY LUNCHEON Balt. Conv. Ctr., Fri., 11/20, 12:00 noon, Donnie Cruse Awards Luncheon.

All recovery specialists welcome. Co-Sponsored by B/A Products & AW Direct # of People ___ $35 per person...........$ ______ CALITRI’S CUBA-VIP Passport # Sponsored by Savatech. Fri., 11/20: 9 pm # of People ___ $20 PP ...............$ ______ Passport includes: (1) Premium AT Cigar, (1) Premium Cigar & Special Gift from Savatech, (1) Premium-Aged Cognac Drink Ticket

FESTIVAL NIGHT Int’l Feast, Medal Ceremony, Mike Corbin Band, Balt. Convention Ctr., Sat., 11/21, 6 pm # of People ___ $40 PP......$ ______ AT SUBSCRIPTION W/EXPO BEER STEIN* Order: 1 year/one stein: $50 2 years/two steins $100.........................$ ______ *AT Expo Beer Stein(s) must be picked up Friday through Sunday at the AT Store inside Convention Center.

BULL & PIG ROAST - FREE CALITRI’S CUBA - Cigar Smoker

TOTAL.......$ ______ : Sponsor: Miller Industries, Fri., 11/20: 7:30 pm...........#_______ people (1) free cigar compliments of Savatech. Fri., 11/20: 9 pm................#_______ people

at #

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Arrival Date:______________, 2015 - Depart Date: _______________, 2015 Special Requests ____________________________________________________________________________ If reserving more than one room please list names for each room: # of Rooms __________ # of Guests in each room ___________ # of beds _________ Room #1___________________________________________ Room #2____________________________________________ Room #3__________________________________________ Renaissance Hotel View

HOTEL CHOICE - Please write in your 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choice hotels below. You will be emailed your confirmation.

___Renaissance Harborplace Hotel • $179 Sgl/Dbl AMERICAN TOWMAN HEADQUARTERS HOTEL, 4-Star, rooms w/harborview, fitness center, restaurant/bar, connected to Mall. Two blocks from Conv. Ctr. CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY TAKES PLACE HERE! GUESTS RECEIVE FREE INTERNET. SHOW YOUR BADGE AND RECEIVE 10% OFF FOOD/MEAL PURCHASES AT HOTEL RESTAURANTS. TOWMAN BAR OR COFFEE SHOP SPECIALS ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT WITH BADGE. ___Marriott Inner Harbor • $177 Sgl/Dbl One block from Conv. Ctr., fitness center, restaurant.

Complimentary Internet. Towman Specials when you show your badge. ___Days Inn Inner Harbor • $127 Sgl/Dbl Across from Conv. Ctr., bar & grill, fitness ctr.

___Sheraton Inner Harbor • $175 Sgl/Dbl, $195 T, $215 Q One block from Conv. Ctr. with a catwalk, indoor pool, fitness center.

___Holiday Inn Inner Harbor • $137 Sgl/Dbl One block from Conv. Ctr., indoor pool, fitness center.

___Lord Baltimore Hotel • $135 Sgl/Dbl Two blocks from Conv. Ctr., bar & grill, fitness center.

___Hilton Baltimore • $195 Sgl/Dbl, $215 T, $235 Q Next to Conv. Ctr. with a Catwalk, pool, fitness center.

___Hyatt Regency • $170 Sgl/Dbl, $195 T, $220 Q One block from Harbor and two blocks to Conv. Ctr., fitness center.

___Royal Sonesta Harbor Court • $169 Sgl/Dbl, $189 T, $209 Q 4-Star Hotel on Harbor. Two blocks to Conv. Ctr., fitness center, restaurants.

Views of Inner Harbor from Light Street location.

Number 118 on Reader Card

Best

New Carrier Trophy Added for Baltimore Show Trucks

PRESENTATION

by Steve Calitri

T

here’s one thing all kinds of pageants have in common, be it Miss America or a classic car meet: It’s where one goes to show off. The American Wrecker Pageant inside the Baltimore Convention Center is no different.

As auto-and truck-related pageants go, this one has more to show than any other. You could even say it shows more leg than that Atlantic City pageant. Sexy in it’s own right, the shiny metal, amazing paint jobs, artful graphics

and custom chrome are just some of what you see among the world’s classiest wreckers and carriers.

This year’s Pageant, co-sponsored by American Towman and SpeedTech Lights, is introducing a second trophy to the Carrier Class for “Best Presentation.” Aside from everything else that judges and voters look for in a top-notch carrier, those entrees showing a vehicle on the carrier bed—such as a vintage car or truck, hot rod or funny car—will have the chance to win the Best Carrier Presentation Trophy.

Jerr-Dan carrier bed showing a rat rod.

Those entrees showing a vehicle on the carrier bed— such as a vintage car or truck, hot rod or funny car—will have the chance to win the Best Carrier Presentation Trophy.

52 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Dual-Tech bed featuring a stock car.

Walking through the American Wrecker Pageant and seeing a vintage car or truck loaded on a carrier bed is not unusual. With the added trophy for Best Carrier Presentation, show management is looking to add even more grandeur to the world’s largest wrecker pageant.

Last year a new class was entered with Support Vehicle/Service Truck and Quality Towing entered a showstopper in that class which ended up winning Best of Show.

There are nine classes and 11 first-place trophies in all,

plus 18 second- and third-place plaques awarded by American Towman in Baltimore. In any given year, 60 to 80 trucks enter the Pageant to compete for AT’s legendary silver trophies.

Amid the visual feast of the trucks, the character of those who own them and the live music in the Pageant Hall’s food court, it’s a festive affair unmatched by any other American venue.

Chevron carrier showing off a vintage wood-spoke machine.

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 53

About-Face on AutoReturn

A

merican Towman (AT) had given John Borowski (JB), founder of Police Towers of America, a platform in past issues to voice his stance against AutoReturn and third party dispatch.

Borowski joined AutoReturn as its VP of Towing Programs in July of this year.

Given the degree of change signaled by that move, we felt John owed AT readers an explanation. The following Skype interview took place on August 6th.

AT: Two years ago in Las Vegas, AutoReturn’s CEO John Wicker was presenting a seminar on serving the needs of municipalities. You were present and you basically ambushed Wicker with questions that dogged him on the rates AR was paying towers in San Francisco. You seemed to stir up a good deal of anti-AutoReturn sentiment. Since that time you were proactive in speaking out against AutoReturn during its quest to sign up Austin, Texas and contract with Pennsyllvania State Police. Yet, as of July of this year, you are now working for AutoReturn. That’s quite an aboutface. Some would say AutoReturn is simply shutting you up with a job offer you couldn’t refuse.

JB: For those who don’t know what has transpired in the past several months, that’s the easy answer. The reason for my turnaround is simple: the truth. Fighting AutoReturn led to investigating the facts and speaking to many towers. After realizing there were contradictions in what some towers were saying and what the facts were; how AR operated and the rates that were being paid, it was clear to me that there was more information that shed AutoReturn in a positive light than not.

AT: For example?

54 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

John Borowski

by Steve Calitri

nonconsensual rates. The other cities AR serves seem to have a more balanced approach.

AT: John Wicker used to look at you as the bulldog to stay clear of.

What interaction with him turned things around?

AT: Some would say AutoReturn is simply shutting you up....

JB: That’s the easy answer.

JB: In all the cities AutoReturn is serving, towers are being paid the same or more than previously. Most towers working with AutoReturn express satisfaction with the rates paid. If you speak to a tower who is negative about AutoReturn, that tower may be unhappy because it couldn’t get on the rotation. I had gotten stuck on the San Francisco issue, where towers are paid way less than the administration fee that the city tacks on to the tow. Yet these towers were being paid less before AR came aboard. And when AR took over the city was charging a nominal administration fee, about half what the tower made, but over time the city raised its administration fee to many times what the tower is paid. Cities charging hefty admin fees is nothing new and is a challenging aspect of receiving fair

JB: After meeting him one on one and talking on the subject of AutoReturn I found a man proud of the capabilities of his company. They create a drastic turnaround in service to the community that they service. I see a company offering a great service to communities that could not get it together on their own. The best thing that ever happened for me was, going to San Francisco after being shut out of that meeting in November of 2014* and discovering the facts, first hand.

Wicker has seen my passion for the industry, as I have seen his for putting together a world class service. *A meeting between John Wicker and officials of the Towing & Recovery Association of America; a meeting that TRAA told Borowski not to attend because of his anti-AutoReturn stance at the time.

AT: What potential does third party dispatch have in general for helping the towing industry?

