THE RIGHT FINANCING IN A CRUCIAL TIME

accountant working on desk using calculator for calculate finance report in office

Finding the right financing is so crucial in the towing industry especially during these challenging times. Often it can make or break the cash flow and profitability of the business. With so many companies and dealer financing options out there, the industry can be enmeshing and mind boggling for owners. To bring clarity for good decision making, I am highlighting key factors that I have learned through my twenty-one years of truck-financing experience that can help guide your choice of a finance partner.

Support Availability, Not Distancing

It appears this world is trying to operate with minimal human contact. Though this may be helpful on the spread of infection, it is not helpful from a finance service-provider standpoint. Do yourself a favor and choose a partner that will answer the phone or will promptly call you back. When you are expanding your business or replacing needed trucks which have gone down, you need a finance partner that is knowledgeable, efficient and, for sure, available. Helping you to navigate quickly through processing and titling, the right support will save you needless aggravation and help your business get where you are taking it. Combine this with a finance manager whose character and experience you can trust, and your mind will be at ease. We have received feedback from repeat customers whose have experienced this:

“Jeremy is a stand-up guy and has been financing my equipment for more than seven years. I have never found anyone so willing to help the customer.” Mark Denson- Onsite Towing, Houston, Texas.

Direct Lender Over Broker

Another key factor that I have experienced is to find a finance company like Alliance Funding that is a direct lender on the balance sheet as opposed to a broker. Although a broker can be important for lower-credit scenarios, direct lenders can offer fast processing times, more competitive products by avoiding broker margins, and have the ability to structure the lowest rates, longest terms, and a balloon-payment structure. Our goal is not just a sale for you, but a lifetime of sales earned through excellent service:

“Jeremy Tsakiris is the man. He hooked me up more than once and has definitely earned my business for life.” Trevor Sherrer –California

Collateral-Specific Financing

Equipment finance should be specific to the collateral you want to fund. This may be a confusing statement, but what I have seen through my tenure is that many banks, credit unions, or other equipment finance and capital funding companies will file a blanket lien or incumbent on the business. Alliance Funding, along with a couple of other finance companies that focus on the towing industry, will only file a lien on the title. They do not take advantage of the customer by burying the blanket lien language in the fine print.

Early Payoff Numbers at the Beginning

In same context of “buried” info, note what the real prepayment or early payoff numbers look like at the beginning of your decision making. Be specific in your questions, so you can learn what all your financing options are. A good of example of options is leasing. Most of my customers prefer to do a lease purchase for tax benefits. However, in an early buyout situation, a small penalty on the “Principle Remaining Balance” is massively more beneficial than having to pay the whole remaining schedule.

Leasing’s Tax Advantage

As some of you may know, the tax advantage of a lease purchase program far exceeds that of a traditional loan. A lease purchase program is 100% tax deductible as an expense to the company. A traditional loan is considered an asset where a standard depreciation schedule is applied. This results in a fraction of the write-off to the business.

A common misconception is that a lease-purchase program is more expensive. When, in fact, after factoring in the expense deduction, the result is most beneficial to the entity. The underwriting requirements do not differ whether I structure the agreement as a lease or a loan. Most financing companies, Alliance Funding included, can do either type of agreement. The lease purchase agreement allows for a longer balloon payment (i.e. 10-30% balloon payment). By doing this type of structure, you are simply allowing yourself more options when the term is over and giving yourself a lower monthly payment through the term. This will allow the business to have a quicker cash flow helping the monthly budget:

“Jeremy from Alliance Funding, helps my customers to whom I sell trucks by structuring their agreements with a balloon payment which helps them meet their monthly budgets.” Ed Stroth, Sales, Twin City Wreckers

In conclusion, financing equipment and trucks is a requirement for many businesses across this beautiful country. Finding a finance partner you can trust in challenging times or times of boom is crucial to the process. When that time comes, you need a partner who is not just knowledgeable and available, but who is also competitive and can approve the financing with your budget and needs in mind. We don’t just want you to survive during this time, we want you to thrive, so please contact us here at Alliance Financing by calling us at 800-978-8817 or visiting us at our website at https://alliancefunding.com/ Stay safe, and God bless this great country!

The Strength of the Towing Industry is the People

Darian Weaver

Great employees and success - the idea that Great employees helps to achieve success in business, work and life symbolized by English word and a newton cradle, 3d illustration

After twenty-five years in the towing industry, I finally figured out the strength of the industry, it is the people. When I would do seminars at tow shows I would tell the towers, any of you can walk out on the floor and buy any of the following:

1. You can buy a truck

2. You can get it financed

3. You can get it insured

4. You can buy all the equipment for it

5. You can even register with motor clubs to get tows

The only thing that makes you different from the guy sitting next to you is your employees.

I can remember when I started my tow company, I needed to hire dispatchers, drivers, and other employees I did not even know I needed. I was new to the industry and had no idea the type of people I needed. I did know who I was and what I wanted my company to look like. I was a competitor in sports, and I built a lot of successful teams, so I figured building a tow company cannot be any different.

I wanted:

1. People skilled in the positions I needed

2. I wanted all my trucks to be the same

3. I wanted all my employees to look good and wear uniforms

4. I wanted the best accounts that generated tows

5. I wanted lots of bling with everything in my company.

As I started putting it all together there were a lot of people to help me. Even my competition showed me the ropes of the industry. We all worked together and became friends. I remember sending my wife to a tow show in Florida one month after we opened the doors. Everyone was great and extremely helpful. It did not take long for me to be where I wanted to be.

