The National Tow List

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The National Tow List, or NTL has been around since March of 2008, and on social media since March of 2010.

The actual NTL website is the largest 100% free to list, and free to use towing phone book anywhere, so the motoring public has an easier time finding a tow, or roadside assistance. Simply go to the site, and use the Help Me Get Home tab. Every yellow pin is a shop, and the customer calls the shop directly- no call centers, and it’s not a paid referral service. To add a shop, use the Get Listed tab (US, or international for outside the United States).

The social media page (through FB) is a daily, fresh post only, towing news page, bringing news articles from all over the globe, and done every morning.

What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and it’s an honor to know so many people who find the page useful beyond what I originally started with, and has an average reach of 20-30,000 weekly.

I make nothing off the site, and most of the time, it’s paid for by myself (there have been a few very generous donors over these last few years, and without them, the site would have folded).

Should anyone wish to donate, you can find the link on the home page of the NTL website. And yes, every little bit helps.

Please, check out the page, and website, and if you like what you see, get your company listed, and follow the FB page to stay up to date on the happenings of the Towing, Roadside, and Repo industry.

Best wishes to all!

Moe Timcoe
Founder/Owner
National Tow List

8.5 Ton XLP Medium Duty Carrier

By

Darian Weaver

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Jerr-Dan’s carrier line includes standard, medium, heavy-duty, multi-car, and industrial models. The 8.5 Ton XLP is versatile enough to handle the work of a light duty carrier but designed and engineered to handle the toughest jobs of a medium duty carrier. With a 17,000 lb. structural capacity available in steel or aluminum, this medium duty carrier is available with deck lengths of 22 ft. to 30 ft., 96 in. or 102 in. wide, and dock stabilizer or wheel lift options of 3,000 lb., 3,500 lb., 4,000 lb., or 5,000 lb.

About Jerr-Dan

JerrDan, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment and offers an extensive range of light, medium and heavy duty carriers, wreckers and rotators. The company is headquartered in Hagerstown, MD., and its products are backed by industry-leading warranties and a strong service network dedicated to the towing professional. To learn more about Jerr-Dan, visit www.jerrdan.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

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

Autogrid Option for XLP Carrier

By

Darian Weaver

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The new Autogrid option for Jerr-Dan’s XLP Carrier allows an operator to hook to a car quickly and easily without manually installing L-Arms.

Engineered with the operator in mind, the grid design offers a 3,500 lb. rating and a crossbar that can rotate 90 degrees either side of center. The center detent helps to prevent unintended crossbar swing during hook-up. The grid center drop area is designed to provide better support for tires as well as less sidewall push. The long-term cost of ownership and product longevity are addressed with replaceable wear items that include wear pads, L-arm tips, and grid ends.

In addition to these standard elements, Autogrid customers may choose from several add-on options including wireless remote control, a dual-camera system, and a Reese Hitch attachment.

An animated demonstration of this product is available to view at https://bit.ly/3N2bsI0.

See your Jerr-Dan distributor
for more details or visit
www.jerrdan.com.

Dynamic® Launches Tool Catalog for U.S. Customers

By

Darian Weaver

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BRAMPTON, Ont. — As part of its expansion into the U.S. market, the Canada-based Dynamic® tool brand has released a catalog for U.S. customers. It features over 2,000 tools under the Dynamic name and its parent company, Gray Tools, a well-respected manufacturer and distributor of premium hand tools since 1912. The catalog offers a wide selection of professional-quality, budget-friendly tools, most of which are backed by a worry-free lifetime warranty with North American support from Gray Tools.

Dynamic-branded tools include tool storage products, sockets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, insulated tools and other specialty tools designed for a variety of uses for many industries, such as automotive, commercial construction, mining, MRO, public transit, military and agriculture.

Gray-branded tools are being used extensively by some of the toughest industries in North America, including natural resources, MRO, telecommunication, as well as military. Many of the tools, including a full insulated assortment, are made in the USA.

The products can be purchased on the company’s website, ShopDynamicTools.com, although some products are noted in the catalog as being available exclusively on partner websites like Amazon.com or Zoro.com.

