Tru-Hitch™ Fifth Wheel Towing Device

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From military strength comes commercial quality. For over twenty years Tru-Hitch™ has recovered the heavily armored vehicles that have become the standard for the US Army. Whether simply broken down or damaged in service these heavy vehicles are a challenge to recover. In all kinds of scenarios and differing terrains a towing and recovery system must perform without compromise. Over thousands of hours of testing and evaluation, including service in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the Tru-Hitch™ 250M FWTRD (Fifth Wheel Towing and Recovery Device) has proven itself, and met the Government’s stringent criteria to officially become an approved long-term towing and recovery solution for the US Army.

This proven military experience, and unwavering commitment to quality and performance, is built into every Tru-Hitch™ for the commercial tower. The Tru-Hitch™ fifth wheel towing device is cost effective to purchase, operate, and maintain. The Tru-Hitch™ heavy-duty under lift towing device utilizes the fifth wheel coupling as the pivotal connection between the pulling tractor and the truck in tow. What makes the Tru-Hitch™ unique is that it imposes a downward load and pivots on the towing tractor at the fifth wheel, rather than behind the tractor’s rear axle. The truck in tow essentially becomes a “semi-trailer”. The weight of the disabled vehicle is distributed among all axles of the towing tractor. The front axle of the towing tractor actually gains weight as the vehicle is lifted! This makes the Tru-Hitch™ by far the safest heavy duty towing device in the transportation industry

Mach1 Services, North Texas Voice and Speech, and Freelance Corporal Win Bunker Labs Pitch Competition

By

Darian Weaver

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Bunker Labs has announced the winners of its most recent Veterans in Residence Pitch Competition, which took place on Wednesday, May 5, 2021. The winners were:

First Place, $7,500: Rick Narpaul, founder and CEO of Mach1 Services, an on-demand roadside assistance company with no membership fee based in San Antonio
Second Place, $3,000: Leslie Wegner, founder of North Texas Voice and Speech, a speech pathology company based in Dallas
Third Place, $2,000: Brandon Childers, founder of Freelance Corporal, a gamified mobile financial literacy education service based in Los Angeles

Veterans in Residence, a partnership of WeWork and Bunker Labs, is a six-month, early-stage business incubator that provides veteran and military family member entrepreneurs with coworking space, community, a national business network, and resources to grow their business.

“What stood out about Mach1 Services’ pitch is that the need for roadside assistance is something everyone can relate to, and they have the customer traction to prove it,” said Blake Hogan, CEO of Bunker Labs.

The Veterans in Residence Pitch Competition is held twice per year, toward the end of each six-month cohort period. Visit: https://bunkerlabs.org/veterans-in-residence to learn more about the Veterans in Residence program.

About Bunker Labs:

Bunker Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a national network of veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military-connected community start their own business. Bunker Labs is committed to seeing that every entrepreneur, including small business owners, in the military-connected community has the network, tools, and resources they need to start their own business.

Learn more about Bunker Labs: www.bunkerlabs.org

About WeWork:

WeWork was founded in 2010 with the vision to create environments where people and companies come together and do their best work. Since opening our first location in New York City, we’ve grown into a global flexible space provider committed to delivering technology-driven flexible solutions, inspiring spaces, and unmatched community experiences. Today, we’re constantly reimagining how the workplace can help everyone, from freelancers to Fortune 500s, be more motivated, productive, and connected.

SOURCE Bunker Labs

Cision PR Newswire link: Mach1 Services, North Texas Voice and Speech, and Freelance Corporal Win Bunker Labs Pitch Competition (prnewswire.com

ACCESS TOOLS TRAVEL LOCKOUT KIT

By

Darian Weaver

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Access Tools, the world’s leading manufacturer of car opening tools, has created a set designed for those on-the-go who prefer an In-The-Door Tool Set. The Travel Lockout Kit is designed to include the basic tools that are critical to any lockout for the professional who needs to always have a set of tools. Small and compact, this kit fits easily into any vehicle for a spontaneous lockout. All the In-The-Door tools feature our unique Tool-ID system that aids in locating the correct tool for the job in conjunction with the Car Opening Manual. This kit will ensure you are never stuck without the required tools when a situation arises. The Travel Lockout Kit is also a great backup to your other Complete Set, such as the Super Pro Complete Set.

