Tow Professional

2 Tow Professional | Volume 2 Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 | Publisher Letter 40| HOOKED UP

6|DETROIT WRECKERS SALES announces the acquisition of Monroe Hydraulics!

8| Dual Tech

8| TwinState Equipment

43 | "BUT I THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING"

10| International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame Honorees

14 | Getting Out of Debt

12 | D.J. Harrington, “The Car-Diologist,” joinsTow Professional!

CONTENTSVolume 2 • Issue 4 2013

www.towprofessional.com

T O W P R O F E S S I O N A L

Visibility30 | The Key to Safety

Safety24 | Top 8 Safety Topics Tow Professionals

Need to Understand

IndustryNEWS

TOW TIPST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

32 |Holly’s Message Service 33 |(PDSI) Professional Dispatch Services, Inc.

35 |Tow Ramps

36 |Pierce Sales

37 |Fleet Sales West

38 |RP Recovery Consulting

38 |Lodar Remote System

39 |Progressive Platforms

Cover Image Courtesy ofWarn Industries, Inc.

Hydraulic Winches 22 | Getting Familiar with Hydraulic Winches

Mobile Printing34 | Is Mobile Printing

“Just the Ticket” for Towing?

company spotlight

Dispatch News

Fuel 4 thought


PUBLISHERSDarian Weaver

President & [email protected]

Jack HartsfieldVice President & [email protected]

__________________________

PRODUCTION

Clint W. CabinessArt Director

Hal K. HuberGraphic Designer

Jill HastyManaging Editor

__________________________

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSTom Bacon Richard FarrellKathleen Freeman D.J. Harrington Andy LilienthalDan MessinaPaul E

Wade and Tabitha PierceSam Priestley

Stephanie Williams

Executive and Advertising Offices

P.O. Box 26308Birmingham, AL 35260Toll free: 888-802-8544Fax: 205-978-1550


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 to all! It’s a great day in Birmingham, Alabama!

Recently, we travelled to Orlando, Florida, to exhibit at the 2013 Florida Tow Show,which is hosted by the Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida (PWOF). The showwas very well attended, and the vendors showed and sold a tremendous amount ofproduct. It’s a great sign that our economy is moving in the right direction.

While at the show, Allstate Roadside Assistance had a dinner banquet with the 70s/80srock band Cheap Trick playing afterward. We had a great time; Cheap Trick has a fewsongs that everybody knows (even if you didn’t know that they sang it). My guess is thatthe guys in the band are 60+ years of age, and I believe that they had as much fun asanybody.

With this issue, we begin a regular column that will be provided by D.J. Harrington called“Fuel for Thought.” I met D.J. at the Baltimore show last year; he is the type of person thatmakes you feel better just because you know him. He is a trainer and consultant to over1,000 businesses throughout the country, training personnel at all levels, from the Oper-ator to the President of the company.

D.J.’s column, along with the Dan Messina business editorial each month, should helpyour business gain an edge in this tough market.

Next we will travel to the American Towman Showplace in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 16-18, 2013. We hope to see you there!

Vo.2, Issue 3 Retraction: In the last issue of Tow Professional on page 39, the Company

Spotlight on Heavy Duty Towing Equipment stated that “All units are imported.” To clarify, the

statement should have read “All Heavy Duty Towing Equipment units are imported” simply

meaning that their units are imported, and not all units in the industry are imported.

Darian Weaver and Jack Hartsfield Co-Publishers

Volume 2 • Issue 4 2013


IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

In DWS's continuing efforts to further offer the towing and recoveryindustry better service, they have announced the purchase of along-established hydraulic company, Monroe Hydraulics. DWS nowcan offer its customers complete in-house cylinder services. Fromcomplete manufacture to rebuild service, DWS has all the neces-sary equipment and expertise to handle all your hydraulic needs in-house. Some repairs can even be done while you wait!

DWS has also expanded its ongoing relationship with Jerr-Danto include, along with full warranty services, complete hydrauliccylinder rebuild services. Both DWS and Jerr-Dan believe that keep-ing your equipment up and running is our primary concern. NEVERwill you hear “Sorry, we have to send this back to the plant for war-ranty inspection." DWS can inspect and replace on the spot! Whatother manufacturer is willing to do that? DWS and Jerr-Dan have al-ways put their customers first. From engineering to manufacturing,to service after the sale, you will always get the best.

DWS stocks everything you need to keep that equipment on theroad and making you money!

As southeast Michigan's oldest and largest manufacturer and re-pair facility dedicated to the towing and recovery industry, you canbe sure that the service you receive at DWS will always be the best.From original equipment to upgrades to your existing fleet, you canrest assured that anything you request will be done right. Anyonecan bolt on chrome and lights, but unlike so many startups and newto the area facilities, DWS's years and experience and familiaritywith consulting with the truck manufacturers give them all the com-plete information to equip and maintain your vehicles properly.Never will you have to worry about someone’s work voiding yourtruck’s warranty. Give us a call or stop in; you'll be glad you went tothe best.

19630 Fitzpatrick | Detroit, MI 48228

Local: 313-835-8700 | National: 877-TOW-0030

Fax: 313-835-4838

Webstore: www.DetroitWrecker.com

Email: [email protected]

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6 Tow Professional | Volume 2 • Issue 4 | www.towprofessional.com

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DETROIT WRECKERS SALES announces the acquisition of Monroe Hydraulics! > > >

TwinState Equipment expands itsservices to include customized vehicles to meet

the demands of the industry. TSE is working with

its customers to built equipment that solves prob-

lems in today’s tough demands in highway con-

tract towing. Current emissions standards force

us to depart from using stock configurations and create equipment

that is better suited for the

needs of

the tower. It’s easy to throw a big box on

a truck and dump equipment inside, but

rather than doing that, we look at the

whole project ad set expectation of per-

formance and function. Utilizing high-

quality components and fabricating

techniques, we are building a better vehicle for our customers.

Many of the employees at TSE have had experience as a tower, and

we work to bring that to the table. “A place for everything and every-

thing in its place,” remarks a TSE employee. Our Freeway Service

Patrol Package will be on display at the 2013 American Towman

Show Place in Las Vegas May 17th-18th. We invite you to come see

the difference TSE offers and speak with our team about

requirements that you may have. Representatives from

Rush Truck Center of Fontana California will be present

for customers in the Southern California Coastal regions.

For more information, please contact Scott Rahner-Sales Manager/Product Specialistat 702-238-5487 or email [email protected].


For the last 100 years, the AmericanCancer Society has been fighting to trans-form cancer from deadly to preventable.Cancer is an issue that affects us all, eitherpersonally or through friends and family.

Dual-Tech is a family owned and operatedcompany dedicated to families. As a tributeto the American Cancer Society, Dual-Techset out to build two units to show its supportto an organization that is also dedicated to

families. The first unit was aFreightliner, 12 ton wreckerwith purple accents; purplerepresents all cancers. Thesecond unit built was a Pe-terbilt, Side Puller Unit witha 22’ 1240 Series Bedpainted with Metallic PinkAccents in honor of BreastCancer. Both units were un-veiled at the 2013 FloridaPWOF Tow Show. To learnmore about what the Ameri-can Cancer Society has tooffer, please visit

www.cancer.org or www.relayforlife.org.For more photos of these units or informa-tion about the Dual-Tech product, please visitwww.dual-techinc.com.

Dual Tech >>>

TwinState Equipment >>>

IndustryNEWST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

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www.towprofessional.com | Volume 2 • Issue 4 | Tow Professional 9




Fuel 4 thought

Iwanted to write for a tow magazine on a regular basis forquite some time. I have written for the “Power Source” mag-azine in the auto recycling industry for over 17 years. The towing industry has been very good to me. I have spoken in Balti-

more 14 times; spoken to the towers in Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, andmany times in San Antonio, Texas; and been a presenter at StatewideTowing Association of Massachusetts and the Ohio Tow Show.

This gives me a voice to talk about things I see happening in the indus-try that I would like to give fuel for thought.

For example, we don’t look at the history of the company before wecommunicate. By history, I mean, we don’t take into consideration whothe customer really is before we yell, “Pay ALL 12 days of storage,” evenwhen it is the owner of a large company who has his personal car stolen.The police really forgot to inform the owner that the car was found muchearlier and wasn’t notified until additional charges were incurred. The carowner offered to pay the $135 tow and the two days storage at $35 perday, but the owner of the towing company yells, “Pay the whole bill!I’m not running a charity!”

The next day, after the heat passes, with conviction, the co-worker inthe office mentions that we do a lot of towing for that company.“What doyou mean???” “Well, last year, we invoiced them for more than$32,000 work of towing of their trucks and equipment.”Lots of infor-

mation, but too late now! People vote with their feet. The owner of thecompany will not use this towing company ever again, and he tells every-one in the community just how he feels. Before blurting that you don’t run

By D. J . Harr ington

D.J. Harrington, “The Car-Diologist,”joins Tow Professional!


a charity, take into consideration to whom youare speaking. Kindness goes a long way…and itmight save you some grief and loss of businesslater.