Those interested can request a printed copy of the catalog online at https://shopdynamictools.com/pages/the-dynamic-tool-catalog. A digital copy of the catalog is also available to download on the same page.

Introduced in 2009, the Dynamic® tool brand was created by Gray Tools, a renowned North American manufacturer and distributor of premium hand tools founded in 1912, to meet the need for high-quality tools at a budget-friendly price. Today, the Dynamic line consists of more than 2,500 products, including sockets, wrenches, pliers, hammers, chisels, locking tools and clamps, which are fully serviced and warrantied by Gray Tools. For more information, visit ShopDynamicTools.com.

Open Letter to the Towing and Recovery Industry from Bob Nelson, Jerr-Dan

By

Darian Weaver

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In 2022, Jerr-Dan is celebrating its 50th year in business. While preparing for this milestone anniversary, we paused to take a look back at the long and winding road that has brought us to where we are today.

As the single brand leader in the towing and recovery industry, it is not often that we stop to look in the rear-view mirror. We generally operate with an eye on the road in front of us.

Today, that road looks a bit daunting.

With inflation rates at a four-decade high, widespread supply chain disruptions, a tight labor market, logistics challenges, increasing fuel and insurance costs and the threat of increasing interest rates, it’s difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. A major chassis shortage further complicates the situation.

Truck OEMs are unable to deliver the chassis needed to meet the demand of tow equipment manufacturers and have moved to “allocating” available inventory in 2022. They anticipate that supply will fall short of demand through 2023 and perhaps into early 2024.

These shortages limit Jerr-Dan’s manufacturing volumes. And we are not alone. Competitive manufacturers are equally experiencing these market conditions and unfortunately, there is no quick fix on the horizon.

That said, and as difficult as it may be to see today, every business challenge presents an opportunity for improvement.

First and foremost, Jerr-Dan remains focused on building trucks to satisfy customer demand. To do so we are working diligently and getting creative to secure the parts and chassis needed to build product.

To keep driving our business, your business and the industry forward, we have allocated resources to three key areas: proactive customer communications, product development and operator training.

In terms of communication, we are being transparent with customers so that they can work through fleet planning and make business decisions with the most up-to-date information. A customer is the first to know if a part or chassis is delayed which will impact their delivery.

The Jerr-Dan product specialist and engineering teams are heavily focused on working to develop products from customer feedback. This rich level of customer input is helping us define our future products.

And finally, we strongly support operator training. One tower is killed in the line of duty every 6 days. This is an unacceptable statistic we take to heart at Jerr-Dan. We are upgrading our training facilities, capabilities, and programs to get more operators trained to change this statistic going forward.

As an industry, we need to pull together during these tough times. We can’t bury our heads and ignore inflation. We must practice pricing discipline to remain healthy. That means as costs increase, pricing must be adjusted and/or surcharges instituted to keep businesses healthy and tow trucks in service.

In today’s marketplace, if you aren’t changing, you are dying. Gone are the days, at least for now, when customers can arrive at a trade show with the expectation of buying a tow truck. Those on display are in most instances already sold. Customers who want to minimize business disruptions should embrace fleet planning, forecast purchases, and secure financing well in advance.

While this is our 50th year in business, we haven’t seen anything like this in our first 50 years. As always, we are committed to our customers and to doing what we can to mitigate cost impacts. This is how we have led the way since 1972 and how we will remain a market leader for the next 50 years.

Keep Driving Forward,

Bob Nelson
General Manager
Jerr-Dan

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

HIDE-A-LIFT

By

Darian Weaver

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Hide-A-Lift was established in 1998 in a small town in the Northwest corner of Iowa. Needing a way to tow cars from place to place, then owner and now salesman, Lee Bomgaars, came up with an idea for the first underlift and things took off from there. Hide-A-Lift, located in Doon, IA., is owned by Roy Van Engen and his four sons. They are not only the owners but also do the welding, testing, assembly, installation, and everything involved in the manufacturing process. Take a look at our lifts, and you will see, no matter what your needs are, we have a solution for you!

Cobra Wheel Lift

Looking for a tow unit with a little more power?

