How Pen And Paper Can Be Detrimental For Towers

By Laura Dolan

In the fast-paced world of the towing industry, where prompt and efficient service can mean the difference between minor inconvenience and disaster, some towing businesses are still finding themselves anchored to outdated practices.

Despite the technological strides made in the realm of towing software, many towing companies still rely heavily on pen and paper for their day-to-day operations. As many may be resistant to this change, the steadfast commitment to traditional methods comes with its own set of challenges and can prove to be detrimental for towing and roadside assistance businesses.

But there is a better way and we’re here to tell you how towing software helps you quickly and effectively manage your entire operation in a more organized and digital fashion. Say goodbye to gaps and inconsistencies in your reporting, longhand tasks, working longer hours due to paperwork, and piles and piles of boxes taking up space with old, outdated records. Here’s how going from pen and paper to digital software really makes a difference:

Effortless Digital Dispatching

One of the primary drawbacks of sticking to pen and paper in the towing industry is the impediment it poses to dispatch efficiency. Towing and roadside assistance demands swift response times, and relying on manual methods for receiving and dispatching jobs can lead to delays. Digital dispatching systems, equipped with GPS tracking and real-time communication features, offer a streamlined approach to managing service calls. With pen and paper, the risk of miscommunication, missed calls, and dispatch errors increases, potentially tarnishing the reputation of your towing business and compromising customer satisfaction.

Better Relationships With Customers

Another critical aspect where pen and paper may be a drawback is in customer relationship management. Towing and roadside assistance businesses thrive on repeat customers and positive reviews. Digital dispatching enables the logging of customer information, service history, and preferences all in one place, empowering towing businesses to provide personalized and efficient service. Pen and paper, on the other hand, make it challenging to maintain organized records, leading to potential errors, misplaced information, and a lack of insight into customer needs and preferences.

Easier Billing And Invoicing

Billing and invoicing processes also suffer when towing businesses cling to antiquated methods. Manual invoicing is prone to errors, and the delay in generating invoices can negatively impact cash flow. Digital billing systems streamline the invoicing process, reducing the risk of delays and errors, and enabling businesses to send invoices promptly. This not only enhances professionalism but also contributes to better financial management, helping your towing business be more responsible, which helps to build trust among your customers.

More Efficient Record Keeping

Regulating accurate compliance and documentation requirements in the towing industry is imperative. Using pen and paper for record-keeping can result in misplaced or incomplete documentation, leading to legal and regulatory complications. Digital record-keeping systems not only ensure compliance but also facilitate quick and easy retrieval of necessary documents when needed.

Come Experience The TRAXERO Difference

This is where we come in. We offer all of the above and more on our fully-integrated towing software that helps towers get a complete overview of every part of their business to increase efficiency and profits.

Our reliable support team responds quickly and is always here to help you get set up and answer any questions about how it all works. You never have to go it alone.

To learn more about how you can start using TRAXERO’s tools to start improving your towing business, visit traxero.com or call us at 1-800-428-4715.

TowMate® Launches TM36MDW Wireless Light Bar – The New Standard in Roadside Safety, Now with Dual Battery Compatibility

Darian Weaver

Rogers, Arkansas, [Dec. 15, 2023] – TowMate®, a leader in LED lighting solutions and automotive safety, proudly unveils its latest innovation: the TM36MDW Wireless Light Bar. Building on the success of its predecessor, the TM36MDW sets a new benchmark in the towing industry with its dual battery compatibility, operating seamlessly with both Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt MAX20V batteries.

Key Features of the TM36MDW:

– Dual Battery System: The TM36MDW’s standout feature is its versatile compatibility with two of the most popular battery systems in the market, Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt MAX20V. This advancement offers unparalleled convenience and flexibility, allowing users to leverage the power of batteries they already own.

Enhanced Lighting Capabilities: The TM36MDW maintains TowMate’s commitment to safety with its 36″ light bar that includes stop, tail, turn signals, side marker lights, and central DOT lights, ensuring maximum visibility in all working conditions.
Extended Operational Time: The integration of these powerful battery systems ensures prolonged usage, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency in the field.
User-Friendly Design: True to TowMate’s ethos, the TM36MDW is designed for ease of use, featuring an intuitive transmitter and easy mounting options, making it suitable for a wide range of towing scenarios.

Chris Anderson, Vice President of TowMate, comments on the launch: “The TM36MDW represents a leap forward in our product line. By embracing dual battery technology, we’re not just innovating; we’re responding directly to the needs of our users, who seek versatility and reliability in their equipment.”

The TM36MDW is a testament to TowMate’s dedication to continuous innovation and its commitment to providing solutions that resonate with the evolving needs of the towing and emergency services industries.

