Collins Dollies

135 miles – 35 of those through rough dirt roads, 100 highway miles. That is the recent log of a professional tower, one of many throughout the week that come in from motorists being stranded or local businesses servicing vehicles. Each one an opportunity to help, grow business and provide for a family. On this particular 90-degree day, the vehicle was off the beaten path (literally an unpaved road) in the eastern Oregon desert hundreds of miles from town round-trip, leaving the tower to figure out a way to bring the vehicle back safely. So, he turned to his equipment – a wheel lift and Collins Dollies, confident that they could shoulder the load down the rough, dusty track. Confident because he’s done it before. Therefore, he chooses Collins Dollies.

Collins Hi-Speed Dollies came about to increase the safety and speed that a vehicle could be recovered. Prior to that, dollies were completely assembled underneath a vehicle after using a jack to raise it high enough. Though a great invention for their time and capabilities, these pan dollies were heavy and exposed the operator to roadside hazards for an extended period because of the time it took to assemble. Collins Hi-Speed Dollies improved upon this concept and changed the towing industry with a self-loading dolly in 1972. Their Hi-Speed name is partly due to quicker setup and tow times since the dollies themselves were used to raise the vehicle.

Collins Hassell, the namesake of Collins, had an entrepreneurial background gained through life’s experiences in creatively solving problems and caring for his family. During the 1940-50s while driving log trucks and hauling timber, Collins and his brother designed and manufactured improved log bunks and stakes for trucks that are still in use today. They had to be strong enough to carry a load of 50,000 pounds on trips from the forest to the mills, which could be a hundred miles or more (large portions of it on dangerous, washboard roads). Much of the materials and engineering for the bunks are like what would become the original self-loading dolly in 1972.

The self-loading dolly continues to evolve as material compositions and manufacturing technology progresses. Driven by user input—feedback from operators around the world contribute to what would help make their job easier, safer and equipment that is more resilient to road abuse. Some of these advancements led by Collins are:

1974 – Telescopic Positive Camber Steel Axles/Cross Rails

1974 – Greaseable Load-bearing Pivot Points Housed and Sealed Internally

1977 – Safety Ratchet System (SRS)

1985 – Safety Lock System

1995 – Telescopic Positive Camber Aluminum Axles/Cross Rails

1999 – Greaseable Steel Hubs

2006 – Lightest Weight Dolly (Collins Gen. 5 – SLX Hi-Speed Dolly)

2006 – Greaseable Aluminum Hubs

2006 – Removable Bolts & Components with Hand Tools

2008 – Aluminum 8” Wheel

2016 – Two-tone Zinc Plating Standard (Collins Gen. 6 – SLZ Hi-Speed Dolly)

2018 – Collins 4.80×8 Load Range D Tires (nearly 1000 lb. more capacity per set than 4.80 Load Range C Tires)

So, what does this mean for you? How many times have you needed a tool and been frustrated that you do not have it, cannot find it, isn’t the right one or it does not exist? Maybe you were able to make do with what you had (a refined skill among operators), but wish it had not taken extra time, reduced profit, or lost business. In recovery and repossession scenarios, this could look like: turning away potential clients, lost time calling additional trucks to move a vehicle because the first one could not handle it, risking personal injury or vehicle damage.

With the right equipment the job becomes easier and safer. Collins Dollies have been designed and built for:

ease of use.
safety for your team & customers.
to go where you need to be.

One operator can load the dollies under a vehicle and quickly lift it. The quickest time we have encountered is 60 seconds, from off the truck to vehicle lifted! With a little training, an operator or agent can recover AWD, electric/hybrid, vehicles that are disabled or stuck in park using the same dollies and wheel lift to get all four wheels off the ground and the job done.

Safety is a top priority in the industry and should not be left out of dolly towing. It’s why all Collins Hi-Speed Dollies include the Safety Ratchet System which allows an operator to safely lift a vehicle (light or heavy) in all conditions – rain, snow, ice, gravel, slopes, uneven terrain – with the operator in control even if they should lose their grip or footing. Without it, the operator remains in the dangerous impact zone of the pry bar’s arc and a wrong move potentially resulting in serious injury. The Safety Ratchet System (SRS) acts as a backup safety while under tow, to keep the vehicle upright. If a vehicle on dollies without the SRS drops while being towed, it could cause extensive damage. The ratchets can also assist in moving a vehicle that is up against a wall, garage, or similar obstacle by partly raising the dolly and vehicle, pulling the dolly away, then raising it completely.

Because you do not get to choose where or in what conditions the vehicle lies, it helps to have the proper equipment that works as hard as you do. Collins Dollies are built to handle inclement weather, rough road conditions, heavy loads and long-distance towing if required. Properly maintained, loaded, and secured, Collins Hi-Speed Dollies can safely be used on highways, freeways, and interstates to move the vehicle where you need to go. A single truck with a wheel lift and Collins Dollies can do the work of multiple trucks, increasing profitability.

