TowZone

Brian, nice unit as pictured. Not a fan of international, never have been and likely never will be. So, I would want another chassis manufacturer. Though I know a high percentage of medium duty units out there use the international chassis.

The New Design is all the RAGE...

I have received more negative comments from towers who seem to have lost Faith. They point out they are in Fact Atheist, though these are not members here they contacted me through FB Groups I have posted this new poem on. So, I felt this Quote by Charles Krauthammer 1950-2018: “Faith is something that one has or doesn't have; one doesn't construct it. The one thing I do believe is that of all the possible views of God, atheism is the least plausible. The idea that there's no meaning or purpose or origin--that the Universe is as it always was, is to me entirely implausible for reasons of physics, apart from faith. Because if you reason back to first causes, and if you’re an atheist, you get to a logical contradiction.” Agree or Disagree Charles Krauthammer was a well spoken man of much reason who could at least make you think. If you have lost your Faith, the quote above will make you think. For those who testify on a daily basis, the above quote makes you think. If a man such as this can find logic that there has to be more to this life. Then you are a Believer and you have Hope. The poem which started this topic is heartfelt and from the prospective of a long time tower. I get questioned on my time in a wrecker on a constant basis. many do not realize in addition to the numerous hours spent working on this community. The Only Active Message Board in the Towing & Recovery Industry, I am in a Tow Truck more than 50 hours a week. Now to some of you that run 60, 70, 80 hours or more a week that is nothing. However, combine that with another 30 to 40 hours a week maintaining and promoting the Towing Information Network. I will keep working on other poems and maybe one day I will be able to release them. As for quotes, I do not believe I have said anything that has made a significant difference in the industry. When I am gone, I did not do this to be thought of or known as one of the Legends of the Industry. I am simply fine with being a foot soldier for the Lord. There are plenty in the industry now that have the ability to do great things. I only ask that once you have done something, you start on something else. The Greatest didn't just do the one thing they are best know for, it is a combination of many attributes. Once again, I'll be at the wall in September. Will you be there?

I have been working on another poem, well several to be exact. Though it's been in the works more than a couple of weeks, this one has certainly taken less time. The best just seem to come easier, though having others review it can make them worry. But, there are far too many remembering A Fallen Tower. Their Husband, Son, Father, Friend, etc. So as you read keep in mind it is not my intention to upset or bring pain. I do these simply in honor of. A Fallen Tower A tow truck driver was killed today and I began to cry. I had prayed this day, not another would tragically die. Though I did not know him, I cared for him no less. I surely could have been there, not here I guess. As the reports came in, so did the pain of one more fallen. Again, I pray not another tow operator would ever be taken. Fear not wrecker driver for God will take you home. Industry Legends, Angels in Heaven, you are not alone. Now there is one more legend to be added to the wall. You will always be remembered as A Fallen Tower to all. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Your Thoughts & Comments are much appreciated. The wording has been changed a bit, as this has been a work in progress.

