American Towman Magazine - May 2017

Robert Lee Unruh Jr. 1980 - 2017

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM

Departments Walkaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 News Share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Road Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Tow Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Tow Financial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Beacons On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 AD Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Tow Boss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Work Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Tow Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Repo Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Towman’s Market . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 My Baby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Low Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Adventures of A.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

FEATURE CONTENTS

16

Why Your Voice Matters Help raise awareness of the Move Over law.

by Samantha French

30

Under Water in the St. Lawrence River A Donnie Award for working in a cold river to lift a semitrailer.

by Sebastien Roy

44

Legend of the Spirit Riders Advanced Towing & Recovery imported this 2008 Kenworth T800/2012 NRC 60/80SR Heavy Incident Manager to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Spirit Casket will be conveyed across the U.S. like the Pony Express.

by Steve Calitri

48

Working with Millennials As the workforce gets younger, embrace the entitled generation.

by Brendan Dooley

74

“Bobby’s Law” The Lowdown pays tribute to Robert Unruh’s last act.

by Steve Calitri

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Maiden Spirit Ride Set for Vegas

by Dennie Ortiz

Right now in the beginning of May, the desert in Nevada becomes the towing capital of the U.S. Thousands of towers from all over the country will converge amidst the bright lights of Las Vegas.

The AT Showplace this year will be especially unique as the Spirit Ride will have its maiden run down The Strip.

The Spirit Ride is an extensive initiative conceived by American Towman and B/A Products to promote public awareness of the Move Over laws to ensure the safety of all first responders.

The Vegas send-off is the jumpstart to the Spirit Ride. As we continue to work out logistics and navigate the course, there may still be time for you to participate.

You don’t have to donate money to be part of the Spirit Ride. There are many ways you can be involved to help get this message out to motorists in your area. For more information on how you can become a part of the Spirit Ride please go to ATSpiritRide.com.

Now in it’s fifth year, the AT ShowPlace has more than 150 exhibitors who cover the spectrum of towing suppliers.

Any and every type of company that can help you succeed in your business will be there to speak with, including many call providers.

There is no other place or facility in towing to take in every aspect of a recovery demonstration like the Arena at the South Point Hotel & Casino. A full-fledged professional stadium, towers have an unobstructed view of the latest and greatest in towing and recovery equipment brought to you by the top three wrecker manufacturers. There is not a bad seat in the house and demos will run every day of the show.

For continued education, there are many conferences, along with hands-on on training available to all towers looking to increase their business know-how and improve their operations during the show.

If you haven’t already made reservations it’s easy to catch a last-minute flight … so hope to see you there in Vegas!

First On The Scene!

Dennie Ortiz Steve Calitri Brendan Dooley Charles Duke

Publisher Editor-In-Chief Editor Senior Editor

Randall Resch

Operations Editor

Terry Abejuela

Field Editor, West

Jim “Buck” Sorrenti Don Archer David Kolman Bill Simmons Emily Oz Mark Lacek

Field Editor, Northeast Field Editor, Midwest Chassis Editor Safety Editor On Screen Editor Repo Run Editor

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

Dallas, Texas Saint Paul, Minn.

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

Warren, N.J. Creve Coeur, Ill.

American Towman Staff Ann Marie Nitti Dennie Ortiz Ellen Rosengart Norma Calitri Jimmy Santos 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 General Manager Subscription Manager Customer Service Publisher’s Assistant TIW Media Director Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager Communications Mgr. 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: americantowman.com AT’S Weekly: towindustryweek.com ATTV: americantowmantv.com Copyright ©2017 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

There is no other place or facility in towing to take in every aspect of a recovery demonstration like the Arena at the South Point Hotel & Casino.

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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.

PTA Concerned About Pa. Bill Due to an alleged epidemic of “rogue tow truck operators,” Pennsylvania Rep. Dom Costa is looking to force all towers to register with the state and hand over operation decisions to municipalities.

According to a Pittsburgh news report, towers would not be allowed to rush to the scene of an accident.

Instead, municipalities could establish rotation lists.

The Pennsylvania Towing Association is concerned about Costa’s legislation.

“The PTA was not contacted about the bill, nor did we play any role in the procedure of drafting legislation,” PTA President Ron Bressler said. “Certainly, if legislation is to be drafted that will [affect] every tower across the state, we should’ve been involved as the major stakeholder.”

He admitted that predatory towers are an issue in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and should be dealt with by local law enforcement, not more regulation.

Source: watchdog.org.

Utica Deliberates Snow Tows Policy During March’s record-setting winter storm, the city of Utica, N.Y., had more than 200 vehicles towed from city streets. Some city officials say the city’s policy for towing vehicles during events like winter storms and snow emergencies needs to be tweaked.

The city’s current system relies on a rotation list of about 15 tow companies. Legislation states that each one must be available 24/7 and respond to a call for service in the city within 20 minutes of receiving it from police. Each company is free to accept or turn down any given call.

Officials say it can be difficult to find an available tow truck during winter storms.

“Typically when you try to use them — I don’t know if it’s excuses

Village Motors tower Michael Tuttle unhooks a vehicle in Utica, N.Y., following a March snowstorm.

Uticaod.com image.

or reality — but you hear, ‘My equipment’s broken down,’ ‘I’m snowed in myself; I can’t get out,’ or they don’t answer their phone,” police Chief Mark Williams said. “That’s becoming an issue.”

Source: uticaod.com

Nick’s Towing

Participates in TIM Training

23 Apply for County Contracts

Twenty-three towing companies have submitted surveys and bids to the Lake County, Ind., commissioners for the chance to become one of the businesses used for sheriff department tows.

Eight of those companies currently are approved vendors under the existing sheriff’s department contract.

The guidelines list more than 20 specific criteria each tow company— included those already contracting with the sheriff’s department—must meet to be considered.

Criteria include hours of operation, liability coverage and compliance with regulatory standards. Approved companies will have to have the ability to quickly respond to dispatches.

Source: chicagotribune.com.

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Nick’s Towing Service of Rutherford, N.J., was a major participant in a multi-state traffic incident management safety training video, providing trucks, manpower and technical expertise. Nick’s Towing images.

Nick’s Towing Service in Rutherford, N.J., was a major participant in the making of a Traffic Incident Management safety-training video. New Jersey and New York State Police, New Jersey and New York Departments of Transportation and other fire and law enforcement agencies also took part in the joint effort.

The video focuses on safe and quick clearances of casualties in the roadway, while maintaining responder safety.

“It was an honor to provide the disabled truck, tow trucks, manpower and knowledge to set up a single-lane recovery for this live training event,” said Nick Testa, president of Nick’s.

“Any and every action that can be taken to keep emergency responders, including our own operators, safe is of the utmost importance and I would go to any lengths to do so.”

Source: nickstowingservice.com.

. . . No more of the ‘rag and drag’ . . .

Town Rule Causes Lost Money Towmen in Hempstead, N.Y., are fed up with a new rotation policy that they said is costing them money.

Jimmy Walsh with K&G Repairs in Lawrence said the policy unfairly prevents companies like his from getting business.

There is still the same fee of $175 set by the town plus $5 per mile; but Walsh said his business has all but stopped.

“We used to get six, seven, eight tows a week that now, we’re turning into getting one a month,” Walsh said.

Under the new policy, a driver has to choose the next tow company on the list.

Town leaders said the list is divided into zones purposely preventing an accident victim from calling someone far away.

“It’s hurting business profusely, because you cannot get your customers to have the right to call you,” Walsh said.

Source: newyork.cbslocal.com.

City Targets New Fee Caps

The Spartanburg (S.C.) City Council recently unanimously approved the first of two readings of an ordinance that adjusts the rules governing tow operators and caps the fees they can charge for booting, towing and storing vehicles from private commercial properties.

The ordinance sets the maximum towing charge from a commercial lot at $100 for vehicles weighing less than 26,000 lbs. For vehicles over that, the maximum charge would be $300. It also caps the booting charge for all vehicles from commercial lots at 50 percent of the tow cost. And the maximum daily storage charge, applicable after 24 hours of storage, is set at $20.

When servicing a vehicle on a commercial property, the new rules would require written authorization; to accept payment/release vehicle at the scene; and display city-approved signs.

Source: goupstate.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Soldiers Save Hawaii Towman’s Life Two soldiers in Hawaii were recommended for Soldier ’s Medals for their roles in helping save the life of a towman who had been hit by a vehicle earlier this year.

Sgt. Timothy Sirko went to pick up Spc. Tyler Gardiner following an accident. The police had already taken a report and left. Towman Valentino Tua was Sgt. Timothy Sirko, left, and Spc. Tyler at the scene to tow his car.

Gardiner helped save the life of a Around 6:30 a.m. the soldiers towman who was injured on the road. heard tires squealing, a loud crash Image courtesy of 500th Military and a man screaming; Tua had Intelligence Brigade. been hit by a passing vehicle.

Gardiner said Sirko took action while a bystander called 911. Sirko noticed Tua appeared to be trying to move his legs, but they were clearly broken. He and Gardiner dragged him to a patch of grass away from the road and applied pressure to his groin area to stop the bleeding. Then they rubbed Tua’s sternum and asked him questions to keep him conscious until the ambulance arrived.

Source: hawaiiarmyweekly.com.

Another Stolen Rims Solution Stolen wheels and tires are a constant problem in the region around Atlanta, Ga., according to Ronnie Mayer, owner of R. Mayer Towing of Atlanta.

“Big time. … Atlanta is a car town [with all the music industry and sports personalities],” Mayer said. “EveryStolen rims are a common occurrence in body here has all the fancy-ass Atlanta, Ga., and R. Mayer Towing has one cars; you have to be in the sersolution with basic OEM used during vice business or they throw shipping. R. Mayer Towing of Atlanta image. you to the wolves.”

He said manufacturers ship higher-end cars and SUVs with basic black wheels now and swap them out for the chrome wheels at the dealership. So, his company bought several sets of those black wheels, “about a pallet or so,” to leave under a car when they’re called out for service on a car with stolen rims.

“We jack the car up, put these wheels on, tow it to the dealership and swap them back out,” Mayer said. “Other companies may just drag the cars up on a flatbed and do $5,000 or more damage.

“No more of the ‘rag and drag’ like we used to; insurance companies won’t cover that anymore.”

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 9

Check Out What’s NEW and HOT! Parker Chelsea Increases 823’s Capacity Parker Chelsea’s 823 Series PTO features highcapacity bearings and superior gear designs that provide an increased torque rating up to 750 ft./lbs. for all the power you will need for heavy-duty applications. The 823 Series is an eight-bolt Power TakeOff. It features four shift options. The seven internal gear ratios provide a variety of speeds. Seven output options on the 823 Series round out its versatility, power, ease of maintenance and installation.

parker.com

New WreckMaster Skate

The New WreckMaster Skate features a new chevron design for strength; deeper, wider recess to accommodate brake rotors and drums; increased beveled edge for approach climb; raised tab locks to eliminate wear; three bottom rails to reduce surface contact area and wear; and added slots for securing an item to the skate.

wreckmaster.com

AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Metal Protector AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Metal Protector has been reformulated to offer improved performance as a corrosion inhibitor. Its quick-drying, long-lasting formula effectively protects metal surfaces that are exposed to salt, moisture or chemical corrosion.

It displaces water and resists dirt to promote longer equipment life. AMSOIL Heavy-Duty Metal Protector is ideal for steel, iron, aluminum, brass,

10 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

copper and other metal surfaces frequently subjected to water, dirt or road salt. It is suitable for use as an automotive or trailer undercoat, on spare tire carriers, battery terminals, hinges, handheld tools, snow plows, skid-steer attachments, forklifts, metal gates/fences and more.

amsoil.com

Auxiliary, Refueling Fuel Tank Systems The 40-gal. auxiliary tank is compatible with most full-size diesel trucks, including service trucks and factory fifth-wheel units.

Transfer Flow’s TRAX 3 technology pumps fuel, rather than it being gravity-fed. The LCD display updates the percentage of fuel in each tank.

The 70-gal. toolbox/fuel tank combo can be upgraded for refueling with a kit that includes 12V pump, hose and nozzle, and more.

T

ransfer Flow’s new 40-gal. in-bed auxiliary fuel tank system features a small footprint that makes it compatible with almost any full-size diesel truck, including 1/2-ton pickups, service trucks or those with a factory-installed fifth-wheel prep package. Its low height helps it fit under most standard tonneau covers.

The patent-pending design has a recessed cover box where the fuel tank sending unit, rollover valve and fuel filter comes preassembled.

Transfer Flow also has a 70-gal. toolbox/fuel tank combo for 1999-2016 Ford, RAM and GM full-size diesel trucks. The unit sits on the bedrails and has an adjustable toolbox storage box that adjusts to the depth of a short bed or long bed. The adjustable toolbox storage area ranges from 5.5-cu./ft. to 9-cu./ft.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

With the addition of Transfer Flow’s Refueling Tank Upgrade Kit, you can use your 70-gal. auxiliary tank as a refueling tank as well. The upgrade kit includes a 12V refueling pump, 12’ hose and nozzle, and wire harness with dash-mounted power switch.

Both tanks operate with Transfer Flow’s automatic fuel transfer TRAX 3 technology—fuel is pumped, not gravityfed. The system comes with a dash-mounted LCD display that conveniently shows the percentage of fuel in each tank while also notifying you when a fuel transfer is in progress.