If you have any questions or would like more information on this topic, please contact Julian Packin at (800) 323-8324 or via email at sales@caropeningtools.com or Visit: www.CarOpeningTools.com

GUNIWHEEL™ PARTNERS WITH ZIP’S AW DIRECT

By

Darian Weaver

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We’re pleased to announce our new distribution partnership with Zip’s AW Direct , a fantastic company dedicated to producing and selling custom trucks and equipment for the towing and roadside service markets. Zip’s AW Direct will be the direct link to the towing market and offer GUNIWHEEL™ in their incredible catalog of products as our preferred partner.

For more information or to make a purchase, visit our page on Zip’s AW Direct website at: https://zips.com/guniwheel

The all new Zacklift EZTOW is heading out the doors!

By

Darian Weaver

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With the EZTOW’s now shipping, Zacklift continues to focus on affordability and performance-based fleet management products. The EZTOW is a totally self-contained money saving solution that’s primary focus is emergency fleet recovery. While the Zacklift EZTOW’s focus is getting the job done on a budget, that does not mean the EZTOW is not packed with tons of features that translate not only into saving money and frustration but also ease of use and overall performance when on the job. The EZTOW’s self-contained 12V Bucher Hydraulic Pump system stays ready to go to work with the standard onboard Solar Battery Tender trickle charge system. A wireless LED lightbar keeps job visibility in mind while the optional wireless remote is a practical and useful upgrade. The optional 8 or 10K warn winch add another dimension many specific recovery situations and a pintle ball hitch is also available for normal towing when needed.

All these features, sit nicely waiting to work for you and save money on an included EZLOAD stand, meaning this unit can be loaded and unloaded with NO FORKLIFT REQUIRED.

The Zacklift EZTOW is a fleet work horse that will continue to get the job done and save you money for years to come. With easy financing options available, give Zacklift a call today!

Zacklift has several other products in the pipeline, with our next big announcement coming later this year!

Zacklift – The World Leader in Heavy Duty Detachable Towing.

www.zacklift.com

Jerr-Dan Parent Company, Oshkosh Corporation, Earns Top Honors

By

Darian Weaver

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Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE:OSK], is pleased to announce that parent company Oshkosh Corporation has recently received several prestigious industry awards for the Company’s ongoing ethical business practices, sustainability efforts and use of emerging and advancing digital technologies.

Committed to creating a more sustainable future, Oshkosh was named one of Barron’s “100 Most Sustainable Companies” and has been included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2021, both for the fourth consecutive year. Steadfast in sustainability initiatives, Oshkosh Corporation has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption and continues to make investments in technology including the development of battery-powered products.

The Company was also a recipient of the IDG CIO 100 Award for information technology excellence. Oshkosh Corporation’s Digital Technology team is powered by team members around the world, all focused on solving business challenges. This is the third consecutive year that Oshkosh Corporation has received this award. The Company also received the IDG FutureEdge 50 Award for its innovative use of emerging technology. This is the first time that Oshkosh Corporation has received this global award.

In addition to these awards, Oshkosh Corporation has also been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, one of FORTUNE’s World’s Most Admired Companies, one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek, as well as one of America’s Top 250 Best-Managed Companies by the Wall Street Journal.

“Earning top honors from so many different organizations is testimony to the collective drive towards excellence by all Oshkosh Corporation global team members who remain focused on sustainable operations, empowering others and developing innovative solutions that drive the business forward,” said Frank Nerenhausen, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the company’s Access Segment, which includes two industry leading brands: JLG® aerial lifts and material handling equipment including boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access lifts, vertical access lifts, stock and order picker lifts, towable lifts and telehandlers and Jerr-Dan® towing and recovery equipment including carriers, wreckers and rotators.