Speaking of kindness, would you be so kindto help me collect soda pop tabs? Collectingsoda pop tabs is one easy way to help the peo-ple at Ronald McDonald House. It’s simple, it’slow-cost, and it’s a great way to get involved.

The program started back in 1997 to helpthe families that have children receiving activeinpatient and active outpatient treatments at alocal hospital. This helps families with housing ina warm environment while their little ones aregoing through some tough times.

Start saving the pull tabs, and when you havea small bag of them, place in the mail to D.J.

You can get your office involved by placing acontainer marked ‘TABS FOR KIDS’ in a spotthat everyone can contribute their tabs.

I want to collect 1,267 tabs a day, whichequals one pound. If we all work together, wecan make a difference in another person’s life.Isn’t that what we should be doing? Making thisworld a better place? I hope you will put a coffeecan, pretzel jug or milk carton out at home and inthe office. Every time you pull a tab on a soda,beer or soup can with a tab, you will know thatyou are helping a family who has to stay awayfrom home to visit their child in a hospital. This isa small act of kindness that you are paying for-ward. Show your generosity and let’s togetherhelp, with a home away from home, some veryneedy families.

Before I finish this article, I was thinking of mydeparted friend, Zig Ziglar, who once told methat he visited the Washington Monument. Ashe arrived with his family, he heard the guide an-nounce, “Ladies and gentlemen, there is cur-rently a two-hour wait to ride the elevator to thetop of the monument.” The guide then paused amoment, smiled and added, “However, there isno wait should you desire to take the stairs.”

Zig’s story reveals something about success.In truth, there are no elevators to the top. If youwant to make it there, you will have to take aLONG series of steps. How many steps are youwilling to take and how long are you willing tokeep climbing determines how high you will go.

Please remember to save the tabs, and if youdon’t belong to your state association, thinkabout joining it today!

I will be in Vegas, San Antonio, and Ohio for

the tow shows. Please come see me at the AutoData Direct booth and come to my class inTexas and Ohio. I look forward to writing about“Dispatch” in my next issue.

God bless each and every one of you. TOW

Correspondence regarding this article should goto: D.J Says, 2820 Andover Way, Woodstock,GA 30189

D.J. Harrington is an author, journalist, seminarleader, international trainer, and marketing con-sultant. He works primarily with customer serv-ice personnel, and his clients include suchworld-class companies as General Motors,DuPont, Caterpillar, and Damon Corporation Hecan be reached at 800-352-5252 or by e-mailat [email protected]. 52 weeks a year, we are asclose as your telephone.


By Dan Mess ina

During the weekend, I talked to at least 100 towers about their

business and the challenges they face in the future. Making a profit

was a big concern for most towers. If you want to make money,

there are two ways to do it.

1. Raise revenue – With all the competition out there, everyone

is fighting for the same customer. There are some other ways to

make money by providing new services or opening up new markets.

2. Lowering expenses – A lot of the towers I talked to admit

they are lost in the day-to-day operation and lose track of their ex-

penses. Identifying expenses is a major factor in getting out of debt.

The first step is to stop spending until you figure out all your debt.

Once you have identified your monthly expenses, you want to take

steps to lower them or eliminate them all together.

A long time ago, my wife and I listened to a motivational speaker

named Tony Robbins. After taking his video class, it changed our

lives. We will follow some of the same principles here.

The first step we want to do is identify all debt or monthly ex-

penses. Remember, we don’t just want to cut debt, but we want to

lower monthly expenses, as well. When it comes to debt, you should

know everything about the terms and conditions of the money you

GETTINGOUTOFDEBTI was at the Florida tow show, where I gave a seminar on why businesses fail. As I was returninghome, I sat at the airport and had a chance to reflect on the weekend. As the seminar progressed,it was clear to all attending that a major reason for failure is due to debt.


owe. Let’s look at the tips for lowering debt:

1. Put Your Debt On Paper: The very first stepis to make a list of the debts you have. The list

should include the following information:

name, address and phone number of the

creditor; the outstanding balance; the interest

rate; the minimum payment; and any other in-

formation you feel is important (also list

monthly expenses). If you have a few months

of the same expense, this will allow us to com-

pare months and look for trends. We want to

write out our debt on paper. This allows us to

see it as it is.

2. Take Advantage of Personal Finance Soft-ware:By now, many people already have and

use personal finance software like Quicken. If

so, you can use the tools within the software

to record all of the debt you owe and to de-

velop a plan to pay off that debt. I wrote a

newsletter about information and the advan-

tages of having it at your fingertips. It will

make our job a lot easier.

3. Create a budget: I provide a excel budgetformat you can follow; all you have to do is fill

in your numbers. This is an easy way to track

your debt.

4. Involve Others: It’s important that your

spouse or significant other is involved in the

process. If you don’t see eye-to-eye on fi-

nances, it can make getting out of debt even

more difficult than it already is. It’s not uncom-

mon for one spouse to take the lead in han-

dling finances, and that’s fine. But you both

should be on board, particularly as you de-

velop a plan to tackle the debt. If you have a

business partner, have them get involved, as

well.

Create a Plan to Pay Off Your DebtHaving written down all your debt, it’s now

time to determine how you will go about pay-

ing off these bills. A solid plan should not be

complicated. It’s simply your approach to

tackling your debt. Here are a few things we

will need to create our plan:

1. Prepare a Budget – My wife and I

would go away every year for a few days and

lock ourselves in a room and create a budget.

We used this as a business plan for the up-

coming year. We did nothing by accident. We

knew every move our company was going to

make from:

a. Buying a truck or getting rid of a truck

b. What trucks need maintenance

c. Who we were going to hire

d. Who we were going to fire


e. Who was getting a raise and how much it would be

f. What customers were making us money

g. What customers were costing us money

h. Our growth and what new lines of business we would go

after

Once you know what your objectives are, it makes it easier to

identify expenses and possible revenue streams.

2. Be Aggressive About Paying Off Debt – Take one debt

at a time and pay it off. This debt is the one costing us the most

money, or has the highest interest rate, or has the shortest term. We

will figure out a new line of revenue and apply it to this debt. We can

make this fun as you watch your debt go away.

3. Be Realistic About Paying Off Debt – We have to re-

member it took us a period of time to create this debt; it will not go

away overnight. We will set a timetable for each debt and work to get

them paid off.

4. Place Your Bills in Order – Set a priority for your debt, such

as the highest bills first or the one with the

most money. It will be easy to identify our di-

rection once we have everything written down

in front of us. We can do this with monthly ex-

penses, as well. Let’s make a plan to decrease

our monthly expenses by 8% and then figure

out a way to do it. The money saved from our

monthly expenses can be applied to our debt

payoff.

5. Start an Emergency Fund – While

we are doing all of this, we will start a little sav-

ings account to be used for a rainy day.

Having written down all your debts, it’s

now time to determine how you will go about

paying off these bills. A solid plan should not

be complicated. It’s simply your approach to

tackling your debt. There is no one single ap-

proach; you need to do what works best for

you and your family. There are, however, some

important considerations and tools that can

help you develop an effective debt repayment

plan:


1. Debt Repayment Calculator: As a starting point, it’s helpful(and sometimes painful) to see how long it will take you to pay off

your debt if you make just the minimum payments. While the plan

will involve making extra payments, the starting point is to under-

stand what you are up against making just the minimum payments

on your debt.

2. Prepare a Budget: For many, the word “budget” is the dreaded

“B” word. But the fact is that you need a budget to control your

spending and better manage your money. Remember that it’s the

money you don’t spend each month that will go toward paying

down your debt.

3. Be Aggressive: Dave Ramsey talks about tackling debt with

“gazelle” intensity. It’s about being aggressive in paying off your

debt. As you work through your budget, recognize that every dollar

counts, and that the more you throw at your debt, the less interest

you’ll pay and the faster you’ll get out of debt.

4. Be Realistic About Paying Off Debt:While we all want to get

out of debt fast, we do have to be careful not to get too aggressive.

Paying off debt is a lot like going on a diet. You can commit to never

eating foods that are bad for you, but is that realistic? The thought

of never eating ice cream is just too much to bear. The same is true

with debt. Yes, sacrifices will have to be made to meet your finan-

cial goals, but you need balance in life, including your financial life.

5. Order Your Debt:With your budget in place and an understand-

ing of how much extra money you can put towards debt, it’s now

time to map out a specific plan. The question is this – which debt

will you put your extra money toward first? The first thing is not to

get too hung up on this question. Depending on your situation, one

approach may be better than another, but if you consistently pay

down your debt without incurring more debt, you’ll make great

progress, regardless of which debt you pay first. That said, here are

the top three approaches to deciding how to tackle your debt:

• Highest Interest Rate First: With this approach, you put all the

extra cash you have on the debt that has the highest interest rate.

This approach will result in the lowest interest charges and the

fastest debt repayment possible.


• Smallest Balance First: This is the Dave Ramsey approach.

He suggests targeting the debt with the smallest balance first. While

that debt may not have the highest interest rate, the theory is to get

one debt paid off as fast as possible. Paying off a debt gives you a

feeling of accomplishment, which may be just the motivation you

need to keep on track. By paying off a debt completely, you free up

the cash that was needed to make monthly payments to that bill.