The fuel tanks are manufactured from American-made 14-gauge aluminized steel for durability and strength and feature internal baffles to prevent fuel slosh.

Transferflow.com

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 11

Drones as Your Eyes in the Sky

by Don Archer

A

s technology keeps advancing, it’s inherent to keep abreast of new products and an open mind to their uses in your business.

Will Ellison, owner of Borderline Towing & Recovery in Hobbs, N.M., works in the wide open spaces of the New Mexico desert and the Texas oil fields. He’s been towing for 24 years and has seen a lot of changes during that time. Not the least of which is technology, a source he fully embraces such as drones.

“There’s so much stuff you can see by looking down from the top, it can give you so much more information.”

One example for Ellison is finding truckers who get lost, then stuck. After 12 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

The advantage of the drone as your “eye in the sky” is apparent at this wrecker training during the 2015 Tow Expo International in San Antonio, Texas.

losing their way, due to the monotonous terrain and other factors, many truckers turn down the wrong road and get lost.

“Many times these guys are sent down these roads by their GPS. They’ll think they’re on a named road when in fact they’re on one of the many ‘Pipeline Right-Of-Way’ roads, which have no names,” Ellison said. “The only way I can find them is to use my drone.”

When he gets one of these calls he does his best to narrow down the trucker’s general location and drives as close as he can. He then pulls out his drone and puts it to work.

Will’s drone is a Phantom 2, which cost $1,600 about four years ago, but they’ve come down since then. Now

you can find one for around $500. He said it works like a charm.

“I send my drone up in the air a couple of hundred feet while I’m talking to the driver on the phone. I then rotate the drone’s camera 360 degrees and look for headlights. When I see some in my monitor, I tell the driver to flash his lights,” Ellison said, “If I see the lights on my monitor flashing I know it’s him.”

After learning the trucker’s location, Ellison then flies the drone there and lands. Then, using an app on his phone, he pinpoints the drone’s location, puts the coordinates into map software, and is provided the fastest route to get to the truck.

That’s not all he does with his

drone. Once he gets close to the lost truck, he fires the drone back up to do a little reconnaissance.

Every tow operator who’s ever performed a recovery can attest to the fact that truckers are very optimistic when it comes to road conditions.

Truckers assume that, because they made it through to the point where they finally became stuck, every square inch of road behind them is pristine and solid. But if you’re a oneman show, as Ellison is, and you’re some 100 miles from the closest assistance, you can’t afford to take your 50-ton wrecker down that road unless you know YOU can get out. So he uses his drone to inspect the road.

Will’s drone is equipped with a high-definition camera and Gyro Stabilization Technology. This allows him to hover inches from the ground and transmit clear images back to his monitor. If the road isn’t worth taking a chance, he knows he must find another way in or make other arrangements.

Ellison also uses his drone for recoveries as an extra pair of eyes.

“If I’ve got a loaded box truck laid-over, I use the drone to be sure the side wall isn’t going to bust out.”

He starts by getting his rigging into place and then flies the drone to wherever he thinks he might have the biggest issue. Then the drone just sits there, hovering in mid-air.

“Even in high winds it will not move,” he said.

He then places a tablet on custommade brackets mounted to the control panel on his wrecker. The tablet is wirelessly synced to the drone’s camera, so Ellison can see everything the drone sees, without having to touch the drone’s controls.

“If I don’t like what I’m seeing, I stop and make adjustments,” he said.

Will is a very skilled tow operator as well as a skilled and licensed drone operator, and he’s been very successful using drone technology in his business.

Drone Do’s and Don’ts The use of drones (or what the FAA calls Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) in the towing industry can be benefiWork the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

cial, but if you’re using them you must ensure that you’re operating within federal guidelines.

Misuse and accidents are becoming a common occurrence: On Jan. 26, 2015, a drone “crash landed” on the White House lawn.

During a Democratic Party campaign in Germany in 2014, a drone crashed in front of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Drones also are becoming a common means to transport drugs. On Jan. 20, 2015, a drone transporting more than six pounds of crystal meth crashed in a supermarket parking lot in Tijuana, Mexico.

Besides misuse, if you’re operating drones around people and property, improper use or an uneducated operator can cause more harm than good.

I use the drone to be sure the side wall isn’t going to bust out.

For these reasons and others, on Aug. 29, 2016, the FAA created new rules regarding the commercial use of drones weighing less than 55 lbs (faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf). Highlights include: • The drone must remain in visual line of sight of the remote pilot at all times.

• Pilots must be at least 16 years old.

• You can only fly drones during daylight hours or twilight with appropriate lighting.

• Maximum groundspeed restricted to 100 mph.

• Maximum altitude is restricted to 400’.

• If used commercially, pilots must hold a “remote pilot airman certificate” (issued by the FAA).

How do you know if you’re operating a drone commercially? Well the FAA has guidelines for that as well (faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for _work_business/becoming_a_pilot/).

You are using your drone for commercial use if you’re doing any of the following:

• If you’re selling photos or videos taken with your drone.

• If you use a drone to provide contract services, such as industrial equipment or factory inspections.

• If you use it to provide services, such as security or telecommunications.

• If you’re monitoring the progress of work your company is performing.

Looking Ahead What’s the future for drone technology in the towing industry? I believe the sky’s the limit. Consider how far it’s come already and the many ways it can aid us in our endeavors; I started to imagine the possibilities moving forward. What if drones could carry equipment?

During a recovery, instead of the operator being required to trudge 100 yards back up a muddy 30-degree embankment to get extra chain, wouldn’t it be nice to have a drone that could retrieve the chain for you?

What about wrapping a strap around a heavy rollover recovery? Rather than risking life and limb climbing on top of an unstable wreck, a drone could just fly the strap up and over—exactly where it’s needed.

Of course, if it’s not military-grade, using drones in this manner is just a dream right? Wrong. The Alta 8, by Free Fly Systems, is a professionalgrade drone that can carry up to 20 lbs., and tow a full-grown man on a snowboard or water skis. Of course this drone comes at a steep price, more than $17,000, but within a short time it’s sure to come down.

As technology marches on, and as power and payload increase, what else might be on the horizon … a drone equipped with a winch? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Don G. Archer is a multi-published author, educator and speaker helping others to build and start successful towing businesses around the country at TheTowAcademy.com. Don and his wife, Brenda, formerly owned and operated Broadway Wrecker in Jefferson City, Mo. He is the Tow Business Editor for Tow Industry Week; email him direct at don@thetowacademy.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 15

Voice Matters

Why Your

by Samantha French

Raising Awareness of the Move Over Law

M

ost industries find competition creates a natural divide, but for towers it is a different story.

Through the unfortunate loss we experience together—and a desire to protect each other—our community has been watching each other’s backs for years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent Census of Occupational Injuries, it’s clear that working along the roadside continues becoming more dangerous. In 2015, transportation fatalities accounted for 42 percent of all workplace fatalities, with 2,054 in total. Roadway incidents accounted for more than half of transportation fatalities, totaling 1,264.

While the data does not clearly identify towing and recovery incidents, it is clear that one in four workplace fatalities will occur on the roadside. This includes towers, police, firefighters, EMTs, construction workers, line workers and so on.

Roadside incidents have consistently increased each year for the past 20 years despite efforts to curb this.

Transportation incidents were the largest event to increase once again from 2014 to 2015. Now that the Move Over laws have been passed in all 50 states, this begs the question: “Are the Move Over laws effective?”

Before launching its awareness video, “It’s Easier To Move Over Than Move On,” B/A Products explored this data to better understand the reality of what all roadside workers faced.

16 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Data source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Dec. 16, 2016.

It was impossible to ignore the shared risk towers have with all other roadside workers. Through more research and development for the awareness video, B/A Products became more familiar with the stories behind the increasing fatalities.

Many felt disheartened that while our community works so hard to raise awareness, the loss of human life continues to climb. Most drivers involved in roadside incidents were usually unaware of the Move Over laws.

This posed another question: “How do we know that the Move Over law is effective if so many people are still unaware?” Also, many people who do know the law do not under-

stand the reason behind it. This brings us to today.

American Towman and B/A Products have joined forces to appeal to the general public’s innate sense of humanity. Perhaps this time they might understand that it is your husband, wife, brother, father, mother, sister or other loved one at risk. When you see it this way, would you move over?

Awareness is key.

About the author Samantha French is the creative marketing director for B/A Products, contact her at Samantha@baprod.com. To watch the B/A awareness video, “It’s Easier to Move Over Than Move On,” visit baprod.com or facebook.com/BAProductsCo.

Growing with Equipment Financing

When you want to add equipment, whether a service truck or heavy-duty rotator, there are many financing programs to consider to find the best fit for your company.

by Mark Belanger

O

ne of the best ways to expand your towing business is to take on more calls and do more tows; actually having the ability to do just that is another story. Before you’re able to increase productivity, you need to add the right trucks to your fleet.

Fortunately, equipment financing is around to help with getting the trucks you need to grow your business.

Since 78 percent of small businesses use financing to procure equipment, you’re probably familiar with the concept. What you might not be aware of are the various types

20 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

of payment structures and how each can help your business grow in different ways. From lease-to-own programs to flexible financing, there’s a perfect plan out there to get your business on track to grow.

Lease-to-Own A common misconception surrounding leasing equipment is that you give the equipment back when the lease ends … that you never get ownership. This couldn’t be further from the truth. With lease-to-own financing programs, you can help your business get the equipment it needs without a large upfront payment.

Leasing helps you stick to a monthly budget by breaking down the cost of a new truck into easily digestible monthly payments. The payment is the same each month, making it easy to budget for growth.

It also helps you to determine your break-even or how many tows you need to do to pay for the equipment.

Basically, leasing lets the truck earn its keep. With the addition of the leased truck, you can take on more jobs without sacrificing your back account or cash flow.

With plenty of end-of-lease options, you can determine the best path to growth for your business.

Each end-of-lease option helps your business in different ways.

For example, a lease-to-own program can end with a large residual payment, typically 10 percent to 20 percent of the original purchase price.

This option allows you to save money during the length of the lease and put it towards ownership at the end. With a little luck, the truck will have helped you grow enough that the end payment is easy to make. If money is still tight, it’s possible to finance out that last bit.

Another end-of-lease option is paying Fair Market Value, however it isn’t as common. FMV leases require you to pay what the equipment would be worth if sold. This option is typically used when you can’t afford much each month, are unsure if you’ll keep the equipment or may be looking to upgrade soon.

Lease-to-own programs are struc22 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

A skip payment structure is perfect for towing businesses that see an increase in profits during particular months.

For example, towers in snowy areas tend to have more jobs in the winter. tured so that the title is transferred to you at the end of the lease; the truck is yours, free and clear. The great thing about this is that you don’t have to worry about being down a truck. It helps to improve your credit, and once you own the equipment you’re entitled to write off 100 percent of the lease payment.

Financing Agreement Like lease-to-own programs, equipment-financing agreements ensure that you get to keep the equipment in the end. But they do have some major differences that can affect business growth.

When financing with an EFA, you maintain ownership of the truck both during and after the payment plan.

This is ideal if you’re confident that the truck will continue to bring in profit long after the agreement ends.

Financing a truck also lets you easily take advantage of Section 179 tax deductions, putting money back in your pocket.

Flexible Financing Another way to afford the equipment your business needs to grow is to utilize flexible financing options.

Though plans can be created to fit just

about every business, there are a few that are more common: deferred payment, skip and step, and no money down. Each works in a different way to get businesses on the path to growth.

• Deferred Payment. If you’re looking to expand, but know your budget will be a little tight, deferred payment is likely your best bet. This financing payment structure allows you to put off your first few monthly payments. This way, your new truck can start to increase your revenue before you start paying.

• Skip and Step. A skip payment structure is perfect for towing businesses that see an increase in profits during particular months. For example, towers in snowy areas tend to have more jobs in the winter. Skip payments allow you to “skip” monthly payments in slow months. A step payment structure works well for businesses looking to grow into their equipment. They typically start with a lower monthly payment and increase over time, allowing you to bring in more profit before paying more.

• No Money Down. No money down, 100-percent financing, whatever you call it, it works the same: you don’t have to sink a large chunk of change into a truck right off the bat. With this program, you break down the entire cost of your truck or other equipment into affordable monthly payments.

Whatever plan you choose, an affordable financing plan is the best way to get the trucks your business needs to grow. No matter what, at the end of the day, you’ll be on the road to bigger and better things. Get started before the competition passes you by.

About the Author Mark Belanger is the VP of Operations at Beacon Funding.

His tow truck financing expertise comes from years spent in the leasing industry. He can be reached by email at sayhello@beaconfunding.com.

The Spirit Ride Represents Towers, First Responders

The California Highway Patrol escorts Fred Griffith’s heavy-duty wrecker as the procession of 110 tow trucks crests the Mission Trails Summit in San Diego, Calif., in March. The rolling procession covered eight miles as the convoy eventually passed the crash site where a lone wreath of white flowers encircled a photo of Griffith with his three boys.

by Randall C. Resch

I

recently experienced the loss of a tower and friend, Fred Griffith, here in San Diego, Calif., and then read about the loss of New Orleans, La.based tow operator Macy Lee Alvey III; both were killed in the same week by DUI motorists with multiple convictions.

