TowZone

Because it is a single axle and not a dual, it would be referred to as a heavy medium duty. That's not a bad start and there are parts out there to upgrade it to a unit with an extendable boom. I know in the early days of Tow411 there were several members that did some horse trading and such for booms that were hiding out. I'm sure there must be some still out there where the bed has rusted away. Yet, the boom and even winches are still attached. That along with a set of stiff legs would make for a much better recovery truck. I would throw some member names out there but there were more than a dozen that come to mind and I would surely miss one. At least a couple have since retired. Best of Luck!

It's that time of year, so I thought I would bring this old post back around.

Anyone else using this product?

Todd Peterson said:

Looks home built with Holmes 600 winches and a early formula 3 underlift

Michael Myers said:

Could be a Spenco? With a Holmes MD10 or early model Century F-III under lift.

@michael212

Mike Whitaker said:

blue steel still sells those lifts;

Resource for these replies: Vintage Holmes Wrecker Group

Mother of Joshua Henao Speaks to News 5 DFW

Mother of man killed in Irving, Tx

Are you the next Lurker to Sign Up as a TowForce Member?

Michigan Towers are you seeing more Deer Hits? It is Reported the legal deer kill during firearm season in KY was over 104,000 Indiana over 160,000 Wisconsin over 160,000 Ohio over 76,000. I could not find DNR numbers for Michigan or Illinois. Oh, did you get you a deer or have all of yours been deer hits this year?

https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Car-Deer-accidents-up-delaying-repairs-566047671.html

I am sure that at some point an app will come along that targets companies or tow trucks within say 15 miles of the motorist. That would work if the system was built out and used by numerous companies. Problem is those who create these apps often do not understand that a large percentage of those using them are in urban areas and not suburban/rural areas. Any Motor Club sending companies more than 45 miles from their base area are defeating the purpose and have likely contributed to the problem of not being able to secure a company to service the member/customer.

I would hope that someone with HONK can give us some insight into this topic of discussion soon.

To date HONK has dropped from #5 to #8 in the current 2019 Rankings which are far from wrapping up.

Thoughts and Prayers are sent to the Family, Friends and Co-workers. This is yet another tragic loss of life, seems we just do not get a break.

That part about the shooter thinking his vehicle was being stolen was simply and attempt by a murderer to justify his actions. There is no excuse this coward can make that will justify his killing this tow operator from a distance. Reporters were that the debtor actually spoke to the wrecker driver taking the vehicle, then retreated into the motel/hotel room and began to shoot out of the window at the tow truck.

Back when I did involuntary REPOS years ago, about 90% of the time I either a Bank Officer or Deputy Sheriff with me. Their job was to run block if someone came out. Then the Repossession Industry took flight and they took the repo biz from regular towing companies by saying we do not need a blocker for back up. Most of the time you probably don't, it's that 1 in 100 that the repo goes wrong. The repo agent having caught a fish isn't willing to cut the line and release the fish to save their own life. I released a couple that I recall only to turn around and get them a few days later. But, that makes no sense to most who believe they are invincible. If your doing repos and your scared, repos are not for you. If your doing repos and your not on heightened awareness then repo work is not for you. This was very likely the first time this young tower had dealt with a situation such as this one.

You just can't make this stuff up!

Let's see if we can get some insight from Honk as they were maintaining a top 5 ranking up until the past few days. While I have not added these numbers into the system it could effect the outcome.

@DennisHONK

Bump

DILLON COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Two pedestrians were struck Saturday along Interstate 95 by a pick-up truck, leaving one dead, according to Highway Patrol.

The wreck happened around 9:30 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 198, according to Lance Cpl. Matt Southern of SCHP.

Two people were standing in the median behind a tow truck which was ‘legally parked,’ according to Highway Patrol.

That’s when a 2013 Ford pick-up truck with two people inside ran off the road. Highway Patrol said the truck hit both pedestrians, killing one on scene.

Highway Patrol said the pickup truck then re-entered the northbound side of the interstate, where it was struck by a tractor-trailer.

Both occupants of the pick-up, along with the other pedestrian were taken to McLeod Hospital in Dillon.