While you are likely to put that cash to the next debt, in an emer-

gency, you could use it for other purposes. In other words, by paying

the smallest debt first, you free up cash flow.

• Non-Revolving debt first: Recall that revolving debt, like

credit cards, allows you to borrow again after you’ve paid down the

debt. Non-revolving debt, like a car or school loan, does not permit

you to borrow again as you pay down the debt. With a car loan, once

the debt is paid, the loan is gone. With a credit card, once the debt is

paid, the card is still there to use again if you so chose. For this rea-

son, I’ll often focus on non-revolving debt first. Why? Because I can’t

go out and charge up the debt again once it’s paid.

6. Don’t Forget Your Emergency Fund:An emergency fund is a really


important part of a debt elimination program.

While you may be tempted to put 100% of

your extra cash toward debt, keeping at least

some of it aside for emergencies will help

break the reliance many have on credit. When

the car needs new tires, it’s better to turn to

the emergency fund than to a credit card.

Improving your credit score is very impor-

tant in relationship to your debt. When many

people think of credit reports and credit

scores, they see them as important if you

want to apply for a loan, but your credit report

and score are also absolutely critical to get-

ting rid of debt. With a good credit score, you

qualify for lower interest rates that can help

bring down your total interest charges. With

bad credit, you’re stuck paying double digit

rates. So let’s look at some tips and tools that

can help you understand the importance of

your credit score.

As noted above, your credit score is an im-

portant tool in getting out of debt as quickly as

possible. To underscore this, check out these

stats from myfico.com for individuals with a

FICO score of 660 (fair credit) vs. 760 (excel-

lent credit):

• Mortgage: The average interest on a

home loan today is about 4.766% for excel-

lent credit, but 5.379% for fair credit.

• Car Loan: With a credit score of 760,

you can expect a car loan interest rate of

about 6.3%. With a score of 660, the rate in-

creases to about 9.8%.

• Home Equity: Excellent credit can ex-

pect a rate of around 8% or lower, while fair

credit borrowers will pay as much as 11% or

higher.

In short, your credit scores matters, so get

a free credit score.

Pay Your Bills on Time: There are a number

of factors that go into a credit score, but one

of the most important is paying your bills on

time. Do whatever is necessary not to forget a

payment, and make sure you make the pay-


ment far enough in advance of the due date so that there is no chance

it will be late.

Don’t Close Accounts: As a general rule, don’t close credit card and

other revolving accounts. One of the factors in determining credit

score is the amount of debt you have in comparison to the amount of

available credit. The greater the available credit, the better. You can al-

ways cut up some of your cards if you don’t want to risk using them,

but don’t cancel them. Here are some other tips to improving your

credit score:

1. Refinance Your Mortgage: The general rule is that you should

refinance if you can lower your interest rate by 1%. While that’s a good

starting point, it is important to also consider how long you plan to stay

in the home and whether you need to convert from an adjustable rate

mortgage to a safer fixed rate loan. Interest rates are still at historic

lows, and it is easy to compare mortgage rates online.

2. Negotiate Lower Interest on Home Equity Lines of

Credit: If you have a home equity line of credit, compare your interest

rate with current market rates. If you think you can do better, step one

is to call the mortgage company and request a lower rate. We did this

successfully with our home equity line of credit. While there are no

guarantees, it can’t hurt to try.

3. Lower the Interest on Credit Cards: Because interest rates

on credit cards have risen so much in the last year, getting a lower rate

on credit card debt can save a lot on interest payments. If you have a

good credit score, you can qualify for a low interest credit card with

rates in the 8% to 12% range..

4. Be Careful with Debt Consolidation: While it is important to

take advantage of the lowest interest rates possible, the one area

where you want to be really careful is with debt consolidation compa-

nies. While they may promise you low rates and a single payment, the

number of consumer complaints about such companies is exploding.

Be patient and follow some of these steps and 2013 can be a

good year after all. TOW

Go to www.danmessina.com to learn about getting out

of debt.



HYDRAULIC MOTORSA hydraulic winch is run by a motor that con-

verts fluid pressure to usable power. Just like an

electric or gasoline engine, a hydraulic motor is

going to come in different sizes with different

power outputs.

Hydraulic winch motors have flow ratings

measured in gallons per minute (GPM) and

pressure specifications measured in pounds

per square inch (PSI). To put it simply, hydraulic

pressure equates to line pull, and flow rates

equate to line speed. Also note that hydraulic

winches only build pressure as a load increases.

PULLING CAPACITYHydraulic winches are available in a wide vari-

ety of pulling capacities. Winches used in the

towing industry often begin with capacities

around 6,000 lbs. with popular capacities

being 9,000 lbs. and 12,000 lbs. Heavier-duty

hydraulic winches can have much greater

pulling capacities of 20,000 lbs., 30,000 lbs.,

and more, and are typically used for pulling con-

struction equipment and industrial vehicles

onto trailers or out of the muck.

It is important to remember that most indus-

trial hydraulic winches do not include rope. Dif-

ferent applications will need different rope

lengths and diameters, so be sure you choose a

winch that can handle the length and diameter

of rope you need. Just remember to never ex-

ceed the pulling capacities of the winch or the

rope!

GEARTRAINSAnother important factor to look at with regard

to hydraulic winches is the geartrain—it’s the

winch’s transmission. There are two basic types

of geartrains: worm and planetary.

A worm geartrain features a worm gear and

a worm wheel. Worm gear winches have few

moving parts and proven technology, since the

basic setup has been around for literally hun-

dreds of years. The disadvantages to worm

geartrains are that they are slow and require

messy lubrication systems that need regular

maintenance.

Planetary geartrains are more advanced

than the worm geartrains and feature multiple

sets of gears, including a sun gear, planet gears

(which rotate around the sun gear), a carrier,

and the outside ring gear. This sophisticated re-

duction system is faster, smoother, and more ef-

ficient than worm geartrains and requires little

or no maintenance. For most applications, a

Reviewing the

BASICS

Hydraulic winches feature in-creased endurance and linespeed compared to their elec-tric counterparts, making themperfect for the towing industry.When your business relies on ahydraulic winch, it’s importantto know a bit about them.Below are some insights on hy-draulic winches that will helpyou get acquainted with theseuseful tools.

HYDRAULIC WINCHES

By Andy L i l ientha l

planetary gear setup is the way to go. Keep in

mind that the combination of gear ratio, drum

diameter, and rope layers will affect a winch’s

line speed.

BRAKESA winch’s braking system is extremely impor-

tant so that a load does not roll back when the

winch stops moving. There are multiple kinds of

brakes, including cone brakes and disc brakes.

The brake should hold the winch’s full-rated

pulling capacity.

CLUTCHESHydraulic winches are available with several

kinds of clutches to engage and free spool the

winch. The most basic is the manual clutch

lever located on the winch. This clutch works by

simply moving a lever from an engaged posi-

tion to a free spool mode by hand.

Next is the remote lever clutch. This allows

an operator to engage the clutch without having

to get near the winch in the event that the winch

is located in the center of a tilt bed, or on the sec-

ond deck of a car carrier, making it difficult to ac-

cess. The remote clutch lever solves this prob-

lem by bringing the lever to the operator.

Finally, there’s the air clutch, which is hooked

up to a vehicle’s air system. This method uses air

pressure to engage the winch’s clutch, and con-

trols are also accessed remotely.

WINCH STANDARDSYou may notice some winches stating that they

meet SAE J706 standards. This means the

winch has met the Society of Automotive Engi-

neer’s (SAE) set of demanding performance,

durability, and safety criteria for winches. This is

an important standard to meet, as it lends credi-

bility to the winch’s design and engineering.

Choosing the correct winch for your job will

depend on how you intend to use the winch.

The best way to determine the winch you’ll

need is to talk to a dealer or manufacturer.

They’ll be able to walk you through the process

of getting a hydraulic winch tailored to your spe-

cific application.TOW

Warn Industries, Inc.www.warn.com | 800-543-9276

www.towprofessional.com | Volume 2 Issue 4 | Tow Professional 23


Emergency situations put responders under time-urgent de-mands that require them to focus on the tasks at hand. For tow oper-ators, this means getting disabled vehicles in tow from an accidentscene or performing the work necessary to complete roadside assis-tance, which is why pre-event preparation and training are critical.Tow truck operators should not only be able to recognize potentialhazards, but also know how to protect themselves while performingactivities in constantly changing and complex hazardous environ-ments. Training can make the difference between having a work-force that is ready to face the next event or one that is facing highrates of injuries and illnesses. Based on the most frequently cited OSHA standards for the auto-

motive services industry, the standards that draw the highest number

of violations include: hazard communication, bloodborne pathogens,

personal protective equipment, portable fire extinguishers, and hand

and portable powered tools and equipment. However, there are many

other safety hazards to consider as well, due to the working conditions

operators face. These include: extreme weather conditions, distracted

driving, and traffic.

Below are the top safety training topics employers should consider

addressing with their tow professionals.