These sad events—knowing they certainly aren’t unique in towing—I write to invite you to participate in the Spirit Ride, a very special program important to tow companies and tow operators everywhere. As towers continue to lose their lives for meaningless reasons, American Towman and B/A Products partnered to found the nonprofit The Spirit Ride as a public service message that will mobilize across the country.

24 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

The Spirit Ride is designed to bring towers together by transporting a custom-built and painted memorial casket throughout designated cities across America.

The Spirit Ride is designed to bring towers together by transporting a custom-built and painted memorial casket throughout designated cities across America. The Spirit Ride represents a huge public safety message to increase awareness of the Move Over laws, with hopes that motorists heed the message to save the lives of our tow operators and first responders; not only in America, but in all cities and countries around the world.

I spoke about the Spirit Ride program during the Captains of Industry dinner during the 2016 American Towman Expo in Baltimore, Md., and have written numerous safety and survival articles in American Towman Maga-

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 25

zine and online for Tow Industry Week. I am passionate about tower safety and the Spirit Ride is an important step to emphasize that point to everyone, towers and motorists alike.

I’ve counted and confirmed more than 250 tow operator fatalities along American and Canadian highways; the Spirit Ride is a way all towers and companies can participate in the message of Move Over. In another way to honor Griffith, Alvey, other lost towers, and the world’s first responder community as a whole, America’s law enforcement community and first

26 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

responders are invited to participate as the Spirit Ride rolls across America.

(Check pages 44-47 to learn more to participate, and visit atspiritride.com.)

The plan is to have the Spirit Ride make its way to American Towman Expos in Las Vegas, Nev., Dallas, Texas, and ultimately proceed to Baltimore where the Spirit Ride’s casket will be displayed. The events along the way tell the story of first responder safety and survival, making this your chance to represent towers and first responders everywhere.

If you aren’t available to physically

participate in the rolling procession, you’re invited to become a sponsor from afar to support this event. I wholeheartedly support the Spirit Ride’s message and I invite you to get actively involved. Check out the Spirit Ride’s website and jump into the convoy with your own spirit and both feet.

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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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 27

Specialty Vehicle Marks 5 Years In 2012, Specialty Vehicle & Equipment Funding Group (specialtyvehiclefunding.com) was formed bringing together some of the leading commercial tow/recovery financing experts. Since then, Specialty has helped thousands of companies build their businesses by providing affordable financing for tow and recovery and other commercial trucks and equipment.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we started Specialty. I can still remember our first day like it was yesterday,” said Peter Ferrara, Jr., national sales manager. “We’ve got a great team that understands the towing and recovery industry, as well as the equipment that our customers need.

From our sales staff down to our administrators, we work tirelessly to provide our customers and vendors exceptional sales and customer service.”

Specialty has built a customer base

28 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

that ranges from owner/operator single truck companies to large national towing companies operating multiple heavy-duty trucks.

Omadi Pledges to Survivor Fund Software-maker Omadi (omadi .com) teamed up with the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum by donating a percentage of each job that comes through their system to the Survivor Fund.

“Being a custom software, we often spend time with our clients on site helping to implement our product. We’ve gotten to know these wonderful individuals not simply as clients but friends.

It pains us anytime we hear that one of these dedicated professionals loses their life while in the line of duty,” said Charles Lukens, CEO of Omadi.

“Upon learning of the Survivor Fund,” Lukens continued, “we became

anxiously engaged in seeking ways to contribute to and promote the fund.”

“We are thrilled about Omadi’s involvement with the Survivor Fund,” said Lee Roberts, ITRHFM board member and co-chair of the Survivor Fund. “With partnerships like this, we will be able to maintain our goal for the Survivor Fund to create a strong and secure perpetual offering to the families of those in the industry when tragedies occur.”

IAA Expansions, Upgrades Insurance Auto Auctions (IAAI.com) recently announced its expansion of auction locations as well as updates to its website IAA facilities now occupy 173 locations in the U.S. and Canada, with recent expansions in Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Pennsylvania and Oregon. Additional expansions or new locations scheduled for

Continued: IAA Expansions 2017 include: Fredericksburg, Va.; Kansas City, Kan.; Flint, Mich.; Ogden, Utah; and Spokane, Wash.

“Our increased land capacity enables us to proactively meet the growing inventory needs of our vehicle sellers,” said John Kett, CEO/president of IAA. “We look forward to serving our customers in these important and active markets.”

In the online realm, the company also revealed its IAA Fast Search comprehensive search tool and enhanced Vehicle Details page on IAAI.com.

The Fast Search functionality complements the Vehicle Details feature.

With 30-plus vehicle search and filter options, IAA Fast Search provides vehicle buyers with a smart, mobile-friendly tool that delivers more efficient and more accurate search results. The new Vehicle Details features include up to 320 additional VIN details and comprehensive Hollander Interchange parts data, designed to help customers assess vehicle value more quickly for bidding and buying decisions.

Corp. and Detroit Diesel Corp.

Since 2001, Nielsen has been COO responsible for the entire DTNA manufacturing network, as well as all levels of operations in quality, supplier management, logistics, and customer application engineering. In 1986, Nielsen joined DTNA (then Freightliner Corp.) as an Industrial Engineer and has held various positions since at DTNA in the U.S. as well as at Daimler’s Commercial Vehicles Divisions in Germany.

Amsoil Founder Dies Amsoil founder Al Amatuzio, 92, died at home March 30.

In 1972, Amsoil (amsoil.com) synthetic motor oil became the world’s first synthetic motor oil to meet American Petroleum Institute service requirements, changing the lubricant industry forever.

A memorial service was held in Duluth, Minn., last month.

Oshkosh Corp.

Among ‘Most Ethical’ Oshkosh Corp., parent company of Jerr-Dan, was recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as the 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company in the “Trucks and Other Vehicles” category.

Oshkosh (oshkoshcorporation .com) was one of only 124 companies, representing 52 industry sectors in 19 countries, named to the list.

“We are honored to once again be named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. … We are especially excited to celebrate this achievement in the midst of our 100 Year Anniversary,” said Wilson R. Jones, president/CEO.

Neilsen Named Daimler CEO Roger Neilsen was named president/CEO of Daimler Trucks North America (daimler.com) and its affiliated companies Freightliner Trucks, Western Star Trucks, Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 29

Under Water in the St. Lawrence River 2016 Donnie Cruse Recovery Award

A semitrailer landed on its side in the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada.

by Sebastien Roy Remorquage Longueuil; Quebec, Canada

O

n April 4, 2015, the Service de Remorquage Longueuil recovery team received a call from the police concerning an accident between a tractor-trailer and a Winnebago on the highway.

The heavy truck landed on its side in the St. Lawrence River about 500’ beyond the collision site. The water temperature was just above freezing, so the dive team assisted with attaching the rigging.

30 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Justin Cruse (from left), Bruno Loyer and Sebastien Roy. WreckMaster image.

*The Donnie Cruse Recovery Award is presented by American Towman Magazine and WreckMaster.

The Donnie* is co-sponsored by B/A Products and AW Direct.

The semi landed in the river about 500’ beyond the point of impact.

The recovery crew from Remorquage Longueuil had to remove sections of guardrail.

The water temperature was just above freezing so the scene supervisor dispatched the dive team to assist with attaching their rigging.

To successfully move the chains below the truck, they attached the chains to an empty 5L windshield washer container and pushed it below the truck with a reach pole to surface on the other side.

The heavy truck was loaded with about 80,000 lbs. of concrete powder. The total weight including the trailer and the truck was about 120,000 lbs.

We utilized a rigid inflatable boat to gain access to the tractor-trailer. Since the trailer was made of aluminum and wasn’t damaged, we decided to empty it before performing the recovery to protect against the trailer weakening or cracking.

Since the location where the truck landed in the river was about 500’ beyond the point of impact and the opening of the guardrail, we used our NRC 45-ton sliding rotator to remove sections of guardrail. We cleared enough sections from the path of the recovery in order to position our trucks.

To successfully move the chains below the truck, we attached the chains to an empty 5L windshield washer container that we “pushed” below the truck with a reach pole.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 31

Once the container was on the other side of the trailer, it rose to the surface and we could attach the chains.

We positioned the NRC 50-ton rotator on the front to upright the tractor and the front of the trailer.

The NRC 45-ton slider was then positioned to upright at the rear of the trailer by attaching the main winch line to the rigging.

The water temperature was just above freezing, so the dive team

The truck’s load was about 80,000 lbs. of concrete powder.

assisted with attaching the rigging.

The trailer was recovered first.

The rear truck supported the trailer with its highline and auxiliary winch lines were hooked to the rear of the trailer in preparation for winching.

As the rear truck began winching the trailer up the bank, the rotator at the front lifted the front of the trailer.

Once the trailer was back on the roadway, we secured the trailer and transported it from the scene.

We focused then on the recovery of the tractor. The front axle had separated from the frame during the accident, so we dispatched our Landoll trailer in order to transport the tractor and the remaining debris from the scene.

We winched the tractor onto the roadway and the rotator lifted its front end. We rotated the tractor into place allowing for easy loading onto the Landoll.

WreckMaster said this recovery was selected because of its difficult nature, extreme circumstances and precision required to successfully complete the job.

The recovery team positioned its NRC 50-ton rotator on the front to upright the tractor and the front of the trailer.

Editor’s note Starting with the 2016 Donnie Cruse Recovery awards, WreckMaster President Justin Cruse announced that there would no longer be a light-, medium- and heavy-duty award winner, but rather three awards would be given out regardless of weight class.

32 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Their NRC 45-ton slider was positioned to upright the rear of the trailer by attaching the main winch line to the rigging.

Now the recovery team could focus on lifting the tractor out of the river.

They rotated the tractor into place allowing for easy loading onto the Landoll trailer due to the separated front axle.

Co-sponsored by

Choose The Most Challlenging Recovery Your Company Perfformed With Exxcelllence

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 33

AD INDEX

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10 Tips to Sell Your Business

by John S. Freeman

A

re you planning to sell your business, or, perhaps, looking to buy an existing tow company? The legwork toward selling or buying a business are very close to each other; the checklists of things to do beforehand are similar as well.

If selling or buying is not an immediate item but is on your long-term agenda, it’s good business to know these 10 tips and build your business accordingly.

1. Know why you are selling.

This isn’t always an easy step, but it’s crucial. Do you want to sell or do you need to sell? Do you have clarity and does your exit strategy make sense to you and the future owner?

The reasons for wanting to sell the business can be vastly different from the reasons for needing to sell.

Generally, business owners who 36 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

In many towing and mechanic operations, you have the business and you have real estate. Are they to be sold together? The market sets land prices.

want to sell are in positions to plan their exits and develop sound strategies around timing: • Loss of enthusiasm.

• Looking for new opportunity.

• Lack ability to grow the business.

• Part of a long-term plan.

• Unwilling or unable to invest in growth.

Owners who need to sell may be forced to let circumstances dictate strategy, which can reduce their control and can mean lower prices offered and taken: • Health issues.

• Cash flow crisis.

• Deteriorating business environment.

• Loss of key employee or competitive advantage.

Done right, business sales and acquisitions are strategic transactions

shaped and influenced by the underlying motivation.

2. Know the objectives for the sale of your business.

In selling, your motivations are key in determining the sales process.

However, the way the sale is structured is dictated by your objectives—your expected outcomes. Structuring a deal is different if your goal is to get the highest price possible (without regard for your employees) vs. if your primary objective is to protect employees.

You need to determine which goals are nonnegotiable and which are open for compromise. The more specific your goals are, the more precise your plan can be.

As an example, if your primary objectives are to have your business remain in the family and maximize your price, you may not be able to realize both because you may be more

likely to get top dollar from an outside party. In this case, you may have to sacrifice price or agree to an extended payment period in order to ensure a family transfer.

3. Develop an exit strategy.

This should include a statement of your personal, financial and business goals, prioritized by importance. Your strategy should contain: • A target date for your exit.

• A plan for maximizing the value of the business. (Truck conditions, shop, contracts, employees, etc.)

• Consideration of how to maximize the value of the business in terms of tax efficiency.

• Determination that the business will be sold internally or externally.

• A plan to ensure continuity of the business during the transition to a new owner.

• Your role and the role of the new owner during the transition.

38 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

• Your role after the transfer: Consultant? Employee? Good luck?

• A plan to ensure the financial security of your family after the sale, prior to the sale.

4. Know how saleable your business really is.

Look at your business from the eyes of a buyer. Would you buy you out? How much? Why? Buyers will have a number of criteria when considering your business, including: • Profitability, yours and theirs, after the sale.

• Solvency. The ability to continue operations and meet financial obligations.

• Market position. Have you been growing your business or are you losing business?

• Contracts. Are they extendable to new ownership?

• Does this complete the buyer’s plan to increase his/her market share?

• Management and employees.

Will they stay under new ownership? Does the new buyer want them to stay?

• Customers. Will they notice a change? If so, for the good?

• Is the selling owner expendable?

Will any business be lost without that person?

5. Know what your business is really worth.

Most business owners have no idea what their businesses are really worth.

Valuing a business is both an art and a science, with general rules of thumb.

In many towing and mechanic operations, you have the business and you have real estate. Are they to be sold together? The market sets land prices; your business may be priced on expectations and your financial history and stability.

An independent third-party appraisal may be needed and will be needed if bank or other institutional financing is involved. Getting one done prior to the selling process may

help you fine-tune your company to maximize your price.

The buyer, in most cases, will determine the final sales price and determine the deal structure. If the buyer is one of your employees, you may structure a deal in which you receive installment payments.