Repossession agents can find a dolly model tailored to them — Collins Hi-Speed Dolly REPO. Lightweight for moving in and out of the bed of a truck, yet strongest in its class offering 3640 lb. of capacity on 4.80-D tires with steel wheels. Same high quality yet less aesthetic steel wheels make this an economic model. Paired with Collins Combo Mount, the Hi-Speed Dollies can be stored out of sight in the back of a; pickup bed yet within easy reach so they are accessible right when and where you need them. Looking ahead, Collins has another dolly model that has been in development over the last several years to make repossessing vehicles even quicker, so agents can be in and out, then down the road in as little time as possible.

For those operating a flatbed truck instead of a wrecker, Collins Carrier Dolly gives you a damage-free, efficient way to load and unload vehicles. They effectively raise the vehicle for greater ground clearance, make for quicker loading and unloading and opens possibilities for towing a wider range of cars – electric, AWD, high performance and luxury vehicles. Should you come across vehicles without wheels because they were stolen or removed to prevent repossession, the Tow Cradle fits both Hi-Speed Dollies and Carrier Dollies to support the rotor and allow for recovery.

Coming back to our tower in the desert, he earned the job and delivered the vehicle safely all from the comfort of his cooled truck. That same pair of Collins Dollies has assisted him in over 1000 miles of towing, in less than a month. With no sign of slowing, he can keep his business going. When safety, durability, longevity, better performance, lighter weight, and profitability all matter, he chooses Collins. Safe and happy towing!

Start up Company or Industry Leader, Dynamic Has Your Solution!

Darian Weaver

Established in 1982, Dynamic Manufacturing began its operations in an 8,000 square foot building in Norfolk, Virginia. TODAY THIS BUILDING IS NOW MORE THEN 60,000 SQ FT!!

The creators and executive team at Dynamic Manufacturing were the innovators in the repossession and towing industry. Calvin Russ, the company’s founder, started Dynamic Manufacturing by sketching out an idea to design a wheel-lift system that would be easier, faster, and safer to operate than what was available at the time. His creation, the Original Self-Loading Wheel-Lift, was born and Dynamic Manufacturing consistently worked to perfect the Self-Loading Wheel-Lift. Today, the Self-Loading Wheel-Lift is the most sought-after technology in the industry.

The Original Self-Loading Wheel-Lift from Dynamic was introduced in 1983. The Self-Loading Wheel-Lift was repossessing vehicles with its 90 degree hook up in 10 seconds and the driver never had to leave the security of the cab of the truck. The word of how well the new Self-Loading Wheel-Lift worked spread like wildfire through the industry. The Virginia Department of Transportation commissioned Dynamic to build a unit for towing and recovery on the bridges and tunnels in Norfolk, Virginia. The Dynamic 601 BTW twin line, with a hydraulic extend-able recovery boom was put into service and is still the equipment of choice today. Soon after, major cities like Chicago and New York added the Self-Loading Wheel-Lift to their fleets as well. Dynamic grew as the industry grew and the demands for stronger, improved, and more diversified Self-Loading Wheel-Lift equipment was needed.

The company’s mainstay was the 601 series with a 4,000-pound wheel-lift. This unit has now been bypassed with the 701 with its 5000lb wheel-lift fully extended, and optional Neg-Power tilt. With the 701’s impressive array of standard equipment, it is available in four different configurations: the B, which is the basic unit with the 5,000 pound wheel-lift; the BDW, a bed with a deck winch; the BSW, a bed with a recovery boom and a single winch; and the BTW, a bed with a recovery boom and two winches and numerous optional equipment is available to qualify for city and state towing contracts.

The present owners of Dynamic have over 40 years’ experience in the towing business. AND NOW OVER 10 years in manufacturing, engineering, and bringing new products to the industry. They understand what the towers need and want. Safety is an especially important issue. Dynamic offers the in-cab wheel-lift controls for added safety during highway tows and the ever-dangerous repossession. Not one tow vehicle is the same, Dynamic is a small, customer care company where you can reach the owner as well as all the departments to solve a problem with your Dynamic equipment. Their parts department is always stocked with a vast amount and a variety of parts. A call to the parts department and quick ship out procedure ensures your downtime to an absolute minimum. Dynamic listens and is always open to suggestions and changes needed by the end user.

The 701 light duty and light/medium duty truck series and the 801 medium duty truck series are also available in the four different configurations. The 701 series offers a 5,000-pound wheel-lift and is also available with optional winch or negative tilt. The 801 series is the truck that Dynamic designed for the Virginia Department of Transportation and is available with an 8,000 pound wheel-lift. Dynamic Manufacturing totally reengineered the 801 series with an 8500LB wheel-lift and 16-ton recovery boom to meet their needs!

Dynamic Manufacturing is continuing to broaden its product line. Dynamic was the first to manufacture rollbacks with a Self-Loading, Independent, Wheel-Lift. The traditional “L” arm wheel-lift is offered as standard equipment. As time progressed, methods of towing vehicles and trucks also required more diligence when towing. Dynamic saw the need to manufacture equipment that would help the tower be able to not only perform his job safely, but also with the delicate care needed to tow the present and future vehicles and trucks. The latest products introduced and now manufactured by Dynamic are the RADIUS Rotator Carrier, Slide-in Units, and the Stealth Wheel-Lifts. Dynamic offers a full line of products that can transform your pick-up into a wrecker at a low cost, and it makes for the perfect setup for low clearance garages! The latest addition to the lineup is the Dynamic Service vehicle. Make sure you visit www.dynamicmfg.com and check them out for yourselves.

