Austin Insurance

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Austin Insurance has specialized in Towing & Recovery insurance since 1991, and they are dedicated to quality service. By working with many different companies, they can offer a competitive insurance package. No matter if you own one truck or 30, are located on the East coast or the West, they are willing to fulfill your insurance needs.

Austin Insurance, Inc. has specialized in providing coverage for towing opera-tions for many years. They have many companies to offer comprehensive pack-ages to provide protection for all aspects of your business.

Austin Insurance, Inc. provides REPOSSESSION INSURANCE, including “wrongful repossession,” hold harmless, and employee bonds. Also as a service our agency will offer Help in complying with D.O.T. & OSHA regulations and guidelines…While we are agents for sev-eral Towing Programs, We are also an Agent for the TOWER…

They also offer the following other coverage’s. Please contact them for fur-ther information or with any questions you may have.

• Auto Transporters

• Trucking Insurance

• Motor Truck Cargo

• Salvage/Recyclers

• Pollution Coverage

• Umbrella

• Workers Compensation

• Bonds

At Austin Insurance, Inc., “We’ll come see you” isn’t just a catchphrase. They want to provide you with not only insur-ance, but a full understanding of your coverage’s, and they will do all that they can to make that happen, including com-ing to see you!

For more information, visit www.wreckerins.com.

The Right Insurance Agent

By

Darian Weaver

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Instead of shopping for the right 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 as 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 fourth 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 last year 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, he 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. Claims 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. We provide our partnered tow companies and service providers with a network that allows them to manage requests, track their truck locations in real-time, and more. The best part: it costs nothing for a tow company or a service provider to register with TowTrax. Our approach was to identify industry problems between service providers and tow trucks and fix them.

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 can 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, Tiffany Corey 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 J&F 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, 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 or a second location 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 at 877-412-3434 or email him hal@kresseragency.com.

Top Products 2019 – Custom Built Manufacturing

By

Darian Weaver

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Custom Built Mfg. LLC came to be after 30 years in the Towing industry and 35 in the Auto Body Industry as Dangelo’s Auto Body and Repairs.

At Custom Built Mfg. LLC., it has always been about three things:

1)The Customer, 2) The Customer, 3) The Customer

That has carried over into the heavy-duty towing vehicles manufactured in Kane, Pennsylvania with the care and pride that only the small town attitude brings to the table. That being true, team work and the very BEST our trucks can be all of the time. Quality is number One at Custom Built Mfg. LLC. using quality American made; steel, aluminum, fasteners, hydraulics, cables, winches, lights, rings and pinions for our rotators, and as many accessories whenever possible. Custom Built means just that, hand-crafted and hand-fit for precise long life operation. From metal forming, welding to assembly our technicians have eyes on every step of the maufacturing process as well as Derek Dangelo’s (Owner) personal supervision occurs at every step of the manufacturing processes. You will even see Derek involved in hands-on when issues arise.

For more information, visit www.custombuiltmfg.com.

Top Products 2019 – Mobile Create USA

By

Darian Weaver

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The Professional IP Radio Platform in Mobile Create USA will provide you an excellent experience of using efficient 2-way radio communication with the crystal-clear voice quality and the coast-to-coast connection. Our platform also is integrating the precise GPS tracking.

Reducing Your Operation Cost and Boost Your Business by Quick Starting Our Platform

Our platform BUNDLES the 2-Way communication, the GPS tacking, and the device rental fee which will reduce your communication cost or GPS system cost. For easy and quick start for using our platform, we also offer the month-to-month device rental plan in the AFFORDABLE PRICE to avoid spending the huge capital expenditure upfront for our customers. Our platform is using the cellular network which is NOT REQUIRED to take the FCC LICENSE.

For more information, visit www.mcusainc.com

Top Products 2019 – Winches Inc.

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Darian Weaver

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Winches Inc. with their three brick and mortar locations, is committed to providing your company application solutions for equipment like a new winch, control, PTO, hydraulic or pneumatic product or even an entire system.

Winches Inc.’s pricing on services saves time, money, and resources. They sell, service, and design nearly every product you would need for hydraulic or pneumatic lifting, while standing behind every piece of equipment that leaves their stores. They also have experienced and professional support staff that are dedicated to bringing value to and continuously improving the products and services they supply.

Winches Inc. in the market of winches, has one goal: to thoroughly know winches and winch applications. In Tulsa, their staff has extensive product knowledge in many other brands such as DP, BRADEN, Ramsey, Warn, and more and a highly trained customer service department to take care of any winch or hoist-related situation.

For more information, call us at (877) 495-9721 or visit us online at www.WinchesInc.com.

Top Products 2019 – Best Tools

By

Darian Weaver

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Best Tools is a family-owned and operated business which started over 35 years ago handcrafting lockout tools in the USA striving to have the best quality lockout gear in the industry. From day one, all Best Tools lockout-tool equipment was, and still is, 100% made in the USA along with using raw materials right here in America. Every lockout tool we make is produced from scratch right here in Northwest Arkansas. Because quality means durability, “our lockout tools take a lickin’ and keep on pickin’.” In addition to support businesses here, we are committed to learning from and growing with the ever-changing needs of all the industries we serve.

