The Myth of Rearend Accidents
The Myth
Ever heard the saying, âIf you rear-end someone, itâs automatically your faultâ? Itâs a common belief, especially among truckers. Many of our members think thereâs no hope if they rear-end another vehicle. But thereâs more to the story.
The Facts
While itâs true that the rear-most vehicle is often blamed in a pile-up, the lead driverâs actions before the collision can be the real culprit. Understanding how the accident happened is crucial.
Did the other driver suddenly cut in front of you? When youâre behind the wheel of a heavy tractor-trailer, stopping on a dime is impossible.
This is where comparative negligence comes into play. This legal concept looks at the fault of each driver. If the driver you rear-ended did something to cause the accident, your liability might be reduced. For instance, was it dark and they had no taillights? Did their vehicle break down and they failed to move it off the road? In such cases, you might have a strong defense. You could even recover your out-of-pocket expenses and lost income.
Example
Take the case of one of our clients who rear-ended an ambulance on the interstate. The ambulance had just entered the highway and immediately moved into the far lane, dangerously close to our client. With a fully loaded tractor-trailer, our client couldnât stop in time to avoid the sudden lane change. The ambulanceâs insurance carrier accepted liability, and we successfully claimed our clientâs lost income.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, donât hesitate to call an attorney for a free consultation. You might have more options than you think!
The information provided on this site is general in nature and is not legal advice.
About the Author
Kelsea Eckert, a transportation attorney for owner operators and small fleets, negotiates downtime and property damage claims nationwide. She understands the challenges faced by truckers and is here to share her knowledge on pursuing compensation for all types of property damages, downtime and other out-of-pocket expenses lost after an accident. Visit her website at DowntimeClaims.com or call the office at 1-800-DOWNTIME.
Start Planning for the New Year Now!
Itâs time to start planning for the new year. With a new president coming into office, hopefully it will make 2025 a good year for you. I have already started to see gas prices falling. Thatâs a good start.
When my wife and I had our business, we would take a vacation every year between Christmas and New Yearâs and plan what our business should look like for the next year. It also gave us a chance to sneak in a mini vacation. We would pick a place like Vegas, get a nice room where we could spend time planning our future. Here are a few things we covered:
Before we got into these things we had to define our business. This would allow us to know what was necessary to make our plan work. These items we cover next are important for your business to be successful and will make it easier to operate your business. As owners here are some things you should do:
Executive Summary â Create a vision for 2025. Write down a mission statement and look at it once a week to see if you are following the plan. Set views and goals for you and the company. 90% of the decisions made were on purpose. There were no accidents. For us, this would allow us to be prepared for everything that came our way.
Who are your customers â As my wife and I planned, we would look at our customers and identify if they were a good customer or a bad customer. If we got tows from them, they were good and we would give them perks like lunches for staff, movie tickets for staff, on holidays we would give them decorations for their office, or donuts. If they were a bad customer and always wanted us to give them perks without giving us tows, we tried to give them to our competitors.
Objectives â As a business you should have objectives. Ours was to make money and have a happy staff. We knew what our monthly expenses were and how much money we needed to cover our bills. We told our drivers how many tows we needed each month, then we gave them the resources necessary to meet their objectives. If a driver towed a lot, he got perks. If a driver did not meet his objectives, we gave him training or equipment that would allow him to improve. We never fired an employee; we did all we could for each employee to make them better. Your staff is your biggest asset, treat them well.
Services Offered â As you define your company you need to know what types of services you want to offer. I learned a long time ago from a successful business owner who told me to take one thing and be the best at it as I could be. I live by this in anything I do. I wanted to tow 1,000 vehicles a month and really concentrated on meeting my goal. I held my own auctions so I could have opened a salvage yard, or a used car lot, but I left that to others. I spent my time being the best that I could be towing cars. Look at your trucks and staff and determine what services you want to offer.