JB: After talking to hundreds of towers on municipal tow contract issues, there are many cities that have disruptive issues. The issues range from unfair rotation, corruption and unsatisfactory tow services. Having AutoReturn acting as a municipal tow administrator, levels the playing field for all towers and provides an insulating wall between the city and tower. There are cities and towers alike that have suffered through decades of issues, here is the chance to change that.

Number 177 on Reader Card

AT: It seems that AutoReturn’s approach in contracting cities encourages city administration fees to help cities generate revenue. While city administration fees are not new, and certainly were not invented by AutoReturn, the important question is: how will AR balance the need for municipalities to generate revenue on tows with the need for the tower to receive profitable rates? Is it feasible for both sides to come out happy with AutoReturn taking their slice of the pie for its dispatch and rotation-management services.

JB: It is fair to say in todays economy, cities are struggling with their budgets, admin fees are popping up everywhere however, AutoReturn simply replies to RFP’s (Request For Proposals), cities formulate their own needs and draft an RFP. But when towers seem to not be receiving fair compensation, AutoReturn will go in and

do everything in their power to get towers up to a profitable rate. AR knows unprofitable towers cannot maintain quality service.

AT: What do you, John Borowski, bring to the table for AR and how may this help the towing industry?

JB: When I visited AR for the first time, I was pleased to meet many of their people, some of them with a deep background in the towing industry. I probably bring even more depth from my 40 plus years in the industry including 19 years of owning and operating a towing company, 20 years serving as president and past president of STA, and being involved with projects like the National Rotation Standard, which I co-authored ten years ago. I’ve been a trainer of towing and recovery as well as a sales specialist for two wrecker manufacturers (Jerr-Dan, Dynamic). I’ve written arti-

Number 139 on Reader Card

56 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

cles for years for American Towman and have conducted seminars across the country to towing audiences, my favorite being the one on Securing Municipal Contracts. I have always been there for the towers. I am one! I am creating a partner benefits program to benefit our tow partners. I have the experience to help guide AR to successful partnerships with towers.

AT: Austin, Texas recently signed on with AutoReturn. You had flown to Austin to fight this prospect a year ago. A month ago you flew to Austin on behalf of AutoReturn. Can you detail the circumstances of each trip?

JB: Last year I attempted to get factual information and spoke with several people and really did not learn as much as I wanted. By that time I was known as an anti AutoReturn person and towers were frightened to death over a company that they really did

Number 101 on Reader Card

not know much about that was coming to town and going to tell them how to operate—much like any other city affected in the country. It was literally the unknown that scared them to death. So they really did not want to talk to me. This year I met with the towers that are contracting with AutoReturn and it was a total turnaround. The towers expressed confidence in the fact that I was onboard. I believe that I am known as a sincere friend to the tow industry.

AT: What rates will towers receive in Austin?

JB: The same rates as now, starting at the base tow rate of $150. Towers will tack onto the existing rates a dispatch fee and administration fee that go to AutoReturn and the city.

AT: You recently flew to Baltimore to deal with a situation in Baltimore County for AutoReturn. What was your role in that and what rates are towers paid there?

JB: I went to observe the dispatch management system in place. Plus there was a refresher training for the police department. The fee for towing there is $180.* AT: Now that you’re with AutoReturn, where do you go with Police Towers of America, which you started?

JB: To avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, I will step down from my role as president of PTA by year’s end. But it’s important for police towers that PTA continues. It gave a voice to towers during the controversy over AutoReturn, and even though I turned

out to be wrong in my assessment of AR at that time, it was important that AutoReturn heard the towers’ concerns. On the broader scale, there are 20,000 municipalities across the country. In each of them towers need to deal with the concerns of their town boards and police departments. And they need to effectively present their case for equitable rates and secure contracts. PTA can potentially help.

Already we’ve helped by broadcasting city-regulated rates across America through TowInudstryWeek.com. Intelligence and information instead of ignorance is half the battle.

I will be looking for a successor to take over the leadership role of PTA. Note: Borowski will be conducting a seminar on Securing Municipal Contracts in Baltimore on Nov. 22, during the American Towman Exposition.

*Baltimore County rates can be viewed at: www.autoreturn.com/app/uploads/2014/11/BCO-MD_Notice_Towing_and _Storage_Fees.pdf"https://www.autoreturn.com/app/uploads/2014/11/BCO-MD_Notice_Towing_and_Storage_Fees.pdf

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 59

Towmen Are A Rare Breed

by Steve Calitri

T

he word “hero” is used loosely these days. Ask kids who their heroes are and you’ll get a range of answers from LeBron James to Taylor Swift. In the eyes of this writer, a hero is someone who has done the heroic: a brave feat of no small measure.

The American Towman Medal was born in 1989 when AT got wind of towers who were risking their lives to save others on the roadways. It seemed that in this world of false idols, the towing industry had the real deal in the hero department.

Towers surely sensed or knew their stake in heroism back in ’89.

But no one, certainly not the media, recognized their unique place in the annals of brave acts. Police, firefighters, soldiers … they signed up to be heroes, not towmen. This was years before widespread public use of the Internet and email (nearly a decade before Google’s founding), and seven years before American Towman Online was spewing industry news daily, editing what it gleaned through online searches

about towers being killed on the roadside and occasionally rising to the heights of Mount Olympus and rescuing a fellow mortal from tragedy. But it was the Towman Medal Ceremony in ’89 that first formally recognized the heroism of our industry.

So for the past 26 years AT has been awarding Medals, nearly 300 of them, to towers who’ve braved fires, cliffs, lawbreakers, hurricanes and other precarious elements while putting their own wellbeing in jeopardy to rescue strangers. You can bet there are many more times that number of incidents where towers dashed into danger in a selfless act of savior.

The Towman Medal has been awarded to men who’ve run through crossfire to rescue children, dived into a canal during a storm to get to a baby floating down the current, rappelled down the side of a bridge to save a truck driver dangling in his cab over a river, pulled a driver out of a burning car seconds before it exploded, led car passengers across a freeway just a moment before the car was

Mike Corbin and his band will sing heroic Towman Ballads on Festival Night, Nov. 21st in Baltimore.

struck by an 18wheeler; these are but a few of the incidents that called for the Medal.

The Medal has been a lightning rod for pride in the towing industry, an industry where customer appreciation is hard-won, leaving the men and women working this demanding trade feeling underappreciated. When the first medals were awarded in Baltimore in ’89, the ceremony brought tears to every one of the thousands of towing men and women attending Festival Night.

Not a dry year has gone by since.

For me, the most telling story

Heroic acts have often been involved with recoveries.

Note: American Towman Medal Sponsors are Jerr-Dan (Official Tow Truck), GEICO (Official Emergency Road Service Provider), SuperWinch (Official Winch).

60 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

of what makes a towman was the one with the horse-trailer fire (the only Medal awarded for saving an animal); the towman entered a trailer engulfed in flames to stand upon the belly of the trapped beast with its legs flailing until a strap was cut to set it free.

How precious is the life of a towman? Apparently not as precious to themselves as are the lives of the men and women who they saved, judging by the annals of the American Towman Medal. Of course, the comments from these heroes afterward are always, “Just doing my job.” That said, it takes a good scan of all the heroics and the incidents involved to get an understanding of the kind of work that befalls towmen.

This year, for the first time in the event’s history, Festival Night and the Medal Ceremony are taking place by the trucks of the American Wrecker Pageant, which of course represent the very wreckers and carriers essential in the course of heroism, as oftentimes heroics take place in the course of a recovery, like when the casualty vehicle is perched precariously with its driver trapped, the towman working in, around and under the vehicle in the effort to free the victim.

In the Towman Medal Ceremony, the Heroes will march by these trucks.

Fellow towmen at the tables will feast and celebrate by these trucks. Who we

are as an industry will be captured by this moment.

How special the moment is—how rare towing’s heroes are—might best be told by the Medal incident that hearkens back to the very first year in ’89.

An incident where lives were not rescued, but rather death was preserved.

It was at night when something went awry at an industrial building; there was fire and smoke and people were asphyxiated. Then towmen arrived, realizing that the entire building was going to blow to smithereens.

Acting as fast as one might imagine, in spite of the physical obstacles, these men went into the building to drag out the dead, to preserve the bodies for their families.

I recall this incident, as I recall the one with horse-trailer fire, and all the life-saving moments that set these men in motion. On the Medal’s rim are cast the words, “The Simple Act of Bravery.” Words perhaps not so simple, but reflecting the complexity of existence itself, and worthy to be kept on one’s chest even in the final repose, as some of the Medal recipients have willed.