Available now through TowMate’s extensive network of dealers and distributors, the TM36MDW is set to become the go-to choice for professionals seeking efficiency, reliability, and flexibility in their roadside operations.

About TowMate:

TowMate, LLC, based in the USA, specializes in the design and manufacture of high-quality LED lighting solutions and safety equipment for the automotive sector. Renowned for their innovation and durability, TowMate products are the preferred choice for professionals in the towing and emergency services industries.

For more information on the TM36MDW and other TowMate products, or to find a TowMate dealer near you, visit www.TowMate.com/dealers or call (800) 680-4455.

Jerr-Dan Announces Addition of MPL-60 Wrecker to Integrated Medium Duty Line

Darian Weaver

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (Jan. 24, 2024) — Jerr-Dan, an Oshkosh Corporation company (NYSE: OSK), has introduced its new integrated medium-duty wrecker, the MPL-60. The MPL-60 is a 12-ton wrecker with a 6,000-pound rated underlift. Key features include a modern, modular aluminum body designed with optimal storage and deck space, fully proportional, dual side electro-hydraulic (EH) controls, and hydraulic rear spades with a multi-position, ground compacting foot design.

The new Jerr-Dan MPL-60 model is provided with an integrated recovery boom that has an extended capacity of 8,000 pounds and a retracted capacity of 24,000 pounds. The underlift boom is rated at 5,000/6,000 pounds with L-Arms/Forks retracted or extended. The MPL-60 comes with a standard adjustable auto-level stop assist system. With this feature, the underlift will automatically halt when it is level to the ground. This alerts the operator to extend the self-locking L-Arms at the necessary level to complete the pick. Setting the underlift and L-Arms to be aligned at the perfect level is always essential and even more critical during negatively sloped recovery situations.

The Jerr-Dan MPL-60 model offers either single or dual winch options with a winch capacity of 10,000/12,000 pounds.

Wired or wireless remote controls are available as options.

For more information on Jerr-Dan, visit www.jerrdan.com. For more detailed information on the new MPL-60, please go to www.jerrdan.com/equipment/wreckers/medium-duty/integrated.

About Jerr-Dan

JerrDan, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is a leading manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment. Its full line includes light-, medium- and heavy-duty carriers and wreckers, industrial transporters and multi-car carriers. 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 17,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, JBT AeroTech and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition; the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and others to address or otherwise mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global economies and the Company’s customers, suppliers and employees; and the cyclical nature of the Company’s Access Equipment, Commercial and Fire & Emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons.

Tow Professional Quarterly – Q4 2023

Darian Weaver

Heavy Hauling & Accident Claims

Darian Weaver

by Kelsea Eckhert

It’s a well-known fact throughout the trucking industry that four wheeled vehicles are usually the at-fault party in traffic accident between semis and cars.

The Windmill Example of an Oversized Load:

Owner Operator, David, has a small but profitable trucking business. He and his wife own one heavy haul truck and trailer, designed specifically to haul oversize loads like windmill blades. Last month David and a pilot car were transporting a windmill blade across Oklahoma when a young girl in a small car ran right into the side of David’s trailer. By the grace of God, she wasn’t hurt, and neither was the cargo. But David’s heavy haul trailer was damaged enough to not be drivable until fixed.

The transfer of the windmill blade to a substitute driver’s equipment was expensive, as well as the tow of the trailer to the repair shop. While David’s truck wasn’t damaged, it wasn’t very useful without the trailer that was married to it.

Mitigation Problems for Heavy Haulers

David did everything he could to get the repairs moving quickly. While he knew the odds of finding the type of heavy haul trailer he needed were almost futile, he emailed rental shops asking if they had the equipment he required. The answer was always “no”, but it was good David took these steps because the insurance adjuster for the young girl’s insurance company asked for proof of mitigation. David was able to forward the rejection letters from the rental companies, showing no comparable equipment was available for rent.

Crazy accidents happen, including one in 2020 between a cattle hauler and a truck carrying a wind turbine blade in Wyoming. Ice may have been a factor in that accident.

Remember to stay safe out there!

As we go into the winter season, be extra cautious of those drivers around you. While you may be a very safe driver, you and your equipment are a big target for others not paying attention.

As always, if you need a lawyer to assist you with a trucking insurance claim, choose a trucking lawyer experienced in trucking claims. We at Eckert & Associates, PA focus on trucking claims and the men and women of the trucking industry. Please call us with your next claim, and we will be happy to discuss your matter at no charge.

