tow professional issue 6, 2014
DESCRIPTION
Your Resource for Towing & RecoveryTRANSCRIPT
2 Tow Professional | Volume 3 Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
IN EVERY ISSUE
4 |Publisher Letter56| Dealers Place
57|Market Place60|Ad Index
6 |Jerr-Dan 8 |Evans Cooling8 |Location Based Services: Smarter, Better, Easier
10 |Wrecker Rentals, Inc.10 |BA Products Co. 11 |Detroit Wrecker12 |World’s Fastest Wrecker13 |Road America Explands Digital Dispatch Network14 |Wyless Telematics - Customer Feedback15 |All•Grip
30|Wall of the Fallen / Hall of Fame
CONTENTSVolume 3 • Issue 6 2014
www.towprofessional.com
T O W P R O F E S S I O N A L
IndustryNEWS
18 |What a ShowFuel 4 thought
20|Surviving the Slow Periods
Safety42 | Electronic Communications to the Trucks –
A Blessing and a Curse!
49| MDP30 50| AW Direct<
51|Worksafe 52| Pheonix
53| S&J 53| S&J 54|Next Generation
54| B/A Products 55| Steck 55| Advanced Specalty Products
Hooked Up
24 | WEBFLEET from TomTom Telematics Helps Zores Towing & Metal Recycling Increase Efficiency and
Accurate Record Keeping
26 | Integrating Dispatch and Fleet Management Software
32|Tom Tom Telematics33|Beacon34|VTS35|Budget
36|Tracker 38|Towbook40|Wyless
DAMAGED VEHICLE
MOVEMENT
46 | History of the Self-Loading Dolly -- 42 Years of the Collins Hi-Speed<Dolly Changing the Tow Professional's Industry
47 | Steck’s 4th Wheel Loader
GPS SOLUTIONS
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
24
26
50| Towmate
51| Windshield Cam
4647
4 Tow Professional | Volume 3 Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
PUBLISHERSDarian Weaver
President & [email protected]
Jack HartsfieldVice President & [email protected]
Steve GoodwinSales Manager
__________________________
PRODUCTION
Clint W. CabinessArt Director
Kattie SpenceGraphic Designer
Jill HastyManaging Editor
__________________________
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSThomas BrayDJ HarringtonDan Messina
Executive and Advertising Offices
2007 Old Montgomery Hwy, Suite B Birmingham, AL 35244Toll free: 888-802-8544Fax: 205-978-1550
www.towprofessional.com
Tow Professional is published nine times a year by OverThe Mountain Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26308, Birmingham, Alabama,35260, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified sub-scribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year inthe U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers(surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama andadditional mailing offices.
Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Re-covery's Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all con-tent (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers)of advertisements published and does not accept responsibilityfor any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’sor agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on anyitem or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproductionof this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without priorwritten permission from the publisher.
ProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
TMLETTER
For a new free subscription, address changes or corrections,
please visit www.towprofessional.comand click on the “subscribe” tab.
P U B L I S H E R S
Hello from Birmingham, Alabama!
As I write this, we are preparing to attend the New Orleans Tow Summit. By the timeyou read this, the Summit will have already happened. We are excited to go to New Or-leans; I have been to New Orleans countless times but have not been there since beforeHurricane Katrina back in 2005. Let’s see - Cafe Du Monde beignets and chicory coffee,muffuletta at Central Grocery, the French Quarter Market, Jackson Square, people watchingon Bourbon Street, mule driven carriages, casinos, the aquarium… and, oh yeah, the TowSummit! A couple of years ago, I told my son (now 15) that he would need to earn enough
money to pay for half of whatever car he wants when the time comes for him to get a car,and that we (his mom and me) would pay for the other half. This summer, he has been cut-ting grass to earn money; he is saving some and spending some. The other day, he men-tioned to me that we haven’t been giving him spending money this summer, that he hasbeen using his own money every time he does something and that he has had to miss outon doing some things that his buddies are doing because of that. I asked him how that felt,and he said, “It stinks not being able to always do what everybody else is doing, but I wantto be able to get a car.” I let him know how proud I am of him for learning what it takes tomake it in life! I have three great children and am proud of them all, but this lesson hitshome for everyone and most teenagers don’t get it.With this issue, we bring you GPS by TomTom, Safety and Hand Held Devices by JJ
Keller, “Fuel for Thought” on the Wisconsin Trade Show by DJ Harrington, “Insightful Talk”by Dan Messina, Company Spotlights on companies affiliated with GPS as well as Dam-aged Vehicle Movement Products, along with plenty of “Industry News” and “Hooked Up.”
Have a great second half of summer!
Darian Weaver and Jack HartsfieldCo-Publishers
Volume 3 • Issue 6 2014
www.towprofessional.com
6 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y
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The new JFB Rotator body was motivated bythe voice of the customer requiring increasedon-scene performance and functionality.Many of the engineered storage solutionswere inspired by fire-service industry vehiclesand technology. The JFB polypropylene co-polymer constructed body is weather-tight,low maintenance and has high impact resist-ance.
FEATURES• 140% more storage capacity over the standardbody, with the ability to accommodate the Florida DOT Rapid Inci-dent Scene Clearance (RISC) tools and rigging.
• Aluminum Roll-Up Doors with Painted or BrushedFinish
•LED Interior Compartment & DOT Lighting •38 LED Side Marker Lights• 10 Side and 2 Rear Amber Strobes • Wide Variety of Tool Management System Op-tions
• Incident Management Equipment Kits Available • Rear & Top of Body Access • Jerr-Dan’s polypropylene co-polymer supplier ex-clusively warrants the body of the HDR1000, pro-viding a limited lifetime warranty backed by a48-hour* service guarantee for all HDR1000 unitssold and used in North America.
SILVER VS. GOLDJFB Silver Series is the customizable version. This
body includes standard components and allows thecustomer to choose individual storage solutionsthrough Jerr-Dan after-market parts as “a la carte”options, allowing the end user flexibility to choose in-dividual storage solutions they want to include ontheir truck.
JFB Gold Series denotes the “top of the line.”This body includes the standard components of thesilver body plus all available storage solutions.
(see Silver and Gold Series Charts)
In order to support the growing demand of in-cident management and quick clearance pro-grams around the country, Jerr-Dan is pleased toannounce the availability of Heavy Duty Wreckertool and rigging kits. The base Incident Manage-
ment Package was developed around the FloridaRapid Incident Scene Clearance (RISC) program that requires towing companies to carrya significant amount of tools and rigging to rap-idly clear the scene of a traffic incident.
Incident Management Base PackageThe Incident Man-agement Basetool and riggingpackage containsmany or all of theitems needed tocomply with state incident management pro-grams being implemented across the country.
Rugged Kit The rugged kitwas developed tosupplement thebase package forcustomers who re-quire additional
rigging, snatch blocks and chains for those se-vere duty jobs, including sea containers, con-struction equipment, cement mixers and refusebodies, along with additional recovery equip-ment and supplies to perform fuel tanker recoveries.
Spreader Bar Kit The spreader bar kitwas developed tofurther supplementthe base packagethat includes a 112” spreader barand bridals for sensitive picks.
Jerr-Dan reserves the right to make changesin engineering, design, and specifications; addimprovements; or discontinue manufacturing atanytime without notice or obligations.* 48 business hours from notification, valid in North Amer-ica only, some restrictions apply. Limited lifetime warrantyfor HDR1000 body provided only by the body supplier andnot Jerr-Dan. For more information or to obtain a copy ofthe limited lifetime warranty, contact Jerr-Dan warrantydepartment.
For more information, visit Jerr-Dan online at www.jerrdan.com.
Jerr-Dan > > >
SILVER SERIESTire Lift / Bus Arm Accessories
-Polypropylene storage solution for busarms and cross tubes -Polypropylene cabinet with pull out drawers for housingthe ratchets
Fifth Wheel Storage -Polypropylene bracket that hangs on the wall of thebody, accommodates fifth wheel adapter plate
Frame Fork Storage -Adjustable polypropylene shelving for 7 sets of forks -Adjustable polypropylene shelving for fork adapter,spring hanger adapter & pin bracket -End cap / chain adapter steel storage solution
Additional Storage Solutions Available ThroughAfter-Market Support
GOLD SERIESRotary Chain Rack
-Patent Pending Chain Carousel -Free rotation with locking mechanism -Holds 100’s of lbs. of chains
Chain Binder Storage -4 Designated places for standard chain binders
Tilt Down Drawers -3 - 36” x 43” tilt down drawers, each with a 180 lb. ca-pacity
Snatch Block Storage -6 Designated places for snatch blocks adjustable tomultiple sizes
Shackle Storage -24 “peg board” style hooks for shackle placement
Sliding Chain Board -Sliding board, holds up to 300 lbs of chains and ex-tends 16”
Stay Dry Silo -Polypropylene constructed oil absorbent dispenser -Holds up to 120 lbs. or 30 gallons
Tool Chest -C-Tech brand tool chest -All aluminum construction with powder coated finish
Recovery Tools -Storage for a standard axe, up to 12 lb. sledge hammer& 36” bolt cutter
Storage Shelves -Aluminum shelves for variety of tools, rigging, etc. -Fully adjustable, can be removed from body
Dedicated Storage For: - Traffic Cones, accommodates 12 - 36” DOT approved cones - Ladder- Tow Light- Wheel Chocks- Bottle Jack- Flashlight- Fire Extinguisher- Shovel- Grizzly Bar-Spreader Bar
Evans Waterless Coolants are very dif-
ferent than typical engine coolants be-
cause they contain no water, and
there’s no need to add water. Almost
all other antifreeze formulations con-
tain 50% water. It may be time to
change your thinking about engine
coolants.