Outsiders who have witnessed Festival Night and the Towman Medal Ceremony are always amazed at what this industry is about.

On November 21, they’ll be amazed again.

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 61

Daimler Names Chief Diversity Officer Daimler Trucks North America (daimler.com) recently announced that Kelley Platt, president of Western Star Trucks, has been assigned the additional responsibility to serve as DTNA’s Chief Diversity Officer and member of the company’s Operating Committee.

The primary purpose of the Chief Diversity Officer ’s position is to ensure alignment of diversity and inclusion strategies with organizational goals.

In addition to Platt’s role as Chief Diversity Officer, her role as President of Western Star Trucks has expanded to include executive oversight of the Western Star Truck Manufacturing Plant in Portland, Ore.

Talbert Adds Sales Manager Talbert Manufacturing recently added Derek Losh as its Great Lakesarea sales manager. Losh, a former mechanical engineer within the industry, will bring experience and a fresh perspective into his new sales leadership role. He will cover a six-state region as he assists customers with Talbert’s (talbertmfg.com) specialized heavy-haul trailers and transportation equipment.

In his new position, Losh will provide dealers and end users with the tools and knowledge necessary to receive the safest and highest level of performance from Talbert’s products.

TomTom Telematics Hits 500k TomTom Telematics recently passed the 500,000 milestone for subscribed vehicles, serving more than 36,000 customers across the globe.

“At a time of widespread consolidation in the fleet management market, TomTom Telematics (business. tomtom.com) stands out as an established global brand with a trusted reputation built on more than 15 years of experience helping customers optimize fleet operations,” said Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director, TomTom Telematics.

“The WEBFLEET Software as a Service platform provides real-time vehicle tracking, driving information and reports about fleet performance.”

Kenworth Quebec Adds Facility Kenworth Quebec recently debuted its 17,000-sq.-ft. full-service facility in Saint-Georges, called Kenworth Beauce. The company (kenworth.com) invested nearly $4 million in the new dealership, which includes a parts warehouse, a parts display area and a driver lounge with Wi-Fi. “Kenworth Beauce is a major, new facility featuring state-of-the-art technology near a key truck route from southern Quebec into southern Maine,” said Robert Cadrin, Kenworth Quebec general manager.

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2014 Silver Star Recipient Garry Leach

Wyo. Bill Targets Abandoned Cars As many as 2,300 vehicles are abandoned in Wyoming every year— and it’s the towing companies and wrecking yards that often end up paying. A bill proposed by a transportation subcommittee would change the rule to allow vehicles valued under $1,500 to get crushed (up from the current $600).

State Rep. Bunky Louks, who chairs the subcommittee, says it wants to eliminate some of the red tape and get abandoned cars crushed and disposed of faster.

“You can’t have a junk car crushed in Wyoming,” he said. “A title has to follow a vehicle all the way through.

They won’t accept a vehicle or even part of a vehicle without a title attached to it.

“They spend literally months and months trying to get possession of it.

It’s expensive and you have to be published in the paper twice. And so trying to find a mechanism for a car that

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isn’t worth much to be deemed junk, as we call it.”

Louks says the full committee will meet at the end of August to discuss the proposed changes.

Source: wyomingpublicmedia.org.

Police Set Prices, New RFP The Shelby Township (Mich.) board of trustees recently awarded the township’s sought-after towing contract to Utica Van Dyke Towing.

Based on the recommendation of the township’s police chief Robert Shelide, the board approved by a 6-1 vote.

According to Shelide, five companies—Utica Van Dyke Towing, Joe Ballor Towing, Jimmy’s Towing, Byers Wrecker Service, and Quick Assist— responded to the township’s Request for Proposals.

The RFPs were sent out after the board voted to implement a new bidding system that asked vendors to adhere to prices established by the Michigan State Police.

The companies were ranked based on

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points they received in four key areas: general location, equipment/tools, licensing/appropriate documentation, and cleanliness/professionalism.

Source: macombdaily.com.

N.J. Companies Fined $55K Six New Jersey towing companies charged with illegally removing cars, charging motorists with high fees and other violations of the state’s predatory towing prevention law have agreed to collectively pay $55,000 in fines under settlements by acting state Attorney General John Hoffman.

The predatory towing prevention act, signed into law in 2009, prohibits towing companies from charging rates deemed excessive by the state, “trolling” for cars without the property owners’ consent, failing to maintain records and an impound lot, and removing cars from areas that lack signs clearly stating the area is a tow-away zone.

The towing companies agreed to pay without admitting wrongdoing.

Source: nj.com.

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 65

Dirt Limited Access Complicates Recovery Scene

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

N

ull's is a family owned business started in 1958 by Charles "Chic" Null. His son Dain has run the company since 1989; Dain’s sons Latta, Dain and Jared joined him.

On June 11, Null’s was called to respond to a job site for an overturned dump truck and immediately dispatched Jared in a 2013 Western Star/2013 NRC 50/65 65-ton sliding rotator. They also dispatched operator Jerry Stoltzfus in a Western Star/ NRC 40/50 50-ton sliding rotator.

The dump truck still had approximately half of its load of dirt still on board, with the body in the raised

Dump

position. The rear suspension on the truck suffered major damage. The truck was lying on the driver's side on a very steep, non-packed, dirt pile. The cylinder, which raises the dump bed and controls how the dump bed lowers, was severely compromised as a result of the overturn.

There was no access to the back of the truck. There were dirt piles to the left and the right of the truck. The construction company had piled dirt in front of the truck to contain any possible fluid spills.

“We advised the crawler loader operator that was on scene of what dirt needed to be moved to allow for the

heavy-duty sliding rotator recovery units to make access to the dump truck to begin the recovery,” Null said.

“While the crawler loader worked to clear the dirt that we had requested, our operators established a rigging plan for the recovery.”

Once the dirt was removed, the two sliding rotators were put into position to begin the recovery.

The sliding rotator that was to be placed on the low side was unable to back as far up the hill as initially planned due to a lack of traction on the loosely packed steep pile. The other sliding rotator backed up the hill and positioned in front of the dump truck.

Both rotators were set-up on work platforms. Ice cleats kept the trucks from sliding down the hill.

The rotator on the low side rotated its boom clockwise to spike the suspension on the dump truck. Additionally, this rotator would provide a control line to help lower the dump truck to the upright position.

The rotator at the front of the dump truck rotated its boom clockwise as well. The boom was extended and the mast slid to the rear of the truck.

Rigging began with straps placed around the body behind the cylinder.

Edge protectors were put in place between the straps and the corners of The rear suspension on the truck suffered major damage.

66 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

The cylinder (left), which raises the dump bed, was severely compromised.

Both rotators (below) were set-up on work platforms; ice cleats kept the trucks from sliding down the hill.

the body to prevent any damage to the straps. These straps were connected to the rotator at the front of the dump truck.

Chains secured the rear suspension and axles to the dump truck's frame to prevent further damage during the uprighting process. Additionally, chains were connected from the front axle to the frame to hold it in place for the upright.

“Once all rigging was in place,” said Null, “the lines were tensioned. The rigging was checked for proper connections. We then donned our wireless communication headsets and began the uprighting process.”

The rotators worked together to lift the dump bed off the ground and begin to collapse the damaged cylinder, as the dump truck was being uprighted. Once uprighted, the dump truck would not stay upright due to the damage to the suspension and the partial load still being on-board.

At that point, the back of the truck was lifted by the rotator at the front of the dump truck to take the weight off the suspension. Once lifted, the other rotator winched the suspension back in place so that the dump truck's frame could be lowered back onto it. Once in place, the dump truck was lowered back to the ground.

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the dump truck and towed it down off of the pile so that it could hook to the rear of the dump truck to tow it from the scene.

“Once off of the pile, one of the rotators then hooked to the rear of the dump truck. We worked to shovel the load in the bed to help level it out. Wireless tow lights and secondary attachments were installed on the dump truck and the exhaust was covered.”

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 read it each week.

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti, a longtime editor of American Towman, has been our field editor for the past few years. He is a freelance writer and photographer with more than 40 years of experience covering motorcycle, hot rod, truck and towing culture. He writes weekly for TowIndustryWeek.com.

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 67

How Much Is Too Much?

Group photo from the benefit for Jeff Lowe’s family, with many wearing the T-shirts for sale through the “Repoman Lives Matter” Facebook page.

by Mark Lacek

I

t was about 2 a.m. on June 9 when Jeff Lowe stepped into the cab of his tow truck and went to work. Jeff’s daughter Ashleigh was graduating from middle school that day and he didn’t want to work too late, so he could get some rest before the ceremony later that day.