Giving Back to the Brave: Warrior Winches’ Commitment to Towing Community

Darian Weaver

Warrior Winches, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty winches and hoists, today announced a pledge to donate 1% of all online sales to the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum’s Survivors Fund. This fund provides critical financial assistance to towing and recovery operators injured or killed in the line of duty, helping families facing unexpected hardship.

“At Warrior Winches, we believe business should be more than just profits – it should make a positive impact on society and support local communities,” said Jeff Bimson, CEO of Warrior Winches. “That’s why we made the commitment to support the Survivor Fund. This cause perfectly aligns with our company vision and our philosophy of a business based on family values.”

“As a supplier into the industry we recognize the danger that towing operators face every day, we salute their commitment to keeping other people safe, whilst risking their own safety. Tragically this can result in incidents that can have major impact on the operators and their families. If our donation can offer some kind of support to even just one person then we believe it’s worth it. This pledge reaffirms our commitment to using our success to serve others.”

Lauren Colón, Executive Director of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum, welcomed the donation. “This generous pledge from Warrior Winches will help provide crucial assistance to families of fallen tow operators when they need it the most,” she said. “We’re thankful for partners like Warrior who are dedicated to our mission of honoring towing professionals.”

Tow Professional Quarterly – Q3 2023

Darian Weaver

Friends in the Towing Industry

D.J. Harrington CSP

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, “Is there ANY WAY you know someone in towing in South Florida that can move Jeff and Janice’s Jeep?” 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. I’ve 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 couldn’t 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 “Emergency only” 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, “I’m on it!” and got to work making it happen. My first call was to my dear friend, Todd Stepp, of Stepp’s 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, “DJ, we are 2 and a half hours from where the Jeep is located. But, if we can’t 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.” 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 Jeep’s location, the tower I spoke to said, “First, we are only doing emergency tows, police directed, plus we don’t store any vehicles at our facility.” The next guy said that he stored vehicles, but his truck was out of service. Both calls couldn’t 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, “but was smart by hunkering down for the hurricane.” I must admit that her additional answer made my mouth drop when she said, “they should have thought about moving the Jeep 3 days earlier. I guess your friends are not that smart. Sir, kiss that Jeep good bye,” 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. Gay’s 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 Stepp’s memorial service back in April of 2017. Jim was Todd’s dad and started Stepp’s Towing back in 1960 from a gas station in Temple Terrace, Florida. Now Stepp’s has over 150 trucks. Many locations later, Jim’s memory lives on. I carry Jim’s 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, “I’m calling from Atlanta, Georgia. My name is DJ Harrington…” and stopped me mid-sentence, “The same guy that writes for the Tow Professional Magazine and does podcasts for the magazine and the one for Wes Wilburn?” Shocked at his response, I said, “Hell, yes, the same one!” I knew I liked Edward right off. I told him about the Jeep and the need to move it quickly, but he said, “Tell the Schroder’s 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, Jeff’s 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, don’t 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

Dan Messina

Last month, I wrote about gas prices and how they affect everyone’s 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 it’s 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 don’t 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 it’s 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 don’t 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 1^st 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.

Ya’ll be safe out there!

Towers Just Do

Darian Weaver

Have you noticed that TOWERS JUST DO? They don’t find excuses.

They get a call to move something no one else can do and it doesn’t matter. They just do it. Haven’t done it yet? Doesn’t matter. They just figure it out. It’s extremely difficult. Doesn’t matter. They just get it done. Someone else tried and made it worse. Doesn’t matter. They just figure out a better way. Towers just do.

TGIF??? Right….

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 doesn’t?

But let’s be real here, TGIF doesn’t 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, it’s all hands on deck whether you are on call or not. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I just don’t want to do something, and it comes in very handy to have the “I’m working” excuse. You, too? I know, right! I always wonder if the person on the other end of the phone knows I’m on the toilet or in the shower when they call……Don’t roll your eyes. I can’t be the only one. It is just so second nature to answer that phone that it doesn’t matter what is happening at that moment. Towers just do….

THE BEST LAID PLANS….. mhmmm…

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 isn’t exactly true, it sure feels like it. It doesn’t 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 me…

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 phones…… wow!

Can you say FREEDOM??? Until it wasn’t. You weren’t 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 can’t ever unplug–the curse. However, being able to travel and attend events while still taking care of business–the blessing! We can’t be fully present and are usually distracted by phone calls. And those phone calls only come at the most inopportune times.

Doesn’t matter though. Towers just do….

HIGHWAY HEROES…..

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.

Wouldn’t 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 don’t 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 do…..

