discussions

13 topics in this forum

1. 

   Re: My 600th Article

   February 8, 2020 by rreschran

   • 1 follower
   • 9 replies
   • 1k views

   OK ... it's mush-time and a beautiful Saturday morning coming from the Southern California mountains. I want to share with you that this week, I proudly completed my 600th article over 23-years in writing for American Towman and Tow Industry Week On-line. That number doesn't include what I post here, yet, it's been a really long, fun and interesting journey. Accordingly, I've covered all kinds of topics based on what I've read on TowForce or where ever my searches take me. It's led me to get friendships both personally and professionally at home and internationally. I give thanks to my best pal Christine and my kids for all the hours that they'v…

   

   Last reply by dperone, March 13, 2021

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2. Protocol for police vs customer tow?

   Topic was moved to forum LE, PPI & REPO

3. 

   Gypsy or Fly By Night Towers?

   June 20, 2020 by Tow411

   • 0 replies
   • 642 views

   Topic Originally Created by Brian991219 in June of 2011: Hi. I do not usually post much as I have been working in the background for the last few years but not actively towing anymore. I have seen a lot of talk about gypsy towers stealing away work with low prices, cutting corners and so on. My question is, what makes a small service a fly by night service? I understand the guys running out of their house, who lied to their insurance company about their truck, pretending it is a pickup not a commercial vehicle and such. How about a trained professional who is a one man show, running an older, well maintained and paid for truck? He can run for much less…

   

   Last reply by Tow411, June 20, 2020
4. 

   Why do so many car bumpers get left behind on freeways?

   February 18, 2020 by TowNews

   • 3 replies
   • 596 views

   Q: Charles Reed from Chino expressed concern about discarded front vehicle bumpers scattered around local freeways left there, apparently, by tow truck drivers after an accident. Tow companies are charging to tow disabled vehicles and they should be cleaning this up, Reed said, adding that he believes this is a significant hazard on the 10, the 210 and the 60 freeways. Reed asked why the tow truck drivers aren’t picking up the bumpers. A: California Highway Patrol Officer Dan Olivas of the Inland Division said the tow trucks usually do take away the loose bumpers and other large pieces of vehicle debris from an accident. He added that any time the CHP is on th…

   

   Last reply by yoBdaBenO, February 22, 2020

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5. 

   Re: Is it Auto Theft or Surplus Metal?

   February 5, 2020 by rreschran

   • 0 replies
   • 382 views

   I saw this narrative on another TowForce link, but I also read it in my new's alerts of a common, industry problem. Is it Auto Theft or Surplus Metal? Every city and town has one of these. Wikipedia defines the word, "junk", as, "old or discarded articles that are considered useless or of little value." If someone's 2016 Honda isn't new and it's abandoned on the highway, isn't that an old car that's been discarded? What to do? Oh know ... what's right and wrong? https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Perfect-timing-Tow-truck-driver-stops-would-be-thief-from-stealing-stalled-vehicle-on-interstate-567573691.html Wow ... the news report is timely as I'm wr…

   

   Last reply by rreschran, February 5, 2020
6. 

   Re: You ARE What You Spell ! !

   January 28, 2020 by rreschran

   • 3 replies
   • 534 views

   I'm not sure where this topic should be, but I'll sound-off and Ron can decide what to do with this narrative. In many of the past topics or responses I've participated in, I've noticed that, once I've completed a thought or idea and have sent it forward, I've oftentimes returned to the same thread to re-read my narrative. There's a plain and simple reality that I've have to return to my submissions to correct spelling in nearly all of my posts. Perhaps it's because I have limited time in-which I can spend on TowForce, and I want to be as complete as possible. But, likened to the concept of Quick Clear Programs, when speed in on-scene operations goes up, safe…

   

   Last reply by yoBdaBenO, February 1, 2020

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7. 

   Re: The Road to Industry Professionalism or Not? 1 2

   January 2, 2020 by rreschran

   • 53 replies
   • 3.9k views

   Hi All. I’m including this narrative I’ve written and sent to American Towman for consideration. After two, back-to-back tow operator fatalities that announced incoming 2020, I’ve had trouble sleeping as those events keep running over and over in my mind. This narrative is timely. Because my business is that of tow operator training, safety and survival, I’m beginning 2020 in a proactive manner searching new ways to curtail the senseless operator deaths; many caused by the same, repeated mistakes made by tow operators. I came to a challenging realization to suggest we towers carry a huge responsibility in the reality of today’s industry. This narrative is lengthy. I prese…

   

   Last reply by rreschran, January 29, 2020

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8. 

