Tow Professional - Volume: 6 Issue: 1

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TOW PROFESSIONAL Volume 6 • Issue 1 2017

CONTENTS I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

6 |Jerr-Dan 8 | UREGENT.LY 10 | Miller Industries / Nation Safe Drivers 12 | Clore Automotive / Miller Industries 14| OverOne.org

Fuel 4 thought 18 | What is Fuel for Thought?

Insightful talk

www.towprofessional.com

Feature: Lighting 34| TowMate 38| Will-Burt 42| Custer Products

Feature: Spill Containment 44| FlowStop 48| Hazmat Responders Network

20 | Effective Communication

Scene Photos 24 | Photos “Seen from the Scene”

Feature: CARGO Straps 26| AWDirect

product Features 50| Driveline Buddy 52| TomTom

Feature: SAfety 28| eComply

Hooked UP 56|AWDirect 57|TowMate

58|TowMate

IN EVERY ISSUE 4 | Publisher’s Letter 59 |Dealers Place 2

Tow Professional | Volume 6 • Issue 1 | www.towprofessional.com

63 | Market Place 64 | Ad Index

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PUBLISHER’S

LETTER

TM

Professional Your Resource for Towing & Recovery

Volume 6 • Issue1 www.towprofessional.com

PUBLISHER Darian Weaver President & Publisher darian@towprofessional.com

2017 Starts with a Bang!

2017 is in full swing, and we are fully focused on our goals and resolutions as I am sure you are too! We are making it a point to reach out and to find the newest, latest, and greatest products and services for you to improve your business. We are also going to dive into learning more about the companies who have been around awhile, but are still a bit of a mystery to everyone.

In my mind, the difference between a goal and a resolution is that a resolution is something you would like to generally achieve. A goal, on the other hand, is something you are driven to reach and have a plan to do so. This year we have set our goals high, and we believe that you need to also make yours known writing them down so that you can look back and see how you did.

Here are a few of our goals I want to share with you: (1) grow our subscription base to our digital issue by 1,500 new users, (2) update our design and the overall look and feel of the magazine by the end of the year, (3) have the most successful 1st year tradeshow in the history of the towing industry with the “Southern Tow Expo and Beach Bash,” and (4) give more back to the industry than we ever have before.

In this issue, we have several good stories about new products hitting our market. We are hearing from the leaders in the lighting market and what the industry is talking about when it comes to these products. We are also talking about some spill-containment methods and ways you can use this to grow your business. Of course, our friends, DJ and Dan, will be giving us their two cents also which always makes great sense to all who are in and related to the towing industry!

We pray that your business be blessed as you reach all the goals you set for yourself and for your business this year!

Tim Smith V.P. Sales tim@towprofessional.com __________________________

PRODUCTION Dana Scott Creative Director dana@towprofessional.com

Gene Eudy Proof Editor gene@towprofessional.com __________________________

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chris Anderson - TowMate Perry Beaty - FlowStop Simon Birch - AW Direct Bill Carson - Hazmat Response Network Dave Cotsmire - Will-Burt Steve Denero Torsten Grunzig - TomTom Andy Haag - Custer Products D.J. Harrington Michael James - eComply Dan Messina

__________________________

Keep reading and stay safe,

Executive and Advertising Offices Timothy A. Smith Vice President Tow Professional Magazine

2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B Birmingham, AL 35244 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., P.O. Box 26308, Birmingham, Alabama, 35260, 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.

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

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I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

Stiansen Joins JLG as Director of Marketing for JERR-DAN Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Corporation Company, a leader in the towing and recovery business, today announced Jennifer Stiansen has joined the company as director of marketing for Jerr-Dan. In her new role, Stiansen will lead all marketing and communications initiatives for Jerr-Dan. She will report directly to Alan Loux, Vice President – global marketing, access segment, and serve on the Global Marketing Leadership team.

“We are excited to welcome a professional of Jennifer’s caliber to Jerr-Dan,” said Loux. “She brings more than 20 years of marketing communications

experience to her new assignment, along with the leadership skills to make a valuable contribution to our organization’s growth strategy.”

Prior to joining Jerr-Dan, Stiansen served as marketing communications manager for several brands, on both the manufacturer and agency sides, managing advertising, public relations, internal communications and digital marketing.

Stiansen holds a Master of Arts degree in media studies from William Paterson University of New Jersey and a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Elizabethtown College. She is a member of the Association of

Equipment Manufacturers, Associated Equipment Distributors, and Construction Writers Association. www.jerrdan.com

JERR-DAN Launches New SURE METHOD™ Performance Tow Calculator Jerr-Dan recently launched its SURE Method™ and Tow Performance Calculator to assist customers in selecting the most appropriate product to address some of the challenges towing operators face on the job. The SURE Method, an acronym for Suburban, Urban, Rural, Equipment, helps customers remove the guesswork out of the vehicle build. The Tow Performance Calculator is a tool that supports the SURE Method by giving customers an estimate of what their trucks could tow. Both resources are designed to educate tow owners and operators to better evaluate their business needs.

The SURE Method is designed to help customers select the right equipment for the job. This systematic way for building towing equipment is based on the specific performance demands of the customer’s region, intended use, and application. This approach guides potential buyers through a series of key considerations to secure the optimum specifications for the configuration of their tow truck. This includes size, weight, capacity, and appli6

cation-specific features to effectively manage a customer’s broad range of towing operation needs.

We are changing the traditional way the towing industry buys towing equipment by providing a method that will ensure the vehicle a customer orders is optimized for the unique demands of their operation,” said Jeff Irr, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for Jerr-Dan. “We are continuously looking at innovative ways for our customers to maximize their investments and meet their business needs.”

In addition to the SURE Method, JerrDan launched the first-ever web-based Tow Performance Calculator on its website. The online tool allows for any tow professional to estimate the towing performance of a truck by simply going to the calculator online at www.jerrdan.com/calculator and answering a few questions. The online Tow Performance Calculator is accessible 24/7 from anywhere and helps operators determine if their vehicle is optimized for

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the unique demands of their towing operation.

The Tow Performance Calculator walks the customer through a series of key considerations that guide them towards optimal towing results. Here are a few considerations included in the Calculator:  What is your Front Axle Weight?

(FAW)  What is your Wheelbase?  What is your Retracted Length of Overhang?  What is your Extended Length of Overhang?

“We are leading the industry with this first-of-its-kind SURE Method and Tow Performance Calculator,” said Shane Coleman, Heavy Duty Product Manager for Jerr-Dan. “This is our competitive advantage as we are the first to offer these methods and technologies. Safety and performance is our top concern for customers and the industry. www.jerrdan.com

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I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

Urgent.ly, the Leading Global Digital Roadside Assistance Platform, Continues Rapid Expansion; Adds Three to Senior Team

Alan Holman

Bill Maddox

Joe Ryan

Vienna, VA, January 12, 2017 – Urgent.ly – the company reinventing the roadside assistance market for premier global automotive, insurance, mapping, and parking brands as well as roadside assistance professionals and consumers – continues its rapid growth and expansion with the addition of three new senior members to its team.

Urgent.ly delivers the quickest, safest, and most innovative roadside assistance services and technology through its branded and white label products in the North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific regions.

The three new team members include: • Alan Holman joining as Vice President of Sales. Holman brings more than 10 years of experience in successfully building and leading sales organizations at well-known consumer and B2B brands, including Allstate Roadside Services and GE Partnership Marketing Group/Roadside Assistance Division. A veteran leader in the roadside assistance

industry and an award-winning sales executive, Holman has a successful track record in establishing long-term contracts with auto manufacturers and building marketshare in the connected car, telematics, and public sectors. Holman will help Urgent.ly continue to grow its B2B partnerships across a range of verticals where roadside is a key service offering.