GIVE THEM SOME LOVE & RESPECT

I have multiple ways to break all this down and give you some great mentorship but that wasn’t 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

Darian Weaver

Zip’s Lift Assist Dolly Mount

You often work alone. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a little help with your light-duty wrecker operation. Introducing the all-new Zip’s 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 steel’s 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 12” x 18”, 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 won’t scratch or fray, and its low-stretch properties won’t cause a loss in towing power. This new rope is available in three sizes and lengths to 150’. Upgrade today at Zips.com. Item # RIMSLING-WINCHLINE.

For more information, visit Zips.com.

Warrior Winches Now Available in the USA!

Darian Weaver

The best of Europe is now available in the USA! Warrior Winches, Europe’s 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, ‘We 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.’

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

Darian Weaver

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, 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 CarMoverXL® 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 CarMoverXL® 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 TowTrack® and the CarMover XL® 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

TowMate® Unveils the TM36M18 Wireless Light Bar

Darian Weaver

Pioneering Roadside Safety with Milwaukee M18 Battery Integration

Rogers, Arkansas – TowMate®, 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 TowMate’s 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, we’re enhancing user convenience and addressing a long-standing need in the market.”

This innovative light bar is a testament to TowMate’s dedication to continuous product development and commitment to offering solutions that resonate with users’ evolving needs.

The TM36M18 is now available for purchase through TowMate’s 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 TowMate®:

TowMate® 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.

Darian Weaver

Photocard Specialists Inc., Terry Biddle

Terry L. Biddle
12-23-1952 – 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 Soderberg’s Farm, Haas & Sons, Midland Gas Station, Wifler Chevrolet, and then for the Thorp Police and Clark County Sheriff’s Depts. In 1975, he moved to Eau Claire, WI, and began his 20 year career with the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Dept holding many positions including jailer, patrolman, pilot, Duty Officer, SWAT Commander and Detective Sgt; retiring from law enforcement in 1995.

While with the Sheriff’s 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. Terry’s 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

Darian Weaver

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 “big iron” 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 doesn’t just “dabble” 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 employer’s impound yard.

“The job isn’t like you see in the movies,” she says. “I mean, this isn’t Kansas. Everybody’s car isn’t parked in front of their house. It’s in a big parking garage a couple blocks from their apartment. But sure, sometimes you have to deal with the person whose day you’re ruining.”

“I learned early on that 80% of staying out of ‘situations’ is learning how to talk to people. Don’t disrespect them, be understanding, remember how stressful this whole thing is for them. Be empathetic. You can’t 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. You’d be surprised at how many people are pretty nice about it all.”

She shrugs. “I really don’t have a list of crazy stories like you’d expect.”

Sometimes—in certain areas, at certain hours— Lauren will have an extra person with her, for backup, for security, and maybe to help out with some tasks. But normally it’s just her. Due to the thousands of visits she’s made to various police precincts over the years, she knows the police officers in her area very, very well. “So, I feel secure enough,” she adds.

“I still enjoy the job; I love the people I work for—Mark 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. That’s just not their style. And I don’t respond well to micromanagement anyway.”

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. “I loved it right away,” she said. “Loved the freedom, the truck, the paycheck.”

Mike Lopez, her employer for the past 5 years, met Lauren 10 years ago. “We 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 wouldn’t 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.”

“Fast 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, ‘Lauren, I’ll buy you a truck if you come to work for me. It’ll be yours, no one else will drive it. In fact, you will get a new truck every 2 years, I’ll never put you in an old truck.” Mike grins and then adds, “I finally talked her into it.”

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 happy—she 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 Recovery’s 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 Sales’ 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 wasn’t 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. “They drove a truck out for me,” she said, “but I didn’t notice it at first. It was the wrong make, the wrong color… Then I realized what Mike and Robb at AWS had done—they’d 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!”

Right now, Advanced Asset Recovery is running a Jerr-Dan fleet. If Lauren’s 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. “It has not let me down, even though I’ve 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.”

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.

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TGIF??? Right….

THE BEST LAID PLANS….. mhmmm…

BLESSING OR A CURSE? You tell me…

HIGHWAY HEROES…..

GIVE THEM SOME LOVE & RESPECT

Zip’s Lift Assist Dolly Mount

Ken-Tool Dual Wheel Separator

UltraTech Ultra-Spill Diaper

RimSling Synthetic Winch Lines

The Most Technologically Advanced Automotive Equipment for Automotive Industry for Automotive Dealerships, Repair Facilities, Collision Centers, Parking Companies, Etc.

Pioneering Roadside Safety with Milwaukee M18 Battery Integration

About TowMate®:

Terry L. Biddle 12-23-1952 – 08-01-2023 Photo Card Specialists, Inc. – Eau Claire, WI

By: Matthew C. Fueston

Terry L. Biddle
12-23-1952 – 08-01-2023
Photo Card Specialists, Inc. – Eau Claire, WI