Jeff never made it back home; he was murdered during a repossession attempt in Fullerton, N.C. Jeff had just backed into a driveway and hooked to the collateral, a Ford F-150, and was ready to pull out of the driveway when he was ambushed. Two men, a father and son, stormed out of the double-wide trailer home and unloaded their shotguns into the cab of the tow truck. Jeff died right there in the dark driveway, from a shotgun blast to his head.

Jeff owned and managed a small repossession company in Columbus County, N.C. Like many of us, he tried his best to deliver a quality service to his clients. Jeff’s friends will tell you he always treated people fairly when repossessing their cars, many times making sure child seats and medication were delivered back to the persons home.

Jeff’s friend Ken Dahlstrom worked as a manager of a repossession company as well as a collection account manager for a local lender. Dahlstrom, in his distraught over the incident, described Jeff as a loving father who no longer will be able to walk his daughter Allie down the aisle when she is married next year. Jeff Jr., 16, will graduate high school next year without his Dad there. His son Cole, 8, cannot practice baseball with his Dad anymore.

Jeff was 37 years young when he was brutally murdered in June. On June 11, a judge denied bond for the accused father and son, charged with murder. Hope68 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

fully, justice will be served in North Carolina for these two.

Dahlstrom and some of Jeff’s friends opened a website for donations for the family at www.gofundme.com/xeqyaw.

Dahlstrom also created a Facebook page, “Repoman Lives Matter,” to help promote safety in the repossession industry community.

As they have done so often in the past, The Recovery Agent Benefit Fund quickly donated $5,000 to help in the burial expenses. The RABF has contributed more than $250,000 to 50-plus families of repossessors who have fallen on exceptionally hard times due to debilitating injury, illness or death, thanks in great part to the work of Mike Reiter, Ed Marcum and Jim Clark.

Why? Again we must ask ourselves why this has happened. What causes people to think it is justifiable to attack a repossessor?

Could it be the way the media portrays the repossession industry on socalled “reality” television? I believe programs such as “Operation Repo,” “Lizard Lick Towing,” “Airplane Repo” and “South Beach Tow” have a lot to do with violence against repossessors. Too often, shows like these display repo men and women committing acts of violence against consumers.

I have watched all of these ridiculous shows and can honestly say that none of them portray the real goings-on of a professional repossession company. What kind of fool would jump into an airplane and fly it away? The last time my company repossessed an airplane, we rented a hangar next to where the plane was parked and pulled it inside with a tug. We locked the doors and called it secure. That

is how to repossess an airplane. A repossessed airplane is allowed to fly only after it has undergone a complete maintenance check. Anyone who tells you different needs to check their ego at the door.

My company was highlighted on a show many years ago. There were no confrontations. It was so boring, the producers wanted me to fake some arguments, I told them to take a hike.

Over the years I have met just about every repossession insurance provider throughout the industry. All have told me they have advised their policy-holders that if they are part of a reality TV show, their coverage will be cancelled—period.

Consumers watching these shows believe what they see. They are led to believe repossessors are dangerous. Obviously, some consumers are in so much fear that they feel the need to protect themselves with violence.

I think if enough of us turn these shows off, they might just go away. To the producers and actors on these repossession reality shows: I want you to think about Jeff Lowe and his family and the four children who will not have a father as they grow up. Every time a repossessor suffers an act of violence on the job, you should feel partially responsible.

Jeff did not have a chance, evil came out of the house so fast there wasn’t time for him to even get away. I am so sorry for the family Jeff has left behind.

Just like any other hard-working American, all Jeff wanted to do is go to work and do a good job, then come home and spend some time with his loved ones.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek has more than 30 years of recovery experience and is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 69

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631-531-0673 For info please call Craig R. Nadolny “CALL FOR DETAILS” on all units

To Advertise In Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com Dennie Ortiz x 213 dortiz@towman.com 70 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • 71

First Michigan JFB

Tech Highlights

by Brendan Dooley

I

n Royal Oak, Mich., just northwest of Detroit, A&M Towing was founded in 1981. The company now serves most of Oakland County and beyond from locations in Royal Oak and Troy, with many calls coming from the arterial I-75 that runs right through.

Owner Tony Valente runs the fleet of 30 Jerr-Dan wreckers and four service trucks with his brother and sons.

The largest truck, acquired in June 2014, is this 2015 Kenworth T800/Jerr-Dan JFB 60-ton rotator that not only works hard, but serves as a PR magnet for A&M. It also was the first JFB unit in Michigan.

“I’ve got a billboard here,” Valente said.

In fact, he did an open house to show the unit to the Troy Fire Department that gained attention from neighboring departments as well.

“Those other cities saw it and loved how it’s setup [for incident management]; they liked

A&M Towing, in Royal Oak and Troy, Mich., brought the first Jerr-Dan JFB rotator to the state; they included the extralong wheel-lift option.

how the Oil Dri is setup, the airbags, and how all straps are in order, and the chain rack,” Valente said. “They liked that it was setup like an emergency fire truck.”

Valente likes that the truck is easy to use as well.

“This truck is definitely workfriendly,” he said. “Everything is easy to get to. The pull-out drawers and organization in the boxes make everything easy to find, down to any little chains.”

Shane Coleman, Jerr-Dan HeavyDuty Product Manager, grew up in his family business in Troy as a friendly competitor with A&M just up the road and knows the area well.

“Troy is 36 square miles and I-75 basically cuts the city in half,” Coleman said. “Any given day will see Hazmat, rail cars, gravel trains, steel haulers, general freight haulers come through. The volume of traffic is wide and varied [making a

market] for this big truck.”

Valente said one of the more memorable jobs they did with the JFB was for a car that landed upside down across some new Cadillacs in a dealer lot.

“He hit the curb and went airborne. We needed to preserve the evidence and limit damage—the JFB worked great and plenty of people were taking pics,” he said.

They also were called out for a car on I-75 that was upside down between the guradrails.

“We flipped it over, brought it up and placed it on the flatbed all in one go,” Valente said. “Police were fairly impressed with that one because we only used one lane and kept the whole freeway basically open.”

Valente said he saw the JFB first when it debuted at the AT Expo in Baltimore in 2013.

“If it had been white, I’d have bought it,” he joked.

This unit came from Worldwide Equipment Sales and follows the

Chassis: 2015 Kenworth T800.

Wrecker: Jerr-Dan JFB 60-ton rotator.

Engine: Cummins ISX 600.

Trans: Eaton 18-speed.

Winches: Two 50,000-lbs. main winches, two 20,000-lbs. turret winches, one 30,000lbs. drag winch.

Equipment: Jerr-Dan RISC-specified equipment package/rigging kit, high-pressure air cushions.

same green graphics on white body of the rest of A&M’s fleet. Green flames also adorn some areas on the body and hood of the T800.

It’s outfitted with the Jerr-Dan incident management package of rigging and equipment, five winches, and the extra-long wheel lift option.

Tony recounted a tow he did with the JFB last winter of a plow

truck fully loaded with salt where the lift came in handy.

“I picked it up from the rear like it was butter and towed it in,” he said. “This is a very impressive truck … I’d buy another one in a heart beat.”

Coleman said that Valente and A&M keep camaraderie of the ’70s and ’80s alive, “when towing companies looked out for each other. Tony has a relationship with tow companies around him to get to scenes when he can’t and make a trade.”

“There’s enough work out there for everybody,” Valente added. “It’s better to keep a good relationship with other tow companies and you’ll go a long way.”

The green graphics on white body follows the graphics scheme of the rest of the A&M fleet.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

September 2015 • 73

Pioneering Traffic Control

by Steve Calitri

I

love the tow boss sparked by inge- Scene Clean, to handle all accident nuity and innovation, particularly remediation. This has been a signifithe ones who find new ways to cant new revenue source for Bill the make new money, like Bill Johnson past three years. of Hampshire Towing in MassachuBill is the classic diversifier. Out of setts and Bruce Campbell of Standish his one shop he provides towing, auto Towing and Recovery in Alberta, repair, body work, accident remediaCanada. We should all salute them. tion, oil delivery, car rental (Hertz) Campbell has identified traffic and credit-card processing; each opercontrol as a new revenue stream, setation feeds one or two of the others. ting up a separate company, Standish Bill is conducting a seminar as well in Traffic Control, to perform the service.