• Bill Maddox as Urgent.ly’s new National Service Director. Maddox will be responsible for developing and managing the company’s national service network of over 50,000 independent roadside assistance professionals. With over 25 years of experience in service network and operations management, Maddox has built and managed highly effective nationwide service networks for both direct to consumer and white label programs for some of America’s leading consumer retail brands.

• Joe Ryan as an independent director on Urgent.ly’s board. An advisor to several technology and consumer-facing

start-ups, Ryan has deep experience in the service industry with over 20 years as general counsel for two major hospitality companies – Marriott International and the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. He was also a partner at two well-known law firms, Venable L.L.P. and O'Melveny & Myers L.L.P. Ryan is currently Chairman & CEO of Ryan Investments, a private firm with investments in hospitality, alternative energy, and private banking.

“These three new team members bring tremendous expertise and depth to Urgent.ly as we continue scaling both nationwide and internationally,” Urgent.ly CEO and co-founder Chris Spanos said.

“The addition of Alan, Bill, and Joe to our already outstanding team will help Urgent.ly further accelerate our growth as we continue our mission to reinvent the roadside assistance marketplace for the betterment of consumers, our partners and roadside assistance service providers around the world.” www.urgent.ly

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I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

Miller Industries Donates $30,000 to International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum Miller Industries donates $30,000 to The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (www.towingmuseum.com ) announced today that Miller Industries presented a donation of $30,000 to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame Museum. Miller Industries holds a Rotator School twice yearly at the Museum’s Learning Center. Proceeds from the school are donated demonstrating Miller’s commitment of industry education and support.

The International Towing and Recovery Museum wishes to thank Miller Industries for this generous donation and its unwavering support allowing us serve an industry we love. www.millerind.com

Nation Safe Drivers Donate $5,000 to Museum’s Survivor Fund The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum today announced that Nation Safe Drivers presented a donation of $5,000 to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivor Fund to coincide with the Baltimore Tow Show. The funds will provide financial support to families of those lost in the line of service.

“The Survivor Fund helps provide immediate financial help to families affected by tragedy in the line of service and Nation Safe Drivers is proud to support this effort” stated Patrick Nahoum, Network Manager for Nation Safe Drivers. “Our goal is to raise funds and awareness about the dangers faced by towing professionals across the country.”

Nation Safe Drivers began its relationship with the Survivor Fund more than seven years ago and has been a continuing supporter ever since. NSD relies on the services provided by the men and women of the towing industry and in turn gives back through support of programs such as the Survivor Fund.

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“Nation Safe Drivers has been a longtime supporter of our Fund,” said Jeffrey Godwin, ITRHFM Board Member and Survivor Fund Committee Co-Chairman.

“We are grateful for NSD’s continued generosity as we work to improve the financial position of the Fund and to increase the amount given to families when tragedy strikes.”

On average, close to 60 road service professionals are killed each year assisting stranded motorists on the side of busy roadways or performing their duties

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in towing and recovery. The Survivor Fund, founded in 2006 and managed by the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, was started to offer financial support to the families that have lost a loved one in the line of service within the towing and road service industry. Since its inception, the Survivor Fund has approved and paid out over 150 claims to support families in their time of need due to tragic accidents. www.urgent.ly

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I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

New Jump-N-Carry Booster Cables Clore Automotive recently introduced a new lineup of Jump-N-Carry booster cables. The new offering features 5 commercial grade models and covers a wide range of boosting applications, from occasional use passenger vehicle boosting to heavy-duty boosting of over-the-road trucks and heavy agricultural equipment. A great model for tow operators is Model No. 422252, which features high capacity 2/0 gauge wire, 25 foot cable length and heavy-duty 800A rated clamps, packaged in a blow molded case. www.cloreautomotive.com

A New Ride for the JR Motorsport Race Team

Keeping a family tradition alive, Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently took delivery of a new Century 12-Series LCG™ car carrier from Miller Industries. Much like his father did in the early-90s, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his race team recognize the value and durability of Century products from Miller Industries.

The new Century 12-Series LCG™ carrier sits on a Freightliner M2 chassis and offers superior features and benefits when compared to other available products. This particular truck includes Miller’s patented Right Approach™ option which uses a hinge-based system to improve the angle of the deck of the truck to better accommodate vehicles with low ground clearance.

“This carrier is ideal for Dale Jr. and his race team.” Says Kipp Felice, Vice President of Marketing and Business Solutions for Miller Industries. “The patented deck design and side-mounted winch provide a couple of great options for loading and off-loading the team’s racecars.”

Miller Industries Towing Equipment (NYSE: MLR) is the world’s largest manufacturer in towing and recovery equipment.

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Miller Industries offers a variety of products from auto-load units with 8,000 lb. capacities to rotators with 75 ton capacities. All of which fall under the Miller Industries family of brands of Century , Vulcan , Chevron™, and Holmes . For more information about Miller Industries and their products, follow them on social media, visit their website, or call 800-292-0330. www.millerind.com

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I ND US T RY NEWS OW WI IN NG G& &R REEC CO OV VEER RY Y TTO

INA Towing Network and Partners in Over One Launch overone.org

Over One—Lose None!

One towing operator dies every six days while on the job according to Jeffrey Godwin, Chairman of the museum’s Wall of the Fallen and its Survivor Fund. Recent statistics cite sixty DOT personnel are killed annually with 12 police officers and 5 firefighters.

On September 14, 2016 in Chattanooga, TN, The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum added 22 new names to the Wall of the Fallen during its 10th annual ceremony honoring towing operators who have died in the line of service. The names include those from previous years as the details of the fatalities become known. In all, the Wall of the Fallen now has over 400 names of men and women who have lost their lives serving the towing and road service industry. These are 400 men and women who would have gone home to their families and their loved ones, but couldn’t because they gave their lives that day.

We can’t do everything in life, but we can do something; and when everyone does a little, a lot gets done. On November 17, 2016, INA Towing Network, LLC and partners in Over One launched OverOne.org. The message is 14

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simple: “Move over one lane when you come up on vehicles on the side of the road.” To get this message out, OverOne.org has three strategies: (1) evoke the public consciousness to understand that they are the most powerful source to define life and death on our Nation’s highways, (2) to educate and make them aware that they need to make a life change so first responders can live theirs, and (3) to unite all common industry first-responders to train, educate, and motivate the public we serve to just move Over One so we can Lose None!

One of the biggest challenges to do this, is collecting the data of incidences to billboard that there is a real problem that needs to be addressed. On the site, OverOne.org has resources to do this very thing and make it available to the public such as the Towing Traffic Incident Reporting System (TTIRS). This national, online, and voluntary reporting system gives the towing industry a new way to report struck-by and near-miss events involving tow operator safety.

The primary goal of TTIRS is to collect and quantify data so member associations can utilize the data to advocate for Move Over enforcement and education and to develop safety protocol and training for the towing industry. The basis of this message is not feeling, sentient or opinion-it is fact-real numbers that represent fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers and children.

A simple action to move over a lane and give them room to work can save many lives every year without them paying the ultimate sacrifice of their own life.

It begins with you: Be aware!

Decide to care! Just make it a life decision to move Over One so they can live!

Remember it begins and can end with you! Over One—Lose NONE! overone.org

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Fuel 4 thought

By D.J. Harrington, CSP

Can we please get rid of labels?

When I was young, I had a very bad speech impediment. For some of you, that is hard to believe because I spend so much time speaking for a living. When I was young playing in the yard, my very UNHELPFUL neighbor told me, “You will NEVER be like your brother, John.” John was a brilliant guy and had a choice of 27 scholarships to college, was President of the student body at his high school and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Naval Academy. He spoke and wrote Russian and entered the space program after attending the Naval Academy.