Dynamic has distributors located throughout the United States, England, Australia, Ukraine, Russia, Scandinavia, Sweden & Baltic States.

They are always looking for additional equipment distributors, parts distributors, and repair facilities. Please contact Dynamic Manufacturing for more information

Wrecked Wrecker, Now What?

Darian Weaver

Did someone damage your tow truck? Go after them for your lost income! When your commercial equipment isn’t working, you’re losing money. The at-fault party should pay for your repairs, downtime, diminished value, and all other out of pocket expenses in most states. This is true whether it’s an accident on a highway, parking lot, or even a faulty mechanical repair.

You’re in business to tow, not handle claims. If you need help, find a transportation law firm that can handle this portion of your business and keep you on the road.

Here’s a typical downtime scenario:

You own three very busy tow trucks. A bad driver slams into your best wrecker. It’s a heavy duty rig, so it’s no simple task to rent a replacement. The body shop says it will be at least three weeks before you get this truck back in service. You see your profits going up in smoke. You may even lose one of your contracts and the driver who normally mans this truck. What do you do from here?

File a Claim Against At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

No one likes an insurance claim on their record. Wherever possible, file a claim instead with the at-fault driver’s insurance. If liability is clear, they will often agree to pay for repairs. However, they may not agree to pay anything on your downtime losses. Oftentimes, an adjuster will say you can’t get lost wages because you’re not injured. Many adjusters don’t understand the difference between lost wages and downtime losses (also called loss of use, lost profits, and business interruption losses). Clarify to the adjuster that your business is losing money while the wrecker remains in the repair shop. Even after your valid explanation, the adjuster may only offer you the cost of a rental, not your true lost income.

Rentals & Mitigation

Finding suitable tow equipment to rent can be difficult, if not impossible. It’s not like you can go to the nearest Enterprise or Penske to get a heavy duty wrecker. Even if you’re lucky enough to find similar rental equipment, a huge deposit might be required or the equipment is thousands of miles away. Sometimes the large daily rental rate may not make financial sense for your business. Adjusters often throw up road blocks saying you haven’t mitigated your losses and therefore will pay little to no money towards a rental or lost income.

Recover Lost Profits

You don’t have to accept an adjuster’s initial settlement offer. In most states, you may be entitled to your actual lost profits when a replacement vehicle isn’t available or doesn’t work financially. Contact an attorney who can back you up and go for your true losses. Law firms like Eckert & Associates, PA will work with you from day one to make sure you do and say the right things to protect your interests and get the money you deserve.

A Partner to Ensure You Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Find an attorney who will calculate and create a demand package that clearly establishes your equipment’s losses. Lawyers should negotiate with the adverse, the adjuster and their lawyer to convince them of your true lost profits. The law firm of Eckert & Associates, PA has decades of experience handling these claims and the information is put into a format and language insurance adjusters understand.

Recently, clients William and Constance Christy said, “I would recommend dealing with Eckert & Associates to anyone looking for downtime compensation. They save you the time and aggravation of trying to deal with the at fault party’s adjuster yourself.”

You may be thinking, how am I going to pay for an attorney when I’m already losing money? Great news! Eckert & Associates, PA charges nothing for a consultation and works on a contingency fee basis instead of an hourly fee basis. This means they only get paid if they collect for you.

According to client Donald A. Faulkner, Jr., “Eckert & Associates performed as advertised! Courteous, professional and won my case.”

When you get frustrated with the process and want a law firm to back you up, call 1-800-DOWNTIME for a free consultation.

Don’t Panic – Be Prudent

Darian Weaver

For the past several months, Towers have been experiencing eye-opening financial burdens because of a virus threat they cannot see. During strange and unnerving times, such as these, the Towing Industry always trudges forward. We’re resilient no matter what comes our way. That brings me to what my friend within another industry requested from me recently.

To help his members during these times, this friend asked me to speak on “Being Prudent” for posting on Facebook. After I recorded my 2-minute video segment, he posted it on Facebook Live to help those members and businesses involved in his industry. Basically, here’s what I said about ‘Being Prudent’.

“Yes, I’m frugal. Some people say, I’m tighter than bark on a tree. Why? I won’t write a check until I view my bank balance. You won’t find me buying a boat or a four-wheeler to drive the hills of Georgia until the virus stuff is over.”

As I continued my 2 minutes, I let the viewers know that I’m self-employed. “President Trump will not be writing me a check. Please listen to this white-haired man. I have run out of money before when I’ve run out of week. More workers then usual might not be paying their credit card bills this month. Luckily, some banks are providing a sliver of relief to customers who are struggling financially, whether by waiving late-payment fees, deferring interest charges or not reporting missed payments to the credit bureaus.” As the viewers were practicing social distancing at work and home, I continued my quest to help lower their fears. I gave them some simple things that they could do now to calm things, especially if they were concerned about making ends meet.