Market and Sales â Let your staff be your sales staff. They talk to your customers every day and they know what you do good, and what you do bad.  Look at what your competitor is doing and decide if you want to offer things they might be offering. Go to tow shows and talk to tow companies from other states. See what they offer. Would they offer a service that might work in your company? Call me and I will give you some more ideas.
Financial Plan â make out a monthly calendar for the year. You know what you want your profit to be. You know what your expenses are and know what your revenue is. Look at this every day. Evaluate your drivers and the number of tows they do and see if thatâs enough to meet your numbers. If you need more customers to meet your numbers, find more. If you need more drivers, find them. Your numbers will tell you what you need.
Staff requirements â If you have good employees reward them. If they are bad, get rid of them if you canât make them better. Your employees will make you or break you. Let them know what your goals are as a company, and they will help you reach your goals. Have parties and make working for your company fun.
Plan for the unexpected â During the course of the year, there will always be 1 unexpected event that will impact your company. Build an emergency fun to address these events when the time comes. If you can take measures to prevent bad events like storms that could damage your trucks, put them in a shelter. If itâs a snowstorm, give them the day off so they donât have accidents. Just try and be prepared for the unexpected.
Community Activities â Do I want to get more involved in the community and spread my company name?  I had two incidents that helped me. I was having an auction, and I had a preacher from a suburb in Dallas come and ask if I could find a vehicle for one of his parishioners who had a large family and could not get to church. I found a nice van in my auction that I might have gotten $1,000 for it. I donated it to his church. A month later the newspaper from the city where the church was located showed up and wrote a big article with pictures about my donation. You canât pay for that kind of advertisement.
It was Christmas, and my daughter who was a teacher in Frisco, Texas, came to me and wanted to borrow a flatbed tow truck. She took the truck to the area where her school was located, put a bunch of teachers on it and drove through the community singing Christmas carols. Frisco is a big suburb of Dallas and words got out about the teachers singing carols. But more importantly for me, they saw my truck, and the name of my company.
Technology Requirements â Is your company growing enough to use a dispatch system? There are some good systems out there, and you should use one that meets the needs of our company. If you already have technology, then what else is out there that will make you a better company. You might want to decide if you need cameras on your trucks. Consider if you have a storage yard, what technology should be installed to make your yard safer. Go to a tow show and see the new products coming out. Talk to other towers and see what they are doing. There are many resources out there. Use them.
Measure Success â When you have a business plan in place you want to know if your plan is working or not, and make changes as needed. My wife and I measured our success by the revenue we made for any given month. Your plan should dictate your revenue by month. If you made your numbers, you were successful. If you are short on revenue for one month, adjust as needed.
Planning for the next year can seem hard but make it fun, and it will help you be successful in 2025.
The Second-Best Tow Show is On
Good News!
The Second-Best Tow Show is On
Yes, thatâs right! I believe the Florida Tow Show, put on by the good towers from Florida PWOF, are great people and they do it each year. All the proceeds from that show go back to the State of Florida.
The Second-Best Tow Show in the country, the most family-orientated show is the Ohio Tow Show. Itâs called the Midwest Regional Tow Show. Now, hereâs the big announcement. On September 25th â 27th of 2025, the Second-Best Tow Show will be back at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. Yes, I mean it! Bruce Bender, the Show Coordinator, and his team worked months on getting this done with top-notch negotiations and lots of compromise on both sides. Because of Bruceâs team, we will be returning to the Great Wolf Lodge where everyone wanted it to be anyway. You spoke and they listened, and now all of us need to support this great show.
When people say it is âThe greatest FAMILY tow show in the USâ, it is the truth. It is the greatest family show because of the families from the great states of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia Towing & Recovery Associations. We need to support the great towers of these three states. They have an auction each year that is fun and very entertaining to raise money for the Injured Drivers Fund. The T.R.A.O., the Towing & Recovery Association of Ohio is a key player in this great tow show.