Evans high boiling point of 375°F is
more than 100 degrees higher than the boil-
ing point of water-based coolant. Overheat-
ing is avoided, as Evans won’t boil in an
engine. Evans will not form vapor, and oper-
ates at a much lower, safer pressure. There’ll
be no gusher of coolant spraying out, and
frequent topping off is not necessary. Evans
protects against cold weather, too — from
minus 40°F to 375F.
Also, with no water, Evans avoids corro-
sion, electrolysis and cylinder liner cavitation
erosion. Eliminating these problems im-
proves durability and prolongs engine life.
Evans will last the life of your engine, and
never needs changing.
You won’t have to think about overheat-
ing, or corrosion that slowly eats away at
your cooling system. That means less main-
tenance problems, less headaches, and
more productivity.
From tow trucks to construction equip-
ment, classic cars to race cars, and motorcy-
cles to snowmobiles, Evans performs like no
other engine coolant.
Evans offers three formulations: Heavy
Duty Coolant, Powersports Coolant, and
High Performance Coolant, which is not only
used for high performance applications and
classic cars, but for everyday cars, as well.
Prolong your engine life. Preserve your investment. Protect your bottom line. Changing your thinking is the first step. It
may also be time to change your coolant!
To learn more, visit our website at
www.evanscooling.com or give us a
call at 888-990-2665.
IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y
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8 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
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Evans > > >
Location Based Services are dramati-
cally changing the way consumers con-
duct their day-to-day activities. From
shopping to fraud alerts, GPS enabled
smartphones and apps are driving be-
havior in new and exciting ways. The
impact of Location Based Services on
the towing industry is just as impres-
sive from dispatch to automatic
invoicing.
With over 70% of tow professionals carry-
ing smart phones – and with 40% of tow vehi-
cles equipped with a GPS system of some
sort – Location Based Services are already
providing new everyday efficiencies to a
growing number of tow companies.
Increasingly, Location Based Services for
the towing industry go way beyond dispatch
and fleet tracking to use live location data in
new ways, allowing tow businesses to take
advantage of real-time visibility, accountability,
ease, and efficiency not even imagined 10
years ago. Service Providers can now benefit
from seamless and more efficient working re-
lationships with motor clubs, improved driver
and vehicle monitoring, more accurate
mileage records, significant billing efficien-
cies, a decrease in duplicated messaging and
documentation, and improved customer sat-
isfaction scores.
That’s why Agero is committed to making
the transition to Location Based Services as
easy as possible for service providers. Coming
this fall, our location-based services product –
Roadside ConnectTM – will enable dispatch-
ers to assign trucks to events based on cur-
rent location and availability ¬– even when
out-of-territory. These more accurate, efficient
and timely dispatch assignments will result in
decreased fuel use, reduced completion
times, and increased fleet availability and prof-
itability.
It’s also why we’re continually integrating
with other location-based service platforms.
In fact, we recently announced that Progres-
sive Platforms’ GPS tracking and manage-
ment software – which offers a wide variety of
efficiency, customer service, and fleet utiliza-
tion benefits – is now fully integrated with
Agero. To date, we’ve achieved some level of
integration with half a dozen other major in-
dustry platforms.
With service providers, motorists, and
motor clubs embracing a growing range of
exciting Location Based Services, the
complete integration of these promising
apps,
tools, mobile solutions, and platforms is
clearly the road to the future.
AgeroOne Cabot RoadMedford, MA 02155www.agerosupport.com
By Dave Sunkenberg, VP Network Services, AgeroLocation Based Services: Smarter, Better, Easier > > >
IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y
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10 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Wrecker Rentals, Inc., a Georgia corporation with twolocations to serve you (Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX),provides towers with replacement trucks while thereis down time due to wrecks or recalls. Most all of thefees associated with a Wrecker Rental are directlybilled to the Insurance carrier of the responsible partyof the dealership where your unit is being repaired. Currently, Wrecker Rentals is serving the S.E. Region, as
well as Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with fu-ture plans of expansion into the Northeast and Midwest U.S. Currently offering a short-term (three-day minimum) and
long-term tow truck rental of late model roll back tow trucksand auto loaders. They distribute trucks from both the At-lanta & Dallas office and can normally have a unit to you inas little as 24 hours.Stop by and see Wrecker Rentals at the Tennessee tow
show, or anytime you’re in the Atlanta area, just drop by theRental office at 940 Dailey Mill Road, McDonough, GA30253.
Call the Leasing Office Now at 770-898-1200 or visitus at www.rentawrecker.com.
Wrecker Rentals, Inc. > > >
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Detroit keeps a full line of parts in stock for Dynamic, Jerr-Dan, Chevron, Century, etc. Mike also works closely with themanufacturers and offers every product needed to get your jobdone quickly and safely. Whether you need cargo control prod-ucts, lighting, Back Up camera Systems, jump start kits, clutchpump kits, DOT equipment, lubricants, etc., Detroit has theequipment to take your business to the next level.Detroit Wrecker is 20,000-square-foot facility that includes a
6,000-square-foot show room, in-house paint shop and an all-in-clusive fab shop to meet all your needs. Mike Farrell states, “Weare not just a part changer; we are a full hands-on shop. DetroitWrecker also builds their famous LowLoader & Lil Herculesmodels that have been sold all over the world. Detroit WreckerCAN and WILL build anything that satisfies the needs of a towtruck driver. This place builds custom trucks, beds, cylinders, andcan add nearly any option imaginable to satisfy the customer.Detroit Wrecker has years of experience and an engineeringstaff to accommodate any customer demands.”Detroit Wrecker also recruited Curtis Sanchez, a champion
and expert of towing equipment, to oversee daily operations.Anyone who’s in this industry knows that Curtis is one of thebest! He knows how to find the hard to find parts to get the cus-tomer back to work. Curtis works hard to make sure the cus-tomer not only gets the right part, but it fits their bottom line.Detroit Wrecker also has a website than can meet all your
needs. There is an extensive list of products, videos of theirequipment in action, and a new Shop by Diagram app. This al-lows you to see the part by part number and an image of thatpart when available. The site is very easy to navigate and canhelp the Tow Professionals get all their products needed in oneplace.Mike Ferrell recently had a customer, Bill Chandler of Chan-
dler’s Car Carriers, inquire about servicing his Vulcan 20/20. BillChandler had a cylinder go bad that was $6,500 to replace witha new one. Mike rebuilt the cylinder in house for $1,200 out thedoor, and Bill was able to get the truck back to work quickly. The
Cylinder rebuilding services can be a lifesaver when it comes togetting your No. 1 money maker back on the road, and this isjust one of the many services that Detroit Wrecker offers.
We are just a Toll-Free phone call away, 1-877-869-0030 or 313-835-8700, or email us at [email protected]. Detroit Wrecker Sales19630 Fitzpatrick St.Detroit, MI 48228
Detroit Wrecker > > >
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 11
With over 20 years of experience, Detroit Wrecker is the place to go for all your towing needs. Mike Ferrell, Owner& CEO, has been pulling levers since he was 3 years old in his dad’s wrecker. Detroit Wrecker was started whenMike was 13 years old, and he began working alongside his father, with meeting the towers’ needs and improvingtheir business his top priority.
IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y
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12 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
In August 1979, two-time National Stockcar ChampionEddie Martin drove a 1979 Chevrolet equipped with aHolmes 440 wrecker around the Alabama InternationalSpeedway (Talladega) at speeds in excess of 130 mph. Offi-cial NASCAR electronic equipment recorded an average laptime 109.330 mph, and the unit entered the record books as“The World’s Fastest Wrecker.” The proud Holmes 440toured automotive events for several years before going ondisplay at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. After anumber of years, it was moved outside to make room for newdisplays where several decades of neglect took its toll. In 2006, after months of negotiations, Miller Industries pur-
chased the unit to return it to its home in Chattanooga. TwinCities Wrecker Sales, Miller Industries distributor in Minnesotawho had expertise in old car restorationwork, took on the task to restore the unitto its original character in time for Holmes90th anniversary and be placed on dis-play in the International Towing and Re-covery Museum and Hall of Fame inChattanooga. Randy Olson, vice president for Miller
Industries, said, “We feel the Holmes 440has been a crucial piece of towing history
as one of the most popular wreckersever manufactured. Due to the rac-ing history of the particular440, it is essential that it ispreserved for future gener-ations of towers and autoenthusiasts to view.” Randy Olson and Sarah-
Beth Camp of Miller Indus-tries signed over the title and handed the keys to museumexecutive director Cheryl Mish. “We appreciate all of Miller Industries generous support of
the museum in helping us preserve the industries history andgraciously accept the Holmes 440 for our collection as we pre-
pare for the industry’s 100 Years of Tow-ing celebration in 2016,” Mish said.
