Friends in the Towing Industry
Last month, I received a call to help a dear family in the recycling business that needed some big-time help and they needed it fast. They were desperate to remove a Jeep from one of the areas that was in the pathway of the worst damage to hit from a recent hurricane in South Florida.
It was late in the afternoon when I received their anxious text message, âIs there ANY WAY you know someone in towing in South Florida that can move Jeff and Janiceâs Jeep?â The text was from Roger Schroder. Roger co-founded Car-part.com along with his brother Jeff.
Car-part.com and the Schroders family are two of the best things that have happened to this old man. Iâve come to know the Schroder family as a kind and generous group of people. Many years ago, when my daughter was getting married at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, I was just shy of raising enough money to cover the deposit. The Schroder family saved the day for us and sent an early wedding gift which covered what I couldnât at the time.
When Roger texted, he told me that they had been notified by the marina that the hurricane in South Florida mostly likely would take their Jeep for a ride with no-one in it. All tows being done were âEmergency onlyâ tows. Unless it was life or death to get it moved, that Jeep was as good as gone. Not a great response in a time of crisis, huh? So, I texted back, âIâm on it!â and got to work making it happen. My first call was to my dear friend, Todd Stepp, of Steppâs Towing on his private cell number. When I told him the story, Todd immediately sent information to Mike McArthur, his Director of Towing Operations. Mike has been with Stepps 24 years. Within minutes Mike called me, âDJ, we are 2 and a half hours from where the Jeep is located. But, if we canât find a fellow tower within the next hour, we will send a truck and store the Jeep here in Pinellas County until the hurricane passes.â Upon hearing this, we both got to work. Surely someone who was closer could help.
This is important to understand. The first call, near the Jeepâs location, the tower I spoke to said, âFirst, we are only doing emergency tows, police directed, plus we donât store any vehicles at our facility.â The next guy said that he stored vehicles, but his truck was out of service. Both calls couldnât help me.
Then, I called a big-time tower that all of us know and the dispatch service informed me that the owner was not there, âbut was smart by hunkering down for the hurricane.â I must admit that her additional answer made my mouth drop when she said, âthey should have thought about moving the Jeep 3 days earlier. I guess your friends are not that smart. Sir, kiss that Jeep good bye,â and then hung up on me.
So, after a few more calls, I spoke with Gay Rochester, President of INA Towing Network, you know the big group that tows for Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot, Red Cross, etc. Gay knows the Schroder family from back in 2017 when Car-part.com had to move 56 cars out of the flood zone during Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas. Gayâs company, INA, moved all the vehicles in less than 42 hours. Many towers, when pushed to the limit, can perform extraordinarily well during emergencies. So, Gay took the information while I also kept dialing.
I spoke at Jim Steppâs memorial service back in April of 2017. Jim was Toddâs dad and started Steppâs Towing back in 1960 from a gas station in Temple Terrace, Florida. Now Steppâs has over 150 trucks. Many locations later, Jimâs memory lives on. I carry Jimâs coin of remembrance in my pocket and recently showed it to his grandson at the Florida Tow Show.
Mike at Stepps told me to call Prompt Towing, located in Charlotte County, Florida and ask for Joey. All of us know Joey Saladino. A great guy! The man who answered my call was Edward Canfield. I told him, âIâm calling from Atlanta, Georgia. My name is DJ Harrington…â and stopped me mid-sentence, âThe same guy that writes for the Tow Professional Magazine and does podcasts for the magazine and the one for Wes Wilburn?â  Shocked at his response, I said, âHell, yes, the same one!â I knew I liked Edward right off. I told him about the Jeep and the need to move it quickly, but he said, âTell the Schroderâs that just this past Monday, we ordered a Chrysler 300 Bumper from Car-Part.pro, one of their divisions. This former police officer and Eagle Scout, had the Jeep back in his yard within 2 hours.
Here is a picture of the Jeep, safe and sound the next day. Edward called to say that he had spoken to Janice, Jeffâs wife, and said that she was very nice lady who appreciated their great service.  Edward knew Janice had to be a special person because they were bringing the Jeep back to their towing yard. When INA called him to tow the same Jeep, it was already on the truck. So, he told Janice that she must be some kind of a celebrity.
Thank you goes to Edward and the whole team at Prompt Towing for their swift service. I certainly, donât want to forget the President of Prompt Towing, Sharon Murray along with Mike and Todd Stepp. As you would expect, the following day I received a thank you from Roger, Jeff and Janice Schroder. Jeff said that he was glad that all of my towing friends got involved with moving a Jeep without the help of keys because it truly was stuck on a marina, destined for destruction from a monstrous hurricane.
In my book, Edward Canfield deserves the Most Knowledgeable Tow Person of the Year award. Most importantly, having great friends is invaluable when you really need them.