After running my business for a year, the state of Texas was making changes on how they would regulate the towing industry. I decided it was time to start a towing association. My wife and I jumped in the car and drove all over Texas meeting with hundreds of tow companies and letting them know how we would be regulated going forward. I remember being in Houston in front of three hundred tow companies with a state rep trying to explain what was coming. After about 30 minutes of arguing we had to call the police. It was then I knew this industry was for me. I was working with a bunch of people that worked hard and was ready to fight for what they believed in. Our travels paid off as we ended up with over 1100 members in our association. Nine years later we are still going strong.

In 2009 American Towman Magazine put my wife and I on the cover of their magazine as towman and woman of the year. Working with American Towman and Tow Times I met thousands of tow companies. I did seminars and I was able to help a lot of people. I was doing a seminar and after it was over two young brothers approached me and started to give me shit about the class. We became good friends and 15 years later I refer to one of them as my son. Over the years I learned the people in this industry would do anything for me.

Shortly after that I remember walking through a parking lot in Ohio. The show was over for the day and I wanted to look at trucks. When I was not expecting it a huge hand reached out and grabbed me. This person told me he was starting a tow magazine and needed my help. I felt this was an opportunity to give back to the industry, so I started to work with Tow Professional Magazine, and ten years later I am still writing articles for them. Darian and I are best of friends. Again, it is all about the people.

After over 25 years in the business, I was fortunate enough to sell my company and retire. It did not take long for me to realize I was not the retiring type. I decided to start another company that would help the industry and solve some major problems. I developed TowTrax, a logistics software company that would find the closest tow truck to the stranded motorist. I was able to help tow companies get tows they never had before.

We brought on our first customer, and we were helping my customer service the Syracuse, New York area. I found a young tow company that really supported my company, and I was able to help him grow his business at the same time. Needless to say, I now have two adopted sons in the industry.

I remember when I started TowTrax I needed some investors to help me get started. I had a few investors lined up when the virus hit, and they all went and hid under a rock. I decided to go to the industry that has been helping me for years. I put together a stock plan for TowTrax and I presented it to the industry. I have nine tow companies that stepped up and became a part of TowTrax. It amazes me that I have complete strangers investing in my business and will help me become successful. When I am done, I hope to have 25,000 tow companies that I can work with in the coming years.

From Pennsylvania to Oregon to Alabama to Florida, tow companies have taken a chance on me. Again, what an industry! I look back now at my twenty-five years in towing and I have met thousands of great people, successful investors that will help TowTrax be successful, and two adopted sons.

I want to thank all the people that have touched my life and helped me live my dreams. As the owner of the company I want you to walk out on the floor and hug, or thank all your employees because it’s them that separate you from the rest.

XINSURANCE

Darian Weaver

Business trip — Mature tow truck driver making reports on clipboard against sky

There are few things as troubling as hearing that you’re not covered by your insurance policy. By providing you with access to customized liability insurance policies that cover gaps in your traditional insurance coverage, XINSURANCE helps minimize exposures and maximize peace of mind.

The reality is most liability insurance provides adequate protection for homeowners, business owners, and employers. Unfortunately, in today’s litigious society, there are huge areas of exposure in the event of a lawsuit. XINSURANCE fills that liability insurance void for you.

TROUBLE GETTING COVERAGE?

XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.

FOR TOWING AND REPO COMPANIES

When a vehicle has been towed or repossessed, there is no way to know the kinds of damages that could occur during the transportation or holding period. At XINSURANCE, our goal is to provide coverage for those gaps to those who need it most where regular insurance companies do not. Whether you need insurance for wrongful driver repossession, risks in the transportation of goods, liability insurance for risks associated with garage keepers and watchdogs, or something else, XINSURANCE is the insurance partner you want for the coverage you need.

TOWING AND REPO INSURANCE

With XINSURANCE, you can purchase customized liability insurance coverage that will protect you in all the areas that your homeowners, employers, and business insurance policies won’t or can’t. Our underwriting team brings you over 30 years of experience, along with the ability to offer customized limits, coverage, deductibles, and premiums to create the perfect plan for your personal protection.

For more information on XInsurance’s products & services, go to https://www.xinsurance.com/risk-class/towing-operations-repossession-companies/.

Stated Amount vs Cost New

Darian Weaver

Is your Comprehensive and Collision coverage for your power units and/or trailers written on a Stated Amount or Cost New (ACV) basis? Not knowing the difference could cost you thousands at the time of a loss.

Imagine, your prized heavy-duty wrecker was just the subject of an unforeseen accident and your insurance company has deemed it a total loss after identifying the extent of the damages. How and on what basis your full coverage (comprehensive and collision) insurance was written could be the difference between being in an equity or inequity position which could ultimately cost you thousands. According to their contract, the insurance carrier owes the fair market value toward the replacement of the insured power unit regardless of how much is owed to the respective lienholder. If your policy is written on a Stated Amount basis, that amount is the MOST the insurance company will pay, minus your deductible toward the replacement of your power unit regardless of its fair market value. Conversely, if your policy is written on a Cost New basis, the insurance company will pay the fair market value even if it is more than what is listed as the COST NEW amount on the actual policy.

