TowZone

Quest at one time was in the top 5 motor clubs. Had I been creating a Top Ten List in the early days of the message board they would have been in the top two. This is where they have been going over the past few years.

12. Quest - Motor Club - 2018 #15 - 2017 #7 - 2016 #5

As I look at this list, i say to those that disputed the results to look hard at it.

Will do it again at the end of 2020.

26 Companies is the definition of insanity!

Is this on a rotation basis or assigned area? 

Had a call 30 years ago, about A mile away from the seen they said step it up they needed assistance with the extrication of the injured driver. As as I did an officer pulled out and lit me up. OK, either he is attempting to pull me over or follow me to the scene. Either way I was not slowing down. He got on the PA and said pull over, get this I'm maybe a 1000 feet or 4 blocks from the scene. I arrive on scene and he comes running up as I exit the truck. The other direction is a Sargent that immediately chews that officer out as I continue to walk up the the scene. Of Course Fire was getting the driver out of the vehicle.

That's the way it used to happen more than not. As Fire became more skilled and added more tools they don't call for code as often. Actually rarely, I assume the officer, ducked tail and left the scene. I may have had a couple of more run ins with him before he either left the department or was reassigned. Someone said he was placed on desk duty because of his strong temper. He must have been one of the 1%. I've met a few and they met me, oddly I never realized I had higher connections then they did and the officer often had a bad past. One of the last ones transferred from another department which did not release his disciplinary records until after the transfer. For a couple of reasons it took the department several years and multiple public confrontations to terminate him. Even though they released ALL the records, I heard another department hired him.

You may ask way these departments hire bad cops or keep bad cops. It's similar to the reason tow companies don't send new tow operators to training. Actually it's opposite, Police Departments spend considerable money to train an officer and do not want to spend more to train another officer even though in most of these officers in training the mental issues should have been recognized. Towing Companies do not send new drivers to training because of the number of drivers that leave once they have the training. However, when we look deeper into the training we find that drivers without proper training cost the company more money over time then drivers that received skills from training sessions.

By, Norris McDonald Special to the Star

Several weeks ago, I wrote a column about tow trucks. I specifically talked about how, when there’s a crash on the highway, there’s a no-holds-barred race between trucks to get there because the first to reach the scene gets the tow.

Ambulances used to do that. They were privately owned and they’d race to get to a crash scene first because if there was a fatality, the first-on-scene would get the body. Some of those ambulances were owned by funeral homes; other parlours paid the ambulance driver for the delivery.

Mike Harris put an end to that in 1998 with what was called the Local Services Realignment, which resulted in the EMS ambulance system. And at least one tow-truck company president thinks the current government has to act as decisively to end the free-for-all on the roads that exists today.

Joey Gagne is the owner and president of Abrams Towing Services. Abrams has locations in the GTA, Hamilton, Windsor, Ottawa — just about everywhere — and has been in business since 1984. For years, Gagne was president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario, which works on the legislation process with government.

For just about forever, there’s been a problem with accident clearance on, particularly, the 400-Series highways. That’s where the money is. You have established, honest, tow companies that have been around for what seems like forever and they frequently have their business stolen from them by poorly trained, opportunistic, cowboy towers who swoop in, scoop the damaged vehicle and haul if off to unscrupulous body shop operators who refuse to release it until obscene amounts of money are paid.

Since that column appeared, I heard from a lawyer who spends just about all his time in court on behalf of Canada’s big banks, trying to get those cars and light trucks released from liens. And from Gagne, who felt I owed the honest towers a column to tell their side of the story.

Gagne, in his role as president of the tow association, was on the committee that came up with the most recent set of regulations that became law in 2018 and stipulated that tow trucks had to have their rates posted, had to take credit cards as payment, and that sort of thing.

But Gagne, in our wide-ranging interview in which he talked about his company’s rigorous training program and how a few bad apples are not representative of what’s essentially been a long-established, mom-and-pop industry, said those regulations failed to put an end to the “first-on-scene” or “first available” system.

RESOURCE LINK

Yeah, I heard he's on Linkedin these days and twitter these days. The industry is so fragmented, it was so much easier back in the days of Tow411. I gave up on Facebook a few months back and deleted most of my contacts. The attacks seen on other drivers and lack of control in groups that think their number one was too much. I just follow some politics but even that is better on YouTube.