Check out our COBRA pick-up repo wheel lift for wrecker trucks:

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/

Viper Wheel Lift

Need a quick and easy unit to tow most consumer vehicles? Viper costs less, 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

For more information: https://hidealift.com/viper/

Raptor Wheel Lift

RAPTOR — A lift that extends with a button instead of manually:

12-volt power pack with 20-ft. remote control
Power up/down, in/out
All parts made in USA
Wheel receivers use cam locks that adjust to towed vehicle’s width
No lost pins with the cam locks
Easy under-body installation
Lifting point is near rear axle not bumper
T-bar turns and hinges for safe and easy towing
One person operation

For more information: https://hidealift.com/raptor/

BOA Wheel Lift

BOA — A quick-and-easy unit to tow in tighter spaces with easy to use functions:

12-volt hydraulic power pack with 10-ft. remote control
Double acting power up – power down hydraulic cylinder
All parts made in USA
Wheel receivers use cam locks that adjust to fit towed vehicle’s width
Cam locks provide fast and easy adjustment – no lost pins
Easy under-body installation, completely retractable to hide under the truck
T-bar turns and hinges for safe and easy turning
Lifting point is near the rear axle, not the rear bumper
Can be re-installed in another pick-up truck
One person operation

For more information: https://hidealift.com/boa/

All Hide-A-Lift units are made, sold, installed, or shipped from our 12,000 sq.-ft. facility. As a family-owned business, we take pride in the workmanship and service that goes into every unit that leaves our doors. Give us a call today! 800-634-9340

Is Your Telescope Set Right?

By

D.J. Harrington CSP

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Even though I’m in my mid 70’s now, I continue to work in the podcast center two days a week completing podcasts for Tow Professional, “On the Go,” as well as one for Brian Riker, “Your DOT Guy,” podcast and another one for the American Towing and Recovery Institute podcast with 40-year industry Veteran, Wes Wilburn who just last month finished his 889th Hands On Classes for Towers throughout the USA. If you are wondering what I do with the remaining three days of the week, I’m proud to say that you can find me at a radio station in Calhoun, Georgia. Somewhere in all that work week, I manage to find quality time with my three grandchildren in the North Georgia summer sun. My grandchildren mean the world to me, and I am sure you’re doing the same this summer with your family.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on how you look at life. Here’s a short story that I hope you will take to heart. It’s about a little boy who wanted to change his situation. There was a big bully down the street who was always bothering this little boy. The little boy was trying to muster enough nerve to stand up to this bully, but he was still too afraid.

Well one day, hoping to divert his son’s thoughts, the father bought the little boy a new telescope. Later he found his son playing with it in the front yard and noticed that his son was looking through the wrong end, raising the larger lens to his eye. On a mission to correct him, the father stepped outside and said, “NO, son! You’re doing it backward. Turn it around and it will make everything bigger like it was meant to do.” The little boy answered, “I know that Dad, but right now I’m looking at this bully. When I look at him this way it makes him so small that I’m not afraid of him anymore.”

Life is like a telescope. Sometimes in life, we might have to turn our telescope around because we’ve magnified a small problem for far too long. It becomes larger only because we are looking at it differently than we should be. A problem might seem impossible to change and that it’s never going to work out. However, if you’ll turn it around, you will see it from the right perspective. It goes back to Dr. Wayne Dwyer’s saying, “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change.”

Attitude begins as harmless thoughts. Then, with practice, they become layered by habit into unbroken chains to shackle OR strengthen our lives. We are scarcely aware they exist. Just like a comfortable bed, they are easy to fall into, but difficult to get out of.

Talking about people with a great attitude are our three sponsors of the Tow Professional podcast. First, one is Towbook, “Towing software that works for you.” Second, Jerr-Dan, leading the way since 1972 and will always “Keep Driving Forward.” We recently had Bob Nelson of Jerr-Dan on our podcast, and it was a great interview. A must hear! Our newest sponsor is Recovery Billing Unlimited Inc. They are dedicated to teaching fellow towers how to get paid. All three sponsors have a podcast worth listening to on the Tow professional platform.

It’s time to check the lens. How are you seeing things these days? Remember, losers always see thunderstorms. Winners always see rainbows. Losers see all mishaps of icy streets, while winners strap on their ice skates. I, personally know lots of towers, real winners, that always work their way around challenges. We have more of our share of challenges in this industry today, so let’s make the best of it.