For more information, visitTowingMuseum.com.
Photo caption: Cheryl Mish, Randy Olson, Sarah-Beth Camp
World’s Fastest Wrecker > > >
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Tennesee Tow ShowBooth #503
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 13
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Providers Using Wyless Group Software To Experience Instant,Seamless Integration with Trusted International Roadside Assis-tance BrandWith digital dispatch technology rapidly becoming the
industry standard, providers have been eagerly awaitingthe day when the global connectivity of online communi-cations worked its way into the day-to-day operations oftowing and roadside assistance businesses. For users ofWyless Group (formerly Progressive Platforms) software –that day has arrived. In a recent transition, Road America,one of the largest and most trusted roadside assistancebrands, has added Wyless Group compatibility to its exten-sive digital dispatch web service. Now, individualproviders seeking to work with Road America as part of itsprovider network with the speed and efficiency of com-pletely automated dispatching. “The entire industry has been moving towards a single digi-
tal dispatch standard for some time now,” says Bill Dolan forRoad America. “The Wyless Group is one of the latest to bene-fit from standardization as our system now interfaces withtheirs seamlessly.” For Wyless Group’s current software users, this means that
Road America will instantly become an available provider –capable of placing tow requests, acceptance, and deliveringmotorist and other information through existing automatedsystems. In turn, providers will be able to respond to calls withbetter accuracy and speed – improving both their customersatisfaction rates and overall productivity.
Contacts: Bonnie Verhulst /Bill Dolan/Miguel Cifuentes(888) 293-6672
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ROAD AMERICA EXPANDS DIGITAL DISPATCH NETWORK > > >
IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y
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14 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
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“I just wanted to say thank you for all your help getting GPStracking for Abington Sunoco.I had spent several days talking to different vendors and com-
paring product cost and features.Just when I was about to scrap the idea of GPS tracking be-
cause of high upfront cost or being locked into a service contractwithout having the opportunity to test the product, I contactedWyless Telematics (nee Progressive Platforms ) and I am veryglad that I did. Your zero upfront cost for the tracking units and the confi-
dence you have in your product to allow our company to use yoursoftware without being locked into a service contract sealed thedeal for me.The system is working well for our company, and it’s nice to
know that you are only a phone call away if I need assistance, notto mention I like to do business with a local company if I can. Ilook forward to your company growing with Abington Sunoco.”
Jim StoneAbington Sunoco
“I have yet to find a more valuable tool in dispatching andmanaging a fleet of vehicles. We have less fuel consumption,shorter ETA's , most importantly, with that being said, highercustomer satisfaction. I would highly recommend WylessTelematics (nee Progressive Platforms ) to anyone that has afleet that is looking to modernize and “get with the times." And,as far as Tech Support goes, they are second to none with Den-nis and Melinda being highly proficient. I usually do not writetestimonials; however, I feel that such a great product shouldnot be overlooked.”
Lawrence CarrollDirector of OperationsAutopro's Towing & Recovery, L LC
To find about more about increasing efficiency in your busi-
ness with Wyless Telematics, contact us on
339-469-0978 or visit www.wylesstelematics.com.
Wyless Telematics – Customer Feedback > > >
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 15
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All-Grip> is dedicated to providing the Professional Tow-ing and Recovery Operators the finest products andtools to get the job done efficiently and professionally.We never forget that Professional Tow Truck Operatorsare the users of all-Grip Vehicle Recovery Products andthey require and deserve products of uncompromisingquality. For 43 years, all-Grip has manufactured andsupplied products of uncompromising quality. Innova-tion, Reliability and Strength are all key words associ-ated with the all-Grip name. There are also words todescribe the dealers that sell all-Grip Vehicle RecoveryProducts…words like integrity, knowledge and profes-sionalism. They are an important link in the distribution
process, for they provide you with local stock, servicesand expertise.All-Grip products are sold only through Wrecker and Ac-
cessory Dealers because these same tow truck operatorsalso deserve the professionalism, knowledge and inventorythat only a local dealer can provide. The local dealer is a criti-cal link in this supply chain. Call your local dealer and de-mand all-Grip!
www.all-grip.com800.748.2651
All-Grip > > >
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WOW!Amazing! What a
wonderful show! It
was a “show of shows.” Pictures are included
so you can see for yourself what you experi-
enced or missed. Towers came from countries
as far away as South Africa and New Zealand
and from four other states besides those from
Wisconsin to attend the annual convention in
Wisconsin Dells for the Wisconsin Towing
Convention.
Every tower competes for their share of
the business out-on-the road during the year.
During convention time, held once a year, it’s a
truly different story because they migrate to
their Wisconsin event with their families. It’s
not just business. This year, the event was held
at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. All
towers and their families gather together for
true brotherhood and camaraderie. They
show off their new equipment, new babies,
new wives and new husbands and brag about
family. One tower, Junior Merten of Merten
Service Center does all the towing for the local
Nestle Chocolate Plant.
Every year, Junior brings with him 20 to
25 cases of chocolate just to share. One
tower, Dave Schultz from Homer’s Towing, lo-
cated in Milwaukee, brings family a day ahead
and starts cooking two gigantic pigs for the Fri-
day Night Pig Roast Picnic. Fellow towers, as-
sisted by older children, help serve the
well-attended event. It’s Family Time! And
what a time it is!
The hit of the show this year was the 60
ton Rotator, equipped with the JFB Incident
Management Body, the Gold Series. Jerr-Dan
put on classes with Mathew Sellner, the
sharpest 16-year-old son that I have met.
Mathew’s mom, Kathy, headed up the chil-
dren’s program for the convention and pro-
vided classes for children of all ages. Sava took
part in the demonstration with Jerr-Dan, using
their very best rescue-recovery lifting bags.
The light show was held in the parking lot
behind this beautiful water park. There were
trucks of all kinds, from antiques to trucks in
memory of lost loved ones. At midnight, the
18 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Fuel 4 thought By D. J . Harr ington
WHAT ASHOW!
yearly tradition lead by “mom” Dave
Whealon’s mother from Whealon
Towing & Service from Fond Du
Lac, Wisconsin, served every kind of
cheese you could think of. And she
did so until early morning. The beer
was free all weekend.
Saturday morning featured a
great breakfast under the tent, and
then back to the hotel for what they
call “talk-n-towing” and “telling tales.”
Bill Tomlinson, who had just retired after almost
60 years of towing, along with Craig Goldbeck
of Goldbeck Towing, presented the class in the
Sierra Vista room, where they delivered the
TRAA Level I & II Driver Testing on Friday.
Something that Bill Tomlinson had assisted in
writing the TRAA classes many years ago, Bill
was one of the trainers for TRAA. It would have
been great to have all of this on film because Bill
and Craig did a fantastic class. Very informative!
It was followed up with Bob Truitt from All Grip.
That class was also a good one.
There’s another family tower that deserves
mentioning. His name is Jeff Roskopf. Jeff and
Geri Roskopf own Roskopf’s Service & Towing
located in Menomonee Falls. Their son, Greg,
took all the pictures you are seeing in this article.
Every year, Greg takes pictures and then during
Saturday night’s banquet and award presenta-
tion, people can see themselves on the big
screen for a warm recap of the weekend’s
events. At dinner, Geri presented narration that
was synced to Rock n’ Roll songs. Well done!
Prairieland Towing was very kind to chip in
and bring me to the event as your speaker. I
sure do hope I’m invited next year because the
friendly and loving atmosphere
was one I don’t always feel at
every event I attend. And I at-
tend lots of them each year. This
show had it all: company flags,
antique trucks, great families
and mounds of great food and a
lot of just being kind to each
other. It was a reunion that this
industry needs. But that’s not all.
What I discovered most of all
about this event was lots of “real brotherhood.”
Keep it up! TOW
D.J. Harrington is an author, journalist, sem-
inar leader, international trainer, and market-
ing consultant. He works primarily with
customer service personnel, and his clients
include such world-class companies as Gen-
eral Motors, DuPont, Caterpillar and Damon
Corporation. He may be reached at 800-
352-5252 or by email at [email protected], 52
weeks a year, we are as close as your tele-
phone, or at www.djanddan.com.
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 19
20 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
I was golfing with a friend of mine, and I asked the big ques-
tion, “How is your business?” There was a pause and a
change of tone in his voice, and he said it was his slow pe-
riod and business was slow. I hear this a lot when I talk to
towers. If things aren’t going well, they decide it’s their slow
period.
As the owner of a tow company, you should know when
tows will slow down and adjust your business to make this time
more productive. When I owned my company, I knew from
Thanksgiving to Christmas would be slow. My customers did
not want to tow doing this period. I had a contract near a uni-
versity. I lost this business during the summer when school was
out.
