TowZone

What many fail to realize is, it does not take much to total out these newer vehicles. And I am betting this one is totaled... The Airbags would push it over the number... Regardless of that, it is unsafe to walk on the bed. Then to stand on the bed in front of the tilted vehicle. Plus a half dozen other point of concern. I'm still trying to understand the jumping it to drive it off the bed. Winch On, Winch Off aways repeat the same procedure. Follow the Discipline, remember the line in the movie and you can't be wrong...

This was brought up by DennisHONK in the FB Live "No More Names on the Wall". Since I have done this the past few years, I thought it was a good topic to bring up again. I find that it is a good way to support the Towing Museum. So, whatever little we can do such as use smile helps. Also, we still need to meet our annual budget on Tow411/TowForce. If you are not currently a supporter will you consider adding a Supporter Bar under your screen name here on TowForce? These start at $19.95/yr. for basic supporter to $29/yr. for Patron I, $50/yr. Patron II and $75/yr. Patron III. The Patron Annual Supporter Rates locked in will never increase. In addition we are extending the New Sponsor Discounts until July 12th, 2021. As there are 3 or 4 waiting on authorization. To review all the supporter titles click here: https://www.towforce.net/subscriptions/ A Huge Thank You to our continuing supporters. Without you TowForce would not have survived the past 3 years. Smile @DennisHONK

I have added the YouTube Video of the session DennisHONK posted about earlier for those who missed it. @DennisHONK @Y'von Ch'nel St. Cyr @FTI Groups @HAASAlert-TP @Devon B All the above TowForce Members where active in the FB LIVE Session. Take 35 minutes to check it out. Then Tell Us What You Think in Reply Below...

Cincinnati - WBKN27 Assistant EMS Chief for Lane Lifetrans Judy Hartley says she had a close call just the other day while responding to a call. RESOURCE LINK with video

Several Notifications went out over night, that 32-year old Glenn Ewing died last night at The University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Our Industry mourns another tragic loss of life due to the carelessness of one of the many that do not give us room to work. Gods Speed Tow Operator Gone To Soon! Lest we forget them on the long road home The tow operator stood and faced his Maker, which must always come to air. He hoped his chains were left behind and he hadn't brought them on to bare. "Step forward now, wrecker driver how shall I deal with you?" Have you always rendered aid? To your Maker, have you been true? The tower, with dirt on his hands, said "No sir, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who drive wreckers can't always be a saint. I've had to work most Sundays and at times my talk was rough, and sometimes I've taken people cars, because life is just that tough. But I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep. Though I logged a lot of hours when the bills just got too deep. And I never passed by a cry for help though at times I had little to gain, and sometimes, please forgive me, I could do little more than feel their pain. I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They only wanted me around in their worst of moments there. But if you have a place for me here, well...it need not be too grand. I never expected or had too much so if you don't...I'll understand." There was silence all around the room where the saints respectfully stood. As the tow operator waited quietly, for the judgment...bad or good. "Step forward now, wrecker driver, you've borne your burdens well. Come tow on heaven streets, You've done your time in hell."

June Membership Anniversaries are compete. If your profile shows you joined in June and your screen name is not on the list. Then it is likely you have not created a topic of logged in within the past year.

It's a Tow Operator type 4th of July Weekend ... So, what are you doing Working, Playing or a little of both? To those Working watch the traffic remember it's a Holiday! To those Playing use caution and watch those Fireworks! To those who have not replied in the roll call just do it.. Roll Call Closes July 5th - https://www.towforce.net/topic/14123-towforce-2021-semi-annual-roll-call-in-progress We also need new supporters to cover the expenses and get TowForce back to shows. Subscribe here: https://www.towforce.net/subscriptions/ Of PayPal here: https://tow411.net/sponsor.html

To our numerous Canadian Tow Companies represented on TowForce:

