Issuu

INDUSTRYNEWS

Women OF TOWING

FUEL4THOUGHT Volume 15 • Issue 7 • 2026 www.towprofessional.com

LOCKOUT TOOLS

TOWING SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY

RAMPS

& EXTENSIONS

CAPACITY. DURABILITY. ADAPTABILITY. POWERFUL PAYLOAD CAPACITY, IMPRESSIVE LOAD ANGLES AND YEARS OF RELIABLE USE BUILT FOR MAXIMUM PRODUCTIVITY NO MATTER THE CONDITION. BECAUSE THE WORK DEMANDS IT.

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TOW PROFESSIONAL

CONTENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Women OF TOWING B Y M I C H E L L E S U K O W ///

18 | Chasing the Dream:

Volume 15 • Issue 7 WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

TOWING SOFTWARE 26 | Towbook – Built for Towing. Evolving With the Industry. 30 | Azuga – The Dashcam That Cried “Not Our Fault!” 34 | Ranger SST – Building A Forward-Looking PPI Growth Strategy From PPI to Parking Management

38 | Autura – Towing Management Software Built for Where Your Business Is Going

LOCKOUT TOOLS

A Conversation with Megan Benoit

40 | JB Tow

44 | Steck Mfg. by Milton Industries

FEATURES 48 | Ramp Container – Why EV RESCUE Is the Only Real

Answer for Towing Companies Handling Compromised EVs

50 | Zip’s – Standard vs. Heavy-Duty GUNI Ramps: Solving FUEL4THOUGHT B Y D . J . H A R R I N G T O N C S P ///

22 | Are You Ready to Make a Child’s Christmas Brighter?

Low-Clearance Loading Challenges

54 | Tow Success – Do You Own Your Towing Company or Does It Own You BY JIM WEAVER

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 | Publisher’s Letter 61 | Dealers Place 63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index ON THE COVER Milton Industries, Towbook and Zip’s 2

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

INDUSTRYNEWS

Women OF TOWING

FUEL4THOUGHT Volume 15 • Issue 7 • 2026 www.towprofessional.com

LOCKOUT TOOLS

TOWING SOFTWARE & TECHNOLOGY

RAMPS

& EXTENSIONS

PUBLISHER’S

LETTER

Volume 15 • Issue 7 WWW.TOWPROFESSIONAL.COM

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

Show Season Is in Full Swing!

eptember has been hot and heavy with show season, and what a great few weeks it has been for the towing and recovery industry! In just six weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to be part of three major association events: the North Carolina MidAtlantic Tow Expo, the 48th Annual Midwest Regional Tow Show in Ohio, and the Tennessee Tow Show. Let’s face it—association shows are some of the most important events our industry has, and they’re also a lot of fun! Supporting an association show means much more than walking the show floor, looking at trucks, and catching up with friends. These events help fund legislative efforts, provide valuable training and education, grow memberships, and support the organizations working every day for towing and recovery professionals. This industry supports all of us, and we believe in giving back to the industry we make our living from. Tow Professional Media Network is proud to support association events in Ohio, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida through PWOF. Their leadership and commitment make a tremendous difference. TRAA Hill Day 2027 Speaking of making a difference, TRAA’s Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day returns to Washington, D.C., February 22–24, 2027. Last year, more than 100 towing and recovery professionals and 17 sponsors came together in Washington. As the industry’s national Hill Day, this event gives owners, operators, association leaders, and the next generation an opportunity to meet with Members of Congress and advocate for our industry. If you’ve never attended, consider making 2027 your year. For more information visit TRAAOnline.com/HillDay. Inside This Issue We have another packed issue! DJ Harrington’s “Fuel4Thought” highlights the wonderful Tow Trucks for Tots cause, and we hope your towing family will participate this year. In Women of Towing, Michelle Sukow sits down with Megan Benoit for an inspiring conversation about “Chasing a Dream.” We also take an in-depth look at towing software, mobile cameras, lockout tools, and products from Zip’s. Our software coverage features Towbook, Autura, Azuga, and Ranger SST, while our lockout section includes products from Milton Industries and JB Tow. Our goal is to provide information that helps you find the products, technology, and solutions that best fit your operation. Most importantly, thank you to the men and women of towing and recovery for your heart of service. Whether you’re working along the roadside at 2:00 a.m., training the next generation, supporting your association, or advocating for our industry, you make this profession special. Support your associations. Support your industry. Never lose that heart of service. See you on the road.

Publisher Tow Professional Magazine Tow Professional Media Network 4

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

OWNER/PUBLISHER Darian Weaver Publisher darian@towprofessional.com

PRODUCTION Sheila Maynard Editor Derek Gaylard Creative Director derek@ryecroftcreative.com Cody Webb BLP Media & Design Digital Director cody@blpmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michelle Sukow DJ Harrington Jason Giddens Tim Fessler Chas Hendricksen Jim Weaver

Executive and Advertising Offices 1005 Mountain Trace Birmingham, AL 35242 Toll free: 888-802-8544 Fax: 205-978-1550 www.towprofessional.com Tow Professional is published nine times a year by Over The Mountain Media, Inc., 1005 Mountain Trace, Birmingham, Alabama, 35242, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices. Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Recovery’s Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.

For a new free subscription, address changes or corrections, please visit www.towprofessional.com and click on the “subscribe” tab.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Ramp Container Launches EV RESCUE — A Patented Recovery and Containment Platform for Compromised Electric Vehicles New solution uses Liquid Cryogen technology to support thermal mitigation, safer transport, and reduced environmental exposure during post-incident EV recovery

s electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, towing operators, first responders, municipalities, and transportation agencies are confronting a new operational challenge: how to safely recover and transport a compromised electric vehicle after an incident. Unlike conventional vehicle fires, a damaged lithium-ion battery system doesn’t necessarily stop being a hazard once visible flames are out. Compromised packs can enter thermal

runaway without warning, reignite hours, days, or even weeks later, generate extreme heat, and release hazardous gases — extending risk well past the original incident. Suppressing these fires can also require significant water volume, and the runoff generated in the process can create its own environmental and cleanup concerns long after the scene has cleared. Putting the fire out, in other words, is only part of the problem. The harder question is what happens next: how do you move an unstable vehicle without

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

creating a second incident? To address this gap, Ramp Container is introducing EV RESCUE — a patented recovery and containment platform engineered to support the removal, containment, and transport of compromised electric vehicles. Built around advanced Liquid Cryogen technology — inert gases that have been liquefied to achieve extreme cold — EV RESCUE is designed to help operators manage thermal risk and reduce operational exposure throughout post-incident recovery and

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INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

transport, from the moment a vehicle is loaded to its final disposition. Because the cryogen is inert, it introduces no combustion risk of its own, making it well-suited for use around thermally compromised battery systems. “Battery incidents don’t end when the visible flames are extinguished,” said Ramp Container. “Recovery teams need practical, purpose-built tools that let them move a compromised vehicle safely, efficiently, and with real operational control — not just hope the danger has passed.” EV RESCUE is designed to help operators: • Protect personnel during recovery operations • Reduce equipment exposure to thermal and chemical risk • Support safer transport of compromised vehicles • Minimize roadway disruption and reduce reopening timelines • Manage reignition risk during movement and relocation • Limit environmental impact from suppression runoff and post-incident handling EV RESCUE is intended for organizations seeking recovery solutions built specifically for the challenges of damaged EV battery systems — not retrofits of equipment designed for a different era of vehicle fires. The future of EV recovery requires purpose-built solutions. Schedule a Demonstration or Learn More Ramp Container is currently engaging with transportation agencies, emergency response organizations, towing operators, and municipal partners to demonstrate EV RESCUE capabilities and discuss deployment opportunities.

ABOUT RAMP CONTAINER

Ramp Container designs and manufactures patented roll-off container systems, manufactured in the U.S.A., serving construction and demolition, waste and recycling, solid waste, and heavy equipment transport industries. With EV RESCUE, the company extends its patented engineering into electric vehicle recovery and containment, addressing one of the fastest-growing operational challenges facing first responders and recovery professionals today. For additional information, visit www.rampcontainer.com.