I knew what my bills were every month, and they did not
change doing slow periods. I knew at the 1st of every month,
the tow calculator went to zero and I needed x number of tows
to pay my bills.
Here are a few ideas that can turn your slow timesinto your most productive times:
Review or Create a Business Plan– The most
important thing you can do for your business is to have a
business plan. If you have one, let’s modify it; if you don’t
have one, let’s create one. This is simply just identifying
what you want your business to look like. It’s important to
write this down on paper. What type of services do you
want to offer and what type of services do you offer
today? This would be a good time for improving on the
services you offer today.
the Slow PeriodsSURVIVING
By Dan Messina
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 21
Expand Your Business – Talk to your customers
and see if there is anything new they are doing that you
can help them with. Review your market and create new
services that meet today’s needs.
Improve Customer Service – Remember, we are
a service business. Let’s look for ways that we can im-
prove our service. Look at your staff and see how they
communicate with the customer, and find out if there is
anything you can do to help them be a better company.
Market – This is something towers are not good at. If
you read my article in last month’s magazine, you’ll see
times are changing and we have to learn how to market
better.
Cross Train – Use this time to teach your dispatchers
what the driver is faced with when they go for a tow, and
teach the drivers what the dispatchers are faced with
when the drivers don’t have a good tow ticket.
Improve Your Skills – The business is changing andyou have to do the same. Go buy a suit and go out and
network and meet your customers. Djanddan.com offers
great training for the business owner. It’s time to join.
Take a Vacation – A simple vacation gives you a
chance to clear out the cobwebs and start fresh when
you get back. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, just
get away. (Go Fishing)
Get Organized –Clean up your shop or storage yard,clean up your staff and clean up the way you do things
that create problems. Define a way to run your business
and each job relating to the business.
Meet Your Customers –Go visit your best cus-tomers and sit down and have a coffee with them. Talk
about things in the neighborhood or hobbies they are
working on. Just go meet them.
Meet Past Customers – Visit the business you lostand see if there is anything you can do to get them back.
If they left you for a specific reason and you fixed it, let
them know. Ask them what it takes to get your business
back
Begin a Referral Program – Go out and thank thepeople that referred your business and try and have addi-
tional people start referring business to you. Come up
with some type incentive for them.
Learn More About Your Competition – Find outif there are any new players you are competing with or
look at your current competition and see what they are
doing. Identify their best customers and find out why
that customer uses them.
Learn More About Your Market – The market ischanging; find out why. Identify what you will have to do in
the future to compete and what changes will be necessary.
Thank Good Customers –When was the last time
you talked to your best customers? If your competitor is
talking to them more than you are, you will eventually
lose them. Send them gifts or some way to say thank you
for their business.
Modify Website – If you don’t have a website, getone. If you have one, make improvements to let your
customers know you are changing with the times.
Network – Join organizations or associations in yourmarket. Show them you are interested in the same things
they are, such as the local chamber of commerce or other
local businesses. Sponsor a little league team or some
other school event.
Social Media – Start using social media, such as
Facebook. This is the fastest way to tell people about your
business.
22 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 23
Get Involved –Get involved in the community. These
are the people you service.
You should never have a slow period in your business ever
again. There will just be times when you are doing things other
than towing a vehicle. Start implementing or doing things men-
tioned above and you will be surprised how your business will
change. You are going to find that you will have to do things you
are not used to doing, but you will be required to do these
things if you want to stay in business.
If you want to stay in business, use your slow periods as
grow periods. These times can be the most productive times for
your business.
I know this sounds like a lot, but there are many resources at
your fingertips to make it easy. Get all your employees involved
to and let them offer suggestions on how to improve the com-
pany. They are in the trenches every day, so you will be sur-
prised with the results. Remember, it all starts with you. If you
lead, they will follow. TOW
If you need help, call us or go to www.dananddj.com.
24 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Company Background44 trucks providing service across the Indianapolis Metro
Area and surrounding states
Zores has been providing towing, metals recycling, auto parts and
auto body services for more than 87 years. Based in Indianapolis, In-
diana, the company has five offices and more than 80 vehicles in
their fleet, 44 of which are used for towing and metals recycling, and
are equipped with the TomTom Telematics solution. The company
provides local and long-distance services, covering both the metro In-
dianapolis area, as well as out-of-state locations.
The ChallengeNew city contract significantly increases call volume
In 2011, Zores’ towing operations won a contract with City of Indi-
anapolis Police Department (IPD), significantly increasing call vol-
ume. As part of the agreement, Zores was required to respond to any
calls from the IPD within 20 minutes, or incur fines and a contract re-
view. With this requirement in place, along with the increase in call
volume, IT manager David Schroeder knew that he would have to
improve the company’s GPS and telematics capabilities – and
quickly!
WEBFLEET from TomTom TelematicsHELPS ZORES TOWING & METAL RECYCLING INCREASE
EFFICIENCY AND ACCURATE RECORD KEEPING
GPS SOLUTIONS
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 25
“The contract with the police de-
partment significantly increased our
volume, and came with a require-
ment that we be on the scene in 20
minutes or we’d be fined,” said
Schroeder. “We knew that drivers
weren’t always taking the best
routes, and wanted to make sure
that they would meet this require-
ment. We also needed a way to cer-
tify to the IPD that we were meeting
the time requirement, should there be any
questions.”
The SolutionIncreased efficiency and accurate
record-keeping
According to Schroeder, the decision to
move to TomTom Telematics has signifi-
cantly improved efficiencies, and made it
easy to communicate with the IPD.
He said, “In the beginning, the police de-
partment was telling us three or four times a
week that we didn’t make the 20-minute
window. With TomTom WEBFLEET we were
able to show them that we did – and saved
ourselves quite a bit of money by not having
to pay fines.”
The system also helps them meet the
20-minute requirement, even when the
police don’t necessarily give them an exact
location.
“Oftentimes, we can show that the origi-
nal call didn’t provide the correct location, so
that resets the clock for us,” said Schroeder.
“We also find TomTom’s maps – which in-
clude mile markers – extremely helpful when
we get a call for a vehicle that is between two
exits on the highway. We can pinpoint where
they are on the map and get there more
quickly.”
TomTom Telematics’ WEBFLEET has also
improved operations significantly, because
WEBFLEET is integrated with Zores’ dispatch
system job information and directions are
sent directly to the driver in the vehicle.
According to Schroeder, “TomTom makes
it simple for us to map where our drivers are
going. They didn’t always use the best
routes, but now, because we are sending di-
rections directly to them, they are getting
where they need to be faster and more effi-
ciently. The savings have been significant.”
TomTom WEBFLEET has also helped
Zores uncover fraud within their organiza-
tion – and help drivers when they have been
victims of crimes. On more than one occa-
sion, drivers have been held up by thieves
and were able to contact dispatch to let
them know they were in trouble. Because
they could track exactly where the vehicles
were, office staff could send police to the lo-
cation to stop the crime.
The Zores staff was also able to uncover
a scheme where one of their drivers was
using company vehicles to buy and sell vehi-
cles after-hours. By tracking the vehicle, the
Zores staff was able to uncover the crime
and provide proof.
Across the company’s tow and recycling
operations, TomTom Telematics has made a
significant impact. TOW
TomTom Telematics
866-459-3499
www.tomtomtelematics.com/towing
“Now that we have this system,even things like the hiringprocess have become easier. Weno longer have to worry aboutwhether candidates are familiarwith every part of the city, as weknow they will get accurate,detailed directions to every job,”said Schroeder. “And the benefitsin terms of efficiency and report-ing have improved our bottomline. We’re able to provide theservice levels necessary for ourIPD contract, and manage the in-creased volume and opportunitythat comes along with that. Thesystem provides unbelievableReturn on Investment for us. I’drecommend it to anyone.”
26 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Dispatch is essential to your business. It is also frequentlycited as one of the biggest headaches in towing. But tech-nology advances have made it possible to integrate dispatchand fleet management – and finally streamline the repetitivebusiness processes and potential for mistakes that canplague even the most organized tow managers.
Obviously, there are many things to consider when under-taking a search for new technology. There are the hard
factors – how many trucks, how many calls a day, how manydispatchers, etc. And there are the business factors – aredrivers based out of an office, do schedules change through-out the day, how do you determine who to dispatch where?
Another important factor to consider are your currentbusiness practices – how do you receive jobs, dispatchthem, get the driver to the right location, record the job, andbill for the job?
Integrating Dispatch& Fleet Management Software
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 27
TomTom Telematics provides many businesses with the tools to
operate more efficiently – including live traffic updates and vehicle
tracking. WEBFLEET also provides operators with an accurate arrival
time to the customer site, as it takes into account expected traffic on
the route to reach the customer for each vehicle in your fleet.
In many cases, getting all of this done requires manual processes
that are repeated in different systems, raising the probability of errors.
Like virtually everything related to electronics, technology has
changed. Processes have become more efficient, more accurate, and
have provided a safer driving environment for the operator.