Thereâs music each night. It was the best of all the shows. The family-centered environment and involvement makes it the best at Great Wolf Lodge, Kidâs Club, all the rooms are right there, lots of kidâs activities all day and night. Yes, each night, it is Kidâs Night. Mom and Dad drop your children off to do movies, arts and crafts. One year, they made âEye Cansâ with me, The Tow Doctor. We took soup cans and glued on googled eyes purchased from the dollar store. So, every young person could have an âI-CANâ when they left the lodge. This group puts on the best seminars each day, and they are FREE to attend.
When you support a state show like the Midwest Regional Tow Show, the proceeds go back into the states that put it on, and not into the pockets of corporate groups who donât give back to their industry. Please mark your calendar now for September 25th â 27th to come back to Great Wolf Lodge once more with your family.
Vendors told me last year when it was at Great Wolf Lodge it was the best. The turnout of towers from across America showed up to experience this event. Vendors, if you want a booth at this event, please contact Bruce Bender at 513-288-2273, or email him at bruce@trao.org. I think each of us should belong first to our state association and then the National Association, and I also believe we need to support the vendors who support the state shows. Those companies give back to our industry while feeding their families. Towers that attend state-produced tow shows support state associations while the state association also supports the towers in that state.  Whether tower or vendor, we must support each other.
I stand for the flag but kneel for the cross, and I whole-heartedly support state-produced tow shows. I hope you feel the same way I do. I will see you in Florida and Ohio and every other state show I can make. See you on the next Tow Professional, âOn-the-Goâ podcast.
Zip’s Heavy Duty Axle Tie-down Kit for Front Tows
Keep your underlift tight to the front axle on any heavy-duty front tow with this Grade 70 chain kit from Zip’s. This three-piece kit includes two (2) seven-foot lengths of 3/8″ transport chain with pear links at one end. Also included is a Peerless Quick Binder with grab hooks to secure everything to the underreach.This kit is specifically designed to work with Miller’s updated dual-hole fork receiver set. Once the underlift is in position under the steer axle, the chain from this kit is typically looped around the spring pack and then brought back through the pear link and chain hole on the fork holder. Order Item # HDACKZ at Zips.com
Stay in compliance with SafeAll’s Remote Brake Assist
Donât take the chance of towing commercial vehicles without the peace of mind of SafeAll’s Remote Brake Assist. Attached to the casualtyâs steering wheel and brake pedal, this supplemental brake actuator applies the brakes to the vehicle in tow with air supplied from the rear of a heavy-duty wrecker. This proven system reduces the overall stopping distance of the combination vehicle and improves compliance with federal regulations (Sec. 393.52 FMCSR). Overworked brakes overheat and cause premature wear and even failure. The Remote Brake Assist eliminates that risk. Order Item # BB100 at Zips.com.
A safer way to upright overturned vehicles
SafeAllâs Roll King is an adjustable rollover stick professional tow operators can use to overturn passenger vehicles which have come to rest on their roofs. Made from double-walled steel tubing, this telescoping stiff leg is safer and more effective than unstable alternatives, like wooden posts or PVC tubes. Featuring an angled claw and three anchor points, the Roll King wonât lose its grip under tension. If the winch line goes slack during a recovery, chains will hold the Roll King in place, which allows a single operator to complete the maneuver without having to climb back on the casualty to re-rig. Order item #SA-RK at Zips.com.
Move stubborn vehicles with ITIâs Control Arm Skates
A disabled vehicle with a missing wheel or damaged suspension component can be quite challenging to move. Get that car or truck sliding in the right direction with a Control Arm Skate from ITI. These plastic skids are ideal for use with car carriers because the slick exterior and rounded corners easily glide over most surfaces, including concrete, asphalt and gravel. To use these skates, lower the vehicle on top of the skate, and the recessed pocket will cradle the ball joint, control arm, brake rotor or other suspension part for winching. Order Item # ITCAS6 at Zips.com.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to our valued vendors and Tow Professionals! I start off this new year with a heart that is filled! Tow Professional has grown in this market over the past 13 years, and that is because of the heart, mind, and courage of many vendors to try something new many years ago! Itâs the 26,000+ owners that not only read but have been loyal to our vendors year after year, and we thank you for that!