Example:

Your insured power unit is listed on the policy for $100,000. At the time of the loss, the market value for your power unit is $120,000. When written on a Stated Amount basis, the insurance company will pay $100,000 minus your deductible.

Given the same example, if the policy is written on a Cost New basis, the insurance carrier would pay $120,000 minus your respective deductible.

Of note, the insurance policy will not pay for the Federal Excise Tax of 12%.

In conclusion, when your insurance policy is written on a Stated Amount basis, you should review the value listed on the policy with your insurance agent to make sure it corresponds with the fair market value. Since power units depreciate, it is vital to adjust these values downward annually with your representation on an annual basis. If your agent sits down with you at renewal, that is the perfect time to work out these fine details. Also, and of note, when a power unit is added by endorsement during the policy term, be certain to let your agent know the value of the power unit or trailer given the current market value in your respective operating territory.

Premium comparisons between polices written on Stated Amount vs Cost New are roughly the same given the overall underwriting criteria on an account-to-account basis. Meaning some policies written on a Stated Amount are more premium dollars than policies written on a Cost New basis…and vice versa.

For additional information on this or any other insurance topic you are dealing with, please email or give us a call!

For more information, visit www.mkeithins.com.

WEISS INSURANCE

Darian Weaver

Our team, Cindy Horn, Janice LaVitte and Bryan Westfall of Weiss Insurance specialize in various transportation risks. We wear many hats as independent agents. We tailor design your insurance policy to fit your insurance needs. Not all risks are identical. Years in business, your own loss experience, driver experience and type of business will affect your insurance cost.

We understand your business and your business needs. COVID has made 2020 a challenging year, we expect 2021 to be equally challenging. Our insurance markets are A rated, and in most states. Towing, Transportation, Repossession, Cargo, Excess Cargo, Garage and/or Repair Facilities and Auto Sales are some of the types of business that we will write. We have markets for worker’s compensation, group health, property, general liability and personal insurance.

For personalized service, give us a call … Cindy Horn @ 636-534-7226 or cindyhorn@weiss-ins.com

Hal Kresser Agency

Darian Weaver

Big personal insurance companies spend billions each year on TV ads convincing people that price is all that matters when shopping for insurance. In the commercial world, that is horrible advice. Instead of shopping for the cheapest insurance, you should be shopping for the right insurance agent. Just like not all insurance is the same, not all agents are the same. Towing is a niche market for us because Hal Kresser, the agency principal, is very interested in the industry. He worked for a towing service when he was young and even today he is Wreckmaster Level II certified and can operate your equipment. Can your current agent do that? Hal is also involved in the industry. He is an active, participating member of the Towing and Recovery Association of Ohio. In fact, he is so well respected that he was nominated and elected to be president of the local region and is currently serving his fifth term. Before he was an insurance agent he spent 20 years as a cop. He is certified in accident reconstruction and knows the laws and how to deal with police officers. He’s good to have as an advocate in some of the collision claims that happen when there are disputes as to fault and he can help you decide when to fight traffic tickets and violations and when not. For example, we had one two years ago where a person on a bicycle rode into the side of a rollback that was making a right turn. The police officer listed the driver at fault for violating a crosswalk. After talking to the driver, Hal learned that the bike hit the truck by the back axel. That meant the truck was almost fully through the turn before being struck. That makes it the bicyclist’s fault. He contacted the traffic supervisor and discussed how the report was improperly written and explained why it was not the driver’s fault. The supervisor agreed and got the officer to re-write the report correctly. This saved the customer from having a chargeable accident on his record and saved the insurance company from paying a personal injury claim. Claim adjustors are trained to take a police report as gospel. Unfortunately, not all crash reports are written correctly. Hal has the experience to know and can help when it happens to keep our clients from being unjustly charged with accidents.

When you choose the right agent, he will be able to place you with an insurance carrier that best suits your needs. As an independent agent we have the ability to add new companies that enter the market. We have seen companies come into the towing market for a few years and then get back out. When that happens, you can lose your insurance through no fault of your own. A good agent is on top of that and can make transitioning to another carrier seamless. You need to build a relationship with your agent. He can help you decide when to file a claim or when to pay out of pocket. He can advise you on ways to keep your rates down as well as help you implement plans to avoid liability claims. We recommend things like putting cameras in the trucks to document crashes. They can be invaluable in situations where fault is in dispute.

Choose the right agent and build the relationship on trust and integrity. The agent should be viewed as a stakeholder in your business. In a recent Google review of our agency, Tiffany Corey of John Wayne Towing wrote “even when we were told there was no hope by everyone else, they didn’t give up and kept pushing forward. I work for John Wayne Towing and we are a small company so something as major as insurance can really make or break a company. So, if you are needing insurance, I would highly recommend giving them a chance.” You need a good, well managed insurance portfolio to help your business be successful and the agent needs your business to be successful to make his business successful. If you are contemplating any big expansion plans such as adding a new building or moving to a larger facility in another part of town, or adding more trucks you should involve your agent during the planning stage to find out in advance what the impact on the insurance will be. Many times, I get the call to add something like a building, a second location, or a 50 ton rotator to the policy after the fact. Then the insured is upset when he sees how much it costs. Now it’s too late.

To learn more call Hal Kresser today! 877-412-3434 or email him hal@kresseragency.com.