An undetermined number of tow truck drivers not operators have little to no respect for police officers. These are not career tow truck operators, these are the warm bodies that companies are putting behind the wheel. They are unskilled, untrained and unaware of their actions. The companies either do not care or have no other option. Like a Bad Cop which nationally is under 1.8 percent of all police officers. a factor of 1 in 50 tow truck drivers being Bad reflects on an entire industry. That's what we're dealing with and have dealt with for years.

Not sure I feel that AAA has ever truly been in touch with the tow operators themselves. But then we have not had any interaction with AAA representative on the message board in years.

Randall, it's related to the current situation regarding civil unrest. Never before have we seen the level of attacks on anyone associated with the police. While the majority are not physical and the danger may not even be aimed at the tow truck operator, the fire fighter, the EMS worker, even the trash collectors which many now carry guns. It is present in the inner city, those is rural communities do not have the same danger level.

Then again when you go into a rural community many towers have been carrying for years without an issue. This is the reason I stated in another topic that a tow operator should always without delay call a police officer when the is a subject down in a vehicle. I know that many will attempt to wake that driver unaware that the majority of the time even a police officer will not do this without back up. Think about it, what is that tow truck driver waking up. It sure is not the same drunk from 20, 30, 40 years ago. Back then an officer or a tow truck driver thinking they were doing a person a favor would give them a ride home. Especially a tow truck operator who might be sympathetic to the individual and their situation.

Today that could get one injured as the dangers service personals face has increased. Officers are at a higher risk and tow truck operators are at a higher risk. Ask the motor clubs what percentage of companies will send a driver out between midnight and 6am compared to a year ago. You will be amazed how many have chosen to refuse or delay that service call. Do I blame them, not if they are untrained, unarmed and unprepared.

I find that more that half of the drivers which complain about being struck have both placed themselves in the danger zone for more time then they needed to be there. Being they could have both worked the truck away from the traveled lanes and worn proper ANSI Clothing. I find that the Guardian Angel light on the right side of my belt is a benefit as well. The side side is the side of my body most visible and I can place it on my shoulder if needed. I really should have placed my second Guardian Angel there last night. It's a habit, we're due to get tactical vests in a few months. I'll likely leave the other one on it at all times.

We must start Calling Out these Trucking Companies who have Drivers that DO NOT Slow Down & Move Over.

The names are right there on the sides of the trucks, we need to bring this to managements attention pronto.

"I was nearly struck numerous times last night by truckers who even though they could not move over due to the fact I was working in one lane. They did not reduce their speed and flew by throwing up rocks which were in the roadway due to the accident. I got hit at least a couple of times by the pebbles. Yes, they sting and it wasn't 4 wheeler's this time. It was truckers who had plenty of time to slow down. There were 3 marked police cars staged up to 150 feet back. Plenty of time, yet these TRUCKERS didn't CARE."

WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.., Since commercial vehicles are the easiest to identify. I truly believe we have to start from the biggest down rather the the smallest up as has been done in the past. When was the last time you were pelted by a rock, hurts doesn't it. Though, I am sure it's not as bad as being struck by that vehicle that failed to Slow Down. 

More than half of those who have had their vehicle towed claim it was an illegal tow. Yes, there are companies who either know their drivers are towing legally parked vehicles or the drivers are doing this to make commission. Regardless there needs to be proof on both sides and this article provides none. I am down with legally conducting private property impounds and we don't hear about the price gouging and illegal tows as much these days. That is mainly due to fewer companies conducting these types of impound tows. Regulations resulting from price gouging have made it unappealing to many companies, leaving property owners with few options in some localities. I have my own opinions on the proper way to conduct these types of tows which I have voiced in the past. I'll go over those again in a proper post.

Myself, this is obviously shady. My issue is the $205 and $265 is not out of line or price gouging. The report doesn't provide any supporting evidence the tows were not legal, so I have to question that as well. While it appears to be unacceptable, I need to see more complaints to verify this is a serious problem. I suppose that is because I have actually seen price gouging and drivers taking vehicles improperly because they were not making enough money on their patrol towing. Personal property missing out of those vehicles when paid for a few hours later. These issues didn't come up, so I need to heard more on this one.