See you on the next podcast.
No Insurance
Last month, I wrote about gas prices and how they affect everyoneâs business, and I told you some things you might do to save money. I hate to be the barer of bad news, but I am going to tell you about how difficult it could be to get insurance in the future. My wife and I are in the process of moving. We called our insurance agent to have him get an insurance estimate on our new house.
He explained how hard it is now to get insurance, because there are fewer and fewer companies. He is an independent agent who takes our policy request and gives it to ten different companies to get the best price. Because insurance companies are paying more claims with larger amounts, lots of the companies are merging with bigger companies or cutting back on what they are insuring. He told me that he would usually have 10 companies supplying a quote, but now itâs down to 3 companies. He said car and truck insurance will be even harder in the future.
You know how hard it is to get insurance on your trucks now and the future will be worse. I was talking to a large company, and he told me that 4 other companies got together, and each threw a million in the pot to help cover each other if only one got hit with a major claim. Most companies are just too small to think about doing something like that. As the price of insurance goes up there are ways to cut your costs. Here are a few ideas to think about:
- Reducing your coverage to lower your premium.
- If your trucks are older, you may want to drop collision and comprehensive coverage and carry liability only.
- If you have a truck that you donât use often, you may want to reduce coverage during slow times.
- If you are leasing trucks, see if the lender has policies that would allow you to lower your payments.
- If the trucks are old, just get rid of them and save money.
- If you have money in your savings, you can lower the coverage and you pay for damages from your savings.
- If you have a good driving record, you may not need extensive coverage.
- You may have insurance that offers you a rental replacement.
- Consult with an insurance professional to see if you need all the insurance that you are currently paying for.
Most companies will not turn in a claim if itâs lower than a certain amount because they know their insurance will go up the next year, or even worse they could be dropped.
I had a friend of mine that owned a large tow company and for years she never had any problems. Then time caught up with her, and one of her drivers was in an accident. It was bad, and she lost her insurance. The company she used for years dropped her, and she could not find anyone that would sell her insurance. She almost lost her business and the stress caused health issues. She finally got insurance, but you know she paid dearly for it.
My wife has a health issue she will have forever. She was paying vary high health insurance premiums along with treatments that also cost a fortune. She needed a replacement for her insurance until her Medicare kicked in. She found a company out of California called Medashare where the patients would self-insure themselves. Hundreds of participants would throw money into a pot, and if anyone had a major problem the insurance would pay for it. She saved close to $500 a month in premium payments, and she never had to fight with them to pay a claim or worry about getting canceled.
This got me to thinking, why donât I start an insurance company that would provide the following:
- Low monthly premiums
- Never worry about being canceled because you turned in a claim.
- No long-drawn-out procedures when you do submit a claim.
- Rebates if you go for a year without any claims.
- No strict procedures to see if you qualify.
- Up to 10% off what you are paying today when you register.
Imagine running your company, knowing that you will always be insured even when times are slow. I am working with some industry experts to see what I must do to start an insurance company. I must see if there are certain financial requirements before I bring in a customer. I must be able to cross state lines when adding tow companies. When I open the doors, tow companies are all I will insure. I have associations that will help me find tow companies that need insured, and I have some other means for reaching out to tow companies to get them on board.
I would like to have this going by the 1st quarter if possible. I will be reaching out to you with a survey to complete. I would like to know some of the following information:
- How many trucks do you have?
- Do you have any heavy-duty trucks?
- Do you have a storage yard?
- Approximately how much do you pay today?
- How many claims did you turn in last year?
- Did you have any claims over one million dollars?
- How often do you pay your premiums?
If you think this is a good idea and it will help the industry, let me know. If you would like to be a part of helping me set this up let me know.
I can be reached at 469-774-0340, or email me at dan@towtrax.com.
Yaâll be safe out there!Â
Towers Just Do
Have you noticed that TOWERS JUST DO? They donât find excuses.
They get a call to move something no one else can do and it doesnât matter. They just do it. Havenât done it yet? Doesnât matter. They just figure it out. Itâs extremely difficult. Doesnât matter. They just get it done. Someone else tried and made it worse. Doesnât matter. They just figure out a better way. Towers just do.
TGIF??? RightâŚ.
Anyone else dread the weekends? I mean, I enjoy not having to get out of my pjs and go into work right away in the morning. Who doesnât?