To keep up-to-date on Oshkosh Corporation news, please visit: https://investors.oshkoshcorp.com/news.

About Jerr-Dan

JerrDan, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment. Its full line includes light-, medium- and heavy-duty carriers and wreckers, industrial transporters and four-car carriers. The company is headquartered in Hagerstown, MD., and its products are backed by industry leading warranties and a strong service network dedicated to the towing professional.

To learn more about Jerr-Dan, visit www.jerrdan.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs nearly 15,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, Oshkosh® Airport Products, London™ and Pratt Miller.

For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorp.com.

2021 Survivor Fund Golf Classic Raises Record Amount

By

Darian Weaver

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The International Towing Museum proudly announces that the 12th annual Survivor Fund Golf Classic raised just over $20,000 for the Survivor Fund, the first time in the tournament’s history that money raised exceeded $20,000.

“As with most events, the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect this year,” says Jeffrey Godwin, Chairman of the Survivor Fund.

“We were delighted not only with the attendance and industry support but especially with the donation, which helps fund pay-outs to families of towing operators who are killed while serving the motoring public.”

The Survivor Fund was founded in 2005 to provide immediate financial support to families in their toughest time. Due to donations and industry support, the death benefit paid has been increased several times since its inception, currently paying $9,500 per incident if the company or individual is a current member of the International Towing Museum, or $7,500 per incident to non-members.

Since January 2021, seven towing operators have been killed throughout the U.S., primarily while working roadside on busy highways. The number of towing operator fatalities has historically been averaging 60 per year.

Learn more about the Survivor Fund at www.thesurvivorfund.com.

About ITRHFM

The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Chattanooga, TN, houses an array of displays and exhibits showcasing the history of towing and recovery. The rotating collection includes early equipment by Manley, Holmes, Vulcan, and Weaver. The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly advanced the industry. The Museum includes a theater, a library, and a gift shop selling souvenirs related to the towing industry. On the outside grounds is the Wall of the Fallen memorial, dedicated to towers who died in the line of service. The ITRHFM Survivor Fund assists the families of the men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of service by providing a uniform financial gift at the time of their loss. ITRHFM is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and accepts donations for its programs and operations from individuals, corporations and groups.

Learn more at www.towingmuseum.com.

Tow Professional Quarterly – Q1 2021

By

Darian Weaver

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Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing

By

Darian Weaver

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About Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing

The creators, executive team, and the engineers at Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing are leading innovators in the repossession and towing industry.

Dynamic created the Original Self-Loading Wheel-Lift that has become the most sought-after technology in the towing industry. The idea of the self-loading wheel-lift system came from a need for faster and safer operation for recovery agents. To continue with the efforts of creating the safest recovery vehicles on the market, Dynamic expanded the product line to include the Dynamic Radius. The Dynamic Radius is a 240º rotating car carrier, allowing for quicker and safer recovery where limited space is available to maneuver. The design of the radius allow for less equipment blocking the roadway creating a safer workspace for recovery personal.

Dynamic continuous to broaden their product line with the introduction of various new wrecker models and Dynamic car carriers. Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing is a customer care focused company where customers can directly reach the owner as well as all departments in order to effectively create efficient client communication.

For more information, visit www.dynamicmfg.com

Save Time and Money with ParkingPass.com

By

Darian Weaver

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ParkingPass Mission

To make managing parking less stressful and better organized for properties around the globe. Parking can be challenging to manage, and ParkingPass’s mission is to continually improve parking management processes as efficiently and as smoothly as possible. Let ParkingPass help you transition from your old, paper-based system to completely paperless parking management.

ParkingPass Goal

As ParkingPass continues to expand across the nation, our goal is to become the premier parking management software that operates in almost all verticals, including residential, commercial and municipalities.

For more information, visit ParkingPass.com

EZTOW THE WORLD LEADER IN HEAVY DUTY DETACHABLE TOWING.