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Wichert Insurance Sponsors Heavy-Duty Towing and Rotator Training at Midwest Tow Show

ichert Insurance recently demonstrated its continued commitment to safety, education, and professionalism within the towing and recovery industry by sponsoring specialized heavy-duty towing and rotator training for its insured clients and their drivers during the Midwest Tow Show. The training, administered by Beau White of Towing & Recovery Academy, brought together 66 students at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio, for an intensive program focused on heavyduty towing, rotator operations, rigging techniques, and hands-on recovery exercises. Students arrived ready to work, learn, and strengthen the skills required to perform demanding towing and recovery operations safely and effectively. Classroom instruction was reinforced through practical, hands-on rigging exercises using heavy-duty recovery equipment and casualty vehicles. For White, the weekend also marked an important milestone as his first opportunity to teach a class at the Midwest Tow Show. “Teaching my first class at the Midwest Tow Show was an honor,” said White. “I’m extremely proud of where

Towing & Recovery Academy is today, and I know we could not have reached this point without the support and trust of so many people throughout this industry.” White expressed special appreciation to Wichert Insurance for investing in the education and development of its insured customers and their drivers. “I sincerely want to thank Wichert Insurance for trusting us to train their customers and for helping make this opportunity possible,” White said. “Providing operators with quality training is an investment not only in their professional development, but also in safer towing and recovery operations.” The training was also made possible through the support of several towing companies that supplied equipment and resources for the hands-on portions of the program. Hannan Towing provided a Miller 1075 rotator; Broad & James Towing supplied equipment, casualty vehicles, and a Miller 1150 rotator; and Capital Towing provided an additional Miller 1150 rotator. The equipment allowed students to move beyond classroom concepts and participate directly in rigging and recovery scenarios designed to strengthen their knowledge and practical abilities. “It was a pleasure working with all 66 students,” White added. “They showed

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

up with open minds and a willingness to learn and work. I hope they took as much away from the weekend as I did. Thank you to Wichert Insurance, our equipment partners, the Midwest Tow Show, and every student who helped make this training such a success.” The weekend highlighted what can be accomplished when insurance providers, professional trainers, towing companies, equipment partners, and operators work together toward a common goal: better-trained operators and safer, more professional towing and recovery operations.

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INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Custer Products Solves Real Problems Operators Face Every Shift Real Problems, Real Solutions

sk any towing operator what slows them down on a job, and the answer rarely traces back to bad luck. More often, it is a light bar that runs out of charge. It could be a strobe that needs its own controller, or one more wire to route under a hood. Custer Products keeps a close ear on the towing, fleet, and safety industries it serves. This year, the company answers two different field frustrations: limited run time on wireless light bars, and the extra wiring that comes with adding a separate strobe. Rather than force one fix for every job, Custer Products built focused solutions. Each one solves the problem it was designed for. Wireless 23” Heavy-Duty Lithium Tow Light – LDTL-XRT The Wireless 23” Heavy-Duty Lithium Tow Light – LDTL-XRT tackles run time without giving up full-size features. Its 6,000 mAh internal lithium battery sits inside the case instead of outside it, so there is 12

no separate power pack to carry or wire in. That design delivers up to 35 hours of continuous use per charge. The LDTL-XRT carries the full lighting package operators expect from a 23” bar, including side-marker LEDs and separate turn signal LEDs for maximum visibility from every angle. A convenient handle rounds out the design, making the bar easy to carry, position, and mount on the job. Wireless 17” Lithium Mini Tow Light – MINI-XRT The Wireless 17” Lithium Mini Tow Light – MINI-XRT takes a leaner approach built around one goal: run time. Custer Products streamlined the lighting layout on this 17” bar, so it draws less power from the same internal lithium battery that powers the LDTLXRT. That simplicity is exactly what stretches its run time so far. With less electrical load to support, the MINIXRT delivers up to 40 hours per charge, roughly three times longer than the standard MINI with an SLA battery. The smaller footprint also makes it sleeker

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

and easier to stow in tight spaces. Operators who want maximum run time in a compact, easy-to-store bar get exactly that. 8400 Lumen Spot/Flood with Amber Strobe Combo The 8400 Lumen Spot/Flood with Amber Strobe Combo tackles a different frustration: too many parts to wire and mount. This compact work light combines a bright spot/flood beam with a built-in amber strobe. You get both functions from one unit and one mounting point. The strobe runs off its own wire with a fast double-flash pattern built in. That means there is no separate controller to install. Just wire it to a switch, and it is ready to go. Rated IP69K and CE/RoHS certified, it holds up to weather, vibration, and the daily grind of fleet work. Backed by Experience, Not Just a Warranty Every Custer Products light bar and work light carries a warranty backing its build quality. All wireless products,

like the MINI-XRT, include a lifetime warranty on electronics and LEDs, giving operators added confidence in the components that matter most. That protection is paired with technical knowledge built from more than 30 years of American manufacturing. When operators call with a question, they reach a team that knows the product inside and out. That kind of support,

paired with dependable Americanmade construction, is why towing professionals and fleet owners keep coming back to Custer Products. Built the Way Operators Actually Work Custer Products did not guess at what towing professionals and fleet owners needed. They listened, and it built three

answers to real, everyday problems. The LDTL-XRT keeps the full lighting package for crews who want it all. The MINI-XRT trims down for longer run time and easier storage. The Spot/Flood Combo skips the extra wiring altogether. Custer Products delivers lighting safety solutions built for the way operators actually work, backed by the best support in the industry.

S P OT L I G H TS Wireless 23” Heavy-Duty Lithium Tow Light – LDTL-XRT

The Custer Products Wireless 23” Heavy-Duty Lithium Tow Light – LDTL-XRT houses a 6,000 mAh internal lithium battery inside the case instead of outside it, so setup stays simple with no separate pack to manage. That design delivers up to 35 hours of continuous use per charge. The 23” bar carries the full lighting package operators expect, including side-marker LEDs, separate turn signal LEDs, and a convenient carry handle, plus the rugged polyethylene construction and DOT-compliant LED stop/tail/turn lighting Custer Products is known for. #LDTL-XRT | Order online at www.CusterProducts.com

Wireless 17” Lithium Mini Tow Light – MINI-XRT

Built for crews who want maximum run time in the smallest footprint, the Custer Products MINI-XRT streamlines its lighting layout to draw less power from its 6,000 mAh internal lithium battery. That simplicity is what stretches run time to up to 40 hours per charge, about three times longer than the standard MINI with an SLA battery. The 17” case is sleeker and easier to stow in tight spaces, and it is backed by a lifetime warranty on electronics and LEDs. #MINI-XRT / #MINI-XRT-7B / #MINI-XRT-7R | Order online at www.CusterProducts.com

8400 Lumen Spot/Flood with Amber Strobe Combo Custer Products built this compact work light to cut down on wiring and mounting hassle. It combines an 8400-lumen spot/flood beam with a built-in amber strobe, so you get bright work lighting and a fast double-flash warning strobe from one unit, one mount, and one plug-and-play connector. No separate strobe controller is needed; just wire it to a switch and go. Rated IP69K, CE, RoHS, and IP67, it is built to handle whatever the job throws at it. #WLSTR-DT-P | Order online at www.CusterProducts.com

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

Big D’s Fabrication – Lifting Plates

ur lifting plates are designed to eliminate your snatch block hook and cable hook being crushed together in the same master link, shackle or chain which will eliminate damaging your safety latch on either your cable hook or snatch block hook. Our lifting plates are designed to stay level by placing the

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

bottom lift points exactly 2/3 away from the cable side and 1/3 away from the snatch block side. Our lifting plates were tested by BA products as well as our local rigging supplier in Wisconsin. They can also be used to make sure you are lifting equally on both cables by using both top holes as well as both bottom holes to keep the plate level.

INDUSTRY NEWS TOWING & RECOVERY

A safer way to store your rotator’s auxiliary winch hook

The technology behind EZ Claw’s Line Saver tensioner system for tractor-trailers is now being adapted to the heavy-duty towing market with the EZ Claw Extendable Cable Tieback for auxiliary winches on rotators. Unlike spring-loaded tiebacks, this retractable cable offers a safer and more efficient method of storing and securing the hook in transit and on scene. Now available at Zip’s AW Direct, this tieback is installed at the base of the auxiliary winch drum mount, utilizing existing bolt hole locations. Installation kits are available for one or both sides of the boom. Order yours today at www.Zips.com. Item #: EZC-10062

X marks the spot for tow dollies from In the Ditch

Maximize your proficiency and safety with In The Ditch X-Series Dollies, the premium towing solution for industry professionals. Engineered to outperform the competition, these dollies feature a patented, hassle-free cam-lock system that eliminates dangerous ratchets and guarantees lightning-fast loading. Crafted with lightweight, highstrength aluminum telescoping axles and wheels, these dollies minimize operator fatigue while delivering maximum durability. Available with either 4.80 or 5.70 wheels, these dollies offer corrosionresistant finishes, replaceable spindles and high-performance options like the maintenance-free XL, quick-lube SLX or heavy-duty XD series. Order a set at www.Zips.com

Get hooked at Alt Enterprises’ amber light bar

Get a lift when loading low-profile vehicles

Order Item #: F2260100 at www.Zips.com

Enter Item #: GUNI-AR-SD at www.Zips.com Sold in pairs

The Towman Hooker light bar is built for tow operators who demand dependable visibility, rugged performance and professional style. Offering 14 programmable flash patterns, the 60” amber warning light delivers powerful illumination to help keep you and your customers safer on the roadside. Its durable construction is made to handle demanding environments, while its streamlined design complements virtually any tow truck or recovery vehicle. Whether you’re working an accident scene, roadside breakdown or nighttime recovery, the Towman Hooker light bar provides the attention-grabbing presence you need.

