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  1. This Topic was created by FMS Mike on Tow411 in October of 2005: A great pet peeve of mine is seeing a car carrier coming down the highway with a car secured in four ways and the truck displaying 10 strobe lights. Lights in the grille, a big light bar, strobes in the back, for what? The more the public sees our lights on for no reason the less they are going to pay attention to them when we need them to most, like those snowy nights on the highway and we're pulling a car up the embankment alone because state police is too busy. Lights have a reason on our trucks and they are to "Warn others", not to be used to show off whose truck has more lights, that's just hurting us all in the long run. Save the lights for when you need people to realize something or for when you're at a show. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: yes i agree with you, here in Connecticut the so-called professional towing association does nothing to endorse safety such as lights and safety chains and overall safety. they use the name towing and recovery professionals and yet i dont see the professional part. the current president of this association endorses unsafe towing and operating illegal wreckers. i can drive 25 minutes north of me to Springfield mass and every towing company up there has tow lights in use on vehicles in tow. Danny Cassello Jack Martins towing said: Here in fla, it is unlawful to use flashing lights of any sort on a flatbed or carrier while in motion. But a lot of companies use them anyway. Forrest said: Can't run with them in Washington either. In Memory of towmanjc who said: I call the them the flasher wackers!!! Oldtrucks said: My thought would be lights should only be used while attending/hooking up, and manouvering at a scene. Once you are under tow the lights should be off. This seems like common sense"Tow them like you own them" Clay said: From the mouth of the Big Cheese of wreckers for the state of CT "you got to run lights on carrier because too many of you idiots are dropping cars of the bed". That means only the CT lights (the out side top lights). I won't keep going on all the feelings I have on this, I'm already too pissed off at the industry today............. ptow said: I agree...During Transport, you should not run your emergency lights...However, I do run my corner strobes while moving a large building or real heavy equipment etc.... What really gets me is these dealerships that put emergency lights on top of new cars next to the road..... JP4 lstyba said: Correct, In BC it is for hook up. Not transport.Cya In the Ditch Larry Styba WM# 011088 6/7 AC twinbulls said: I Agree ....It only makes us look silly... and the public will have even less respect for us... I was at a crash the other day with my lights on and right next to the State trooper he was directing traffic as I winched the car onto my deck. He turned his back for one second and a car tried to get by and almost hit me... The trooper yelled at the guy he just kept going..(bad idea) The trooper called him in and another trooper caught him about 5 miles away. You know what he told the trooper.. He said the tow truck lights meant nothing and the other trooper was not doing his job so he just went.... Well, he got a couple of tickets one for not yielding to emergency lights( tow trucks are covered) not following a officers direction and speeding and no seat belt... So he got his.... But we need to teach all towers the rules about the lights.... Tim Ward FMS Mike said: Tim, you bring up exactly what I mean, glad to hear you ok. Last weekend in the driving rain i was winching a Cadillac out of the muddy median at 2 am and I had the high-speed lane shutdown with State Police blocking the lane wouldn't you know of the 4 other lanes to use some other **** used the one closest to my truck and the cruiser. The Stately blared his horn but that was it. I have 2, 360 degree strobes that do the job as good as anything. With those on and 6 floodlights, you'd think people would give us a break and move over. unknown member said: ive only been driving for a yr and i can tell you here in Mi its just as bad as anywhere....sometimes i feel like my lights are a homing beacon...lol...awhile back i was loading a car on a rolloff on the side of the highway...a staty had shone up just as i was pulling on scene...he stuck around while i loaded...just as i was getting back into the truck a semi came fling by real close to the white line...damn near clipped both of us...well needless to say it didnt take 5mls to catch him.... in Mi. wreckers are covered under the same law as police and rescue.... lovetohook said: In some states, it is illegal to run your lights when in tow you could be nailed for impersonation of an emergency vehicle FMS Mike said: Exactly, You do not see fire trucks driving down the street with their lights on. If they did no one would pay attention to them. We use our lights to alert people that we are working and they need to use caution because there is a hazard, whether it be a car being wheel lifted or we're loading or doing a recovery. A flatbed with a car totally secured with no hazards on it is no different than an flatbed empty. Let's all do each other a favor and use the lights for when we NEED people to notice us and keep them off when there's no reason for them Mike Farmington Motor Sports Clay said: Mike reread my post we have