All my teachers reinforced my problem by telling me that I was a “slow learner” because of my speech. My eleven brothers and sisters spoke for me. To add to my embarrassment, I carried a small pad to write down what I wanted, where I lived, etc. I could not play little league baseball because no one could understand me. Back then they called my condition, Lazy Tongue. I grew up with people putting labels on me. Terrible labels like, “dumb”, “slow”, and even “retarded”.

I was never retarded, but I definitely had a speech problem. People can be mean, 18

and I ran into lots of mean people at church, Cub Scouts and schoolmates Don’t let people put labels on you. My desire is to start this year with articles that will help all of us grow…including me.

If we can improve our thinking, we can improve our lives. To those of you that think I’m too old, think again. I won’t allow it. You shouldn’t allow any negatives in your lives that could stick either.

Let me tell you a similar story that happened years ago, it will help us in 2017.

The legendary Coach, Dale Brown of the LSU basketball team, tells of times he was speaking to a group of soldiers at a military base in California. When he was done speaking, a young man came up to him who stood nearly seven feet tall and weighed around 250 pounds. “Coach Brown”, the young man said, “I want to try out for our basketball team, but I can’t dunk the basketball! I can barely jump.

When I run up and down the court, both of my legs tire out so quickly that I can only play a few minutes.”

As the coach gazed up at the young man from his head down to the size seventeen shoes, he asked “How long have

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you been in the military, Son?” With a quick response, the young man answered, “I’m not in the military Coach.

My father is. I’m thirteen years old.”

Coach Brown was immediately intrigued and decided to take this young man under his wing. When Coach got back to Louisiana, he sent this young kid to his training program. He told the kid it would strengthen his legs and increase his endurance.

Three months went by before Coach received a letter from the young man giving him an update on his present circumstances. It seemed that the young man had been faithful by spending hours working out in the gym and weight rooms. However, the update wasn’t what Coach was expecting. The young man’s basketball coach had just cut him from the team, saying that he was TOO big, TOO slow, and TOO clumsy. He further reiterated that his basketball coach assumed he would never be able to play basketball. That is what I call having negative labels stuck to you.

That young man had a decision to make. Was he willing to make a decision

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NOT to wear those negative labels his entire life? Negative labels such as, TOO big, TOO slow, and TOO clumsy. He decided to remove those labels.

You may have guessed it already. That young man was Shaquille O’Neal who eventually attended LSU and played college basketball for Coach Brown.

Shaquille broke all the records and became one of the greatest basketball players who has ever played the game.

At the entrance to the LSU basketball facility stands a bronze statue of Shaquille, the former clumsy kid who could barely jump, dunking the basketball. I wonder where he would be now if he had listened to the negative labels from others. If he had listened to the negative labels from his first coach, he wouldn’t have become one of the greatest to play the game and wouldn’t have spent 19 years playing in the NBA. Every time you see Shaquille’s Icy-Hot

commercials on TV, remember what he endured. Has somebody told you that you can’t accomplish your dreams? As my neighbor told me years ago, I also had school teachers tell me because of my speech impediment that I would be lucky to finish high school. Trying to be a help, the consensus was to send me to a trade school in another state. According to them the less I spoke in public, the better off I would be.

You may feel like Shaquille today.

Maybe you’ve been cut from the team.

Experts might have told you that you can’t do what you don’t have. Here’s what I’ve learned. The experts can be wrong! Experts built the Titanic and it still sank. Amateurs built the Ark, and it floated - even with all the animals on board.

The trick is don’t let people put a label on you. In this New Year, people can call you “slow”, “lazy”, or for me now - “too old” or “all washed-up”. That’s alright. I just

don’t answer to that. I answer to “talented”, “good speaker” or “History Maker”.

Remember the bondage from the past is no longer going to have any effect on you.

Make this one, your best year ever.

Thanks for reading my column if you like it, make a copy and pass it around. u

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Insightful talk

I woke up this morning thinking I had nothing to do but to exercise and figure out what I am having for supper. Then the phone rings, and I begin to get busy.

As I am working, I get another phone call that loads more work into my day. Then my wife gives me a few things to do. All of the sudden, I am stressing to get everything completed. Everything had a deadline so I need to find the time to complete everything. This is where time management comes into play.

When I first took over my company, I knew nothing about towing. I wasn’t even sure what a private property tow was and where the tows came from. I had twenty-five employees that I had to meet and figure out what they did for the company. This does not include taking over accounting, sales, and all the employee problems that came with the company. There were not enough hours in the day. This is where I applied my 20

By Dan Messina

time management skills that I have learned over the years working in the computer industry. My wife and I laid out what we wanted our company to look like and identified how many tows we needed a month to pay our bills. Then we addressed the employee issue first because they are the most important part of my company: I let the bad ones go and hired some new people to take their place.

We identified each employee and what functions they would perform within the company. Then we trained them to do their job the way I wanted them to do it. One of the biggest obstacles for people to overcome is change. This is not easy for most and not something that can be done overnight. We had to allow training time for each employee, but we knew that once we trained them, running the company would be easy. This took time, and we still had to keep the company run-

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ning while we implemented all the changes needed to grow our business.

The next thing we addressed was the customer base. We identified who were the best customers and what customers were costing us money. I gave my bad customers to my competitor. As I mentioned early, this stuff does not happen overnight; but once you take the time to address the issues, your company will become more productive.

Here are a few time management tips for your workplace to improve your operation: 1. Prioritize Using time management in the workplace allows you to prioritize all projects and daily tasks. Identify what is important and what is not, what has an impact on the business and what does not, and what makes me money and what does not. When you answer these questions, it

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becomes easy to prioritize. This will keep you and your employees focused on things that are important.

Once you have your employees heading in the right direction, set some goals for the company.

2. Set Goals Setting short- and long-term goals will let you plan deadlines that will allow your company to grow. As an owner, you may want to set goals for your employees as part of a self-improvement program.

3. Value Productivity When you are using your time wisely, your company will be more productive.

With a higher focus on projects and timelines, employees will find more efficient ways to do their job.

4. Focus on Performance Employee performance will increase as a result of increased productivity.

When your employees are doing their jobs, this allows you to work on other

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Insightful talk projects that benefit the company.

5. Eliminate Procrastination This is my worst enemy. I use to live on the motto, “Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow.” Time management allows me to address problems when they came up instead of waiting

until later and letting the problem get worse.

6. Develop Employees I can’t tell you how important it is to develop your employees. Make time for each employee, and it will benefit you and the company in the long run. Finding

time for your employees allows you to get to know them better, and they will also learn about you and what you expect from them.

7. Track Employees Making sure you monitor your employee productivity will save you time in the long run. The more you can train and trust your employees to do, the more time you will have to concentrate on other projects. I can’t express how important it is to develop your employees. This will also allow you to see what employees are performing and which ones need help.

8. Break Bad Habits This will take some time and not happen overnight; but if you have the time to address your problems, it will cut down on some of the bad habits you have developed trying to get things done.

9. Motivate Employees The importance of time management can also help employee motivation. As an owner, I would set goals and create competition among employees. There would be some type of reward for the winner, and the losers would have to listen to the winners brag. It was great for morale!

10. Improve Life By planning and being more organized, your whole life can change. Towing is stressful enough so if you can improve the workplace it will also improve your life outside work. Every part of managing time at work translates to fun outside of work. The problem here is that many people don't follow through with this.