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

Improve loading clearance with low-profile vehicles using GUNI’s new Standard-Duty Ramps and Extensions, now available at Zip’s AW Direct. Engineered for car carrier beds, these lightweight ramps provide a safe, stable platform during the loading or unloading process. Made from high-density foam, each 42”L ramp features a non-slip coating for improved traction. Each ramp offers a 6.2° loading angle and an individual weight rating of 2,500 pounds. Extensions are available to decrease the load angle to 5.2° and lengthen the approach to 74”.

Women OF TOWING B Y M I C H E L L E S U K O W ///

Chasing the Dream:

A Conversation with Megan Benoit

ome companies grow by chasing market share. Others grow by chasing a standard. Megan Benoit, of Lake Charles LA, grew up chasing

a dream. For 22 years, Megan has lived and breathed the towing industry. What began as a high school senior helping in dispatch has evolved into sole ownership of a thirty-six truck, fifty-nine employee, three location operations in southwest Louisiana. The path was steady, intentional, and rooted in something deeper than expansion. It was built on legacy. Built on One Truck and a Vision Elite Service Recovery & Towing was founded on January 1, 1998, by Megan’s father, Robert Darscheid, with a single heavy-duty tow truck and a commitment to reliability. By January 1999, a light duty truck joined the fleet. Growth followed, not in leaps, but in disciplined steps. Megan officially joined the company in May 2003 during the summer of her senior year in high school. She worked

dispatch, managed impounds, and learned the operation from the ground up while earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting. After graduation, she stepped into a larger leadership role, eventually managing the business alongside her father and her husband, Adrien. In 2012, her father stepped back from daily operations. In 2013, Megan and Adrien opened a second location. In 2014, she became a 20 percent owner as part of a succession plan. In 2022, she purchased her sister’s ownership interest. In 2023, she completed the transition and became sole owner. In 2025, Elite opened its third location. When Megan started, the company had three trucks and three employees. Today, there are 36 trucks with 59 team members. The numbers tell a story of growth. The timeline tells a story of stewardship.

seat while shuttling kids to games. Now that her daughter drives, Megan has more consistent office time, but flexibility remains part of her leadership model. Balance, for her, is not a polished schedule. It is presence. “There will be seasons where work demands more of you and seasons where home comes first,” she says. “Being present matters more than being perfect.”

A Family Business in Every Sense

Leadership in a Changing Industry

Megan has been married to her high school sweetheart, Adrien, for nearly 20 years. Together they are raising three children: Natalie, 16; Kade, 14; and Ethan, 11. Family is not a marketing tagline at Elite. It is the operating system. Her daughter helps with paperwork and errands. Kade works in the yard during school breaks, washing trucks and assisting where needed. Ethan spends time in dispatch and has even practiced his phone script. They did not grow up riding in trucks, but they grew up in the office, often there since they were just weeks old. For years, Megan’s office was wherever her laptop happened to be. She reviewed invoices in parking lots, verified payments between practices, and managed operations from the passenger

Towing has traditionally been a field where firsthand experience and grit define credibility, and Megan built hers the steady way. Her journey has been shaped not by conflict, but by competence. She earned trust by understanding the work, mastering the details, and consistently showing up prepared to lead. She built credibility through consistency and by understanding every moving part of the operation. She holds both light and heavy-duty certifications and can operate a truck when needed. Though her daily role centers on operations and financial management, that firsthand knowledge allows her to communicate effectively with drivers and earn respect. Within Elite, women are part of the team at every level. The company

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She attends industry summits annually to stay current on leadership strategies and operational trends. Growth, she believes, requires collaboration. The Storm That Tested Everything

employs a woman driver who has integrated seamlessly. For Megan, inclusion is not about spotlighting differences. It is about building a culture where the standard is performance and professionalism. Beyond her own company, she remains deeply involved in industry organizations. Megan serves as Secretary for the Towing & Recovery Professionals of Louisiana, is a member of TRAA and WTRAA, participates in the Profitowable 20 Group, and supports the International Towing & Recovery Museum.

In 2020, hurricanes devastated parts of Louisiana. Elite’s home office was destroyed. Power was out for nearly a month. At the time, dispatch ran on a physical server. Megan and Adrien evacuated with the server and a computer, a decision that proved critical. Their second location survived with less damage. With a generator and a determined team, they resumed operations within days. For several days, dispatch ran on pen and paper. No GPS. No digital dispatching. Drivers were coordinated by phone calls and handwritten logs. Some employees slept at the office with their families because their homes had no power. Megan and Adrien sent their children to stay with family in Houston so they could keep boots on the ground, serving both employees and the community. The crisis reinforced what Elite was built on: preparation, adaptability, and empathy. Advice for the Next Generation Megan grew up watching her father work around the clock. Early in her marriage, her husband was also on call 24 hours a day. She understands the toll that schedule can take from the perspective of a child, a spouse, and an owner. Today, she intentionally structures schedules to prevent burnout. Operators are not on call 24 hours a day. They

Do you know a towing lady who deserves recognition? Please send Michelle Sukow or Tow Professional a message. We would love to share her story! (michellesukow@gmail.com)

have scheduled time off. They are not expected to miss every holiday. “This industry needs dedicated people,” she says, “but it also needs leaders who understand that being able to attend your child’s game matters.” Her advice to newcomers is simple: build a career that values both hard work and time at home. Chasing the Dream One of Megan’s earliest memories is sitting beside her father as he rebuilt a wrecked Freightliner Classic from the impound yard. He tore it down to the frame, stretched it, mounted an NRC slider, and rebuilt it piece by piece. Megan sat nearby with a cordless office phone and notepad, taking calls while he worked. That image, a truck frame slowly coming back to life, mirrors her own journey in the industry. Learn the parts. Respect the process. Build carefully. Do it right. Her father’s early truck slogan read, “Chase the Dream, Not the Competition.” Today, some of Elite’s trucks carry a variation: “Chasing the Dream.” When asked about success, she does not talk about truck counts or revenue targets. She talks about presence, integrity, and being proud of both the business she built and the family she raised. In the next five years, Elite plans to continue thoughtful expansion, opening additional locations while protecting culture and service standards. Growth will come, but not at the expense of values. In an industry that measures horsepower and recovery angles, Megan measures something else. Impact. Legacy. And whether she made it home in time for the game.

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

2027 Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day February 23-24, 2027

• Early Bird Discount (register by December 31, 2026) TRAA Member Pricing (subject to verification): $699 Non-Member Pricing: $899 • Standard Registration (January 1-January 31, 2027) TRAA Member Pricing (subject to verification): $799 Non-Member Pricing: $999

Registration closes on January 31st, so REGISTER NOW!

The Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) is “The Voice of America’s Towing Industry”!

Omni Shoreham Hotel - Washington D.C. Hotel Reservation • Negotiated room rate is $196/night plus applicable taxes for a King or Queen/Queen room. (We have secured this room rate for 02/19/2027 thru 02/28/2027 for those that may want to come in early or stay over to do some sight-seeing.)

You can book your room directly through the hotel using one of the following three methods: • Call the hotel direct at: (202) 234-0700 use code: 0222TSGROUP • Log into the hotel Website at: https://www.omnihotels.com/ hotels/washington-dc-shoreham use code: 0222TSGROUP • Click on the following link: https://bookings.omnihotels.com/offer/ washington-dc-shoreham/traa-legislative-action-workshop (deadline 1/15/2027)

For over 40 years we have taken that slogan seriously as we work to improve the industry’s voice in federal legislation, education, and communication. This is “your” national towing association. www.traaonline.com/hillday

FUEL4THOUGHT B Y D . J . H A R R I N G T O N C S P ///

Are You Ready to Make a Child’s Christmas Brighter? NINE YEARS AGO, Tow Professional magazine wrote an article about a group that was raising money and toys for a worthy cause. It’s called, Tow Trucks for Tots. Maybe you remember that article. However, I am happy to refresh your memory if you didn’t see it. 22

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www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

FUEL4THOUGHT B Y D . J . H A R R I N G T O N C S P ///

Depending on how you elect to participate, you can donate: toys, funds, or time. You can bring your gifts to a local drop-off at their main office located at:

Suburban Towing

1665 W. 167th St. Hazel Crest, IL 60429 AutoMedics

13751 Southwest Hwy. Orland Park, IL 60462 Rockdale Equipment Sales

601 Walnut Court Rockdale, IL 60436

ow Trucks for Tots have experienced expediential growth for the children they support every year. They support children who need toys during the holidays. Today, their organization has grown so much that they count gifts in poundage now. This nonprofit organization is comprised of the people within the towing community, its suppliers, and volunteers that collect toy donations for children in need during the Christmas season. How do they continue doing this year after year? In a nutshell…time, because they start collecting early in the fall. Tow Trucks for Tots is recognized for their annual holiday drive, but their commitment extends year-round too. What a great group of people they are. As Towers, they see a need, and they work together toward fixing that need. Here’s how you can get involved in 24

this worthy cause. You can join the community of Tow Truck owners, their employees, families, suppliers and volunteers that bring hope to families each holiday season. Decide which way you can support them in their efforts this year. You can donate to the cause with your gift which helps provide toys for Christmas presents for children in need during this holiday season. You can donate in one or every way possible. What can you donate? 1. M onetary donations – flexible

support, allowing us to purchase toys.