If the buyer simply wants to buy and liquidate the company’s assets, the value of assets will determine the sale price. If a competitor is buying you out for competitive advantage, that will determine the deal’s final price and structure.

Valuation of your business can include an income approach—a multiplier methodology that takes into account past, current and projected revenue and cash flow—and/or an asset approach that only considers the fair market value of the company’s assets.

A valuation then factors in your current and future involvement, current and future employee status, market position, contractual arrangements, industry trends, equipment age

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

Real estate and equipment assets figure largely in the valuation of your business, but so do any government or commercial contracts.

and condition, shop, and environmental and regulatory issues. These change, and the buyer may see these differently than the seller. All of these elements can impact the value of your

business or the one you want to buy.

6. Know how to increase the value of your business.

Again look at your company through the eyes of a buyer and under-

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 39

stand what factors buyers consider in determining what they will pay. Concentrate your efforts on improving those areas.

Cash is king. Buyers look at cash flow. They want to make money and have to finance the purchase using expected income from the new business. Is there adequate cash flow to handle current debt? Will it cover more?

Many owners employ a part-time CPA to review their books and operations looking to improve areas of their businesses. An outsider looking in will help prepare you for the buyer.

Some have used their banking relationships for this. If you do, make sure you are in a strong position as new things will turn up that a bank did not look at.

Look for ways to automate your receivables and payables. Can you outsource nonprofitable areas? How good is your shop? Do you pay so much in overtime that an additional employee would cost less? Pay down any debt faster.

Increase your revenue. Seriously.

40 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Buyers are attracted to businesses whose revenues are increasing. It is worth the extra effort and resources.

Do you need a consultant’s help? Can you increase and/or diversify your customer base?

Can you make yourself expendable?

Are your employees empowered to make some decisions for the company?

Do you take vacations? Can the company operate without you for a while?

Make sure your books are in order.

Are your contracts current? Is your bookkeeping system outdated? Do you have any outstanding environmental or regulatory issues? Is your current location(s), best for future business? Will it pay itself forward to relocate now?

7. How is the ownership of your business structured?

Is your business 100-percent owned by you, you and your spouse, you and a partner? If so, what percentages? Is there a silent partner involved? Employee shareholders?

Minority ownership? Do you have a board of directors that must approve

major decisions (like the sale of the company)? Is there someone who can say “No!” … like a banker?

8. The actual process will vary between businesses.

You may seek out a buyer. You may be approached by employees or a competitor or your business may be looked at as a strategic partner to a corporation that is out to maximize its profits and future.

An experienced business intermediary will begin the process with a comprehensive fact-finding meeting.

The more prepared you are, the more quickly you can determine if you want to pursue the sale. Timewise, expect months not weeks; the normal process takes months to a year.

Some recommendations no matter your actual process: • Do your due diligence. Learn everything you need to know to move forward.

• Write down what you expect, what your business is and where it is headed. Many call this a memorandum.

• Research the market. Who are potential buyers? Be open to let others know you are considering the sale of the company if you need offers.

• Qualify or have the buyers qualified—their intentions, financing, timeline, contracts.

• If the buyer does not know your operation well, invite him or her for a tour. See how hands-on they are during the tour. Do they look at the shop more than the equipment out on the road? What paperwork do they want to see?

• Remember, it is a negotiation … whether a buyer approached you or you made the first call. Keep an open mind, but negotiate.

• If your buyer needs financing, sign no final paperwork until financing is locked in.

9. Put your team in place to help you sell.

42 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Most operators are not equipped to sell their own businesses. Know your strengths and weaknesses and find people to help you put your deal together. This may include an attorney, an accountant and a financial advisor.

10. Plan how to manage your business through this process.

Continue to run your business 100 percent until the day of sale. While you move toward finalization, also look at the worst-case scenario and plan to manage the business again if the buyer cannot fulfill obligations.

How will you keep confidentiality during the sale process? (Confidentiality involves your family, employees and competitors.) Determine when is the best time to announce your intentions to your employees and contracts.

For many, earlier is better when a goal is to maintain relationships, and for others, it may be the day of sale if employees will be released by the new owner and replaced.

Your end goal should be to ensure a successful outcome. So know the real reason you are selling. Be crystal clear. Be honest with yourself and others. Clearly define and prioritize your objectives.

Write yourself an exit strategy that includes the what, how and when you are going to do when the business is sold—financially, time, energy, benefits. Account for Monday morning, what are you going to do? (As my mother told my father the day he retired, “I have made your breakfast and dinner all these years; I am not going to make your lunch now.”)

Be confident on the valuation and enjoy the next phase of your life.

About the author John S. Freeman is a registered principal at Keating & Associates in Overland Park, Kan., where they “believe it takes a small business to understand a small business.” Their services for business owners include personal financial organizer, employee benefits, business succession and business consulting.

Allstate Wants to ‘X the TXT’ Allstate (allstate.com) is calling on drivers to avoid distractions behind the wheel, especially with safety experts finding distracted driving killed almost 3,500 people and injured nearly 400,000 in the U.S. in 2015.

To drive home its message, Allstate is launching its fifth annual Reality Rides tour, featuring a simulator that provides a safe environment to learn about the often devastating, but preventable, impact of distracted driving.

This year’s tour will stop in 50 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, more than double last year’s events.

The Reality Rides simulator is a stationary vehicle with virtual reality LED screens across the windshield, displaying animated scenarios drivers often encounter. Using the steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, operators try to navigate those situations while also attempting to text message,

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

answer phone calls or use in-car technology like GPS, all activities that frequently distract drivers in real life.

Afterward, participants receive “traffic citations” that highlight real infractions from their simulations.

Before trying it, almost half of participants surveyed said they text while driving and about two-thirds said they talk on the phone while driving.

After experiencing the simulator, nearly 60 percent of participants surveyed say they’ll never text while driving. More than half of Reality Rides participants surveyed say they won’t let others drive distracted.

ATEC Chargers Meet New Standards Associated Equipment Corp. (associatedequip.com) announces that new energy-efficient portable automotive maintainers/chargers are available under the ATEC brand.

The three new ATEC from Associ-

ated Equipment models are the 9002A, 9003A and 9004A smart charger/ maintainer/rejuvenators. All three feature automatic short-circuit protection, reverse battery/overload condition protection and internal overheat protection; they also meet the new CEC standards for battery chargers.

Vanair Adds Chief Procurement Officer Vanair (vanair.com) added Greg Kelly as its Chief Procurement Officer, responsible for strategically managing the mobile power company’s supply chain vendors and other aspects of the procurement process, both externally and internally.

His other principal duties include developing and executing plans to lower material cost, quality and delivery, managing the buying team, establishing measurable performance metrics, and managing supplier, contract, and agreement risk.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 43

Legend of the Drawing a Curious Parallel to the Pony Express

by Steve Calitri

T

here is actually little in common between the American Towman Spirit Ride and the legendary Pony Express, although both ventures shared some common dynamics.

The Pony Express was a private venture created to serve the need of delivering the mail to a population center that had mushroomed overnight with the Gold Rush of 1849. By 1860 there was a dire need for faster communication, particularly between San Francisco/Sacramento and the East. The Pony Express succeeded in reducing mail transport by ten days.

The Spirit Ride neither has a profit motive nor is about speed or transporting mail, though it is about accelerating the awareness of the Slow Down, Move-Over Law and carrying that message cross country.

Pony Express Riders on average rode for about 75 miles, swapping horses every ten miles, then relayed their mail bag to the next rider in an exchange that barely made time for hello and goodbye. The Spirit Rider will ride an hour or more, and some will ride several hours, and relay the Spirit Casket to the next towman and carrier bed. Perhaps in the relay these

44 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Riders have something in common, if 150 years apart.

The dedication of the Pony Express Riders and the Spirit Riders are based on different motivations. The Pony Express Riders were paid three times the wage of an unskilled laborer at the time; and though not a lucrative amount, he was paid. The Spirit Rider is a volunteer, motivated by heart and the experiences of running an operation fraught with risk and peril. Maybe one of his drivers was struck and killed working a breakdown. Maybe one of his competitors lost a driver that way, to say nothing of the countless injuries he’s aware drivers have suffered out there. To the Rider, the special casket he carries represents the spirit of the towers who paid the ultimate sacrifice; a precious cargo indeed.

The Pony Express Rider took a loyalty oath to good behavior before he could join this exclusive corps. The Spirit Rider’s oath to deliver his charge safely is implicit with his understanding of what he transports.

There were nearly 200 relief stations from Missouri through to California where the Riders either swapped horses or fell back to let a fresh

man take the bags from there. As of this date there are well over 300 relay points around the country for the Spirit Ride, and more are expected to be added to the route that begins in Las Vegas during Tow Industry Week with a maiden run down the famous Strip planned for May 13th. The route will follow a zigzag line around the nation connecting the locations where there are Spirit Riders who will carry the casket.

The Pony Express came to an abrupt halt one and a half years after it began when the telegraph lines were strung up across the country. The Spirit Ride has no forecasted finish right now. It could potentially run extended routes wherever there are towers who want to carry it and there is support behind the publicpromotion campaign needed to accompany the Ride. More likely it will run out of steam within a year with its cargo finding a home in a museum so it may be viewed for ages. As a museum piece the Spirit Casket is a work of art, designed by American Towman and handpainted by one of the industry’s renowned wrecker artists, Cecil Burrowes.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

The Pony Express could not turn a profit in its short life span. Perhaps if the telegraph lines had come a decade or two later it might have.

The Spirit Ride is a non-profit venture initially funded by American Towman and B/A Products, the project’s founding sponsors and planners. Eventually a non-profit corporation was established: American Towman Spirit, Inc., so that towers donating their services to the Ride and sponsors funding it could claim tax exemption on their contributions.

While both Rides came from different kinds of purpose, both will go down in the annals of history as shortlived but admirable in their energetic vision. The Pony Express succeeded in significantly improving communications for the young nation. The Spirit Ride hopes to do the same for an industry born with the automobile. The Spirit Ride will make a statement to motorists that will save lives; and to towers underscore the need for safe operating procedures and always being on-guard. The mail carrying venture wanted a long life no doubt. The Spirit Ride is destined to be like a shooting star; brief but perhaps magnificent.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 45

AMERICAN TOWMAN

Red: 2017 Route Green: 2018 Route Spirit Ride Starts June 1, 2017

The Routes

Founding Sponsors

46 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 47

Working with Millennials Is It a Problem or a Positive?

Recognition through incentive programs can help millennials feel welcome and wanted at your shop, and improve productivity.

Joe DiMarco (second from left, bottom row), owner of QikPik Towing in Phoenix, Ariz., created an incentive program for his staff that included a company-paid trip to the American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas as a prize.

by Brendan Dooley

D

o a simple online search for “The problems with millennials,” and you will get millions of hits for news stories, blog posts, YouTube videos and more that dig into the catastrophes ahead.

After all, some 75 million of these “sunshine generationals” will be in the labor market before you know it.

Perhaps, though, the older generations need to think about the “problems” with millennials in the workplace as “potential”—to do otherwise is to simply fear change.

(Speaking as a “slacker” of Generation X, I remember well how we weren’t going to amount to much with our lackadaisical attitudes towards just about anything besides grunge rock, coffee and flannel attire.)

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Overarching stereotypes aside, the millennials really just represent the next wave … one that you should try to understand in order to best motivate them at your shop. “The real problem with conventional wisdom about Millennials in the workplace is that it's not unique to that generation; it's unique to young people in general,” wrote David Burkus on Inc.com for his column on “The real problem with millennials at work”.

At the 2017 Work Truck Show, Amy Hirsh Robinson, Principal at the Interchange Group (www.interchangegroup.com), moderated a focus group on working with millennials. She’s also written several articles and white papers about the generations as far as working together on the job.

In her piece, “7 Secrets to Working with Millennials,” Hirsh Robinson describes millennials as, “tech savvy with short attention spans,” “natural multi-taskers brimming with confidence,” and “action-oriented team enthusiasts who want to make the world a better place.” Certainly some of these may be traits that would make for good tow operators, particularly tech savvy, confident and actionoriented team enthusiasts.

Positives Of Hirsh Robinson’s “Secrets,” a few stand out that any tow business should already be encouraging of employees. Chief among these may be, “Challenge them to learn new skills.” When it comes to towing, the

advance of technology and equipment makes regular training and preparation key to employing a knowledgeable operator.

“Millennials … view learning as a lifelong pursuit and are hungry for new knowledge and training,” Hirsh Robinson wrote. If you want employees who won’t be satisfied with the status quo, it sounds like millennials will be a boost there.

Another important aspect of Generation Y is the positivity of teamwork; working together on rigging a major wreck or even just maintenance in the shop can be a plus for them.

“They like to support each other and to work in groups, even while having their own independent tasks to complete,” Hirsh Robinson wrote.

Working to “Make it meaningful,” another of the secrets, may take some work but is not a complete stretch.

“Millennials want a chance to do work that will benefit society. They are more likely to respond (and less likely to quit!) if they feel their work has meaning and is connected to a greater good,” Hirsh Robinson wrote.

Stressing the importance of clearing the roadway, preventing additional accidents, and saving lives working on the white line may help satisfy this facet of the millennial mentality.