Baltimore that could be called the “art Like the ice cream vendor of diversification.” who first charged for sprinTo survive and thrive in kles, or the restauranteur the towing industry, a tow who pioneered the à la carte boss must find ways to genmenu, Campbell saw that erate revenue with the traffic control could be an equipment he has invested added-value service. He’s in. Carriers, trailers and rotagiving a seminar in Baltimore tors open up new revenue at the American Towman opportunities for the savvy Bruce Campbell tow boss. In the case of Academy in November to share how he’s doing it.

Campbell and Johnson, they During this writing he was hanhave found ways to identify opportudling the recovery of a tractor-trailer nities within their service domain. on a major artery. Bruce said it would They are our industry’s trailblazers. take about two days of recovery work The American Towman Academy, and traffic management. He said which offers about 30 seminars each Standish Traffic would bill out year in Baltimore, likes the challenge approximately $19,000 for services. of being a trailblazing force. Other On the smallest job involving a car Conference seminars this year that fit down on the side of the road, Stanthat description will be the ones dish Traffic would bill out a minimum offered by the motor clubs on Getting of $189 (first hour).

Paid. Here eight clubs will individuCampbell said though he started a ally present seminars on procedures separate entity for providing the serand policies required for payment. vice, it can be provided and billed out Towers who want to be on the same by the towing company directly. page with the clubs they service Setting up traffic control manageshould check out the program at ment as an adjunct to one’s towing ATExposition.com. business makes sense, just as accident cleanup made sense for Bill Johnson, who set up another company, Amber

74 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

American Towman wants towers to stay abreast of the product and equipment info they need, from wreckers and chassis to work gloves and wire rope. That’s why there are product pages in each issue of American Towman, plus updates from the manufacturers in each issue’s Supplier Scoop segments. For instance, Chevy reentering the medium-duty market next year is news buyers can use.

Online at TowIndustryWeek. com, we keep equipment info coming on the weekly Product page. In recent weeks, we’ve covered everything from Sava’s Hazmat Kits to Landoll updates on the 400 Series traveling-axle trailers to Access Tools’ Big Max Jack Set to Miller Industries’ 10 Series Generation II carrier line.

For American Towman TV, Emily Oz is no stranger to covering the equipment in this industry.

Recent videos on ATTV.com show live demos of the Century 1150S rotator and Jerr-Dan’s JFB 60-ton rotator from the American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas this spring.

It’s great to see all this coverage of the tools and gear you need in print, online and in video format, but don’t miss your best chance of the year to see the most trucks and equipment in one place and talk to the suppliers directly. Where? At the world’s biggest towing show: The American Towman Exposition in the Baltimore (Md.) Convention Center from Nov. 19-22, of course.

Learn more about the Expo’s training, seminars, vendors and more in the brochure in this issue or online at atexposition.com.

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TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • NORTH 75

Damage Claims

Where Is the Line on Expectations Vs. Reality?

by Don Archer

H

ave you ever been called to a difficult recovery that you wish you hadn’t? You know, one of those accidents that the vehicle looks to have no damage at all? The challenge, of course, is removing it without causing damage. You do everything within your power. But, short of calling out a helicopter or getting a rotator involved, many times there’s nothing that can be done.

Every tow company owner knows this frustration.

In these instances, photo documentation can explain the situation.

Documentation helps the insurance company to understand that the damage was not due to negligence, but was a direct result of the initial accident.

However, the insurance company can be the least of your worries. You need to be more concerned about what the owner believes.

Even with photo documentation and a signed release in hand, the vehicle owner may still contest your claims if damage occurs. Of course while you’re there solving the problem, they’ll be sweet as pie. They might even bring you a glass of lemonade on a warm day. But as soon as you’re gone and the reality of a $1,000 deductible sinks in, you’ll turn into an inept, bumbling chain-slinger.

Tow truck operators are not free from the responsibility of avoiding collateral damage. We’re keenly aware of motorists’ expectations and do everything in our power to minimize even the smallest dings and scratches.

But where do you draw the line?

Call in your heavy, even the rotator if necessary, and get to work.

But, if full coverage insurance isn’t in place and there’s no way you’ll be able to come out ahead using your heavy to recover a 2003 Buick with liability-only insurance, you’ll need to go to plan B.

Plan B A signed release is not something you’ll want to use on every call, but it’s a good idea when the vehicle’s not already damaged and you’re looking at a difficult recovery.

Where does the liability for damages transfer from the person who put the vehicle in the woods to the person removing it? The answer many outside the industry will give is “once it’s on the hook.” However, the right answer is … there is no line.

I’ve got a few tips on how to avoid the finger-pointing altogether.

Plan A Go out of your way to solve the problem without damage.

This sounds obvious, but it does come with some stipulations. Take your time to assess the situation and determine if the owner has comprehensive coverage. Inform them that in order to do the job without causing additional damage you’ll need more equipment and manpower, which means it’ll cost more. If they’re covered and understand that this will be an insurance claim, then gather all the equipment and manpower necessary.

NORTH 76 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Get buy-in from the vehicle owner.

If you’ve determined that only liability coverage is in place and you fear you’re on the scene of a potential damage claim, have the customer understand the situation. Again, take time to assess the situation and involve the vehicle owner in the thinking process.

Keeping them involved alerts them to the difficulties you face. Ask questions: Can we drive in the grass? Can we take out this section of fence? Cut down a tree? All the while you’re preparing them for the possibility that damage may result.

Signed Release After you’ve collaborated with the vehicle owner and successfully gotten them to buy-in to the increased level of difficulty and the potential for loss, get them to sign a release. It doesn’t need to be elaborate; just a half-page form that states that the owner understands that any damages will be as a result of the accident—not your negligence.

A signed release is not something you’ll want to use on every call, because it may raise more questions than you care to answer. However, when the vehicle’s not already dam-

aged and you’re looking at a difficult recovery, it’s a good idea.

It’s a good idea even if comprehensive coverage is in place.

Even with this increased attention to detail, you’ll never be able to avoid all claims of damage. You’ll undoubtedly scare off a few customers and lose a few recovery jobs; but you’ll come out ahead in the long run when you save on your deductible and insurance premiums.

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 read it 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.

He writes a weekly column for TowIndustryWeek.com. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..

Number 171 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • NORTH 77

Flatbed Sendoff for Former N.J. Tower More than 40 New Jersey towers were parked at Par-Troy Funeral Home in Parsippany to pay final respects to Robert Paul “Butch” Hubert. Hubert, 69, who died on July 14 at his home in Blackstone, Va. Hubert moved his business to Virginia in 1998, but the longtime Whippany resident and businessman was honored in New Jersey. At least a dozen police officers joined Hubert’s family and extended family from the Garden State Towing Association for one final ride.

“He was a friend to all,” said Mike Corigliano, who runs his family’s towing service in Parsippany and describes himself as Hubert’s “devoted best friend.” “It didn’t matter who you were or how much money you had. If you needed help, he was there to help you.”

Fire and emergency vehicles from Whippany, Cedar Knolls, Boonton and elsewhere joined the tow-truck caravan.

Hubert was a member of the Garden State Towing Association, the Towing and Recovery Association of America, the Virginia Towing Association and the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.

Hubert, a Navy veteran, was buried with full military honors.

Source: dailyrecord.com.

Company Seeks Damages from Deceased’s Family A Belleville, Ill., towing company is suing a woman’s estate following a fatal accident in Christian County, accusing the deceased woman of crossing the center line and causing damages to a tow truck.

All Cities Recovery Agency filed a lawsuit naming representative Gregory Skinner as defendant for the estate of Ashley Kraemer Tapperson.

The action is an attempt to recover property damages allegedly sustained in the 2010 highway collision.

The suit accuses the defendant

with failing to control her automobile, keep a proper lookout for traffic, slow down, stop and swerve to avoid the accident, drive with adequate brakes and yield the right of way. The lawsuit also alleges Tapperson was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The lawsuit states that as a direct and proximate result of the defendant’s wrongful acts or omissions, the plaintiff sustained property damage including the loss of use of the truck and related costs.

All Cities Recovery Agency seeks more than $75,000, plus attorney fees and costs.

Source: madisonrecord.com.

Pink Tow Truck Honors Tower’s Late Mother A pink tow truck might be a rare sight for many, but not those who live in Columbia, S.C. Residents can see the bright vehicle cruising around with David Bates from Columbia Auto Parts behind the steering wheel.

Bates started working for Columbia Auto Parts in January 2014 and wanted a pink truck. He said he kept bugging his boss to make it happen.

“We have one thing in common.

We both lost our mothers to the same disease, he is just more vocal about it,” said Scott Horton, owner of Columbia Auto Parts. “I kept ignoring him about it and then one day I decided to paint my white truck pink.”