When Sabrina Arch arrived at the Harry's on the Hill dealership, she said she should have known how she would be treated. Standing on the edge of a cliff in front of the Asheville dealership is a 23-foot-tall fiberglass statue of a Native American. He's been there for half a century. Now, it's time to say goodbye to Chief Pontiac. Harry's on the Hill announced that the statue would be removed on its Facebook page on June 1. "In late May, something happened at Harry's on the Hill that had never happened before, and we are committed to ensuring never happens again," the post began. "As we drove up to the dealership, I noticed a big towering statue of an Indian out front. Seeing the figure should have been my first clue of what I was about to endure," Arch wrote in a commentary piece for the Cherokee One Feather newspaper. "Discrimination and hate are out there and going to Harry’s on the Hill; I got to experience it first-hand. At first, it made me angry. Then, I was disheartened and remorseful that this still happens." After leaving the dealership, Arch, who is a Native American woman, received "an ugly, insulting and inappropriate text message" from the salesman she had interacted with, the business wrote. The dealership said the unnamed salesman likely meant to send the message to a coworker, but "that makes absolutely no difference to us. When we learned about the message, that sales person's employment was terminated immediately." The dealership did not provide any more details about the text message, but Arch did. She said she tried to negotiate with the salesman at the dealership, but he quoted her a price for a vehicle that her bank told her "was way too high." After purchasing a vehicle at a dealership about two hours away, Arch wrote that she sent a photo of it to the Harry's on the Hill salesman. Arch said the salesman replied with a text message that wasn't meant for her: "look what this b----- sent me” and “Cherokee lady on Yukon." It is because of that incident the Chief Pontiac statue that has stood at the dealership since it moved to its 819 Patton Avenue location in 1967 will be removed. The statue shows a bare-chested Chief Pontiac with his right hand held up and a two-foot tall feather on his head. "We now consider the statue a relic from a different era that should be moved to a place of honor befitting the Chief's legacy," the dealership wrote. Chief Pontiac was an Odawa war chief known for his role in the war named for him. From 1763 to 1766, Chief Pontiac led Native Americans in an effort against British military forces occupying the Great Lakes region. The dealership said it had contacted Chief Pontiac's sculptor in Arizona, who will take the statue home to his personal collection, adding that the statue will be moved "in the near future." "We at Harry's on the Hill were shocked and extremely upset when we heard about this incident. Behavior like that is unacceptable, inconsistent with our values and will not be tolerated," the dealership wrote on Facebook. "For nearly a century, we have prided ourselves on providing the highest-quality service with the utmost respect and integrity for all of our customers. We have apologized to Ms. Arch and we are committed to making certain that nothing like this ever happens again at our company. We promise that everyone who visits Harry's on the Hill will be treated with respect and dignity. On that, there is no compromise." Arch said the salesman did not apologize. In her commentary, she said Chief Pontiac "needs to be taken down." "This is hate! We deserve better!" Arch wrote. "No one should have to go through this. As a Tribe, we can unify and stand up to others trying to take advantage of us!" RESOURCE LINK

Is it earning its keep...?

Topic Originally Created in December of 2006: Ain't she a beauty? All original, took us @ 2 years to do the full restoration! It all works! I need to find a 6 volt beacon light........Paul FMS Mike said: Thats a beauty, I like it a lot!!! Something to be very proud of , great job guys Michael Underdog said: That is a beautiful truck. Great job! Stay safe, Rich wreckerman05 said: looks good--i like the front w/s--that use to be air conditioning---good job--be proud-- michael212 said: Nice! Ron Pullen said: Very nice a great piece of history Spanky said: "AWESOME", Did you guys fabricate those rear fenders, yourselves. I've got a '46 Chevy Holmes W35, posted several pages back, in this section. applepiejoe said: Sharp lookin old iron , love it! Gaylock1 said: I believe the fenders are original for the body. The fenders & steps have slots on the underside to adjust for different widths. We were told that it was a universal body & that it could be used for a fire truck, ambulance, wrecker, etc.. The unit is a 1946 model also. We robbed 5 different old trucks to get the "A/C" workin, the old window frame was in really bad shape. The ole girl was setting in a cow pasture & every morning the cows would gather around it & lick the fenders & bumper clean. Needless to say, they were in excellent shape. She runs good & has a top speed of 40 mph. The unit is power up & clutch down. The starter is in the floor.. I'm not for sure if it is supposed to have a sling, but I don't think I will be towing anything with it. She's just a parade & show pony now, I think she has earned it. If she could only talk...........Paul Spanky said: Guess, that's possible. If it's a Factory Holmes Service Body, it would have had a Ernest Holmes Body Serial No. Tag, on the passenger side front lower corner. The Factory service bodies usually came with 1937-'38 G.M. 1 1/2 ton dually pickup, & panel rear fenders. Yours do resemble, fenders I've seen on Fire Truck Bodies. Good job. Spanky Hardy.....Collector Of Fine Old G.M. COE Trucks & Antique Holmes Wreckers.

"Too Many Only Find Out Later" unless modified these trucks are not designed to go into high water.