I keep coming back to this topic and it just isn't that much of a factor for myself. Because 4 out of 5 of the rollovers I recover our on their roof.

"placement of 4x4's on the pavement to arrest rollaway"

Might be Experienced, but 4 X 4's are always the sign of a trained operator.

I be the one to show up muddy drive tires and shiny dolly tires when the inspector arrives. As for the birds nested wire rope, that sets me off. Even to see it on a unit for sale aggravates me. It takes so little time to keep them neat and tight. Dollies can be a constant maintenance requirement when used regularly. Even when they are not used the have to be inspected regularly. 

Remember that hammer could have been a gun. He's very lucky this time, but I would not have been a YouTube or a Headline in the News. Fight or Flight, I would have drop it and returned another day. This PPI was not worth anyone life, theirs always another. My thoughts are this is an adjoining business disputed.

How many vehicles are in the lot?

Would you ever turn your back on anyone at a PPI or Repo? I sure wouldn't without Backup or a Blocker. That's a Rear Wheel Drive BMW if I am not mistaken. I saw someone say the company blocks vehicles in and calls for a rollback in these situations.I don't know if that is true, but the tow truck driver could be arrested by some local regulations. They have to be able to transport the vehicle with the equipment hooked to it, otherwise they must release to the owner, no drop fee. If the owner comes out and they are hooked to the vehicle, they must offer a drop fee. Tow Operators are being arrested for these violations, though most officers tell them to drop unless they have left the property. This is PPI, REPO is a different animal as long as the Repo Driver produces proper paper work. We find that more than half do not have paper work or a printer. That's an arrest if the officer decides to pursue it. Luckily for those not following the law most officers aren't interested unless it becomes a confrontation.

I'm beginning the believe WERNER is becoming the new SWIFT. Well maybe not to that status, but I have noticed as of late a number of WERNER Drivers that cannot keep it in their own lane.

Taking the bearings out and repacking them is the best course of action. However, I have found adding Bearing Buddies to the assembly to be a more effective solution to maintaining an adequate amount of grease.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0xvs5FT9HI

I've asked what Haz-Pay is and I am waiting for an answer. So, here is what I found regarding hazardous duty pay.

The amount of hazardous duty pay is determined by multiplying the percentage rate authorized for the exposure by the employee's hourly rate of pay. That amount is then multiplied by the number of hazardous duty hours to be paid. Hazardous duty pay may not be more than 25 percent of the employee's rate of basic pay.

For Civilians in General:

Danger Pay authorized under DSSR 652(g), unofficially referred to as "hazardous duty" or "imminent danger pay," is paid at a flat monthly rate (currently $225).

7 Facts On Essential Workers Hazard Pay That You Need To Know Now

https://www.forbes.com/sites/terinaallen/2020/05/20/7-facts-on-essential-workers-hazard-pay-that-you-need-to-know-now/#5ec258081483

I keep some type of foam tire shine on mine as a cleaner/protector. Have not seen any dry rot or other cracking. plus they look nice.

The preference of being in a carrier compared to the occasional use of dollies is a choice. Since the majority of the tows I conduct are vehicles without keys and often with limited space. The Auto load for tows which in general are under 5 to 7 miles distance is my preference. If the average tow was say 40 miles then I would likely say the roll back would be a preference. I also consider the fact that the time spent in the Danger Zone with a Roll Back is increase by seconds if not a minute. So, again it depends on what type of tows one is conducting on a regular basis that such determine the best equipment to perform the tow.

Something I've not been able to determine is the amount of time to drop dollies on a vehicle in the roadway compared to loading on a bed. Which type of equipment exposes the driver to a higher risk factor. To me personally, it might be equal in such a scenario. Any thought's...?

While the steel dolly bars will handle the weight factor better. The Aluminum Dollies are much easier on the tow operator and when the weight is distributed properly, meaning they are not extended further than necessary. The weight distribution is comparable when not overloaded. Keep in mind just because the steel bars do not bend does not mean there is less stress being asserted to the wheel bearings. This is most most common point of failure for dollies. Those that have bent the aluminum dolly bars have generally over extended them or loaded off center.

Due to the weight difference alone I will take the Aluminum Bars any day over steel.