to run lights in CT. I hate the rule but our 1 point tie-down companies have screwed us. FMS Mike said: Hey Clay, Which post are you talking about? If that is the case I understand but can't we all agree 10 strobe lights on a carrier going down the road is a little much if not obnoxious? Mike Farmington Motor Sports In Memory of Eagletow who said: While driving on the Dan Ryan expressway in Chicago many years ago I was stunned .I thought there was a major wreck of epic proportions !!There were wreckers all over the freeway with lights going but traffic was still flying at top speed . Hmm,In Michigoon we cant run with our lights on .W.T.F.? I found out they had to have a light going when they were towing ,in fact (check me Steve) back then I saw the wreckers using a magnetic rotator on the towed vehicle . Now I know why they all drive like they're on drugs .Cuz they are !There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives. Freelance66 said: he old rule was warning lights on if any part of the towed vehicle was on the ground. The warning light on the towed vehicle was to make up for the lack of tag lights, or in conjunction of the tag lights. The rules have changed a little, but the abuse of the inner-city and some of the burb drivers are still rampant. On a carrier where no part of the towed unit is on the ground they run the lights like some sort of advertising................ In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: In this wonderful state of Connecticut, there are only a few companies and i do mean a few who do things the right way as running tow lights putting vehicles in tow plates on towed vehicles, and so on. They have a towing association that claims to be a professional towing association however starting at the top they endorse state laws and safety to be violated. Tow lights should be on all vehicles in tow as a true professional would have them in place. I think this so-called professional towing association should encourage its membership to do things the right way, but they don't. why should the leader of this so-called association tell other people what to do when he cannot do it in his operation and yet they call themselves professionals? Danny Cassello FMS Mike said: QUOTE: "A professional towing association should encourage its membership to do things the right way, but they don't. I'd have to disagree with that. Yes, there are companies that break the rules with the way they tow in Ct. But what state has towers that all follow the rules. NO STATE. This is very untrue. It bothers me that all you do is bash the association. Did you know that our state offered a class in saddle tank evacuation that also included a 4 hour lecture form OSHA that included the importance of proper PPE and Chains and winches and other items that would pose a hazard to our towers. TRPC also hosted a class on biohazards in cars and how towers can look out for potential dangers and how to protect themselves from hepatitis, blood borne viruses and other biohazards. The TRPC also hires industry leader Tom Luciano to teach its light duty and heavy duty certification classes. Our Association may need some work but to say that the towing association endorses violating safety and do not encourage its members to be safe is a complete and total lie. These accusations coming from someone who doesn't directly work in the towing industry too. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Hello Mike, for one i do not bash the towing association i speak the truth about it i am not bashing it. in case you were not aware of it i am directly involved in the towing industry. you are right that no state has any towers who do things the right way all the time. if this so-called professional towing association in ct is so good and has all this training then how come they don't have training classes on how to use safety chains and how your tow lights are supposed to be 8 feet high for safety not 4 feet high to look cool. why don't they endorse using the vehicle in tow plates and tow lights on towed vehicles? the only leader who was a true professional for this so-called professional towing association was the late Bob Halprin he knew how to run the thing. the current leader and the former ones were useless and liars. when I was a paid member in good faith in hopes of being active the leader at the time was two-faced. one hand he took my money to be a member then on the other hand he is filing complaints against me. not a big deal so i change names get new trucks and dont join this joke of an assocation. so again i stress i am not bashing no assocation just simply telling the truth. there are some good members there and some very respectful and professional ones. then there are the other ones who think they are professional and are not even close. Danny Cassello Clay said: Mike, This is the statement I'm talking about: "From the mouth of the Big Cheese of wreckers for the state of CT "you got to run lights on carrier because too many of you idiots are dropping cars of the bed". That means only the CT lights (the out side top lights). I won't keep going on all the feelings I have on this, I'm already too pissed off at the industry today............." I fully agree that it should only be the 2 CT lights going, if we do have to run lights. What I think is unreal, is companies are willing to spend money for 4000 blinking lights all over the truck, but can't spend any money on doing things right. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: wow your right clay, or better yet companies will spend 4000.00 on lights and then complain and cry how they don't make enough money on a tow. i dont know why anyone or as the big cheese says you idiots,,,, and then some people say i am bashing that so called professional association but anyways if safety chains are in place and the 4 point tie down why would these professional idiots be dropping cars. some members here who are professionals from other states and areas would never believe how this so called professional association really works. the big cheese now calls his members idiots and one of the other leaders from Farmington would lie to your face and was a 2 face coward. this industry has many good professionals but you would have to be here in hartford ct area to understand what takes place here and then you would still not believe it. Danny Cassello FMS Mike said: Well, Ill let you all decide for yourselves. My company enforces using 4 point tie-downs and safe practices all of which our drivers are taught at Light Duty Classes required by the State Police. i won't argue anymore and i'll let everyone think what they want about the Connecticut Assoc. I'll say it has problems like they all do. And some have had some issues with safety chains but show me a state that doesn't. There's no need for us to bicker about it , it's childish. We're all allowed our opinions but I'm going to keep mine to myself because it seems to be upsetting some and that's something I do not want. We're a brotherhood of towers and we all need to look out for each other and not bicker over who's right and who's wrong. Mike Farmington Motor Sports Clay said: Danny You know the Big Cheese (Santoro). That is his way of talking. If you listen to him he is really helpful just a bit hard on the edges.. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: there is nothing to decide, everyone knows that the trpc is not what it should be. no one upset here i am always happy just speaking the truth and not hiding behind anyone or anything as do other people. as for santoro he says it like it is and he is usually right. as for the trpc i cannot recall any training where they enforce and endorse towing safety. there are some decent members there however the leaders are useless they were in 1997 when i was a member and they still are. they get a cliche going and thats it. when they were grandfathering heavy duty drivers in for certification i know people who got grandfathered in and have no clue how to run a big wrecker. then to get my certification i got my b_lls broken. excuses we can not get ahold of your former employer and yet i called him and he answers his phone right away and no one from trpc had ever called him. they are full of lies at that place. i still have my membership sign in my office, its in the bottom of the bird cage. Danny Cassello unknown member said: Mike, You all have valid points and I being from Texas I surely can not validate what other associations do. I know that in regards to lights, I have guys come in everyday that want to purchase more and more lights for their trucks, only to realize that this hasn't done them a bit of good,let alone provided more safety to their operators, when they are used improperly. I to hate the trucks driving down the road with their lights. The public seems to look at tow trucks as if they weren't even there. Many of these same guys that spend the money for all the bells and whistles, want perform routine maintenance on their equipment. Its an aggravating issue but i'm not sure how we solve it. I know that the TTSA holds 2 classes a year for training- light duty and a heavy duty that is taught by Tom Luciano. I am glad to know that you train your operators to be safe out there. Good luck to us all on the light issue! Jess said: In Kansas we cant run them while in tow but while loading and unloading when we have to In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: safety first, if you have a vehicle in tow the law states you must have tow lights on vehicle in tow. i think its a great law and by fighting it and not doing it just shows that one would not care about safety. do it right and build positive responses with the motoring public. Danny Cassello TowZone said: Just a note before this post goes a rye. This issue does not concern drag lights, I am sure everyone here agrees that they should always be used. There is a law in each state that addresses them, if not refer to the use of trailer lights. This post concerns overhead lighting which is visible from the front and rear. I have to agree with GP that changing the law would be a bad thing. All it serves to run those lights while under normal towing conditions is to say. "Hey, look at me. Look at what I can do!" Very distracting to motorists and even worse at night. I heard one tower say that it was mandatory for his trucks to have the overheads on while in tow. Get this Because It's Good Advertising! http://www.tow411.net/images/emoticonthud.gif GP, much luck the last thing any industry that runs overhead emergency-type equipment needs is a mandated policy such as this one. The only exception I can see at this time would be School Buses which often have a white light in the center of the roof these days. I have no problem with that from a safety standpoint as it is not blinding even at night. Garbage Trucks have