By

Darian Weaver

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Raising the bar on value, the EZTOW features a self-contained, self-standing design that makes it a no-brainer for fleets and towers looking for a fast and easy way to make or save money. This lift is designed for the customer who just wants to move a vehicle from point “A” to point “B” at the lowest possible cost. The Zacklift engineering team took feedback from fleet owners and towers to develop a detachable unit that eliminated the cost of unnecessary and unwanted bells and whistles but kept the Zacklift 40-year commitment to quality. You can rest assured there were no shortcuts taken during the design, fabrication, and assembly.

The EZTOW has several accessories to choose from including a 12V winch for the simple recovery needs, a 20,000 lb. pintle\ball hitch, and solar battery tender to keep the towing unit fully charged and ready to go at all times.

Zacklift International builds 25K “plus” rotator for military contractor

By

Darian Weaver

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Zacklift has been manufacturing heavy duty towing equipment for nearly 40 years, so when a large military contactor called them looking for a heavy-duty, high value, low maintenance unit Zacklift was excited to take on their project. Zacklift has worked with military contractors in the past but this contractor was looking for a rotator and under lift that would hold up to the harsh African environment and perform flawlessly in an active war zone. In addition to durability, the rotator was required to lift a fully armored personnel carrier (shown here) with an approximate weight of 25,000 lbs. During testing the Zacklift rotator performed above expectations and lifted the 25,000 lbs. with the boom fully extended.

The customer had a tight time frame and needed completed units in less than 12 months. The Zacklift engineering stepped into action immediately and completed the design in 4 months. A first article was built and tested with no major issues. The Zacklift production team built 5 complete units over 8 months including all design, prototype, and testing.

In the end, Zacklift’s customer was very happy with the overall customer service and was impressed with design and final product performed. If you have any questions regarding Zacklift products visit www.zacklift.com or call 509-674-4426.

The Custom Built Difference

By

Darian Weaver

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Need-Driven Beginnings

Derek Dangelo started Custom Built Manufacturing, LLC (Custom Built) in 2006 as a small town, American-built, heavy-duty wrecker manufacturer. The reason he launched Custom Built was that in his 30-plus years of experience in running an autobody shop and his 30 years working in the towing business, he saw a clear equipment gap across the towing industry. As a tower himself, he needed a heavy-duty tow truck that was built to handle the jobs that he was getting calls on, so he decided to build them himself. He started with old 750’s and converted them to hydraulics configuring them to the exact specifications of what he needed for the jobs he was doing. Now, he wasn’t the only tower that needed a perfect-fit truck. Towers nationwide were needing tow trucks capable of hauling anywhere from 20 tons to 80 tons. To make sure his truck matches a customer’s need, he gives the customer free reign on the layout as he walks together with them on it based off CAD CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing). He focuses on their needs for exact specification of storage sizing. Consequently, because of the wide range of need from truck size to varying equipment on the trucks, Custom Built has responded by offering many options on builds from an integrated 15-ton unit to a 60-ton rotator. So, in summary, why did Dereck start Custom Built Manufacturing? He simply built for others what he made for himself—custom-tailored heavy-duty tow trucks built to handle the varying heavy load sizes.

Multiplying Growth and Success

Because Custom Built has experienced such a success from the high demand of towers being able to specific order their trucks to meet their ever-changing needs as a company, the company needed a new home. Custom Built now has a new 300,000 square-foot facility. They have tripled the assembly department in size and quadrupled their over-all space. Also, they have doubled their work force and, therefore, doubled their truck production from 20 in 2017 to 40 trucks in 2018.