The name of the person killed has not been released yet.

The crash is still being investigated by Highway Patrol with the help of their Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team.

RESOURCE LINK

I believe that is what Brian Riker @brian991219 I know he teaching Compliance Classes.

NYPD tow drivers held a tearful memorial service Wednesday for one of their colleagues who died behind the wheel of his truck in Brooklyn earlier this week.

Anthony Edgehill, 61, a long-time driver for the NYPD Traffic Division, died Monday afternoon while driving his NYPD tow truck southbound on Flatbush Avenue and Avenue R in Marine Park during a snow squall. Officials say Edgehill, who apparently suffered a heart attack, was able to slow down his truck and steer it against a small tree before he lost consciousness.

On Dec. 4, about 30 tow trucks arrived in a line at the scene where Edgehill had been found Monday night. A union member said a prayer for her fellow driver and other NYPD Traffic Division members placed balloons and flowers on the small tree, unharmed despite the truck leaning on it when police arrived.

Edgehill’s colleagues remembered him as “a true friend,” as one operator described him.

RESOURCE LINK

Tow Truck Driver Shot and Killed While Repossessing a Car

Zach Johnson, 24, died Monday at Medical City Denton

Family and co-workers are mourning the loss of a tow truck driver who was killed on the job early Monday.

Zach Johnson, 24, was a tow truck driver at Texas Auto Towing Service in Sanger.

Business owner Joe Baker said Johnson was hired about three weeks ago.

"This is the very first person I've ever lost," said Baker, who's been in business for 20 years.

Johnson loved life, fishing and mudding in his pickup, which was still parked at Texas Auto Towing Service on Tuesday evening.

At about 1 a.m. Monday, he was killed repossessing a car at the Best Western Inn & Suites on Swisher Road in Lake Dallas.

"A $500 car. It was literally a 2003 Nissan model car," Baker said.

Police said Johnson was about to drive off with the car when 37-year-old Barry DeGeorge walked outside, claimed it was his, then went back in.

"That's when the gentleman opened up the window of the hotel and proceeded to fire on him," Baker said.

DeGeorge fired 12 times, police said.

Police performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Johnson was taken to Medical City of Denton, where he died.

"He left way too soon," Baker said tearfully.

Since the shooting, work at Baker's business has come to a screeching halt.

Now, every minute is spent planning for a funeral for an employee who came to work, but never went home.

Funeral services for Johnson are Friday at 2 p.m. at Meador Funeral Home in Gainesville.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover funeral expenses.

Baker said he's considering shutting down his business for good, saying he and his wife couldn't bear to have another tragedy happen on their watch.

DeGeorge is in the Denton County Jail charged with murder. 

Lake Dallas Police said he told them he thought Johnson was stealing his car.

RESOURCE LINK

UPDATED:

Funeral arrangements for Zach Johnson are as follows:
Services will be @ Meadow Funeral Home
1204 East California
Gainesville, TX 76240

Visitation Thursday Dec 5th from 6-8pm
Funeral will be Dec 6th @ 2pm

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family, Friends and Co-workers.

Appears as though he just rolled into the small tree. Likely didn't have much warning as to the medical emergency which would take his life. The news story leaves some details out, such as did he radio for help and past before help arrived. Not that it matters at the point.

Our industry has grown larger over the years and some in the industry are getting up there in years. A few decades ago we thought 61 was old. Today we think 81 is old, RIP DRIVER

@Kevin Farthing "THE TOWBOSS" Waffco Towing is also a member on TowForce.

ProTower, while this is one of the older topic that are being recreated from Tow411. It is likely we will see either Kim02 or Waffco on this new message board known as TowForce. Several long time members are slowly returning to the only active message board in the industry. You just can't replace to type of topic and dialog in any other format.

Hey @Kim02 & @Waffco Joe are you guys out there? or better yet are you in here?

I didn't even recall creating this post, not sure any of our current sponsor have this exact model.

The JNC660 is may favorite I didn't find it on a sponsor page, but that isn't to say they do not have it.