Iâm extremely thankful for DJ Harrington, and Dan Messina editors for the last 13 years, and loyal friends that have always had ears to listen to my needs, and words of wisdom for my steps forward. The real story of these two is that DJ and Dan have a heart of service and a love and passion for this industry. I have met some of the people and heard the stories of what they both have done, many times over, to offer a hand-up to others! They both have a servantâs heart and have been a gift to me and the industry. I am also very thankful for Michelle Sukow. Michelle is one of the hardest working ladies I know and has an incredible writing talent. Michelle has given women in our industry a national voice with her features on âWomen of Towing.â Her passion and excitement to not only addressing topics like the day-to-day juggle of home and business, to in-depth articles highlighting our valued women of towing. Surrounded by this dream team is a blessing from God, and I appreciate them greatly!
Tow Professional has donated a 2-page spread in the centerfold of the magazine for the last 13 years to drive awareness and promote the survivor fund. We have decided the best way to use this space to promote the survivor fund going forward is to give it to our readers. We want you to be able to memorialize and honor your loved ones nationally on these pages. Giving our readers the ability to highlight the impact the survivor fund has had in their life will shore up hearts and deliver hope during a devastating time of need.
We pray for our vendors and readers, and our nation: I pray that no matter how tough the years have been before 2025 that your house, business, mind, and spirit be blessed in this New Year, 2025!
2024 TPRNC Mid Atlantic Tow Expo
The North Carolina tow show this year was a blast!! This was the 2nd year, in 30 years, that the show was held inside. This has been a game changer that has brought many companyâs in from across the nation. Let me tell you the entire board of TRPNC knocked it out of the park with this show, and their attention to detail. This year the show grew from 46 vendors and 700 attendees in 2023 to: 78 vendors and over 900 attendees. This was a tremendous step in the right direction, and from the feedback from the attending vendors it was a great success for them as well!
This was a beautiful facility that had a lot of room for growth, but affordable rates that allowed vendors to make the most of their efforts! The show floor consisted of 78 booths, a wrecker beauty pageant consisting of 30 + gorgeous money makers, and an area set aside for kids.
The kids corner consisted of tables for coloring, painting, face painting, and a huge blown-up bouncy house for all the kids to play in. Families were able to sign their kids in, visit vendors and look across the show floor and see their kids having the time of their life supervised by certified professionals. There was also a night at the Drive Shack. This was an awesome event for all, it was easy to see who was made for sales or towing, golf taking a back seat. Lots of laughs, food, drinks and time to just enjoy our friends in the industry. TRPNC did an awesome job aligning fun, and family friendly events all within minutes from the show.
This will be a great opportunity for vendors to expand their earnings in 2025 and reach more tow professionals throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We hope to see you there at the Mid Atlantic Tow Expo in 2025!
The Towing and Recovery Professionals of NC (TRPNC) were proud to present this yearâs NC Tow Truck and Trade Show for our Members and the men and women who work in the towing industry. A lot of planning and hard work have gone into this event, to bring you top-notch training, access to the industryâs top vendors and to encourage networking with your peers.
If you are not a member of TRPNC, we encourage you to consider becoming one and start enjoying the benefits of being a part of the premiere towing association in North Carolina!
Plan now for next yearâs 2025 TRPNC Mid Atlantic Tow Show!