2. N ew, unwrapped toys. Bring joy

with your purchased gifts for infants to teens (ages 0-18). Please, NO guns, swords or stuffed animals are allowed.

3. C orporate community support

– by hosting a toy drive, match donation, or sponsor an event to multiply impact.

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

You’ll probably want to know whether you can receive a tax-deductible receipt. Absolutely! You or your business can be assured that this is a recognizable 501(c) (3) organization. You can consult with a tax professional if you like. However, you will receive a receipt for your records from Tow Trucks for Tots. Some people want to supply what the organization needs most. What they need the most are for ages 8-12, really anything that is teens friendly. If you decide that you want to drop off at a tow truck location, then great. If you prefer to participate in our yearly parade, there are hundreds of tow trucks that participate in this parade event. You can call our office at Chariot Automotive & Towing in Countryside, Illinois 60525 to get involved. Here’s a little bit of background about their parade. In 2008, Tow Trucks for Tots was organized by Pat Winer, the Founder of the parade. Their first parade was assembled to raise awareness that all children deserve a brighter Christmas, especially if they are in need. Today, this parade happens every year on the first Sunday in November. Pat wanted to help families while also enhancing the image of the towing community. The very first parade featured 239 holiday, decorated tow trucks of all sizes. They traveled from Joliet, Illinois to Bridgeview, Illinois in a 42-mile-long parade. Can you imagine the number of people who saw that parade on the highways? Certainly, it was something to behold. And it will happen again on the first Sunday in November. So, you still have time to participate. You can bring your

UNWRAPPED gifts to this parade and leave having known you made some child’s Christmas much brighter because there will be plenty of drop-off locations at the parade sights that you can leave your gifts. In their second year of this event, the parade was organized in Elkhart, Indiana. As you can see it is spreading throughout the country. In 2011, Tow Trucks for Tots was awarded with the Guinness Book of World Records as the LARGEST tow truck parade, totaling 324 trucks. That’s a huge number of trucks with individual signage, supplying people with the ability to

make Christmas brighter for needy children. On a more personal note, I plan on giving all three of my grandchildren the opportunity to shop and buy two gifts for two children that they will give away this year. The chances of meeting anyone who receives their gifts will be slim. They will never meet anyone that received their gifts, but they will have the satisfaction of helping another child who will have a brighter Christmas this year. Isn’t that what life is all about anyway? Making the world a brighter place where we live! These children deserve a bright Christmas. Decide how

you want to participate with Tow Trucks for Tots. If you live outside of Illinois, then participate in such an event in your local area or donate to this worthy cause of sending your donations to their main office in Countryside. As a side note: their trucks aided with Hurricane Sandy in the New York area, helped with tornadoes in Kentucky and Illinois, and then helped with wildfires in Tennessee. Sounds like they still need our help to make sure as many children as possible receive a gift. Are you with me? Let’s make Christmas brighter for children who are in need ages 0-18.

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE

Built for Towing. Evolving With the Industry.

owbook has become a household name in the towing industry and a trusted partner to thousands of towing companies across the United States and beyond. For almost 20 years, owners and operators have relied on Towbook to manage the work that keeps their businesses moving, from the moment a call comes in until the final invoice is paid.

But while Towbook has grown significantly, one thing has remained unchanged: the company is still independently owned and operated. Independent ownership allows Towbook to remain agile, respond quickly as the industry changes, and stay closely connected to its customers. Decisions can be made quickly, priorities can evolve with customer

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

needs, and feedback can help shape what comes next without layers of corporate red tape. More Than Dispatching Software Towbook brings the essential pieces of a towing operation together in one cloud-based system. Companies can manage dispatching,

TOWBOOK towing companies already rely on, including accounting software, lien processing services, GPS providers, motor clubs, payment processors, and other third-party platforms. Through its Peddle integration, companies can even sell end-of-life vehicles in a few clicks, with Peddle conveniently arranging pickup from their lot. The goal is simple: keep as much of a towing company’s operation connected in one place by integrating with industry leaders who do what they do best, so we can stay focused on what we do best: building technology for the towing industry. Finding Customers Where Street Addresses Don’t Exist Sometimes roadside work simply doesn’t have an address. A stranded motorist might know they’re on I-94 near Mile Marker 232 or just past an exit. Towbook’s Mile Markers and Exits functionality allows users to search for and navigate directly to those locations within the platform. Dispatchers and drivers can enter a

highway route with the corresponding mile marker or exit and use it as a pickup or destination. It’s a specialized capability that is rare among generally available mapping systems, but incredibly practical for towing. Towbook can also read Google Plus Codes, helping pinpoint locations without a traditional address, mile marker, or exit. It represents Towbook’s development philosophy: solve problems specific to towing, even when doing so means going beyond what traditional technology platforms provide. Supporting Slow Down, Move Over Through Technology Towbook also helps improve roadside visibility through its Waze integration. When an operator arrives on scene, Towbook can report their roadside presence to Waze, helping alert approaching drivers that a tow operator is working ahead. The integration reports on-scene operators around the world. For an industry where roadside safety remains a major challenge, it’s another

drivers, customers, accounts, impounds, invoicing, payments, reporting, fleet information, and more through Towbook’s web and mobile applications. Digital dispatching integrations reduce data entry, while GPS and mapping tools provide greater operational visibility. In the field, drivers can receive calls, update statuses, capture photos and videos, collect signatures, process payments, document vehicle condition, and send information to the office in real time. Towbook also offers tools for equipment maintenance, customer communication, reporting, digital documentation, damage claim mitigation, and other areas that extend beyond dispatching. Towbook integrates with systems www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE

way Towbook uses technology to help protect the people doing the work. A Better Way to Manage Vehicle Auctions Towbook’s new Auction Manager expands the auction functionality available within the system. Companies can create and organize auctions, manage vehicles, customize listings, and share auctions with potential bidders, all alongside the vehicle and impound information they already maintain in Towbook. Auction Manager gives towing companies another way to manage an important and potentially profitable part of their operation directly within Towbook. Towbook Intelligence: AI Built for the Towing Industry Perhaps the biggest glimpse into Towbook’s future is Towbook Intelligence, a growing suite of AIpowered features designed specifically for towing.

The first major feature is Towbi, Towbook’s AI-powered dispatcher’s assistant, but it’s only the beginning. Additional AI capabilities are already being developed as Towbook Intelligence continues to expand. Towbi can answer incoming calls 24/7 and have natural conversations while performing real work inside Towbook. It can create towing requests, provide estimates, perform impound lookups, give status updates, answer common questions, communicate release requirements, and transfer callers to staff when needed. Towbi can also speak multiple languages and be configured around a company’s services, service areas, hours, pricing, payment methods, and forwarding rules. For dispatchers, Towbi can serve as an extra set of hands during busy periods, handle routine calls after hours, or manage overflow while employees focus on situations requiring their expertise. Towbook Intelligence is designed to support people, not replace them, by reducing repetitive work and giving teams more time to focus where human knowledge, experience, and compassion matter most. Because Towbi and other Towbook Intelligence features are built directly into the Towbook ecosystem, AI doesn’t have to become another disconnected tool. Towbi is the first step, with more valuable features currently in development. Towbook customers can sign up for complimentary early access to Towbi at future.towbook.com Technology Built Around the Realities of Towing Innovation doesn’t always mean artificial intelligence or a headlinemaking feature. Sometimes it simply means making everyday work easier. Towbook continues to invest in tools that improve operational visibility, driver safety, documentation, customer communication, and accountability. Predicted ETAs and Call Replay help companies understand what’s happening in the field. Equipment inspection and maintenance tools help manage fleets, while customer experience tools

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improve communication and gather feedback. Documentation tools can also help protect operators by preserving job information alongside timestamped and geocoded photos and videos, signed documents, and vehicle condition information. Today’s towing company isn’t simply dispatching trucks. It’s managing employees, fleets, police rotations, motor clubs, commercial accounts, impounds, auctions, payments, documentation, compliance, and an enormous amount of data. Software serving this industry has to evolve accordingly. Still Independently Owned, Still Listening. Towbook’s growth hasn’t changed its connection to the industry it serves. Our boardroom extends far beyond our

TOWBOOK trusted partner to the people who keep our roadways moving. A Commitment Beyond Software Technology is one part of the equation. Towbook backs its platform with free 24/7/365 support, connecting you with real people who understand

your needs, day or night. Tow Professional subscribers can get 90-days of Towbook, free! Just sign up using their unique link: www.towbook. com/signup/towprofessional

walls to include the 800,000+ users who have relied on Towbook over the years, helping shape what we build and where we go next. Many features available today exist because a customer encountered a problem and asked, “Could Towbook do this?” Sometimes the answer is already yes. Sometimes that question becomes the beginning of what Towbook builds next. From dispatching and impounds to highway navigation, auctions, artificial intelligence, fleet management, payments, reporting, and beyond, Towbook continues to set the standard for what towing software can be. Technology and the towing industry will continue to change. Towbook intends to evolve with them while remaining what it has always been: independently owned, built specifically for towing, and committed to being a www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE

The Dashcam That Cried

“Not Our Fault!”

ow is Azuga helping tow fleets yank down insurance premiums—one video clip at a time? If you’ve spent any amount of time running a towing operation, you already know two universal truths: 1. People never read road signs, and… 2. Your insurance premiums cost more than a used rollback.

