rreschran

Thank you for your message and I appreciate you taking the time to write. I've already contacted them and they weren't able to point me in any direction. Merry Christmas. R.

This loading process is WRONG on so many levels including he could have loaded it from another approach. If he loaded this car this way, he's done it many times before the same way. I wonder if he sent the vehicle's owner to have a seat in the cab of the carrier and put his seatbelt on? At least he had good hustle. R.

Could it be possible that this tower saw a video ... "just like this one", posted on various sites only to believe it's one of those option ways to recover a vehicle? Videos like, lifting over the guard-rail with seatbelts, floating a big-rigs front end six-feet in the air, or pulling over the top of a raised boom in an opposite direction, perhaps a carrier working a rollover without setting the deck, etc? Sometimes these, "option videos", plant bad seeds in new minds. R.

South Dakaota is known for growing DUI drivers. In August this year, a South Dakota man received his 16th DUI conviction. Robert Groethe, 60, of Rapid City received a two year prison sentence for his 16th DUI conviction (19th arrest) with a blood alcohol content level of 0.247 percent which resulted in the collision of a parked car outside of a casino. Groethe’s DUI history goes back to 1977. Since then Groeth has racked up 19 DUI arrests, 16 DUI convictions, with 11 of 16 convictions resulting in felony charges. South Dakota is allegedly home to a potential DUI record holder. nicknamed, “Mr. DUI,” Jerry Zeller is rumored to have racked up 30+ DUI arrests. Mr. DUI from driving drunk again was his death in 2008. Zeller fell asleep with a lit cigarette which Zeller perished in the fire. Rumor has it that alcohol played a part in the incident too. When my friend Fred Griffith was struck and killed two year's ago, that person already had three DUI convictions and Fred's death was conviction number four. Rest in Peace Fred. R.

When reviewing the last number of tow truck related crashes posted since December began, most of these crashes reported that ice, rain and slick conditions were present when those motorists lost control. Obvioulsy, slow-down and move-over laws, vests, cones, flares, cops on scene, etc., give tow operators a false sense of security. I know that we're headed into a New Year, however, as a realist ... I don't expect, predict or anticipate that anything is going to get better. I'm glad Robert is alive and send prayers for his speedy recovery. R.

In industrial areas where there are no drop-down rail crossing guards, it's the tower's decision to stop, look and listen especially when loaded. I'm happy to hear that the tow operator wasn't injured. R.

As Grumps' points out ... these comments AREN'T intended to bash anyone, only to take a closer look into issues that could make companies more efficient, productive and profitable. As my Dad always said ... "When plowing the fields, you're bound to turn-up a few turds." R.

This is a great lesson on the value of time. While GOA's shouldn't be thought of as, "the cost of doing business", these types of calls are the reality of the industry. I believe each call has to be evaluated based on its details as well as factoring the possibility the motorist could be gone. Accordinly, may I ask what your GOA fee was at small claims? How much did the court award you? Now, playing the devil's advocate, consider the costs of filing, certified mailing, other preparation costs, the cost of fuel to run around and the total time the process took you? Consider your worth per hour and your vehicle's wear and tear while you drove back and forth to the courthouse, while you sat awaiting trial, parking, fixed costs, like insurance, rent, power, utilities, any business that was lost to fight small claims, and the wear and tear on you personally? How many calls went away because of a need to defend the principal of right and wrong? And then, if the judge says, "pay the man", how long did it take to collect? Accepting these kinds of calls are risky where special consideration must be given when taking the chance of not being paid. Even large companies can't afford to lose payment for calls that are potentially snoozers. And, what about the judge Judy who later says ... "You didn't provide any service, judgement for the defendant?" Small claim's court is a 50-50 proposition where sometime's you win ... most the time you don't. If a company has 5x GOA calls a month ... that's a really hard hit. It's a fine-line in choosing what call to take and what call should be turned down. R

Posted on California Craigslist - located somewhere near Palm Springs. No Price Mentioned. Phone: (760) 324-1414. I have no additional information. Call the number. For Sale: 1955 Peterbilt Wrecker – Holmes 750 22321bea2031315abe644e3457f95d71@sale.craigslist.org https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/d/winchester-1955-peterbilt-wrecker