N.C. State Fairgrounds
September 4-6, 2025
Jim Graham Building
1025 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27607
Breaking Up with Bad Customers: Why Firing Clients is the Ultimate Boss Move
If there is one lesson every business owner learns (sometimes the hard way), it is that not all money is good money. Some customers donât just push boundaries- they kick them down, stomp on them, and expect a refund for the privilege. Hereâs the truth no one puts on the “Customer is Always Right” posters: Sometimes, you need to fire a customer. Yes, fire them. Show them the door, politely or otherwise, and watch your stress levels plummet.
Letâs unpack why this isnât just a bold move but a smart one.
Why Firing Customers is Good for Business
- Your Energy is Limited
Time is money, and energy is priceless. Dealing with a problematic customer sucks up both faster than a toddler with a juice box. The hours spent coddling a perpetually unsatisfied client could be better spent on customers who value your work and donât treat you like a doormat. - You Deserve Respect
Running a business isnât for the faint of heart, and you have worked too hard to be someoneâs punching bag. The moment a customer starts treating you (or your team) like one, it is time to show them the door. Respect isnât optional- itâs a requirement! - Bad Fits Drain Your Brand
Ever bend over backward to please someone who just will not be happy? You are not alone. But hereâs the kicker: They wonât be satisfied, no matter how far you go. When a relationship feels one-sided, it is time to cut ties before their bad vibes infect your good reputation.
Who Deserves the Pink Slip?
Not every difficult customer is beyond saving, but here are the ones who are probably overdue for their walking papers:
- The Chronic Complainer
No discount is ever enough. No solution ever satisfies. Their email subject lines alone give you heartburn. They thrive on negativity, and their motto is, âIâm never happy, and neither shall you be.â - The Cheap Charlie
He haggles, complains about your prices, and thinks your services should come with a side of free labor. Pro tip: youâre not running a charity, and Charlie needs to go. - The Ghost
They love to place big orders but conveniently disappear when it is time to pay. Chasing unpaid invoices is not a sport, and you are not in training. Bank rolling other peopleâs businesses is not good business for anyone. - The Micromanager
They do not trust your expertise, and they never let you forget it. They question every decision, undermine your authority, and leave you wondering why they hired you in the first place. - The Exploiter
These are the ones who abuse âjust this onceâ exceptions until they become âevery single timeâ expectations. Policies arenât just suggestions, folks.
How to Fire a Customer Without Burning Down the Bridge
Okay, so youâve decided someone needs the boot. Now what? While part of you might want to send a sassy breakup letter, remember- professionalism wins. Here is how to do it gracefully.
- Be Clear and Firm
Politely explain why the relationship is not working. Focus on how you are unable to meet their expectations rather than listing their flaws. (Tempting, but no.) âUnfortunately, weâre no longer able to meet your needsâ sounds a lot better than âYouâre the worst, bye.â - Offer Alternatives
Direct them to another service provider who might be a better fit. Think of it as passing the baton. - End on a Positive Note
Thank them for their business (even if itâs through gritted teeth). Leave the door open for a potential return if they can operate within your boundaries.
The Upside of Letting Go
When you fire bad customers, you create space for the good ones, the ones who respect your time, trust your expertise, and genuinely appreciate your work. Plus, you reclaim control over your business, your boundaries, and your sanity. And that is not just good for business; itâs good for you.
So, hereâs to breaking up with bad customers. Itâs not you, itâs definitely them. And trust me, your businessâand your peace of mindâwill be better for it.
INA Towing News Top Service Provider
INA Towingâs Christmas Celebration in Baltimore was a magical sight to see. Â As long as I can remember, it has been tradition for Gay Rochester, CEO of INA Towing and the INA Team to convert a penthouse at the Lord Baltimore Hotel into a vision from the North Pole. Magical is the operative word, but itâs something you donât forget. During this event, INA brings elite towers throughout Gayâs network into Baltimore during the week of the American Towman Show. Gay Rochester uses this time to express to her network about their importance to her and her team.
