someotherplace

In Texas, garage keeper's insurance is required by the state for your storage facility; dunno about other states of course.

That's nutty about California and the bullet holes.  Sort of like how a doctor is supposed to notify the police for gunshot victims coming for medical attention...it's the (likely often correct) presumption of criminal activity.

Richard

On 8/21/2020 at 8:55 AM, GRUMPS The Towman said:

A few years back, a local college news paper reporter wrote an article for all the college dummies about "tricks" the can do with their vehicles to keep them from getting towed. Like turning their wheels hard into the curb, setting the parking brake and even chaining two of their wheels together to keep them from rolling. It was comical. Especially when they were STILL getting towed because they would blaitiantly  park where they werent supposed to because they actually believed that crap and get charged more for the extra work or dollies etc... When they would ask me how I was able to tow their car, I would just tell them "dont believe everything you read in the papers".... They are some of the smartest dumb people I have ever met.

I swear, I've always felt like this kind of "knowledge" gets passed around; now I know it's fact.  I deal with so many violators that think they were slick with all the "tricks" they played to keep from getting towed.  It's more work, but if I have a choice of which ones to get, I almost always go for the tougher ones.  I love a challenge, and I also prefer to load the ones that *know* they're in the wrong but parked there anyway.

20 hours ago, TowZone said:

I like the chaining two wheels together! I carry Bolt Cutters...

Ssshhhhh! : )  ; ) 

Richard

That article appears to be written by the uneducated, attempting to enlighten the even less educated.  I wonder who their audience really is.. the other linked article is one that explains, get this, how to call for a tow truck.  It's complicated.

Richard

5 hours ago, GRUMPS The Towman said:

A terrible tragedy. I send thoughts and prayers to all involved...

This brings up a Good point about allowing customers and/or by-standers to "help out" while Operators perform their duties. It is NOT a good idea.. I like most others get asked all the time " Do you want me to steer it or put it in neutral?" My response is always "No thank you" and I always try to add a little joke or quip like "Lets let the truck do all the work" or "Please just sit back and enjoy the show". Sure there are times where a bit of help would speed things up or save me a trip back and forth to the controls, But I need the exercise anyway. I have always felt that laziness and complacency is the #1 killer of skilled and trained tow operators. 

Keep in mind, ( at least around here) Once the Operator is cleared by P.D. to begin working the scene, It is now YOUR scene and YOUR responsibility. It is Imperative that operators keep all persons out of the work zone. God forbid something was to go wrong, Who do you think will get handed a suppeona first?

You said it all.. 

It's rare that during PPI's I have anybody offering to help but every now and then I get one.  Usually it's the case of someone calling in a reserved space violation and they're out there to show me their paperwork for the space.  They offer to help push the car out on the gojaks, stuff like that.  I politely decline their help.  Rarely, but it has happened, I've had those that just wouldn't listen and attempted to help regardless.  I've gotten a little snippy with them as fact is, the more time I spend out there debating with them wanting to be helpful, I could get caught performing the PPI.  It's even more of a liability for the other person at that point since they called in the tow.

Richard

2 hours ago, ESC said:

Very nice.... i couldn't be bothered to waste the time attempting to get that car on a flatbed.  Using the auto loader and dollies is for sure the way to go.   It always drives me nuts having a vehicle owner that says it MUST go on a flatbed.

They would have really not liked watching their expensive car get dragged up the deck, that's for sure!

Richard

3 hours ago, Njsss said:

Thanks, Grumps

 

Alot of pictures, videos & time

Was told the car had been disabled there for several days trying to locate a tow company (luckily, gas station owner allowed Lamborghini owner to block gas pump until...)

Key fob not recognized & electic park brake on.   Roadside technician was unable to communicate with computer to release park brake

Go-Jaks would not fit & skates may of caused a jerking/shaking of drivetrain, suspension etc

Nice work, my only concern with dollies on the steer tires is getting enough width on the bars so that the dolly frames can't contact the bodywork in turns.  I tend to spread them wider than I might normally do on the rears.  One then has to worry about flex on the bars allowing other unwanted contact underneath (and of course, damage to the bars themselves.)