lights on all the time but they are visible from the rear only and they only travel great distances when going to a landfill. The main issue is Tow Trucks on major roads at constant speeds with the overheads on. Why? unknown member said: Hate to sound stupid for not knowing the detail of the law.I believe in CT.we are supposed to run our CT. lights on wrecker in tow.I believe we don't need magnetic in tow lights on back of car.On flatbed with car on back no CT. lights , unless car on rear tow bar.I hate to say it but my friend worked for a tow co. in farmington with little blue cab over flatbed trucks. He told me that his boss used to yell at him for taking chains out of the wrecker. The boss told him that he only needed the one chain that was in his flatbed truck. The boss told him the one chain was for the rear of the car. He told his boss he needed two chains for the rear and two chains for the front because that was the way he was taught.The boss told him one chain was sufficient for the rear and the cable was sufficient to hold the front because that it the way that he himself did it.My friend also told me the chain slots were so worn and damaged on the rear of aluminum bed that the chain would not hold unless you dropped the grab hook end of chain down through slot and brought the chain up around end of the bed and hooked it back on itself.My friend did not work there long. KingDragenWagon said: I do agree the lights don't need to be on when you are in tow. Here in oklahoma you would be given a ticket for doing that while in tow. OUR state law only states that YOU run your lights at the scene and only then. When we have a major scene going on and WE have OUR Own Arrow board's and Cones set in place, WE shut Our Truck lights off to NOT Draw any more attention to US as we WORK. wreckerman05 said: when you need the light to do what they are made for-while on the scene of accident or loading a car on side of the road people ignore them thinking its just one of those dummies going down the road with his candles lit up- i never have understood their reaon for it--those lites are expensive and cost to repair from excessive use are high $$$$$$$$$$$$$ towinguy said: Here if we have a vehicle on the wheel lift, then we have to run these little dinky amber flashing lights (not connected to the light bar). It looks stupid and I can find no use for it. We use tow lights and the total length is no longer than a pick up and camp trailer. We do run with our red and blues on when traveling on a closed road or the interstate after it has been closed. I think that is just so the troopers can see us from a distance and don't get excited if they see headlights someplace they shouldn't. In Wyoming, when the road is closed, it is closed. The rail road crossing type arms come down and stops traffic, be we can go around. That's the only time we run with the light bar on. Gregg WM010022 TowZone said: There has been a request made to close or remove this topic, as it has become a topic of controversy. I will honor that request should the members insist, however, this is a topic I am very passionate about, as I will be working very hard over the next year to encourage states to enforce laws that make it unlawful to operate any tow vehicle with overhead beacons when the tow does not require them. Such as a hazardous or wide/oversized load. The use of such lights in a no-hazardous situation only desensitizes the motoring public as they do not see a reason for such a warning. Over the past weekend in Baltimore, I spoke with several towers who did not realize that it was unlawful in their states to run down the road with them. In each and every case these towers cited the main reason for using them was to bring attention to their company trucks. Intended More For Advertising Then Safety! Notes from above in review: "From the mouth of the Big Cheese of wreckers for the state of CT "you got to run lights on carrier because too many of you idiots are dropping cars of the bed"." The above has to be the most careless statement I have heard or read in sometime. However, I do run my corner strobes while moving a large building or real heavy equipment etc.... The above is most appropriate and I think that these moves would also justify the use of overhead beacons if they were visible from the rear. I believe many states already require such warning devices. Correct, In BC it is for hook up. Not transport. Exactly, very smart and they likely enforce that in Canada. abuse of the inner-city and some of the burb drivers are still rampant. On a carrier where no part of the towed unit is on the ground they run the lights like some sort of advertising. Some sort of advertising, that is the number one reason companies cite for using them. The owners of those companies require it even though the drivers often see it as diminishing their effectiveness. a professional towing association however starting at the top they endorse state laws and safety to be violated. If there are any State Associations which advise or encourage their membership to disregard the laws of that state. I want to publically come out against them here. They are doing an injustice to their membership. If any Association President has an issue with that feel free to call me and explain your position as to why you would have towers in your state running unlawfully. Is it not bad enough that associations have stuck their heads in the sand this