Stubborn66

I too always return the grids to center and bungee them. I know if I can catch sight of my grid in the mirrors something is loose, and yes that has happened which is why I now use the bungees. I see drivers all the time leave the grids extended, my assumption is that they are relying on the locks. The guy you see with one extended and one in the center has likely had one loosen up and come out. Hooking up that way is just plain lazy I agree that the pins are more secure but if you are running scoops instead of regular L arms you have to get the grid in the right position to lock it in place and have the scoop well behind the tire. I set the grid so that the outside of the tire is lined up with outer edge of the tread plate on the grid. The pins don't offer enough adjustment. I have only run scoops so I am not too familiar with the L arms to know if the grid adjustment is as critical. Randall, I agree that everyone here seems respectful and I appreciate what I can learn just by browsing these forums.

I recently had a club call and the casualty had significant prior damage. I took pictures and when the driver arrived with the keys I documented the damage on the dispatch sheet and had the driver sign it. It was a Zip car and the driver had already let Zip know when he picked it up. This one was no issue but I sometimes get the dispatch information while I am out on the road on my cell phone. When that happens I only have my manual receipts to make notes on so I want to get a Prior Damage report form so I can document it properly. Does anyone have a form they would share? Thanks

Respectfully

Do we know how many operators have tested positive since this all began? I am sure there have been some, just wondering if someone has the statistic? I still rather get the keys and not have a customer in the vehicle.

I am sorry, but I disrespectfully disagree. To add a level of security on a wheel grid you would not need to stretch them tight across the grid, just enough tension to hold the S hooks on, then if it starts to slide it will tighten up. I have a Jerr Dan and the locks are in place and work, however, if I wiggle them and bounce them just right I can get them to disengage. I tighten down the T bolts and run a bungee across. I have used bungee cords for years for various applications and have actually had more than one break on me. We used to get them in by the bundle at the trucking company I used to work for and used them to secure mud flaps bolted to 2x4's to the back of bobtail tractors. As soon as we saw any dry rot or any other tear, we discarded them. To me, the risk is minimal if you use common sense. In this instance, we don't know all the particulars, but if the locks were in place and just became disengaged while traveling down the road, that bungee cord could have completely eliminated this accident. If the locks were inoperable and the driver was relying on the T bolts or pins to hold the grids in place and one came loose somehow, the accident would still have been prevented.

No question in my mind it is the drivers responsibility. This is also why you see bungee cords across the back of the wheel grids, just extra layer of safety in case the locks fail. Luckily this man was only slightly injured.

I got a call yesterday for a 40 foot diesel pusher stuck at a winery. I get there and it doesn't look like it is stuck bad. This one had Independent suspension up front, no straight axle, generator up front with a low exhaust pipe exiting on the driver side in front of the tire. I asked him to open up the front bumper to see if there were any access point to the frame, no luck. On my second look underneath to find a place to hook to I see the broken shock mount on the passenger side. I take a picture and show it to the owner, thankfully I had not even had a chain or strap near it yet. He asked me if that would make it shimmy at about 45mph. The only place I could get a solid hook up point was on that side at the control arm, inboard of the shock mount. 1/2 in chain with a low line and it pulled easy. After we got it out and on dry ground I went back under and saw that the plate was attached to the underside of the lower control arm with 4 bolts that appeared to be 3/8" that had broken. The rig cost over 500K and within the first month those suspension bolts broke, should have been 1/2" to handle the stress. It pulled out very easy but I am glad I saw that shock, you know that shimmy would have been my issue had I not seen it.

A drivers responsibility to do a pre-trip inspection, including dollies or any other piece of equipment on that unit should go without saying. As to who makes the repair, if necessary is another matter in my mind. Is this an hourly employee, paid on a %, does the driver have down time to do repair work? All of that would need to be factored in when deciding who does repairs and should be decided at the time employment begins. Personally, I would not want a person on my team that I even had to have this discussion with. But, here in the real world, there is a national driver shortage and in the towing industry drivers are not just getting in a truck and driving from point A to point B so that adds to the skill level. All of the larger tow operators around here are looking for drivers.

He was very lucky to survive that, hope he recovers fully

Just used them for the first time, all went well but I cant imagine not binding it down. First one and got a PITA of a drive line to drop, one stripped bolt makes a difference!!!!

And there is another reason I don't want anyone operating my trucks or representing my company.

great looking trucks, especially the old ones

This happened in my neck of the woods and I had not heard about it, hope everyone is ok. That is a narrow stretch of road with a lot of traffic

"Within the right to carry come responsibilities where more than one tower is serving time for their wrong decision." That statement says it all, " wrong decision" But, that is not limited to "towers", there are many people who have used a concealed weapon in non-life threating situations who are paying for their bad decision. I accept that responsibility to protect myself and my family. I am not sure if I would condone an employee of mine, if I had any, to carry while working for me which is what got me thinking about this as I am getting close to trying to bring someone on . Thanks for the viewpoints

I have had a carry permit for years and I have been carrying at night for years, just my personal preference. If it is concealed properly, no one knows but it is my last line of defense and if possibly I will always walk away. There are just too many crazies out there and it is not going to get any better. I have just had a discussion with my wife and she is going to a training classes to handle a handgun safely, she is all for it, years ago she would not have been but times are changing, and not for the better unfortunately. I have never even thought of a vest. When I read that story about Pittsburgh where a apparently a territorial issue came to firearms I couldn't believe it.

Found the pictures from the ad. Been in service for a week now, works good, haven't put it to any real tests yet, that will come

I was just reading about a tow operator who shot a rival tow operator in Pittsburg Pa. after some kind of altercation and it was ruled as self defense. I cant fathom any tow job being so important that it would come to drawing a weapon. I am wondering how other companies feel about drivers carrying weapons while on duty for personal protection.

Thanks for the input guys. I watched a couple of you tube videos where the guys used these spring slippers, (with the pins in) and only added safety chains. I think the chain around the spring, down to the cross bar, with a binder to take up the slack would make me feel much better. In addition to the safety chains

Hi Guys, Started playing around with the spring slippers I got with the wrecker. I am attaching a couple of pictures, I had not installed the cross pins yet, is this the right position? How would you chain this hook up? I am thinking from the axle back to the crossbar. Thanks for the input

Finally ready to go to work, just waiting on two sets of Forks. Actually "practiced" a little today. Been a long time since I used a truck bar to lift anything.

Ok, I can make up any length I want at this point, so would I go wit a 10 or a 12? Chuck, have you run into a situation where you wanted that extra 2 feet? I would keep it at 10 just to save the weight if I wont ever need the extra length. The chain I have is from an overhead crane assembly. It is older chain and thicker than other 1/2 inch chain i have seen but I font know the actual rating for it. It has been strung along over the rafters in the garage for years. I have a piece of 2x8 board and a piece of angle iron made up, any other thought of what I might want? Tracy

I am putting together the an older HPL60 Jerrdan. It has a tow bar for trucks, no sling, that takes 1/2 inch chain. I have a couple of 1/2 in chains that are 20 feet long and Damn heavy. I need to cut at least one of them down. What lengths should I be looking to make for hooking up from the front and the back of medium duty trucks when needed. I have enough chain to make multiple sets, just need to buy hooks. Thoughts? Thanks Tracy

Good to see what the one tones can do if you know what to do with them. Good Job

great looking truck

So, I get a call from Honk the other day and this is what I picked up. In the garage, stuck in park.