Chad Yarbrough

Article in TowTimes magazine outlining the work Towing & Recovery Association of America, Inc. - TRAA is doing for the industry!

This is happening way too often! God bless the family and the business !

Brian I totally agree with you. You have a much better way of articulating my thoughts! lol. I believe a national standard designation would give towers something to aspire to achieve! The national designation from a governmental agency would certainly raise the bar to set the best apart from the rest while increasing the industry perception by the general public and other government agencies.

I am not for tow trucks having sirens and being able to run red lights and speed. What I am asking is what other protections may be available for towers who are blocking an accident scene or aiding a disabled motorist. Fire and EMS have protections under emergency / first responders that reduce their liability. I believe if we have emergency or first responder designation, we could increase training and evolve into a "respectable career" stereotype instead of the non professional stereotype so often given to the tow industry.

Many in the towing industry feel we need to be classified as first responders. I tend to agree. I would like to know everyone's opinion on why the towing industry should or should not push for this designation. I believe it would offer more protection from liability in many roadside situations and incidents. I believe towers should have the same protections as Fire and EMS as far as being able to take a lane without worrying about liability (as long as proper procedures are followed), and to empower the move over laws as striking a first responder vs a "tow truck operator" Those laws for first responders carry much higher penalties. I want to make clear that I do not want or believe towers should have the ability to run redlights or run sirens like fire and ems and police. What are your thoughts?

I greatly appreciate everyone's input. I know there are many routes we can take, However I would like to focus on the Heavy duty vehicles. The small vehicles can normally be skated or Go Jacked to maneuver on to a flatbed. The amount of time it takes to pull the driveline while underneath the truck on the side of a busy interstate is extremely dangerous. At a very minimum, towers need some protections from damage or liability if we move the vehicle to a safe location to remove the driveline. Brian, I would love to sit down at the summit or maybe the event in January if your going to discuss further.

Brian, I have also thought about trying to make this a legislative issue during our summit in DC. Maybe that will be a way to grab our congress persons ear. Towers should not have to choose between the liability of a transmission or the liability of loosing our life!

I do agree it is a hassle . However, there are ways to unload them with skates and utilizing a snatch block to reverse the pull to the end of the bed . I’m not sure about BMW not allowing dollies . I do know Mercedes call for dollies and or flatbed with skates .

Why is 4,000 the “magic number “ I am confident we can get that many however . Also, I think even light duty towers have a fight in this as well. Small box trucks and small to medium duty vehicles would apply to this as well in my opinion.

This is a start ! Thank you for replying ! I am sure Everyone you mentioned would have valuable input! I am new on tow force, so I am not sure how to get more traction with this. However this idea has been stuck in my head for quite some time and I am sure there is technology to create a switch that will disable the driveline and protect the transmission and the tower ! I have mentioned it to TRAA as well and would love any information/ input on this .

If anyone has any connections with manufactures, I would like to send them a petition to make transmissions have an easier disconnect. If a rear differential can be engaged or disengaged with the flip of a switch, a transmission should be able to have the same feature. There have been several instances where I have personally been placed in jeopardy by having to pull a driveshaft in a dangerous area because the vehicle couldn't be moved without damaging the trans. Towers have to face too much danger as it is. These manufactures should not jeopardize our lives by having to choose between the liability of a transmission or our life. Your ideas and responses are encouraged. I know this is a long-shot battle, but it needs to start somehow. If everyone could reply with their name, company name, and date, it will be much appreciated.