Some simple tasks they could do from home were discussed. Holding up a purple bag of coins, I said, “Go through that jar or bag of change you’ve put aside for a rainy day. Did you know that the 2019 penny with a W under the date is worth 20 dollars and 47 cents? That’s right – $20.47.” My purpose was to keep my conversation light-hearted. Next, I suggested, them pulling down from the top closet shelf that 500-piece puzzle from Aunt Mary received several Christmases ago and make it a family project. Finishing that puzzle could be a wonderful way for the family to reconnect without relying on Xbox or iPads. I also suggested there might be a hobby that they could focus on for a period of time each day. My purpose was not just to calm their fears but to make sure each listener was being prudent with what they already have.

What I didn’t get to say during that 2-minute segment was this. The virus is still here as we approach end of summer. Some scientists and doctors have indicated that this virus could return in 2021. Will we, as an industry, be financially prepared to survive another round of this virus with the financial downturn it could bring? And, what if it could have a bigger punch next year?

The larger financial corporations will not talk to the average Towers unless he or she has a multi-million-dollar portfolio. They won’t waste their time on working with us. I’m asking you to be prudent so you can lock-in now the things that can help so you don’t have money issues again. I have a small book that can help all of us – How Money Works. It is an easy read that even a high school student can read and easily understand. You can find the book on Amazon for $16.99 plus shipping cost with a 4.6 – STARS of a 5.0 – STAR rating, but I can send you a copy of it for $10 with NO shipping cost. Contact me directly because I personally know the authors. All I ask is that you read the book and let me know your favorite part.

While being prudent, don’t forget to think about others. There might be a neighbor that you don’t really know very well that could use your help. If you feel you would like a book for yourself, your children, or a neighbor, I will be happy to accommodate. Let me know how many of these books you will need.

Friends, this virus and financial problem WILL pass. As hard-working, unrelenting Towers, we are resilient. So, don’t panic. Be prudent. Think before you spend money. Let me know if you want a copy of this book for $10. Call me at 770-301-4122 and leave me your contact information. In the meantime, be safe, healthy and love to all.

Next time, I will share what things Towers can do during these times to make extra money. See you next time

What a World We Live In!

Dan Messina

During the last election, we all heard people say if this person or that person wins, I’m leaving the country. Well, no one has left yet, but this election could be different. Regardless of who wins, the world will change.

I never dreamed that I would have to face the prospect of not living in the United States of America. At least not the one I have known all my life. I have never wished to live anywhere else. This is my home and I am privileged to live here.

As I woke up this morning and turned on the T.V., I poured myself a cup of coffee and began watching the news flipping channels to get many opinions. As I was jumping back and forth, I realized that things were about to change. No matter how I vote and no matter what I say, something evil has invaded our country and our lives are never going to be the same. I think that I may well have entered the twilight zone. You cannot justify this insanity. We have become a nation that has lost its collective mind.

Here are a few examples of what I am talking about, all are facts:

Somehow its un-American for the census to count how many Americans there are in America.
Russia influencing our elections is bad, but illegals voting in our elections is good.
Twenty is too young to drink beer, but 18 is old enough to vote.
People who have never owned slaves should pay slavery reparations to people who have never been slaves.
People who have never been to college should pay the debts of college students who have taken out huge loans for their degrees.
People entering the country will not be checked for diseases, but you’d better be able to prove your dog is vaccinated.
Irish doctors, and German engineers who want to come to the U.S. go through a rigorous vetting process, but any gang bangers who jump the fence are welcome.
You can destroy billions of dollars in property then ask a taxpayer from another state to pay for it.
You can do any amount of harm to law enforcement, get arrested and released in the same day to do more harm.
It scares me to think if we got rid of law enforcement all together, we would look like the cities that did that and also have a tripled crime rate.
$5 billion for border security is too expensive, but $1.5 trillion for “free” health care is not.
If you cheat to get into college, you go to prison, but if you cheat to get into the country you go to college for free.
We see other countries going socialist and collapsing, but it seems like a great plan for the U.S.
Some people are held responsible for things that happened before they were born, and other people are not responsible for things that are happening right now.
Criminals are caught-and-released to hurt more people, but stopping them is bad because it’s a violation of their rights.
Pointing out hypocrisy somehow makes us racists. Nothing makes sense anymore; no values, no morals, no civility and people are dying of a Chinese virus, but it’s racist to refer to it as a Chinese virus even though it began in China. We are clearly living in an upside-down world where right is wrong and wrong is right; where moral is immoral; evil is good and good is evil. Also, where killing murders is wrong, but killing innocent babies is right.

I’m sure you can add to the list. Please don’t be offended if one of these things upsets you. The fact is it’s true regardless of your party preference. You watch the media and they all tell a different story. You don’t know what to believe. I hear people say the virus will go away after the election.

If that is the case, then the government has more controls than we realize. They will change the constitution or write executive orders to meet their party needs. One party is pushing for mail in votes while the other party is filing charges against the last administration for what they did during the last election. Some states are already doing it and I’m not even sure it is legal by government standards. It just seems that people on both sides just do whatever they want.

This will be an election where the people voting truly make a difference. Don’t believe what you hear – find out for yourself. Know what each party’s policies are before you pull the leaver. Google Trump accomplishments and see what he has done in 4 years, then Google Biden and see what he has done for the past 40 plus years. Know all the facts before you decide.

If our country goes socialist there is no coming back. I’m not saying it’s good or bad. What I am saying is we are about to make a long-term decision. If it’s the wrong one, we’ll have to live with it. I am encouraging everyone to get out and vote, but know all the facts before we change America.