A long line of tow trucks from around Central Florida, their lights flashing and their horns honking, drove under a huge American flag at Halifax Health Medical Center on Tuesday night to show support for a critically injured Daytona Beach police officer. The tow truck drivers called it “lighting up the sky,” something they usually do to show support for stricken tow truck drivers. Dozens of tow trucks took part in the rally. But on Tuesday night the drivers were lighting up the sky in support of Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor, 26, who remained in the hospital after being shot in the head on June 23. Raynor had been on patrol in an area where residents had complained about increased crime. The man accused of shooting him, Othal Wallace, was arrested in Georgia on Saturday and is in the process of being extradited to Volusia County to face a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer. 'We are a big family' Lee Thomson of Volusia Towing said he was pleased by the turnout for Tuesday night's event, which was organized by Volusia Towing, Arrow Towing and Daytona Wrecker. He said the night Raynor was shot the tow truck drivers were helping the police by trying to find the suspect. "They were out there searching for the suspect as well trying to help out any way that they can and I'm sure every other towing company was doing the same,” Thomson said. “We are a big family out here so we all try to look after each other.” Another tow truck driver, Eddie Evans, of Crash Recovery and Towing in Edgewater, said he was there to show support for Raynor. He said he had met Raynor on the road while on the job. “I'm doing this because not only was there a police officer laying up there in critical condition, there is also a friend of mine that’s laying up there and a brother of ours, so I’m doing this to support him and show him that we are here for him no matter what,” Evans said. He brought along his daughter, Loralye, 8, and son, Eddie Jr., 9, who said it was cool to see all the tow trucks gathered for the injured officer. 'He's a great officer' Evans said he met Raynor through Port Orange Police Officer Wayne Jean, who also attended the event. Jean said he worked with Raynor, a former Port Orange officer, for about three years before Raynor got a job at Daytona Beach Police. “He’s a great officer, very enthusiastic,” Jean said. “He’s a go-getter. Just a person you really want to be around all the time. He’s very happy. Great personality.” Before the trucks cranked up their engines, pastors said some prayers as they stood atop a flatbed tow truck from Arrow Towing. Pastor Monzell Ford, the chaplain for the Daytona Beach Police Department, assured the law enforcement officers from various agencies gathered for the event that they appreciated. “There are some that don’t like you,” Ford said. “But there are more that love you. You are appreciated. You are loved. You are necessary, you are not going nowhere. I appreciate you and I want to say thank you, thank you. You don’t hear it enough.” Law enforcement heard it and saw it on Tuesday night at Halifax Health. Two large two trucks held up the huge American flag across an entrance road in the parking lot of the hospital. Then after the prayers were said, police cars with their blue and red emergency lights flashing, led the procession under the American flag. The police cars sounded their sirens in short bursts and honked their horns. They were followed by the tow trucks with their amber lights flashing and loud horns. People gathered along the road and waved at the passing parade and recorded it on their phones. 'A great all around guy' Toni Floyd of Ormond Beach works in the emergency registry at Halifax Health and met Raynor when his duties as a police officer brought him to the hospital. She was among the people along the road watching the parade. “He’s just a great all around guy,” Floyd said. “He was always friendly. He was always nice to the people he came in contact with.” Besides the tow truck rally, the community has shown its support in other ways. That includes the Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor Recovery Fund, a GoFundMe drive which as of Wednesday morning had raised $304,408 from 4,400 donors toward a goal of $350,000. Raising funds:GoFundMe account for wounded Daytona Beach Officer Jason Raynor tops $200,000 Ford said that the Raynor family was watching from inside the hospital. “They were just really excited about what they were seeing,” Ford said. “I was grateful. The family is very emotional, just filled with joy,” Ford said. “The mom especially, is so joyful of just how so much love is felt for her son.” RESOURCE LINK with images

4 Members Away from 5500... Are we going to make it before July? Like what you see here, please support TowForce. We want to get back to the shows this year. We want to bring back the drawing for a trip to the Tennessee and other events like we did years ago. Don't forget to reply to the roll call, T-Shirt Drawings Start next week. Add a Supporter, Patron Or Sponsor Bar under your screen name. Your support as is the ongoing support of our supporting members is very much valued. We can't cover all the expenses without you. This isn't Free like other social media venues. This also isn't fragmented like other forms of social media. Help Fund It Today! Thanks cause I'm not good at asking for financial assistance. https://www.towforce.net/subscriptions/