But letâs be real here, TGIF doesnât mean the same to us in the towing industry as it does to just about everyone else. Am I right? While everyone else is making plans or not worrying about a single thing except what they plan to do, we are worrying about who is on call, who is answering phones, what is happening on the roads, and whether there is cell phone coverage where we will be. If a recovery comes in, itâs all hands on deck whether you are on call or not. Donât get me wrong, there are times when I just donât want to do something, and it comes in very handy to have the âIâm workingâ excuse. You, too? I know, right! I always wonder if the person on the other end of the phone knows Iâm on the toilet or in the shower when they callâŚâŚDonât roll your eyes. I canât be the only one. It is just so second nature to answer that phone that it doesnât matter what is happening at that moment. Towers just doâŚ.
THE BEST LAID PLANSâŚ.. mhmmmâŚ
How many times have you been ready to leave, and the phone rings and everything changes? You can already feel the disappointment in your family or friends before you even look at them. While it teaches great adaptive skills, it still can break your heart and disappoint people. How about if someone calls in sick? Even with the best employees; it will happen. Someone must do it, right? And, it almost always falls on you to do it! Even if that isnât exactly true, it sure feels like it. It doesnât matter if you had plans or even if you are sick. You always step up and do it.
Towers just do.
BLESSING OR A CURSE? You tell meâŚ
Do you remember the days of no cell phones? That was when call forwarding and an off-premise extension were your best friends. I remember family events when you would have to drive separately to switch the phones to a different landline. One would leave ahead to get there and take any calls while another one would leave early to disconnect the forwarding so the other could leave. Then came cell phonesâŚâŚ wow!
Can you say FREEDOM??? Until it wasnât. You werenât stuck to a landline anymore but boy anyone at any time could reach you. Anyone else wish we could go back before cell phones? Technology is a blessing and a curse. Today, it feels like you canât ever unplugâthe curse. However, being able to travel and attend events while still taking care of businessâthe blessing! We canât be fully present and are usually distracted by phone calls. And those phone calls only come at the most inopportune times.
Doesnât matter though. Towers just doâŚ.
HIGHWAY HEROESâŚ..
What makes towers do what they do? Are they born this way or trained this way? Maybe a little of both? Towers are a special kind of person.
Wouldnât you agree? They are strong, brave, street smart and maybe just a bit crazy too. You either love towing, or you hate it. There is no in between. These heroes donât wear capes; they wear reflective uniforms.
They will get out of a warm bed and leave their families to take care of a stranded motorist in the coldest of weather, in the middle of the night. They will climb in ditches with vehicles screaming past over 70 miles an hour to rescue a driver. They will miss family time to save another family from being stuck on the side of the road that broke down. They have been known to miss a meal or two and even a family function or two. It matters this time, but Towers still doâŚ..
GIVE THEM SOME LOVE & RESPECT
I have multiple ways to break all this down and give you some great mentorship but that wasnât what this article was about. These highway heroes deserve the respect and admiration of the jobs they do every single day. It is one of the most dangerous jobs out there. They are sacrificing on many different levels and yet they get up every day and just do.
Zips Featured Products
Zipâs Lift Assist Dolly Mount
You often work alone. That doesnât mean you canât get a little help with your light-duty wrecker operation. Introducing the all-new Zipâs Lift Assist Dolly Mount, now available at Zips.com. Bolted to each side of the deck, this articulating arm uses a combination of shocks and springs to lower tow dollies to a comfortable working height. The storage mount works with 4.80 and 5.70 wheel sizes on both In The Ditch and Collins tow dollies. Save your back. Let this new unloader do the heavy lifting. Order Item #ZP-DM-SL at Zips.com today.
Ken-Tool Dual Wheel Separator
Rust is steelâs worst enemy, especially when it comes to dual steel wheels on a truck, bus, or trailer. If you come across a set of duals that has seized together, Ken-Tool has the separator tool to get them apart. Heat-treated for strength and durability, this innovative one-piece pusher is ball bearing-driven for near-zero turning resistance. This powerful tool works with any impact wrench and features a beefy 1-1/8″ diameter x 11 threads. Each kit includes two pullers and a hard-sided case for storage and handling. Components are corrosion-resistant and laser-etched for easy identification. Order Item # KT-34549 at Zips.com.
UltraTech Ultra-Spill Diaper
Vehicle leaks at accident scenes can’t be ignored in your line of work. Make sure you have a spill response plan in place to mitigate any further environmental impact. The Ultra-Spill Diaper from Ultratech is a great place to start. Folded down to roughly 12â x 18â, this three-layer blanket is compact enough to fit in the cab of your wrecker and provides nearly 35 square feet of coverage when opened. The absorbent material can soak up to eight gallons of fluid, and the outer 4 ml plastic barrier prevents any contaminants from leaching through the bottom. Shop Zips.com. Item # UT-0275.