Don’t forget that we, as towers, are not responsible for what happens out there or what others do or think. However, we’re only responsible for how we chose to feel, behave, or react.

My final thought. Some of us need to turn our telescope backward and start seeing our challenges through a smaller lens so we can get a proper perspective on how to fix problems going forward.

See you next time or on the Tow Professional podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

Jerr-Dan Introduces Autogrid Option for XLP Carrier

By

Darian Weaver

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Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company has announced a new option for their XLP carrier. The all-new XLP Carrier Autogrid allows an operator to hook to a car quickly and easily without manually installing L-Arms.

Engineered with the operator in mind, the grid design offers a 3,500 lb. rating and a crossbar that can rotate 90 degrees either side of center. The grid pivot has a center detent bar that prevents excessive crossbar swing during set-up. The grid center drop area is designed to provide better support for tires as well as less sidewall push. The long-term cost of ownership and product longevity are addressed with replaceable wear items that include crossbar ends, L-arm tips, and plates at strategic locations. In addition to these standard elements, Autogrid customers may choose from several add-on options including wireless remote control, a dual-camera system, and boom level stop.

While Florida Tow Show attendees saw a live demonstration of the Autogrid option, an animated version of that demonstration is available to view at https://bit.ly/3N2bsI0.

See your Jerr-Dan distributor for more details or visit www.jerrdan.com.

The Structure of the Towing Industry

By

Dan Messina

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Raleigh, USA - May 13, 2018: Highway road in North Carolina with closeup of East Coast towing truck car by accident crash

In my last article, I wrote about things that happened to me as I learned about towing. In this article, I want to discuss the structure of the towing industry. Keep in mind that this is my opinion based on things that happened to me and how I look at the towing industry. The industry consists of three parts:

The tow companies
The towing associations
The towing media

As we look at each part, I want to remind you again that this is my opinion.

Tow Companies – My company did private property tows only. Private property towing was not a popular thing with bigger tow companies. As a result, they looked down on me. I was a member of the local Texas association, and even though I was on their board, they still looked down at me. Because of my success in the industry, many tow companies were interested in learning about private property towing. For the next two years, I traveled to all the tow shows and held seminars on private property towing. It was successful, and I would have 50 to 100 people in each class. I got to meet a lot of tow companies and made many friends. I did learn that many of the tow companies did not get along. This created a battle between the big companies and the small companies. The association that I was a member of in Texas wrote a law that was to put the small companies out of business while they made a lot of money. I was trying to get a large tow company in Michigan to register with my current company. She said no and accused me of keeping the smaller companies in business. She went to a customer I was trying to sign up and told them if they used TowTrax they would not tow for them anymore.

That’s when I learned that: Big companies don’t like small companies and small companies don’t like big companies.

Towing Associations – As I watched what the association I belonged to was doing to the smaller companies, I left them and started my own association. The law that was passed required all drivers to be licensed and certified. Certification with the state, and the test they had to pass also cost $150 to the association giving the test. The association that wrote the law went to a national association and made a deal. I was told they would give the national association $25 dollars for every driver that took their test. My association grew fast; I was soon at 1,125 members compared to the other association that had less than 200.

I went to the national association to see if I could use their test. My association was a member of the national association. I was told the other Texas association had an exclusive and they would not let me use their test. I don’t know if you ever saw the national test, but you need a slide rule and a lot of prayers to pass. Again, it was meant for the little guy to fail. The state of Texas told me that since I had my own association, I could write my own test. Because my test was easier, and we did it in Spanish and traveled all over Texas to give it. We tested 97% of the drivers and my association made over a million dollars. This upset the other Texas association and the national association whose members were mostly large companies who lost a lot of money. As I reached out to other associations offering them help, they felt I was trying to do something for my benefit and not theirs. There is little or no trust with associations. I never did figure out how a national association made up of big companies with few members make all the rules for the other 50,000 tow companies. I also found out that most states have more than one association because they can’t agree on the issues that face their state.

Most state associations don’t get along with each other.