The great unsinkable ship Titanic (America) has hit an iceberg, is taking on water and sinking fast. The choice is yours to make. What will it be? Time is short, so make your choice wisely.

Make the most of Covid 19 Downtime and unusual circumstances

James E. Lewis

expert witness, James E. Lewis When Covid 19 surfaced, most of us thought it would go away quickly and wouldn’t put much of a dent in our businesses – we were wrong! However, it’s a great time to begin streamlining your business through training, cost savings, and bolstering your reputation and business footprint.

Have you ever had a customer meet you at a shop when you drop off their vehicle? Or maybe the guy who runs the service shop sees the vehicle as you tow it in? Do you think for a minute that the shop owner wants to take responsibility after you or one of your people ran a chain through an alloy Audi wheel? What would happen if that person would take a photo of it and report this scenario to the vehicle owner, if the owner wasn’t present? That wheel is $474.00, by the way. Plus, the loss of business from that vehicle owner and perhaps even the shop.

I credit the photo to my friend Ed, but also to the lunkhead who damaged the wheel on the Audi Q5 and his boss – you can’t tell me for a second that the boss doesn’t know what this cat is doing while he’s running around. The guy is shortcutting and doing dangerous and damaging things, and keeps doing it because he (a) didn’t get decent training, or (b) did get training, but thinks you don’t care or both.

How about a new angle on the training and responsibility idea?

Generally, I prefer not using analogies, but I need to make this comparison. When I was in the military and one of my troops made a mistake, and I got called into the commander’s office beside my soldier. I was equally responsible for that mistake because I held responsibility for training that person. That failure was also my failure.

There’s another analogy about the new puppy wetting the carpet. The puppy continues to wet the carpet if you don’t correct him. Sitting back and blaming a driver for doing an unsafe shortcut is pretty silly…because you have allowed that shortcut to live in his mind. Training isn’t 5 minutes to begin with and never again. It is a steadily ongoing process.

When you have car damage, whose fault is it? The young man who legitimately didn’t know what he was doing, or the person who didn’t train him? Could it be the person allowing him to continually get away with bad habits?

USE THIS TIME!

I’ve talked to a bunch of people in the industry recently and have gotten similar responses to the question of how business is going. They all tell me it’s slow, tough to keep their people engaged, and things like that.

I can’t think of a better time to institute a paid training program. Train them! Work with them. Build scenarios in your tow yard and work through a difficult recovery or rollover. Have one of your people who is good at lowered or exotic cars show the others the tricks of the trade. Buy pizza for lunch. Make it fun. As much as I’m a strong believer in formal training courses, when you have a crew sitting around goofing off and playing on their phones watching TikTok videos, what have you got to lose? Some hourly pay, plus pizza and sodas is much cheaper than sending your whole crew off to a class, and you can have a training session anytime it’s slow, and possibly a few times a week.

My suggestion, if you need training topics, is to pay close attention to the areas where we are losing drivers to death and injury. Have your drivers work from the non-traffic side of the road, and maybe have them pretend that the driver side controls don’t even work. I know that concept has been drilled into us all, but every day I see an operator standing on the white line working the controls on the left side of the truck with his back to traffic nervously glancing back every few seconds. There’s another set of controls on the other side! Use them! The only way we build good habits is by repeating good practices.

Concentrate strongly on quick clearance, and even though we like a good solid hook up with many attachments, it makes sense in many scenarios to hook quickly and safely and get the vehicle off the road. Then continue your hook up with safety chains or straps and all of the other tie-downs. You’re likely not going to lose a car driving a half a block to a parking lot, but you may well lose a driver on the side of the road while they’re taking 15 minutes to hook up and do everything by the book.

One last thing is to get into the mindset of never doing a tire change on the side of the road. If the vehicle can’t be moved safely off the road, tow it. While you’re towing it, just take it to a tire shop. Most of us get paid the same for a service call or a tow, so it makes a lot of sense to choose the safer option.

Get with another towing company and have a joint training session. People love to show off what they know – use that to your advantage – have your buddy from the other company split the cost of pizza and sodas with you.

As a business owner, my biggest fear wouldn’t just be taking a hit on income from less business, but also not taking advantage of the downtime to produce more knowledgeable, safer, and efficient drivers.

Another thing you can do as an owner or manager is make sales calls – use the time to reinforce your commitment to your existing customers. They may not have seen you (personally) since you landed the account months or even years ago. Bring donuts and coffee! Make calls on new accounts. You can never have too many accounts, and my hope for each of you is to come out of this mess in better shape, business-wise, than when you went in.

One final thing – train yourself. Self-improvement should never stop. Take a leadership course. Learn how to communicate better. There’s a plethora of webinars and seminars, as well as self-help books. By using a few minutes or even an hour a week, you can become a better leader. Feel free to contact me and I can point you in the right direction. I’m at james@jameslewiswrites.com.

Be careful, be considerate, and train your people so you can trust them. In reference to the last column about whether you have a business or a job, with your people trained up and confident, you can take that weekend or maybe a week you’ve been wanting to get away.