Every year, insurers seem to raise their rates as if they’re getting charged by the lift themselves. Meanwhile, you’re just trying to tow minivans out of ditches without being blamed for every accident within a 12‑mile radius. Enter the unexpected hero of the towing world: Azuga Dashcams—the compact, unblinking copilots that see everything, remember everything, and

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

(thank heavens) never call out sick. Insurance Companies Love Evidence—Azuga Delivers It in HD If you feel like insurers assume every tow truck driver is out there performing interpretive dance instead of driving, you’re not alone. Tow trucks get blamed so often you’d think they were the

azuga Azuga Dashcams provide what every adjuster wants: clear, objective, indisputable proof of what really happened with real‑time footage that helps resolve claims faster and gives adjusters what they need to determine fault confidently.

villains in an action movie. However, Azuga Dashcams provide what every adjuster wants: clear, objective, indisputable proof of what really happened. Dashcams provide real‑time footage that helps resolve claims faster and gives adjusters what they need to determine fault confidently. Fast claims resolution means fewer long‑winded phone calls, fewer “hesaid‑she‑said” arguments, and most importantly, fewer reasons for insurers to raise your premiums. Say Goodbye to Fraudsters Who Think Your Tow Trucks Look “Insurance-Rich” You know who loves tow trucks? People staging fraudulent accidents. They see your rigs and think, “That www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE vehicle has great insurance and deep pockets—perfect target!” Here’s the good news: 70% of accidents aren’t the fleet driver’s fault, and dashcams help prove it. Video doesn’t blink, hesitate, or confuse your truck with the one that caused the wreck. Insurers know staged accidents are on the rise and love when fleets use dashcams to stop the bleeding. Video telematics provides carriers a reliable way to verify what happened and protect themselves from unnecessary losses.

phones, some treat lane lines like gentle suggestions. Fortunately, Azuga’s system includes AI‑powered monitoring that detects distraction, fatigue, and other risky behaviors and alerts drivers before small mistakes turn into big claims. Even better, the coaching tools tied to Azuga video telematics help improve driver behavior over time. Fleets that

Safer Drivers = Happier Insurers = Lower Premiums All of us know drivers aren’t perfect. Some drift, some glance at their

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use these tools see fewer collisions, and fewer collisions directly benefit the insurer’s loss ratio. Some towing businesses even reported dramatic reductions in risky behavior when pairing telematics with driver rewards programs—an approach that boosts morale and satisfies insurers looking for responsible fleets.

azuga the real benefit is changing driver behavior which reduces your liability and limits claims. Better yet, it reduces your insurance premiums permanently. It’s like the “Jelly of the Month Club”. It’s the gift that keeps on giving! For more information or to set up a free demo go to offer.azuga.com/ Towbook. Insurance Carriers Prefer Fleets Using Video Telematics…period. There’s a “not‑so‑secret” secret in the insurance world: carriers adore fleets that make their jobs easier. Data shows that insurers increasingly rely on connected dashcams to gain accurate insight into fleet risk, reduce litigation pressure, and lower claim costs. With clear data on driver behavior, underwriters can price premiums more accurately, meaning safe fleets get the discounts they deserve rather than paying the same rates as crews who think defensive driving is optional.

EXPERIENCE THE FUTURE OF THE TOWING INDUSTRY

“Revolutionizing How Vehicles Are Moved”

Tow Industry Case Studies Are Already Showing Big Improvements Real towing fleets are already seeing results. Case studies show how telematics and cameras dramatically reduced risky driving behaviors and insurance claims among towing operations that implemented Azuga systems. The Bottom Line: Azuga Dashcams Are the Wingman Your Tow Fleet Deserves Between fraud prevention, safer driving, faster claims resolution, and insurer‑approved transparency, Azuga Dashcams are basically an insurance discount machine hiding inside a tiny box on your windshield. Will they magically make insurance companies lower premiums overnight? No. This isn’t Hogwarts! Will they steadily, reliably reduce your risk profile year after year, giving insurers fewer excuses to raise your rates? Absolutely! If saving money, boosting safety, and ending unjust blame sounds good to you, it might be time to make Azuga the newest member of your towing crew. So, will insurance companies give you a 1-year premium discount for having Azuga? In some cases, yes. However,

AdvancedTrackSolutions.com

(605)-799-3977 www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE

Building A Forward-Looking PPI Growth Strategy From PPI to Parking Management

s you develop plans, a key to future success is extending your PPI business to provide end-to-end Parking Management. Moving in this direction positions you to profitably grow by delivering compelling benefits to owners of Multi-Family Communities and Pay-to-Park Lots, AND your business bottom-line!

Pro Tip: The worst impound is the one that should never have happened. Integration isn’t a feature – it’s RISK MANAGEMENT. 2. LP as the Permit

Permit stickers are a costly, time-consuming hassle for property managers to keep resident vehicles in sync and to manage the complexity of their guests. Without a highintegrity permit system, enforcement becomes error-prone. Digital permitting – using the vehicle LP as the permit - is a cost effective, fraud resistant approach to improve both the permitting and enforcement processes.

These benefits from PatrolWorks provide fuel for your growth engine. The Keys To Future Success The growth strategy should be built on seven “foundational pillars”: 1. A fully integrated, COMPLETE platform

In developing the growth strategy, it is important to build on a technical platform that equips you for long-term success. The full integration of permitting, policy customization, and enforcement in a single, forward-looking solution is the essential foundation to avoid impounding mistakes and future limitations.

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The most financially attractive implementation model for digital permitting in multi-family communities is to manage parking as an amenity with paid parking permits for residents and guests. Paid permitting would mimic the approach in the airline industry: a traveler purchases a ticket (like the

RANGER SST apartment lease) and pays separate charges for baggage and seat selection (amenities like pet fees and parking fees). The recurring proceeds from permits are shared by both the property and you. Since paid permitting for residents is not yet common in all multi-family communities, a cost-based digital permitting option is also necessary. The low, nominal cost for this “Digital Permitting Service” could be charged to the property or absorbed into the PPI/parking management service – e.g., to win and retain customers.

approved parking permissions from one vehicle to another and 3.) to obtain/ purchase guest permits. For residents, this eliminates trips to the office. Property managers save administrative time.

Pro Tip: In choosing a digital permitting offer for your customers, be sure you retain ownership of your customers and your customer data (i.e., maintain control over your own destiny).

Pro Tip: The fastest way to win over onsite property managers is to eliminate parking-related administrative work – outsource the process for them!

3. Residents/Parkers self-service – from their phone or computer (no app to download)

Given past limitations, parking policy objectives have been artificially “down-sized” to fit the limitations of enforcement – only violations that warrant impounding (e.g., No Valid Permit). The expectations going forward are becoming more nuanced and broader in scope – e.g., to improve the “curb appeal” of the community and to discourage parking practices that detract from the experience of other residents (e.g., abusing reserved spaces). Retention is an increasingly important performance metric -

In pay-to-park lots, owners will frequently install kiosks or employ attendants to collect payments. These costs can be avoided by posting signs with QR codes which direct parkers to an online payment process. In multi-family communities, residents should be able to use their cell phone or computer (no app to download) to 1.) register their vehicle(s) and obtain a permit, 2.) transfer

4. Customized parking policies that promote harmony

Wichert Insurance is one of the largest tow agencies in the Midwest with over 30 years of

experience working with towing, recovery, and garage operations. Our knowledgeable staff are current on industry issues and are experts in the coverages your operation requires. Our relationships with multiple AM Best “A - Excellent” rated carriers allow us to offer competitive rates and interest-free monthly pay plans. As active members of state associations, we are industry advocates and a reliable resource. Our team’s experience allows us to create custom programs to meet your needs. From service trucks to extra heavy equipment, single location to multi-state operations, we will craft a program to meet your risk appetite at the most competitive rates. In addition, we act as your advocate when a claim occurs to ensure timely and fair outcomes. We offer in-house loss control specialists at no additional cost to identify ways to control and reduce risks. Clients who engage in our loss control and safety programs benefit from lower insurance premiums, increased profitability, and reduced accidents, injuries, and claims. See more at www.wichert.com or contact us today at 740-654-0532.