Perfect-fit trucks is a major reason for Derek Dangelo’s success in the truck manufacturing business, but there is more. Even though he is driven to constantly innovate, he is a down-to-earth family man who takes time to enjoy life. Family is important to him like it is to the towers he sells to. His son works in the business and runs the assembly plant, and his daughter and daughter-in-law work in the office. Custom Built is a small town, family-run business built with grassroots American pride and integrity. Now life is more than just the year’s quota of sold trucks or the company’s financial bottom line. Derek works hard and enjoys life. He likes to smoke a good cigar. He enjoys taking road trips on his motorcycles, his Harley Electra Glide and his Softail Springer. So, the best of all worlds for Derek then would be to smoke a good cigar while riding his motorcycle down the road! He equally enjoys taking out the RV with the family on trips valuing the time he has with them. In addition to a perfect-fit truck and a core value of enjoying life, what more does Custom Built offer to the potential buyer? Customer Built Mfg. offers a more user-friendly truck when it comes to maintenance and repair, intuitive safety design, and a superior warranty.

User-Friendly Maintenance and Repair

Custom Built builds trucks to be worked on, so everything is made to be accessible and easy to work on. You see a lot of cars and trucks that are nearly impossible to work on, and you know immediately that an engineer laid them out, not a mechanic. Custom Built designs all our equipment with service in mind, so that your moneymaker can stay on the road not tied up in a shop.

Intuitive Safety

Safety begins with design, so Custom Built first looks where the danger areas are for the towers. They then layout the truck around two things: they place the towing and recovery tools on the left side of the truck and then place the controls on the right side where the operator will be standing away from traffic. Their goal is balance between keeping the tower safe and keeping the job work efficient. Another way they enhance safety by design is by providing extra lighting on the truck and reflectives on both the truck and toolboxes which signal on-coming drivers to move over without being too over-the-top which would distract drivers causing them to drift toward the trucks.

Superior Warranty

When a company has a quality product tailored to the customer’s day-to-day need that is not only safe, but cost effective, there should be no hesitation in providing a warranty that says the same. That is the very reason Customer Built stands behind their trucks by providing the best coverage in the industry–a 10-year structural warranty. Also, they want everyone who buys from them to know that every truck is 100% built in America; each is built with integrity, are affordable, and are backed by excellent customer service.

Satisfied Customers

You don’t have to just consider what Custom Built says about their company, hear what several satisfied Custom Built owners have to say about the “‘Custom Built’ difference”:

“Yes, Derick and Nick are great people who stand behind their product. I had an issue with my California spec’d CBR40/50, and they corrected the issue immediately. I will definitely buy my next rotator from them.”

“I would like to share a little information on this business and the people who run it. First off, they have answered my questions and concerns day and night even on the weekend. They are a great bunch of people to deal with! 10-year warranty, I total believe it! I had a small mishap, so I called them to see if the body panels were all the same and asked what the cost would be. Guess what! There was no charge, they sent them out at their expense! I have always owned trucks from other manufacturers, but never got this kind of service. Keep up the good work!”

“Derek is a true straight shooter, which, as we all know, is hard to find in business these days. He builds both an excellent product that is second to none, while doing it at an economical price. The CB30HD he built for us is a true beast. He will walk you through the building process from start to finish, and even point you in the right direction on where to find a good used chassis to put one of his units on. My wife (and business partner) and I intend on either buying another one of his products that has been previously used or having him build us another truck when we are ready to expand our business again. Keep up the good work, Derek!”

“Great products, great people, and great workmanship, they stand behind their product 100%.”

“Nick and Derek are awesome; don’t think you’ll find anyone else in the business who cares more about their customers than they do.”

SUPERIOR ENGINEERING LEADS TO SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

By

Darian Weaver

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At Jerr-Dan, our rotator structural engineers live by one credo: the strength and stability of the equipment is critical to performance. When you’re looking for quality and performance in a rotator, look no further than the JD50/60 HDR1000.

The Jerr-Dan JD50/60 HDR1000 Rotator is in a league of its own. The strength and stability built into every rotator comes from its industry leading scissor style outriggers and unique torsion frame design. This incredibly stable platform allows an operator to maximize the working area and capabilities of the boom with its best in class 41 feet of reach.

The JD50/60 HDR1000 360-degree load charts document the full working range including over the nose of the chassis which means a more comprehensive working area to complete the most challenging recoveries. Each rotator comes with operational load charts to reference before confidently setting up for each recovery.