4th ANNUAL ALABAMA “SLOW DOWN, MOVE OVER” RALLY

Darian Weaver

The 4th Annual Alabama “Slow Down, Move Over “Rally was held December 6th, 2020 to raise awareness of the “Slow Down, Move Over” (SDMO) laws and the dangers that towers face daily. This event has grown over the last 4 years and again was a tremendous success! Over 200 + trucks and 500 + attendees were on hand Sunday to stand in Solidarity for protection of their brothers and sisters. Currently, we are losing one tow operator every 6 days which is higher than other first responders who average losing one every 30 days. Our 1st responders’ office space is often mere inches away from the white line of inattentive motorists driving dangerously close in their vehicles at high speeds. These men and women towers are out doing what they love to do, serving others, and too many are not going home to their families afterward.

The 4th Annual “SDMO” Rally was put on by Classic Towing, which is owned by Wes Passmore, and the event was sponsored by Insurance Hub, Austin Hinds Motors, Tow Professional Magazine, Classic Printing, Knox Auto parts, and Passmore Automotive. Four years ago, Wes lost a driver, John Hubbard, to a motorist who did not move over one lane when approaching a first responder giving aid on the side of the road. Since then, Wes has worked tirelessly and persistently to spread the word to all to move over one and protect fellow towers so that no more are lost to inattentive drivers. Consequently, over 500 participants came from as far as Louisiana and Mississippi to help support the rally and then drove from Hueytown, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL with other first responders to raise awareness across the state.

Tow Professional Magazine and Alabama Towing & Recovery Association presented a proclamation to the Governor of Alabama. Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed December as the month to honor and raise awareness for “Slow Down, Move Over Law.” We will continue to strive for the education of our public so we may protect our men and women of towing!

Urgently-Affiliated Tow Professionals Help Drive Smarter, Safer Roadside Assistance

Darian Weaver

Roadside safety is top of mind as more Americans choose road-tripping as an alternative to other forms of travel in 2020. A recent survey by global mobility and roadside assistance platform Urgently reveals 84.5% of consumers consider safety “very” to “extremely” important related to roadside assistance.

This is why Urgently is committed to powering proactive mobility and roadside assistance for a smarter, safer roadside experience. The Urgently platform intelligently connects motorists in need with the nearest available and qualified service providers.

Urgently demonstrates its commitment to safety in a number of ways – from donations to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivors Fund, to sending out local weather alerts, to delivering greater transparency throughout the roadside experience. The use of mobile technologies, innovative processes, and business standards are important aspects of Urgently’s commitment to safety and transparency.

In addition, Urgently requires service providers to maintain standards that set them apart: things like a minimum level of insurance, experience, customer ratings, branded uniforms and vehicles, background checks, service technician photos and information shared with motorists in advance. These standards have resulted in a highly qualified service provider network. And it’s because of this network that Urgently has been able to partner with premium global automotive, insurance, telematics and transportation technology brands.

From the beginning, the Service Providers in Urgently’s network – some 80,000 digitally connected and accountable service providers nationwide – have been vital to Urgently’s success. Urgently has built this network by treating service providers as partners, driving network loyalty and superior service quality to help grow their business and increase efficiency. By treating service providers as true partners, Urgently has created a high-performing, technology-savvy and responsive network for servicing today’s needs, while ensuring service capability for the future.

Service providers also benefit from being part of the Urgently network. Urgently supports the network with tools and training to help service providers adapt to changes in the mobility market and take advantage of opportunities to grow their business. In a recent survey of service providers, Service partners that are embracing new technology like Urgently are experiencing above average growth. Urgently also ranked at the top for providing the best overall experience for service providers, for proximity to jobs, dispatch portal, payment process, technology and support. Urgently was also identified as the roadside assistance brand service providers would most likely recommend to a friend or colleague.

Global automotive and new mobility companies are increasingly designing and marketing more transportation options with varying tasks, sizes and complexity – from electric and autonomous vehicles, to micro-mobility options, drones, robotic delivery and more. For this reason, Urgently has built its service provider network with the future in mind. Its network consists of roadside assistance and towing professionals whose business goals and practices align with the expanding future of the mobility ecosystem.

Urgently will continue to build its service provider network to support the expanding mobility assistance market, and welcomes towing professionals that share the company’s commitment to ensuring a smarter, safer roadside experience.

Towing professionals can learn more about Urgently and how to join its service provider network by visiting the company’s website or by emailing towsupport@urgent.ly.

THE APP THAT WORKS FOR YOU!

Darian Weaver

Mach1 is not a motorclub, at least not in the traditional sense of bidding wars and ETA’s. Mach1 is different because it puts the power in your hands. Mach1 customers order service direct, not from insurance companies or other motorclubs. This means, you actually determine the final price to the customer. There is a price window estimate that the customer sees, and our software lets you adjust the price within that window and even add additional fees if needed.

There is no bidding wars or ETA competition, the Mach1 dispatching system finds the closest provider to the customer and sends that provider the request first. It is all done automatically through the system, and there is no call center deciding who the call will go to. The first provider can either accept or decline the call, and if they decline it will go to the next closest provider, and so on, until the call is accepted.

There is no need to provide your business hours. Providers simply mark themselves available or unavailable if they are done for the day.

Once the provider has accepted the call, turn-by-turn navigation begins, taking the provider directly to the customer, without having to run multiple apps. While enroute to the customer, the provider (and customer) can call or text each other using burner numbers, so no one gives out their personal information.