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE 5. Technology-enabled patrolling – Mobile and LPR

Since security and compliance with parking policies is a priority for the resident experience and retention, patrolling is essential. While LPR is the best solution for scanning plates to identify permit issues, it requires a significant upfront investment. The parking management solution needs to start with low-cost patrolling using a mobile device and facilitate a seamless transition to the longer-term deployment of LPR. The mobile device should enable the patrol officer to roll through a lot, scanning plates of any vehicle in question from the driver-side window. The result indicates permit information – whether the permit is valid or not – prompting the entry of a violation, as appropriate. The mobile device should also equip drivers with information on appropriate “next steps” based on the consequences (e.g., ticket vs. tow) and protocols (e.g., wait times, pre-approvals) as customized by the property manager for this violation. The Violation Status could be either: • Ready – for impounding/booting, or • Waiting – for any restrictions to be satisfied

requiring policies that promote harmony within the community. Every infraction should not result in impounding/booting. A resident with an expired permit (e.g., an expired credit card for a carport subscription payment) should be handled with more consideration than a vehicle with no permit. The parking management solution requires the ability to implement/manage less severe consequences – e.g., digital warnings and tickets – that may escalate with repeated occurrences. Pro Tip: Managing vehicles without valid permits is necessary, but will NOT be sufficient; All violations are not the same; Realigning enforcement practices with property owner objectives will be an imperative.

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When “spotters” are used, the violation information should be flowing automatically to the mobile devices of the enforcement team in nearby trucks that will boot or impound vehicles, as appropriate. Pro Tip: Start with a smartphone. A powerful mobile app for enforcement is a pre-requisite. Scale to LPR. The right platform lets you grow without starting over. 6. I nformation transparency Managers AND residents

To promote harmony across the community, the visibility of real-time information becomes an indispensable asset – on both permitting and enforcement, for both property managers and residents, on their computers and cell phones. The consequences of policy violations are usually unpleasant, but with transparency there are fewer disputes and disruptive debates.

RANGER SST 7. Leadership initiative

A quote attributed to a few individuals - including Abraham Lincoln: “Things may come to those that wait, but only the things left by those that hustle!” The competition for your customers has already begun. Nothing ever gets accomplished without the initiative of a leader - and leaders are almost always stretched and faced with competing demands. Extending your PPI business to Parking Management for profitable growth will require concerted effort (maybe an additional team member), building on the foundation of a fully integrated, forward-looking parking management solution. Pro Tip: Invest your time and energy in a solution that you can grow into, and will not grow out of. To learn more, call for more information: (440) 498-1495 or visit www.patrolworksparkingsolutions.com. Pro Tip: Visibility to violation information for both residents and property managers is as important as high integrity data on permit status.

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOWING SOFTWARE

Towing Management Software Built for Where Your Business Is Going One system for dispatch, billing, lot management, and record-keeping. BY AUTURA

Reliable. Accessible Anywhere. Fully Backed by Real Customer Support. Dispatch Anywhere by Autura is towing management software designed for growing fleets handling motor clubs and light to medium-duty work. Your whole team – dispatch, drivers, office management

Invoicing and Billing with Dispatch Anywhere Get paid. Track everything. Every job creates a record. Invoices go to accounts, receipts go to customers, and payments match to statements — from your desktop or your driver’s phone. • Track paid and unpaid invoices in real time • Send invoices and receipts by email or text • Match payments to jobs and statements • Integrate with QuickBooks for accounting • Accept credit cards and digital payments with TowPay

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– will experience the benefits of running your business with a turnkey solution. One that goes beyond smart dispatching, real-time tracking, and advanced performance reporting, streamlining your invoicing, billing, and lot management, too.

autura Lot Management with Dispatch Anywhere Know what’s in your yard – without walking it. See every vehicle on your lot in one view. Know how long it’s been there, how much is owed, and full job history. When owners, insurers, or salvage companies call, directly send them all the details – they’re right where you need them. • View full lot inventory with vehicle aging • Enjoy automatically calculated charges and fees • Send vehicle info by email or text, right from the lot screen • Connect directly to TowLien for liens, and Autura Marketplace for auctions • Accept credit cards and digital payments with TowPay

3 Motor Clubs, Covered Dispatch Anywhere works with major motor clubs including Allstate, GEICO, Tesla, and Agero, bringing their jobs directly into your dispatch queue. 3 Satellite Software, Integrated Dispatch Anywhere integrates with Intuit Quickbooks and a wide range of GPS and fleet tracking providers.

3 Features and Capabilities, Extendable Dispatch Anywhere is your hub, with extensible capabilities that provide solutions you need today and ones you’ll grow into as your business scales. TowPay for secure payment collection. TowLien for lien processing and compliance. BudgetGPS for fleet tracking and cameras. Autura Marketplace for online unclaimed vehicle auctions. Build a full business suite with integrated tools from a single provider. Now that’s efficiency.

Start your Dispatch Anywhere journey now → Schedule a demo at www.autura.com

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

LOCK OUT TOOLS

American Made and Operator Designed: The Story Behind the Stiffy Lockout Tools

BY JASON GIDDENS, JB TOW TRUCK ACCESSORIES

fter more than 26 years in the towing and recovery industry, I have learned that the right tool can be the difference between a quick, professional lockout and a frustrating service call that risks damaging a customer’s vehicle.

When I began performing lockouts in 1999, we mostly used old-school tools that went underneath the window. They could get the job done, but vehicle doors and security systems have changed considerably since then. Operators now need tools that provide better reach and control while helping protect modern

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doors, weatherstripping and interior components. That experience led me to design the Big Stiffy family of lockout tools. My goal was simple: make lockouts easier, give operators better control and help prevent unnecessary damage. These are not imported tools with our

name placed on them. The Big Stiffy, Box Truck Stiffy and Big Stiffy Lasso are manufactured by us in Tampa, Florida. They are proudly American made by people who understand towing and the real-world challenges operators encounter. A Stiffer Rod and Bigger Handle One of the biggest differences between the Big Stiffy and many traditional long-reach tools is its construction. The Big Stiffy is made with a stiff stainless-steel rod and a large, doublewelded center handle. The stiffer rod gives the operator better control after the tool enters the vehicle. When the operator moves the handle, the working end responds without the excessive flex found in many thinner tools.

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LOCK OUT TOOLS The larger handle provides a comfortable, secure grip and better leverage when reaching for a powerunlock button, manual lock or interior door handle. The stainless-steel rod will not rust, and we purposely do not cover it with a plastic coating. Plastic coatings can eventually crack, peel or separate from the rod. That damaged coating may leave a sharp edge that can catch or cut a vehicle’s weatherstripping or door seal. The smooth stainless-steel surface eliminates that problem. There is no plastic coating to peel off, and the tool can move smoothly through the protected opening. Original Tip or Extended Tip We offer two versions of the longreach Big Stiffy: the original tip and the extended tip. Both versions have the same American-made stainless-steel construction, stiff rod, large handle and double-welded center section. Choosing between them is mainly a matter of operator preference. Some operators prefer the feel and positioning of the original tip. Others prefer the extended tip because it offers a different approach angle and additional working reach for certain buttons, handles and interior layouts.

Neither version is intended to replace the other. We created both because experienced operators develop their own lockout techniques. The best version is the one that gives that operator the most confidence and control. Both the original-tip and extendedtip Big Stiffy are backed by a lifetime warranty. The Big Stiffy Lasso

THE BIG STIFFY LASSO

Every experienced lockout technician has encountered those pain-in-the-butt pop-up locks positioned along the top of the door. They can be difficult to operate with the end of a traditional long-reach rod. The Big Stiffy Lasso gives the operator another option. The Lasso allows the operator to place a loop around the pop-up lock and pull it into the unlocked position. Instead of repeatedly trying to catch a small lock with the tip of a rod, the operator can secure the loop around it and apply a controlled pulling motion.

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It is another American-made tool designed around a real problem that towing and roadside-service professionals regularly face. The Box Truck Stiffy The Box Truck Stiffy was originally designed for U-Haul to solve a

challenge unique to box trucks. On many box trucks, the cargo box sits directly behind the cab. That box prevents the operator from approaching the door from behind, as they often would during a passenger-vehicle lockout. Instead, the operator must work from the glass side of the door. Because the operator is already positioned closer to the interior handle and lock controls, a traditional longreach rod can be unnecessarily long and more difficult to control. The Box Truck Stiffy is intentionally made with a shorter rod, giving the operator better control without forcing them to manage extra length they do not need. Its shorter design, stiff stainless-steel rod and large double-welded handle make it easier to accurately reach a button, lock or interior handle from the glass side of the cab. The Box Truck Stiffy is manufactured by us in Tampa and is also backed by a lifetime warranty.

lockout experience. Every part has a purpose: the stiffer rod for better control, the larger handle for a better grip, the double welds for strength, the stainless steel to prevent rust, the uncoated surface to protect door seals and the different tips to give operators more choices. The original-tip Big Stiffy, extended-

tip Big Stiffy, Box Truck Stiffy and Big Stiffy Lasso were all created with one goal: to help professional operators complete lockouts more easily, efficiently and with less risk of damaging the customer’s vehicle. They are designed by tow operators, manufactured in Tampa, Florida, and proudly American made.