Towing Media – The towing media is made up of three magazines. Tow Times and American Towman, who have printed magazines and put on tow shows in various cities. The third is Tow Professional magazine. They are the new kid on the block. When life was good, I was doing seminars and writing articles for all the magazines. Then when Tow Professional entered the scene, they asked me to write articles for them. I was flattered and I started to write articles. Then one magazine did not want my articles anymore, then another magazine decided they did not need my articles anymore. Then I stopped doing seminars at the tow shows. When I attended tow shows all the magazines had booths at the shows. Then that stopped. If you were a magazine that did a show, the other magazines were not allowed to have a booth there. I’m not sure if they are even allowed to attend their shows. It was sad. I was very successful with the seminars and writing articles, but now I can’t for a variety of reasons. I know thousands of towers, and my seminars were standing room only. However, the towers lose because I’m restricted on what I can do based on various rules.

The media that supports the industry just does not get along.

As bad it sounds with tow companies not getting along with other tow companies, and associations not getting along with other associations, and the media not getting along with each other it’s still the best industry I’ve ever worked in. The people work hard, and they deserve better from some of the support groups in the industry.

Jerr-Dan Debuts New JD60 Independent Heavy Duty Wrecker

By

Darian Weaver

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Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company has released a new 3-stage, 60 ton heavy duty wrecker to their product range. The new addition to their independent wrecker lineup has an SAE boom rating of 120,000 lbs. when fully retracted and 25,000 lbs. fully extended. The 3-stage boom provides a maximum reach past the tailboard of 294 inches and a maximum hook height of 432 inches. Dual 50,000 lb. winches are standard and there is an option for an additional 35,000 lb. underlift drag winch. Also standard on this unit are boom angle indicators and load charts for increased operational awareness. A fully proportional wireless remote with a 330 ft. range allows effortless operation of the recovery boom from multiple locations with precision.

The proven and tested 3-stage independent knee boom underlifts offer either 142 inches or 181 inches of reach past the tailboard. An optional 4-stage underlift is also available with 179 inches of reach.

Continuing in the Jerr-Dan tradition, the new JD60 IND has the custom JFB body available in multiple wheelbase configurations. The body is made of a polypropylene copolymer material that is both high-impact and corrosion resistant. When compared to most other body types, these features can substantially reduce the cost of ownership.

The first opportunity to see the new JD60 IND was at the Florida Tow Show in Orlando. For any other information on this new model, please contact your local Jerr-Dan distributor or visit: https://www.jerrdan.com/en/equipment/wreckers/heavy-duty/independent.

HAZMAT CERTIFICATION TRAINING FOR THE TOWING AND RECOVERY PROFESSIONAL

By

Darian Weaver

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Our 40-hour hazardous materials technician course was developed to provide the tow/recovery professional with the specific knowledge and skills needed to participate in the mitigation and clean-up of incidents involving hazardous materials.

HRNT-1001 COURSE DESCRIPTION

This 40-hour program was developed to provide the tow/recovery professional with the specific knowledge and skills needed to participate in the mitigation and clean-up of incidents involving hazardous materials.

Classroom presentations and intensive field exercises provide participants with the opportunity to demonstrate newly acquired skills in real-world conditions. This course meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 (q) (6) (iii). No prerequisites are necessary.

TOPICS

Scene safety for roadway hazardous materials incidents
Regulatory requirements (OSHA/EPA/DOT/STATE)
Incident command and management
Hazard identification and analysis
Hazardous materials chemistry and toxicology
Personal protective equipment
Chemical protective clothing
Respiratory protection/Self-contained breathing apparatus
Air sampling and detection instruments
Decontamination
Spill control (confinement, containment and recovery)
Soil testing and documentation
Cost recovery
Incident documentation