“Well, when people see pink, they think cancer, but I have lavender ribbons painted on here too to represent all cancers,” Bates said.

Bates is the main driver of the pink wrecker and he says he gets a mix of reactions from people in the community.

“Young people laugh at first, until they find out why a man like me drives a pink truck,” he said. “Then I usually get hugs or handshakes.”

Bates said he hopes his unique truck will tell his story and spread awareness about the importance of family.

“Always stick with your family.

You might lose friends or girlfriends,

NORTH 78 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

but you always have your family,” he said. “Family should always stick together.”

Source: coladaily.com.

Police: Man Assaults Tower A driver was charged with vehicular assault after he ran over a tow truck driver who was attempting to tow his car in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Police reported Allen Simpson Jr., 52, drove his vehicle off the wrecker lift as it was being towed away after it was illegally parked in a designated lot.

According to an affidavit, the tow truck driver was struck as Simpson recklessly fled the scene in his vehicle.

The tow truck driver was reportedly knocked to the ground during the assault. Simpson was booked and charged with vehicular assault with bond was set at $2,500.

Source: wkrn.com.

Former Aide, Tow Owner Charged An owner-operator of a tow truck company and a former Miami-Dade (Fla.) police department public service aide were charged with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act and accepting and paying bribes concerning a local governmental agency receiving federal funds.

According to the complaint, the tow company owner had been receiving kickbacks from an FBI informant and paying bribes to the public service aide. The FBI subsequently corroborated an informant’s allegations during a series of recorded meetings between the informant, the aide and tow company owner.

The recordings revealed that the tow company owner admitted paying the public service aide for accident information, which in turn the tow company owner would use to illegally solicit stranded drivers for business.

Both were recorded on multiple occasions participating in the illegal towing scheme.

The complaint further alleges that

Co-Sponsor:

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Send in your Photos or Video of your Recovery. You will be contacted for your recovery details. Recovery must have been performed anytime in the years 2001-2014

Name:

Title:

Company: Address:

Phone:

City: Email Address:

State:

Zip Code:

Choose The Most Challenging Recovery Your Company Performed With Excellence Classes: Light-, Medium-, Heavy-Duty

Hosted by:

Note: Applicant agrees to give American Towman exclusive editorial rights on submitted material, text and photographs, for one full year.

Mail to: Brendan Dooley, Editor American Towman: 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 Phone: 800-732-3869 x209 • Email: bdooley@towman.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • NORTH 79

in order to further document the illicit relationship between the tow company owner and the aide, the informant asked the tow company owner if he knew anyone who could collect confidential information regarding accident victims. The informant indicated he knew a corrupt chiropractor who would use the confidential information to illegally solicit the accident victims for business. The tow company owner suggested the aide.

Between September 2014 and October 2014, the public service aide accessed and collected the confidential personal information of dozens of accident victims from police department databases. The aide and the tow company owner sold this information to the informant in return for $4,200 in cash payments. Those transactions were also recorded.

In January 2015, the public service aide was interviewed by the FBI and confessed to his part in the various kickback schemes. He admitted receiving more than $10,000 worth of bribes from the tow company owner between January 2014 and January 2015. The public service aide also admitted receiving bribes from the informant for his role in the plot to steal accident victim’s personal information for use by the corrupt doctor.

Both the tow company owner and the public service aide were charged with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. In addition they are also charged with accepting and paying bribes to and from the police department, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Source: justice.gov.

sales to financing, whether our customers need one reliable delivery truck or a large fleet, Rig Tough Used TrucksDallas is ready to help find solutions for our customers,” he added.

Rush Enterprises is a service provider to the commercial vehicle industry, and owns and operates a large network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States, representing truck and bus manufacturers.

Source: rushenterprises.com.

Rig Tough Opens in Dallas

A fire that damaged Jamie Davis Towing in Edmonton, Canada, July 24 began inside a vehicle parked at the facility.

Smoke was billowing from the building when fire crews arrived at around 8 a.m., but they managed to contain the blaze.

“There is some smoke damage throughout the building, but the fire was contained to the vehicle in the back,” said Capt. Brian Hoekstra, with

Rush Enterprises Inc. has acquired certain assets of Dallas Truck Center, a used truck dealership in Irving, Texas. The newly acquired dealership is operating as Rig Tough Used Trucks-Dallas.

“Rig Tough Used Trucks helps support our customers with their used truck needs,” said Trey Golden, VP Used Trucks, Rush Enterprises. “From

Sgarlato Honored with Procession Richard “Dick” Sgarlato, a longtime Campbell, Calif., resident and owner of Dick’s Towing, died July 5 in his Dana Point home in Southern California after a battle with liver cancer.

He was 85.

Sgarlato was remembered on July 24 with a 2-1/2-mile procession of tow trucks led by the Campbell Police Department. The procession started at Dick’s Towing and continued on to Bethel Church where Sgarlato’s funeral was held.

Sgarlato founded Dick’s Automotive Transport in 1957. His towing business began with just one truck and grew to a fleet of 25 trucks with 50 employees.

Sgarlato handed over ownership of the company in 1990 to his sons Greg, Ron, Glenn and Steve. A few of his grandsons even work there, making it a third-generation family business. Sgarlato retired to Southern California soon after handing over the business to his sons.

Source: mercurynews.com.

Fire at Jamie Davis Towing

NORTH 80 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Crews were concerned before entering the building.

“In garages sometimes there’s propane tanks et cetera: oxyacetylene torches, whatever. So any hazardous material such as that would obviously pose a hazard, but the guys contained it to the vehicle in question,” said Hoekstra.

There is no word on how much damage the fire caused.

Source: globalnews.ca.

Probation for Terroristic Threats A Hatfield, Pa., man faces several years of court supervision and must surrender his handgun for threatening two agents attempting to repossess a vehicle in his driveway.

Michael F. Smith, 55, was sentenced to four years of probation after he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of terroristic threats in connection with a January incident outside his home. Judge Wendy DemchickAlloy accepted a plea agreement and ordered Smith to forfeit his firearm to county detectives.

With his guilty plea, Smith admitted that he threatened to commit a crime of violence with intent to terrorize others.

Smith initially contacted authorities to report that a repo company was trying to take a vehicle from his property and revealed that he had “pulled a gun on the tow driver,” according to the criminal complaint. Smith told police that he was asleep and was awakened by his dogs and observed someone taking a relative’s car, which was parked in his driveway.

Smith retrieved his handgun and went outside to confront the two people in his driveway, according to the complaint.

At one point during the disturbance, one of the victims informed Smith he was being video- and audiorecorded. Police said they reviewed the video recording and saw Smith pointing the handgun at the victim and threatening violence, according to the complaint.

Source: pottsmerc.com.

Copyright 2015 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.

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

Number 113 on Reader Card

Number 105 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • SOUTH 75

Pink Tow Truck Honors Tower’s Late Mother

Number 170 on Reader Card

A pink tow truck might be a rare sight for many, but not those who live in Columbia, S.C. Residents can see the bright vehicle cruising around with David Bates from Columbia Auto Parts behind the steering wheel.

Bates started working for Columbia Auto Parts in January 2014 and wanted a pink truck. He said he kept bugging his boss to make it happen.

“We have one thing in common.

We both lost our mothers to the same disease, he is just more vocal about it,” said Scott Horton, owner of Columbia Auto Parts. “I kept ignoring him about it and then one day I decided to paint my white truck pink.”

“Well, when people see pink, they think cancer, but I have lavender ribbons painted on here too to represent all cancers,” Bates said.

Bates is the main driver of the pink wrecker and he says he gets a mix of reactions from people in the community.

“Young people laugh at first, until they find out why a man like me drives a pink truck,” he said.

“Then I usually get hugs or handshakes.”

Bates said he hopes his unique truck will tell his story and spread awareness about the importance of family.

“Always stick with your family.

You might lose friends or girlfriends, but you always have your family,” he said. “Family should always stick together.”

Source: coladaily.com.

Police: Man Assaults Tower

Number 180 on Reader Card

SOUTH 76 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

A driver was charged with vehicular assault after he ran over a tow truck driver who was attempting to tow his car in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Police reported Allen Simpson Jr., 52, drove his vehicle off the wrecker lift as it was being towed away after it

Number 179 on Reader Card

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Number 135 on Reader Card

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • SOUTH 77

was illegally parked in a designated lot.

According to an affidavit, the tow truck driver was struck as Simpson recklessly fled the scene in his vehicle.

The tow truck driver was reportedly knocked to the ground during the assault. Simpson was booked and charged with vehicular assault with bond was set at $2,500.