Introducing the B/A Frame Hook. This video goes into the proper usage of the Frame Hook. The Frame Hook is designed to provide an improved connection point to truck and trailer frames without tip loading the hook for an even distribution of weight. Any use where the section of the hook directly under the eye is not in contact with the frame of the truck or trailer and the chain angle is not in the approved area is NOT recommended. Attaching the Frame Hook to any point other than a truck or trailer frame is NOT recommended or approved. The Frame Hook is NOT APPROVED FOR OVERHEAD LIFTING. Frame Hook with G100 Coupling Link & 5’ G100 Chain with Grab Hook on Other End: https://baprod.com/shop/towing/chain/...

I am working on a list of Slow Down Move Over PSA Video's with the most IMPACT. Seems these PSA's have short lifespan in the public eye, yet some are far more moving then others. The Video is this Topic certainly reflects on those who have been affected because of being struck. Lest We Forgot Them on the Long Road to Recovery! These are the true survivors that may have thought they were forgotten. We don't or should never leave a brother behind. Let them know We Care by leaving a response in this very topic and if you know a driver that has been impacted, had their life changed. Give us an update... if your the driver we want to hear from you! I am also adding what may be the Number One PSA that Relates to a Towing Truck Operator and their Family.

Sunday, it was like drivers had lost there minds. Really... it was more crazy driving then normal. I thought that it was just here or just me noticing it more. No, searching the news it was all over. How was your weekend, anything CRAZY?

Strafford, Fair Grove police chiefs warn drivers to move over after crashes involving officers on I-44 STRAFFORD, Mo. (KY3) - Officers in the Ozarks remind drivers to move-over when seeing officers along roads and highways. A Strafford officer suffered moderate injuries Sunday after his vehicle was struck Sunday morning on Interstate 44. Later Sunday, a driver struck another police vehicle from Fair Grove Police Department responding to the scene of the first officer who was hit. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports both vehicles were struck on eastbound I-44 at exit 88. According to the Strafford Police Chief Dennis Shook, the police officer’s car was knocked off the roadway and the officer was wearing his seatbelt. “He was working that accident and there was a tow truck on scene that was loading that vehicle,” said Chief Shook. “He was behind the tow truck and all emergency lights were on, on the tow truck and on the patrol car. He was sitting in the passing lane, guarding the tow truck to keep him safe. Another vehicle that was westbound struck the rear of the patrol car, knocking it off the roadway.” The chief wants to remind drivers how important it is to stay alert when you see emergency vehicle lights. “Drivers do not realize how important it is to always be focused on the roadway,” said Chief Shook. “If you are traveling 70 mile an hour you cover a lot of ground. It is important to always be alert no matter the circumstances.” Shook says officer struck luckily suffered moderate injuries. “He suffered some minor injuries and abrasion to his head,” said Chief Shook. “He has some bruises and he has a lot of soreness right now. He’s doing pretty good considering the impact and the extent of the damage.” The police chief asked you to slow down when approaching emergency vehicles because you never know the extent on the scene. “When you see an emergency vehicle on the roadway and they’re running their lights you need to start slowing down way before you get there because you don’t know what’s going on ahead of you,” said Chief Shook. “People could be walking around accident scenes or whatever the situation may be you need to have great caution.” The second crash at the same location later Sunday involved a Fair Grove officer who responded to the scene. The Fair Grove Police Chief John Enderle says the officer saw the car coming and jumped over the median to avoid being hit but their police car was struck “He was directing traffic until the other motors was traveling towards them. He saw him coming and was able to avoid being hit by jumping over the median barrier,” said Chief Enderle. That officer’s car was also struck in the same area while responding to the crash involving the first officer’s truck. The Fair Grove officer was in their car at the time, but did not suffer any injuries. The Fair Grove police chief reiterates safety tips as well to avoid these type of collisions in the future. “There is a move over law for emergency lights and you have to move over and slow down,” said Chief Enderle. “In order to avoid these collisions you need a bit pay attention to what you’re doing especially in the early morning. If you’re tired or sleepy you need to pull over and stop and get some rest.” RESOURCE LINK