Protecting the Vehicle Designing better rods was only part of the solution. We also wanted to protect the vehicle throughout the lockout process. Our Protector Sleeve helps protect the door jamb and weatherstripping by preventing the metal rod from directly contacting those surfaces. It creates a smooth, protected path for the tool as it enters the vehicle. We also developed our Super Slim and Smooth Wedge. Its thin, smooth design helps create the necessary working space without using an oversized or rough wedge that may place unnecessary pressure on the door. This design has become the style of wedge that many operators now prefer. We offer several lockout packages, with the Deluxe Kit being the most popular. It provides the operator with the Big Stiffy, Protector Sleeve, airbags, Super Slim and Smooth Wedge, and storage bags needed to keep the equipment protected and organized. Built From Experience I did not design these tools while sitting behind a desk. I designed them using decades of real-world towing, repossession, roadside-service and

Introducing the Collins

The Super Dolly® built for extreme conditions and jobs! »

THE STRONGEST: 5,000 lb Load Capacity

THE WIDEST: 104” Span Cross Rail Axles

THE FASTEST: 75 mph Speed Rating

THE FURTHEST: Unlimited Distance Towing

Contact your Collins Authorized Dealer for pricing and to order. Find a dealer at: www.collinsdollies.com/dealers

When tackling extreme jobs matters, choose

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

LOCK OUT TOOLS

Steck Manufacturing BigEasy® 2PC Glo Vehicle Emergency Access Tool Kit with EasyWedge GET FAST, PROFESSIONAL VEHICLE ACCESS with the Steck Manufacturing 2-Piece BigEasy® Glo Vehicle Emergency Access Tool Kit with EasyWedge (STC32902-KIT). Designed for locksmiths, roadside assistance providers, towing professionals, and emergency responders, this complete vehicle lockout kit provides extended reach and controlled access while helping minimize damage to paint, weatherstripping, glass, and interior components.

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

LOCK OUT TOOLS

he BigEasy® 2-piece longreach rod system features a 55-inch glow-in-the-dark rod with a 12-inch extension, delivering up to 67 inches of reach. This added length makes it easier to access lock buttons, door handles, and latches in modern cars, trucks, vans, and vehicles with deep dashboards or spacious interiors. The patent-pending RodLOCK™ connection system securely joins the two rod sections for a rigid, controlled feel while allowing the tool to separate for convenient, compact storage. A glow-in-the-dark finish improves visibility through tinted windows and during nighttime roadside calls, while the non-marring protective coating helps protect vehicle surfaces during use. This comprehensive vehicle emergency access tool kit includes: • 55-inch long two-piece BigEasy® Glow-in-the-Dark Rod • 1 2-inch Rod Extension

POWER YOU CAN DEPEND ON.

Towing operations that employ Jump-N-Carry jump starters know that no starting task is too daunting. They know from experience that every aspect of a Jump-N-Carry is designed to deliver extreme jump starting power, from the battery to the heavy-duty cables. Jump-N-Carry is all about power delivery.

Model JNC345 12V Lithium Jump Starter

• 3000A – Effective to -23˚F • 550 Start Assist Amps • 40” Cable Reach • DC Output Port • 2 USB Ports • USB-C Recharging

For information on Jump-N-Carry jump starters, visit cloreautomotive.com

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

Patent-pending RodLOCK™ Connection System

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EV RESCUE

Why EV RESCUE Is the Only Real Answer for Towing Companies Handling Compromised EVs

very towing and recovery company in the country is facing the same new reality: electric vehicles don’t fail like gasoline vehicles, and they definitely don’t fail safely. A damaged lithium-ion battery can sit for hours, days, or even weeks with no visible warning signs, then go into thermal runaway without notice. When it does, it burns hotter, longer, and more unpredictably than anything a standard tow operation was ever built to handle. For towing companies, that reality boils down to three questions: Can you keep your people safe? Can you keep your equipment safe? And can you actually get a compromised EV

off the roadway without making things worse? Right now, most companies are answering all three with hope instead of a real plan. Ramp Container’s EV RESCUE platform is built to change that. 1. Keeping Operators Safe Your drivers and yard staff are the ones physically closest to a damaged battery, every time. Standard practice today is distance and time — park it far away, wait, hope nothing happens. That’s not a safety protocol, it’s a guess. A battery that’s been compromised in a collision can reignite with no warning, releasing toxic gases and intense heat that puts anyone nearby at real risk. EV RESCUE uses liquid cryogen

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technology to actively manage a damaged battery’s thermal risk, rather than just hoping the danger passes on its own. That’s the difference between an operator who’s protected by a real system and one who’s protected by luck. Given how often we’ve seen incidents involving vehicles that had already been sitting untouched for days or weeks before igniting, “wait and hope” simply isn’t a safety plan you can build a business on. 2. Keeping Equipment Safe A single thermal runaway event doesn’t just threaten people — it can destroy the truck, the yard, and everything around it. We’ve seen real incidents where a damaged EV sitting in

RAMP CONTAINER a facility for weeks with no active work being done still caught fire and gutted the surrounding equipment and electrical systems. That’s not a hypothetical risk; it’s a documented pattern. Every tow truck, flatbed, and piece of yard equipment near a compromised EV is exposed the moment that vehicle arrives on your lot — not just during transport. Without a system in place to manage the battery’s risk throughout the entire time it’s in your possession, you’re gambling significant capital equipment against a threat you can’t see coming. EV RESCUE is built to manage that risk continuously, from the moment the vehicle is loaded all the way through to its final disposition — not just for the ride back to your yard. 3. Getting the Compromised EV Off the Roadway Safely

facilities, and the safety of the people doing the work. EV RESCUE is the only platform actually built to solve all three problems together, not separately. It’s not a workaround. It’s not a partial fix. It’s a real system for managing the actual risk a compromised EV represents — for your people, your equipment, and everyone

else on the road — from the moment you take responsibility for that vehicle until the moment you don’t anymore. As EV volume keeps growing, this isn’t a “someday” problem. It’s a today problem for any towing company handling this kind of work — and it’s worth having a real answer instead of a guess.

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This is the piece most towing companies haven’t solved yet, because until now, nothing was actually built to solve it. Roadway incidents involving EVs create real, immediate danger — we’ve seen everything from a hauler carrying six EVs catching fire and shutting down a major highway for most of a day, to individual roadside incidents that take fire crews hours and tens of thousands of gallons of water to bring under control. Once the fire itself is handled, someone still has to physically remove that vehicle. That’s your job, and right now, most towing operations are doing it with standard equipment that was never designed for this kind of hazard. EV RESCUE gives your team a purposebuilt way to load, contain, and transport a compromised vehicle off the roadway — turning a genuine unknown into a manageable, repeatable process. No Other Solution Actually Works Standard towing equipment wasn’t designed for lithium-ion battery risk, and standard protocols — distance, time, hope — don’t actively manage anything. They just delay the moment when something might go wrong. That gap is exactly where towing companies are most exposed today: liability if something happens on your watch, real damage to your equipment and

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Standard vs. Heavy-Duty GUNI Ramps:

Solving Low-Clearance Loading Challenges

ustom vehicles like exotic sports cars and slammed tuners look good on a Saturday night under the lights, but they can become a headache for flatbed operators and car carrier drivers if those late-night cruises end up in a recovery from a fender-bender.

Aftermarket ground effects, factorylowered suspensions and long front overhangs can turn a seemingly minor call into a costly damage claim. In short, loading a low-clearance vehicle onto a rollback or car hauler can be a challenge for towing and transport professionals. That’s because most standard rollback

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

decks tip back to an incline of roughly 11° to 15°. That angle may work for conventional vehicles, but for lowclearance cars, the bumper, front splitter or undercarriage can contact the deck before the tires reach the edge and create the necessary lift. A starter ramp can help eliminate

those costly problems before they happen. Offering up to 9” in additional height, GUNI Products now offers both Standard-Duty (SD) and HeavyDuty (HD) ramps and extensions, giving operators the angle, length and durability to load low-clearance vehicles. Engineered for stability, both styles of ramps are safer to use over wood cribbing or dunnage which can shift during the loading process. By design, they create a much shallower transition by reducing the approach angle to approximately 5°–6°, depending if the factory-matched extensions are used. That lower angle can make the difference between a bumper clearing the deck safely or making contact. For the SD option, high-density foam construction and anti-slip external coating provide a lightweight solution that is easy for operators to position and use. With an individual

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Whether you are training or on a real recovery, communication is very important. With Sonetics you have features that the other brands cannot come close to. Bluetooth being able to speak privately on the phone while still being in contact with your team members. Situational awareness listen-through technology lets you be aware of what’s going on around you even though both ears are covered.