1.Hazard communication

Exposure to hazardous substances, whether at a garage or at the scene

of an accident, poses serious risks to the safety and health of tow truck

operators. Unfortunately, many employees may not even understand the

Safety Topics Tow ProfessionalsNeed to Understand

By Stephanie Wil l iams

S A F E T Y


risks when it comes to han-

dling vehicle fluids or work-

ing with or around other

hazardous substances. As a

result, OSHA recently re-

vised its Hazard Communi-

cation (HazCom) standard

to align with the United Na-

tions’ Globally Harmonized

System of Classification and

Labeling of Chemicals — re-

ferred to as GHS. This new,

improved standard aims to

increase the quality, consis-

tency, and clarity of hazard

information that employees

receive by providing harmo-

nized criteria for classifying

and labeling hazardous

chemicals and for preparing

safety data sheets for these

chemicals. Training is a key

element to ensure employees understand the chemical hazards in their

work environment and are aware of protective measures to follow.

Specifically, OSHA requires employees to be informed of• The requirements of the HazCom standard• Any operations in their work environment where hazardouschemicals are present• The location and availability of the written hazard communica-tion program, including the required list(s) of hazardous chemi-cals and safety data sheets. Or, in the case of an accident scene,where, what, and how to look for this information. In addition, employees must at least be trained on:• Methods and observations that may be used to detect thepresence or release of a hazardous chemical in the work envi-ronment, such as visual appearance or odor of hazardous chem-icals when being released• The physical, health, simple asphyxiation, combustible dust,and pyrophoric gas hazards, as well as hazards not otherwiseclassified, of the chemicals present in the work environment• The measures employees can take to protect themselves fromthese hazards, including specific procedures the employer hasimplemented to protect employees from exposure to hazardouschemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency pro-cedures, and personal protective equipment to be used• The details of the hazard communication program developedby the employer, including an explanation of the labels receivedon shipped containers and the workplace labeling system used


by their employer; and the safety data sheet, including theorder of information and how employees can obtain and usethe appropriate hazard information.

OSHA is clear that training must be effective, which means that

employees must carry the knowledge from the training into their

daily jobs.

For the HazCom training that is required to be completed by De-

cember 1, 2013, employees must receive information on:

• The type of information the employee would expect to seeon the new labels, including the product identifier, signalword, pictogram, hazard statement(s), precautionary state-ments(s), and name, address, and phone number of thechemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer• How an employee might use the labels in the workplace• A general understanding of how the elements work togetheron a label• The 16-section format of a safety data sheet.

2.Bloodborne pathogensFor most tow truck operators, it is reasonably anticipated that expo-

sure to blood or other body fluids is likely when working in or

around a vehicle that has been in a crash. Since blood and body flu-

ids can carry pathogenic microorganisms that may cause poten-

tially life-threatening infectious diseases — such as the hepatitis B,

hepatitis C, and AIDS — understanding the causes and modes of

transmission, recognizing tasks and other activities that may involve

exposure, selecting personal protective equipment, and following

procedures if an exposure incident occurs is required. Under the

bloodborne pathogens standard at 1910.1030, OSHA lists 13

training elements occupationally exposed employees must be edu-

cated on to protect themselves from bloodborne pathogens.

3.Personal protective equipmentProviding employees with the proper protective equipment and

training them on selection and use is critical. Depending on the type

of PPE being provided — whether it is for hands, feet, eyes, or head

— there are unique characteristics and classifications within each

category that employers and operators must be aware of to ensure

that the appropriate equipment is selected.

In particular, OSHA says that employers must provide training

on the following: “The employer shall provide training to each em-

ployee who is required … to use PPE. Each such employee shall be

trained to know at least the following:

• When PPE is necessary• What PPE is necessary

S A F E T Y

• How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE• The limitations of the PPE• The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of thePPE”

4.Portable fire extinguisherIf fire extinguishers are available for employee use, either in the tow

truck, garage, or another part of the facility, it is the employer's responsi-

bility to educate employees on the principles and practices of using a fire

extinguisher and the hazards associated with fighting small or develop-

ing fires. The education must be provided annually and when a new em-

ployee is first hired. OSHA’s regulation on fire extinguishers covers

training at 1910.157(g), but detailed requirements are not specified. A

couple topics to keep in mind during the training are:

• P.A.S.S. technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep) • General classes of fires (i.e., Class A, B, C, and D)• The type of extinguisher that should be used based on the typeof fire

5.Hand and portable powered tools andequipment

Tools are used every day. They make small tasks easier and large tasks

possible. Most of the time, hand and power tools can be used with no

problems — but serious injuries can occur when tools are not properly

maintained or they are used incorrectly. Make sure tow truck operators

are trained in the proper use and handling of the equipment they are re-

quired to use. Particularly, train employees to:

• Recognize hazards and report them to supervisors• Practice good hygiene by making sure work surfaces are cleanand dry to prevent accidental slips with or around hand andpower tools• Use the right size for the employee


• Use the right tool for the job and space availableAlso, employers may want to instruct on good work practices such

as the following:

For hand tools:• Direct tool movements away from aisles and other people. Al-ways be aware of surroundings.• Keep the blades of tools sharp, and remove or replace crackedblades.• Do not use wrenches with sprung jaws to avoid slippage, andwatch for mushroomed heads on impact tools such as chiselsand wedges. • Make sure wooden-handled tools are free of splinters.• Remember that iron or steel tools can produce sparks andshould not be used around flammable substances. Use spark-re-sistant tools made of non-ferrous materials in places where flam-mable liquids, gases, or other explosive substances are stored orused.• Use proper eye protection, hand and foot protection, respira-tors, and other personal protective equipment when flying ob-jects, dust, or fumes may occur from the use of the tool.

For power tools:• Do not carry a tool by its cord or hose.

• Do not yank the cord or hose to disconnect it from a powersource.• Do not expose cords or hoses to heat, oil, or sharp edges.• Make sure the tool is disconnected when not in use, beforeany maintenance work or cleaning, or before switching acces-sories.• Keep the work area secure.• Keep fingers away from switches when plugging in or carryinga plugged-in tool.• Sharpen blades and clean tools.• Follow the instructions in the owner’s manual for changing ac-cessories or lubricating the tool.• Maintain good footing and balance when operating the tool.• Avoid loose clothing or jewelry around power tools.• Remove all damaged equipment from use and label with a“Do not use” tag.

6.Extreme weather conditionsWhen severe weather strikes — blizzards, snowstorms, ice storms,

or heat waves — or work must be performed in excessively cold or

hot temperatures, operators may be exposed to a variety of physi-

cal and health hazards that, if left uncontrolled, can result in serious

injuries and illnesses. Training employees before exposure to ex-


S A F E T Y


treme temperatures can help in avoiding heat or cold-related in-

juries and illnesses. Some topics employers may want to train on in-

clude:

• Recognize the environmental and workplace conditions thatmay be dangerous• Signs and symptoms of cold/heat-induced illnesses and injuries,• Methods to prevent cold/heat stress• Harmful effects of cold/heat stress

7.Distracted drivingYear after year, the leading cause of worker fatalities is motor vehicle

crashes. There is no question that new communication technologies

are helping businesses work smarter and faster. But getting work

done faster does not justify the dramatically increased risk of injury

and death that comes with texting while driving. When it comes to

tow truck operators, have a clear and enforced policy against the haz-

ard of texting while driving. Make sure operators know the rules and

never create incentives that encourage or condone texting while

driving. Other distracted driving activities that employers may also

want to address are the dangers of eating, grooming, and using in-ve-

hicle technologies. They, too, can be sources of distraction.

8. TrafficEmergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, presenting hazardous

situations for tow truck operators. While working at a scene, opera-

tors face the risk of vehicle collisions due to distracted drivers or traf-

fic congestion, as well as the risk of being hit by moving vehicles.

Based on a studies performed by numerous agencies, a summary of

causal factors that have been noted in incident reports, and through

experience, to be responsible for the injuries of emergency respon-

ders at a roadway incident scene. These are:

• Lack of training. Not trained on the hazards associated withroadway incidents and the proper ways to minimize theseoccurrences• Lack of situational awareness. Failure to recognize thedangers associated with a particular roadway situationthey are facing due to insufficient training or lack of expe-rience• Failure to establish a proper temporary traffic control(TTC) zone. Lack of sufficient training, equipment, or stan-dard operating procedures for the correct way to set up aproperly marked work area when operating at a roadwayincident scene. • Improper positioning of apparatus. Vehicle not posi-tioned in a manner that protected the work area or unnec-essarily positioned in the roadway • Inappropriate use of scene lighting. Be aware that vehicleheadlights, warning lights, and floodlights can confuse orblind approaching motorists causing them to strike anemergency vehicle, responder, or other vehicle in the inci-dent area.• Failure to use safety equipment. Failing to use all avail-able traffic-control devices to prevent being struck by on-coming traffic• Careless, inattentive, or impaired drivers• Reduced vision driving conditions. Conditions such asdarkness, fog, rain, snow, and blinding sunshine can in-crease the chances of an incident occurring.

• Lack of advanced warning devices — Warning signs to pre-pare motorists for the conditions that they will soon en-counter.

Taking the necessary steps to train tow professionals so that they able

to recognize the hazards and implement precautionary measures the can

help in preventing injuries.