Perhaps the most important thing to focus on is implementing
technology that works together. For instance, the last thing a dis-
patcher wants to do is create an order in dispatch software and repli-
cate the info into an application to get to an operator. This process can
be extremely time consuming, and take up valuable time that could
be dedicated to dispatching additional jobs.
By using TomTom Telematics’ fleet management solution,
WEBFLEET, your dispatching process can transform into a seamless
one that resembles the following:
GPS SOLUTIONS
1. Determine best/closest/appropriate operator to send job to
2.Operator electronically receives job info and navigates to the site
3.Operator one-touch updates for the status of jobs4.Operator confirms completion and closes out job
5.Operator available the next job
Let’s Talk About Driver SafetyIn addition, driver safety is a bigger concern than ever before. Here are
some numbers* to consider:
• 13 – the number of states that have banned all handheld cell
usage while driving
• 23.2 – the number of times more likely you are to be involved in
a safety-critical event if you’re texting while driving
• 44 – the number of states that have banned text messaging
while driving
• $11,000 – the average fine for an employer of a driver who
causes an accident while using a mobile device
If you’re using phones to dispatch and communicate with your driv-
ers, you could be held liable for incidents that occur. TomTom Telemat-
ics has proven to provide towers with a safe and legal alternative to
dispatching jobs to operate in the field. So, not only is a tower able to dis-
patch more jobs in the same amount of time with the same resources,
but they’re able to do this without the same liability.
For this reason, and many other reasons, the best towers have imple-
mented an integrated dispatch, routing and fleet management solution.
TomTom Telematics can integrate with your software and can deliver all
of the dispatch and driving information a driver needs to the truck, can
be voice-enabled, and allow one-touch and hands-free calling if the
driver does need to call the office. TOW
*Source: http://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/cellular-
phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx
TomTom Telematics
866-459-3499
www.tomtomtelematics.com/towing
28 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Integrating Dispatch& Fleet Management Software
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 29
TomTom Telematics is committed to helping our customerslower their environmental impact. WEBFLEET provides a dashboardreport on daily fleet carbon footprint, calculated using the vehiclemileage and fuel consumption (miles per gallon etc.). This can helpyou implement an internal carbon footprint reduction program ormeet external incentives or requirements put in place by local or na-tional governments.We are always looking for new features to enhance our fleet man-
agement solutions that help our customers manage their resourcesmore efficiently.
TomTom Telematics is a Business Unit of TomTom dedicated tofleet management and vehicle telematics. Our WEBFLEET platformis a Software-as-a-Service solution – used by small to large busi-nesses to improve vehicle performance, save fuel, support driversand increase overall fleet efficiency.
TomTom Telematics
866-459-3499
www.tomtomtelematics.com/towing
TomTom Telematics is proud to partner with leading towmanagement software:
32 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
TOMTOM TELEMATICS
Beacon Software is driving the towing industryto a new level with Dispatch Anywhere. Cus-tomers dispatch over 7 million calls annuallyusing Beacon’s products. They integrate with11 different motor clubs to electronically re-ceive calls (no typing) and to submit invoices.Beacon now links to 15 major GPS companies– including TomTom, StreetEagle (Garmin),Teletrac, iTrak, VehiclePath, Fleetmatics andothers. Their Mobile Apps for Apple and An-droid greatly simplify the dispatch process.Dispatch Anywhere enables you to dispatchmore calls with less stress and greater em-ployee accountability.
Dispatch Anywhere benefits include:• Tracking driver/truck locations on our VisualDispatch screen or Mobile Dispatcher App forApple and Android.• Dispatching calls directly to mobile devices:cell phone, TomTom, Teltrac, iTrak or StreetEa-gle Garmin.• Allowing drivers to update their dispatched
calls by sending data back to dispatch. Data such as timestamps, VINs identification numbers, odometer readings, andmore can be input directly from their cell phone, SmartphoneApp, TomTom or Street Eagle. This automated system elimi-nates many commonly made dispatcher mistakes.• Providing turn-by-turn audible driving instructions – no needfor drivers to look at their directions and take their eyes off theroad.• Uploading photos of accidents, existing vehicle damage,parking violations, documents, driver's license, etc. to protectyour company against unwarranted accusations.• Processing credit cards and printing/emailing receipts fromDA Smartphone apps for Driver and Dispatcher.• Automatically validating addresses for all incoming calls.• Finding motorists using the software’s Locate feature. Thisfeatures pings signals off of cell towers, pinpointing the cellphone users location – just like on television.
Dispatch Anywhere is an easy-to-use application that provides so-lutions for the towing industry by helping companies stay connected,efficient and organized.Android/Apple apps that will track a driver’s cell phone are also
available at no additional cost. TOW
For more information, visit www.dispatchanywhere.comor call866-437-6653.
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 33
Towing & RoadsideSoftware Made Easy
Software is just another business tool, and, like any proficient
business owner, you should evaluate this and other parts of busi-
ness on a regular basis. Investing in the future profitability of your
business should be part of your annual review and budgeting
process, what works and what does not. VTS Systems offers
more than just a towing and VSF software. Our goal is to help our
clients manage their businesses more efficiently by providing
management resources and sound advice based on years of ex-
perience, which includes, among others, a solid and reliable
PC/server based software platform.
All products and serviceshave a life cycle, just like aworking tow truck, softwareshould be upgraded or re-placed to meet your needs.Unlike a truck, software doesnot wear out, but it does havea half-life, and you should ex-pect your software companyto provide regular updateswith added features to helpyou remain competitive. As-suming that all software will perform as advertised, the availability ofdaily support to answer questions, fix operator issues, and be there inan emergency, is far more important. Moreover, allowing your company to become caught up in the
technology race is a position you should avoid. Just because it isnew, it does not mean that it is better, or that your company needs it.
For example, what appears at first to be a wonderful whiz-bang fea-ture offered by cloud-based software is the ability to enter data froma smartphone. Whereas this is a great feature, before you say “WOWI‘ve got to have that,” ask yourself the following questions:
• Are my driver/operators competent typists or texters?• Do my driver/operators have the capability to quickly navi-gate the software application, and correctly enter billing datawithout having someone else review and check their datainput? Mistakes frequently go unnoticed until it is too late torectify without significant financial cost. • Do my drivers have the time to enter invoicing data, or wouldI rather them proceed to the next money earning tow or inci-dent?• Am I trying to push a square peg into a round hole?
How you answer the questions above, maybe depend on genderand age. If you are under 35 years of age, you are frequently morecomfortable with technology and ongoing change. If you fall into theage group above 35, then you may want a solution that not onlymeets your needs, but also allows you to choose the features youneed within an application. This solution may be less complex, and
easier to use. VTS Systems will help youdecide which features and technologybest suit your company-specific needs. In 2001, VTS Systems was the first
company to integrate into its softwareautomated online DMV access, and,later, after collaborating with other indus-try leaders, now offers more than 28 in-dividual state DMVs online. In 2010,VTS Systems was the first towing andVSF Software Company to offer inte-grated electronic certified mail for lienprocessing. “NO MORE GOING TO THEPOST OFFICE.” To provide these andother advanced features, VTS Systems
chose to collaborate with Auto Data Direct and TomTom Telematics,along with other leaders within our industry, who could provide ad-vanced features at a lower cost. TOW
To discuss your needs with no obligation, call Lisa Truitt or NigelPestell 281-373-3072.
34 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
BudgetGPS is a vehicle and fleet tracking so-lution geared for any industry but specificallytuned to support fleet management withinthe towing industry. BudgetGPS offers amonth-to-month service (no contracts) withlow upfront and monthly cost. BudgetGPS delivers a full set of features for asingle low price. Features include: Live Mapwith 20-second vehicle updates to the mapwith live Google traffic and map or satelliteviews, Historical breadcrumb view with 6months of history; Alerts and Monitoring forPTO, GeoFence, Ignition, and Speeding; Re-ports including, Driver Distance, StateMileage, Stops, Speeding and more. Budget-GPS integrates with TOPS to offer a true vi-sual dispatching tool where users are able toview vehicle locations as well as call location
/ destination information on the same map.(TOPS not required)BudgetGPS uses industry-leading hardwarethat is mounted discreetly inside the cab ofthe vehicle. We offer several models of hard-
ware, including OBD pluggable devices (forvehicles equipped with an OBD II port) aswell as asset tracking devices. BudgetGPS is developed and supported in-house by BudgetGPS! TOW
For more information:866-800-8677 Opt 2www.budgetgps.com Call or visit our website today to sign up for a30-day free trial!