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weight rating of 2,500 pounds, these economical ramps are designed to accommodate most passenger vehicles and are a fan favorite among towing professionals, weekend warriors and car enthusiasts alike.

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ramps can help prevent a five-figure bumper or EV underbody claim. GUNI ramps serve as a practical risk-management tool. Damaging a carbon-fiber bumper, active air dam or EV underbody battery shield can turn a routine tow into a $5,000–$20,000+ repair claim, depending on the vehicle and component involved. Against that

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For beefier applications, GUNI’s HD ramps are built for heavy EVs, luxury SUVs and pickup trucks. With an individual weight rating of 3,000 pounds and a loading angle of 6°, these reinforced ramp options offer tremendous strength and rigidity thanks to their high-density welded poly construction. The HD ramps are ideally suited for work with EVs. As seasoned operators know, EVs add more complexity to the loading process as they combine extremely low ground clearance with curb weights that can exceed those of comparable gasoline-powered vehicles. That means operators need both a shallow approach angle and equipment capable of handling substantial loads without flexing or shifting. Durability and longevity are the biggest advantages for the HD ramps. Backed by a five-year warranty, these ramps feature a center rib for ramp reinforcement, and unlike temporary wooden alternatives or lighter materials that can deteriorate or deform, the poly construction is manufactured for demanding, repeated use, making them an investment intended to remain in a professional operator’s equipment lineup for years. In conclusion, low-clearance damage does not have to be an unavoidable part of towing or vehicle loading. The goal is simple: Replace unsafe, improvised loading methods with engineered equipment that controls the approach angle and supports the load. The right

potential liability, investing in quality GUNI ramps is a relatively small operational expense. To order, visit Zips.com. For the Standard-Duty options, enter Item #: GUNI-AR-SD or GUNI-AR-SD-XL For the Heavy-Duty options, enter Item #: GUNI-AR-HD or GUNI-AR-HDEXT.

TOW SUCCESS

Do You Own Your Towing Company or Does It Own You? BY JIM WEAVER

once sat down with a family that looked like they had built a very successful towing company. They had nice equipment, a solid fleet, and plenty of work. From the outside, everything appeared to be going well. This was a family-owned towing company. Mom, Dad, and their two sons were all involved. As is not unusual in a family towing

business, the wife was the main brain behind the office side of the company. While the others concentrated on trucks, drivers, customers, and daily operations, she handled the paperwork, billing, accounting, banking, and organization. She knew what had been billed, what had been collected, what needed to be paid, and where everything could be found. She was excellent at it - so good, in

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

fact, that much of the company’s critical knowledge existed only in her head. The business could not function properly without her being in the office. At the same time, her own mother was elderly and declining. She wanted more time with her during those final years. She simply could not get away. The business needed her in the office every day.

Whatever her ownership role, the company owned her time. Solutions were available. Key procedures could have been written down. Responsibilities could have been clearly assigned. Other people could have been trained. But, like many companies, they found it easier to recognize the value of another truck than the value of

strengthening the office. They believed they couldn’t afford that investment. The truth was, they couldn’t afford not to. A new truck might have helped them perform more work. Documented procedures and a trained backup could have given her something that could never be replaced: more time with her mother. www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOW SUCCESS What Does Success Actually Look Like? Most towing companies are started by people who know how to work. They can tow vehicles, solve problems at two in the morning, and do whatever it takes. That drive is often exactly what is required to get a company off the ground. But as the company grows, the owner’s role must change. More trucks are added. More drivers are hired. Volume increases. Yet instead of gaining freedom, many owners become more trapped, involved in every decision and every problem. They discover they have not built a business. They have built themselves a demanding 24-hour-a-day job. So how should we measure success? Is it the number of trucks in the yard, the appearance of the equipment, the amount of work coming in, or annual sales?

Those things matter, but they are incomplete. A company can look successful from the road while its owners are overworked, unable to leave, and unsure whether the business is producing the profit it should. A successful towing company should deliver four things: • Good service to customers • Good jobs for employees • A reasonable return on its equipment • Real profit for the owners And one more thing that is too often overlooked: choices. The choice to take a vacation. The choice to spend time with family. The choice to step away when someone you love needs you. Eventually, the choice to sell the company, pass it to the next generation, or continue owning it without being controlled by it. That is the difference between owning a job and owning a company.

When Everyone Feels Trapped Owners and employees can experience the same company very differently. The owner may feel he has sacrificed his life keeping the business alive, while an employee may believe his work helped create success that he never shared in. When both sides feel overworked, under-rewarded, and unappreciated, it is easy for each to blame the other. The deeper question is whether the company has been designed so both can succeed: fair compensation and opportunity for employees, along with real profit and freedom for the owner. A business built on continuing sacrifice from everyone is not yet functioning as it should. 56

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

discipline to the office. What does it cost when billing is delayed? What happens when nobody else understands a motor-club portal, police rotation paperwork, payroll, lien processing, or collections? What is the cost when the only knowledgeable person cannot take a day off without answering the phone? Office strength may not shine in the parking lot, but it protects every dollar the trucks are sent out to earn. When One Person Becomes the System In many towing companies, critical knowledge lives in one person’s head. It may be the owner, a spouse, a dispatcher, an office manager, or a long-time employee. That person knows how everything works. When a question arises, everyone knows whom to ask. This arrangement can work for years. It also creates a serious vulnerability. What happens if that person becomes ill,

leaves the company, or simply needs time away? If the company cannot function without one particular person, that person has become the system. The solution is not to make that person less valuable. The solution is to capture what the person knows and use it to make the entire company stronger. Important information and important work must belong to the company, not only to the person who currently carries them. This is especially important in a family business. A husband or wife may quietly take care of dozens of details for years. Because the work always gets done, nobody notices how much knowledge and responsibility are concentrated in that one person. The danger becomes visible only when that person wants - or needs - to step away. Start With the Two-Week Test Ask yourself one question:

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Visible Investments and Invisible Ones The lesson is not that towing companies should stop buying trucks. Growing companies need dependable equipment. The problem is that equipment is visible, while the value of written procedures, clearly assigned responsibilities, and trained backups is much harder to see. A truck may increase the company’s capacity. A stronger office reduces its dependence on one person. Both are investments, but only one could have given this woman more time with her mother. When owners look at capital purchases, they calculate what a truck can earn. They should apply the same

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TOW SUCCESS If I - or the person who runs our office - were unexpectedly gone for two weeks, what would stop getting done? Do not try to fix everything at once. Identify the one responsibility that would create the greatest financial or operational problem. That is where you begin. Write down every answer without defending the way things are currently done. Would billing stop? Would payroll be late? Would impounded vehicles sit because nobody knew the title process? Would customers, law enforcement agencies, insurance companies, or motor clubs be waiting for answers? Could someone find the passwords, bank information, vendor contacts, and forms needed to keep the work moving? Then choose the most damaging item on the list and complete four simple steps: • Name the responsibility. Be specific about what must be done and when. • Write the basic procedure. Capture the

TOW PROFESSIONAL | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | www.towprofessional.com

steps, contacts, deadlines, forms, and location of needed information. • Choose and train a backup. Let that person perform the work while the expert observes. • Test the system. Have the regular person step away and see what questions or breakdowns occur. Do not confuse writing a procedure with building a working system. A threering binder nobody opens will not solve the problem. The test is whether another trained person can follow the procedure and produce the right result without depending on a stream of phone calls to the person who is away. Once that first responsibility can be handled reliably, move to the next item. One procedure may not seem like much, but twelve well-chosen procedures completed over a year can dramatically reduce the company’s dependence on any single person.

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 15 • Issue 7 | TOW PROFESSIONAL

TOW SUCCESS Freedom Is a Business Result Building an independent company does not happen overnight. It happens one responsibility and one procedure at a time. The goal is not to become unnecessary to your company. The goal is to stop being necessary to every single thing it does. Owners should be able to lead, make important decisions, and contribute their experience without remaining trapped by work that no one else has

been prepared to perform. Hard work can help you start a towing company. Documented procedures and trained people help you build one that can operate without depending upon any single individual - including you. The trucks, buildings, and equipment may be the most visible parts of the company, but the systems determine whether the business can give its owners something beyond another day of work. A truly successful business should create

ABOUT JIM WEAVER

profit, opportunity, and choices. So, do you own your towing company - or does it own you? Next Article All Profits Are Made in the Office

A company that can operate without depending upon one person begins with a strong office. In the next article, we’ll look at where money is protected - or quietly lost - between completing the tow and putting the profit in the bank.

Jim Weaver is the founder of Tracker Management Systems and Tow Success. He helped bring computerized management systems to nearly 1,000 towing companies, has presented more than 100 industry seminars, and has written extensively for the towing industry. His experience also includes owning a towing company, body shop, and several other businesses. Through Tow Success, Jim shares practical lessons on management, profitability, people, and building a company that can succeed without owning the owner’s life. TowSuccess.com | towsuccess.jim@gmail.com

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