RimSling Synthetic Winch Lines
RimSling has recently expanded its product offering to include synthetic winch line for light-duty wreckers and car carriers. Strength-tested and field-proven, this black, braided rope is made from 12 strands of high-strength HMPE fibers, making it just as strong as steel cable. Like all RimSling products, this new winch line is lightweight, safer to use and easier to handle. Offering excellent abrasion resistance, its coated fibers wonât scratch or fray, and its low-stretch properties wonât cause a loss in towing power. This new rope is available in three sizes and lengths to 150â. Upgrade today at Zips.com. Item # RIMSLING-WINCHLINE.
For more information, visit Zips.com.
Warrior Winches Now Available in the USA!
The best of Europe is now available in the USA! Warrior Winches, Europeâs leading winch brand is now firmly established in the North American market.
Starting as a family business over 20 years ago, to becoming an internationally recognized brand, Warrior Winches has always upheld its values of honesty, understanding, and commitment to long-term partnerships.
Owned by the US corporation BPE Solutions North America, the best in UK design and engineering is now accessible throughout the USA and Canada, offering a diverse range of Hydraulic and Electric Winches, all rigorously tested and certified to meet industry standards.
Warrior Winches are readily stocked and distributed in the USA, ensuring prompt delivery within 2-7 days. Their dedication to customers goes beyond the sale, with an extensive network of service and warranty centers staffed by knowledgeable experts ready to assist you.
Group CEO Jeff Bimson says, âWe believe we have the products, quality and performance to support any application. The Towing industry in North America continues to suffer with the lack of product availability and after-sales service, we believe we are the answer to these problems. We remain focused on the user to ensure they have everything they need to get the job done.â
For more information on the market-leading Brand visit www.warriorwinches.com You can also check out their products up close at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore, Booth 2205, where staff will be available to showcase the product and answer questions.”
Tracked Machines North America, Inc. Announces the Release of the CarMover XL
The Most Technologically Advanced Automotive Equipment for Automotive Industry for Automotive Dealerships, Repair Facilities, Collision Centers, Parking Companies, Etc.
Tracked Machines North America, Inc., is proud to announce the North American Release of the CarMoverXL into the North American Automotive Industry. The CarMover has been named the “The most Technological Advancement in made in the Automotive Industry!” No other equipment available has the capability to do this in this manner with ease.
CarMoverXL Patent Pending Technology that has patent pending moveable arms that grips the vehicle by all four tires, and lifts the vehicle a few inches off the ground. This technology allows the machine to adjust for the various tire sizes that will not damage any of the traction control or braking systems on a vehicle. This machine is the first machine with the ability to handle the weight of the Electric Vehicles that has plagued the automotive industry.
CarMoverXL Patent Pending Technology that has patent pending moveable arms that grips the vehicle by all 4 tires, and lifts the vehicle a few inches off the ground. This technology allows the machine to adjust for the various tire sizes that will not damage any of the traction control or braking systems on a vehicle. This machine is the first machine with the ability to handle the weight of the Electric Vehicles that has plagued the automotive industry.
The CarMoverXL above is an Electric, self-propelled automotive machine, that is carrying a disabled vehicle into an Automotive Repair Technicians work bay. This machine allows the operator to move vehicles on flat, hard surfaces without the need to enter the vehicle, or the need of keys or touching the vehicle. Providing more productivity and reducing the time spent on vehicle movement.
The CarMoverXL above is an Electric, self-propelled automotive machine, that is carrying a disabled vehicle into an Automotive Repair Technicians work bay. This machine allows the operator to move vehicles on flat, hard surfaces without the need to enter the vehicle, or the need of keys or touching the vehicle. Providing more productivity and reducing the time spent on vehicle movement.
The CarMoverXL, is operated by lithium-batteries and the machine maneuvers under a vehicle and picks a vehicle up by all four-wheels and then moves and transports the vehicle from one area to another. Outside to Inside a mechanic’s work area or from one parking spot to another.
This equipment is designed to be used by automobile dealers and repair service centers and body shops that have disabled or wrecked vehicles that need to be moved. The CarMoverXL has the ability to pick-up the heavy weighted EV’s and able to stretch-out to handle the long length of the most vehicles.
The Tracked Machines offers the CarMoverXL to Automotive Industry that helps move disable vehicles without having to touch the vehicle or the need of entry and keys.
The CarMoverXLÂŽ is new cutting-edge technology that brings a simple solution to complex problems related to fragile vehicle components and excessive vehicle weight. This machine solves the international problems associated with towing and transporting European Vehicles and Electric Vehicles (EV’s).
EV’s do not roll because they have no ability to shift into neutral and most often do not have winch-cable connection points that allow it to be pulled onto a flatbed. European vehicle undercarriages are made of soft-aluminum or magnesium alloy metals that easily bend the vehicle frame and EV’s possess lithium batteries that a wheel-lift wrecker cannot be used due to the damage they cause vehicle damages and EV thermal runaway fires have become such a major issue with the Automobile Industry.