Hey Mr. Tony ... these long-distance calls are typically problematic. Whenever, "time and arrival", are present factors, the customer usually will look for another company in the same case as what happened to Mrs. Tow. Nobody wants to wait 2 1/2 hours if they can find someone more local or at rates that are cheaper than yours. It's my policy to not take calls out of the area for those reasons. I prefer to keep my truck's local to respond to local work. If you accept calls out of the area, get payment up-front via credit card and obtain an authorization number from the CC company. As you are a new tow biz owner, I know you want to take every call you can get, but learn quickly that auto clubs don't have control over a customer's actions once the 3-way conversation is completed. As far as the actions of the customer, you have nothing in writing to prove the customer made any contract or arrangements with you, even though you have a dispatch record or phone call. If you can get paid the GOA from Agero, at least you got something for your time and effort. Good luck trying to bill the customer as they'll stand firm that your company took too long and they found another company that was closer. If that's the case, trying to sue them in small claims will take you more time, effort and frustration to collect from them. These are live and learn scenarios that every tow company goes through as part of the learning curve of this industry. The previous comments are good comments. I'm confident this will up your education in the lessons of not getting paid and make you think twice when auto clubs comes looking for a favor. R.

I too understand the on-coming wave of us, "seniors", who still are hard at work each and every day. Because of the type of men and women we are, until death do us part, it's a choice to remain active in the industry we love. Us old duffers aren't ready to become couch potatoes just yet. So, for those of you who fit into that category, me included, God Bless you and do everything you can to ensure that you're able to stay active until YOU choose to pass the torch them youngin's. Rest in Peace Tony. R.

In all fairness to CGT Transport for the way the industry news has been lately regarding tow operators and medical emergencies. I'm glad that this scenario didn't result in a head-on fatality for either vehicle. I recall an accident I investigated year's ago where the tow truck driver had a sneezing attack while driving down the boulevard, crossed center and impacted several parked cars. Have you ever tried to keep your eyes open when you're having a sneezing attack? Stranger things have happened. R.

Incredible Tim ... Christine and I pray for your speedy recovery. R.

Hi All ... just a note to say, "Thank You", to all of the participants of American Towman's Beauty Pageant this year in Atlantic City. This year there were 30-trucks with others that couldn't wouldn't didn't show due to heavy call volume, illness, and that nasty cold front that struck the north-eastern seaboard the day before. Because of the snow, wet, and salted roads, many tow companies opted not to come to the show for obvious reasons. I appreciate all of the towers participation and good sportsmanship. There was plenty of hard work and attention to detail that we judges recognized making for a really close running. And, in the end, the winners of the eleven classes were very well deserved. I always look forward to talking with the truck's owners and drivers to hear the stories they have to share. I'm honored to be there to be a judge. Thanks again for your participation. R.

This is a great opportunity for tow companies to have that chance to respond to the city's RFP. Be sure to dot all dots and cross all T's as you prepare the bid. Also remember that your should have no inkling of entitlement in being awarded the contract if ASAP or another company does a better job at preparing their RFP or where there are referral fees to be paid to the agency. Take your time in preparation so you have answered all questions thoroughly. Keep in-mind that those who review the RFP know little or nothing about the towing and recovery industry. Accordingly, it's in your best interest to make your's a totally complete package that gives your company the best appearance. And, I didn't note anything in the article to suggest that ASAP was not performing to the city's requirement. Good luck to all in the process. R.

Brendan Dooley and I had the honor of draping the medal's around Andrew's neck and the others at the ceremony in Atlantic City. Congratulations Andrew for your unselfish act of courage as as you responded to that incredible incident R.

As far as finance companies being required to pay court services costs ... if they fail to pay for a deputy to, "protect the peace", then repo towers should opt out of picking up their assets. This was one of those scenarios where not even the best trained tow operator or repo agent can predict the mentality of some psycho with a gun. In plain terms, Zach was purely assassinated when the shooter thought his $500 Nissan was being stolen. All the training in the world can't prepare anyone from being killed by a shooter with a penchant for violence. And, I firmly believe that any man or woman doing asset recovery should be wearing a bullet vest if they're involved in repo activities for this very reason. Christine and I send our prayers to his family and the Baker's at Texas Auto Towing Service. Mr. Baker wouldn't be wrong to shut down his business because of this tragedy. R.