Source: krn.com.

Former Aide, Tow Owner Charged An owner-operator of a tow truck company and a former Miami-Dade (Fla.) police department public service aide were charged with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act and accepting and paying bribes concerning a local governmental agency receiving federal funds.

According to the complaint, the tow company owner had been receiving kickbacks from an FBI informant and paying bribes to the public service aide. The FBI subsequently corroborated an informant’s allegations during a series of recorded meetings between the informant, the aide and tow company owner.

The recordings revealed that the tow company owner admitted paying the public service aide for accident information.

Between September 2014 and October 2014, the public service aide accessed and collected the confidential personal information of dozens of accident victims from police department databases. The aide and the tow company owner sold this information to the informant in return for $4,200 in cash payments. Those transactions were also recorded.

In January 2015, the public service aide was interviewed by the FBI and confessed to his part in the various kickback schemes. He admitted receiving more than $10,000 worth of bribes from the tow company owner between January 2014 and January 2015. The public service aide also admitted receiving bribes from the informant for his role in the plot to steal accident victim’s personal information for use by the corrupt doctor.

Source: justice.gov.

SOUTH 78 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Co-Sponsor:

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Send in your Photos or Video of your Recovery. You will be contacted for your recovery details. Recovery must have been performed anytime in the years 2001-2014

Name:

Title:

Company: Address:

Phone:

City: Email Address:

State:

Zip Code:

Choose The Most Challenging Recovery Your Company Performed With Excellence Classes: Light-, Medium-, Heavy-Duty

Hosted by:

Note: Applicant agrees to give American Towman exclusive editorial rights on submitted material, text and photographs, for one full year.

Mail to: Brendan Dooley, Editor American Towman: 7 West Street, Warwick, NY 10990 Phone: 800-732-3869 x209 • Email: bdooley@towman.com

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • SOUTH 79

Damage Claims Where Is the Line on Expectations Vs. Reality?

by Don Archer

H

ave you ever been called to a difficult recovery that you wish you hadn’t? You know, one of those accidents that the vehicle looks to have no damage at all? The challenge, of course, is removing it without causing damage. You do everything within your power. But, short of calling out a helicopter or getting a rotator involved, many times there’s nothing that can be done.

Every tow company owner knows this frustration.

In these instances, photo documentation can explain the situation.

Documentation helps the insurance company to understand that the damage was not due to negligence, but was a direct result of the initial accident.

However, the insurance company can be the least of your worries. You need to be more concerned about what the owner believes.

Even with photo documentation and a signed release in hand, the vehicle owner may still contest your claims if damage occurs. Of course while you’re there solving the problem, they’ll be sweet as pie. They might even bring you a glass of lemonade on a warm day. But as soon as you’re gone and the reality of a $1,000 deductible sinks in, you’ll turn into an inept, bumbling chain-slinger.

Tow truck operators are not free from the responsibility of avoiding collateral damage. We’re keenly aware of motorists’ expectations and do everything in our power to minimize even the smallest dings and scratches.

But where do you draw the line?

Where does the liability for damages transfer from the person who put the vehicle in the woods to the person

removing it? The answer many outside the industry will give is “once it’s on the hook.” However, the right answer is … there is no line.

I’ve got a few tips on how to avoid the finger-pointing altogether.

Plan A Go out of your way to solve the problem without damage.

This sounds obvious, but it does come with some stipulations. Take your time to assess the situation and determine if the owner has comprehensive coverage. Inform them that in order to do the job without causing additional damage you’ll need more equipment and manpower, which means it’ll cost more. If they’re covered and understand that this will be an insurance claim, then gather all the equipment and manpower necessary.

Call in your heavy, even the rotator if necessary, and get to work.

But, if full coverage insurance isn’t in place and there’s no way you’ll be able to come out ahead using your heavy to recover a 2003 Buick with liability-only insurance, you’ll need to go to plan B.

Plan B Get buy-in from the vehicle owner.

If you’ve determined that only liability coverage is in place and you fear you’re on the scene of a potential damage claim, have the customer understand the situation. Again, take time to assess the situation and involve the vehicle owner in the thinking process.

Keeping them involved alerts them to the difficulties you face. Ask questions: Can we drive in the grass? Can we take out this section of fence? Cut down a tree? All the while you’re

SOUTH 80 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

preparing them for the possibility that damage may result.

Signed Release After you’ve collaborated with the vehicle owner and successfully gotten them to buy-in to the increased level of difficulty and the potential for loss, get them to sign a release. It doesn’t need to be elaborate; just a half-page form that states that the owner understands that any damages will be as a result of the accident—not your negligence.

A signed release is not something you’ll want to use on every call, because it may raise more questions than you care to answer. However, when the vehicle’s not already damaged and you’re looking at a difficult recovery, it’s a good idea.

It’s a good idea even if comprehensive coverage is in place.

Even with this increased attention to detail, you’ll never be able to avoid all claims of damage. You’ll undoubtedly scare off a few customers and lose a few recovery jobs; but you’ll come out ahead in the long run when you save on your deductible and insurance premiums.

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 read it 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.

He writes a weekly column for TowIndustryWeek.com. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..

Number 189 on Reader Card

Number 138 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • MIDWEST 75

Police: Man Assaults Tower A driver was charged with vehicular assault after he ran over a tow truck driver who was attempting to tow his car in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Police reported Allen Simpson Jr., 52, drove his vehicle off the wrecker lift as it was being towed away after it was illegally parked in a designated lot.

According to an affidavit, the tow truck driver was struck as Simpson recklessly fled the scene in his vehicle.

The tow truck driver was reportedly knocked to the ground during the assault. Simpson was booked and charged with vehicular assault with bond was set at $2,500.

Source: wkrn.com.

Number 119 on Reader Card

Number 193 on Reader Card

MIDWEST 76 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

Former Aide, Tow Owner Charged An owner-operator of a tow truck company and a former Miami-Dade (Fla.) police department public service aide were charged with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act and accepting and paying bribes concerning a local governmental agency receiving federal funds.

According to the complaint, the tow company owner had been receiving kickbacks from an FBI informant and paying bribes to the public service aide. The FBI subsequently corroborated an informant’s allegations during a series of recorded meetings between the informant, the aide and tow company owner.

The recordings revealed that the tow company owner admitted paying the public service aide for accident information, which in turn the tow company owner would use to illegally solicit stranded drivers for business.

Both were recorded on multiple occasions participating in the illegal towing scheme.

The complaint further alleges that in order to further document the illicit relationship between the tow

*Visit us at the Midwestern Regional Tow Show & the Tenn show at Chattanooga

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Number 148 on Reader Card Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • MIDWEST 77

*Visit us at the Midwestern Regional Tow Show next to the Miller booth

Number 134 on Reader Card

company owner and the aide, the informant asked the tow company owner if he knew anyone who could collect confidential information regarding accident victims. The informant indicated he knew a corrupt chiropractor who would use the confidential information to illegally solicit the accident victims for business. The tow company owner suggested the aide.

Between September 2014 and October 2014, the public service aide accessed and collected the confidential personal information of dozens of accident victims from police department databases. The aide and the tow company owner sold this information to the informant in return for $4,200 in cash payments. Those transactions were also recorded.

In January 2015, the public service aide was interviewed by the FBI and confessed to his part in the various kickback schemes. He admitted receiving more than $10,000 worth of bribes from the tow company owner between January 2014 and January 2015. The public service aide also admitted receiving bribes from the informant for his role in the plot to steal accident victim’s personal information for use by the corrupt doctor.

Both the tow company owner and the public service aide were charged with conspiring to violate the Hobbs Act, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. In addition they are also charged with accepting and paying bribes to and from the police department, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Source: justice.gov.

Fire at Jamie Davis Towing A fire that damaged Jamie Davis Towing in Edmonton, Canada, July 24 began inside a vehicle parked at the facility.

Smoke was billowing from the building when fire crews arrived at around 8 a.m., but they managed to contain the blaze.

“There is some smoke damage throughout the building, but the fire MIDWEST 78 • September 2015 - TOWMAN.COM

was contained to the vehicle in the back,” said Capt. Brian Hoekstra, with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Crews were concerned before entering the building.

“In garages sometimes there’s propane tanks et cetera: oxyacetylene torches, whatever. So any hazardous material such as that would obviously pose a hazard, but the guys contained it to the vehicle in question,” said Hoekstra.

There is no word on how much damage the fire caused.

Source: globalnews.ca.

Company Seeks Damages from Deceased’s Family A Belleville, Ill., towing company is suing a woman’s estate following a fatal accident in Christian County, accusing the deceased woman of crossing the center line and causing damages to a tow truck.