Questionable Job? According to Bruce Pfau, Ph.D., head of human resources for advisory firm KPMG, there are four questions that ALL employees consider regarding their workplace: • Is this a winning organization I can be proud of?

• Can I maximize my performance on the job?

• Are people treated well economically and interpersonally?

• Is the work itself fulfilling and enjoyable?

Source: inc.com/david-burkus/ the-real-problem-with-millennialsat-work.html.

Problems?

Of course, there are a few aspects that can be problematic to the nature of towing.

Hirsh Robinson’s secrets to working with millennials include “Provide flexibility” and “Recognize success.”

These both offer challenges to the average tow operation, but are not insurmountable.

That whole work-life balance thing is tough in the 24/7/365 world of towing. Millennials expect time off to save the world off the clock too. In addition to time-clock flexibility, they expect flexibility in what they do,

according to Hirsh Robinson.

“Skilled at multitasking … they are likely to get bored when tasked with a single project and need variety to stay engaged,” she wrote.

However, in towing, every job can be different—particularly recoveries.

This is an area where you can sell a millennial potential employee on the variances from day to day on volume and variety of calls—turn a problem into potential.

Another of Hirsh Robinson’s secrets, “Recognize success,” also is a likely speed bump for some tow companies. Not many shops go out of their way to give operators praise on a regular basis, and that can hurt a millennial who is “used to and expects to be recognized as someone special.”

Worse yet for this industry, millennials have had “limited exposure to critical feedback,” Hirsh Robinson wrote. They “need frequent encouragement and acknowledgement.”

Creating incentive and acknowledgement programs aren’t unheard of in towing, where high performers may get gift cards, day trips to a nearby tow expo or other perks based on criteria from fewest damage claims or best customer feedback, etc. Even a company cookout can serve as both a recognition event and team building.

“Effectively integrating [millennials] into organizations will take planning, patience and a readiness to think differently about recruitment and retention.” Hirsh Robinson wrote.

“Companies willing to make the investment will see their attrition rates drop and experience a sustainable competitive advantage in the years to come.”

In the end, finding an employee who embraces the technology of GPS and constant communication with the office, craves continued learning and training, likes to be part of a team and wants to help others … which isn’t part of a strong base for a good tower?

Editor Brendan Dooley joined AT in January 2011 after serving as the editor of two magazines covering the auto repair industry for shop owners, techs and tool distributors. His experience includes hard news on daily newspapers and editorial leadership at vintage motorcycle and car magazines. Brendan is WreckMaster 6/7A certified.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 51

New at The Work Truck Show

by Brendan Dooley

While much of the Midwest and Northeast were deluged by late-season heavy snows, I was blessed to find myself in the tropical paradise of Indianapolis, Ind., walking through aisles and aisles of medium-duty trucks and product suppliers at The Work Truck Show.

OK, maybe Indianapolis isn’t a tropical paradise, but it was warm and snow-free inside the convention center for the National Truck Equipment Association’s annual trade expo. It was a great place to catch up on the latest offerings from OEMs and suppliers alike.

One of the coolest demos of the week was a live conversion of a 2017 Ford F-250 to propane autogas by Alliance AutoGas (allianceautogas.com) conversion specialists.

“The live conversion was not being done this year for speed or to break any records—only to show consistency, and ease of install on any vehicle,” said Ed Hoffman, president of Blossman Services.

Stacey Snyder, conversion specialist from Alliance AutoGas, in Asheville, N.C., assisted Kevin Oglesby, conversion specialist from Southern Alternatives in Athens, Ga., installed the Alliance AutoGas conversion system.

The “plug and play” EPA- and NFPA 58-compliant system is designed to require no fabrication; every bracket, nut and bolt is included for each vehicle-specific system.

Bi-fuel conversions allow for the original gasoline components to remain with the vehicle as a backup, giving flexibility to switch between propane or gasoline.

Other manufacturer updates and product introductions from the 2017 show included (in no particular order):

Ford Ford (ford.com) announced updates to its 2018 Transit van lineup and introduced an expansion of its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier program. The company also accepted “Work Truck” magazine’s 2017 MediumDuty Truck of the Year award for its F-650 and F-750 trucks.

The company is expanding the Ford Advanced Fuel QVM program to include companies that develop and install hybrid powertrains and will enable customers to get hybrid work trucks that retain their original powertrain warranties. XL Hybrids, Motiv Power Systems and Lightning Hybrids offer electrification or hydraulic hybrid solutions for a range of Ford vehicles, including F-150, F-250 to F-550 Super Duty, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks, 56 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Stacey Snyder, conversion specialist with Alliance AutoGas, works live on the show floor at The Work Truck Show to convert a 2017 Ford F-250 to run on propane autogas.

Transit and E-Series vans and chassis, and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis.

“Work Truck” magazine named Ford F-650 and F-750 its 2017 Medium-Duty Truck of the Year. This is the second consecutive year F-650 and F-750 won the title. In voting for the award, professional fleet managers were asked to consider which of the nine competing trucks best fit their application effectiveness, durability, quality, servicing, maintenance and lifecycle costs.

The new Ford Commercial Vehicle Center program (it replaces the Ford Business Preferred Network) includes more than 670 dealers nationwide committed to offering fleet and commercial customers the vehicles, financing options and service support their businesses need. To maximize customer vehicle uptime, Commercial Vehicle Center dealer service departments are open at least 55 hours per week, and new stocking programs help improve parts availability.

Chevrolet General Motors confirmed that Chevrolet’s (chevrolet.com) all-new Class 4/5 commercial truck will be powered by a Duramax engine and Allison transmission, a combination that has powered close to 2 million trucks.

The truck is on track to launch in 2018 and is being jointly developed by Chevrolet and Navistar.

“Our new Chevrolet medium-duty will be the flagship of our truck portfolio for fleet and commercial customers, and we believe the strength of Duramax/Allison powertrain combination will be able to tackle various jobs … [including] wreckers,” said John Schwegman, U.S. director of commercial product and medium duty for GM Fleet.

The first Duramax diesel engines were introduced in Chevrolet and GMC trucks in 2001, and they have accumulated more than 100 billion miles of real-world experience. Allison Transmission is the largest designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmissions.

Ram Ram Commercial (ramtrucks.com) announced two new programs—Ram Augmented Reality Upfit Configurator and Q Pro—to assist commercial upfitters, dealers and customers in viewing, certifying and installing an array of truck-mounted products.

The Upfit Configurator is a computer-generated visual program allowing upfitters and dealers to virtually

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 57

showcase a number of solutions to customers. Prospective buyers have the opportunity to virtually walk around the vehicle and even view inside to assess the various options via computer simulation.

Q Pro is a new qualification process for upfitters to certify their product with Ram Engineering. Q Pro allocates Ram Engineering resources to survey, make recommendations and certify upfitter products.

Hino

Visit us at AT ShowPlace Booth 1110

Hino Trucks (hino.com) introduced its latest group of dealers selected as “Certified Ultimate,” Hino’s dealer excellence program.

From new products and services to training and dealership presentation, Certified Ultimate Dealerships are setting a benchmark.

To be considered for certification these dealers are exceeding exceptional performance goals and are fulfilling stringent customer total support requirements in the areas of Facilities, Business Processes and Personnel Training. They are: • H.K. Truck Services; Plainfield, N.J. • Bentley Truck Services; New Castle, Del. • Lynch Truck Center; Waterford, Wis. • Matheny Motor Truck Co.; Mineral Wells, W. Va. • Industrial Power Truck & Equipment; Fort Worth, Texas (Second certified location).

“As a Certified Ultimate Dealer, extensive training and additional standards for our parts, sales and service department allows our employees to be more engaged and invested in improving the customer experience,” said Tim Matheny, president of Matheny Motors. “Through the process of becoming Certified Ultimate, our [dealership] environment has become more safe, organized and customer focused.”

Fuso Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (mitfuso.com) and Telogis, a Verizon Co., announced an exclusive partnership to install Telogis telematics sys58 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

tems as standard equipment on all Fuso medium-duty, diesel cab-over trucks.

The two firms will work together to integrate Telogis telematics capabilities into all of Fuso’s future Class 3 through 5, turbo-charged diesel commercial trucks.

“The Telogis software will help provide Fuso owners and fleet operators with improved safety, better logistics control and more efficient operations,” said Jecka Glasman, Fuso president/CEO. Fuso announced the development of a new gasoline powertrain for its FE Series medium-duty cab-over trucks and showed a prototype of the new truck.

“We have partnered with PSI, General Motors Powertrain and Allison to provide what we believe will be the most competitive gas-powered medium-duty cabovers in the market,” Glasman said.

All three Fuso models—FE130, FE160 and FE180— will be powered by a PSI-GMPT Vortec Series 6L V-8, coupled to the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission—allowing these gas trucks to offer PTO capability.

Isuzu Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (isuzucv.com) announced that production of its all-new Class 6 2018 Isuzu FTR was set to begin this month. The F-Series truck, which will be assembled at a new facility in Michigan, was available starting in April.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 59

“The all-new FTR is truly a gamechanger,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “This truck’s combination of low-cab-forward design and Class 6 GVWR gives it fantastic maneuverability and visibility along with the ability to carry more cargo than a conventional Class 6 truck.”

Eight wheelbase lengths will accommodate bodies from 14’ to 30’, allowing for a wide variety of body applications.

Eaton, Cummins Eaton (eaton.com) and Cummins (cummins.com) announced a joint venture for automated transmissions for heavy- and medium-duty commercial vehicles. The joint venture will be named Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies.

The formation of the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals; the parties expect the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2017.

“Our growth strategy includes

expanding our product offerings and extending our global footprint by becoming the world’s leading powertrain supplier,” said Tom Linebarger, Cummins chairman/CEO. Eaton’s current medium-duty automated transmission, Procision, and next generation heavy-duty automated transmissions, will be part of the joint venture. In addition, the joint venture will market, sell, and support Eaton’s current generation of automated heavy-duty transmissions to OEM customers in North America.

Allison Transmission Allison Transmission (allisontransmission.com) announced its TC10 for Class 8 tractors will be available from PACCAR later this year in the Kenworth T680 and T880, and Peterbilt 567 and 579 models.

Overall, fleets adopting the TC10 and sharing data with Allison are reporting an average fuel economy improvement of 5 percent when compared to other transmission technolo-

gies. With FuelSense technology, the TC10 achieves the best fuel economy, regardless of driver experience or expertise.

Allison said its FuelSense 2.0 featuring DynActive Shifting will deliver up to 6 percent additional fuel savings beyond the company’s original FuelSense software. Available in three packages, FuelSense 2.0 allows fleets to optimize fuel economy and performance to their specific needs.

“This latest technology further reduces fuel consumption in all segments of a vehicle’s duty-cycle,” said Schutte. “FuelSense 2.0 offers increased specification flexibility and delivers the best economic value to our customers.”

Peterbilt Peterbilt (peterbilt.com) announced new design features and options that result in weight savings, better performance and improved serviceability for its Model 220.

Among the new features is a redesigned vertical exhaust. The single canister after-treatment in this design replaces the former dual canister design, saving up to 100 lbs. per unit.

The design also increases the Model 220’s cab-to-axle distance by 6”. The battery box in this exhaust configuration has also been reduced in size, resulting in a combined weight savings of up to 165 lbs.

An enhanced frame layout on the Model 220 features better clearance for PTO installation through the lefthand rail and enables faster and easier PTO mounting and serviceability. The new design is standard on all Model 220s ordered after January 2017.

Parker Chelsea Parker Chelsea (parker.com) introduced a new option for the 249 Series PTO. The Smart Start design option manages the system pressure that is used to engage the PTO’s clutch pack enabling it to absorb the torque spikes and provide a smooth engagement.

In addition, the Smart Start helps to protect the transmission by preventing the spike torque from being transferred downstream into the transmission.

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Motorcycle Service Tools, Training Condor’s Towing SelfLoader is specially designed to transport all types and sizes of motorcycles securely on an autoloader wheel lift. This unit features the patented fully adjustable wheellocking mechanism that holds the motorcycle upright while the towman attaches the tie-downs.

The components can be broken down to fit into a wrecker’s toolbox.

Condor Products’ Cycle Loader is an adjustable wheel-locking system designed for a car carrier. It can accommodate front and rear wheels of motorcycles weighing up to 2,000 lbs. It features four rolling wheels with individual brakes to allow the unit to be loaded without sliding. The unit weighs about 55 lbs. and can be disassembled quickly to fit in a carrier’s toolbox.

by Terry Abejuela

T

here are nearly 9 million motorcycles registered in the United States and the number is increasing every year. In 2013, the top five states with the most registered motorcycles were California (799,900), Florida (545,452), Texas

62 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

(443,816), Ohio (402,264) and Pennsylvania (400,908).

With this many motorcycles on the road, providing service to them can be a substantial revenue source. If done improperly, motorcycle towing or service can put the towing company

at risk for damages and injuries. If you are going to provide motorcycle service, you must provide adequate equipment and training.

Proper training and equipment are essential to providing professional, quality service. Trying to provide this

service without the proper equipment and training is an accident waiting to happen. The cost associated with damages and injuries will far exceed the cost of training and proper equipment, as well as tarnish your company’s image and impact potential referrals.

If you are going to do it, you must do it right.

All employees that will be assigned to transport a motorcycle must be thoroughly trained in the proper use of the specialized towing equipment. Practice is the best of all instructors. Whenever possible, provide training at the shop before employees are allowed to transport a customer’s motorcycle. Make sure your employees have a copy of the operation manual for the equipment and are familiar with the inspection, maintenance and operating procedures.