Miami Florida Flooding: By now many here know what I think about going into flood waters. If you can't see the bottom, the next step you take could be your last. Still don't get it... Maybe this will help: https://www.towforce.net/topic/7730-tow-truck-driver-falls-into-flooded-sinkhole-on-cape-cod-ma/

It would be 5 Away Today, however C and D Towing just advised they closed the business last years. I truly fear that may be the case with a few more as we head into an annual purge at the end of the year. The highest count on Tow411 was 6500 members, however a purge had not taken place in 2 or 3 years. Can we break 5500 this week. Since we add on average 6 new members a day. That number should be reached within the next 24 hours.

This is one of my favorites and it seems appropriate as a high volume business returns. There was a man who lived by the side of the road and sold hot dogs. He was hard of hearing, so he had no radio. He had trouble with his eyes, so he read no newspapers and of course he didn't look at television, but he sold good hot dogs. He put up signs on the highway telling how good they were. His favorite cry was "Buy a hot dog mister, they're the best in town". And people bought. He had a good product and he liked his customers. Business was going well, so he increased his orders for buns and meat. He even thought about buying a bigger stove. Business continued to expand, so much so that he got his son home from university to help. But then something happened... "Dad," said the son, "haven't you been reading the papers or listening to the radio or watching the television, don't you know about the recession coming, The economy is in a mess. The son continued, "you'll have to cut down on orders and forget about the new oven and extra advertising signs ". So, the father said, "my son knows these things, he's been to college. I will follow his advice and won't bother standing out by the side of the road. Maybe I should tell all my friends about this" And guess what? ... His hot dog sales fell away dramatically. Whilst alarmed about these events, the old man took great comfort in knowing that his son would go far in life. After all, business fell away just as he had predicted and the recession had certainly started. The sequel? One day the man was met by his friend. His friend said, “How’s the hot dog business?” The sad, poor man looked at him with longing eyes, and replied, “No the recession killed my business!” “No!” replied his friend, “Negative thought killed your business!” And his friend helped him set up his hot dog signs by the highway again, and the man was once again telling his customers about his product, and… And people bought. He had a good product and he liked his customers. Business was going well, he increased his orders for buns and meat. His thought's were once again about buying a bigger stove. Business continued to expand, so much so that he got his son into the business – so he could really learn.

Welcome Haley and Anchor Graphics, Ok Folks, who has used Anchor Graphics? They have not only been a Staple in the Towing Industry but an Anchor as well. Anchor Graphics has the products Towing Companies need ready to go and we're glad to see them on the New Force in the industry, TowForce.