Richard

5 ton bridge (smacks head)

Richard

That woman has lost her damn mind.  Sad thing is, she's not alone in that regard.

Richard

That's a very busy area at pretty much any time day or night; the article would be more helpful if it included more info than just "Sunday morning" - a specific time might help any potential witnesses.  If it was mentioned in the audio I didn't catch it as I'm not able to view w/sound on at the moment.

Richard

Love Collins dollies and have loaded more cars on them than I could possibly count!  Lighter than the competition, easier to use.. and very durable.  The only time I ever had an issue that wasn't normal wear and tear (trip lever weld let go) they responded very quickly to replace it free of charge. (in fact, they responded right here on the forums and worked with one of their dealers to ship me a new lever right away.)

Wish my current truck had them!  I've strongly recommended them to my employer for future equipment purchases.

Richard

I won't say I've never lost my temper, I sure have more than a few times, but it's a numbers game when you're towing a couple thousand of PPI's per year!  Arguing and fighting with people doesn't pay the bills.

Richard

22 hours ago, TowZone said:

Richard, do you feel the PPI is worth a such confrontation. In this incident which does not involve the other person having a weapon I fail to rationalize the justification. The vehicle was not hooked and the tow operator did not have the authority to cite the vehicle for fire lane violation. Best the tow operator could have done is advise the person to move the vehicle. Personally if they ended up not having the means to do this I would likely continue to hook up. But, I am not going to mace or pepper spray that person without just cause. That being actual fear of harm and even then I have an exit as I do not believe this would hold up as a stand your ground.

 

Stand Your Ground in regards to a Private Property Impound. That would be an interesting subject to dive into. Possibly we can get Micheal Mcgovern into this topic as I am sure he has likely written something about this over the many years.

 

@Michael McGovern

I probably could have elaborated on my thoughts but reading the account of what happened fired me up and I just shot from the hip..  no, it's not worth the confrontation if he believes it needs to go to the level of pepper spraying someone.  I'm sure that situation exists but I can say in 17 years I have encountered VERY few, and I mean VERY few situations that could not be de-escalated.  Some people go about their entire work day/night escalating situations into huge scenes and/or violence.  That's my point about if he can't take the heat (deal with tense situations better), he should get out of the kitchen (find a less challenging line of work.)

Richard

As a PPI operator I "feel threatened" sometimes multiple times a night.  Haven't pepper sprayed anybody yet.. mostly because I don't carry the stuff.  If Mr. Pepper Spray can't take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.

That's my opinion on the matter, since we don't have all the facts, as Mr. Resch mentioned.

Richard

All tires lose air over time; small tires lose it faster!  Keeping up with the tire pressure on your dollies is important.  It doesn't take long for them to get dangerously low.  Every couple of weeks (minimum) I go around the truck and check/adjust all 10 tires, 11 if I've got a dolly spare in the box.

Every time I use the dollies, a quick feel of the hubs and tires when dropping them down will also point out any obvious issues such as impending bearing failure or a low tire.

Richard

I read that one before but looks like someone changed "old watch" to "old car" : )

Reminds me of something I told a friend (another driver) a while back - "If people don't value you, don't let it change how you value you. Change how you value them."

Richard

On 5/11/2020 at 3:50 PM, GRUMPS The Towman said:

I find it amazing that with all of todays technology how un-tow friendly all these high end cars are. Its almost like these manufacturers go out of their way to make it a pain in the a$$ to tow and transport their vehicles. 

Well you know, it's only supposed to go on a carrier, right? 😃 And Mercedes/BMW owners would NEVER park where they're not supposed to and get PPI'd... LOL

By the way, notice how the new generation BMW X1 is available as FWD or AWD (the first ones were RWD)..   Don't be mistaken thinking the FWD version can be towed rear wheels on the ground.  The electric assist steering loses its mind on this one, too.  It boggles the mind that systems completely not needed while the vehicle is not running are somehow still 'active'...