Selecting the appropriate equipment takes a little time and research … there are many options available.

You must take into consideration how often you will use it, what types of motorcycles you typically encounter, types of equipment you currently have that may be utilized in some way (wheel lift, tow sling, flatbed), and

Amerideck’s Hydraulic Loading System Motorcycle Deck is a motorcycle transporting unit designed to be installed in the bed of a pick-up truck. The unit has a load capacity of 2,500 lbs. and weighs approximately 600 lbs.

your budget. Homemade devices or makeshift attachments may work, but will expose the towing company to liabilities that are more difficult to defend.

Many tow companies currently utilize a car carrier to transport motorcycles. A car carrier works fine as long as the operator uses some type of

dolly to assist them. One operator trying to load a motorcycle on a car carrier without the assistance of a motorcycle dolly is unsafe.

I have not found a way to do this that I would consider safe enough to be acceptable. Slipping on the deck and/or dropping the motorcycle often result with this technique. I don’t rec-

Amerideck’s Motorcycle Deck doesn't require modifications to the full-size pickup and hydraulically gets the bike to the truck bed after being safely secured on the ground.

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 63

ommend requesting or allowing the customer, law enforcement or anyone to assist you.

No one, including the tow operator, should be standing on the inclined deck. Inclement weather or fluids deposited on the deck can and do cause slips and falls. Even just a smooth steel deck that is painted can easily cause a slip or fall when the

deck is angled to 15 degrees or more.

There are several motorcycle dollies available that are designed and intended to be used with a car carrier.

When selecting a motorcycle dolly for use on your car carrier, look for a well-built, sturdy dolly that will accommodate different sizes and types of motorcycles.

If you have very limited storage

space on the flatbed, look for a dolly that can be easily dismantled into smaller, lighter parts to store.

One of the issues you might have with a motorcycle dolly is its ability to easily transition from the ground onto the car carrier deck. Some decks have an approach plate that is thick enough to make it difficult for some motorcycle dollies to easily transition from the roadway onto the deck. Motorcycle dollies with pneumatic wheels, larger wheels and/or a wide stance tend to work best on these types of decks.

Aside from loading on the flatbed deck, there are attachments that work with wheel lifts. These generally help cradle the motorcycle into the lift and leave it safely secured for transport.

Other companies have introduced sliding decks that lay out on the ground for easy tie-downs to hold the Bulldog Towing owner Don Kein recommends unloading the motorcycle from the Bulldog Transporter dolly when just its front wheels are still on the deck and the unit is still attached to the winch. This allows the operator to take advantage of the inclined deck to assist with rolling the motorcycle out of the half moon wheel device.

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bike before the deck is hydraulically moved back into the bed.

There are several types of trailers that work well to transport motorcycles. One of the advantages of a motorcycle trailer is that any truck, including a service truck, can be used to tow the trailer. Level-loading trailers work best so the operator does not have to roll the motorcycle up an incline. Trailers with a stand capture the front wheel that assist the operator by holding the motorcycle upright for securement. Some trailers are capable of transporting more than one motorcycle at a time.

Whenever possible, provide training at the shop before employees are allowed to transport a customer’s motorcycle.

As with any type of tow, the tow operator must document in writing any existing damage on the motorcycle prior to the tow. Notify the customer of any previous damage and have them initial your documentation.

Do not request or even allow customers or law enforcement to assist you with motorcycle loading or unloading. If you need assistance, use another company employee that is properly trained.

For a towing company to be profitable at providing motorcycle service and towing, they must utilize the proper equipment and provide adequate training for their employees.

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

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Doing Repo too? Get Training

The fee for repossessing an automobile is considerably more than a tow. Dynamic Tow Equipment & Mfg. image.

by Mark Lacek

A

s a repossessor, I often feel like the stepchild writer for American Towman Magazine … there are times when I just don’t feel that I belong. AT is, of course, a towing publication; the towing and repossession industries share some similarities, but a repo is not always a tow and vice versa.

Just to be clear, feeling unwelcome doesn’t bother me—it’s something I already deal with everyday. Nobody wants to be around a repo guy; certainly not the debtor, and the client only deals with us because they must.

It’s like having a permanent seat at the kids’ table during the holidays— always last at the food line when it’s down to paper plates and plastic forks.

Of course, many towing companies also are in the repossession business. My monthly rants target those 66 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

who repo to be safe and stay as far away from a jury as possible. Truth be told, I know more about the repossession business than anyone at AT headquarters, yet less about towing than most.

Reading my column each month is not enough to call yourself a repossessor, not enough to keep you safe, and not enough to keep you out of a courtroom. There are steps you must take to protect your company as well as yourself and your staff: • Find out the requirements in your state about repossession law.

• Join one of the national repossession associations, become certified and compliant through training. (Check riscus.com for info.)

• Attend a yearly repossession

conference or convention. One option is the North American Repossessors Summit this July in Dallas, Texas. Everyone is invited to NARS and it is by far the largest repossession event of the year. Training, insurance, compliance and seminars are offered. I will be there … even the oldest of repossessors have more to learn.

In the early ’70s, I operated heavyduty wreckers in Cleveland, Ohio, working for the likes of Junior Jay at G&M Towing, Bobby and Billy Kovach on the west side, and Phil D’Amico at D&H Towing in Warrensville Heights. Operating a heavy back in those days was a different job than it is today; everything was cable, chain, scotch block and snatch block (wheel-lifts and hydraulic booms were

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 67

not a part of the process).

In 1975, working for D&H, I drove a Mack B61 with a quadruplex transmission, better known as a “quad box.” Cables were about 1” thick and on many occasion you could find me at 2 a.m. on the icy and windblown I271 or I-480, hooked to a jack-knifed tractor-trailer with a four-part line and 100’ of steel cable stretched tight to a chain wrapped around the front axle. The front end of that old Mack would often lift 6’ in the air with me hoping the snow and ice would give way to some movement.

One thing that has changed about the towing industry from back in the 1970s is the opportunities provided through training and certification.

Nowadays, operating a heavy-duty wrecker is less about driving down the road, and more about understanding the complexities of uprighting an overturned semitrailer or towing mangled steel off of a roadway. For the heavy tow operators, if you’re not trained and certified, you just aren’t

68 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

there yet when it comes to what you need to play with the big boys.

This is also true about the repo side of things; if you don’t educate yourself, some form of trouble is in your future.

I would guess that nearly every towing company gets a call at least once a month about repossessing a car or a truck. The voice on the other end of the phone has a clear objective: To convince you to consider their request as an easy tow. Don’t be a sucker!

Chances are that you’re the first call from a collector who is trying to repossess an asset without using a trained repossessor.

The fee for repossessing an automobile is considerably more than a tow. The caller on the other end of the line is more concerned about his bottom line than the safety of you or your staff. If the caller can convince you to complete his repo request as a tow, he is saving money while jeopardizing your business.

Here is your solution: Just as train-

ing and certification are available to towing professionals, the same is available to repossessers. Find out what you must do to become repocompliant. Seek out training for yourself, as well as your staff, on the rules and laws that must be followed to perform repossessions.

Towing companies who conduct repossessions without the proper knowledge will sooner or later be involved in a legal suit. Even the lawyer who finished last in his class will eat you up in court. Actually, you will dig such a deep hole for you and your company during the deposition that your insurance company will be forced to settle the case.

Once the case is settled, say goodbye to your insurance agent because your next policy will cost you twice as much—if you’re lucky.

Repo Editor Mark Lacek authored the Certified Commercial Recovery Agent certification program and has more than 30 years of recovery experience.

He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessers” magazine. Email him at Mark@commercialassetsolutions.com.

Repo Agent Caught Helping Again Repo agent Jimmy Ford of O’Fallon, Ill., made national headlines last November when he gave an elderly couple a Thanksgiving surprise; now he’s back and helping Pat Kipping recover from the recent loss of her husband, Stanford.

Jimmy felt sorry for the couple, so instead of repossessing their car he set up a GoFundMe campaign (gofundme.com/help-pay-off-elderlycouples-car) that managed to raise about $25,000 which helped pay off the Kipping’s car as well as their medical bills.

Recently, Jimmy was heartbroken to hear that Stan Kipping had passed away after complications involving a nasty fall. Stan was airlifted to St. Louis by helicopter, which left his widow Pat with more medical bills.

According to Ford, Pat still had roughly $8,000 saved from the original crowdfunding campaign.

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“The money that she had—the money that I raised—was pretty much everything that she had left and it all went to the funeral,” Ford said.

Jimmy reopened the original GoFundMe page in hopes of gathering more donations to help support Pat with her difficult situation. The goal on the GoFundMe page was set at $30,000, but Jimmy hopes to surpass that since the helicopter ride alone could total over $50,000.

Source: Starpulse.com.

Pelican Restricts Kill Switches, Door Knocks Pelican Auto Finance has changed two collection and repossession policies in the wake of increased attention from the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, according to Joel Kennedy, the lender’s chief performance and compliance officer.

The use of GPS-enabled kill

switches and “door-knock” inquiries used for communication rather than direct collection, have become “much more restrictive,” Kennedy said.

Pelican’s policy change for kill switches came after it was revealed that the FTC has been inquiring about the technology at subprime lenders Westlake Financial Services, Credit Acceptance Corp. and DriveTime Automotive Group Inc. “We’ve really made a policy and took a conservative, compliance-based angle on how we want to execute,” Kennedy said. “Both [kill switches and ‘door-knock’ inquiries] are tools that we have the right to use, but we want to make sure we’re very discerning and we have a lot of controls around who can use it when, why, and where.”

Source: autofinancenews.net.

Find more Repo news each week on

Repotimes.com.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 69

USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 2014 Dodge 5500, Flatbed 205,925 miles 631-531-0673

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

CALIFORNIA TOW TRUCK ASSOCIATION SEEKING INSTRUCTORS CTTA’s Training & Education Program teaches drivers skills & knowledge needed to stay safe & serve the motoring public. CTTA Instructors will meet following for this part-time position: • Willing to travel and coordinate class dates/times with the CTTA Office • Ability to teach a set curriculum put forth by the Association’s Education Department • Prior experience in the industry and/or instruction experience is desired, not required • Ability to read and interpret documents, including technical data, safety rules, vehicle codes and procedure manuals • Ability to speak effectively in interpersonal situations and with groups of people Submit resumes and contact information to: ctta@ctta.com

To Advertise In

Towman’s Market Call 800-732-3869 Ellen Rosengart x 203 erosengart@towman.com 70 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

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

1-800-246-4785 540-797-2567 • • • • •

Sliders Quick Swaps Air Cushions Sliding Rotators Fixed Boom Rollbacks

robertyoungtrucks.com

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AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 71

Hawaiian NRC Honors Legendary Trainer

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

Advanced Towing & Recovery owner Kenneth Tom credits industry trainer Bill Jackson with “opening his eyes” to training and cross-training with emergency responders (above). The 80-ton NRC 60/80 sliding rotator is Advanced’s new flagship wrecker (right).

A

dvanced Towing & Recovery, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was founded in 2002. Company owner Kenneth Tom now has three employees, including Operations Manager Al Pico.

All are trained and certified professionals with credentials from TRAA, WreckMaster and the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators.

The Advanced crew handles everything from light- through extraheavy-duty towing, crane work and equipment setting, flatbed and lowboy 72 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

equipment transport, heavy incident management and all types of recovery situations.

The newest addition to Advanced’s varied fleet is this 2008 Kenworth T800/2012 NRC 60/80SR Heavy Incident Manager. (Tom calls it “Da HIM.”) Among its features are a three-stage underlift with a 144” reach, low-profile three-stage outriggers, a fully equipped removable NRC rigging box, NRC spreader bars, Grade 100 two-legged chain bridles, a full set of pre-cast specialized lifting

knuckles, Tandemloc ISO container lifting lugs, Hetronics fully proportional remote control, VisionX LED upper and lower work lights, Whelen Justice lightbars on turret and roof, Whelen lower level LED lighting, MatJack high-pressure lifting cushions and Sonetics wireless headsets.

The 60/80SR is an 80-ton sliding rotator that features an oversized version of NRC’s Slider System, combined with dual 60,000-lbs. planetary two-speed main winches, dual 20,000lbs. planetary auxiliary winches under

Tech Highlights

Chassis: 2008 Kenworth T800.

Wrecker: 2012 NRC 60/80SR Heavy Incident Manager.

Engine: Cummins ISX 15.

Trans: Cummins ISX 15.

Winches: Dual 60,000lb planetary two-speed Main, Dual 20,000lb planetary Auxiliary, 35,000lb planetary Drag.

Graphics: Aloha Signs and Graphics.

Built/paint: NRC.

the boom and a slide-in detachable 35,000-lbs. planetary drag winch.

“I made a promise to Albert Battelini (Battelini’s Garage in Landisville, N.J.) that the next truck we got would have a drag winch,” Tom said. “This unit was put in service straight off the docks. It provides additional capacity and resources to our fleet while working alongside our NRC 50/65 SR unit. We haven’t won any beauty contests yet as we just put this truck in service, but it will be part of our parade fleet.”

NRC built Da HIM and did the paint. Aloha Signs and Graphics in Pearl City did the custom reflective patriotic lettering.