This is something I just do not do anymore. Can't even tell you how long ago I stopped putting my truck in this type of situation. Let the water go down or up, it is not worth doing anymore. Related Story Link: http://www.journal-news.net/news/local-news/2018/05/rain-floods-continue-to-affect-eastern-panhandle/

I was going to say the obvious Camaro Convertible. But, I have to wonder if it might actually be a Firebird...

Wade200 originally created this topic back in May of 2006: Does anyone know what these do? I think they work similar to a tru-hitch, it goes underneath the vehicle and connects to the frame or equivalent. I am really not sure , but I think that is what they are for? dmurph879 said: I unboxed a new set of those in 1973 they were bright red and the rubber that was on the aluminum I-beam was riveted on and about .375 of an inch thick. The I-beam had two short pieces that rode on top of it that contacted the frame horns. They actually were a pain to use but worked pretty well for the plastic nosed cars that were just coming on to the market at the time. I wouldn't think they would be worth much without the rest of the set but they are an interesting piece HOLMES history. Da Wash Boss said: holmes ta-105 bars,,,, i have complete sets on all of my trucks. with those you can tow any car you want who needs an underlift. Dan Cassello - TRPC - East Hartford, CT HansonMA said: WOW!! have not seen those since my first days in towing(1982) I was instructed how to use them but only used them a handful of times.We were one of the few companies at that time that had car carriers,thank GOD Kevin TruckerJeff said: Wow thats a blast from the past. Bus bar you had to go there J.R. I know of a Polock (Rip Bob) that left his bus bar on a orange county bus went back to get it and had to track the bus down . Man they were heavy. The bus bars that is.Jeff Watt, Mcneals Auto and Truck of Baltimore MD. unknown Member said: Exactly right on the description--I had forgotten the actual # of the whole set--i remember my boss bought two sets, and within a couple of months, most of the parts were lost or broken--I used them a few times---had a really hard time once on a Trans Am, where the back hook got wedged up in the steeing arm--ten minutes laying on my back pounding w/ a big hammmer--then having tojack the car up, and finally take the tire off....Whew!

He changed finance companies a couple of years ago. Without proper representation the company he was with discontinued support for the Towing Information Network. I ask because this topic created in 2011 gives testimonial to Gerard without giving recognition to the Finance company. I have always known that towers will follow and agent more the company they are representing. Borotow wrote: Gota say thanks to Gerard again. Called him yesterday and asked his opinion on whether I should borrow money on another truck or pay it outright, as finances are close and I was hesitant to borrow more. He put it all in perspective, as he put it, keep your money, let me pay the whole cost and you can keep your working capitol and just add another payment. After some thought it made sense. I called Gerard Tuesday afternoon and said I need the money, this morning he was at MY office, I signed some papers, and an hour later he wired the money to the owner (used piece), by a little after lunch my kid pulled into the driveway with the added part of our family. Thanks Gerard, it has to be the easiest way to do business other than asking your Mom or Dad for $$$$. Its a nice piece of mind knowing somebody is willing to back you when you make a decent decision, painlessly and just as quick as going to the bank and taking out your own money. njChuck said: No DOUBT Gerard is GREAT to work with! Borotow said: Sure is Chuck, He is funny as hell to boot! Fred, I didn't get anything exciting, but due to a couple town requirements, I had to add another flatbed and didn't want to spend a ton on one because I want to get another wrecker soon (med-heavy), so that's where the next large payment will go. This transaction I acquired an International 4700 with a Jerr-Dan alum bed. Truck has a lot of miles but is pretty clean as well as very solid, and the reason I bought it was Bucks County International just put in a complete renew 7.3 4800 miles ago and a renew AT545Rmc Allision and converter 14000 miles ago. Truck also has new rad, alt, and front end. It drives like a new truck, just some stupid little stuff is bad, like turn signal cancel, radio, dash lights, other than that its a pretty solid piece. How are you doing in the South River East Bruns area nowadays? Hope all is well you guys, if your ever around my area feel free to stop by.