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 35
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
Customer Testimonials
“BudgetGPS allows our company to monitor our Drivers and Trucks in real-time. We no longer have drivers passing each other on the road to work
jobs across town. The fuel savings alone pays for the system.”Curt – Grand Rapids Towing
“ Your system has really helped in dispatching drivers. The system savestime in determining which load to assign which driver, and has eliminated
hours of calling drivers to determine their exact location. GeoFence alertshelp us determine when drivers are located at key locations and destina-tions.” Phillip - Euro Trucking
Top 5 lines from Moneyball
1. He passes the eye candy test. He's got the looks,he's great at playing the part.” Teams have always made their choices by this evaluation process.He improved his team when he started to look at how to run histeam differently. When it comes to making business decisions,such as tracking your trucks and communicating with your drivers,many companies look to Tracker for help to better understand theunderlying issues and solutions. So, getting a solution to chal-lenges that your company has by doing it differently than you havein the past is almost certain to improve your bottom line percent-
age. My company, Tracker Management, as an example, has fo-cused on making sure the underlying services provided will serveour customers’ needs by utilizing this approach. Offering tools thatfocus on delivering the services our customers expect more sothan “look good or playing the part” has served both our towingcustomers as well as our company well over the last 20 plus years.
2. Your goal shouldn't be to buy players, your goalshould be to buy wins.”This piece of insight is showing him another way to improve. Notneeding to invest money in players, but to invest in being moreproductive. Focus on tools such as the management software,
36 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
Brad Pitt Teaches Lessons for Tow Company OwnersIn the movie "Moneyball,” Brad Pitt plays Billy Beane, the manager of the OaklandA’s baseball team. The owner of the team does not want to spend all his money onnew players. Billy wants to be the best and so needs to do it with the best players atthe best price.
GPS tracking and Driver communication devices, such as tabletsand smart phone solutions, will help you as a business owner getthe wins (bottom line more profit) that you want. Your team canimprove by having a seamless and effortless flow of your callsthrough your office from the time the calls come in until therecords of that call are archived, all without excessive employeepayroll.
3. “These are hard rules to explain to people. Whyis that a problem, Pete?"Pete was having a little bit of an issue with understanding that thechanges they were implementing with their team had at timesfallen on closed minds with their players and management team.He knew the change would give him the best chance to win and,although it was different and some of his players did not under-stand, he pressed on. If improving your company and its bottomline is your goal, then changing how you do it now is good for you.Tracker Management can help you get there.
4. “Why do you like him? Because he gets on base.”This shows the most important reason why a company needs tohave the proper tools to win. Towing companies invest in Trackerbecause we know how to help them “get on base,” and thatequates to more wins for their company.
5. “If we try to play like the Yankees in here, we willlose to the Yankees out there.”Again, this statement in the movie shows that you can win by run-ning your team differently than your competitors. Utilizing toolsthat they do not have or use poorly will give your company the bestchance of improving and winning. TOW
P.S. The Oakland A’s won 103 games that year.
P.P.S. See Tracker Ad below
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 37
Owners and managers are alwayslooking for ways to gain an edge, andtowing software you can use fromjust about anywhere is a great exam-ple of a tool that’s making a big differ-ence in towing and recovery.
The tremendous growth of cloud-basedtowing software is fueled by several advan-tages and capabilities that are impossible to ig-nore:Simplicity. When using cloud-based towing
software, you can be up and running in just afew minutes. With no software to install and no
hardware compatibility issues, the process isquick and simple. Plus, with software in thecloud, you don’t need a license for every com-puter, and you can say goodbye to those costlyupgrades – you’re always running the latestversion.Accessibility. Towing software in the cloud
means you can use the system from anywhereyou have Internet service. From a tablet in yourtruck, on your computer at home, from yoursmart phone – you always have access to yourtowing software. When a customer or insur-ance company asks for information, you cansend it to them, quickly and easily. There’s nosuch thing as having to get back to the office tofind the file or leaving something on the wrongcomputer.Mobile Apps. Mobile apps are powerful for
Towing and recovery. Making the job easier fordrivers and giving them the ability to do more
38 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Towing Software in the Cloud
GPS SPOTLIGHTS
Cloud-based towing software has exploded in popularity.
on the road means less to do in the office andbetter customer service. Mobile apps havemany great features, including: Pictures can beautomatically added to the call, Drivers can geta customer’s signature on their phone andhave it appear on an invoice they email or textto the customer, Plate to VIN features or VINscanning can pull in the full VIN plus the make,model and year. You can even have dispatch-ers or managers dispatch calls from a smartphone or tablet on weekends or overnight.
Safe, Secure, Reliable. Most cloud-basedsoftware is very dependable, safe and reliable.Your data is backed-up constantly on modernservers in a highly secure environment. Plus, re-liable cloud-based software companies make itso you can export your data as needed. Price. You should test drive your towing
software before you sign up. With cloud-basedsoftware, there are little or no upfront costs andyou should never have to pay for an upgrade.Much like your mobile phone or Internet serv-
ice, you have the system for a monthly fee.Many companies won’t even ask you to sign acontract; you’re free to leave with your data anytime you aren’t happy.There are many things to consider when
you add a new software tool for your business.Increasingly, cloud-based software has be-come the standard because the advantagescannot be ignored.
About TowbookTowbook Management Software is headquar-tered in Michigan and has provided cloud-based towing software for over 7 years. Withthe industry’s most advanced and flexible soft-ware, Towbook supports all types of towingand recovery operations. At Towbook, we takegreat pride in having the industry’s best cus-tomer support. Support is free and available24/7/365 – even on holidays. TOW
www.towbook.com855-869.2665 (855-TOWBOOK)No Setup Fees. No Contracts. No Worries.
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 39
Every business wants toincrease profits, productivity andcommunication, but implementing so-lutions can often be costly and time-consuming. Weighing out the costsand benefits of a new deployment canfurther discourage managers from ex-ploring options. To best understandhow tow companies can increase effi-ciency, we researched the needs ofdrivers, dispatchers and managers. Wefound that to be more efficient in theindustry tow companies require realtime management, constant connec-tivity, and software that provides driv-ers with resources they need in theirtruck.
Managing in REAL TIMETo ensure efficient use of fuel, effective use of time, and the safety ofdrivers, managers and dispatchers need real time technology. Theuse of a platform that detects Power Take Off (PTO) and providesstandard GPS tracking back to the center can show unit location andspeed to improve dispatch and tracking. For improved performance,we suggest a platform with a three-axis accelerometer, which sup-ports configuration of acceleration, braking, and cornering at multi-ple levels. Comprehensive platforms offer mobile managementthrough Android and iOs and can help with fleet organization, jobdispatch and evaluation of driver behavior.
Constant CONNECTIVITYNo truck driver wants to be in the midst of delivery and enter a deadzone where they lose a signal and end up driving in circles or asking astation host for directions. Nor does the company want to incur costsfor changing location mid-travel and later find out the driver never re-ceived new instructions. With suppliers now having the ability tochange their delivery requests at any time, the importance of secureand reliable connectivity has never been more important. WylessTelematics offers national connectivity through the largest network
of operators, so regardless of location, drivers re-main on the most advanced network, ensuring nodowntime and no dead zones.
Road REQUIREMENTSWhile drivers will always require GPS to get on location on time, sys-tem advances can improve ETA and customer communication. Im-proved features include advanced mapping and geo-zones.Advanced mapping uses satellites and algorithms to provide up-to-date configurations keeping drivers informed of traffic changes. Si-multaneously, geo-cities track progress and alert dispatch and thecustomer when the truck enters the area so everyone is constantlyinformed and connected.So, what solution is right for your company and how will you de-
ploy it? The cost of hardware, training required and human resourcesneeded to implement a solution that meets these needs is less diffi-cult than previously thought. Wyless Telematics provides a holisticsolution, including free hardware, the largest wireless network, andreal-time software that meet dispatch, driver, and manager needs.The best part is they supply the hardware free of charge, offer soft-ware training and provide integration support to ensure a seamlessdeployment, all for a low monthly fee. TOW
To find about more about increasing efficiency in your business withWyless Telematics, contact us on 339-469-0978 or visitwww.wylesstelematics.com.
40 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
Taking to the Road EfficientlyGPS SPOTLIGHTS
TELEMATICS
The issues with electronic communication systems in vehicles
have been well studied and the dangers well documented. The prob-
lems are “glances” and “attention to task.” When the driver is interact-
ing with the communications device, the driver is not “watching
traffic” (called a visual distraction), is not lis-
tening to what is going on around him/her
(called an auditory distraction), is attempt-
ing to manually manipulate the device
(called a manual distraction) and is not
thinking about driving (referred to as a cog-
nitive distraction).
The more types of distraction a device
causes, the greater the risk is when using it while driving. Texting,
which involves all four types of distraction, has long been recognized
as the most dangerous of the electronic distractions. In one study,
texting was found to increase the odds of the driver being involved in
42 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
In this day and age, there are many communicationsdevices that allow you to instantly contact yourdrivers. However, some of these devices can lead toan unsafe situation if used improperly. In somecases, it can also lead to a ticket.
Electronic Communications to the Trucks –
A Blessing and a Curse!By Thomas Bray
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 43
a safety-related event or crash by 23 times. There are many activities
that carry the same level of risk for the same reason — they involve
multiple types of distraction at the same time — such as dialing a cell
phone when driving or using a computer terminal while driving.