BASIC SUPPLIES FOR CLEAN-UP RESPONSE

Absorbants • Absorbant Pads • Socks • Booms • Patch & Plug Kits • Bales of Straw • Chicken Wire, 3 or 4 feet in width • Grass Seed • Seed Spreader • T-Barb Post • 50 Gallon Poly Bags • Air Transfer Pump 1’’ or 1 1//2’’ • Vac and Discharge Hoses • Catch Pools • Pressure Washer, 3300 psi • Generator, 7500 watts • Lights • Shovels • Rakes • Spark Resistant Hand Tools • Overpack Drum, 95 Gallon, 2/ 55 Gallon Closed Lid Steel Drums • Soil Test Kit • First Aid Kit • PPE Safety Glasses • Splash Suits • Particle Mask • Respirator • Overboots • Eye Wash • Reflective Clothing • Hard Hat • Gloves • Authorization Forms for Clean Ups signed by responsible party

Upcoming Training:

CARGO TANK AWARENESS
AUGUST 13TH 2022
HOSTED BY
PURYEAR TOWING & RECOVERY
1100 BURMA DR
APEX, NC 27539

HAZWOPER TRAINING
SEPTEMBER 15TH – 18TH 2022
CAMBRIDGE CITY FD
127 W MAPLE ST
CAMBRIDGE CITY, INDIANA 47327

EXHIBITOR
MID-WEST TOW SHOW
MASON OHIO
SEPTEMBER 23RD – 25TH 2022

EXHIBITOR
TENNESSEE TOW SHOW
OCT 7TH – 8TH 2022
CHATTANOOGA CONVENTION CTR

HAZWOPER TRAINING

OCTOBER 14-16, 2022
BLATT & TILLET TRUCK AND TRAILER REPAIR
JONESTOWN PA

For more information visit: www.hazmatrn.com

(877) 356-9767

Air Brake Releasing Kit

By

Darian Weaver

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Shannon Bryant Wrecker is offering a complete kit for releasing any tractor and or trailer with air brakes. Their deluxe kit comes with everything to you need to get the job done! Designed by Towers for Tow Professionals!

For More Information:

bryantswrecker@gmail.com

Call: 334-222-6100

Dynamic® Offers 108-Tooth Ratchets

By

Darian Weaver

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BRAMPTON, Ont. — Dynamic introduces a line of industrial-quality ratchets designed for budget-sensitive professionals. They feature a 108-tooth gear with 3.5-degree arc swing for superior performance, even in tight spaces.

Dynamic’s ratchets are available in 1/4”, 3/8” or 1/2” drive sizes with 5-, 7- and 10-inch lengths, respectively. They can also be purchased as the full set of three (Part No. D106003). The ratchets have a nickel-plate mirror chrome finish for maximum corrosion resistance and long service life. A secure socket lock keeps sockets firmly installed until ejected via the quick-release button, and a convenient thumb-operated reverse-switch mechanism easily changes between tightening and loosening operation. The sleek, comfortable handle is user-friendly, while the low-profile head provides excellent access in confined spaces.

All Dynamic ratchets meet ANSI standards and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. To purchase or learn more, visit shopdynamictools.com.

Introduced in 2009, the Dynamic® tool brand was created by Gray Tools, a renowned North American manufacturer and distributor of premium hand tools founded in 1912, to meet the need for high-quality tools at a budget-friendly price. Today, the Dynamic line consists of more than 2,500 products, including sockets, wrenches, pliers, hammers, chisels, locking tools and clamps, which are fully serviced and warrantied by Gray Tools.

For more information, visit ShopDynamicTools.com.

TRAA 4th Annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day

By

Darian Weaver

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TRAA members from across the country descended on Washington D.C. again this year to attend TRAA’s annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day! This event was started by the Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc.® (TRAA) to allow towers to meet with their Members of Congress, express the needs of our industry, and gain support for industry issues on a federal level. It was my honor to participate in this event for the third year in a row.

As in years past, the first day featured five scheduled guest speakers addressing the group and discussing current industry topics. Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, welcomed the group and congratulated us on “doing the good work” for our industry. Congressman Chris Pappas advocated and led the charge on a TRAA’s weights and measures amendment that was included in the House infrastructure package last year. Larry Minor, Associate Administrator for Policy at FMSCA, brought a wealth of knowledge to this year’s participants! He shared insight into the proposals FMCSA is planning for the remainder of this year and next including automatic braking systems, safety fitness procedures, advanced driving systems, and ELT regulations. Senator Tammy Duckworth followed Larry Minor and was very engaged and excited to see so many familiar faces. Senator Duckworth is an ally on Move Over Law enforcement and has passed legislation ordering the Government Accountability Office to conduct research into SDMO law effectiveness. Paul Wasik, U.S. Senate Professional Staff for Transportation Policy, gave us insight to the critical role committee staff play and suggestions for moving forward with several industry issues. It was refreshing to see the genuine interest and understanding the speakers have for the industry based on TRAA’s relationship building.