Concluding Remark

The bottom line is that tow truck operators not only need to recognize po-

tential hazards, but also understand how to protect themselves. Training

can make the difference. TOW

JJ Keller & Associates, Inc.www.jjkeller.com 877-564-2333


VISIBILITY –The Key to Safety

By Paul E . , AWDirect Technica l Product Suppor t

WHILE OUR TOW TRUCKS ARE FULLY ILLUMINATED AT A RECOVERY SCENE AND WE USE TRAFFIC

CONES AND TRIANGLES PLACED IN THE ROAD WAY TO DIVERT TRAFFIC, MANY TOWERS STILL

EXPERIENCE CLOSE CALLS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TO MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE, OPERA-

TORS ARE HIDDEN UNDERNEATH VEHICLES WHILE HOOKING UP, WALKING UP EMBANKMENTS OR

MEDIANS FROM ROLL-OFFS OR WHEN CROSSING LANES OF TRAFFIC TO PICK UP DEBRIS. NIGHT

AND POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN FUR-

THER COMPOUND THE PROBLEM. ENCOUNTER-

ING THESE CONDITIONS EVERY DAY, BEING

VISIBLE IS THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR’S BEST

DEFENSE FOR STAYING SAFE.

High-visibility clothing and personallighting products are essential tools. The clothing is required by Federal Highway Administration’s

Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and con-

sistently found to be needed after doing a hazard assessment

as required by Occupational Safety And Health Administra-

tion’s Personal Protective Equipment Regulation, 29 CFR

1910.132.

We all know we need hi-vis clothing to be as visible as possi-

ble, but which hi-vis clothing is appropriate and what do those

regulatory requirements really mean?

ANSI/ISEA 107-2010 is a national standard developed to

guide employers when selecting hi-visibility vests, jackets, rain

gear, parkas, hats and other safety garments for their workers. It

is specifically referenced in the MUTCD. Garment classes are de-

termined by the wearer’s activities and location.

High-visibility clothing is designed to clearly distinguish the

worker from the environment. The basic garment is made up of

three parts: background material, retro-reflective material and a

combined performance material, which is a combination of

retro-reflective and fluorescent material that may separate the

two. The color of the background material and the combined

performance material can be fluorescent orange- red or fluores-

cent yellow-green. Retro-reflective materials reflect light back to

the source when light shines on it and can be silver reflective or

prismatic types.

Class 3These garments offer the

highest level of visibility for

workers. They are designed

for road personnel with high

task loads in a wide variety of

weather conditions where

traffic exceeds 50 mph.

Class 3 garments have the

most retro-reflective material

and must have sleeves with retro-reflective materials between the

shoulders and elbows. The width of retro-reflective material must

not be less than 50mm. Job classifications that may need Class 3

garments include roadway construction, vehicle operators such as

tow trucks, utility workers, survey crews, emergency responders,

railway workers and accident site investigators.

Class 2These garments have higher visibility than Class 1 clothing, but not

as much as Class 3. They are intended for work near roadways

where traffic exceeds 25 mph and the need for greater visibility in

inclement weather exists. The width of retro-reflective material

1: SILVER REFLECTIVE –Ultimate flexibility andlightweight

2: PRISMATIC – Superiorwet weather performanceand abrasion resistance

3: COMBINED PREFORMANCE MATERIAL


used must not be less than 35mm.

Job classifications that may need

Class 2 garments include railroad

workers, school crossing guards,

parking and toll gate personnel, law

enforcement directing traffic and

airport ground crews.

Class 1These garments need to be conspicuous and are intended to be worn

by workers where traffic does not exceed 25 mph and there is sepa-

ration from traffic. The width of retro-reflective material must not be

less than 25mm. Job classifications intended to wear Class 1 gar-

ments include parking service attendants, warehouse workers in

equipment traffic and sidewalk maintenance personnel.

Class EThe use of pants with retro-reflective material without

any other garments is considered Class E and does

not meet the visibility requirements of ANSI/ISEA

107. However, when Class E pants are worn with a

Class 2 or 3 vest or coat, the entire ensemble is con-

sidered to be a Class 3 rating.

While not directly cited by

the ANSI/ISEA standard hi-vis

accessory clothing, items

such as gloves, gaiters, etc.

also increase the amount of

contrast and increase the like-

lihood of being seen.

One note about reflective

clothing – it does wear out. Clothing that is

dirty from use does not provide the same vi-

sual contrast of a new garment. Each washing

also gradually reduces the color intensity in

the background material and reflectivity of the

striping. Some manufacturers do limit the

number of washings to maintain the product’s

effectiveness, and once this limit is reached,

the items need to be taken out of service.

Personal lighting products are another way

you can increase your visibility on the road.

These items produce light rather than relying

on reflectivity alone. Battery-operated elec-

tronic beacons easily connect to a belt or lan-

yard and provide multiple flash patterns.

Lightsticks are an inexpensive product that

can be place on your person and are water-

proof, non-flammable and can be used

around combustible fuels. High-inten-

sity flashlight being waved can attract

attention and some hand-held lanterns

are designed with built-in flashers.

Tow operator’s face many hazards

during the typical workday. One of the

easiest hazards you can address is by

always wearing hi-vis clothing on a

roadway. When conditions dictate,

personal lighting products can also be

a valuable tool that can improve your

visibility even more. By using both, you

have an important key to coming

home safely each night. TOW

All products shown in this article are

available through AWDirect.

AW Direct | 1-800-243-3194

608-754-2345 (International)

www.awdirect.com


A little over 10 years ago, towers in our area were looking for helpgetting their phones answered. They were tired. Not only did theyneed a break from being woken up multiple times a night, but alsofrom missing time with their families. They called us, Holly’s Mes-sage Service (HMS), based on referrals from their friends who usedHolly’s for their medical or law offices, property management com-panies, etc.

As most for-profit companies would be, we were happy to take onnew business, make our phones ring more, and, in turn, make moremoney! How hard could it be? Answer the phone “XYZ Towing, howcan I help you?” take a message, and deliver it to the driver, right? Hon-estly, we couldn’t be more wrong. Suddenly, we were answering for anindustry we knew little about. Winchout? GOA? Flatbed? ETA? What lan-guage were these people speaking? As you can imagine, there was abig learning curve…and from what we are told, this language is still for-eign at most telephone answering services across the country.

So, after coming to the realization that towing dispatch was a differ-ent animal than we trained for, and towers were in desperate need ofhelp, HMS decided to embrace that need…and become experts in tow-ing dispatch! Thankfully, our local towers who relied on Holly’s took thetime to help develop a training program with us so that not only our cur-rent operators could learn, but also we could continue to train new hires

in what progressively became the majority of our business. We are not,by any means, a large call center fielding your calls from multiple loca-tions throughout the country. We are a midsized, 24/7, well-run, fast, ac-curate dispatch center that understands what it means to dispatch forthe towing industry.

Each of our customers is given a toll-free number to be used for for-warding at whatever time is needed. Whether it is after hours, 24/7,weekends, or just for a few hours so that you can attend a family gather-ing, WE are available to answer, and YOU are only charged when we arespeaking on your line. Your line will be answered the way you want...andyour drivers will get the call immediately after it is taken. At Holly’s Mes-sage Service our operators understand towing terms, special equip-ment used, what motorclubs require, as well as the importance of neverputting a police department on hold! First and foremost is the impor-tance of getting every call out NOW. Dispatching to towing companiesthroughout the United States is what we do, 24/7. Working from oursystem, as well as out of the Beacon Software for many of our cus-tomers, we make immediate verbal contact with your drivers and de-liver the full dispatch either by text, email or pager.

We pride ourselves on customizing each of our customers’ ac-counts. You run your business the way that suits you best, and Holly’sMessage Service aims to assist you in keeping it running at the timesyou are not available. Don’t go another day of missing out on sleep orbeing with those you love. Call Holly’s Message Service or contact usonline. We are always available to discuss your individual needs. TOW

1-800-730-3909 | www.HollysMS.com

Dispatch News

Holly’s Message Service – The Leader in 24/7 Towing Dispatch

"Manager, Denise Morel and Assistant Manager, Tracy Farrell are thedriving force at Holly's Dispatch. Whether it's training, scheduling,dispatching or billing, Denise and Tracy have it covered."


Hard economic times de-mand that your company’sphones are answered rightthe first time. You never geta second chance to make afirst impression. With over18 years in the tow dis-patch business, Profes-sional Dispatch Services, Inc. is uniquely qualified todeliver the seamless service necessary to provide the per-formance that your customers deserve.

The age-old axiom in business that to be successful, you need to

find a need and fill it is what led to the birth of Professional Dispatch

Services, Inc., in 1994.

The owner of PDSI, David Emmons, brought to the table his expe-

rience as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and the general manager of a towing

and auto repair company in Portland, Oregon.

PDSI uses state-of-the-art dispatch software and voice recording

equipment. PDSI dispatch team is trained on the proper questions to

ask to make sure your customers are taken care of in a fast and effi-

cient manner.

PDSI is NOT an answering service. We do not take messages and

pass them on. We take information, sell your company’s service, and

send your trucks out to service your customer.