INA Towingâs main stay is their commitment to paying their tow professionals their worth, getting them to and from jobs and back to their families safely. Gay Rochester started our group off on Thursday evening after the show with a wonderful 5-course meal. Gay uses this time to remind her network of her commitment to them, their families and this great industry.
Friday started with a wonderful continental breakfast which allowed time for everyone to gather and enjoy community before taking on the day. Lunch appetizers were offered for all attending the activities of the day. This year, they held the 2nd annual INA: BouRb-A-Nation. This special event took place during the Friday night party that allows attendees to try some of the best top-shelf bourbons for a simple donation to the TRAA Scholarship Fund. This was followed by a Bourbon Auction that INA Towing matched dollar for dollar. Incredible assistance to a great cause, donât you think? In 2024, INA Towing and their tow professionals raised over $34,000.00 for the TRAA Scholarship fund.
This year, I am happy to announce that the 2025 INA Christmas Party and the Auction raised north of $50,000.00 for the TRAA Scholarship Fund. Huge result! This is an event that should not be missed in the future with amazing food, great company, and an auction that gives back by investing in the future of our industry. This legendary event was put together by Gay Rochester (CEO), Kim Huesman (Sr VP of Operations), Matt Whitehead (Director of Maintenance), and Katrina Lumas (Operations Manager). INA Towing has assembled a dream team, with a heart and passion for this industry and its Tow Professionals! Donât mis this event Nov 2025, we hope to see you there!
PWOF Hino Giveaway Truck
Frank Ennis many know and have come to love from seeing his smiling face and his wonderful wife Lisaâs at a tow show near you. Frank Ennis starting his love for towing and this industry in 1978 working for Baumâs Towing in Callicoon, Ny. Frank would work part time towing, and part time as a butch, his fatherâs trade, during those early years. When asked what brought you from Ny to Florida? Frank said â I started the wood heater every morning, and then shoveled the snow from the drive for the plow truck to recover it 10 minutes later. I was done with the cold!
Fast forward to the early 90âs Frank was done with the snow, and Florida was the destination! Frank started working for L&J towing driving during the day and working in the shop. This kept the fire burning and Frank joined the PWOF and began working his way up the ranks. In 2005 Frank Ennis was appointed to Area Chairman for Pinellas County. In 2006 Frank departed from L& J Towing to start Franks Towing & Transport. Lisa Ennis was always a cherished part of the company and has worked side by side with Frank in the business for the last 20 years.
Hino donates a cab and chassis yearly to the PWOF Association, and Miller Industries donates a carrier. This truck is auctioned off, and the PWOF uses the funds directly towards: Legislation, and training within our industry.
In 2008 Fran and Lisa Ennis began touring the nation going from one association show to another trying to give as many towers as possible the ability to change their life for just a $10.00 entry. The passion Frank and Lisa Ennis have for promoting the Hino truck I havenât seen most employees that have a high paying job! The short of it is, this is a volunteer position, there is no pay for the hours on the road, and time on the show floor. Frank does this because that is who he is, a man of great character that loves this industry and the people in it.
In 2019 Frank Ennis was appointed as the Regional Director of the PWOF over 6 counties in region 6. The PWOF presents an award to members that go above and beyond their stated duties, and yes Frank Ennis has been the receipt of this prestigious award in the past. Donât take my word for it, catch him at a show and talk with him or Lisa for 5 minutes and you will know why! Frank and Lisa love this industry and the benefits the hard work has for all in towers Florida, is the very reason he is so happy to do what he does.
Frank Ennis, Tow Professional salutes you for the passion, pride, and example you are for our beloved industry!
Kevin Goodyear Honored in the Towing Hall of Fame
Kevin Goodyear, Enterprise AL, took over the family business at age 19, and built the largest towing company in the Wiregrass area with multiple locations in Alabama and Florida. He has worked with the Alabama legislature to improve the stateâs lien and Move Over laws. âWe need towing operators who are striving to make a difference day in and day out. Kevin is just such a man, a leader who has and continues to positively impact this industry.â
Kevin Goodyear was officially recognized at a formal ceremony on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Westin Hotel Chattanooga during the organizationâs annual Museum Weekend scheduled for September 27 â 29, 2024.
The Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame was launched in 1986 to recognize individuals who have made substantial contributions to the towing and recovery industry. âThe industry realized it was time to display the roots of the profession,â according to the museum. Over 300 towing professionals have entered the Hall of Fame to date.
8TH Annual Slow Down, Move Over Rally
On December 8th, Wes Passmore of Classic Towing & Automotive held the 8th annual rally for âSlow Down, Move Over to honor fallen towers and raise awareness with the public. The rally, like many years before, started in Hueytown, Alabama in honor of John Hubbard, and to grow support behind âSlow Down, Move Over.â Tow Professionals from all over the state came together to promote awareness. Santa was on hand, along with food trucks, live music and a parade of 100 + trucks gathered and drove from  to Tuscaloosa, Alabama raising awareness along the way. Today, the event continues to grow and brings in not only towers, but police, fire, and EMS, all of which attended this event to honor and promote towing safety.
This yearâs event was sponsored this year by: Towbook, Kevin Goodyear Towing, Insurance Hub, Allstate Roadside, Knox Auto Parts, Passmore Logistics, Agero, AESOP, Copart, Progressive Insurance, My Company Funding, Progressive, Classic Towing & Recovery, C.P. Wrecker Service, Eastern Diesel & Auto Wrecker Service, Alabama Towing Recovery Association, and Tow Professional Magazine.
The support is appreciated and goes a long way towards educating the public, raising awareness, and as always, this shows our tow professionals that we have their backs! Thanks again for all that supported and attended the rally! We hope to see you next year!
The Greatest “Family” Tow Show in the US
You ASKEDâŚWe HEARDâŚItâs HAPPENINGâŚAs most of you know, through no fault of our own, we had to relocate the Midwest Regional Tow Show in 2023 for two years. Our loyal exhibitors and attendees have been asking to return to Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio. I truly care about the thoughts and feelings of everyone so I worked diligently to see if this could happen. It took many calls and emails over several weeks with compromise on both sides. With all of this being saidâŚWe will be returning to Great Wolf Lodge in â2025â for our 47th Annual Midwest Regional Tow Show !!! We want to return with a âBANGâ, so we plan to have many speakers, training and great events. Our show is an association show and the funds from the show go back into the Towing Industry, fighting for the rights of our family of towers and not going in pockets. We ask that you show your support for us and the Towing Industry by participating in the upcoming show. We believe in supporting those who support the Industry! Save the DateâŚSeptember 25th â 27th, 2025. I canât wait to see everyone there !
Bruce Bender
Show Coordinator
Bruce@trao.org
Warrior Winch Check for Survivor Fund
Spotlight on Bimson Power
Bimson Powerâs generous donation to the Survivor Fund.
Jeff Bimson, President of Bimson Power, committed 1% of online sales to the survivor Fund. This is something that is near and dear to his heart and was championed throughout the company. Darian Weaver, President & Publisher of Tow Professional was on hand to record this event. Graham Leather, Sonya Frasier of Bimson Power / Warrior Winch presented the check to Jeffrey Godwin & Lauren Colon of the International Towing Museum. Bimson Power is happy to bring support and give back to the families of the fallen, honoring those that gave all to serve others!
Donnie Cruize Award: Hurst Towing & Recovery – Birmingham, AL
Daniel Johnson WM â 172290
Hurst Towing & Recovery –Â Birmingham, AL
In the summer of 1999 at the age of 6, I climbed into a truck with my dad for the first time. He was a driver for Weil Wrecker and operated an F-450 rollback with a 19.5 ft bed. After that I quickly fell in love with the towing industry.