New this year was the addition of group dinners in the event registration. The first one was held at a local steakhouse and provided an excellent opportunity to network, share stories, and make new friends. To say the first day was a success would be an understatement!

One of the main reasons this event is so successful is TRAA’s full-time federal lobbying firm, Tremont Strategies Group (TSG). Rated one of the country’s top performing lobbying firms by Bloomberg Government, they help navigate the red tape, coordinate constituent meetings, and guest speakers from committees of jurisdiction. They are the best of the best in federal lobbying firms.

The second day was “hill day” with attendees participating in constituent meetings with their own Members of Congress. To maximize impact, all the attendees advocate for a coordinated list of industry priorities. This year’s priorities included generating support for the National Move Over Law Day Resolution in both the House and Senate. The House version (H.Res.1052) is currently in committee and the Senate version should be introduced in August. Through TRAA’s advocacy, the resolution is endorsed by the Association of Chiefs of Police, National Volunteer Fire Council, and AAA National. The resolution will help promote awareness of state SDMO laws and help lay down the groundwork for future legislation implementation on the federal level. The second priority was amending federal regulations that limit towers’ abilities to respond to emergencies on the interstate system. In 2015 an exemption was made to certain weight restrictions for towers responding on the interstate. However, it did not cover all towers. TRAA believes the towers should be allowed to tow a vehicle that is of legal weight and length to a nearby location, so the disassembly to finish the tow may be done safely. This language was included in the House infrastructure bill. Unfortunately, it was not included in the final Senate version that became law, so TRAA is once again pushing to get it over the goal line. The meetings on day two were followed by a private, after-hours tour of the U.S. Capitol Building and a glass of wine on the balcony of the House Cannon Office Building. The second day culminated in a tremendous group dinner where we all discussed the day’s interactions with Members.

The third and final day featured Congressmen Jim McGovern, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, and Christian Bell, Professional Staff of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Congressman McGovern is a true champion for the towing and recovery industry. He introduced TRAA’s National Move Over Law Day Resolution (H.Res.1052) into the House in April and worked with Congressman Pappas on passing TRAA’s length exemption in the House infrastructure bill last year. The Congressman took time out of his schedule to meet with us every day, showing his passion, and his understanding of the industry’s needs. Thanks to TRAA, the industry certainly has friends on Capitol Hill!

TRAA’s annual Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day was a tremendous success! TRAA has put a name, a face, and a voice in front of the nation’s legislators on behalf of the industry! Members of Congress are now not only familiar with towers but have forged personal connections with TRAA members through these events. Members of Congress have new insight into the unique needs of towers versus the rest of the trucking industry. They’re familiar with the industry’s needs because of TRAA’s commitment to making these interactions happen every year.

Don’t just take my word for it, become a member of TRAA and help support their fight for your safety and prosperity. If you’re not already a member, you should be. Join TRAA and see how you can be part of next year’s Legislative Action Workshop & Hill Day! It will make a difference in your life and the lives of countless others.

On behalf of all this year’s attendees, I would like to say a special thank you to Gay Rochester and INA Towing Network for their spotlight sponsorship at this year’s event.

‘Till next year, get your membership, pack your suitcase, and join us in changing our industry for the better!

Tow Professional Quarterly – Q2 2022

By

Darian Weaver

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NHTSA’s 2021 Traffic Fatality Report is a Call to Action

By

Darian Weaver

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The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum has announced it will induct 10 new members into its Hall of Fame this fall. The inductees hail from the United States, Australia, France, and Japan, making it one of the most diverse Hall of Fame classes ever.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021 – the most traffic fatalities since 2005. Traffic fatalities rose by 10.5% in 2021 compared to the year before, marking the largest-ever annual percentage increase in the nearly five-decade history of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. NHTSA’s report also shows increases in almost every type of roadway death, including:

Fatalities involving pedestrians up 13%
Fatalities occurring on urban roads up 16%
Fatalities from multi-vehicle crashes up 16%
Fatalities from crashes involving at least one large truck up 13%
Fatalities from speeding-related crashes up 5%.