Many owners decide to ignore managing time which leads to chaos in the workplace. The importance of time management in the workplace can have unlimited positive effects on your employees, productivity, and employee motivation. So don't make the mistake of ignoring time management. u

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MAGNETIC AXLE STRAPS SAVE TIME AND GET YOU OFF THE ROAD FASTER

BY SIMON BIRCH, AW DIRECT TECHNICAL PRODUCT MANAGER

Many operators are now using axle straps around rear axles and other solid lower suspension systems to secure a casualty to their flatbed. This technique allows the vehicle’s suspension to work, resulting in a smoother, less jarring ride. One of the drawbacks to traditional axle straps is that it seems like you need three hands to attach them¬–two to hold the ends together and one to connect the snap hook.

To overcome this problem, AW Direct has developed the industry’s first-ever magnetic axle strap. By placing two high-powered magnets on each eye, hooking up just become easier, quicker and consequently much safer. Simply pass the strap over the axle or suspension component and snap the ends together. This leaves you with both hands free to secure a snap hook. This speedier hookup gets you off the side of the road faster and reduces your exposure to danger from distracted drivers.

The Lasso Strap Another popular method to secure a vehicle is called the “sports car tie-down” or “lasso strap.” This method uses a lasso-style, 12'L strap with a single ring on one end, which is passed through the rim of a vehicle, and then back through itself and tightened using a ratchet assembly. While it’s simple and quick, keeping the strap tight can be difficult due to the angle of the strap and making sure it adequately chokes the wheel assembly.

On some vehicles, going through the rim is the best and quickest way to tie it down so the operator can get off the side of the road faster. If a lasso strap isn’t ideal, consider using an axle strap. A 36"L axle strap will easily pass through even the widest of rims, and if you use the magnetic version, snapping the rings together to enable a one-handed hook up will speed up your job even more.

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Backup connection The law requires secondary restraints or safety chains. On some vehicles, they can be difficult to install and as a result are sometimes overlooked. To make matters worse, slip or grab hooks can be difficult to thread through certain areas.

When the suspension is going up and down while being towed, the hooks can get pinched due to their bulkiness. This additional wear and tear can cause broken latches making the hooks unusable.

An alternative is to hook safety chains directly to a vehicle using axle straps with

particular, keep your hooks away from pinch points, speed up the hooking process and get the operator back on the road in a safe and compliant way. u

protective sleeves. Axle straps are thinner, lighter and easier to install than heavy chains. The magnetic versions in

AW Direct Helping You Help Them For more information: Call 800-243-3194, or visit http://tech.awdirect.com

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By Michael James

I am not sure is has anything to do with somebody getting hurt, but it sure does have something to do with somebody being safe and going home with all of their body parts.

In this issue we are going to talk about what happens in a company that allows an employee to get hurt. For one thing the company ensures people are allowed to get hurt on the job when the company chooses to not lead by example. During the last 40 plus years that I have been dealing with Compliance programs evolving from the formation of OSHA, a strong Corporate Culture that includes Safety is core to keeping our people safe. This Safety Culture is 28

always on an equal platform with Profits, Speed, Quality, Productivity and all of those other important metrics that we run our businesses by.

I know that many of you might have no idea who this guy is that is writing and saying that it is us, the owners and managers that knowingly allow our people to get hurt. It is us who must set the standard of what we will accept for safe behavior in our companies. This is the foundation of a Safety Culture. Without this Culture, it is not possible to experience Safe Behavior on the part of our employees. And the start of that Culture is the example we set in our own companies. Over the months to come, I will be

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writing about some of the tools and skill sets and training materials that are found in a good Safety Program. But all of this training and buying safety glasses or gloves is for naught if we do not lead.

We first have to "Lead". My friend DJ Harrington and I visit on almost a daily basis on how we can help the leaders of our companies to lead. We all know where we can get our hands on some of the best training programs available (give me a call if you don’t). We all know where we can get the best written programs that drive a good Safety Program.

We all know many places where we can buy the best possible equipment and the best high visibility apparel, or the best

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even sit in on our own training. We will practice what we preach and most important to me we will “Walk the Talk”.

The OSHA General Duty Clause says, “Employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that is free from recognizable hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees". In clos-

ing, we as owners and managers, will send our employees home every day with all of the same body parts they came to work with. Even when some of those same employees might not agree with some of the Safety Policies. u eComply.net

pair of gloves. I promise you based on 40 years of buying the best equipment and providing the best training and the best hard hats it is all a waste of money and time if we do not lead. When you go on scene or out to your maintenance shop will you be wearing the right PPE? When you walk up on one of your employees working in an unsafe manner or one contrary to your company policy, will you walk on by. If we walk by a person in the shop standing on the top of the step ladder, then we have just communicated to that employee that their unsafe behavior is acceptable.

So, we are going to lead by example.

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By Chris Anderson Good things take time. We all know this to be fact. No successful company has ever brought a product to market that they did not later tweak or revise to further its potential somewhere down the road. I would wager that sliced bread even took some fine-tuning as bakers determined the most desirable thickness of the bread where it provided sustenance, but was also thin enough to not completely dry up the hungry mouth it was feeding. To that point, we at TowMate are no different. Beginning with the invention of wireless tow lights dating back to 1985, TowMate has offered an ever-expanding, ever-evolving line of lighting solutions for the towing market. We continually gather feedback from our customers as to what approaches have worked and which ones may need modifying, then we act. Through this type of approach, along with the integration of emerging technologies, we have developed numerous items that have changed the way you tow today and will change the way you tow in the future.

Today you will find more options for

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lighting than ever before. More and more companies are importing products from overseas and slapping their brand on it without having direct control over the quality assurance processes. They then post them up online promising high performance for little money. These same companies do nothing to contribute to pushing the boundaries of technology as it applies to automotive lighting. More often than not, this ends up leaving the buyer less than satisfied. This flooding of the market with “look-a-likes” does no favors to the end user. In fact, it makes it more difficult to distinguish what is quality and is truly backed by the manufacturer if there were to be a problem.

On the other end of the spectrum is TowMate who has had, and always will have, a commitment to our customers to provide high quality, USA manufactured products that we stand behind. Be it two years down the road or five years and a day, we support our products with a lifetime warranty on electronics and LED’s.

Paul Strumberger of C&D Towing in Chicago, IL hit the nail on the head in his

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online review stating, “Great product selection & customer service! Warranty issues are a breeze--thankfully I haven't had very many!”

In a recent survey, out of the 250 Tow Professional subscribers who responded, 70% owned a TowMate wireless tow light. Out of those, the majority stated that the product dependability and warranty/customer service behind the product were the top factors influencing their purchase. Not to be counted out, 20% of respondents chose the value for the price as being the number one factor they consider when making tow-light purchasing decisions. What does this tell us? Well, I think it reinforces the obvious: That is, people want to make purchases they can feel confident in. They want products that manufacturers are going to stand behind, and they are willing to pay for features that are useful and pay off in the long run.

When it comes to tow lights, the features that have been found to be most desirable from a functionality standpoint seem to be related to battery life. With TowMate’s release of Lithium Polymer

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battery packs for both light- and heavyduty wireless tow lights in 2016, this problem has now been solved. These battery packs offer greater run times than previously thought possible, with the light-duty batteries operating the tow lights for over 24 hours on a single charge and the heavy-duty batteries providing over 60 hours of use on a single charge. They are able to simply snap in and out of the receptacle on the light, much like a cordless drill, allowing a user

to purchase a secondary battery to keep on charge and continually cycle them out if they like. Best of all, the life expectancy on a Lithium Polymer battery can be upwards of 10 years. This means that at about a $100-130 upgrade cost, they will pay for themselves within a matter of 2-4 years simply as a result of not having to replace them every 1-2 years as you would a conventional Lead-acid battery.

This doesn’t even take into account the time saved from having to drag out the

old wired tow lights if you forgot to charge your wireless unit.

In the same survey, respondents were asked many of the same questions as they pertain to warning lighting: What are the main factors they consider when purchasing these types of lighting systems?