I got mine from JBTOOLS maybe 20 years ago and it's still going strong.

https://www.jbtools.com/portable-boosters/#?Category1=Portable+Boosters&search_return=all

And here's a Cyber Monday Code for 10% Off Today. CYBERMONDAY2019

I'm less than half that 4 inches. But, we rarely see more than 6 inches of snow at one time and then everything shuts down. LOL

Brian, I agree these comments in this topic should not be taken as disrespectful to the loss of this tow operators life. I look at it more as we are making these comments as we patiently await the release of the information. Once that Info have been made public another topic will begin for proper condolences to the Family, Friends & Co-workers.

We view any loss of a Tow Operators life as tragic regardless of the situation. One year we hope that not one name will be added to the Wall of the Fallen. All the while knowing that will never happen as we gather in Chattanooga, Tn to pay tribute to many of those who do what we do. Knowing that any year our name could be one of those and our family could be one of the grieving. Many of us grieve with them on that day, as we fight back the emotions. For those that have not experienced the ceremony I encourage you to make plans to attend in the future. God Bless!

Randall, more than half the tow operators get little or no information. Even those who are on Facebook which is still less than half the industry and few than 20% on a regular basis. Combine that with half the tow company owners that offer little or no training along with either safety meetings or no regular safety meetings. Then your understanding of why they lack this important knowledge that reinforces good safety habits exist. And Yes what we think of as proper procedures for a safe work zone are habits to the workforce in the towing industry. It should become habit for every driver which is not properly uniformed to put the safety vest on, I encourage the use of a wearable warning devise such as the Guardian Angel. From my experience and I have two of them, they are beneficial and well worth the cost. I wear one on my belt and when a situation deems, I wear the second on my shoulder. I only have two because there was a great deal on the second one at the Vegas Show this Year and I wanted the new belt clip they wear offering. You can buy the junk ones cheap, but you get what you pay for when you buy the Guardian Angel the thing is not Junk.

Many of us can relate to the feeling of being a matador staring down a rushing bull. Only the bull is a moving vehicle and there is no cape. You must decide at what point to move or jump out of the way. Disbelief generally shows that judgement, as you stare at the oncoming vehicle passing the police vehicle and headed in your direction. Do you make some type of motion at that motorist or do you move quickly. You've done everything right and still you life is on the line. Myself, I have given much thought to this and in most situations when I have a blocker. I would rather be out there and see the danger coming then be on the apposite side of the truck and not see or know it is coming till the truck is pushed into me. So, while I certainly can under and even endorse working the side of the truck away from the roadway. Each situation may be different. I suggest becoming comfortable using controls on both sides that is why they are there. Sadly we know December is a Bad month is this industry for the number of Towers Down.

Randall over the years, what have been the top 3 months of the year tow truck operators have been killed roadside. If you have any statistics which include tow operators injured could you include those. This is something I should have been doing over the past 20 years. I never could bring myself to do it and even sending out Tow Down Notifications takes something out of or does something to me.  I would stop that if I did not believe it is important to get the word out in respect for our fallen.

Back to reaching a segment of the industry that we have not reached with all the industry relations mentioned. I do not know what more to do other than just keep trying. The more we talk about it the more opportunities there are to bring others into the conversation which will spread the word.

More Suggestions are always welcome as this Network of Towers continues to grow. A year form now the membership will be doubled and the posts will be even more active then it ever has been. Thanks for keeping the conversation alive!

It's a Marketing Scheme that started with T.O.W.E.D. over 2 decades ago. It was very well thought out and the news media embraced it. They Promoted the Tow Company and the Free Service. The cost of the Advertising was the fuel and however they paid the driver. Generally Companies saw this as a Christmas Bonus, many likely wrote it off. Like I said the marketing was well thought out and easy to implement. The Variables and subjecting untrained drivers to subjects that were intoxicated was the part that was not well planned.

T.O.W.E.D. kinda faded away and other programs come along. AAA saw the marketing value on a national level and started their own programs regionally. Not all regional office offer the plan and I do not know how it works. I would say it's just a basic tow AAA covers as though they were a AAA member.