“The graphics were geared toward showing pride for our country. This unit is also a tribute to the late Mr. Bill Jackson, the man who opened up my eyes to training and also cross-training with fire departments,” Tom said.

“Along with numerous other accomplishments, he also formed the ExTeam, who’s mission statement was that if called out to save a life it would be done at no cost. I was a proud member of that team along with Mike Scheidt and many others.

“Thank you Mr. Jackson for all that you’ve done for our industry and please watch over and guide us from up above. Our HIM is in tribute to you, Aloha!”

Legendary industry trainer Bill Jackson, widely credited as the father of recovery training, passed away Oct. 25, 2016, after a short illness. He was a member of the inaugural class of the Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame in 1986 and was honored

by American Towman Magazine in 1991 as the “Father of Recovery Education.” In November 2016, his son Bruce led a memorial for him at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore.

“There are more tow trucks on this island then all the outer islands combined,” Pico said. “This truck is the crowning achievement of our commitment to this industry and what we do on a daily basis. We were just

blessed to have the opportunity to purchase our dream truck. Mahalo to everyone involved in getting this beast to Hawaii!”

“Da HIM is the flagship of our fleet,” Tom said. “The island just got a little heavier!”

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.

The NRC features five winches and a threestage 144” underlift.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • 73

“Bobby’s Law”

by Steve Calitri

I

t’s been said you can judge how a man lived by how he died. There was one tragic instant on February 19th of this year that revealed how towman Robert Unruh lived.

The 37-year-old son of Linda Unruh, owner of All-Rite Towing in Tucumcari, N.M., Robert was dispatched with his service vehicle to clean up an oil spill on the freeway.

He took a trainee with him.

Already on scene was All-Rite heavy-duty operator Chad Becerra.

Unruh positioned the trainee on the non-traffic side of the vehicles while Chad was setting up equipment on the traffic side. Unruh then got behind the trucks to direct oncoming traffic to move over one lane. The vehicles were heeding his signals, but for one, and he could tell this truck wasn’t going to move over.

Unruh shouted his alarm, warning Chad, and bolted to him, stuffing him into the toolbox compartment, then lurching his body towards the head of the wrecker. Maybe if he had gone under the wrecker, was a thought of many afterwards, he might have survived. He was clipped at the hips by the passing truck, sending him airborne and his head came down on the truck’s mirror.

He was gone moments later.

Chad, the operator who had been thrown into the tool compartment was untouched—saved by a veteran towman familiar with the perils of working the roadside, yet whose splitsecond instinct was to save another.

Linda is now raising Robert’s two

74 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Robert Lee Unruh Jr. “Bobby” February 2, 1980 February 19, 2017

sons, ages eight and 10. Amidst her grieving, Linda immediately lobbied the state of New Mexico to include tow operators and stranded motorists as protected parties in its Move Over law. Within 17 days, the new law passed and legislators named it “Bobby’s Law.” “Bobby started hanging around the wreckers when he was eight. He was driving a company wrecker when he was 17,” his mother recalled.

When Linda had related the details of the accident, I remarked that she must play them in her head over and over.

“There’s not a day goes by that I don’t play through it a thousand times,” she cried out, expelling some of her grief. She then mentioned how the loss was sinking in hard on Bobby’s younger sister, Channee.

About 1,000 attended a special service for Bobby and more than 40 emergency service vehicles formed a procession in the small hometown

they hailed from in the days before Linda set up shop as the first towwoman in New Mexico. I asked her what words best described her son and she said with great pride that he was “the kindest soul.”

Then she launched into talk about raising awareness of the Move Over law. Linda has a sweet softness about her, but an iron will. It served her well toward success in an industry that’s very much a man’s world.

The Spirit Ride will route through Tucumcari in August, with Linda taking the lead to orchestrate a big ceremony and procession through Albuquerque and draw media attention to it. With her behind it, I know the Ride through New Mexico will be a huge success.

But I wonder how many such successes it will take for the public to slow down and for towmen to take all precautions. How many great people, like Bobby Unruh, we will lose.

I told Linda I know she keeps her son alive inside her but more than that, I know her son’s spirit is very real.

I believe this. I believe it as much as I believe that human forms, voices, and emotions travel through airwaves into phones and onto screens. Just as I know that thousands of Spirits will be on the Ride, helping it along its route, intent on saving the lives of their brothers and sisters on the roadside, if these Spirits are in any way like Bobby’s.

Editors Note: The Spirit Ride is a project of American Towman Spirit Inc., a nonprofit corporation; its purpose is to promote public awareness of the Move Over laws. Any reader who would like to support the Ride may contribute as a sponsor at ATSpiritRide.com.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • NORTH 75

Police Investigating Murders of Two Towmen Philadelphia, Pa., police are conducting an investigation of an unsolved murder and shooting spree carried out against workers at a local tow truck company. The shootings left two employees of A-Bob’s Towing dead and another critically wounded in a bloody 24-hour period.

Police say the murders were well-planned and carried out execution style. Both were captured on surveillance video and the killer was still on the loose at press time.

The video shows 28-year-old Khayyan Fruster was shot one time in the back of the head on January 13th. His co-worker at A-Bob’s, tow truck driver Tom Wilcher, was shot multiple times. They say whoever shot the two men was lying in wait holding a box and a gun.

“Khayyan Fruster, the deceased victim, was definitely the intended target of this attack,” Detective Joe Bamberski said.

“This guy stood there with this package on the phone like he was waiting for the bus. And when it was time to do what he was intending on doing, calmly walked over, no rush. Fired numerous times with the weapon he’s carrying and when he fled he held onto that box and gone,” Detective John McNamee said.

Somehow tow truck driver Tom Wilcher survived the barrage of gunfire.

Fruster’s murder is further complicated by another execution-style murder caught on camera just 24 hours earlier outside a bar where 35year-old Eric Robinson, another tow truck driver at A-Bob’s Towing, was gunned down.

Detectives Bamberski and McNamee say Robinson was shot just moments after he walked down the block from A-Bob’s Towing. The detectives believe the killer stalked Robinson at the store next to the bar NORTH 76 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • NORTH 77

Continued: Police Investigating where cameras captured him inside.

“He’s looking for our victim, but he doesn’t see him in the store, so he peaks out the window and sees our victim standing outside of the business,” McNamee said.

Tips have come in and there’s a $20,000 reward in each murder. But three months later, the killer is still on the loose. Police believe it’s the same suspect, carrying the same caliber gun.

The only link so far between both murder victims, and the critically wounded tow truck driver, is all of them worked at A-Bob’s Towing.

Source: fox29.com.

Tow Company Seeks Reinstatement A West Virginia towing company is asking Mercer County to restore its place on a call rotation after it was suspended when one of its drivers allegedly drove while intoxicated to a crash scene.

Tow truck operators attending a recent meeting of the Mercer County

911 Board spoke about the current rotation system. One, Hank King of Danieley’s Towing Service, told the board his business was suspended from the rotation after a tow truck driver was arrested and charged with DUI. Danieley’s Towing Service was suspended from the wrecker rotation for one year, Mercer County 911 Director Robert Hoge said.

King said the suspension has cost his service 90 percent of its business, adding that he had just acquired a large wrecker truck which he must keep paying for despite how much business he is losing.

“The whole company is being punished for what the wrecker driver has done,” King stated later. “Danieley’s has been tried and found guilty. The driver hasn’t even been in court.”

The driver voluntarily left Danieley’s after the incident and is now answering 911 calls for another service, King said. Before that resignation, Danieley’s attorney said that the driver could not be suspended or fired

unless he was found guilty of DUI. Hoge told King that if he wanted to appeal the Danieley’s Towing Service suspension, he can file an appeal to the 911 board’s review committee.

If he does not like the committee’s decision, he can appeal to the Mercer County Commission.

Source: bdtonline.com.

Tow Firms Look to Overturn Law Property owners and towing companies in Philadelphia, Pa., are asking that a new law aimed at cracking down on predatory towing be overturned.

The law, requiring that police write a ticket before a car can be towed, took effect February 1 and by midFebruary, property owners, later joined by private tow companies, had filed suit.

Their attorney, Mike Henry, says police take too long to respond, sometimes don’t respond at all, or sometimes refuse to write a ticket, leaving unauthorized cars in private lots.

The law, he says, “deprives them of an essential attribute of their private property rights which is the ability to exclude other people. Essentially, the government has converted their private parking spaces into public parking.”

Henry has asked for an injunction to stop enforcement of the law.

The city has asked that the lawsuit be dismissed.

Source: philadelphia.cbslocal.com.

Fees May Increase in Ga. County Fee increases for towing zone providers are being proposed by the Cobb County (Ga.) Department of Public Safety. Commissioners were expected to vote on the increase as of press time.

Among the changes are: $155 for light vehicle tow, up from $135; $425 for heavy vehicle tow, up from $75; $650 for rotator wrecker recovery, up from $450; and rate increases of $10 for storage after the first 24 hours for light-and heavy-duty vehicles.

Source: ajc.com.

NORTH 78 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • NORTH 79

Media Professional Jumps on Spirit Ride The Spirit Ride, a project of American Towman Spirit Inc., a non profit corportation, announced that Janna Ross has been signed on to lead its media team. The Ride’s mission is to promote public awareness of the Slow Down, Move Over laws. Ross is a freelance segment producer and writer from the Ivanhoe Broadcast Company based in the Miami, Florida area and has worked for Channel WSVN 7. She will be implementing the promotional effort to enlist local and national TV stations to cover the Spirit Ride as it passes through towns and cities throughout the country.

“Janna is an experienced media talent who will lead the charge for mass media exposure,” said Steve Calitri, co-founder of the The Spirit Ride.

“Her greatest asset is her engaging

American Towman Magazine and B/A Products, takes a “Maiden Run” down the Las Vegas Strip on May 13 during Tow Industry Week and then officially commences in the New England states on June 1st. The Ride will crisscross and zigzag across the country in a 12-month run throughout 2017 and 2018.

Janna Ross heads up mass media promotion for the Spirit Ride.

personality, which goes a long way in the communications business.”

Ross will be doing advance public relations and messaging aimed at the television networks and newspapers, and coordinating daily video coverage of the Ride that will relay to all media outlets.

The Spirit Ride, co-founded by

Sponsors: Official Tow Truck Official Winch

NORTH 80 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Spirit Ceremony at Ride Concert A special Spirit Ceremony honoring towing's fallen will take place during the Spirit Ride Concert at South Point Hotel & Casino, May 11th, performed by the Mike Corbin Band. The Ceremony will be led by Captains of the Towman Order where the Spirit Casket will be ushered in and shown for the first time. The Ride's "Maiden Run" will start down the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday morning, May 13th.

Copyright©2017 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

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • SOUTH 75

Fees May Increase in Ga. County Fee increases for towing zone providers are being proposed by the Cobb County (Ga.) Department of Public Safety. Commissioners were expected to vote on the increase as of press time.

Among the changes are: $155 for light vehicle tow, up from $135; $425 for heavy vehicle tow, up from $75; $650 for rotator wrecker recovery, up from $450; and rate increases of $10 for storage after the first 24 hours for light-and heavy-duty vehicles.

Source: ajc.com.

Towing Museum Gets Virtual Makeover The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum relaunched its website with a new look, logo, interactive timeline and other features.

My goal is to broaden the industry’s reach.

The website tells the story of the towing and recovery industry with photos, featured exhibits, personal stories, events and more. The interactive timeline begins with the year 1902 and illustrates the industry’s evolution.

“My goal is to broaden the industry’s reach,” said Dena Franklin, executive director of the towing museum, which also includes the Hall of Fame and Wall of the Fallen.

“All we want to do is educate the public and celebrate the industry.”

Source: towingmuseum.org.

Tow Firms Look to Overturn Law Property owners and towing companies in Philadelphia, Pa., are asking that a new law aimed at cracking down on predatory towing be overturned.

SOUTH 76 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Continued: Tow Firms Look The law, requiring that police write a ticket before a car can be towed, took effect February 1 and by mid-February, property owners, later joined by private tow companies, had filed suit.

Their attorney, Mike Henry, says police take too long to respond, sometimes don’t respond at all, or sometimes refuse to write a ticket, leaving unauthorized cars in private lots.

The law, he says, “deprives them of an essential attribute of their private property rights which is the ability to exclude other people.

Essentially, the government has converted their private parking spaces into public parking.”

Henry has asked for an injunction to stop enforcement of the law.

The city has asked that the lawsuit be dismissed.

Source: philadelphia.cbslocalcom.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • SOUTH 77

Loaded Tanker Recovery in Texas

by Jim “Buck” Sorrenti

O

n Oct. 9, 2015, Tavo’s Towing received a call to recover an overturned tanker loaded with liquefied petroleum near Los Angeles, Texas. They dispatched operator Rene Jimenez in their 2007 Peterbilt with a 50-ton Century 9055 and operator Jesus Mata in their 2007 Kenworth single-axle Jerr-Dan 25-ton.

Gustavo “Tavo” Jimenez III was on-scene as the supervisor.

“The recovery was challenging not only because the tanker was loaded, but also because we had water on one side and a fence line on the other,” Jimenez said. “This limited the angles we had to rig up for recovery.”

After surveying the scene, Jimenez and his crew decided that they would first have to drag the tractortanker to get enough room to work. The Century 50-ton was positioned at the rear of the casualty and the Jerr-Dan 25-ton at the front.