When seeking stability, Jerr-Dan’s Scissor Style Outriggers, coupled with its unique torsion frame, lead the industry in its class for performance, strength, and durability. A stable platform along with a full 360-degree load chart makes this rotator stand out in a class of its own.

The Jerr-Dan Rotator also has a proven independent, knee boom underlift that is offered in a variety of configurations to meet customer demands with or without a drag winch. Underlift options include the 530 – 53,000 lb. three stage with 147 inches of reach – and the 565 – 56,500 lb. three/four stage with 181/179 inches of reach respectively.

The JD50/60 HDR1000 comes with two DP or Ramsey 50,000 lb. 2-speed boom winches. Jerr-Dan also offers 20,000 lb., 35,000 lb. or 50,000 lb. drag winch options as well as the 20,000 lb. boom mounted, auxiliary winch option.

Available in Single Steer or Twin Steer and four or five axle configurations, our chassis are engineered to perform with our rotator. Each chassis is custom ordered to meet Jerr-Dan’s demanding specifications so our rotator will provide the highest performance and durability for our customers.

The Jerr-Dan rotator utilizes a unique 10 million RBM rated torsion frame design which is the key to its performance. By properly distributing the forces encountered during lifting operations, the truck and its components remain stable and solid from start to finish.

Found in the truck’s cab, as well as at each control station, the Jerr-Dan exclusive Touchlink ™ system provides increased lighting control functionality with greater ease of use. This system features in-cab electronic controls that come standard with an overhead switch panel as well as an additional underlift control panel as an option. Available on all Jerr-Dan 50/60 HDR1000 rotators, Touchlink increases operator functionality and safety by allowing control of the light-bar, front, side and rear strobes, and flood and work lights without ever having to leave the cab. This CAN-Bus based system reduces complexity and the need for additional wiring.

Along with the rest of the rotator body, created with the operator in mind, the Touchlink system has built-in troubleshooting with smart keypad indicator lights. Our centrally located, self-enclosed power distribution panel provides ease of access and serviceability to all electrical fuses and relays and protection from the elements or accidental damage. The Touchlink control system includes a protected and secured automotive style wire harness, CAN-bus datalink, and our weatherproof smart keypads. Additionally, it is pre-wired with three auxiliary circuits for ease of expandability for those who wish to add custom lighting options.

Each rotator comes with a fully proportional Scanreco remote. The remote comes with several features including E-stop emergency shut down, engine throttle up to a preset RPM, winch 2 speed on/off switches and winch free spool engage. The remote can be operated in a standard mode or set to a slower mode depending on your needs. Lighted indicators tell you when a winch is in free spool mode, and also indicate when a winch is in high-speed mode. The remote also has a safety feature that senses when it may have been dropped, shutting the remote off automatically.

Options include multiple storage solution packages, which allow you to customize the body to fit your storage requirements. Also check out our many available stainless and chrome accessory options to make your JD50/60 HDR1000 really stand out in a crowd.

Find a Jerr-Dan distributor today or learn more visit www.jerrdan.com. Jerr-Dan is committed to supporting you after the sale so please contact a distributor today for all your parts and service needs.

Managing roadside breakdowns

By

Darian Weaver

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Breakdowns occur every day and everywhere across the country. Fleet managers and drivers often do not know who to call for service. ServiCase is a web-based breakdown management system created to help fleet managers locate service providers. This free tool includes a full dispatching system for those who dispatch for fleets and carriers.

What is ServiCase?

ServiCase is a roadside breakdown case management system powered by the same people that brought you towPartners and sureEcosystem. The system allows trucking companies, drivers and fleet managers to locate towing and roadside mechanical service providers quickly and to establish electronic interactions. ServiCase is different from other location services in that there is no cost to the carrier. ServiCase can also be used as a case management system allowing them to track breakdowns, locate and dispatch service providers, and to track events through to completion including event status, photos, invoices, etc. ServiCase provides carriers access to over 60,000 service providers with the ability to store private notes and ratings for the service providers with whom they engage.