I believe most vehicle owners know they're in arrears and know their vehicle is about to be repo'ed. Mark Lacek and I've discussed where surrender of vehicles should be a process of a court order. Once a civil matter deems that a vehicle should be seized, deputies go to a residence to seize a vehicle (during daylight hours) and they call the tow truck company. Whats stopping that process? If law enforcenent is dispatched to protect the peace and deputies are servants of the courts ... why can't repos be a process of a court action? Wouldn't that eliminate the late night sleuthing and clains of car theft? R

No Grumps ... ya' can't tell her she's right for obvious reasons ... but maybe as a Christmas present, you could go visit a doctor? It's a strange thing, but wives want the security that their husbands are going to live a long life. So ... take the time to have a a checkup and give here sone piece of mind. I'm confident she will like your gift. Merry Christmas. R.

There's an importance that suggests taking time to get an annual checkup. I had a stroke two years ago ... it came out of nowhere and I've always been in good health. I thankfully dodged that bullet and go get checked an a regular basis. When was you're last checkup? R.

You're right John ... if that load is all about getting paid ... no brakes and no steering may lead this tower into a fatality scenario. Taking chances as shown in the video is much too risky. Why would someone show-off for a viseo that could eventually be the prosecution's best evidence. I don't get it.

Hi Mrs. Tow ... I'm of the mindset that sets travel and time distances to be closer to my biz office. One thing that's consistent with new biz owners is they want to take all calls and satisfy everyone. At some point these long range calls come back to bite you. Your passion to help serve is admirable, but at the risk of being stiffed for these specialty services. Know this about customers ... while they'e stuck, they'll take the time to find someone cheaper than you maybe closer to you. The auto clubs oftentimes don't have control over the free will of their members. When the member knows your price, they'll use that to bargain with other tow companies in the same manner a disgruntled tow truck driver will ask anitger tow company for a job, learn the wages, and then come back to ask for a raise or quit. I don't like to be the bearer of bad tidings, but fishing for prices and then canceling out is a common practice. In this case, take the GOA as something for nothing ... tower's rights ... what's that? I salute your solid effort, but at some point, I think (for me anyway) working closer to home makes better sense and accept two lesser paying jobs that are closer to home versus the big score that get's away. R.

Hi All … I guess December 1st means Merry Christmas as this year’s coming to an end. Tomorrow, my Christine and I are headed to Atlantic City for the American Towman Exposition. I’d like to invite you to attend my PowerPointe seminar, entitled, “Towers and Advanced Emergency Warning”, Saturday, December 07, 2019, Room 310, at the convention center. This topic brings focus on what towers aren’t providing when working tow and recovery related incidents. As the result of as many as 334-tow operators killed in highway and roadway incidents, OSHA, NIOSH, Respondersafety.com, and Traffic Incident Management, all express the need of pre-warning motorists approaching a tow operator’s location. My photo seminar is directed at ways towers can be more readily seen as they work. The seminar focuses on the liabilities and defenses a wayward motorist that declares, “How did I know that was a tow truck at work?” I invite tow owners, company manager’s, trainers and tow operators to be more aware. Because Slow-Down Move-Over isn’t effective, this seminar asks, “Are you doing everything you can do to increase your on-scene presence to identify your active work-zones?” I’m looking forward to seeing you there even if it’s just to say, “Hi”. R.

In the midst of all this snow throughout the US, how many light-duty tow companies rely on chains when snow and ice accumulation makes it tough to drive? Many towers I’ve talked with say they don’t use chains because of the hassle of installation. Obviously, a chained-up truck gains better traction than one that isn’t. Some companies chain only the outside rear dual's while other chain all four rear tires. I personally think chain installation is a cinch by setting a long 4x4 under one side’s inner dual tire and slowly backing-up on top; doing so leaves a 4-inch gap at the bottom of the tire to ease chain install. For additional safety and before starting the chain-up process, as a solid safety reminder, I set chocks in-front and behind the opposite-side tire to help avoid slipping in icy conditions and never get under the tow truck’s body in-case the truck were to slip off the 4x4. If you’re located in ice, snow, even mud recovery environments, what tricks do you have up your sleeves to ease chain installation? R.

While I don't know what caused the crash, I'm wondering if crossing center was due to a medical emergency and not that of distracted driving? Are there any updates? R.