PDSI does only one thing, dispatch, and we dedicate all of our

training, knowledge and expertise towards servicing the automotive

public. David Emmons has been in the tow/dispatch business for 25

years and knows the tricks of the trade and how to handle

those special needs. PDSI is a family-owned and family-

run business just like yours, and can be counted on to be

there when you need them.

Please stop by our booth and talk with Dave. He is

looking forward to meeting you and discussing your after-

hours dispatching needs. TOW

PDSI | 901 SE Oak St. | Portland, Oregon 97214(866) 382-7374 | www.prodispatchservice.com

[email protected]

PDSI provides:•Knowledge of the towing and roadside industry.

•Experience dealing with all types of calls (Retail, Police, Clubs, etc.)

•Written training programs for employees and well-defined operating policies and procedures.

•24/7/365 manager/owner coverage

•Dispatch software to document every request for assistance.

•Detailed reports on call volumes, type, etc.

•Monitored/recorded phone systems to provide accountability

•Contingency plan for power outages

•Backup generators to protect your business from power failures

•Computer mapping programs

Getting it Right theFIRSTTime

Dispatch News


Rental car companies and policeagencies are great examples ofwhere mobile printing is widely

used and relied upon for importantbusiness processes.

But is mobile printing right for tow-ing companies? Modern, web-basedmobile towing software, like Towbook,combined with the availability of reli-able mobile printers and the wide-spread use of smart phones, make itpossible for towing companies to quickly add mobile printing.

There are several factors driving towing companies to considermobile printing.

Time and AccuracyHand-writing towing invoices doesn’t take much time, but it’s cer-tain to result in at least a few errors. Plus, relying on hand-writtentickets probably requires that you manually enter invoices back atthe office. This means you spend more time creating and process-ing each invoice, and you’re sure to have some mistakes. With theright mobile printing solution, drivers quickly print an invoice thatwill be accurate, since the receipt is generated directly from yourtowing software. Plus, invoices don’t have to be entered manuallyback at the office, and there’s no risk that someone will lose themalong the way.

CostDepending on volume, companies can often cut costs using mo-bile printing. Thermal printers will generate an invoice for around apenny a piece – much less than a typical hand-written multi-sheet

invoice form. Printers range in cost from a fewhundred dollars to about a thousand dollars forruggedized units. So, depending on your vol-ume, mobile printing usually makes great sensefrom a cost perspective.

Customer SatisfactionIt’s also important to note that printing an accu-rate, professional receipt for customers is some-thing they appreciate. Even if a customer asksto have a receipt emailed to them, printing acopy on the spot can make them feel more atease. Also, with easy-to-read invoices, there willbe less confusion (and debate) about charges. Itcan also help give customers a favorable im-

pression of your business. Emailing receipts is definitely increasing as a preferred method

for many customers, but it will be a long time before email re-places printed invoices. In fact, many customers will always wantboth. Equipping your drivers with the ability to quickly and cost-ef-fectively print a customer receipt may be just the ticket.

About TowbookTowbook Management Software is headquartered in Michiganand has provided web-based towing management software forover 5 years. Recent updates to Towbook include the addition ofmobile apps for iPhone and Android, the introduction of a Quick-Books connector, and the release of a Mobile Printing Solution.Towbook take’s great pride in having the industry’s best cus-tomer support service. Support is free and available 24/7/365 –even on holidays. TOW

www.towbook.com855-869-2665 (855-TOWBOOK)No Setup Fees. No Contracts. No Worries.

Is Mobile Printing

“Just theTicket”

for Towing?Anything that can save your employees time,make customers happy, and improve productiv-ity is probably worth a look.

Mobile printing is a great example.


Brute Technologies addresses tow truck operator safety and profes-sional appearance with Tow Ramps, Tow Truck Extension Ramps.The ramps are designed to safely load—without damaging—lowground clearance vehicles on and off flatbed tow trucks. They are aconvenient and easy alternative to wooden planks and other unsafemethods of reducing the loading angle. Simply lower the rollbackonto the notch of these specially designed ramps to reduce the load-ing angle from 11° down to 5.2°. Tow Truck Extension Ramps arespecially designed to allow Corvettes, Porsches, and other low profilecars to be loaded and unloaded without scraping, thereby avoidingdamage to air dams, bumper covers, and the underside of the vehi-cle. Tow Truck Extension Ramps are the perfect tool for the profes-sional who wishes to instill customer confidence while loading theirexotic car. The ramps provide a professional appearance, as opposedto the slipshod appearance of using wooden planks to reduce theramp angle. Tow Truck Extension Ramps use Brute Technologiespatented super lightweight technology with 100% solid constructionto ensure the ramps are highly durable, anti-skid, and very stable—

with the ability to support a 10,000 lb vehicle. The ramps’ texturedcoating prevents sliding and won’t scratch or otherwise damagefloors. They are easy to clean and won’t rust. Tow Truck ExtensionRamps feature built-in carrying straps for easy transport and with thesplit design are sized to fit within 48” tool boxes. Custom sizes are

available, as well. For more information, visit www.towramps.com.Tow Truck Extension Ramp Part#: RR-TT-5-10 1 piece model – L: 67”, W: 10”, H: 5” (with 4.0° incline) Part#: RR-TT-5-14 1 piece model – L: 67”, W: 14”, H: 5” (with 4.0° incline) Part#: RR-TT-7-10 1 piece model – L: 74”, W: 10”, H: 7” (with 5.2° incline)Part#: RR-TT-7-10-2 2 piece model - L: 74”, W: 10”, H: 7” (with 5.2° incline)

Longest section on 2pc model is 42.3” so will fit in 48” tool box

Suggested Retail Price: $289.00 - $340.00 2pc.

Brute Technologies | Rich Heinz2003 23rd Avenue North, Suite A | Escanaba, MI 49829 (866) 464-2788| [email protected]

Tow Truck Extension Ramps Provide Operator

Safety and Professional AppearancecompanyspotlightTow Ramps


THE WINCH GURU

The Pierces have tackled several venturesthrough the years. In the late 90s, VideoScoops served Blue Bell ice cream and soldmovie rentals. Managed by Jeff Pierce’s in-laws,Video Scoops attracted after-school visitors andfamilies. In 2000, new resident of Henrietta,Chris Claeys, frequently organized the localvideo store’s shelves. At age 18, he was sohelpful that he quickly became an employee.Claeys’ tenacious spirit resonated past his pierc-ings, tattoos and leather exterior that turnedheads in this cowboy Texas town.

After Video Scoops closed in 2000, Claeyswas an obvious fit for the Pierce’s main busi-ness, Pierce Sales.

“Chris has ambition,” says owner Jeff Pierce.“He knows how to take care of customers, andhe can be trusted to do great work.”

In 13 years, he has mastered positions in

shipping, warehouse, winch shop and purchas-ing departments.

Claeys’ broad product knowledge and expe-rience secured his management position aspurchasing manager.

“Chris catches on very quickly,” says CFOKathy Pierce. “Show him once and he knows it– he is sharp as a tack. Plus, he cares about thefuture of the company.”

The winches are Claeys’ passion. “I know the Pierce winches inside and out,”

says Claeys. “I know what they're capable of.You would think that working on our winches,and selling them, would give me a biased opin-ion. But seeing our winches still in use that werebought before my time tells me we offer a greatproduct.”

THE MAVERICK

In the 70s, the Henrietta chapter of FutureFarmers Association (FFA) did not allow female

members. Tell that to Ginger Schaffner, and, afew years later, she will not only become a dec-orated member but also hold leadership posi-tions. Tell Schaffner that she couldn’t sellindustrial equipment and accessories, then shewill become the general manager.

Schaffner started her career with the Piercefamily when she worked for George and NancyPierce at their local hardware store in 1985.When big-box stores suffocated the market, thestore closed, and Schaffner worked in account-ing for Pierce Sales.

When the phone rang, Schaffner would notjust field calls, she would take care of the cus-tomer.

“Ginger didn’t take long to get in to sales,”says Jeff Pierce. “She started taking care of thecustomer from day one.”

As general manager, Schaffner is responsi-ble for the day-to-day operation of Pierce Salesand is the driving force for multi-million-dollarcustomers to mom-and-pop ventures.

“Ginger makes sure we get business done,”says Kathy Pierce. “Ginger is like family – she’sbeen here so long that some people joke she isrelated to Jeff.”

“Our customer service is worth a lot,” saysSchaffner. “We take care of the customer – nomatter who they are.”

Big S Auto and Tractor Sales of Oklahomaheard about Pierce Sales through a friend, andhe worked with Schaffner to install the newMinute Man XD.

“She was really honest, upfront,” says Big S.“Great people to work with. I really appreciatewhat y’all have done.”