As the years went by, I learned to operate everything in the fleet and learned anything I could in business. Outside of my dad, I owe a lot of my skills and knowledge to Darryl Burrell and Steven Weil Jr. Those two pushed me to my limits to learn everything there is about this industry. From running a truck, to dispatching and everything in between.
As I got older, I was introduced to the side pull rollback by my supervisor George Fiffles. I was immediately hooked after that. I wanted to learn everything there was to know, and George went right to teaching me.
October 12, 2016, I came to work for Lynn Hurst at Hurst towing and recovery, to run his side pull rollback, and became his light duty supervisor. As each year has gone on, I have pushed myself to learn all I can about the unit and push it to its potential in this industry.
After 8 years, 3 side pull trucks later, and many head turning recoveries, ranging from light duty vehicles to heavy recoveries and various equipment. I have received a Donnie Cruse recovery award for a 25k plus recovery for a piece of equipment off the side of my roll back using 5 lines to the load.
I owe everything to my dad for bringing me into this industry and always standing beside me. My mentors Darryl Burrell, Steven Weil Jr, George Fiffles, Scott Aey, Kurt Wilson, Howard Kritzer, Scooby & Casey Burrows, and finally, Lynn Hurst. For the last 8years of standing behind me and always pushing me to be the absolute best of myself. Allowing me to spec out and build two top notch side pull trucks to my liking. Supplying me with everything I need and more to do my job, and even a little extra to push it to its limits from time to time. Lynn has been one of my biggest supporters and fans when it comes to my recovery skills, while trusting me to go out and take care of his customer base. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing boss, and work for an amazing family- owned business.
Now at the age of 31, receiving this award is a huge honor and humbling experience in career. There has been a ton of emotions after receiving the phone call from Justin Cruse, it still feels like dream. This is a memory Iâll cherish and be grateful for.
Hal Kresser Memorial
By Scott Fowler
Hal was born May 12, 1949. He grew up in the city of Mt. Healthy, Ohio where he spent his time building hot rods and drag racing on Colerain Avenue much to the annoyance of the local police. In High School he earned extra money running a wrecker for Hardertâs Garage which planted a seed of love for the towing industry. After graduation, like his father before him, he joined the Navy. After serving his four years, he mustered out and got his first cop job in Santa Rosa County, Florida as a Deputy Sheriff. A few years later he moved back home and took a job with Colerain Township Police. During those years, Hal also had his own body shop. When the Colerain force was disbanded, he landed a job with the Union Township Police Department in Butler County which is now West Chester Township. He retired from that career in 1989 after being injured in an on-duty vehicle collision. Â He hated leaving a career that he loved but wasnât going to sit around. Instead, he started an insurance agency. He didnât forget his roots though and built a large commercial clientele in the towing industry as well as the repair and body shop industries. He built that into the thriving agency it was in 2023. At that point he sold the agency and retired yet again.
Hal worked tirelessly to help the towing industry in general, and the Towing and Recovery Association of Ohio specifically where his Agency was an Associate Member for many years. He was an invaluable resource for members and advised them on claims handling and dealing with the insurance industry that was so frequently at odds with the towing industriesâ goals. They respected him and considered him one of theirs to the point that they elected him to be President of Ohio Region 8 serving southwest Ohio. He served in that post for six years.
On the home front, Hal was married three times and raised 4 kids and 3 step kids. He used to like to brag that he had kids born across 3 decades. Those 4 kids and 3 step kids spawned 20 grandchildren.
Outside of work, Hal had many passions and hobbies. He loved photography in the days when cameras contained film. He also liked developing his own film in the makeshift darkroom in his garage. He was an avid wood worker and was always building something. Another passion which stayed with him from his youth was racing. He loved going to NASCAR and NHRA races as often as he could and when he couldnât he caught as many as he could on TV.
Hal passed away peacefully, October 28th after battling an illness. The Towing and Recovery Association of Ohio turned out in force for his funeral and honored him with a tow truck procession leading his hearse to the cemetery.