   Re: Round-Table for Professionalism? 1 2

   January 13, 2020 by rreschran

   • 30 replies
   • 1.9k views

   I had an at length discussion with Quinn Piening this past week with the idea of stepping up to professionalism. We discussed perhaps having a face to face meeting with state legislators. I think it's a great idea. But a meeting with state representatives is something that should happen after some kind of game plan in initiated. At the moment, if professionalism or certification is to remotely look anything similar to NFPA 1500 standards, shouldn't there be ideas or a concept of what needs are to be focused upon? In another post, I posted my opinion and mentioned that TRAA already has a nationwide certification program in-place. They have powerful leadership a…

   

   Last reply by TowZone, January 27, 2020

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9. 

   When would you say a Tow turns into a Recovery ???

   January 28, 2019 by 1Towman

   • 6 replies
   • 1.3k views

   This Topic was Originally Created on Tow411 in December of 2010: Just wondering what your definition of Towing Verse Recovery This is The Louisiana Public Services Definition Tow Only - is defined as a routine/standard tow that does NOT require special techniques or special equipment as defined in Recovery. Tow Only equipment is considered normal use of a tow sling, wheel lift, or winch cable to winch a vehicle onto a tilt bed tow truck. Tow Only rates as met in this definition shall apply whether the vehicle is either mobile or immobile and is in contact of the roadway surface Light Duty Tow rate $102.00 per hour Recovery - is define…

   

   Last reply by yoBdaBenO, January 24, 2020

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10. 

    Thought's on saying "Be Safe"

    January 19, 2020 by TowForce

    • 3 replies
    • 416 views

    A member of a popular Facebook Group Recently asked this question: DE: Thoughts on people (family or customers) telling you to be safe? Personally, I hate it TZ Asked: Why? DE Replied: superstition maybe... I don't know it just rubs me the wrong way TZ said: to understand you must flip the table. From their prospective they hear of tow operators being injured or killed on average once a week. All they are doing is showing they care and while they know this is the life you live. Just maybe those words make you think safety more then if they were to say nothing at all. My daughter would likely be distraught had she not wish me well and told …

    

    Last reply by yoBdaBenO, January 24, 2020
11. 

    Meet the Industry Leaders

    January 20, 2020 by Tow411

    • 2 replies
    • 834 views

    With the current on going discussions. This topic from 2005 may actually be relevant. Keep in mind these comments are from as early as July of 2005: Who are the Industry Leaders? Who do you see as industry leaders or who do you think is an industry leader? Do you want to know who has the interest of your future in mind? Do you care who holds such positions within the industry? Note: We have active Industry Leaders within our Network. I expect each and every member here to show them common courtesy. If you take issue with something keep it civil and within context. The same applies to e-mail and phone conversations. Trust me! I will use m…

    

    Last reply by yoBdaBenO, January 24, 2020

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12. 

    New Club Level Forum Professional Standards & Slow Down Move Over

    January 12, 2020 by TowZone

    • 2 replies
    • 499 views

    The purpose of this club level forum is to continue in depth discussions from various other forums. As well as Archive Tower Down Notification Topics rather than simply move them into the state forum which which represents the sate the loss of life occurred. There are no requirements to read topics in this club level forum. However, only club members can respond to these topics. To join this forum, simply request to join and that's it. Oh, you will need one post in regular forums... Preferably an Introduction post as you may be asked for a company name prior to being able to respond in this forum. No, there is No Supporter Level Requirement and whi…

    

    Last reply by TowZone, January 12, 2020
13. 

    The Professional Look by Ken Cruse

    January 11, 2020 by Tow411

    • 1 reply
    • 692 views

    Ken Cruse Created this Topic on Tow411 in October of 2002: “The Professional Look” - Food for thought We live in a fast-paced world and sometimes I am not sure if I like it that way. We all have a choice; we can go along with the crowd or cut out and go our own way. At first, pierced ears were only on females. Then there was one earring on guys. Now, some guys & grils look like they had a fishing tackle box blow up in their face. Again, that’s a choice. Still when working with the public, as we do in this industry, we should be aware that some of this hardware could be and should be left at home before you come to work. Dress code. Do we still hav…

    

    Last reply by yoBdaBenO, January 12, 2020