The CarMoverXLÂŽ is the first electric machine designed to pick up vehicles by all four wheels. It is adaptable to meet all different vehicle sizes that are disabled on flat-paved surfaces. The machine is operated by lithium batteries and very user-friendly. This equipment is designed to pick up heavy electric vehicles or long wheel-base vehicles located on hard, flat surfaces like parking lots, inside repair facilities, warehouses, and body shops with cement or resin floors. The machine can maneuver vehicles in and out of tight areas or workspaces. Because it is electric, it does not emit exhaust or fumes, so it can conveniently be used indoors in body shops and warehouses.
Equally impressive, both the TowTrackÂŽ and the CarMover XLÂŽ can transport disabled vehicles up to 2.5 tons/2,500 kilograms without the need for keys or vehicle entry.
Tracked Machines North America, Inc. in Atlanta Georgia is the North America Distributor of the TowTrack, TowTrackXL, CarMoverXL and the Erclues Tracked Forklift. These machines are that is manufactured in Verona Italy. The TowTrack and CarMoverXL will be showcased at the 2023 SEMA Automotive Show in Las Vegas from October 31 to November 3, 2023. The TowTrack and CarMoverXL Machines are the “Most Technologically Advanced Automotive Equipment in the World!” and will change the Automotive Industry by solving the movement issues that plague the EV movement issues experienced by dealerships and repair facilities.
Contact:
Tracked Machines North America, Inc. www.trackedmachines.us
(770) 677-5766
TowMateÂŽ Unveils the TM36M18 Wireless Light Bar
Pioneering Roadside Safety with Milwaukee M18 Battery Integration
Rogers, Arkansas â TowMateÂŽ, a trailblazer in LED lighting solutions for automotive safety, proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking product: the TM36M18 Wireless Light Bar. This cutting-edge product integrates with the Milwaukee M18 battery system, showcasing TowMateâs unwavering commitment to innovation and functionality.
The TM36M18 stands out in the world of wireless tow light solutions, providing users with a seamless blend of trusted TowMate performance alongside the convenience of Milwaukee’s widely adopted M18 battery system. This strategic integration allows users to forgo the need for specialized batteries, tapping into the power of a battery many already possess.
Product Highlights:
- Milwaukee M18 Battery Compatibility: A built-in adapter in the handle ensures a flawless connection with the M18 removable battery system.
- Versatile Lighting: The 36″ wireless bar provides stop, tail, and turn signal salong with side marker lights on each end and three central DOT lights.
- Extended Usage: The power of the Milwaukee M18 battery ensures prolonged usage times, keeping users operational for longer periods.
- User-Centric Design: The TM36M18, while advanced, remains user-friendly. It comes with an intuitive transmitter and simple to use bungee straps for mounting the bar.
Chris Anderson, Vice President of TowMate, commented on the launch, “With the TM36M18, we’ve taken a significant leap forward in redefining wireless tow lights. By integrating with a battery system that’s already popular and trusted, weâre enhancing user convenience and addressing a long-standing need in the market.”
This innovative light bar is a testament to TowMateâs dedication to continuous product development and commitment to offering solutions that resonate with users’ evolving needs.
The TM36M18 is now available for purchase through TowMateâs extensive network of dealers and distributors.
For more details on the TM36M18 and to find a dealer near you, visit www.towmate.com/dealers
About TowMateÂŽ:
TowMateÂŽ is a leading U.S. manufacturer specializing in LED lighting solutions for automotive safety. With a robust product line that includes wireless tow lights, overhead light bars, and advanced LED strobes, TowMate is consistently at the forefront of technology, ensuring safer roads and highways for all.
In Memory of Terry L. Biddle of Photo Card Specialists, Inc.
Terry L. Biddle
12-23-1952 â 08-01-2023
Photo Card Specialists, Inc. – Eau Claire, WI
Terry Lee Biddle, 70, unexpectedly passed away August 1, 2023, in Tampa, FL, while vacationing with wife Linda. Born the oldest of three children on December 23, 1952, to Marvel and Leland Biddle in Stanley, WI; he grew up in the neighboring small town of Thorp, and later graduated from Thorp High School in 1971. Marrying Minnette Jepsen in 1972; they have one daughter, LaShawn, and were later divorced. On March 12, 1988, he married Linda (Brown) Ahnefeldt, who brought one son to the marriage, John, together they have one son, Lee.
Hometown pride and an unwavering work ethic were sources of pride for Terry and among his core values that drove all his pursuits. He often reminisced about the many jobs he had starting at a young age including working at Soderbergâs Farm, Haas & Sons, Midland Gas Station, Wifler Chevrolet, and then for the Thorp Police and Clark County Sheriffâs Depts. In 1975, he moved to Eau Claire, WI, and began his 20 year career with the Eau Claire County Sheriffâs Dept holding many positions including jailer, patrolman, pilot, Duty Officer, SWAT Commander and Detective Sgt; retiring from law enforcement in 1995.