In the last 5 years, Best Tools decided to make a jump to carefully rebrand and re-market the image and expand the product line outside of what we manufacture. We started hitting the streets getting the name out there and by request from a variety of customers, Best Tools grew. After diligently picking only the elite manufactures out in the market, we wanted to grow with only the best from wireless tow lights, emergency lighting, rigging and recovery equipment, tie-down straps, skates, transport and trucking products, wire rope, winches, and industrial radio wireless remote controls, suspension enhancement products to much, much more. The list will always be evolving to serve the customer in the best way. Best Tools offers a full domestic line with an imported option to satisfy every customer throughout all the different industries we serve. To this day, some of the dealers and relationships we have made with customers throughout the variety of industries we serve are still with us growing together.

Also, in the last five years, we invested in a van that would hit the ground fully stocked with all kinds of products calling on industries from towing companies, mechanic shops, dealerships, body shops, construction companies, trucking companies, police and fire stations to municipalities. If we feel you could use Best Tools products, we will stop and see you, now that we have two vans hitting the streets. Talking to customers face-to-face and establishing a relationship, we have modified and improved our lockout tools and have designed new products to help the towing industry. Just to name a few items, our Silver Snatcher lockout tool (our version of the Axle chain and Steering Wheel strap) has been a huge hit in the market.

Now for us, it’s not just about success in the past making tools that match the variety of needs, it’s also about being relevant to today’s challenges, so there is always something new we try to bring to the industry every year. In the last year, so far, we have developed a hand full of newer products by high demand requests from our customers: One is the “Mega Bag,” a bigger air wedge with a strong insert to get through the toughest doors in the market. Another is the “ Average Joe” which is a smaller version of the very popular standard magic wand for those who have a shorter reach and need something more versatile. The “Extra Long Magic Wand” is great for big trucks with a 70” reach. Also new is the “Slim-Picker” which is great for mustangs and convertibles with a slightly smaller diameter than the magic wands.

So, you can not only get dependable, quality lockout gear from Best Tools, but now you can also get top notch rigging and recovery equipment, transport and trucking straps and restraints, emergency lighting and strobe light heads, truck accessories and work lighting, safety gear, wireless tow lights and wireless control systems, skates, winches, wire-rope and synthetic slings to much more. All of this is from a company committed to providing cutting-edge technologies inspired by direct customer feedback. Best Tools has always been a “grass root” business focusing on reaching out to the customer in a personal way. Remember, “When People Rely on You – You Can Depend on Us!”

You can check out our products through your local dealer, check us out online www.besttoolsusa.com or give us a call 800-541-8568. Maybe we will even see you a trade show!

Top Products 2019 – Holly’s Towing Dispatch

By

Darian Weaver

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Holly’s Towing Dispatch answers and dispatches solely for the towing and recovery industry, and is available to you 24/7, 365 days a year. Your company chooses when Holly’s Towing Dispatch works best for your company. Do you need help on nights and weekends? 24/7? We accommodate your needs no matter what time of day. With 20 plus years’ experience, Holly’s Towing Dispatch takes and dispatches all calls directly to drivers, an on-call manager, or in-house dispatcher. Whatever works best for you, we can accommodate. Our goal and purpose are to get your drivers on-scene quickly by providing fast and accurate service. Give us a call today at 800-730-3909 to find out how Holly’s Towing Dispatch can help YOU.

For more information, visit us at www.hollystowingdispatch.com.

Top Products 2019 – Wrecker Rentals Inc.

By

Darian Weaver

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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.

Top Products 2019 – Recovery Billing

By

Darian Weaver

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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.

Top Products 2019 – ECM Performance

By

Darian Weaver

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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

Viper and Cobra Wheel Lifts from Hide-A-Lift

By

Darian Weaver

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Viper Wheel Lift

Need a quick and easy unit to tow most consumer vehicles? Viper costs less, is quicker than most competitive self-loaders, is easy to mount, and can be working for you in no time.

• Fully hydraulic underlift (in/out and up/down)

• Twin 3-½” lift cylinders

• 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity

• Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis

• Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage)

• Self-centering head

• Brass bushings on king pin

• In-cab 6-function control

• Double pump for speed and power

• Extra frame stiffening recommended

• Unique under-body construction

Cobra Wheel Lift

Looking for a tow unit with a little more power?

• Heavy-duty lifting 6”x 6” main beam

• 4,000-lb.+ lift capacity

• Suggested minimum 10,000 GVW chassis

• 72” reach

• Full 90-degree loading (great for parallel parked cars)

• In-cab 8-function control

• Quick connect for easy removal

• Double pump for speed and power

• Twin 3-½” lift cylinders for more speed and power

• Hydraulic claws (no springs to malfunction causing damage)

• Self-centering head

• Brass bushings on king pin

• 12,000-lb. winch available

• Built-in frame stiffener

• Extra frame stiffening recommended

More info: https://hidealift.com/cobra/.