What appealed to them the most about the Power-Link line of 2-wire-install warning light systems? Being a testament to just how much service and accountability on behalf of the manufacturer matters,

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the customer service/warranty was the number one factor. Half of those who completed the survey had not even heard of Power-Link at the time of completing it.

However, as with TowMate wireless tow lights, our line of warning light systems carry the same great warranty, are manu-

factured in the USA, and offer features that allow these products to shine through the murky waters of a flooded lighting market.

Chris, with Broadway Towing in Kentucky, says they love their PLC59U overhead light bars for their ease of instal-

lation and their brightness. He knows, after having owned and used TowMate wireless tow lights for years, he will be taken care of if he ever has an issue with his warning-light bar. We have confidence in our design engineers and their proven track-record of building a solid product. Now while there have been bugs along the way, we are proud to have arrived at a point where our light bars stand tall when it comes to aesthetics, functionality, and, most importantly, reliability. Our new end-cap design represents a large part of our next- generation design, completing the look and lighting projection that we have been working towards for the past 6 or so years since we first debuted the Power-Link line of lighting. Expanding the line to include our new 4” round and 6” oval lights, we have truly staked new ground in the emergency lighting world. In many cases, these lights can simply replace your existing stop, tail, and turn lights as plug-andplay units, providing STT/Strobe/Work Light functionality with no further wiring necessary. At other times, it may be necessary to run one simple power wire for clean communication from the PowerLink controller. Regardless, it has never been easier to add highly visible lighting to the rear of your rig.

As a family-owned business based in Rogers, Arkansas, we value the relationships that we have built over the years.

Our customers come first which is why we will always strive to provide the highest level of service and satisfaction in the industry. That is why we have a network of quality dealers around the country that carry our products on their shelves, so you can get the system you need when you need it. Keep an eye on the new products section of this magazine as we have some very exciting items coming available this Spring that we cannot wait to share. In the meantime, stay tuned and stay safe! u TowMate For more information: Call 800-680-4455, or visit TowMate.com

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Towing and recovery operators face an endless variety of challenges. Every call has a different set of variables that make it a different scenario from the one before. Many are related to the environment in which the operation is taking place: Weather conditions from rain, to snow, to wind or any combination can adversely affect your best plans for a successful recovery. Terrain such as hills, ditches, trees, structures, and the like provide additional obstacles. On top of all of this, the dark of night can make the most routine recovery job extremely dangerous.

Light the Night There are numerous stories of recovery operations that begin when there is plenty of daylight, but then drag on deep into the night. As sunlight fades and the tow operator begins to rely on man-made light sources, it quickly becomes apparent that the job is more difficult. Lights affixed to the wrecker or

boom are limited in the direction they can be aimed and the amount of light they can generate, leaving much of the scene dimly lit-if lit at all. A dark recovery site can force you to work more slowly in order to remain safe. Dim lighting might also compel you to work in dangerous spaces just so you can see what is going on. Sure, the local fire department might be on the scene and could provide additional lighting, but what if they are called away? What if they do not have the right type of scene lighting? What if the fire department can’t stay on-site for an extended recovery operation? Latta Null of Null’s Towing / NRC Sales and Service of Pennsylvania states, “the local fire department might be able to supply light, but you cannot count on them for the duration of the job. We have found that our Night Scan HDT light tower on our NRC Rotator provides more light than the fire department can offer.” The bottom line is that the tow operator

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needs their own scene lighting to remain safe, efficient, and even make more money.

Not All Scene Lighting is Created Equal The introduction of LED lighting into the towing industry has been one of the most important advancements in safety and value in recent history. LED lights consume much less power than comparable halogen lights, and thanks to advanced optics, they can generate just as much or more usable light. This means you can have more lights on your truck and operate them from the alternator with no need for a generator.

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The benefits that LED lights bring to the table are made possible by the technology that goes into the light. A circuit board manages the power that reaches the light emitting diodes (LED). A properly designed system with quality LEDs can last for years. Some are rated at 50,000 hours use. However, the old adage, “you get what you pay for” often applies when it comes to LED lights. Some manufacturers will overdrive the LEDs which create additional heat and can shorten their lives significantly. Also, make sure the lights are water-proof rated to at least IP67. A rating of IP69k is preferable because the light can withstand high-pressure spray which will help to maintain the light quality and extend its life.

Lastly, seeing is believing. Lumens, LUX and Candle Power ratings only tell part of the story. The lens optics that project and disperse the light have a significant impact on how well the scene is lit. Request a night time demonstration to see just how much coverage the lights provide. Is the coverage large enough and is the light bright enough so that you

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can work safely and efficiently in most recoveries? Can the lights be positioned so you can see in a ditch or down an embankment? Can the lights be positioned independently from your truck so that you can get the right amount of light in the target area? Would the light blind your crew because it is at eye-level? LED lighting that can be remotely positioned can address these needs.

Remote Controlled Lights Solve the Problem Remote controlled LED lighting that is mounted on your wrecker can be positioned and re-positioned independently from your truck or boom. It also can deliver a greater amount of light because multiple lamps can be focused on the area.

Light towers such as the Night Scan HDT from Will-Burt can provide intense lighting from high above the scene, providing better coverage that does not blind your crew or oncoming traffic. Latta Null has several Night Scan HDT light towers in his wrecker fleet, and he states, “Night Scan HDT helps us do our job much more safe-

ly. It lights the entire scene, and it also is easily seen by oncoming drivers that are often distracted.” Latta went on to say, “The Night Scan light tower is flexible enough to allow us to deal with the many variables we encounter during a night-time recovery.

We also are able to make more money by charging for each use of the tower.”

Recovery scene lighting has come a long way in a very short time. Most of these lighting tools can be retrofitted to your existing fleet. Make sure that you are using the latest lighting technology so you and your crews are safe, efficient, and making money regardless of the situation. u

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Lite It

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Wireless Tow Lights

Improved Designed for the Best Performance in the Business

By Andy Haag

Custer Products has been selling lights to the towing industry since 1993, and they have never stopped working at improving their products, their pricing, and their service. In addition to a full-line of lighting products to fit every tow professional’s need, Custer has worked hard at making its Lite It Wireless tow lights the best value in the industry. Custer spent 2016 listening to tow professionals at tow shows and working hand-in-hand with their vendors. The results are impressive.

“We consider our Lite It Wireless bars the new ‘standard for the industry.’ We are proud of the work we did in 2016 to make our tow lights the best in the business,” commented Andy Haag, President of Custer Products. “We invested significant dollars redesigning our printed cir-

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cuit-board assembly—and now its ‘automotive grade’—which means the circuit board is of such a high quality that it could be used by Ford, GM, and Chrysler.

The bottom line for the professional tower is that the chance of a Lite It tow light flickering is virtually non-existent.

We’re also proud that the Lite It Wireless line is assembled in the USA, with USA-

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made components,” said Haag.

Other factors that make Custer Lite It bars the professional’s choice: • The bars are individually serialized – this eliminates cross-talk and allows Lite It to track ownership of a registered tow light that’s lost or stolen.

• Hard-wired lights and shrink-tube butt connectors ensure a tight, secure connection.

• The marker lights only come on when they receive a signal, saving battery life.

• 105 lb. pull rubber coated magnets mean no rubber boots are needed.

• Changing the battery is easy, only taking 10 minutes.

• Our light bars are made of low density polyethylene and come in a variety

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of color choices.

• Every Lite It Wireless bar has a transmitter, a 12-volt charger, port covers, and a charger indicator light.

• We stand behind our products with a lifetime warranty on the circuit boards, 10 years on the LED lights, and 3 years on the case.

• Outstanding customer service is provided: if you return a bar for a warranty repair, we’ll happily provide you with a loaner until the repair is made.

