GRUMPS The Towman

The pictures Brian posted bring up a good point as to the difference between a transporter and a roll back. The runners on the transport trailer have those "holes" in them that are stamped outward giving each one little "teeth" for the tire to bite into for traction. A traditional roll back has minimal texture to it and rightfully so for less resistance for seized wheels, skates etc.. There is a major difference in manufacturing between the two. Even the 4 car carrier has at least 2 winches on it. The easiest way I can see to determine the proper way to load a vehicle on a particular piece is the factor of having a winch or not. ( NOTE ; obviously I am describing professionally built equipment and not someones home-made jalopy )

Even the few times I have done transport, I would still winch them on. Transport work, around here anyway there is all sorts of inspections and paperwork to do before touching the vehicle So transporters have more info on the vehicle. Most times, unless the disablement is obvious, I dont even ask what is wrong with the vehicle I am about to tow. I am not the guy fixing it so It is of no difference to me. Bottom line is, if I have a winch, I am using it. and btw, I have always had a hard time watching those stacker haulers load up. And dperone, I thought I lived in the only area that had "Tuh Truk " drivers show up in pajamas or shorts, no shirts and flip flops..Hell, a few times I have waited to see if he would ask someone to hold his beer while he loads.. See. there are bozo's everywhere in this industry.

Couldnt have said it better myself. Excellent !!!!

I remember very vividly the scolding I got from my father the day he witnessed me driving a car on the deck. ( well, he actually caught me driving off but i had driven it on too ). I have NEVER driven another one on or free roll one off since. Roll backs/flatbeds have a winch on them for a reason. You just never know what condition the brake system is in, If the throttle sticks, Or god knows what else could be wrong with the vehicle your loading / unloading. There was an incident here in town, with a company that shall remain nameless, Last year I think it was that was off loading a 73 vette into a shop bay and the driver slacked off his winch, dropped the bridle off the car and jumped in it to free roll it off only to find it was going to the shop because it had NO BRAKE LINES IN IT at all. It was towed there to get all the plumbing done there after a full restoration. It rolled off the truck, through the uprights of the lift and planted itself firmly into a monsterous 4 bay Snap-on tool box against the back wall. It was a total disaster. I only know of it because the shop owner called me to remove the now wrecked, yet fresh restored vette from his tool box and bring it back to the restoration shop it just left. For obvious reasons he didnt want company "A" to even be on his property anymore.

Although Tow Zone and Mr. Resch's statements towards the industry are harsh, It is all TRUTH.. I would be a very willing participant in an Industry wide shut down for recognition and I know a good many of the Operators on this forum would be as well, We are the minority.. Theres just too many out there that could really care less. I remind myself almost daily that not all in this industry have the same sense of pride and passion for what we do that I and many other professionals have. Its sad really...

Great pic with the Ol' Stars and stripes flying overhead.

As much as I am not a fan of government micro-managing "free business" per-say , Rotation and assigned territory towing ( As long as it is fair, enforced and followed properly ) DOES work and is WAY safer for all involved. The scanner chasing and racing across cities to try and beat the other guy there is just barbaric to me. The act of running up and projecting yourself and your services upon a vulnerable accident victim is about as unprofessional as it gets in my opinion. Although I know there are still many places that dont regulate towing in any way, I still find it surprising given the way society is today. I wish Mr. Gagne the best of luck and applaud his fortitude.

It is very possible that the operator is not skilled in light duty work. Truthfully, he may not have a clue and is just too big and proud to admit it. I know most Operators cut their teeth in light duty work and move up to the big dogs throughout their career, But there are a select few that do it backwards, Such as myself. I started my career in heavy towing and I can truthfully tell you that for the first 3 or 4 years of my career the only light duty work I knew was the little bit I observed riding around with dad as a kid. Then there could also be the "I am too good to be running LD" syndrome that some guys get after years of running heavy. I would be lying if I was to say I didnt suffer from that syndrome for a bit earlier in my career. If an operator really feels that he is too good to perform work that is out of his normal scope or cant man-up and admit he isnt too sure of himself in that area of the job, Then I may be really evaluating his worth to my business. If you want to collect a paycheck then, You work where the work IS. If you need a refresher or even full on training, Say so and we will get it done. Maybe it is just me, but I want well rounded and skilled guys in my rigs.

The companies that are the freeway service providers, are they contracted and paid by the state or county? Or do they charge the disabled motorist by the job that they come upon? Can they stop at any disablement and solicit services? I ask because I have heard of states and counties that have "HELP" trucks that patrol major highways and will give a motorist a couple gallons of gas, change a tire, or give a quick tow to the nearest exit and it is a program that is paid for and run by the state. I assume it is paid for out of highway use taxes and or tolls.

Your doing an awesome job on the restoration. She sure is a beauty. I love the fact that you and the truck share a deep family history. Keep up the good work. I am sure your Dad would be very proud.

Ok,.. You have peaked my curiosity.. I totally get that you are in or very near a HUGE bustling, city-like area compared to where I am But, 26 different companies are vying for, Is it a spot on a rotation or like Tow Zone mentioned, an assigned area?? That is A LOT of Towing companies to be running around, Chewing on the same bone. What would you guesstimate the coverage area to be Mr. Resch? I have always been curious how those territory style systems work.