How does ServiCase work?

When a breakdown occurs, the ServiCase tool can also be used in the traditional mobile format of search, find results, and call. Unique to ServiCase is the option where trucking company breakdown centers and fleet managers can create a case in the ServiCase tool providing all the information about the vehicle and the type of service needed. Carriers can then search for a provider from the ServiCase database where the results are based on an algorithm that weighs location, required service, carrier ratings, preferences, and more. Jobs can then be assigned to a service provider by calling them manually or by using the ServiCase digital connection to offer the job.

When a carrier uses the digital dispatching feature, the case information is sent to the software package used by the service provider. Currently ServiCase is integrated with a variety of industry software packages including Beacon, Fullbay, InTow, TOPS, Towbook, and Tracker. Additionally, ServiCase is powered by sureEcosystem and connected to sureEcosystem Events and sureEcosystem Dispatch.

When the information about the job is sent, the service provider’s software alerts them and displays a pop-up of the job information. Once the service provider has provided an ETA that is accepted by the carrier, the service provider is dispatched, creating a live call in their dispatching software.

Service Providers Partner with ServiCase

ServiCase is currently looking for partners in the service provider community who can support carriers and a variety of service types. By going to servicase.com/2021, providers can register their company. For the remainder of 2021, ServiCase is providing service providers with a free starter listing with additional listing upgrades available online.

How ServiCase Is Different

ServiCase is different from other search services in that the provider has the ability to update their own information such as services offered, rates, insurance coverage, contact numbers, hours of operation and more… There is a significant amount of development and growth coming to the system.

Service providers are not charged for jobs they receive through ServiCase and there is no bidding for higher positions in the results listings. ServiCase does not charge variable fees for large markets and does not dictate rates, though many listed providers are extending their commercial account rates to carriers using ServiCase. Nothing is marked up by ServiCase because payment is made directly to the service provider by the carrier user.

ServiCase is further differentiated in how it connects to carriers. In addition to a responsive site which works to search from all devices, the case management system is also optimized for tablets and computers to offer fully integrated solutions so the ServiCase profiles and search can be embedded in carrier mobile apps or maintenance systems. A third-party administrator version is also available and allows full-service maintenance management companies the ability to manage their providers, case records, digital interactions, and after the case work.

ServiCase is unique in that it provides fleets and carriers a way to manage, maintain and even keep private records about preferred providers and rates, with the ability to electronically dispatch and manage the job when the service provider is connected. These distinctive features are in demand by fleets and carriers nationwide, and ServiCase is here to meet that need with you as a service provider partner.

To register your company with ServiCase and receive your free listing, visit servicase.com/2021.

Death Valley Towing Turns to State-of-the-Art Technology to Treat its Customers Right

By

Darian Weaver

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Death Valley Towing business started 33 years ago as an offshoot of Death Valley Exxon. What began as a side business grew exponentially into a robust, full-time operation, and today the company provides aid to stranded motorists, support to property managers and law enforcement, local garages, insurance companies, and auto clubs serving the city of Seneca, South Carolina and visiting students who attend nearby Clemson University.

Four years ago, Death Valley’s original owner retired, passing the reins of the towing business on to former business executives Lee and Lauren Richardson. Under Lee and Lauren’s modern-style leadership, Death Valley Towing has gone to the next level of business maturity; adopting some of the best and most progressive equipment and systems in the towing industry to support its team of seven drivers and five light-duty vehicles.

From ancient business practices to a technologically advanced towing operation

“When we purchased Death Valley Towing, the operation was using ancient business practices. There was no technology. Drivers took pictures of towed vehicles with a physical camera and were dispatched and managed using clipboards and three-part forms. It was easy to lose information. Easy for drivers to pull a fast one. Easy for people whose cars were towed to challenge you. We looked at this messy, dark ages business and said, ‘there has to be a better way,’” says Lauren.