Customer service is far beyond a statementon corporate letterhead. It’s getting the jobdone day in and day out like Chris Claeys andGinger Schaffner do. Their collective calls equal26,000 yearly, and they serve 2,600 cus-tomers. Pierce Sales wouldn’t be the samewithout the determination and ambition fromthese two stand-up team members.TOW

Tabitha Pierce | Marketing DirectorPierce Arrow Inc. dba Pierce Sales800-658-6301 toll free940-538-5643 phonewww.piercearrow.uswww.youtube.com/piercearrowincwww.piercesales.com

company spotlight THE MAIN GEARS

With no other known organization providing What is the difference between Piercewinches and any other winch? Pierce customers receive excellent service, a time-testedproduct and available parts. But what truly separates Pierce from the competition is thepeople. Purchasing manager Chris Claeys and general manager Ginger Schaffner aremodel team members who have dedicated their careers to serving customers.


company spotlight

Fleet Sales West is located in Woodburn,

Oregon. We have two sister companies in California:

Chevron West Towing Equipment, a premium supplier of

Chevron products located in Sacramento, California, and

Golden West Towing Equipment, a 60,000-square-feet tow

truck superstore. All three of our stores offer parts, sales and

service. We pride ourselves on doing things with a special

touch; our trucks are unlike anything else in the industry.

We've also engineered our own custom tool-box, The

Streamliner. We sell new trucks and used trucks, and we

also build custom tow-trucks. Our trucks are built fully

loaded, ready to work and equipped with the industry's best

equipment. We are a proud Miller distributor, and we also

have parts warehouses at all three of our locations. TOW

Fleet Sales West, LLC800) 724-8766

Golden West Towing Equipment, LP(800) 222-4992

Chevron West (A Div. of West Coast TowingEquipment, LP)(800) 869-8757

Fleet Sales West


SONETICS’ WIRELESS PORTABLE 4-PERSON SYSTEMoffers a complete solution for effective communications in demandingconditions. Rugged and reliable headsets offer full-duplex communicationwith hearing protection and superb noise-canceling microphone technol-ogy. System can be used in all weather conditions.

The system includes all necessary chargers and components. Fourwireless headsets and a battery-powered portable base are enclosed in aPelican Case for easy transportation / storage and charging.

With this technology, you canupgrade to 16 head sets at a laterdate and they all will communicatewith each other, plus you will re-ceive a Bumper to Bumper 2 YearWarranty on all components.

Your team will look and actmore professional to all personalon the scene.

The Recovery scene will start off and remain calm during the recovery.No more yelling and arm waving trying to get attention of another op-

erator or rigger.Reduce stress and wasted time being able to communicate with

everyone on all sides of recovery scene.Your choice of colors: Grey / Safety Yellow / Now in Stock Black with

One Side Slotted Ear Cup.The Towman Case is only available from RP RECOVERY. Call Ron

Pullen at 315-730-6566or email [email protected] will build a system that is just right for your company. Find us on

Facebook: RP RECOVERY CONSULTING TOW

Wireless 4-Person Communication System in The Towman Standard Case

Therain is pouring, the road is slicker than an icerink, and motorists are weekend-bound. Your

rollback is positioned, and the mangled car is ready towinch. You wonder who is posing your greatest risktoday. Who is calling, texting, or munching on a cheese-burger? But, you are operating smart. You are operatingwireless with your Lodar Remote System.

Realistically, tow operators encounter danger zonesdaily. Entire fleets are seeing the benefit in outfitting alltrucks with Lodar to often increase efficiency and safety.Since many Lodar are used to engage winches, wireropes under tension are dangerous. Lodar allows the op-erator to be at the hook end, taking away the terrifyingpossibility of being flattened by a snapped cable. Plus,

the time spent winching a vehicle is reduced with wire-less controls, safety increases by staying far from haz-ards, and wireless setups prevent unauthorizedtampering with the equipment controls.

Tim Dockery from Timco Transportation in Murphy,North Carolina, purchased his Lodar in 2006. Like manybusiness owners, Dockery values quality equipment andduplicating his force with helpful tools. Dockery’s operat-ing area is in the Appalachian Mountains, so he requiresa proven product to safely winch daily wrecks.

“Lodar is the best investment I’ve ever made in mylife,” said Dockery. “It’s like having another man withyou. You can sit in the car or get out of traffic andwinch.”

Aside from the safety and efficiency aspects of goingwireless, one other benefit is the technology built intothe unit. With limit switches, Lodar sends a message tothe receiver board if the unit needs to be shut off andprevents equipment from overuse or abuse. Suddenly,maintenance and repair costs are minimized. In additionto maintenance savings, implementing limit switches en-hances Lodar’s safety features.

In the event your system requires service, the Lodarfive-year pro-rated warranty covers repairs or replace-ments if the unit was faulty due to poor manufacturing inthe first two years. Year three, Lodar discounts the re-placement product by 40%. Year four, Lodar discountsthe product by 30% and year five, by 20%. But, manycustomers, like Timco Transportation, find Lodar to be a

flawless product, requiring a simple battery change time-to-time.

“I’ve never had a problem with Lodar,” concludedDockery. “I wish everything I bought worked as good asmy two function Lodar does.”

The world’s in-cab distractions are ever-increasing.According to distraction.gov, a government site commit-ted to safer roads, it is estimated that 3,331 people werekilled due to distracted drivers in 2011. That’s up from3,267 in 2010.

Though we have no control over weather or dis-tracted drivers, we can equip our fleets with tools to min-imize the risk of injury. With Lodar, your driver can winchfrom a safe distance and winch quickly. Safeguard yourmost expensive investments – your team, time, andequipment – by switching to Lodar. TOW

Tabitha Pierce | Marketing DirectorPierce Arrow Inc. dba Pierce Sales800-658-6301 toll free940-538-5643 phonewww.piercearrow.uswww.youtube.com/piercearrowincwww.piercesales.com

company spotlight

company spotlightBy Wade & Tabitha PierceMaking�the�Switch


“Customer service was important.” These words by Roger Staubach have never beenmore true. A key element that ensures repeat business is the quality and level of ongoingcustomer service that you provide. This is true in almost any business, whether you areservicing your customers or someone else’s.

Within the Tow industry, the Roadside Assistance Providers recognize the need tocontinually go beyond their customer’s expectations. Progressive Platforms have a goal toseamlessly integrate these companies with their service providers through an innovativesuite of applications, including Job Dispatch, Driver Behavior Awareness and vehicle moni-toring. This futuristic vision offers incredible advantages to all members of the value chain.

Vehicle tracking has evolved from simply tracking the vehicle’s location into a sophis-ticated solution, ensuring improved driver behavior, safety, navigation and vehicle monitor-ing. Working with companies such as Progressive Platforms allows the retrieval ofreal-time data from a discreet unit installed in any vehicle or asset. This data is analyzedand shows how to reduce the financial impact of operating your fleet. Simply monitoringthe driver behavior allows you to assess how much unwarranted wear and tear has beenadded to your fleet, increasing fuel bills, maintenance costs and inefficiencies within navi-gation. This, combined with route optimization and fully automatic job dispatching, allowseach company to increase efficiency, reduce operating cost, improve the environment andbuild a bigger fleet.

The ongoing collaboration between the GPS Navigation Industry and the hardwaremanufacturers has allowed tracking companies to take massive steps forward in provid-ing even greater value to the end user. One company has recently opened their navigationplatform, allowing asset management platforms to integrate their products with the popu-lar GPS systems, thus delivering job details from several platforms through to the cabin re-motely. The Progressive Platforms Dispatch Management application allows the user toeffortlessly drag and drop accepted jobs from the major Roadside Assistance Providerstraight to the driver, without the hassle of ringing the driver, potentially endangeringtheirs and the public life. This value only strengthens the customer service provided byevery aspect of the value chain: deploying the closest suitable asset, committing to realis-

tic and accurate estimated times of arrival, etc. Let me finish with another quote from Roger Staubach that captures the spirit of this

article: “Good customer service costs less than bad customer service.” Adopting this phi-losophy and the correct partner will ensure that you will continue to grow a thriving busi-ness.“It costs nothing but determination to go the extra mile for your

customer.” TOW

Progressive Platforms60 Island Street | Lawence, MA 01840www.progressiveplatforms.com (877) 304-4347

company spotlight

There Are No Traffic Jams Along the Extra Mile By Sam Priestley

Nussbaum Heavy Duty markets two affordable mobilecolumn lift systems, the 48,000 lbs. & 66,000 lbs. liftsystems.

System Features:

• Systems use 2hp oilimmersed pump in each column

• Lift runs on a 30 amp service

• Lifting height of 63”

• Oil pressure locking system:

“When it stops, it’s locked.”

For more information, contact:

Heartland Truck Equipment | Alan Heir

800-884-0808 * 785-542-5252

Heartland Truck Equipment

Dual-Tech’s 12 ton wrecker features a modular aluminum bodyand ample storage space mounted on a minimum 84” CA chassis.Standard equipment includes 15K planetary winches, hydraulic rearstiff legs, wireless 3 function under lift remote, 3 sets of axil forks, and1 set of spring lift attachments. Our low profile body allows for maxi-

mum visibility from the driver’s seat. The hand-built quality and crafts-manship of our wreckers is our trademark to long lasting service andreliability. For more information, visit our website at www.dual-tech-inc.comor call us toll-free at 800-852-0345.