Worst still, some states experienced even sharper increases in their fatality data. TxDOT recently reported that traffic crashes in the state’s work zones last year claimed the lives of 244 people, a 33% increase over 2020. In the 2021 NHTSA figures, Texas experienced an 18% increase in motor vehicle fatalities over 2020. NHTSA’s report indicates that almost half of all states – 23 total – experienced an annual increase of over 10.5% in traffic fatalities, with only five states registering a year-to-year decline.

In 2020, transportation experts hoped that diminished motor vehicle traffic-related to COVID shutdowns would lead to a drop in overall fatalities on the road. When the final traffic fatality figures were released for 2020 last year, though, the figures showed the opposite, demonstrating that the risk of fatality on the road increased despite a decrease in traffic. The release of these figures for 2021 confirm the continuation of a dangerous and deadly trend in the wrong direction.

Addressing this trend requires coordinated effort across the country. This January, United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated the challenge clearly: “We face a crisis on America’s roadways that we must address together.” From state and local transportation planners and vehicle designers, emergency responders and roadside assistance fleets, to work zone operators and everyday drivers and road users, we all must actively work together to save lives and prevent tragedies. Even a single life lost in a preventable crash is tragic enough; nearly 43,000 preventable deaths in just a year is a true crisis, and it demands new efforts, innovative initiatives, and creative partnerships. Most importantly, it requires action today – there is no time to wait for solutions that may be years away from full deployment, as lives hang in the balance.

The good news? We don’t have to wait for new solutions: we have everything we need to start addressing this problem today.

Digital alerting offers communities across the United States a low-cost, high-value solution that significantly reduces the likelihood of collisions between drivers and emergency vehicles, work zones, towing and recovery vehicles, and other moving hazards on the road, which altogether account for nearly 300,000 collisions and close to 1,000 fatalities a year. By using cellular networks to notify drivers inside their vehicle of hazards ahead of them, studies have shown that digital alerting reduces the likelihood of collision by up to 90% while reducing hard-braking by 80%. Thanks to emergency vehicle manufacturers that have already embraced digital alerting as a safety standard for new vehicles, as well as critical efforts by federal legislators to fund the deployment of digital alerting, thousands of public safety fleets nationwide are equipped with the technology today and delivering alerts to drivers directly in vehicle dashboards and through the world’s most popular navigation applications.

As more communities adopt digital alerting in the months and years ahead and awareness on the road begins improving, drivers, responders, and roadway workers will all benefit. In a world where motorists and vehicles are equipped with timely information about hazards ahead of them, everyone has a better chance of getting home safely at the end of the day. There’s no doubt that a safer and smarter transportation system is available to us today, if we choose to take action.

Here are some steps you can take right now to help bring digital alerting to your community:

If you’re an emergency responder, work zone operator, or roadway worker: Contact us today to learn more about equipping your fleet with digital alerting. From easy-to-install hardware options to direct integrations on fleet telematics and tracking platforms, it’s easier than ever today to get the protection you deserve every moment you work on the road.

If you’re a transportation planner or policymaker: Reach out to us to learn how digital alerting helps to achieve Vision Zero and Safe Systems objectives without the need for cost-prohibitive infrastructure investments, and get more information about state and federal funding available to your agencies to purchase and deploy digital alerting in your community.

If you’re an everyday driver: You can receive digital alerts today on the most popular navigation applications on mobile devices today, as well as directly in the infotainment screen of 2018-and-newer Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Alfa Romeo vehicles. In the months ahead, even more vehicle brands will offer Safety Cloud digital alerts directly in vehicle dashboards. If digital alerting hasn’t arrived in your community yet, reach out to your local public safety agencies and tell them you’d like them to add Safety Cloud protection.

Together, we can turn the tide on this deadly trend and build a safer, more connected transportation system for everyone.

For more information: www.haasalert.com.