Double Drop Series 35 to 55-Ton Models from Talbert Manufacturing Inc.

By

Darian Weaver

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Ultra-low deck height for unmatched clearance and simplified route logistics.
Sliding pin or swinging teardrop connections available for enhanced tractor compatibility.
Multiple gooseneck options – mechanical, hydraulic or fixed – customized to your hauling need
Deck Height: 18 in. Loaded
1-1/2 in. Apitong Flooring Outside Mainbeams
Tapered Bridge Ramp With Traction Bars (HRG/SRG)
Full Width Rear Bridge Platform With 1-1/8 in. Shiplap
Air Suspension With Manual Raising and Lowering
Axles: 25,000 lb. Capacity
Full Capacity Evenly Distributed Brakes: 16-1/2 in. x 7 in. with Automatic Slack Adjusters
Full Capacity Evenly Distributed Estimated Empty Weight: Starting At 14,920 lbs.

For more information, visit www.talbertmfg.com

WEBFLEET Integration with Preferred Dispatching Software for Towers

By

Darian Weaver

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Dispatching is essential to your business. It is also frequently quoted as one of the biggest headaches in towing. But today, WEBFLEET can help streamline the repetitive business process and reduce the potential for mistakes that can plague even the most organized tow managers.

Webfleet Solutions, formerly known as TomTom Telematics, is one of the world’s leading telematics solution providers dedicated to fleet management, vehicle telematics, and connected car services. Its main fleet management software, WEBFLEET, offers towers a complete GPS vehicle tracking solution providing PTO status with a connection to a whole ecosystem of 3rd party solutions.

WEBFLEET gives you everything you need to deliver a dynamic order dispatch and handling service – from start to finish. Dynamic dispatching with status, location, and ETA information, WEBFLEET enables you to identify the next job’s most suitable driver. You can send instructions to their PRO Driver Terminal and remotely receive job status updates.

Don’t let traffic ruin your plan – equip your drivers with Webfleet Solutions and minimize delays and always take the fastest route and dynamically reschedule around the traffic jams.

For more information, visit www.webfleet.com

Top Products 2019 – Marking Pen Depot

By

Darian Weaver

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Marking Pen Depot offers the industry’s largest selection of markers from the biggest names in the industry: Markal, Dykem, Sakura, Artline, Sanford, and Arro. We offer paint pens that leave permanent, removable, weather resistant, high temperature, low chloride and semi permanent marks. Bulk priced markers are available for large users at less than $1.00 each. Replaceable nibs are available for most markers.

For more information, visit www.markingpendepot.com.

CW Mill Hydraulic Mounting Kits

By

Darian Weaver

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CW Mill Hydraulic Mounting Kits equip a vehicle with live hydraulics, which means they can have hydraulic pressure anytime the engine is running, regardless of engine RPM’s or gear selection. They can be used for a wide array of applications such as TOW TRUCKS & WRECKERS, salt spreaders, snow plows, dump bodies, ground probes, airplane deicers, cranes, rollbacks, hydraulic air compressors or tools, and for much more. CW also manufactures Compressor Kits for refrigeration truck boxes and Alternator kits which provide increased battery charging for vehicles equipped with an increased amount of DC electric-powered accessories. Generator kits are available for vehicles adding AC power capability for items such as electric power tools but ultimately any AC powered device.

For more information, visit www.cwkits.com

GuniWheelTM

By

Darian Weaver

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We’re excited to introduce a revolutionary new tool for the towing industry. GUNIWHEEL™ is the world’s first universal fitting vehicle-mounting system in a tire and wheel design. With GUNIWHEEL™, you can safely mount and move any vehicle that has damaged or missing wheels and tires. GUNIWHEEL™ is a simple solution with no moving parts. It is a solid steel wheel with an airless polyurethane rubber exterior. It’s patented universal fitting lug-pattern system easily mounts on all current passenger vehicles thereby reducing the need to carry multiple spare tires or “donuts” to move vehicles onto tow trucks and trailers. Weighing in at 34 lbs. and a 24.5” D x 3” W, GUNIWHEEL™ is a compact solution to keep inside your towing compartment or neatly stacked on your tow bed. Each GUNIWHEEL™ can hold up to 2,500 lbs. and is strong enough to install on all four hub-wheel hub locations. They have a max speed of 5 mph and are primarily used to move vehicles onto lifts or tow beds. GUNIWHEEL™ comes in two versions: GUNIWHEEL™ 45 for 4 & 5 lug pattern vehicles, and GUNIWHEEL™ 56 for trucks and larger SUVs. At GUNIWHEEL™, we say, “No Wheels? NO PROBLEM!”

For more information, call 1-888-554-6464 or www.guniwheel.com.