The first technology investment Lauren and Lee made was in tow management software provider Omadi to digitize Death Valley’s dispatch and administration processes. With that platform in place, Lauren began to build on that foundation. This year, they invested in WEBFLEET to more efficiently manage, deploy and track their fleet of drivers and vehicles.

“There’s nothing more disconcerting than looking at the map and seeing your driver in the middle of the lake when he should be on the road,” chuckles Lauren. “WEBFLEET gives us precise information on vehicle and driver location. It helps keep everyone honest.”

In addition to installing WEBFLEET on their vehicles, she also agreed to pilot a new integration with HAAS Alert’s collision prevention service Safety Cloud®, which broadcasts a ‘slow down move over’ alert to surrounding vehicles when a tower stops on the side of the road to assist a stranded driver. On-the-job fatality risks in the tow truck industry are nearly 15X greater than other industries with one tower killed every six days according to the AAA. Safety Cloud activates when the PTO is engaged on Death Valley’s trucks and sends out a warning to surrounding drivers using the navigation app to slow down and move over. It’s the same alert system fire departments across the United States use to prevent crashes involving fire trucks rushing to an emergency scene.

While Lauren quickly agreed to the opportunity to try Safety Cloud on her vehicles, and well understood the risks towers face on the road, the weight of her decision to move forward with the service hit home only a few days later.

Lauren and Lee received the tragic news that the son-in-law of a fellow tower had been killed while providing roadside assistance in the middle of the night to a stranded driver. The young man, a new father was the victim of a hit and run. “All of a sudden, our decision to use the HAAS roadside alerts got very real for us,” said Lauren. “I recall saying to my WEBFLEET sales rep, we need to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else,” says Lauren.

A level of service beyond what people expect from a tower

The combination of Omadi, WEBFLEET and Safety Cloud has improved Death Valley’s transparency and service. This helps the business achieve a level of excellence and professional performance from its employees, and honor its commitment to ‘treat its customers right.’

“We’re a university town,” explains Lauren. “We have children here from all over the country, and naturally, parents worry. It is a tremendous comfort to the parents for us to say, ‘I can see a driver pulling up alongside your daughter’s vehicle on the road. I can see him pulling out of the driveway. That is a different level of service than most people are accustomed to from towing companies.”

As part of Death Valley’s services to the university community, they issue parking permits and regularly patrol and monitor parking lots. With WEBFLEET Lauren can provide photo evidence documenting a parking infraction, and if a car is towed in the middle of the night, she has a photo documenting the infraction and data to demonstrate to property managers that Death Valley is indeed patrolling the lot as expected. Property management clients can even log into Death Valley’s systems to see what’s been towed, where the driver is located, and when PTO was engaged.

Technology has also improved Death Valley’s policing relationships. Says Lauren, “We typically have a 20-minute window with law enforcement to respond to a call. With precision fleet tracking from WEBFLEET, we can tell them precisely where our driver is and provide an accurate ETA to the scene. We also give police a window into our Omadi system so it’s dramatically cut down on the number of phone calls back and forth. Because of the transparency we offer, they’ve been able to eliminate an entire shift during football weekends.”

Better tools to manage a young fleet of drivers

More than half of Death Valley’s drivers are under the age of 30. It’s been the business’ philosophy to hire aspiring drivers and teach them what they need to know. But that means keeping a watchful eye on their driving behaviors.

Using WEBFLEET’s Opti-Drive 360 capability, she can pinpoint a driver’s location and monitor their speed and detect any aggressive driving such as harsh braking or cornering. “Clemson is too small a town. If our drivers are behaving inappropriately someone is going to notice and call. We have a very good community reputation to uphold. Using WEBFLEET to monitor our drivers’ speed and aggressive driving means I can intervene first and coach them appropriately.

And, Lauren says with a smile, “I can be assured they are out on the roads patrolling and not heading to the lake to fish.”

Learn more about the benefits of WEBFLEET at webfleet.com