TRAA News Update

Darian Weaver

There’s always a lot happening at the Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) and this summer has been no different. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, TRAA is still hard at work protecting and improving the towing and recovery industry. We’ve been keeping our members updated with resources throughout the pandemic while still focusing our legislative efforts on the 2020 INVEST in America Act, the Protecting Roadside First Responders Act, and laying the groundwork for a federal Move Over Law.

Additionally, one of TRAA’s key focuses is bringing new people into the industry. In June TRAA launched its newest book, How to Become a Tow Truck Operator which is now available for e-reader and paperback on Amazon. This is a short, no-nonsense guide to a career as an operator in the towing and recovery industry. The book provides an overview of the work towers do, a tow truck driver job description, a look at tow truck driver requirements, information on tow truck driver income and salary, tips on finding a job in the towing industry and more. How to Become a Tow Truck Operator is a must-read for anyone considering a career in towing and recovery!

If you want to get involved in TRAA’s federal legislative efforts, registration is now open for TRAA’s 3rd annual Legislative Action Workshop set for March 9-11, 2021. This event is the towing and recovery industry’s only national “hill day”. Each year TRAA members unite to focus on particular topics that align with our collective legislative agenda. The legislation addressed during this year’s event included a federal Move Over Law, supporting the Drive SAFE Act, and critical weights and measures changes. During the event, we were able to secure co-signers and essential support for bills that will help all towers be safer and operate more efficiently. This is your opportunity to meet with members of Congress and make real, substantial change for the whole community.

Golight: Getting Things Accomplished In The Dark

Darian Weaver

Stryker ST, Golight Over the years, Golight has had the distinct honor to help people from all walks of life get things accomplished in the dark. Our lights have ridden shotgun on covert ops in the Middle East, guided open-water vessels back to harbor, helped carve roads out of rugged terrain, and aided in search and rescue efforts among countless other things. We know more often than not after-hours service calls means battling wind, rain, snow, and ice and doing so in the dark. In those conditions, light that can be remotely directed where it is needed, when it is needed is an essential tool for safety and productivity.

Remote Control Lights by Golight feature:

Wireless remote options that operate the light from up to 80’ away or Hardwired Remote Control Options, Permanent or Portable Mounting, 370° Rotation x 135° Tilt, and is UV Ray and Saltwater Resistant.

Golight GT Upgrades from the previous Golight RadioRay models include:

Updated exterior housing design, Higher torque drivetrain and more precise pan/tilt control, Increased Ingress protection from dust/water (IP56), Permanent mount models boast a robust 14 gauge stainless steel mounting bracket and Portable magnetic models have 2X magnetic grip. Golight GT is available in LED or Halogen and comes with a 3 Year Warranty.

Stryker ST Upgrades from the previous Stryker models include:

Multiple Unit Selector Function which allows for independent control of 2 units with 1 remote, Home Position Function (On-Command return to 0° home), New Wireless Technology Benefits including: Simultaneous Pan + Tilt, Multiple users can operate lights in close proximity without interference, Smart Programming Logic (Quick and simple pairing without dipswitches), and Fluorescent Remote Buttons. Stryker ST is available in LED or Halogen and comes with a 5 Year Warranty.

Our Light Output for both new product lines are:

Halogen, 225,000 Candela, Max Beam Distance 3,113 ft., 5.5 amps at 13.8V and LED, 544,000 Candela, Max Beam Distance 4,839 ft., 3.7 Amps at 13.8V.

Golight has been in business for over 25 years and we would love to help make your job not only safer but more productive.

For a full listing of products please check out our website at www.golight.com or call our office at 800.557.0098

R.A.I.L.® by Jerr-Dan

Darian Weaver

The Jerr-Dan Side Recovery System (also Jerr-Dan’s exclusive Rear Awareness Indicator Lights (R.A.I.L. ® System) provide increased rear visibility and offer an unprecedented angle of visibility while the bed is in the loading position. R.A.I.L. ® uses LED strobe lights and angled mounting brackets to increase visibility for vehicles approaching from the rear. This innovative technology can be added to your existing carrier or ordered as an option on your new Jerr-Dan carrier.

To learn more, visit jerrdan.com or contact your nearest Jerr-Dan distributor.

Recovery Billing

Darian Weaver

The average towman is excellent at what he does best, and that’s towing and recovery. Billing can be complex and when starting out in business, it can be a challenge to design the right billing and invoicing systems to take advantage of the recovery work that’s being performed. Think about it. You could be losing thousands per month for unbilled services for what is essentially a clerical oversight. Bob and Eric bring their expertise to seminars throughout the year in Massachusetts and across the continent. Groups are small with only 20 towing companies per session, which makes for a more focused, one-on-one learning experience and higher success rates.

We especially take care to help other businesses overcome the red tape and wall of legal babble that prevents towing companies from being paid. We will
help you to navigate the legal roadblocks and red tape, helping you to get paid for your work without fail. All it takes is a robust system which you can apply to every
job that you complete.

For more information, visit www.recoverybillingunlimited.com.

ECM Performance

Darian Weaver

ECM Performance ECM Performance provides Engine Control Module (ECM) programming and Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) Deletion Tuning.