While with the Sheriffâs Dept, he also formed the companies Photo Card Specialists, Inc. and Awards & More, Co. currently celebrating 37 years in business. For 36 years, Terry and Linda traveled nationwide to Tow Shows developing many connections in the towing industries and gaining close friends. He loved photographing trucks and visiting with the owners, drivers, and families.
A flying, crime-fighting, Midwesterner through and through, Terry has left a lasting impression by treating every person as a friend whether he had just met them or had been life-long buddies. He will be truly missed. Terryâs passion and service for the towing industry will be carried on in the continued work of Photocard Specialties, Inc. and their efforts to help promote the companies of the towing community.
The Repo Queen of Long Island
By: Matthew C. Fueston
Matthew C. Fueston is a writer and editor in the B2B space and has been writing for almost 15 years about âbig ironâ equipment and the men and women who rely on it. From towing and recovery, to construction, mining, and oil and water drill rigs, he always puts the story of the real people in the field first and foremost. He may be reached at matt@fuestonassoc.com.
Lauren Konetsky is a Long Island native and lifelong resident of the island. She is a repo specialist for Advanced Asset Recovery and has been doing repos for the last 11 years. She mainly covers Nassau and Suffolk, but also travels regularly to the five boroughs and lower Westchester.
She doesnât just âdabbleâ in repos, either. Her boss and the manager of Advanced Asset Recovery, Mike Lopez, says he can rely on her for at least 100 cars per month. At least 100. And remember, this is in New York, where the applicable laws do not make it easy to repossess a vehicle. In New York, it is illegal for the police to help a repo service repossess a car. For each of those 100-plus cars, Lauren must take the car to the precinct to log the car in and notify the police of the repo. Once there, officers check out the vehicle, double-check the VIN, and run the plates to see if the car was stolen. Only after that is Lauren able to take it to her employerâs impound yard.
âThe job isnât like you see in the movies,â she says. âI mean, this isnât Kansas. Everybodyâs car isnât parked in front of their house. Itâs in a big parking garage a couple blocks from their apartment. But sure, sometimes you have to deal with the person whose day youâre ruining.â
âI learned early on that 80% of staying out of âsituationsâ is learning how to talk to people. Donât disrespect them, be understanding, remember how stressful this whole thing is for them. Be empathetic. You canât be confrontational. Others I know in this business have the same mentality. Anyone doing this job must figure out some way to learn de-escalation. Youâd be surprised at how many people are pretty nice about it all.â
She shrugs. âI really donât have a list of crazy stories like youâd expect.â
Sometimesâin certain areas, at certain hoursâ Lauren will have an extra person with her, for backup, for security, and maybe to help out with some tasks. But normally itâs just her. Due to the thousands of visits sheâs made to various police precincts over the years, she knows the police officers in her area very, very well. âSo, I feel secure enough,â she adds.
âI still enjoy the job; I love the people I work forâMark Lopez is the manager and Leticia Nunez is the owner. We were friends before I went to work for them, but I love the fact that they give me the equipment I need, and maybe most important of all to me, they never micromanage. Thatâs just not their style. And I donât respond well to micromanagement anyway.â
Lauren says that she was working at a small car dealership when a friend suggested she apply at a repo company that a friend of his owned. âI loved it right away,â she said. âLoved the freedom, the truck, the paycheck.â
Mike Lopez, her employer for the past 5 years, met Lauren 10 years ago. âWe worked together at another repo company. One time I was assigned to work with her, and it was obvious she knew her stuff. I saw her hook up a car, but our boss wouldnât let her drive. Right then I told her, she should be driving. Her talent was being wasted on basic tasks. I only lasted 3 weeks at that company, but one of her strongest qualities is loyalty, so she stayed on there longer than she needed to before taking a job with another repo company.â
âFast forward a few years and I had my own company, Advanced Asset Recovery. I looked her up and asked her to go to work for me. I told her, âLauren, Iâll buy you a truck if you come to work for me. Itâll be yours, no one else will drive it. In fact, you will get a new truck every 2 years, Iâll never put you in an old truck.â Mike grins and then adds, âI finally talked her into it.â
Lauren got her first Jerr-Dan in November of 2022, an MPL NG. Mike buys his trucks from Atlanta Wrecker Sales, and he decided to work with them on something special for this particular purchase.