When on-scene the provider marks themself as arrived and takes care of the customer. Next, the provider checks out and adjusts the price within the window and adds any pre-negotiated fees with the customer.

The customer signs the providers device and then the money is transferred automatically from the customer to the providers payment account every 24 hours (48 rolling). An invoice is created automatically as well so there is zero paperwork.

Then providers can leave service call notes that get stored in Mach1’s system, and the customer rates the provider. After the call is complete, the provider becomes available to our dispatching system for future calls.

Providers are loving the way we give them the flexibility to make more money. It’s the streamlined and automated processes that have really helped to make them be more efficient and give them more time as well. We’ve literally had providers tell us they will gladly get out of bed to help Mach1 customers because they can make twice as much money.

“As a small business owner having a user friendly program for bringing in customers is extremely important. After trying multiple platforms I came across Mach 1. It was extremely helpful with everything from bringing in customers, billing and even dispatching. With other platforms when I have a question customer service may take days to reply. Not Mach 1, A customers service rep was on the line with an answer within minutes. Overall an amazing experience!” –Jordan

We’re a hard working, veteran owned company, trying to change the industry for your good. If all this sounds good to you, don’t wait to get started! We are onboarding providers across the U.S. and are opening new cities quickly.

As you can see in this county map, we currently cover certain markets from Texas over to Florida, up to Maine, and over to Minnesota. Even if you don’t see your area highlighted, there has never been a better time to begin your application. Now is the time to get started with Mach1!

To create your account, please visit https://provider.mach1services.com/. Mach1 providers have the flexibility to sign up for the services they wish to offer. Currently there are eight different services available to Mach1 customers. Providers will complete their signup with a background check, insurance COI and payment method. Once they become active they’ll be able to sign into the app and mark themselves available.

Our motto is “People Helping People,” and we’re here to support you, just as you support our customers. If you need to reach out to us for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact us. Toll Free (844) 511-0002 or provider@mach1services.com . We look forward to working with you and safe travels!

BigEasy Lock Out Kit for Professionals

Darian Weaver

Tow Drivers unlock cars in seconds without damaging car doors by using Steck Manufacturing’s BigEasy Lockout Tool. Over the last 15 years this one tool has become the tool of choice for tow truck drivers. It is simple to use by first inserting the Easy Wedge into the top of the door to allow enough room to then insert the BigEasy tool to press or hook the door lock from inside the window rather than using the door panel. The ease of the BigEasy to open doors from inside the window reduces liability issues with traditional lockout tools which have the potential to disable wiring systems inside the door panel.

Also available is our optional BigEasy Night Light (P/N 32933) which is flexible PVC suction cup illuminates the inside of a vehicle at night to allow the tow drivers to locate the vehicle interior door lock or keys while using the BigEasy Lock Out tool or other similar devices to unlock the vehicle. Also available is our BigEasy Carrying Case (32935) which stores the BigEasy and all of the components.

We also have many accessories to assist the Tower and shops like our new 4th Wheel Loader (71480) to assist moving vehicles with damaged wheels, Tie Rod Pliers (71465) and Tie Rod Coupler (71470) for temporary steering assistance.

Kits and products are available at most truck and parts supply dealers as well as from local tool supply jobbers.

Check it out with smart phones and computers on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SteckMfg#p/u. Further information check our website for a complete listing of all our products www.steckmfg.com and videos or by contacting Steck Manufacturing at Sales@steckmfg.com or calling 1-800-227-8325.

What is the Access Tools Difference?

Darian Weaver

Since 1986, Access Tools has traveled the road to becoming the leading manufacturer of automotive lock out equipment for the Towing Industry. Our products have achieved the respect of car opening professionals worldwide due to the highest quality control, consistent innovation, and superb customer service, year after year.

Access Tools products make your job easier and more professional when working as a Tow Truck Operator or Repossession Agent. The process of Car Opening can either be easy and profitable, or difficult and costly. Access Tools products are designed to make every lockout efficient and professional whether the technician is a seasoned pro or novice.

The One Hand Jack and Super One Hand Jack are unique wedges that function as pry-bars grabbing just the lip of the door frame avoiding any contact with the weather stripping or other delicate parts of the door typically damaged by traditional wedges.

Access Tools takes a simple item like a Long Reach Tool and turns it into a high-end professional tool by adding some unique features. Access Tools makes a wide variety of Long Reach Tools in all different lengths and for a variety of vehicles. The popular Quick Max Long Reach Tool shares many of the same features as the other Long Reach Tools, such as:

a protective vinyl coating that prevents damage to a vehicles delicate painted surface;
a special EPDM rubber tip that provides excellent grip for manipulating buttons and switches;
a Store-N-Go Handle that holds extra tips for the long reach tool as well as a place to clip the accessory bag;
precise bends that put the tool in the right position for any job.

Other tools in the industry are painted or powder-coated which easily scratches a vehicles delicate painted surface. A long reach tool can be used to pull a door handle, push an unlock button, pull a trunk or hood release lever, push a key fobs buttons, or grab a keyring.

Access Tools also makes a variety of Air Jack air wedges designed to help spread the door away from the vehicle, giving the user enough space to insert a Long Reach Tool. These include the:

Mini Starter Air Jack for soft metal / painted b-pillars
Standard Air Jack that is functional on virtually every vehicle
Super Air Jack that tackles heavy duty door frames
Twin Air Jack that works well on stiff door frames.