In real world work applications, repeated short drive times at less than highway speeds are very common. Also, trucks are increasingly used as machines requiring long idle and extended use in PTO (Power Take Off) Mode. Both scenarios prevent a truck from properly going into its regen cycle which is supposed to clean the DPF filter.

This is where the trouble begins. A clogged DPF filter can result in diesel soot backing up into the engine, causing damage to the VGT actuator, turbo, fuel injectors and EGR solenoid. Also, the unburned fuel injected into the exhaust system, as part of the regen cycle, can go into the crankcase contaminating the engine oil. Customers unbolt the ECM from the engine block, unplug the harness connections and ship it to ECM Performance. For most applications, the original engine data is immediately read from the ECM and backed up three ways for the customer’s protection.

For more information, visit www.ecmperformance.com.

Wrecker Rentals Inc.

Darian Weaver

wrecker rentals inc., wrecker rentals Wrecker Rentals, Inc. provides full-service tow truck rental for the lower 48 states. They provide short-term (three-day minimum) and long-term tow truck rental of late model light-duty wreckers and roll-back tow trucks. They distribute trucks from Atlanta, Georgia, & Dallas, Texas, and, in most cases, can have a truck to you within 24 hours of approval.

For more information, visit www.rentawrecker.com.

Steck MFG – 3 BigEasy Solutions

Darian Weaver

BigEasy GLO with Easy Wedge & Carrying Case

Glow-in-the-dark powder coating allows you to see the tool at night or through tinted windows.

55 inches long.
Improved non-marring wedge. Now it’s wider, longer, and smoother.
Lock Knob Lifter for cars with flat lock knobs at the top of the door.
Easy Wedge for inflatable controlled opening of door for insertion of the BigEasy
Paint Protector reduces friction between the car door and the BigEasy
Carrying Case with convenient pockets for holding all of your lockout tools.

BigEasy Night Light

Suction cup LED light illuminates dark car interiors. A great addition to your BigEasy kit, the BigEasy Night Light allows hands-free illumination of the vehicle interior at night to allow tow driver, lock-out technician, officer and/or first responder to locate the door lock or keys while using the BigEasy Lock Out tool or other similar devices. Suction-cup design adheres the Night Light to the windshield or window of the vehicle. Powerful LEDs illuminate the interior, so you know exactly where to position the BigEasy tool.

BigEasy Loop

A simple and inexpensive device to assist the technician in using the BigEasy to open locked cars by grasping door handles and window cranks. The BigEasy Loop snaps on to any of our BigEasy Lockout Tools to provide easy leverage to pull door handles and window cranks during the door unlocking process. Handy accessory tool easily snaps on the end of the BigEasy Tool avoiding need to purchase additional and more costly specialty tools. BigEasy Loop is made from high-density polyethylene which provides a strong but flexible tool to adapt to any angle required to complete the unlocking process. It is mold injected with reflective substances which will ‘Glo’ after absorbing sunlight for use with tinted windows and headlights for night time lockouts. BigEasy Loop is easily stored in pant’s pocket or BigEasy Carrying Case.

For more information, visit www.steckmfg.com

Jerr-Dan Sliding Winch System

Darian Weaver

This innovative design permits an operator to tow without incurring damage to the vehicle. The sliding winch system from Jerr-Dan provides the operator with better control of a damaged vehicle as it is winched onto a carrier bed without the need of additional side pullers or snatch blocks. Without the need for additional equipment, the operator can be more efficient, ideally spending less time on the scene, with less equipment to carry and potentially less fatigue on the job.

Originally created to meet the needs of exotic cars with side pull points, the sliding winch system provides flexibility for operators to tow cars of any design. The Sliding Winch System is currently offered on all new Jerr-Dan Standard-Duty and Medium-Duty Car Carrier models and can be added to your existing Standard- or Medium-Duty Carrier.

For more information, visit www.jerrdan.com

COVID-19 INDUSTRY UPDATE: Tow Volume Slowly Rising

Darian Weaver

The past few months have forced our industry into uncharted territory as many companies were forced to deal with lower tow volumes.

To understand the effects of COVID-19 on the industry we have gathered insights from our towing software. Across the country, tow volume reached a 49% decline compared to the first week of March. Over the last few weeks we have seen increased tow volumes and by the end of June, volume was only 25% below the March baseline. Since the beginning of COVID-19 we have recouped half of the volume lost. The industry continues to rebound as fuel consumption and traffic volume return to normal as cities begin loosening restrictions.

We are optimistic that these improvements will continue and the industry will recover. Omadi is committed to being your technology ally during these times by helping companies start, maintain, and grow their tow operations. For updates visit omadi.com/ driven-blog or find us on Facebook.

Best Wishes,
Nathan Mortensen (Omadi CEO)

For more information, visit www.omadi.com

Focusing on the Long Haul

Darian Weaver

There are a variety of ways tow companies can reduce fleet total cost of ownership (TCO). It typically starts with truck selection and what companies should look for to maximize uptime and prolong lifespan. In addition to considering the initial cost of the unit, the warranty for the unit should be evaluated. Manufacturers who back their equipment with a warranty typically have more confidence in their performance.