Custer’s customers agree: Stanley Nevitt of Stanley’s Wrecker in Enid, Oklahoma loves the Custer Lite It line: “The Lite It line is the choice of all my drivers. They’re durable, bright, and Custer takes care of us with extraordinary customer service. I’d never go anywhere else.”

Pat Paso of Goin’Towin’ in Chicago agrees: “Custer tow lights are my first and only choice. I’m traveling the mean

streets of Chicago every night. I need a tow light that is dependable and keeps me safe so Custer’s Lite It is the brand I choose.”

As Haag stated: “When you compare our Lite It bars to any other, we believe the choice is clear. Lite It Wireless is the obvious pick for the professional. Towing is how you make your living; why wouldn’t you want the best?” u

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By Perry Beaty photo by Kevin Kelley / WestLife News

Knowing Your Limitless P The Towing and Recovery business has grown and developed through the years along with its relationship with law enforcement and government entities.

Because of our highly competitive market, we need to also grow our revenues through developing a new area of limitless potential--spill containment. Let’s take a look at how we got here, where we can go now, and how Hazmat Responder Network can help you do that increasing your bottom line.

Towing and Recovery was a sideline 44

business in the 50’s, 60’s and in certain locations into the 70’s. Most Towing operations were born out of service stations, garages, and body shops as a tool to retrieve customers’ vehicles for repairs.

Law enforcement realized the need to have these companies available for traffic accidents and impounds and would seek these companies out to have them respond when needed. Most of these arrangements were verbal in nature with no rates set to govern prices.

As time passed and larger municipali-

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ties had more need for these services, towing began to grow as a mainstream source of revenue. This brought about competition and demands from companies wanting police tows. Law enforcement, as well as, government entities became aware of legal ramifications in entering into agreements with companies offering towing and storage. Written contracts, fee or rate schedules, equipment requirements, and storage facilities became included in contracts for those qualified and wanting the business.

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Hazmat & Spill containment ment has taken a beating for several decades from traffic accidents, ranging from vehicle fluids to saddle tanks being compromised on big rigs. Also cargo spills from overturned tankers to dry box cargo spills, i.e. totes, drums, and barrels.

Okay whose job is that and what part does that play into recovery? Well as I’ve written in previous issues, certified companies are contacted by the trucking

company or the investigating authorities on scene to respond for clean-up and remediation of spilled contents. Towing and Recovery operations experience stand-by time while these Hazmat companies respond and do their job. What’s wrong with this picture? You’re already on scene; if you’re HAZWOPER certified, you take control of the entire recovery process and minimize time of clean-up

Potential The industry experienced changes from homemade tow trucks to manufactured brands of different tow and recovery ratings. Recovery vehicles changed from mechanical to hydraulic in small units making the transition to the heavy units. Slings to wheel lifts, under reaches, and now rotators. Oh, and let’s not forget air cushions, low and high pressure, for up righting over turned rigs due to cargo shifts.

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and vehicle recovery. Seeing the need, realizing the potential, I knew I needed training. I entered the HAZWOPER scene in the early 90’s after stand-by times of 2 to 3 hours waiting on a certified company to respond and do 20 minutes of work so I could do my job. Insurance companies began to push back on charges for wait or stand-by time, and it was becoming a problem to get the road opened back up as well. My reasons were several, take control and handle the entire job and clear the scene. Once the authorities understood my capabilities and witnessed a quick response, calls unrelated to traffic mishaps became a source of clean ups, and, therefore, revenue.

Storm drains also became a focal point for spills on roadways and in parking lots. They needed to be flushed out so a rain event did not wash the spilled material out and into creeks, streams, ponds or other waterways. My idea for FlowStop was brought about to develop an inflatable pipe plug that would contain

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the spill inside the storm drain and thereby regulate the evacuation of the contaminants. In the following years, FlowStop added quick deployment spill containment products known as FlowStop Football and Golfball containment plugs.

FlowStop product line led to an introduction to Captain Rudy Dinkins, a veteran of fire/ Hazmat service and Hazmat instructor with over 30 years of experience. Beaty and Dinkins discussed at length developing a curriculum specifically for the towing and recovery industry pertaining to CFR 1910.120 (paragraph q & r) for HAZWOPER certification. Hazmat Responder Network LLC began certification training with minimal time away from business. Class begins on Thursday evening and continues through the weekend, finishing on Sunday. The class includes classroom, as well as, hands-on instruction. Training has been provided for several states’ towing associations.

HRN welcomes inquiries from towing associations that would like to recom-

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mend this program to their membership body.

Simply realizing the need and then getting the right training is where our lim-

itless potential begins unlocking. Listen one tower’s experience with this: “For sixteen years I have been in the towing and recovery industry and never realized that at some point, I would need to have additional training to deal with the clean-up and hazardous debris left by the wreckage or the breakdown of the vehicles I was towing. I recently had the opportunity to take the Hazmat class offered by Perry Beaty and Rudy Dinkins of Hazmat Responders Network. This was one of the wisest and smartest moves forward for me and my company. Now when a customer calls, not only can we clean up the wreckage, we can clean up the spilled contaminants. No longer will it be necessary to call out additional resources.

Hazmat Responder Network offered a class that left no stone unturned. I left the class with all I needed to take on the process and feel comfortable about the responsibility.”

It does not stop with right training; we must tap into the limitless potential by moving into the right action—doing it!

One of our greatest success stories of a company that has just done that comes from Joe Coram, President of Canton Towing: “I have had the pleasure back in June of 2017 of being introduced to

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Hazmat & Spill containment

Perry Beaty by one of the peers of the Towing Industry. After talking for over an hour with Perry Beaty, “The Hasmat Responder Network Instructor,” I realized that I was leaving money at most of my scenes. I also never realized how vulnerable and exposed I was to the hazardous environments I was in. I never really thought about composing such information until I spoke with Perry Beaty. After hosting a forty hour HAZWOPER class, I was now confident that I had been missing out for over twenty years. Not only did the lead instructor (Rudy Dinkins) call me and thank me for believing in the program that Rudy and Perry provide to the

Towing Industry. Rudy chose to provide me with his personal cell phone number for the assurance of having access to unlimited information regarding Hazmat situations. At this point, Canton Towing has billed clients over $17,000 in the past seven months of offering the Hazmat services. The minor clean-up spills that at one point was being deprived of at the scene has now become a major part of my company’s practices. Not only has the safety level of my environments improved, but my profit margin has increased significantly. Canton Towing has been invited to many scenes by numerous fire departments to help with ruptured tanks or Hasmat situations.

They recognize Canton Towing as a proactive company that can properly contain these serious situations and has the resources to keep that confidence. This alone has been the most rewarding relationship to date.”

We are here to help you experience the growth and development while being

of service to municipalities and government entities also. To date, HRN is proud to announce over 100 certified HAZWOPER technicians. We strive to offer comprehensive training and support to those tow and recovery professionals seeking to expand their business and create more revenue by tapping into this limitless potential. u

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Responding to the Need Story and Photos by Bill Carson Everyone has been hearing about their own, as well as, other companies going green in every corner of daily life from paper goods to bi-products; it is the new proper. The towing industry is no different; office works, shop mechanics, phone and call dispatchers, and even the wrecker drivers now are being faced with new challenges as companies try harder and harder to look out for the environment we live in. One of the bigger changes in the towing industry over the last few years has been the cleanup of the fluids and hazardous materials from crashes and recoveries. What had been acceptable 30 and 40 years ago is no longer acceptable today: oil, debris, and other fluids from a crash were left or just washed away.

Today that no longer would even be con48

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sidered an option. Wrecker crews that cannot cleanup and dispose of these hazardous materials themselves have to call in specialized companies that can handle the job.