Each of the four sizes of the Air Jack air wedges from Access Tools are manufactured of ballistic nylon, which makes them extremely durable. They feature unique rounded edges, which in combination with the internal stiffener, make any Access Tools air wedge easy to insert into a vehicle without risk of damage to the delicate weather stripping. The extremely durable ballistic nylon is double sealed at all seams, making them leak proof and strong enough to last for many years without failure.

Access Tools also manufactures a line of Button Master tools that is second-to-none in construction and quality. The difficult job of handling a vehicle with a vertical lock button is turned into a beautiful ballet of car opening procedures when using the right tools.

The standard Button Master, Stainless Steel Button Master, Heavy Duty Button Master, and extra-long Mega Master all feature the same protective coating as the other Access Tools Long Reach Tools. These tools are extremely flexible and allow the user to bend the tool into any desired position for any vehicle application. They all feature improved internal no-curl wire technology that enables these tools to open thousands of vehicles during their lifetime.

The Glassman Wedge is designed specifically for frameless window vehicles such as high-end BMWs, Mercedes, and other convertible vehicles. These vehicles are susceptible to easily broken windows when using traditional wedge methods, and so the Glassman Wedge functions as a protective double-sided wedge that distributes the force of your long reach tool over a wide surface of the glass, reducing the chances of shattering an expensive window.

Access Tools has compiled its tools into various sets or kits of tools. Access Tools makes a set of tools for every budget and level of expertise making unlocking any vehicle from a Toyota to a Jaguar a cinch. The addition of specialty accessories and tools is another thing that makes Access Tools unique.

The popular One Hand Jack Set is the most widely used car opening tool set in the industry, consisting of the basic components like the Quick Max Long Reach, One Hand Jack Tool, Air Jack Air Wedge, and Button Strip Tool. The Ultimate Long Reach Kit shown here is the most complete Long Reach Tool set available from Access Tools and contains many of the tools manufactured by the company. With the right tools on hand, any job can be done quickly, efficiently, and safely. This is the Access Tools difference.

For more information, visit www.accesstoolsusa.com

4th Wheel Loader

Darian Weaver

The 4th Wheel Loader gives tow professionals the ability to safely load and secure a vehicle with broken ball joints, lost wheels, locked wheels or brakes, collision damage, and control arm failures onto their roll back wreckers. It also allows mechanics and body technicians to steer the vehicle over unlevel surfaces as well as gravel and dirt into the shop and guide it to lifts or frame racks for repair.

The 4th Wheel Loader is a tough 24” x 14” hardened aluminum fabricated platform with two 4” x 10” Polypropylene roller wheels, six 5/8” holes for mini-J hooks for loading assistance, and 1” axles which provide a safe platform to easily hold and secure up to 5 tons while loading a vehicle with broken ball joints and/or a damaged wheel/tire on a roll back. The Loader is 4” high (without shim blocks) with a built in 6” X 1 ¼” handle which will allow you to store the 25 lb. Loader behind your seat or tool box.

Furthermore, our 4th Wheel Loader comes with one 10” x 10” x 3” and one 10” x 10” x 1 1/2” Polypropylene interlocking shim blocks which fit into the recessed Loader pocket. The shims allow the driver to raise the vehicle with busted ball joints, lost wheels, and severely bent axles and place it at a desired height for secure loading on the roll back.

Labor/Material Savings: The 4th Wheel Loader offers quicker loading and unloading while preventing further damage to vehicles with broken ball joints and other wheel problems by allowing the driver to center, pull, and properly secure the vehicle on the roll back bed as well as preventing bed damage to the roll back.

This timesaver sells for a mere $395.00. Check out the “4th Wheel Loader” on Steck’s web page at www.steckmfg.com Check it out with smartphones and computers on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SteckMfg#p/u. See your Steck dealer and pickup your 4th Wheel Loader today!.

Choosing the Best Type of Jump Starter for Your Business

Darian Weaver

Ten years ago, almost all handheld jump starters were powered by lead acid batteries. Since then, the number of options when it comes to jump starters has ballooned. Beyond lead acid batteries, there are now many jump starters powered by lithium batteries and ultracapacitors as well as other power supplies… the number of options has never been so numerous. As a buyer, more choice is great, but it also means there is a lot more to sort out to make sure that you find the right solution for your needs. We believe that the best approach for operators is to work backward from your specific needs identifying the solution that best meets them. Here is where we will address the pros and cons of different approaches to help you sort out the options.

Lead Acid

We’ll start with the granddaddy of jump starter power supplies. The key benefits of lead acid when it comes to jump starting are its ability to deliver high power, ability to deliver extended cranking durations, ability to perform in cold temperatures, ability to withstand abuse and ability to hold its charge for extended periods and still be useful for jump starting. The biggest drawbacks of the lead acid option are weight and size. It is definitely the heaviest of the jump starting options and typically the bulkiest.

When it comes to high demand jump starting, both in terms of frequency and in terms of power requirement, lead acid is a great option. Hard to start vehicles often require multiple starting attempts and extended cranking times. The deep reserve capacity of most lead acid solutions is particularly well suited to such circumstances. In addition, if you find yourself jump starting multiple vehicles per day, lead acid is a desirable choice.