All Cities Recovery Agency filed a lawsuit naming representative Gregory Skinner as defendant for the estate of Ashley Kraemer Tapperson.

The action is an attempt to recover property damages allegedly sustained in the 2010 highway collision.

The lawsuit also alleges Tapperson was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The suit accuses the defendant with failing to control her automobile, keep a proper lookout for traffic, slow down, stop and swerve to avoid the accident, drive with adequate brakes and yield the right of way. The lawsuit also alleges Tapperson was driving while under the influence of alcohol.

The lawsuit states that as a direct and proximate result of the defendant’s wrongful acts or omissions, the plaintiff sustained property damage including the loss of use of the truck and related costs.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

All Cities Recovery Agency seeks more than $75,000, plus attorney fees and costs.

Source: madisonrecord.com.

Pink Tow Truck Honors Tower’s Late Mother A pink tow truck might be a rare sight for many, but not those who live in Columbia, S.C. Residents can see the bright vehicle cruising around with David Bates from Columbia Auto Parts behind the steering wheel.

Bates started working for Columbia Auto Parts in January 2014 and wanted a pink truck. He said he kept bugging his boss to make it happen.

“We have one thing in common.

We both lost our mothers to the same disease, he is just more vocal about it,” said Scott Horton, owner of Columbia Auto Parts. “I kept ignoring him about it and then one day I decided to paint my white truck pink.”

“Well, when people see pink, they think cancer, but I have lavender ribbons painted on here too to represent all cancers,” Bates said.

Bates is the main driver of the pink wrecker and he says he gets a mix of reactions from people in the community.

“Young people laugh at first, until they find out why a man like me drives a pink truck,” he said. “Then I usually get hugs or handshakes.”

Bates said he hopes his unique truck will tell his story and spread awareness about the importance of family.

“Always stick with your family.

You might lose friends or girlfriends, but you always have your family,” he said. “Family should always stick together.”

Source: coladaily.com.

Rig Tough Opens in Dallas Rush Enterprises Inc. has acquired certain assets of Dallas Truck Center, a used truck dealership in Irving, Texas. The newly acquired dealership is operating as Rig Tough Used Trucks-Dallas.

“Rig Tough Used Trucks helps support our customers with their used truck needs,” said Trey Golden, VP

Used Trucks, Rush Enterprises. “From sales to financing, whether our customers need one reliable delivery truck or a large fleet, Rig Tough Used TrucksDallas is ready to help find solutions for our customers,” he added.

Rush Enterprises is a service provider to the commercial vehicle industry, and owns and operates a large network of commercial vehicle dealerships in the United States, representing truck and bus manufacturers.

Source: rushenterprises.com

Sgarlato Honored with Procession Richard “Dick” Sgarlato, a longtime Campbell, Calif., resident and owner of Dick’s Towing, died July 5 in his Dana Point home in Southern California after a battle with liver cancer.

He was 85.

Sgarlato was remembered on July 24 with a 2-1/2-mile procession of tow trucks led by the Campbell Police Department. The procession started at Dick’s Towing and continued on to Bethel Church where Sgarlato’s funeral was held.

Sgarlato was remembered with a 2-1/2-mile procession of tow trucks led by the Campbell Police Department.

Sgarlato founded Dick’s Automotive Transport in 1957. His towing business began with just one truck and grew to a fleet of 25 trucks with 50 employees.

Sgarlato handed over ownership of the company in 1990 to his sons Greg, Ron, Glenn and Steve. A few of his grandsons even work there, making it a third-generation family business.

Sgarlato retired to Southern California soon after handing over the business to his sons.

Source: mercurynews.com.

TOWMAN.COM - September 2015 • MIDWEST 79

Damage Claims Where Is the Line on Expectations Vs. Reality?

by Don Archer

H

ave you ever been called to a difficult recovery that you wish you hadn’t? You know, one of those accidents that the vehicle looks to have no damage at all? The challenge, of course, is removing it without causing damage. You do everything within your power. But, short of calling out a helicopter or getting a rotator involved, many times there’s nothing that can be done.

Every tow company owner knows this frustration.

In these instances, photo documentation can explain the situation.

Documentation helps the insurance company to understand that the damage was not due to negligence, but was a direct result of the initial accident.

However, the insurance company can be the least of your worries. You need to be more concerned about what the owner believes.

Even with photo documentation and a signed release in hand, the vehicle owner may still contest your claims if damage occurs. Of course while you’re there solving the problem, they’ll be sweet as pie. They might even bring you a glass of lemonade on a warm day. But as soon as you’re gone and the reality of a $1,000 deductible sinks in, you’ll turn into an inept, bumbling chain-slinger.

Tow truck operators are not free from the responsibility of avoiding collateral damage. We’re keenly aware of motorists’ expectations and do everything in our power to minimize even the smallest dings and scratches.

But where do you draw the line?

Where does the liability for damages transfer from the person who put the vehicle in the woods to the person

removing it? The answer many outside the industry will give is “once it’s on the hook.” However, the right answer is … there is no line.

I’ve got a few tips on how to avoid the finger-pointing altogether.

Plan A Go out of your way to solve the problem without damage.

This sounds obvious, but it does come with some stipulations. Take your time to assess the situation and determine if the owner has comprehensive coverage. Inform them that in order to do the job without causing additional damage you’ll need more equipment and manpower, which means it’ll cost more. If they’re covered and understand that this will be an insurance claim, then gather all the equipment and manpower necessary.

Call in your heavy, even the rotator if necessary, and get to work.

But, if full coverage insurance isn’t in place and there’s no way you’ll be able to come out ahead using your heavy to recover a 2003 Buick with liability-only insurance, you’ll need to go to plan B.

Plan B Get buy-in from the vehicle owner.

If you’ve determined that only liability coverage is in place and you fear you’re on the scene of a potential damage claim, have the customer understand the situation. Again, take time to assess the situation and involve the vehicle owner in the thinking process.

Keeping them involved alerts them to the difficulties you face. Ask questions: Can we drive in the grass? Can we take out this section of fence? Cut down a tree? All the while you’re

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preparing them for the possibility that damage may result.

Signed Release After you’ve collaborated with the vehicle owner and successfully gotten them to buy-in to the increased level of difficulty and the potential for loss, get them to sign a release. It doesn’t need to be elaborate; just a half-page form that states that the owner understands that any damages will be as a result of the accident—not your negligence.

A signed release is not something you’ll want to use on every call, because it may raise more questions than you care to answer. However, when the vehicle’s not already damaged and you’re looking at a difficult recovery, it’s a good idea.

It’s a good idea even if comprehensive coverage is in place.

Even with this increased attention to detail, you’ll never be able to avoid all claims of damage. You’ll undoubtedly scare off a few customers and lose a few recovery jobs; but you’ll come out ahead in the long run when you save on your deductible and insurance premiums.

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 read it 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.

He writes a weekly column for TowIndustryWeek.com. Email him at don@broadwaywrecker.com..

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Sgarlato Honored with Procession Richard “Dick” Sgarlato, a longtime Campbell, Calif., resident and owner of Dick’s Towing, died July 5 in his Dana Point home in Southern California after a battle with liver cancer. He was 85.

Sgarlato was remembered on July 24 with a 2-1/2-mile procession of tow trucks led by the Campbell Police Department. The procession started at Dick’s Towing and continued on to Bethel Church where Sgarlato’s funeral was held.

Sgarlato founded Dick’s Automotive Transport in 1957. His towing business began with just one truck and grew to a fleet of 25 trucks with 50 employees.

Sgarlato handed over ownership of the company in 1990 to his sons Greg, Ron, Glenn and Steve. A few of his grandsons even work there, making it a thirdgeneration family business. Sgarlato retired to Southern California soon after handing over the business to his sons.

Source: mercurynews.com.

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Fire at Jamie Davis Towing

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A fire that damaged Jamie Davis Towing in Edmonton, Canada, July 24 began inside a vehicle parked at the facility.

Smoke was billowing from the building when fire crews arrived at around 8 a.m., but they managed to contain the blaze.

“There is some smoke damage throughout the building, but the fire was contained to the vehicle in the back,” said Capt. Brian Hoekstra, with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

Crews were concerned before entering the building.

“In garages sometimes there’s propane tanks et cetera: oxyacetylene torches, whatever. So any hazardous material such as that would obviously pose a hazard, but the guys contained it to the vehicle in question,” said Hoekstra.

There is no word on how much damage the fire caused.

Source: globalnews.ca.

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