With Hazmat cleanup having become such an intricate part of the recovery process, it is very important for wrecker companies to take that next step into this field. For this to happen, they need to have training, and this sort of training is not easy to come by. Special teachers such as Perry Beaty and Rudy Dinkins with Hazmat Responder Network are working hard to bring classes to the towing industry. People like Mr. Beaty and Mr. Dinkins spend numerous man hours preparing for these classes to ensure that the men and women taking the classes

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Hazmat & Spill containment learn absolutely every detail about how to cleanup and dispose of these chemicals and debris properly. The whole idea of this process is not to make more work or even to charge more for it; it is to keep the world we live in and the people who live here safe from the bi-products that could harm or even eventually kill us.

One very good example of the combined efforts is the Monteagle Wrecker Service, in Monteagle Tennessee. Owner and operator, Rodney Kilgore, has been in the wrecker business for over 16 years and, until now, never imagined that he would also have to pick up on some new skills directly related to his business. Mr. Kilgore, this past year, took three of his employees with him through one of Mr. Beaty’s classes to learn the “ins and outs” of how, when, and where to use Hazmat cleanup skills. Now Mr. Kilgore and his Montealge Wrecker crews are ready to tackle even the worst situation involving hazardous materials with knowledge and know-how. Monteagle Wrecker Service,

like so many other towing companies out there, has learned that Hazmat cleanup does not begin when the recovery is over, but it starts from the moment you arrive on the scene. Containment, cleanup, and disposal are all very important parts of the

recovery process and should all be handled with close attention to ensure safety at all times. For more about these classes and availability, you can contact Perry Beaty with Hazmat Responders Network at: 1-(877)-356-9767. u

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By Steve Denero

Kim and Dave Barton, owners and operators of Dave’s Towing Service, Inc. in Stockton, California, have been in the heavy towing and recovery business for over 35 years. They represent what it means to succeed and live the “American Dream,” having started in 1981 with a loan to purchase a 1979 International with a Holmes wrecker body and a shop space lease. Dave went out on all the service calls while Kim managed the business 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for years until they could afford to bring on additional help. Fast forward to today, and you find that their roles are still the same. They have built a very successful and thriving “family” business founded on hard work and a rock-solid reputation.

Dave’s Towing has 4 long-time employees, 2 office dogs and a fleet of 4 trucks consisting of a 2007 Peterbilt with a Century 1060 S Rotator, 2012 Peterbilt with a Vulcan V 70, 2014 Peterbilt with a Vulcan V 100, and a 2014 Peterbilt with a 2017 Landoll.

Dave has always had a knack for being 50

able to develop and build out ideas that that will solve a problem or fix an issue.

So when one of his drivers was injured having had a driveline fall on his hand, Dave began to think about developing a way to secure a driveline that would be both safer for towing operators and safer for the driveline while in tow. Dave realized that up until this point, the industry methods for securing a driveline consisted of using bailing wire, rope, chain or ratchets and that these methods allowed the potential for costly mistakes such as losing a driveline and/or the potential for serious injury to tow operators. He began sketching out solutions to the problem until after a few months, there was a concept worthy of building. Dave pieced together the first Driveline Buddy at his shop in Stockton, CA. As with any good inventor, Dave tinkered and redeveloped the Driveline Buddy every time that he thought of a way to make it better. This includes many late-night ideas that had him driving into the shop and working through the morning hours. He found

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manufacturers that could cut and fabricate some of the pieces that are used in today’s Driveline Buddy, CA. The important driving force for Dave and his development of the Driveline Buddy was to create a tool that would be accepted by the tow industry as a safer way to secure a Driveline.

In May of 2016, Kim and Dave loaded up 25 Driveline Buddies and headed out to the American Towman Show Place Tow show in Las Vegas to present their newly created product. They were thrilled to be met with high praise from industry professionals as well as product manufacturers and nearly sold out of all their inventory. Three months later, Kim and Dave won a new invention to benefit the tow industry competition at the Tow Expo in Dallas/Ft. Worth called Tow Tank.

Since then, they have been to several more tow shows across the US and have sold nearly 200 Driveline Buddies. The response and feedback from tow professionals that are using the Driveline Buddy has been overwhelmingly positive. Kim and Dave have maintained relationships with many of the purchasing operators and organizations, and there are common themes in the feedback that they receive: “My guys feel much safer using the Driveline Buddy.” “We feel better protected that driveline will not be lost while in tow,” and “There is less wear on my drivers when they do not have to completely remove a driveline.”

The Driveline Buddy is the safest and most effective way to secure a driveline. It consists of a spring-loaded suspender bar, cradle, T-hook, bolt wrench, and rope

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ratchet. The Driveline Buddy is easily installed into the frame of a truck that is being towed. Each tool is assembled by hand in Dave’s Tow and Driveline Buddy shop. Transporting heavy- and mediumduty vehicles is serious business, and it only takes one injury or one lost driveline to have costly consequences. The Driveline Buddy is built to last and will pay for itself in one day’s worth of work.

Here is what customers have been saying,: “We bought one at the Vegas show. It worked so well, we purchased another one at the Arlington show.” Roel Roy Buentello- Fabian Buentello

Wrecker Service, Roma, TX. “I have used mine a couple of times and yet my driver has used his probably more than ten times and loves it. He raves about it every time he uses it. LOL! We both agree that this has been one of the best products we have ever purchased for the towing industry and tell many other towers about the Driveline Buddy.”

Rheo D.- Bob’s Towing, Bowmanville Onterio, Canada “I really enjoy having that peace of mind that the driveshaft will not be damaged while in tow. The Driveline Buddy is a must-have if you do heavy towing.”

Isreal D- A to Z Tow, Thousand Palms, CA “I used mine for the first time today; it worked flawlessly and was so easy to install. Great product!” Randall H Jr. Wheelers Collison Service, Deposit, NY. “Greatest thing since hydraulics—it saves time and works well; I wish that I would have thought of it.” Road One, San Diego, CA “My drivers are tickled to death; it makes their job easier. It makes things easier when you’re installing the driveline because you did not have to completely remove it.” Dennis Harris- Ray Harris Towing, Greensboro, NC. u

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Adkinson Towing Hits Efficiency Goal with TomTom Telematics

By Torsten Grunzig

Serving the Southside, Arlington, Mandarin areas of Jacksonville, Florida and northern St. Johns County, Adkison Towing Company has been providing towing services to Jacksonville motorists since 1998. The company’s fleet of 16 flatbed tow trucks, wheel lift trucks (quick pick) and heavy wreckers is running hard -- supported by a 24 hour dispatch center that is always on/always available to field customer calls for towing assistance.

Adkison Towing is the proud recipient of numerous industry awards including the American Towman Ace Award, The American Towman Customer Service Excellence Award, and the Order of Towman Award among others.

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The Challenge For most fleets, the fleet tracking function can be simplified down to two key things: knowing the location of drivers and vehicles, and dispatching jobs. For the towing industry, however, there is additional complexity to be managed. For instance, most towing business operators want to ensure that power take off (PTO) engagement correlates to the number of jobs dispatch to a truck. They also need to monitor a driver/vehicle’s movements in detail, knowing when a vehicle is enroute, under tow, or pulling into the yard. And of course, like most fleet owner/operators, they want to know if their drivers are operating responsibly on the road, how

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their vehicles are performing, and if their business is running with optimum efficiency.

Adkison Towing has been serving motorists in Jacksonville Florida and surrounding community for nearly two decades. The firm has earned a stellar reputation for efficiency and customer service.