There are also questions to ask related to the manufacturing process, including:

Look at the painting on the product. Are items fully painted before assembly or painted after assembly? Painting prior to assembly provides better coverage and components are less susceptible to corrosion.
Look at the electrical system. Does the unit have an engineered harness with sealed connectors, sleeves, and looms to protect the harness? Are there splices in the lines?
Look at the hydraulic system. Are steel lines used when possible? Is the unit designed to minimize rubbing and chafing? Is there paint overspray on the hoses?

Accessories to help extend service

The first accessory everyone should have is a tire gauge. Proper tire inflation is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to avoid replacing expensive tires. Two other accessories, quite seriously, are a hose and wash bucket. The cleanliness of a unit is one of the first things a customer will notice when operators roll up to a work site, which can lead to repeat business.

Removing dirt, road salt, dust, mud, and other residue off vehicles will not only reduce the opportunity for corrosion, but it will also help operators spot fluid weeping before it becomes fluid leaking. While a power washer can speed up the cleaning process, drivers should not be too aggressive and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Maintenance considerations

There are two kinds of maintenance: preventive, meaning catching an issue before something happens or reactive, meaning something broke at an unexpected time – costing fleet owners additional time and money.

Preventive maintenance should begin by following the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance schedule in the factory-issued owner’s manual. Drivers should also implement daily and weekly checks for abnormal wear and tear of the equipment. These checks must extend to the rigging and other gear on the unit. Finally, fuel tanks should always be filled before they drop below a quarter tank and are running on fumes.

Maintenance kits are another important aspect of keeping units running across a fleet. Using a manufacturer’s maintenance kit at the correct intervals helps keep the unit running in top condition. Maintenance kits also reduce the amount of time spent trying to find all the components needed to perform an interval service. Kits can be purchased in advance to eliminate making a trip to the distributor for parts in the middle of a service.

Increasing employee retention

Retaining employees is another key factor in reducing TCO. According to gallup.com, the cost of replacing an individual employee can range from one-half to two times the employee’s annual salary. There are a wide range of opinions on how to help keep employees on the payroll. If rewards and incentives are given, they should be drawn from an existing budget, so it doesn’t impact a company’s bottom line.

While financial rewards are helpful, owners should do their best to focus on the drivers themselves. Employees who feel a level of ownership are typically happier and more involved in the company as a whole. Take the time to work one-on-one with employees to understand their concerns and to help solve any issues with their equipment or other aspects of their work.

Employee training is also a critical part of retention. It starts with how to properly operate the unit to avoid causing premature wear and tear. Keep in mind, while the next generation of drivers may be more tech savvy, it does not automatically mean they don’t have the aptitude for mechanical work. Take time to teach them why and how things work and be willing to share what you have learned during your tenure. If you have younger operators on your team, find mentors to show them how and why things work.

Geographic location and TCO

Geography and climate can take a toll on any vehicle. Mountainous areas will cause more wear on brakes and tires. Wintery climates can breed corrosion if the unit is not cleaned routinely. Dry and arid conditions kick up dust, which is abrasive on moving parts. Basically, anything that can collect on a unit in adverse conditions can cause corrosion or wear damage. Be mindful of the impact this damage has to the bottom line.

Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards

Fleet owners can also track TCO through Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS). This includes repair orders, trip reports, fuel transaction reports, etc. Originally developed for the over-the-road trucking industry, VMRS has continued to expand over the years and is now the standard shorthand coding system for describing and tracking maintenance, from the equipment level to individual components.

VMRS creates a communication system between the driver, maintenance team and operations staff that is concise and easy to interpret if the truck is fully functional and, if not, what exactly needs to be repaired. Many companies prefer to perform some work themselves but will also use OEM dealer service facilities when needed. When the operators and OEM service teams speak the same language, it can be easier to understand the potential underlying issues with the truck.

Electronic Logging Devices

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) can be a start to capturing basic vehicle operating information, but the core requirement of the typical ELD system is to confirm that drivers are meeting the hours of service (HOS) regulations. These are typically limited to date, time, location, engine hours, vehicle miles and operator information. To comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements, companies are only required to maintain six months of records of duty status (RODS), so they would need to transfer this information to the maintenance system for longer record retention.

Lowering fuel costs

Electrification and alternative fuels are both options with potential to help lower TCO. With electrification still in its infancy, compressed natural gas (CNG) appears to be a promising nearer-term fuel alternative as the infrastructure continues to grow beyond municipalities. As a body manufacturer, Jerr-Dan continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce weight, which can improve payload and fuel performance.

Telematics and TCO

In terms of new technologies to reduce TCO, telematics is becoming more and more commonplace. As we learn how to make our fleets smarter, we will be able to do a better job capturing data on equipment utilization and handling. Electrification will also be a business driver but will likely be another three to five years before it makes a meaningful impact within the tow industry.

As trucks continue to become smarter and the use of telematics is more widespread, data created by these systems will help improve the accuracy of issue detection in the truck. This improvement will likely shift the scope of VMRS codes to allow a higher level of predictability, even for the small fleet operator. Understanding and proactively implementing these technology platforms will contribute to greater operational efficiency and reduced cost.

By following these guidelines, tow companies can best protect their drivers and help ensure that their equipment operates in top form, 24 hours a day. And, as a result, can reduce their overall TCO and extend equipment life and return on investment.

For more information, visit www.jerrdan.com

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