Lauren and Mike had talked about her wish list. First of all, it had to be a Ford, preferably an F-550. Mike told her the ones Atlanta Wrecker had were not Fords, but she could probably get a truck the same size. This did not make her happyâshe is a Ford devotee. But they also talked about how she would like the truck equipped. Of course, she needed an extended cab for her wheelchair, and so on. Finally, she mentioned a grey color that she just loved, but she knew that Advanced Asset Recoveryâs livery was white. All their vehicles are white. But this was all just wish-list talk, anyway.
Behind the scenes, Mike got to work with Robb Lowe, at Atlanta Wrecker Salesâ Chesnee, South Carolina location. It took some work, but they were able to spec out a truck that Mike was satisfied with. Back in Long Island, Mike told Lauren it was time for her to run down to South Carolina and pick up her new work vehicle. He warned her, though, that it wasnât a Ford, but that it should work out okay.
When she got to the Chesnee lot, she asked them to show her the truck she was supposed to drive back to Long Island. âThey drove a truck out for me,â she said, âbut I didnât notice it at first. It was the wrong make, the wrong color⌠Then I realized what Mike and Robb at AWS had doneâtheyâd secretly put this beautiful grey Ford F-550 with a Jerr-Dan MPL-NG self-loader on it together for me, with all the bells and whistles, and surprised me with it at the last minute!â
Right now, Advanced Asset Recovery is running a Jerr-Dan fleet. If Laurenâs reaction to her new Jerr-Dan is any clue, Mike will probably continue to purchase them as he needs to enlarge or renew his fleet. Lauren says that she is in love with hers. âIt has not let me down, even though Iâve put more than 23,000 miles on it from November to June. The wheel lift is very fast and since the body is narrower, I can get into tough spots easier.â
Lauren admits that there are very, very few other women in the repo field, at least where she works. And she may be the only one with a wheelchair. But none of that affects the fact that she will get her 100 cars this month. And next month. And the next.
For more information about, Jerr-Dan, visit www.jerdan.com.
CW Mills News
CW Mill Equipment Co., Inc. is a diversified manufacturing, sales, and service company that has been celebrating 50 years during 2023. Each product that CW has developed, manufactured, and offered for 50 years has been in large part customer-driven and is the basis for all that CW Mill Equipment does. That approach is backed with experienced staff, advanced manufacturing equipment, and will continue to provide products for years to come. CW Mill, located in Sabetha, Kansas, was incorporated in October of 1973 by founder Clyde Wenger.
CW Millâs products include large HogZillaÂŽ brand industrial grinding machines, high-performance hammer mill cutting and grinding tools for rigid and swing hammer style grinding machines, and automotive installation kits for crankshaft-driven aftermarket accessories.
CW Millâs automotive installation kit division serves many industries including the commercial, municipal, agricultural, and military/security utility vehicle industries through providing up-fitting components related to special use applications that require adaptation of the customerâs crankshaft-driven accessories such as hydraulic pumps, cooling compressors, power generators, and power alternators. Special uses within these industries include refrigerated food transport vehicles, mechanical repair service vehicles, electrical and communication linesman utility vehicles, electrical and communication wire spool handling vehicles, agricultural feed handling vehicles, armored vehicles, automotive transport vehicles, and road maintenance vehicles.
The grinding machine and parts division also serves many industries including the commercial, municipal, agricultural, and industrial material processing industries through providing whole machines and sub-components to process most organic and some non-organic materials. Special uses within these industries include animal food processing, disaster recovery, waste volume reduction, recycled material processing, forestry product grinding, forestry-derived fuel production, land clearing, utility right-of-way maintenance, organic composting, scrap tire grinding, and tire-derived fuel production.
You can learn more about CW Mill and our family of products by using the following links:
www.cwkits.com for automotive crankshaft-driven accessory mounting kits.
www.hogzilla.com for industrial tub & horizontal end feed style grinding machines.
www.armorhog.com for extreme-duty parts for rigid hammer-style grinding machines.
www.dynahog.com for heavy-duty parts for swing hammer-style grinding machines.
CW Mill Equipment Co., Inc.
14 Commerce Drive
Sabetha, KS 66534
800-743-3491 (Within the US)
785-284-3454 (Outside the US)
Fax: 785-284-3601 or 785-284-2010
Out of Gas
My wife and I were riding down the road the other day. As we passed no less than ten gas stations, we could not help but notice the price differences between the gas stations, ranging anywhere from $3.09 to $3.89 per gallon. We also noticed that three days later they had changed again. Three years ago, gas was priced at $1.89 a gallon and rarely changed. It was easy to create a budget based on a stable gas price. These prices were noticed in Texas, where prices are lower based on east or west coast pricing. We looked at each other and decided it was a good time not to run a fleet of trucks.