Due to the dangers involved in electronic distraction, the Federal
Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) and many states have
placed rules on the books limiting the use of cell phones and prohibit-
ing texting while driving. By the way, “while driving” includes while
stopped at a stop light or stop sign, and being stuck in traffic. To be
“not driving,” the driver needs to be stopped and safely parked in a
legal parking place.
CELL PHONESThe FMCSA and state cell phone regulations are such that a driver
can use a cell phone while driving provided certain conditions are
met. First, the phone cannot be held in the driver’s hand. It must be
“hands free.” The hands-free requirement applies to everything from
dialing to hanging up. Dialing and hanging up must be able to be ac-
complished with “one touch.”
Second, the driver must be able to answer or initiate calls while
seated normally in the driver’s seat. If the driver has to reach in such a
way that he/she has to “leave the driving position” to initiate or an-
swer a call, the driver is in violation of the regulations.
S A F E T Y
44 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
The driver does have the option to get off of the roadway (park
somewhere where it is legal and safe to park) and use the cell phone,
if hands-free is not an option.
The only exception to the rules is if the driver needs to contact
emergency services to report an emergency.
Basically, what is prohibited by the FMCSA (and most states and
municipalities that have cell phone rules) is the driver holding the
phone, dialing the phone, or having to leave the driving position to
initiate or answer a call. If the driver has a hands-free headset or a
“smart” vehicle that can link to the phone, then the driver can make
and answer cell phone calls.
As a company, if you want to have “instant access” to your drivers
using cell phones, you will need to make sure that the drivers under-
stand the rules and are equipped with hands-free technology. Other-
wise, the drivers need to be told to let the call go to voicemail, and
stop as soon as safely possible to check the voicemail.
TEXTINGThe FMCSA regulations (as well as most state and municipal rules that re-
strict texting) prohibit the “manual entering of alpha-numeric characters
into a communication device or reading of alpha-numeric information on
a communication device” while driving. This is the technical definition of
“texting.” Unlike the cell phone regulation, the regulations do not provide
an alternate means of texting that would be legal. The only way texting
Electronic Communications to the Trucks –
A Blessing and a Curse!
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 45
when driving can be done legally is if it can be done hands-free (such as
using a smart vehicle system that has “voice to text”).
If the driver receives a text when driving, the driver needs to know to
find a safe place to park to read and reply to the text. As a company, if you
use a text-based system to communicate with your drivers, you need to
understand that there will be a delay in the driver’s reply. This is due to the
driver needing to find a safe place to read and reply. Anytime a driver that
is supposed to be driving replies immediately, you should be concerned
that the driver is texting while driving. This suspicion should at least war-
rant a conversation with the driver to verify that he/she understands and
is following the rules.
These regulations (like the cell phone regulations) include an excep-
tion for contacting emergency services to report an emergency.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should!
There are circumstances in which the driver really should not be using
a cell phone, even if it is hands-free. The issue is that cell phones, even
hands-free cell phones, create cognitive distraction. This cognitive distrac-
tion may lead to the driver seeing something in front of him/her, but not
reacting to it. The driver will be especially prone to these phenomena
when there are multiple driving activities that will require his/her atten-
tion.
An example would be a driver approaching an accident scene. Ap-
proaching an accident scene requires covering the brake, checking traffic
in the area, checking mirrors to see what traffic coming to the scene is
doing, following the directions of emergency responders, being prepared
to stop on a moment’s notice, and actively deciding when and where to
stop. A driver that is on the phone may not realize what is going on
around him/her, much less be mentally prepared and able to make
sound decisions.
Other situations, such as heavy traffic, bad road conditions, and bad
weather conditions, can lead to similar problems. If the driver is in a driv-
ing situation that involves taking in a lot of driving data and making sound
decisions, the driver should not be using even a hands-free cell phone.
The bottom line is that when the driver is in a difficult driving situation,
the distraction of talking on even a hands-free cell phone may be enough
to get the driver in trouble. Therefore, work with your drivers on when
they should and shouldn’t be using a hands-free cell phone. And remem-
ber that there are no circumstances where texting while driving is al-
lowed.TOW
Thomas Bray is Sr. Editor – Transportation Management for
J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Contact him at
[email protected]. Also be sure to check out J. J.
Keller’s website at www.jjkeller.com.
Copyright 2013 J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.4
PO Box 368, 3003 Breezewood Lane
Neenah WI 54957-0368
S A F E T Y
46 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
DAMAGED VEHICLE
MOVEMENT
42 Years of the Collins Hi-Speed®DollyChanging the Tow Professional's Industry
History of the Self-Loading Dolly-
With nearly 14 years into the next mil-lennium, we continue to measure ourprogress by our past. Over 40 years ago,Collins forever changed dolly towing forthe towing and recovery industry world-wide. Since its very inception nearly 100years ago, dolly towing, shown below left,required time, space, and maneuvering toget the job done. As vehicles changed, sodid the dollies that carried them. TheHolmes D9 pan dolly, shown below right,was a staple to the towing industry fordecades. Back then, it was an awkward,unpleasant task when vehicles were dol-lied. It started by the vehicle first having tobe raised off the ground with whateverwas available to the driver. Then the bulkysteel and iron dollies had to be pulled offthe truck and assembled underneath thevehicle. The vehicle was then loweredonto the dolly. At the destination point,the vehicle then had to be raised up again,the heavy dollies pulled out from under-neath, disassembled and stowed, and thevehicle lowered back to the ground. Sea-soned veterans will tell you the processwas back-breaking and time-consuming.
All that changed in the summer of 1972.Collins' articulating, self-loading dolly, which
allowed tow operators to retrieve vehiclesand be gone in as little as 60 seconds, wasunheard of, prior to their invention of theSelf-Loading Hi-Speed?Dolly. The present-day configuration started out very simple inthe mid-70s with only four moving parts perdolly side. Simple but not entirely safe. Towoperators eventually pointed out the dangerand liability of the "crack bar" coming backand striking someone in the head -- hencethe nickname. Collins immediately re-sponded in May 1977 with the invention ofthe Safety Ratchet System (SRS). This ar-rested the free motion of the pry bar, pre-venting people from getting hurt. Withthousands of pounds bearing down on thedolly, the Collins Safety Ratchet System con-tinues to protect businesses from damagesand liability, and personnel from injury.
At present, the Collins Hi-Speed?Dollycontinues as the safest, lightest, most ad-vanced dolly in the world -- and the most imi-tated. Collins has been setting the goldstandard of safety, quality, ease, and style ofdollies for over four decades.
With other original patented featuresthat Collins invented like 8-inch aluminumwheels, greasable aluminum hubs, replace-able and serviceable parts, the Hi-Speed?Dolly is indeed unique and original.Additional features introduced by Collins tothe towing industry like aluminum axles in1995 and the aluminum square pry bar in2010, help make the tow operator's jobsafer with less worker comp claims. Collinsuses more aluminum than any of the imita-tors' dollies making them the lightest, andeasiest to use. Although these featuresmake the coveted Hi-Speed?Dolly a targetfor copy-cats in the US, China, and Singa-pore, their imitations are no match for theOriginal.
Today, dolly towing is also available to carcarriers with Collins' patent-pending CarrierDolly System. With all-wheel drive, electric,and hybrid vehicles, or cars with low groundclearance or no hook points, the CarrierDolly System solves all these problems. Afterbeing lifted by the mini-dollies, the tow bar ishooked to the dollies and the tow hook tothe tow bar. Nothing touches the vehicle.The vehicle simply rides the dollies up thebed. The system also doubles as a motorcy-cle dolly. For vehicles without wheels, thepatented Tow Cradle works for both carrierand highway dollies. TOW
Collins Mfg Corp.P.O. Box 1299Jacksonville, OR 97530www.collinsdollies.com(800) 332-9220
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 47
Calls for quickly moving vehicles withbroken ball joints continue to grow.While many use skates or Go-Jacks,many towers find that due to their in-ability to safely load and secure a vehi-cle, especially on the aluminum bed rollback wreckers, they find the need for asturdier device.
Steck’s 4th Wheel Loader is a tough24” x 14” hardened aluminum fabricatedplatform with two 4” x 10” Polypropyleneroller wheels, six 5/8” holes for mini-Jhooks for loading assistance and 1” axleswhich provides a safe platform to easilyhold and secure up to 5 tons while loadinga vehicle. The 4th Wheel Loader also in-cludes two shims that allow the driver toraise the vehicle with busted ball joints,lost wheels and severely bent axles andplace it at a desired height for secure load-ing on the roll back. The Loader is 4” high(without shim blocks) with a built in 6” X 1�” handle which will allow you to store the
25 lb. Loader behind your seat or tool box.Quicker loading and unloading while pre-venting further damage to vehicles by al-lowing the driver to center, pull andproperly secure the vehicle on the rollback bed as well as preventing bed dam-age to the roll back.