Lithium

Lithium jump starters have been around in commercial settings for about seven years and have evolved significantly in that time. The key benefits of lithium when it comes to jump starting are its ability to hold a charge for extended periods and its ability to deliver other functions such as charging of small electronics and its light weight and compact size. The biggest drawbacks are its lack of abuse tolerance, its reduced performance when temperatures drop and its difficultly with extended cranking (most units incorporate safety features which limit cranking duration and depth of discharge).

When it comes to convenience, it is hard to beat lithium. Its light weight and compact size mean that you can have a relatively powerful jump starter in a small package. Lithium’s ability to deliver great, more reliable power has increased in recent years as new battery constructions have been introduced. Also, the safety packages typically found on lithium units reduce the likelihood of operator error with features such as reverse polarity protection and over voltage shut down. If you value convenience with additional features, and aren’t starting overly demanding vehicles, working in extremely cold temperatures or jump starting dozens of vehicles per day, lithium might be a great answer for you.

Ultracapacitor

Ultracapacitor jump starters provide a totally different power profile than lead acid or lithium jump starters making them great for some operations but likely less desirable for others. The key benefits of ultracapacitor jump starters are their massive power to weight ratio, their exceptional cold temperature performance, the speed with which they give their power to the jump starting application (more power faster is always better) and their exceptional longevity. The biggest drawbacks of the ultracapacitor option are their lack of reserve capacity and the speed with which they discharge (don’t hold a charge for long).

When it comes to high frequency starting and high power starting, ultracapacitor units are a great option. Plus, they typically weigh just a third of an equivalently powerful lead acid unit. That said, keeping them charged can be a challenge. That’s why you’ll often find them mated to a battery of some sort to allow them to be charged even when an external source of power is unavailable. For instance, our Jump-N-Carry units contain a small lithium battery to charge the ultracapacitor when other options are not available. This is something that should be kept in mind in relation to ultracap units.

Finding the Option That’s Best for You

Every operation is different. What works for one company/operator won’t necessarily work for another. Cost sensitivity can vary from operation to operation. When choosing a jump starter, start with your specific requirements. Are your starting 1-5 vehicles per day or 10-20 vehicles? What are the sizes of the typical engines you are starting? What weather conditions do you encounter? (I spoke to an operator in Northern Alberta, Canada this morning. His concern for -50˚F temperatures is not relevant for an operator in Tampa, Florida.) What is your recharging situation – will you go long periods of use between charging opportunities? How experienced is your team? Do you need other functions or are you looking for a tool specifically for jump starting? Determining the answers to these questions will help identify the option that best addresses your specific jump starting needs.

For more information, visit cloreautomotive.com

Custer Products “When it comes to Service Trucks, We’re at your Service”!

Darian Weaver

Custer Products offers a wide variety of different products for your service trucks. From wireless light bars to replacement marker lights, Custer has all of your lighting needs. One of Custer’s newest products is the 54-Watt work light/amber strobe combo light (WL54AW). Similar to Custer’s WL19F in size and shape, the WL54AW includes a 27-watt white work light in the bottom row of diodes and a 27-watt amber strobe light on the top. This light includes a 3-wire hook-up which allows the driver to operate the strobe and work light features independently.

Custer Products carries an entire line of wireless tow lights to help keep our tow truck drivers safe. The newest addition to Custer’s wireless line is the 23” wireless light-duty tow light (LIW-LDTL). This bar was designed with tow truck drivers in mind. Designed to withstand even the most inclement weather conditions, the polyethylene case is nearly indestructible and won’t warp or crack. The steel handle on top and the 105 lb. pull rubber-coated magnets on the bottom make for easy on-and-off installation while its low-profile design saves room in storage. Just like all of Custer’s wireless light bars, this bar is individually serialized which eliminates cross-talk between units and protects the owner against theft. This bar meets all DOT requirements, comes with a 3-year warranty and is proudly manufactured at Custer Products’ facility in Massillon OH.

One of Custer’s highest selling product lines is their LED rooftop light bars. Custer offers everything from 11’’ miniature rooftop light bars to 72” full size light bars. One of the newest additions to the rooftop light bar line is the LED Amber/White rooftop light bar which is available in 29”, 56”, and 72” lengths to fit several different sizes of service trucks. This strobe light bar comes with thirty flash patterns all controlled from a multi-function control box that sits in the cab of the truck. This bar comes with arrow stick/traffic control built in with seven different flash patterns for each function. This bar comes with LED side marker lights, red LED stop/tail/turn rear facing lights, LED alley lights which can be steady on or strobe, and LED take down lights which can also be steady on or strobe. This amber/white rooftop light bar is the perfect addition to any service truck that wants to stay safe while working on the side of the road.

Along with rooftop strobe light bars, Custer Products also sells a wide variety of surface mount strobes. One of the newest additions to Custer’s line is the LED Class I Surface mount strobe (STR-XL1) which is available in Amber (not pictured) and Amber/White. With very low-profile dimensions of 4.85” L x 1” W x 0.3” D, the STR-XL1 series is small in size but powerful in its brightness. This strobe light comes with 24 different flash patterns and can be synchronized with up to twelve other modules of its kind. The STR-XL1 series is also able to do an alternating pattern or a “wig-wag” function with another light. This reverse polarity protected strobe light comes with a Class I SAE certification and has a waterproof rating
of IP67.