The StarkPower JumpBox BigRig Pro 16L is a light, compact jump-start device that produces 3,000 peak cranking amps and can start any diesel truck engine up to 16L. This jump starter weighs less than 12 lbs for easy portability and features high-output lithium-ion batteries with microchip technology to prevent overheating. The BigRig Pro 16L features two 12V DC cigarette-lighter ports, two USB ports, an extra-bright LED flashlight and built-in smart cables. This tool has a seven-year lifespan and can provide up to 6,000 starts, the company says. Standard features include a deluxe carrying case, AC wall charger, 12-volt auto charger and a 3-in-1 electronics adapter. RESOURCE LINK

I would be lining trucks up at a location and then doing a stake out. The thieves likely could not resist that may gals at one time. Problem is these can be inside jobs so they have to give a reason several trucks are being sent to one location. I think it would work within a short time, might be worth an investment in the time required. Police Departments are often to days to invest the manpower to being proactive as such. Today it is reactive in many situations and this is a society problem not an authorities problem. Be extremely careful when making such repairs, don't want anyone going boom.

17 Mar 2006 06:46 Willtow said: can anyone tell me the specs on holmes 1201 protec bed..... 408Stroker said: I believe they had the same DFT200 w/l as ours, which has a #4000 lift and #8000 tow rating. I think the boom was rated at 10 tons with some or all having 15,000 winches. Doug Fitzgerald had one, he would know all about them. On a side note, several months ago some guy had one on ebay, it was BRAND NEW, never been installed, and had been stored inside since the day it was bought. It was in pristine condition with the factory brownish-red primer and all the available Holmes accessories. The bid didn't go high enough. Kelly Neal said: Dan is right I still have one and continue to drive it today over my new trucks. I bought it back in 1986 and put it on a K3500 Chevrolet. It's still the best recovery small truck I ever own. The winches are 15,000 and with the stinger blade on the wheel lift and the truck rarely moves once it locks in place. I have 356000 miles on it and don't plan on parking it soon. Doug Fitzgerald said: I wish I had never sold mine. It was a strong wrecker. The 15000 lbs winches were awesome. The DFT-200 wheellift don't have enough reach for long overhang vehicles. The cable type control system was always giving trouble (the reason I sold the truck) I did lots of heavy winching jobs with mine . One time I winched out a 18 wheeler dump w/cab over International tractor out where the fuel tanks were scrubbing the ground backwards and the truck was grossing over 80000 lbs I set the wrecker across in a ditch and set scotch blocks and was using both winches with 1 winch double line and 1 winch triple line tied to a large tree beside my wrecker as a dead-man. Kelly Neal said: Doug I have the same problems with the cable controls aways sticking. They are also getting hard to buy, we now take them apart and repair what brakes inside. I was surprised you would have alot of problems in Texas, I'm in Minnesota and the winters are hard on them. 408Stroker said: When did you "give away" that truck Doug? What kind of shape was it in? Please step a little closer so I can smack you!! Doug Fitzgerald said: I had it listed on here for $6000.00 and no one would buy it so I had a friend that wanted it and I was needing some money bad so I sold it to him for $4000.00 He brought me $2000.00 cash to hold the truck and the very next day a man I had told about the truck called with $6000.00 ready to buy and I had to tell him it was already sold. The friend ended up bringing me another $1000.00 cash and a $1000.00 check that was account closed and I had to turn him into the sheriff dept to collect. The sheriff had my money the same day we went and filed . Had the money in my pocket before dark !!! this is a pic of the truck. and here is a maintainer that I recovered with it using a backhoe as a deadman. Here is my 1201 on the original chassis lifting a incenerator that weights 6000 lbs. Mine was a 1985 model 1201 and it did have 15000 Lbs winches the boom showed a rating of 8000 Lbs and the DFT-200 wheellift on it had a rateing of 3500 Lbs extended. Fitzgerald's Auto Service & Towing San Augustine,Texas 75972 Serving The Pineywoods Of East Texas Since 1974 