Thank you Sir. The quick ones in town or the occasional tire change I usually dont charge them. But, Idk how I would feel if it was a requirement to be a part of the rotation. That kinda seems like a "quid pro quo" scenario and seems to skirt the edge of legality for a big city or county to do that. Doesnt it??

Nice work Sir. Great pics.

I am at probably 50/50. I do prefer the reverse roll mainly because it is certainly gonna come over. With a direct or front roll there is always that chance it is gonna put up a fight or slide. I always try, when possible to roll it back over the way it rolled in thus, In theory preventing further damage if possible. Of course Usually if it is on its lid then there is damage on all sides of the casualty so it doesnt really matter if I roll it back the way it went in per-say. I guess it is just one of my O.C.D. things.. i have been told by my wife and my sons the O.C.D. is getting worse the older I get. 🤔

Moved this 1956 Massy-Ferguson 85 from one side of my customers farm to his shop on the other side. there was a drivetrain issue that locked the rear wheels up on it. Using a 2-part line, some boards and skates I was able to load and unload with ease. This customer uses all vintage equipment to run his farm and I was told this is his "newest" tractor. Note the old belt driven saw wheel near the rear of my truck. It was pretty cool to see a farm rum with all vintage gear. it was like stepping back in time.

UUGHH... We have been in a heat wave here with mid 90's and 100% humidity... Im ready for winter... for both the cool down and the WORK..😁

Yes. I also used a bag jack ( a mini air bag like a starter bag ) to get the nose up off the ground just enough so we could get the ramps set up and 2"x6"planks laid flat under the front tires gave it just enough space so it would roll. We couldnt steer it at all because turning the wheels would cause those massive 24" wheels to touch the fenders. I am told that the air ride system in the car works similar to the old hydraulic systems of the low riders back in the day. I personally never was into any of that stuff.

Thank you Sir. I do have to remind myself more often that not all the operators/members on these forums have to play Receptionist, Dispatcher and Operator and most important, Bill collector like I do. Lol 😁 But even if I were to hire on additional help I would like to think I would try to implement some sort of dialogue to get the roadside safety message across to prospective customers. I know it may only make a small difference if any really But, We all as a profession have to do and try something, ANYTHING to get these roadside fatalities both civilian and Operators alike down. Also, Although I know legally I am not responsible the moment I take the phone call from a customer Morally, I feel I am. I dont EVER want to see a news headline that reads " The victim was struck and killed while waiting for Ryan's towing to tow their disabled vehicle" . Thank you for the link Mr. Resch. I will be sure to give it a read this evening.

To touch on the subject of having customers set in the cab or up the embankment etc. I have found that starting the highway safety conversation on the phone with the customer when they call for service or whatnot when possible is a great way to get your customer thinking about their safety. I happen to be a "questions" guy. Meaning when a customer calls for a highway disablement, I ask if they are alone, How many passengers are with them if any, Is someone coming to pick you up, Do you need me to arrange transportation, Is L.E. on scene etc.. For instance, If the customer is alone, i will highly recommend the customer move to the passenger side seat and put their seat belt on while they wait for my arrival. Just by mentioning that gets them thinking "hey, this guy must really think its pretty dangerous out here". It has worked for me for the most part. Lets face it, When someone's car breaks down on the highway, their thoughts are not usually on not getting hit by a car. Its on what the repairs are gonna cost, How they are gonna get lil Sarah to her dance class etc.. It also solves the problem of them just jumping right out of the car and standing there with their back to traffic as I pull up and back into position to load the casualty. I cant count how many times I have seen people just pop right out of their car as I pull up. Obviously I am not out of my rig yet so I cant tell them at that point to move. All I can do is cringe as I watch them in the mirror.

Rest easy operator, Your shift is over.

Towed this heavily customized Chrysler 300 today for its new owner. It has a full air bag suspension system that is currently inoperative. We managed to get the system to air up the rear just enough to give me a little help .But, as you can imagine, loading/ unloading it on my truck was a bit of a challenge considering the nose of the car was sitting firmly on the ground.

My God..What was this guy thinking?? Now he is gonna have a manslaughter charge added at the very least... All over what is probably a B.S. warrant. My heart goes out to the woman's family.

Thats a tough question to answer really. Theres so many variables to digest when deciding between gas or diesel power trains. I am not a ford guy anymore. (i was back in the mid-late 90's. Long live the IH 7.3L !! ) and I am a diesel guy So I am very biased against that V10 engine. The ones i have been around have been nothing but gas guzzling turds that have no real power and break down constantly. Some things to consider are : How hard and how often you run the truck, type of hauling you do, Your level of ability to perform maintenance and repairs on each type of engine, ( warranties dont last forever, if any at all ). In my opinion, there is no comparison when it comes to torque, power and reliability from a diesel engine. And yes, the initial cost of buying a gas powered truck is lower than a diesel But it all comes out in the wash as the truck ages, gulps gas by the gallons and begins to have issues.

And to add just a bit to what Tow Zone touched on, It is ONLY that those 1% of bad tow drivers ( They are NOT operators. That title is earned ) are the ones that get any publicity or "recognition" for lack of a better term. And THAT is what fuels the publics perspective of our industry. We, The honest, hardworking professional operators of this industry are the forgotten ones that the public and the media could care less about. We dont make for a good story or t.v. ratings.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. Eubank. You have most certainly earned it.