Dual Tech


TM


HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery

TM

Soft Axle Tie Downs areavailable in multiplesizes. Let your customerchoose from 30”, 36”or 42” Axle Straps tobest suit their needs.The 20” Velcro FleecePad works well with all sizes. They are just long enough to protectrims and axles from wear and short enough to keep out of toughto clean road dirt. The shorter Axle Straps are perfect for goingaround painted axles, while the longer Axle Straps are great forgoing through wheels. Also included is a convenient carry bag tomake transporting a snap. Other Tie Down Kits are also available.Made in the USA at our factory in Columbia, MD.

B/A Products Co. | 8925 McGaw CourtColumbia, MD 21045-4725Toll Free (800) 327-3301 | Phone: (410) 381-1700

Available Through B/A ProductsDistributors Worldwide


Our 10,000 lb. hy-

draulic planetary winch

has a new design offer-

ing superior features in-

cluding 100% braking,

SAE J706 rating, and

line pull of 46 fpm. Pull

with 100 feet of 3/8”

cable at a rate of 15.9

gpm. This workhorse winch mounts easily with a 4.5” x 10”

mounting pattern. Tell us what you think of our improved

winch by posting your comments at

www.facebook.com/piercesalestexas.

Pierce Arrow Inc. dba Pierce Sales

549 U.S. HWY 287 S. | Henrietta, Texas 76365

800-658-6301 toll free

www.piercearrow.us

www.youtube.com/piercearrowinc

www.piercesales.com

The 4th Wheel Loader al-lows Tow Truck drivers tosafely load and secure a ve-hicle with broken balljoints, lost wheels, lockedwheels or brakes, collisiondamage and control armfailures on roll back wreck-ers. The tough, aluminumplatform and two polypropylene roller wheels hold up to 5tons and can travel over gravel and other uneven surfaces.The 4th Wheel Loader also includes two polypropyleneshims, a 6’ chain, and a load binder to safely secure the de-vice to a damaged vehicle. Check out the 4th Wheel Loaderat www.steckmfg.com and see your Steck dealer to pickyours up today!

Steck Mfg.1115 So. Broadway Street Dayton, Ohio 454171-800-227-8325www.steckmfg.com

PSHV10000 Steck Mfg.

HOOKEDUPProfessionalYour Resource for Towing & Recovery

TM


Protect your people, your property, and yourselves!! Eye3Data, a provider of Video Surveillance Solutions to the Towing Industry,

announces its launch of Eye3Dispatch Live View with Unlimited Data. By using Eye3Dispatch Live View with Eye3Data’s Unlim-

ited 3G/4G Data Plan, owners and drivers can retain peace of mind, knowing that they can access their vehicles anywhere at

any time.

Eye3Data implements Eye3Dispatch Live View with its two most

popular mobile video solutions, Eye3WitnessPro and VTracker. The

solution combines the power of GPS , Wireless technologies and

3G/4G, all in a compact and lightweight unit that is easy to install

just about anywhere in the vehicle.

This user-friendly solution allows 24-hour access to your vehicles. Eye3Dispatch Live View can be accessed 3 ways: via PC Ap-

plication, Web Based Application and iPhone Applications.

www.eye3mobile.com

1-888-777-9059

Come Visit Us in Vegas at Booth #349 for a Live Demo

Monitor Fleet Anywhere, Anytime with Eye3Dispatch Live View and Unlimited Data

Protect your investmentwith the TowMate interac-tive monitor system (I-MON) that relaysinformation about yourlight to you in real-time ona small LCD display. If theunit is left behind, the I-MON’s internal buzzersounds and a symbolflashes on the screen indi-cating such. Other featuresinclude a battery status in-dicator and signal verification so that you know all systems arego!

TowMate, LLC

15827 Serenity Point Ln.

Rogers, AR 72756

Phone: (800) 680-4455

Fax: (479) 925-3494

The TM48SS represents the most advanced wireless heavy

duty tow light system available today. Featuring an addi-

tional “Safety Strip” that is capable of three traffic arrow pat-

terns, as well as a strobe flash, the unit provides users with a

means of extra protection while hooking up the load to be

hauled. Additionally, the unit contains TowMates’ state-of-

the-art electronics capable of communicating over 1,000’

and effectively providing signal regardless of the load, some-

thing that is unique to the TowMate product line.

TowMate, LLC

15827 Serenity Point Ln.

Rogers, AR 72756

Phone: (800) 680-4455

Fax: (479) 925-3494

TM48SS I-MON


TOW TIPST O W I N G & R E C O V E R Y

This was the comment a customer gave me after he was told by histruck dealer that his dash wiring and fuse panel was not going to be re-paired under warranty. It seems this fellow had bought a new flatbed andthen had more lights installed. You know, down the side of the bed, up thelight pylon. Extra tool lights, the whole nine yards. The truck really lookedgreat at night.

Unfortunately, the shop that did all this work (at quite a price, I wastold) did not understand the limits to the factory lighting systems. Thetruck's electrical system was severely overloaded. Along with that, manyof these extra lights were not installed to the truck’s wiring accordance tothe manufacturer's specification. This poor guy's costs ran into severalthousand dollars. This is all too often the case. Too many shops that installequipment on chassis do not have the expertise.

I talked with Steve Hicks, Vice President and Director of Production forDetroit Wrecker Sales. DWS has a long history in Detroit and has seenmany startup companies come and go. Shops will open up with greatclaims. Some will offer services with little or no experience. Giving awayall kinds of things to entice you in. Be careful of who you deal with.

Steve related one story from a few years ago. It seems a customerwent to the East Coast to buy a wrecker from a large vehicle dealer, withno real equipment background. This company (now out of business)would stock a large amount of completed trucks, at what seemed to be agreat price.

Unfortunately, all of the installation and paint was simply sub-con-tracted out to the lowest bidder at the time. This fellow flew out andpicked up his new truck and, after having several additional lights in-stalled, drove back to Detroit. On the way back, he began to notice afunny smell. It would come and go. After driving all night, he stopped byDWS to pick up a few other items for his new truck early the next morn-ing. One of DWS's sales people comes out to admire the vehicle with theowner. Again, both noticed a smell coming from the back end. Everythinglooked fine, no oil leaks, the rear end looked fine. The owner leans on thetunnel toolbox and suddenly jumps up. Seems the tool box was very hot!

They opened the toolbox door, and, to their surprise, the wiring for theextra marker lights is melting inside box. A quick look around showed theinstaller had burned the fuse box and simply ran a wire from the battery toa switch with NO fuse or breaker.

This seems to happen all too often, according to Mr. Hicks. Too manyshops do not understand that the car companies limit the load the light-ing system will handle. They calculate for the DOT requirements and notmuch more. Any additional loads must be dealt with by additional powersupplies and circuits. DWS has worked for over 30 years with the vehiclemanufacturers, consulting with and supply equipment for testing and in-ternal use; they have an insight that is passed on to its customers.

DWS is often asked about additional lighting and will explain that ifany light is out, required or not, you could get a violation. If you really needthe additional lights, they must be installed properly. If your service centercannot tell you what is the maximum load for your vehicle's system ordoes not take advantage of the vehicle manufacturer's body builder’sservices, you are probably not going to get the best service. If somethingdoes go wrong, you could be on your own. Don't be afraid to question theshop you are going to use. If they can't answer the questions or becomeupset...RUN.

Any good shop will be more than happy to determine these things.Even the best will sometimes need to consult with these Builder Services.To me, this is a mark of a true professional. Sometimes the lowest pricewill cost the more in the long run. Ask your repair facility if the work thatthey do will impact your warranty. Frame work, electrical, driveline canand should be done by shops that can comply with the manufacturer'sspecs. Don't be afraid to ask! In the long run, you'll be glad you did. TOW

Detroit Wrecker Sales19630 Fitzpatrick, Detroit, MI 48228Local: 313-835-8700 | National: 877-TOW-0030www.DetroitWrecker.com Email: [email protected]

By Richard Farre l l

“BUT I THOUGHT THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING”


DealerPlace


DealerPlace


MarketPlace


MarketPlace



TM

Agero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Alexander Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Anchor Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

ATIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Atlanta Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Austin Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

B/A Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12, 46

Beacon Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Bowers Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Clore Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Collins Dollies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

COMEUP Winch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Custer Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

CW Mill Equipment Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Dan Messina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Detroit Wrecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Direct Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Dual Tech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IBC

ECM Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Eye3Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Flash Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Fleet Sales West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Florida Wrecker Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .IFC, 1

Hal Kresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Heartland Truck Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Holly's Message Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

IAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Industrial Netting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

International Towing & Recovery

Hall of Fame and Museum . . . . . . . . . .10,11

JJ Keller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

KBK Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Lift and Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Lodar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Marking Pen Depot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Matjack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Mfr. Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Mile Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Miti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

NABancard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

National Traffic Signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Nussbaum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

PDSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Pierce Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Pillow Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Progressive Platforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BC

Recovery Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

ROI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

RP Consulting Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Rugged Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

RV Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

S&J Metal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Saftlite (General Mfg) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Steck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Tow Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

TowBook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

TowMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 48

TowRamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Travis Barlow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Twin State Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Zacklift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

COMPANY PG COMPANY PG COMPANY PGADVERTISERINDEX

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Tow Professional