Richard

I wouldn't tow a newer one with front wheels on the ground even with the wheel tied.  There have been a couple of instances of the electric-assist power steering no longer working after being towed.  Don't understand the reasons why, but it seems related to the higher-end German car phenomenon of "dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree after being towed with wheels on the ground"...you know, the ABS lights and others.  The new symptom includes no steering assist, which is a little more difficult to overcome by having the customer drive the car until the warning lights go away on their own.  Not so easy when the steering isn't working.

Richard

For whatever reason, those ball joint failures seem to always happen during low speed maneuvers, regardless of vehicle make.  I've noticed a lot of older GM trucks lose that lower ball joint trying to turn into driveways.  They're good for about 300K miles or so on those units and they give lots of warning before they let go...if one pays attention to all that negative camber pointing out the issue!

Richard

Around here they're ripping the dispensers right off the wall.  As someone that has to fuel the tow truck every morning at end of shift, it sure pisses me off.  I've got a bottle I keep in the door pocket but it's running low and as most know there isn't any in the stores.

Richard

WOW...wonder if NC regulates non-consent tow rates?  As much as I'd hate to invite government in where they're not needed, I doubt there's any case study that supports that kind of a rate for booting a semi!!

As I've said many times, your actions today affect regulations tomorrow!

Richard

On 3/21/2020 at 11:36 AM, rreschran said:

Awww RIchard ... are you missing me in these moments of social distancing?

Hah! Yes!!  LOL.. mostly was just looking for your input as it's obvious your on-scene experience is far greater than mine; I only worked wrecks for a relatively short while before going full-time PPI.  It seems my concern may be disproportionate to real-world statistics but if the chance for it to happen exists, that's enough for me.

Richard

6 hours ago, goodmichael said:

Always hug the ones you love, and never hesitate to tell the ones you love how special they are to you!

By the way, this is probably the best part of your post.  Regardless of how vigilant we are of the dangers of our various roles in this industry, don't lose sight of your personal interactions with loved ones.  We often come and go with the weight of the world on our shoulders.  I try extremely hard to not come home in a crummy mood regardless of how trying the night has been.  My leaving every night includes hugging and kissing my wife, telling her that I love her, and that I'll see her in a little bit (instead of "good-bye".)  When I come home in the morning my rescue cat (from the impound lot) usually greets me, then I proceed in to kiss my wife good morning and then we sit down and visit over breakfast.  It's a routine, but an important one to us.  She's been in the truck with me quite a bit in the past and is very aware of how things can go.

Richard

Mr. Resch, I was hoping to hear your thoughts on my previous response.  Any?

Richard

I bet you've seen plenty!  In this case I don't believe the pivot was seized, but I can try to find out.  I know the man that does the repairs and maintenance on this fleet.  The units get greased at every oil change, and he greases the hell out of them.  With that in mind though wear is wear, that unit is old, and has seen lots of work.

At time of failure it had a midsized FWD car on the hook.  I don't doubt it has been used prior to load things heavier than it should have from time to time, as that company has to haul whatever they're called upon to haul - commercial accounts, you remove the vehicle or they'll find someone else.  They do have heavier duty trucks that get sent for those jobs, in general.

Richard

With bars, clubs, and restaurants (dine-in service, anyway), schools, and many other businesses closed now - most people are home, and not many seem to be visiting others, which is a good thing at least health-wise.  On the other hand, it's made my job doing PPI a bit sketchier.  Definitely an increase in late-night activity on property.  People are restless, bored, angry...fighting/arguing in parking lots, random gunfire, etc.  Then there are just people hanging around by their apartments killing time, then I show up and they become the snitch network, banging on doors and alerting everyone to my presence.  Some management has put their properties "on hold" which is expected and totally understandable.  Others still need enforcement but doing so has become more difficult, and dangerous.

Richard

Not good.  I see these guys around town but don't know them personally.  Had not heard of this incident until now.  People can make all kinds of claims but I presume there will be a police report indicating whether the driver was at fault and if he had a license or not.

Richard