“Using both units, we dragged the truck and tanker about 20 feet back to allow space for rigging and to create a better angle,” Jimenez said.

Heavy-duty riggers Gilbert Lopez and Jimenez’s son Gustavo IV first rigged the 50-ton to lift the loaded tanker enough so they could cradle the side of the tank with 4x6 blocks to change the angle of the lift and get the tanker a few feet off the ground.

SOUTH 78 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Tavo’s Towing in west Texas sent out a few operators, 50-ton Century 9055 and a 25-ton Jerr-Dan to double up lines and recover a rolled tanker loaded with liquefied petroleum; a RAM 3500 threw in its weight as a catch truck as well.

“Once we had the angle, we rigged the 50-ton to do a single-lane rollover with one winch line on the rear bumper and the second winch line going to a flat strap to the landing gear to wrap around the tank to create the rotation,” Jimenez said.

“All lines were doubled up with snatch blocks to assist in weight distribution to each line.

“Because the tanker was loaded, we used our 2011 Dodge Ram 3500 as a catch truck to keep the tanker from going over after it was on its wheels due to the liquid shifting.”

Once the tanker was back on its wheels, the crew started to prepare it for transport. Because of the tight space and being that the Jerr-Dan 25-ton was at the front, they first secured it to the 25-ton and towed it to a larger area. It was then disconnected from the 25-ton.

The Century 9055 was able to get up front and the casualty was secured to it and transported to their storage facility.

Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products, events 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.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • SOUTH 79

Media Professional Jumps on Spirit Ride The Spirit Ride, a project of American Towman Spirit Inc., a non profit corportation, announced that Janna Ross has been signed on to lead its media team. The Ride’s mission is to promote public awareness of the Slow Down, Move Over laws. Ross is a freelance segment producer and writer from the Ivanhoe Broadcast Company based in the Miami, Florida area and has worked for Channel WSVN 7. She will be implementing the promotional effort to enlist local and national TV stations to cover the Spirit Ride as it passes through towns and cities throughout the country.

“Janna is an experienced media talent who will lead the charge for mass media exposure,” said Steve Calitri, co-founder of the The Spirit Ride.

“Her greatest asset is her engaging

American Towman Magazine and B/A Products, takes a “Maiden Run” down the Las Vegas Strip on May 13 during Tow Industry Week and then officially commences in the New England states on June 1st. The Ride will crisscross and zigzag across the country in a 12-month run throughout 2017 and 2018.

Janna Ross heads up mass media promotion for the Spirit Ride.

personality, which goes a long way in the communications business.”

Ross will be doing advance public relations and messaging aimed at the television networks and newspapers, and coordinating daily video coverage of the Ride that will relay to all media outlets.

The Spirit Ride, co-founded by

Sponsors: Official Tow Truck Official Winch

SOUTH 80 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Spirit Ceremony at Ride Concert A special Spirit Ceremony honoring towing's fallen will take place during the Spirit Ride Concert at South Point Hotel & Casino, May 11th, performed by the Mike Corbin Band. The Ceremony will be led by Captains of the Towman Order where the Spirit Casket will be ushered in and shown for the first time. The Ride's "Maiden Run" will start down the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday morning, May 13th.

WTA Marks 50 Years On June 7, 1967, a small group of towing and recovery operators with a shared mission to strengthen and bolster the towing industry gathered in Madison, Wis., to form the Wisconsin Towing Service Operators Association.

The founding members had a goal to protect investments made by business owners, improve conditions within the towing industry, enhance the image of the tow operator, and work together on the many issues faced by the towing industry.

Fifty years later, the Wisconsin Towing Association strives to maintain those goals as it celebrates its Golden Anniversary in 2017. WTA Chairman Shawn Topel reflects on this historic milestone for the Association and also looks forward to the future.

“Much has changed in the towing and recovery industry over the last 50 years, but one thing has not: the dedicated men and women who care about

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

the work they do and the service they provide,” said Topel. “New technology, larger trucks, and better equipment mean nothing without the loyal operators who perform this work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days each year.”

Topel said the Association founders wanted the group to be comprised of leaders within the industry who would work towards improving the public image of towers, promoting better safety methods on roads and highways, and eliminating abuses within the industry. He believes a great deal of work has been done on all three issues, but knows there is always room for improvement.

“One of the top priorities of the Wisconsin Towing Association is safety, both for the operator and the general motoring public,” said Topel.

“We go to great legnths to educate the public about Wisconsin’s ‘Move Over’ law and have partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation

to promote additional traffic incident management training for towers; we want to make sure everyone gets home safely following an incident, and that includes the tow operator.”

Topel also said that in 2016 the Association was successful in creating a statewide ‘Towing Industry Appreciation Week’ during the second week of September of each year. The resolution, which was adopted by the Wisconsin State Legislature unanimously, not only recognizes the important service provided by the tow operators, but also serves as a reminder to drivers to move over for stopped tow trucks on Wisconsin highways.

The Wisconsin Towing Association’s 50th Anniversary will be observed throughout the year, culminating at the Wisconsin Tow Show June 16-18 at the Chula Vista Resort and Hotel in Wisconsin Dells.

Source: witow.

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • MIDWEST 75

Towman Lake Passed Away Donald L. Lake, 76, passed away Feb. 25 at his home in Columbia, Mo. He owned and operated Don Lake Towing & Trucking and was known for his “blinged-out” tow trucks.

According to a local newspaper report, Lake was the first in Columbia to have heavy recovery trucks.

At his funeral, more than 20 tow trucks came to pay their respects.

Lake’s colleagues hoisted an American Flag over the cemetery with two tow trucks as he was laid to rest.

He enjoyed mowing lawns, collecting John Deere tractors and spending time with his dog Roxy.

Survivors include Vera Lake of Columbia, two children, two sisters, one brother and a host of other family members.

Sources: obits.dignitymemorial. com, columbiamissourian.com.

Fees May Increase in Ga. County Fee increases for towing zone providers are being proposed by the Cobb County (Ga.) Department of Public Safety. Commissioners were expected to vote on the increase as of press time.

Among the changes are: $155 for light vehicle tow, up from $135; $425 for heavy vehicle tow, up from $75; $650 for rotator wrecker recovery, up from $450; and rate increases of $10 for storage after the first 24 hours for light-and heavy-duty vehicles.

Source: ajc.com.

Towing Museum Gets Virtual Makeover The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum relaunched its website with a new look, logo, interactive timeline and other features.

The website tells the story of the towing and recovery industry with photos, featured exhibits, personal MIDWEST 76 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

stories, events and more. The interactive timeline begins with the year 1902 and illustrates the industry’s evolution.

“My goal is to broaden the industry’s reach,” said Dena Franklin, executive director of the towing museum, which also includes the Hall of Fame and Wall of the Fallen. “All we want to do is educate the public and celebrate the industry.”

Source: towingmuseum.org.

Tow Firms Look to Overturn Law Property owners and towing companies in Philadelphia, Pa., are asking that a new law aimed at cracking down on predatory towing be overturned.

The law, requiring that police write a ticket before a car can be towed, took effect February 1 and by mid-February, property owners, later joined by private tow companies, had filed suit.

The law, he says, “deprives them of an essential attribute of their private property rights.”

Their attorney, Mike Henry, says police take too long to respond, sometimes don’t respond at all, or sometimes refuse to write a ticket, leaving unauthorized cars in private lots.

The law, he says, “deprives them of an essential attribute of their private property rights which is the ability to exclude other people. Essentially, the government has converted their private parking spaces into public parking.”

Henry has asked for an injunction to stop enforcement of the law.

The city has asked that the lawsuit be dismissed.

Source: philadelphia.cbslocalcom.

Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • MIDWEST 77

Not a ‘Plain Jane’

by George L. Nitti

I

n November 2016, Rosenberry Towing of New Philadelphia, Ohio, purchased a 2016 Ford F-550/JerrDan MPL 40, adding it to their fleet of seven trucks.

The wrap’s color schematic of black, red, white and gray has black, white and gray lines that extend from the front of the unit up to the Python light tower. The lines, moving like flowing waves, give it an uplifting flair.

The modern logo is a white decal with a dark shadow that has been placed over the wrap.

“When we bought it,” said company owner Alex Rosenberry, “we bought the design. They removed their logo and we put ours on, which was created by Dr. Wraps in Akron. It was easy.”

The last letter of the logo extends and loops around to underscore the entire name of Rosenberry, which adds character.

On the hood there are matching stripes on both sides, while the company name is also prominent.

“When we saw it on Facebook, it was different,” said Rosenberry. “Its design stood out. It’s not a typical ‘plain Jane,’ which is what you see a lot of in our area. We drove about an hour and a half, bought it and had it back all on the same day.”

Editor’s note: This story originally ran on AT’s sister site, towindustryweek.com, which features industry news, training, recoveries, new products, events and more. Don’t miss out—make sure to read it each week.

MIDWEST 78 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009.

He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.

Media Professional Jumps on Spirit Ride The Spirit Ride, a project of American Towman Spirit Inc., a non profit corportation, announced that Janna Ross has been signed on to lead its media team. The Ride’s mission is to promote public awareness of the Slow Down, Move Over laws. Ross is a freelance segment producer and writer from the Ivanhoe Broadcast Company based in the Miami, Florida area and has worked for Channel WSVN 7. She will be implementing the promotional effort to enlist local and national TV stations to cover the Spirit Ride as it passes through towns and cities throughout the country.

“Janna is an experienced media talent who will lead the charge for mass media exposure,” said Steve Calitri, co-founder of the The Spirit Ride.

“Her greatest asset is her engaging

American Towman Magazine and B/A Products, takes a “Maiden Run” down the Las Vegas Strip on May 13 during Tow Industry Week and then officially commences in the New England states on June 1st. The Ride will crisscross and zigzag across the country in a 12-month run throughout 2017 and 2018.

Janna Ross heads up mass media promotion for the Spirit Ride.

personality, which goes a long way in the communications business.”

Ross will be doing advance public relations and messaging aimed at the television networks and newspapers, and coordinating daily video coverage of the Ride that will relay to all media outlets.

The Spirit Ride, co-founded by

Sponsors: Official Tow Truck Official Winch

MIDWEST 80 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Spirit Ceremony at Ride Concert A special Spirit Ceremony honoring towing's fallen will take place during the Spirit Ride Concert at South Point Hotel & Casino, May 11th, performed by the Mike Corbin Band. The Ceremony will be led by Captains of the Towman Order where the Spirit Casket will be ushered in and shown for the first time. The Ride's "Maiden Run" will start down the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday morning, May 13th.

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • WEST 75

Ariz. Legislative Update News from the Arizona Professional Towing & Recovery Association included several legislative updates in the state. Key issues under debate included: • HB2379 – Towing; Vehicle Removal; Abandoned Vehicles. This bill was scheduled for the Senate Appropriations Committee. APTRA said it will likely need an additional amendment to address some technical issues and specify that lienholders fall into the criteria of “proof of ownership” of a vehicle.

• HB2159 - Vehicle Impoundment; Release of Vehicles. This bill was amended in the Senate Transportation Committee to apply to only commercial vehicles.

• SB1170 – Abandoned Vehicles; Towing Reimbursement. This bill was held in the House Transportation Committee in an effort to secure one more member vote. The bill was to be amended to remove the legislative intent and receive a committee hearing.

• SB1216 – Towing Firms; Assets; Definition. This bill went through the House Transportation Committee and continued moving through the process.

Oregon Considers New Tow Regs Auto-theft victims, who can face steep towing and storage fees to get their stolen vehicles back, would get some help under legislation being considered in Oregon.

In general, the bills and proposed amendments would: • Allow law enforcement agencies to provide towing companies with contact information for owners of recovered vehicles. Towers currently get that information from the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division, which can take days and lead to steep storage fees.

• Allow owners of recovered stolen vehicles that are considered totaled to surrender their title to the tower and WEST 76 • May 2017 - TOWMAN.COM

Work the Passenger side–Stay Safe!

AMERICANTOWMAN.COM - May 2017 • WEST 77

walk away from a vehicle without further charges. The process currently takes about 30 days and can leave owners owing money to the tower in excess of the value of the vehicle.

• Require towers to receive written, signed authority from the parking facility’s owner or agent before towing. Currently, the tower can contact the facility owner to initiate the tow.

• Require towers to provide vehicle owners a photograph showing the vehicle parked in violation. Current law requires towers to take the photo, but not to show anyone.

• Prohibit vehicles from being towed unless a sign in plain view prohibits or restricts public parking.

• Require towers to tow to the nearest available facility to avoid unnecessary mileage charges.

• Clarify when a “hookup” is complete. Towers can charge a hookup fee even if they have not yet towed a vehicle.

• Add certain towing provisions to acts enforceable as unlawful trade practice, and create a civil process for vehicle owners or operators to challenge the validity of a tow.

Members of the Oregon Tow Truck Association testified in support of some of the provisions, such as getting vehicle owner contact information from law enforcement agencies.

But they objected to creating a civil process, saying it would overburden the court system. Instead, they support forming a complaint resolution committee, similar to one used in Montana.

They also recommended changing Oregon insurance regulations to require companies to cover towing and storage.

“Someone in our profession would have to be pretty heartless to not understand the personal loss someone can experience when they have their car stolen,” said Mike Wagner, past association president and owner of Santiam Towing & Recovery in Lyons.

Source: statesmanjournal.com.

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Work the non-traffic side–Stay Safe!

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