How do you keep your fleet of trucks on the road with gas prices as high as they are? Keeping your fleet of trucks on the road during times when gas prices are high requires a proactive approach to managing fuel costs. Here are some strategies that may help:
1. Route Planning:
Plan efficient routes to minimize mileage and reduce fuel consumption. Make sure your drivers use GPS tracking and route planning software to identify the most fuel-efficient paths. Many GPS apps will route the shortest route to your destination. It will warn you when there are police ahead, or an accident that may cause delays.
2. Maintenance and inspections:
When I first got into the business, it was common to have a maintenance log that each driver was required to fill in. It would contain things like checking the oil, airing the tires, and cleaning the truck inside and out. Back then drivers would argue with you that it was not their job. Regularly maintain and inspect your trucks to ensure they are running in the most efficient way. Properly inflate tires and change air filters regularly. A well-maintained engine can improve fuel efficiency.
3. Fuel cards and discounts:
Consider using fuel cards that offer discounts or cashback rewards for fuel purchases. Helping you save on fuel costs. My company used fuel cards because that was a big thing at the time. The towing association I belong to negotiated with several suppliers to get discounts when purchasing gas, tires, or insurance. Fuel cards are good because the driver does not have to carry cash to purchase gas. The gas company would send reports that identified and controlled who was buying gas and when.
4. Driver Training:
Train your drivers in fuel-efficient driving techniques, such as avoiding aggressive acceleration, and braking, while maintaining consistent speeds. Even today drivers want to go faster than the speed limit and brake hard when necessary. Some drivers donât even have training when it comes to towing a car, much less to teach them how to drive their truck. These steps can have a big impact on your gas bill, but the hard part is getting the drivers to follow them. You can set up incentive programs that good drivers would be rewarded if they followed the driving instructions.
5. Monitor Fuel Prices:
Keep an eye on fuel price trends and fill up when prices are relatively low. Whenever my wife and I are driving, my wife is always looking at fuel prices. She has an app on her phone that will tell her who is offering the lowest price for gas. Some apps and websites can help you find the cheapest gas stations in your area. With todayâs technology, there are many tools that can help you find the cheapest gas. Do some research and find the app that best helps you.
6. Alternative Fuels:
Depending on availability and feasibility in your area, explore alternative fuels like biodiesel or natural gas which may provide cost savings in the long run. I donât think the price of gas is going to get any lower, so when itâs time to purchase a new truck you change from diesel to gas or gas to diesel â whichever makes sense. You might want to consider the different gas companies. For example: If you are using Shell, you might want to switch to Gulf if they have a better price. I can remember in my personal car I would always use one kind of gas and use the best gas possible at the pump. When prices started to rise, I quickly changed my approach. Now I get my gas at Kroger or Seven-Eleven. The government might make the decision for you and force you to purchase electric trucks. Thatâs a whole different story.
7. Negotiate with Suppliers:
When I first got into towing, I looked around at what other companies were doing and tried to emulate what they were doing. So, I implemented a maintenance log that made my drivers accountable for the truck. There was one company that used one gas station to get all its gas. If possible, negotiate with fuel suppliers for better pricing or explore long-term fuel contracts to lock in prices during periods when prices are high.
8. Idle reduction policies:
Implement policies to minimize unnecessary engine idling as idling consumes fuel without contributing to productivity. If you are not in the truck, shut it off. I was told when I started my company that if you had diesel trucks it was best to leave them running. I made the decision as a company that all my trucks would be Fordâs and they would be gas trucks.
9. Upgrade to fuel-efficient vehicles:
If financially feasible, consider upgrading your fleet to more fuel-efficient vehicles that meet your operational needs. Do some research and figure out what truck best fits your business needs that are cost effective and go in that direction. Owners like to show off their toys, but in todayâs world you must think about the financial impact your trucks have on the company.
Operationally, you may want to store trucks at active locations so your driver does not have to drive so far. This would also help with your ETAâs when you get a call for service. Explore opportunities for remote work to reduce the number of trucks on the road. Implementing these strategies and closely monitoring fuel consumption can help you control the impact of high gas prices so youâre not out of gas in your business.
45th Midwest Tow Show Invitation
The Midwest Regional Tow Show the largest tow show in the Midwest. This event, referred to as the Family Towing Affair, is planned with attendees in mind â including families. Children are entertained on Friday and Saturday evenings, allowing parents to attend show events. The Women of TRAO hosts a luncheon featuring a âSafety Fashion Showâ with new apparel. Male âmodelsâ are chosen from within our industry and represent towers, industry leaders and exhibitors who are willing to strut the runway while showcasing their unique personalities and attitudes.
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Midwest Vendor Invitation
Vendors are encouraged to show up at the 45th Midwest Tow Show in Wilmington, Ohio. New Location! Lots of family-friendly activities, RV, Tents, and Campers welcome.
Go to Outdoorsy.com to rent an RV!
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