We have also found that the shopswhere the towers drop the damaged vehi-cle has a similar problem because Go-Jacks do not work well outdoors, whichresult in many damaged floor jacks tryingto move the vehicle into the shop. The 4thWheel Loader with its two Polypropylenewheels works well in gravel and dirt tomove the vehicle directly into the repairbays and frame racks. TOW
Steck Manufacturing Co.1115 S BroadwayDayton, Ohio 45417937-222-0062www.steckmfg.com
Stecks 4th
Wheel Loader
48 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
TM
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 49
MPD 30MPD 30 SP solid paint marker from CompetitiveAdvantage makes permanent marks on a wide va-riety of surfaces. Formerly known as Tow Pro,MPD 30 SP is an excellent choice for glass, metal,rubber, chrome, concrete, wood and plastics. Theversatility of applications led to the renaming.
MPD 30 SP is solid paint and is capable or writ-ing under the most extreme conditions, includingwet (even underwater), cold (down to -40) andhot temperatures. The performance under a widevariety of extreme weather conditions makes itthe ideal marker for the towing industry, auto auction sites, scrap yards and oilfieldmaintenance.
MPD 30 SP is available exclusively online at MarkingPenDepot.com in seven col-ors. MarkingPenDepot also sells Sakura Solid Paint Markers, Unipaint felt tip markers,Posca removable markers and AutoWriter removable body shop markers.
Competitive Advantage41775 Elm St, Unit 403Murrieta, CA 92562Phone 951-304-9370Fax: 951-677-2678www.cagwholesaleonline.com
HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
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50 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
AW Direct®Touchscreen Cut-ProtectionGloves
Your work gloves have one task — protect yourhands from cuts, scrapes and punctures. But yourhands need to do more, like using your smart-phone. The new RadianG Touchscreen Cut-Pro-tection Gloves, available from AW Direct, let you tap,swipe and type on your mobile device. Plus, provide excellentabrasion, cut, tear and puncture protection when you’re on thejob. Make these your new work gloves today.Atomic LED Strobing CabMarker LightsReplace your dull factory lights withbrighter, more visible flashing cab mark-ers. Atomic’s LED technology generates a brighter light for in-creased visibility while requiring less draw on your electricalsystem. And forget about drilling holes in your expensive truck.Just reuse the factory holes. AW Direct features Atomic LEDlights for Ford F250–F750(1999–2014), Chevy/GMC Silver-ado/Sierra (2007–2014) and Dodge Ram (2003–2014).Order your lights today.(800) 243-3194 www.awdirect.com
TowMate3-in-1 LED flare/flashlight/worklight kit
The TMPRO-3-1 is a sturdy US Manufactured rechargeableemergency light system. Replace chemical flares with the LEDflare function, illuminate a work area with its LED work light, orutilize its ultra-bright LED flash light for increased visibility. Theunits’ battery life can reach more than 15 hours. System in-cludes a rechargeable 12V DC charging base. Units start at$225 (as pictured).
Go towww.TowMate.com orcall (800) 680-4455for more information.
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 51
WorkSafe USA, IncThe NO-JACK
A tow truck operator's duties typically involve the use of a service jackfor tire changes, repositioning broken ball joints and tie rods to preparea tow, just to name a few. WorkSafe USA, Inc. is proud to present theNO-JACK vehicle lift system for self loading wheel lift wreckers. The NO-JACK system allows a self loading wheel lift wrecker to be utilized as anon-site automotive service jack, eliminating the need to carry servicejacks and jack stands on the wrecker.
WorkSafe USA, Inc. www.dump-lok.com | (217) 487-7045
Windshield Cam’s 4 Camera Pro-fessional Truck Video Security
Windshield Cam is the original and the leader in Multi CameraTruck Video Security for commercial trucks with a long 2 weekrecording time. The 4 Camera Windshield Cam Systemrecords all 4 sides of the truck, protecting you 24/7 againsttheft, vandalism, hit & runs, traffic accidents and road rage. The2 side mirror cameras are very important in providing proof insideswipes and merging accidents. The Rear Camera recordsall activity behind the truck. Make great training videos, too.
To view Windshield Cam truck video footage,please visit www.WindshieldCam.com or call Ron at(403) 616-6610.
HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
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52 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
ProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
TM
Phoenix USA, Inc. introduces 100 Series Work LightsThese new mountable work lights provide high-powered light where you need it. And since they’re LED, they emit a brighterbeam, stay cooler, last longer and are extremely affordable in relation to other lighting types.
The 4.6 inch diameter round work light has six high intensity LED diodes, 750+ lumen, 18 watt, and 10~30 VDC operation,black housing and polycarbonate lens. Stainless steel adjustable stud mounting bracket and hardware included. Full dimen-sions: 4.6” dia. x 1.7” depth.
The 5 inch square work light has five high intensity LED diodes, 600+ lumen, 15 watt, and 10~30 VDC operation, blackhousing and polycarbonate lens. Stainless steel adjustable stud mounting bracket and hardware included. Full dimensions:4.4” x 5” x 1.7” depth.
For more information: Leigh Ann NethertonPhoenix USA Inc.51 Borden StreetCookeville, TN 38501 931.526.6128www.phoenixusa.com
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 53
S&J New Webbing V Strap
S&J Metal Mfg releases their new web-bing V Strap with 24” extension tokeep winch hook out from under theautomobile being loaded. Helps pre-vent damage to oil pan, spoilers, andbumper
S & J Manufacturing, Inc.203 Commerce DriveCuba, MO 65453Phone: 573-885-4460 Fax: [email protected]
S&J New Axle Chain
New largehook openingAxle Hook foryour towingneeds. One endof the chain with3 sizes of hooks,other end to fitmost any size frameor location and allowslack take up.
S & J Manufacturing, Inc.203 Commerce DriveCuba, MO 65453Phone: 573-885-4460 Fax: [email protected]
HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
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54 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
B/A Products Co. Alloy Snatch Block
B/A Products Co.(800) 327-3301 www.baprod.com
Next Generation Tool Co.Portable Automotive DVR"Your Digital Eye-Witness"This new item is a must-have for recording what actually
happens during driving incidents. Features include: HD Quality;Loop Recording and Motion Activation; Wide Viewing Area;Excellent Night Vision; Color Screen. Multi-functional as a DVR,Digital camera and Microphone; Both 12v and Battery Oper-ated; Auto ON/OFF. Excellent for insurance, legal claims andnew drivers. Know where your drivers or family is going. 1 yr.Mfr. guarantee.
Call us today at 1-800-874-5625.
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 55
Advanced Specialty Products Inc.2 in 1 Rust Converter
This new revolutionary hi tech product chemically convertsexisting rust into an inert polymer barrier that protects againstany further corrosion and oxidation on any metal surface. Thereis no need to scrape, grind, or sandblast the rust that exists. Ad-vanced 2 in 1 Rust Converter leaves a smooth black polymer sur-face all in one step! It can be painted over or left as is. Protectsagainst salts, acids, UV rays, and friction!
* Also leaves a clear protective finish on non rusted metal.
Call 631-648-9862Or visit www.aspecialtyproducts.com
Steck Manufacturing I-Bolt
I-Bolt is a universal tow eye with a 2” x 1 ½” loop connected to a 7” longsteel shaft with unique gripping teeth that lock into the threaded holes
on the front or rear of imports and some domestics. Insert the I-Bolt into
the threaded hole engage the gripping teeth by turning the loop clock-
wise (while holding the knurled 1 ¾” knob) until the teeth engage be-hind the nut or in the threaded hole.
Steck Manufacturing Co.1115 S. Broadway | Dayton, Ohio 45417937-222-0062 | www.steckmfg.com
56 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
DealerPlace
www.towprofessional.com | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | Tow Professional 57
DealerPlace
MarketPlace
58 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
MarketPlace
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MarketPlace
Tow Show Booth #622 Tow Show Booth #702
60 Tow Professional | Volume 3 • Issue 6 | www.towprofessional.com
ProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery
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Advanced Specialty Products . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Aldridge Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Alexander Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
all-Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Amerideck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Anchor Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Atlanta Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Austin Hinds Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
B/A Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13, 57
Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33, 58
Blingmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Bowers Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Boxes 4 U/ Crashfilm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
budgetGPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
CTTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Custer Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
CW Mill Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Dangelo's Custom Built . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Detroit Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15, 23
Direct Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
DJ and Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Eartec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
ECM Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Evans Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Eye3Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Flash Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
FlowStop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Hal Kresser Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Hallmark Consultants Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Holly's Message Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
IAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum / Wall of the Fallen . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Jerr-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC
Keystone Tape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Larson Electronics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
LDC Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Loganville Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Mfr. Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC
Midwest Regional Tow Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Miti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Next Generation Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
North American Bancard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Phoenix USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Pillow Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Powerbilt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Powerhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Recovery Billing Unlimited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Recovery Consulting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Robert Young's Wrecker Sales & Service . . . .56
ROI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Rugged Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
S&J Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Specialty Equipment Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC
Steck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Surplus Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
TomTom Telematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Towbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Towmate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Tow Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Tracker Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Travis Barlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Triple K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Tru-Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
VTS Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Web Rigging Supply, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Weiss Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Windshield Cam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Worksafe USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Worldwide Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Wrecker Rentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Wyless Telematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Yale Cordage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Zacklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
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