Like most towing businesses, Adkinson’s owner/operators understand that technology now plays a significant role in running their business. To run the core business, Adkison uses Tow123 (powered by ADD), a web-based tow management platform offering digital dispatch and comprehensive lot manage-

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ment capabilities. Tow123 also integrates with physical GPS units installed within 11 of Adkison’s towing vehicles, offering two-way, real-time communication between the dispatch team issuing job orders, and the driver and vehicle.

Previously, the company was using a GPS solution, but had an ongoing struggle with performance. The old GPS solution would drop signal, or freeze on the screen causing dispatch to lose track of trucks. “Because there was a delay in the system, we would always be late in receiving updates on a driver and vehi-

cle’s status,” explains Donald “Marshall” Adkison, CEO of Adkison Towing. “I’d send a guy out on a job that should take 40 minutes, but the system would indicate he hadn’t left yet. So I’d have to get on the phone and call around to locate him, only to find out he was done and pulling into the yard.”

The Solution Adkison Towing became a TomTom Telematics customer in May 2014. The move to the TomTom WEBFLEET SaaS solution provided Adkison with a much

stronger solution offering near real-time GPS tracking, comprehensive telematics, driver coaching and robust reports and analytics.

“Using the combination of TomTom WEBFLEET and Tow123, we are able to track the location of our trucks every 10 seconds, and everything is time stamped ,” explains Marshall. “If I send eight jobs to Jimmy in truck number four, I get a get precise tracking records, showing he has received the job, accepted the job, is on site, has engaged PTO, is loaded, and being dropped off in a yard. That kind of

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information keeps us efficient and builds a strong business reputation. Because of TomTom WEBFLEET and Tow123, I have been able to go from 60 calls on average a day to 100 calls a day, without any increase in office personnel.”

Marshall also loves that through the integration with the Tow123 towing dispatch system, he has all the information he needs available to him presented in one screen. “The integration between TomTom and Tow123 providing two-way communication between dispatch and drivers is what really makes the whole thing work. “Because I can send and receive calls and quickly see where drivers are, I went from 55 calls a day to 100120 calls a day without any extra office personnel. The integration also allows for quick destination changes via the two way messaging. Other vendors will say, we offer that integration too - just open up a couple of browsers. But in our business, time is money. We literally may have 20 seconds to take a phone call. So

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any extra steps we can avoid, helps to keep the business efficient and productive.”

TomTom WEBFLEET also helps Marshall monitor the overall “health” of his fleet. “Using TomTom WEBFLEET and OptiDrive 360, I can track key information from fuel consumption, to detailed driving behavior that goes beyond location, harsh braking, harsh steering, idling, engine diagnostic alerts, separate idling from standstill, to monitor a guy’s gear shifting, and to see if he’s maintaining a constant speed or coasting. These factors all impact vehicle maintenance and can contribute to fuel consumption (or savings).”

TomTom WEBFLEET also monitors the “green speed” of vehicles within the Adkison fleet, comparing actual engine performance to the manufacturer’s suggested output. “That type of data that gives a towing operator like me much more visibility about is happening with my vehicles outside of the cab,” says Marshall.

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Within the cab Marshall uses TomTom WEBFLEET’s OptiDrive 360, which provides his drivers with direct feedback during and after a trip to encourage responsible and safe driving behaviors. “It’s working great and is standard in our vehicles.

It allows our drivers to focus on the job at hand, and there’s no dispute. If the system detects harsh braking, or over-idling it is there to remind the driver right away.

We don’t feel like we’re having to hang over their shoulder all the time acting like the bad guy.”

For Marshall, TomTom WEBFLEET provides such rich information he literally feels as if he’s right there in the cab, riding along with the driver.

“Knowing where your trucks are gets you about a quarter of the way there,” says Marshall. “As a business owner, I want to really manage my fleet in detail and TomTom goes above and beyond in that regard. I know how trucks are operating, whether they are on time, and if they are meeting objectives for the day. We

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can see when the PTO (Power Take Off) has been place in operation showing a vehicle is being loaded or unloaded, which keeps our drivers honest at all times. I can also use color coding, so if two out of my 16 trucks are a bit slow, I know where I need to provide more coaching to my drivers.”

He also points out that he can readily access this information from his iPhone.

“I can be anywhere in the world, and know where my drivers are and what’s going on with my business.”

The historical information gathered within TomTom WEBFLEET also helps Marshall defend his business and his driv-

ers’ reputation. If the business receives a compliant about a driver, he can quickly validate speeding, locations, and operations of equipment on the truck. “We had an event where a white tow truck was driving erratic and speeding when we were call, and the complaint was being investigated

through the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). We were able to prove we had no trucks in the area during that time. The ability to defend our business and drivers with accurate information logged in TomTom WEBFEET alone was worth the investment in the fleet tracking solution.

“With TomTom WEBFLEET, I have finally found a system that helps my business be as productive as possible. Every day is different for us. But having more complete visibility allows my office and I to adapt more easily in order to hit our efficiency goals.” u

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Hooked UP AW Direct Magnetic Axle Strap Complete hook-ups faster with the first ever Magnetic Axle Strap. This unique strap features magnetic ends that hold tight for easier attachment! Exclusively from AW Direct. www.awdirect.com

AW Direct Roadwise Jacket Complete hook-ups faster with the first ever Magnetic Axle Strap. This unique strap features magnetic ends that hold tight for easier attachment! Exclusively from AW Direct. www.awdirect.com

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Hooked UP TowMate Polymer Battery Pack You asked for it. You got it. In 2016 TowMate released their new Lithium Polymer battery pack that simply snaps into the end of the equipped wireless tow light making it easy to change out and also providing more than twice the run time of conventional Leadacid battery powered units. The Li26 is the next step in the evolution of the ever-popular TM21 wireless tow light that has proven year after year to be a go-to for tow operators in the field. Measuring in at 26” wide and weighing just 4LBS, the Li26 is the culmination of TowMate’s forward thinking innovation in the realm of what a tow light can be. Not only does the unit look sexy with its ‘carbon fiber’ hydrographic finish and distinct visual footprint, but the battery pack has a life expectancy of up to 10 years and will run the unit for 24+ hours on a single charge, making it the smart choice and a new favorite for towers the world over. www.towmate.com

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Hooked UP TowMate Light Packages Overhead light bars. Grill lights. Work lights. Runners. Tool box lighting. Marker light flashers… You name it and TowMate has a solution for you. With a well-rounded product offering in the form of their Power-Link line of 2-wire-install warning lights, TowMate saw more full lighting packages go out the door and onto trucks to keep drivers safe in 2016 than ever before. These systems are manufactured in the USA by a skilled work force who pay close attention to detail and quality, making the resulting product a true cut above the rest. Expanding the Power-Link line with new products hitting the streets in 2017, this year will likely exceed even the last and keep even more operators safe on the highways of the world. As with all TowMate products, these systems are made in the USA and backed with a lifetime warranty on electronics and LED’s. www.towmate.com

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Collins Dollies 541-7 74-9220 collinsdollies.com

Dealers place

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Dealers place

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Dealers market place place

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market place

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COMPANY

PG

COMPANY

PG

COMPANY

PG

Hal Kresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Southern Tow Expo & Beach Bash 30, 31, 32, 33

Holly's Message Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

TomTom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

INA Towing Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Tow Trax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

AW Direct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Interline Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Agero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Anchor Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Hide-a-Lift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Austin Hinds Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

ICOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Atlanta Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Auto Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Boxes4u . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Clore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Custer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 43

Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 CW Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Deep South Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 DJ Harrington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

DPF Remedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Driveline Buddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Flow Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

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Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Jerr-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Manufacturer Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside

Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Mike Keith Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 North American Bankcard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

OMADI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Robert Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 RP Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Smyrna Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

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Steck Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Tops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Towbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 TowMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Towing 123 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Towing Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 17

TowTV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Triple K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 United Plactic Fabricating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Urgent.ly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Waters Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Weiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Will-Burt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Zacklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

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