Kelly Neal said: I didn't read the post close enough the boom is a 8 ton and the winches are 15,000 on the first wrap of the drum the 4th wrap comes in at 10,000. Daniel I noticed your truck has Vulcan recivers on the wheel lift. 408Stroker said: Kelly, as much as they look like it from a distance and would love them be, the the l-arms on our truck are not Vulcans. Sorry to question you Doug, I guess the real question in my mind is do all of the Protech 1201s have 15k winches? It can be easy to confuse them with the 1200 Commander which has 10k winches. Doug Fitzgerald said: Daniel, looking at the pictures of yours it must be a later model than mine was I see yours has a high side body. I don't know if they all have 15000 lbs winches or not. I do know Holmes made a 1101 just like the 1201 but with only 1 winch. I was in a Towing & Techniques class taught by Tom Lucianio and Joe Sroga in 1997 and they mentioned in the class that all small wreckers either had 8000 or 10000 lbs winches I told them that I had one that had 15000 Lbs winches and both Tom and Joe had never seen one and finally they said it might be the wrecker that Parker Industries made for Holmes. I could not believe that two of the best trainers in the towing industry did not know what a Holmes 1201 was. Mine did say Holmes on the winches. What I liked about the winches was the open dog on the freewheel you can just look and see that it is doged in all the way. This is what I like about my No-Mar 10-10's it has the narrow spool Braden winches with the open dog on the freewheel. and my No-Mar's will pull almost as good with the 10000 lbs Braden winches as the 1201 did. One thing I like better is that the Braden winches will hold 150' 7/16'' wire rope and the 1201 would only hold 100' of 7/16'' The way I work a wrecker I refuse to use 3/8'' wire rope or the little 8000 lbs winches Fitzgerald's Auto Service & Towing San Augustine,Texas 75972 Serving The Pineywoods Of East Texas Since 1974 408Stroker said: Just in case there's any confusion, ours is a 440-2. About a 90-91(truck is a '91 and was built new). The body is straight like all modern LD's. It's got 10k winches. We've been pondering that when we replace the winch lines, replacing with 7/16" Our previous(first) truck was a '80 K30 4x4 Chevy with an 1100 and the fabulous UTC-100 w/l. It's got a 10k winch. Here's how it sit's now. We removed the w/l and sling to lighten and simplify it as we plan on using for off-road recoveries. Missing Member said: Hi Towers I am mike's towing & recovery in williamsburg va. I am new to this board so if i screw up please forgive me. On the subject of a 1201 holmes bed. I bought mine from dave freeman of century towing in va. beach va.It was my first truck of my own it had 69,000 miles on it when i bought it and it now has 645.000 miles on it and i have retired the truck. It is pound for pound the strongest unit i have ever worked. Ask anyone in this area about it and they will tell you that when anything needs winching better call mike. One of the guys has a 600 holmes that i used through the 80s when i worked for someone else, he calls me all the time to assist with heavy winching. Another tower has a medium duty century and the 1201 allways pulled as hard as his. I have winched everything from cars to bulldozers with it. We have several driveways on the main drag of town that are very steep and buses and car carriers will get hung on them on a regular basis. The city police allways call me to winch them off of it. I now own a 2006 f450 xlt with a century 412 unit and there is no comparison to my old 1201. Thanks for listening and have a busy day. Mike mike's towing & recovery Williamsburg va. Doug Fitzgerald said: Hello Mike Welcome to Tow 411. You are right the 1201 was a winching machine. wish I had keep mine and fixed it up. My pair of No-Mar 10-10's has 10000 lbs Braden winches and will almost do what the 1201 did but not quite. Fitzgerald's Auto Service & Towing San Augustine,Texas 75972 Serving The Pineywoods Of East Texas Since 1974 Pheatone said: Hi guys I just bought my first truck its a 87 F350 with what im sure is a Holmes 1201 pro tec. Reading your post have really been helpful and encouraging. I just wanted to say thanks. Very encouraging words I just bought my first truck 1989 F350 with a1201 49,000mi been in a garage sitting 19 years. Thanks for the knowledge. fishertowing said: looking for manual control linkage for holmes 1200 fisher towing garrison iowa