Preventive maintenance inspection guidance to further optimize uptime, braking system performance, and vehicle safety. An investment in air disc brakes pays off in several ways both on the road and in the shop, from shorter stopping distances to reduced maintenance time. This Bendix Tech Tip addresses actions that fleets and owner-operators can take to protect that investment and extend the life of their air disc brake (ADB) pads and rotors. “The more people realize the benefits of air disc brakes, the more we want to help them maximize ADB advantages over the life of the brake, to really get the most out of their investment in the technology,” said Mark Holley, Bendix director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End. “The good news is that taking care of ADBs to ensure they reach their full potential is a pretty straightforward matter of knowing some basic facts, paying attention to your brakes, and making good choices when it comes to replacement parts.” Considering the couple An understanding of the pairing of the brake pads and rotor – the friction couple – is a good place to begin, according to Holley. “In technical terms, the friction couple converts the kinetic energy of the spinning rotor into heat energy by clamping the pads against the rotor, slowing the wheel-end,” he said. “The contact between the pad and rotor creates friction, generating heat energy that the rotor stores and then dissipates. In fact, one of the reasons ADBs don’t experience brake fade is that their design allows for much quicker heat dissipation than drum brakes.” The best friction couples result when rotors and pads are designed and engineered specifically for each other. This is because there are many complex variables that determine how these components will perform when they come together to stop a vehicle, from the physical design and metallurgy of a rotor to the proprietary friction material in a brake pad. “When an OE like Bendix can determine exactly what goes into both the rotor and brake pad individually, it means we can engineer them to optimize torque output – the actual stopping force provided to slow the wheel-end – and wear optimally together,” Holley explained. “We can design specific pads to wear at a rate with some equivalence to the rotor. This protects rotor life and helps ensure a quality friction couple. The wrong pad, for instance, may last longer but wear out the rotor faster.” Know the friction As ADBs have gained market acceptance, pad friction has evolved to account for varying fleet factors, including application, tractor/trailer brake combinations, and duty cycle. Not all aftermarket friction will meet FMVSS-121 requirements in effect at the time of a vehicle’s manufacture – and some pads have been shown to increase stopping distances when compared to OEM friction. When replacing ADB pads, Bendix recommends that fleets and owner-operators use like-for-like components to maintain the original manufacturer’s braking performance levels. Bendix has created frictions to meet several wear rate performance needs, from managing high temperatures in applications with repeated, frequent brake usage such as refuse, school bus, and pickup/delivery to longer life friction for line-haul and trailers through more wearable volume. The Bendix ADB22X Air Disc Brake. Also affecting brake friction composition, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Copper-Free Brake Initiative Phase 2 took effect January 1 of this year, making it important to pay close attention to replacement friction material compliance. Bendix’s OE-level BX276 and BX283 pads have met the new material standards for several years now and will remain compliant with this regulation through 2024. The new Bendix BA236 pad is an aftermarket friction that is also Copper-Free compliant through 2024. Preventive maintenance tips “A watchful eye for friction wear is really the heart of ADB preventive maintenance,” Holley noted. “Air disc brakes are lubricated for life and don’t need grease fittings or oil spray, so the focus should be on replacing the pads when they near end of life, before they could damage the rotor.” Bendix offers an easy-to-use ADB pad wear gauge that simplifies the process of measuring the thickness of both rotors and friction. The tool doesn’t require removal of any brake components, and in addition to the friction thickness measurement, provides a percentage estimate of how much of the brake pad’s life remains. For ADBs that are regularly used in off-highway applications or muddy environments, Bendix recommends the use of ADB pad shields, which will prevent rocks or debris from getting lodged in the brake. Smart technology While a visual check of pads is an effective way to determine remaining service life, new technologies enable a more proactive stance. For example, Bendix offers air disc brake pad wear sensing technology that determines when a pad is nearing its replacement period and provides a signal via telematics that fleets can use to proactively schedule maintenance. In addition, since the system provides alerts when pads are reaching the point of replacement, it protects costly ADB components, such as rotors, from being damaged by worn-out pads. “Using sensors mounted to the ADB pads, the system monitors for the time when pad thickness approaches a worn-out condition,” Holley said. “It records a Diagnostic Troubleshooting Code (DTC) and signals a fleet’s office via telematics if the truck or trailer has that capability. It’s also calibrated so that at the time of notification, enough pad life remains to schedule replacement service before an emergency develops.” Because air disc brake performance and life affect the effectiveness of higher-level safety technologies like full-stability and collision mitigation, keeping ADBs in peak operating condition for as long as possible plays an important role in any fleet or owner-operator’s safety efforts. The right maintenance practices and careful selection of replacement parts help protect the investment in air disc brakes and contribute to safer roads for everyone. This information was provided by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems. The Article can be found on FleetMaintenance

NO, if you take a tip working a government job you risk that job. Oddly, politicians seem to earn more then their government salaries. There are times when you just can't tell someone NO, in that case the money is donated to a charity and documented. There's always a work around, otherwise not tips.