someotherplace

Longer wheelbase helps keep the front end planted, but all that extra weight of the boxes on the chassis decreases from the truck's GVWR. Unless the builder had some legitimate need for all that storage space, which is unlikely, IMO it was just a "did it because he could" effort to use up the frame length of a truck that was previously a flatbed or box truck, instead of relocating the spring mounts forward and chopping the remaining frame off at a more reasonable wheelbase for a wrecker - 60" (no boxes, just bed) or 84" cab-to-axle (1 regular box, and bed). If the boxes appear to not separate you can bet the builder welded them and filled the seams, probably with bondo. Richard

Someone went to a whole lot of effort to reduce the load capacity of that unit instead of just cutting the frame. Richard

That's a hell of a tough VW. "I always test the roof that way, you know, the top end. For stress factors." -- Dr. Thompson Richard

The TowMate suction cups work OK but you have to put some care into using them. They can't be stored where they will get damaged; i.e. side box, behind the seat, etc. I keep them upright in their box so the cup part aims up instead of touching anything. If you put them on a dirty/dusty part of the vehicle, they will pop off. In that case often the best scenario is to wipe a section of the windshield clean and attach to that. Leave the adjuster knobs loose at first, attach them to the magnets, then set the lights against the surface. With the lock lever loose, push the cup flat, depress the button, flip the lock lever, tighten the adjuster, move to the other one and adjust it as needed to allow it to sit flat, too. So many plastic, aluminum, panoramic glass, cars made of air out there that I find I'm using mine more and more. In a PPI situation there's no opening the vehicle to put them on the dashboard, plus you also run the risk of damaging the dash even if you're careful. High end vehicles with leather trimmed dashboards, heads-up displays, sensors, flip-up navigation screens, and more - you don't want that repair bill. Trust me it's more than the tow lights cost.. Just had these pics handy as I needed them twice in one night, one car right after another. Dolly jobs, too, which is why I had the CYA pics. Panoramic glass and aluminum hood on the 4matic Benz, and obviously fiberglass on the Corvette. If the glass is clean/can be cleaned, it's my preferred spot to put them. Richard

Underwear issue aside, it sounds like they dismissed him for endangering their valuable equipment. The very last picture in the series with the water up to the top of the tires troubles me much more than any pic of a dude in his underwear. These trucks aren't submarines. Richard

Some are quick to judge when the truck in the picture is not in motion yet. Richard

Overheated, or just underhydrated? Richard

Just wrecks then, no impounds? I'm honestly surprised that anybody could operate storage without a secured area. Must be the folks where you're at are better behaved? Here it's not just the vehicle owners you have to worry about, but also "shoppers" that might help themselves to other people's items. In Texas you can't operate a VSF without all vehicles being inside a secured/fenced area, and depending on city, some are even specific about the type of fencing, among other things. Storage rates are regulated by the state, and gate fees are not allowed. Not passing judgement...just offering another perspective from another area. Richard

Mr. Rivers said a lot. His attorney has his work cut out for him. At least it doesn't seem he tried to sell the story that getting paid $8K to transport an everyday vehicle several states away was nothing unusual. Richard

Yeah, I used to use the vacuum caps a while back but found that they seem to break too easily - right at the mold line under the domed section. They're also much thicker than the original tip so you have to gap the door a bit more to get 'em in there. I really don't mind ordering some original Big Easy tips since I know they're the correct ones...but haven't seen anybody offering the Little Easy tips. Richard

The transmitter will work fine hidden inside the rear of the bed. Some of the newer trucks I've seen have an extra socket in the side box. I wired one up in the taillight housing of a Vulcan 810 years ago by taking an extra socket and popping out the insert (no need for the metal mounting flange/cover) and tapped the wires in, attached the transmitter, and zip-tied it in place so it wouldn't bounce around. Worked like a champ. Richard

Yep, no more disconnecting linkage on RAM trucks since 2011-2012 I think. They *look* like you can disconnect it but you can't shift, as you discovered. And, on Mopar fullsize cars since 2008. BUT, there is a release inside the vehicle on most. I usually don't mess with them being full-time PPI as I do not have keys. However if you're on a consent tow there is a release cord inside the cars console, and on the trucks I believe it's to the left of the column in the dash after you pop a panel off. Richard

I generally dolly Corvettes and anything with front bumpers that are excessively low. They're bound to already have some pre-existing damage that no matter how good your condition pictures are, they'll find some way to blame you for it...so up on the dollies they go. They'll still try to blame. But I have pics including their car up on dollies. Richard

As it always seems to happen, keeping my long reach tools behind the seat, the tips end up torn or missing after a while. I know I can get the "official" Big Easy tips from Zips/etc. or even my local wrecker supply although they're wayyyyy across town so I never get over there. What I haven't seen are correct size/type replacement tips for the Little Easy. It's much thinner than the Big Easy so the tips marketed for that one won't fit, not even close. It looks like just a vinyl cap used in shelving and other applications but I don't want to have to do a bunch of experimenting at various stores until I find something that works. Daytime hours when places are open are my "sleep" time.. Richard

Is the $200 fee because your license lapsed? I just renewed mine in Feb and it was $100 as usual. I did notice some wording about increased fees if I was late but since I always try to get in ahead of time I didn't pay them much attention. They stuck me for $100 extra a few years back when I still ran an IM license that I didn't really need. Their website said I just needed 4 hours CE to renew, so I took the online course, paid my $100 to TDLR, and...no license? Sat on hold with them to find out they insisted I needed an 8 hour classroom course to renew due to IM status. I explained their website told me otherwise; they didn't care. No courses available for weeks past my expiration date even if I did want to go through the trouble, making it a moot point anyway. Asked that since I hadn't done any IM work in years and didn't plan to, could I just change my license to PP? Sure, if you apply for a new license. Another $100. No refund (as stated on their site) for the previous fee paid. Probably already told that story before but it bears repeating as these bureaucrats are only interested in the money. Richard