To see Custer’s full line of products or to learn more about the products mentioned above, please visit Custer’s website at: www.custerproducts.com

Collins Dollies

Darian Weaver

135 miles – 35 of those through rough dirt roads, 100 highway miles. That’s 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. It’s why 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.

As an operator driving a service truck, what does this mean for you? Why add dollies to your service tool kit? Satisfaction and appreciation from customers, time and money for you. In roadside assistance scenarios where a customer needs more than a battery swap or fuel, a service truck equipped with a wheel lift and set of dollies could now also tow the vehicle to its destination, without requiring another truck for the tow or transport. This would save time, cost and allow more customers to be served.

When looking at what tools to add to your service truck, the right equipment makes the job easier and safer. Collins Hi-Speed 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’ve encountered is 60 seconds, from off the truck to vehicle lifted! With a little training, an operator can recover AWD, electric/hybrid, vehicles that are disabled or stuck in park using dollies and a wheel lift to get the job done.

Safety is a top priority in the industry and shouldn’t 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’s 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 don’t 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 service truck with a wheel lift and Collins Dollies can do the work of multiple trucks, increasing profitability.

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. It’s why when safety, durability, longevity, better performance, lighter weight and profitability all matter, he chooses Collins. Safe and happy towing!

For more information, visit www.collinsmfgcorp.com

Getting your Service Truck “Work-Ready,” with Towmate

Darian Weaver

Whether it be a light duty tow truck, heavy duty rotator, fire, police, or service vehicle, there is a lot of gear that it must be equipped with after it is purchased and before it can be considered ‘work-ready.’ It can be a tedious task to track down vendors for each and every item, especially so when it comes to upfitting a service truck. Similarly, it can be a headache sorting through the various brands for everything from vehicle safety lighting and work lights to traffic control and roadside safety, to compressors and jump start solutions. Add the need for wireless controls for winches, lifts, and cranes and it is enough for one’s head to spin. Sound familiar? Fortunately there is a well known manufacturer who has continued to thrive within, and outside of, the towing industry and offers a wealth of solutions for all of the above and beyond the wireless tow lights the company is most known for. Enter TowMate.

TowMate started from very humble beginnings with the owner flagging down tow operators to show them his new invention, wireless tow lights. As far back as 1985, he made his way around the country doing this often stopping to sleep in his vehicle when he could afford no other option. Fast forward to today and nearly every tow parts supplier in North America, and many overseas, carry the TowMate line. Most readers of this magazine are probably familiar with that story and with the strides in innovation TowMate continues to make in terms of wireless tow lights. However, fewer are likely to be aware of just all TowMate offers today for each of the needs mentioned in the above paragraph. Every TowMate dealer has access to their full product offering too so take note on what you would like more information on after reading the rest of this and be sure to ask your local supplier.

When it comes to lights on a service truck, the setup can range from ‘four-corner strobes’ to adding an overhead light bar or even a traffic arrow at the rear. There are no lights in the world that are as rich in functionality and simple to install than the Power-Link series made by TowMate. These lights can operate off of factory wiring (think, no more running wires from the front of the truck to the rear), and are completely programmable to operate as STT/markers/strobes/work lights/all of the above in some cases. Not to mention the fact that the Power-Link overhead light bars simply require power/ground to the bar and power/ground to the controller to operate. The same is true for the traffic control arrows in this series, which come in varying lengths and with a ‘split option’ as well. And, for the win, the best part is they are made in the USA and carry a lifetime warranty on electronics and LED’s.

“Okay, I’ve lit up my truck, but I need a way to begin warning motorists of my presence in advance of the truck, what have you got for that,” you ask? While there are many options for portable lighting systems and LED flares in the market, none exceed the brightness of the MO-PRO “move over LED flare.” With its 105LB pull magnetic base, four light patterns (red flare / red-blue strobe / amber-white strobe / solid white area light), along with a 16 hour run time on a single charge, the MO-PRO is the most versatile portable light we have ever seen. Built to a higher standard and including a hard-shell carrying case, you will not regret adding one to your service trucks repertoire. Want to add one more layer of safety for the roadside jobs? TowMate has developed a perimeter warning system, the ‘Safety Alert System,’ that alerts roadside workers when a vehicle has potentially crossed into their work area.

Aside from lighting and roadside safety, TowMate has also evolved to address other areas of service truck needs. Namely, the VoltMate line of toolboxes with built in jump start, power, and air, comes to mind. Turn an ordinary pickup truck into a service truck by adding 115V AC power, 2100 cranking amps of jump start, and 125psi of air @4cfm all in one convenient and easy to install box. Available in 12V or 12V/24V DC power, chest or crossover style boxes, and installing with a chassis ground and a power lead to the positive terminal of the truck battery… the VoltMate series is a force to be reckoned with.

Finally, with the acquisition of Mobile Control Systems, TowMate now offers and manufactures a full range of radio remote solutions for winches, lifts, cranes, and more. The Valve-Mate series is, once again, one of the most simple-to-install remote valve operating systems in the world and comes at a highly competitive price. Manufactured right next door to TowMate’s main operations, held to the same quality standards, and carrying a lifetime warranty on electronic components, the Mobile Control Systems remote solutions should definitely be considered when making your next purchase.

All of that said, you can rest easy knowing that you do not have to look far and wide to find what you are needing to set up your next service truck. TowMate and their vast product offerings have you covered. Talk to your local TowMate dealer today!

For more information, visit www.towmate.com