long? The only reason I can see for such action is that the association president's company runs unlawfully. What an example to the membership, you should either clean up your act quickly, get to work for the members or resign. It bothers me that all you do is bash the association. I was very anti association for many years, I was very anti association when I formed this network. Since that time I have seen more good towers in the states then bad. Problem is both good and bad towers involved with these associations shunned those trying to operate within the law. They are opposed to welcoming new members in, yet they talk about membership numbers. Being involved with several civic organizations I can tell you this is a way of thinking. It's mental, we are more prone to avoid that pitfall within our towing information network as our membership is a melting pot of many association members and non members. Towers who would have likely never become allies with out such an opportunity to network online. "the only leader who was a true professional for this so called professional towing association was the late Bob Halprin he knew how to run the thing. the current leader and the former ones were useless and liars." Danny, get off of it those folks are gone. They actually failed, as they did not see their own mortality. I should hope went I am not longer of this earth that their will be others to carry on the mission of uniting this fine industry. There is more good then bad, the bad keeps us down. If you don't agree with those running the current association DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT and Stop Bitchin. I hear you buddy! I've been there, listen to yourself. Your sounding like a broken record and many here are sick of it. "In Kansas we cant run them while in tow but while loading and unloading when we have to" Jess, how often do you see towers disregarding this state law? How many companies do you think realize they are operating the truck unlawfully? Does the State Association advise them of this law or do those responsible not represent the membership properly. "Here in the sunny state of AZ. the law says we can't use the emergency lights while in tow unless the load poses a hazzard to other motorists. Use is authorized only when loading or unloading." Exactly the way it is in the majority of states and should remain anyone attempting to reverse good legislation which was put in place for a reason is an idiot and yes I realize some folks I am close too may take offense to that statement. Call me and explain your position, maybe someone can make a better argument then I have heard to date and I've heard several. They all lead back to public awareness, not of safety but company image. Oh, what comes to mind! "The President of APTRA (the other assoc) told me the other day that he want to get the law changed so that we have to run something like CT lights and not the magnetic tag lights. THIS IS A BAD IDEA He didn't look too happy when I told him I would fight him tooth and nail and this one." If this is a true and accurate statement. It is likely the idiotic one I have heard to date. To enforce overheads and not tow lights which are much closer to vehicles coming up from behind, which reduces reaction time is fool hearty. Think about it, when you come up behind a vehicle especially in the evening you react faster the closer the tails are, this places the tow truck in danger of a rear end collision. In Closing anyone that has an issue with any of this needs to get involved and post it here. Let your voice be heard, this is an important topic I personally do not want to see go away. As I said I am on a compaign next year to see that this there is a uniform standard among the industry. The only way to increase the professionalism of an organization is to set uniform standards. Now who among you is on board, post it hear. Those who aren't be damn, not really just pick up the phone anytime 24/7 and give me a call bitch, moan, groan, offer words of support. Get your head out of the sand and do something. Many will either agree or disagree. If you don't have a majority within an organization which agree, then the minority is either right or wrong. If you can convince others to change their opinion then your right. If not accept that you were wrong. Those running overheads in tow are not bad towers, in fact they were among the best operators I met in Baltimore. They just had not given it as much though, nor been presented the details of such action as I had respresented. None even knew that it what likely unlawful within their state. The towing association of which they were a member had failed them. It's time to take control make that your goal for 2006. Find like minded individuals in your state and do the right thing. Represent the industry get involved, either by holding an office, making the meetings or making the phone calls. I thank each and everyone of you who have and will comment here. I see nothing wrong with the direction of this topic, we all seem to want the same thing and that is what is best for the industry and those operators who are at risk. Don 29 years aka THTDON said: If this subject had stayed on course, it would be okay. Somewhere along the line, I don't know why, it got nasty. I'll give you my opinion, for what it's worth. First of all, I have been leaving the rear-facing floodlights that are part of the barlight, or mounted high on the barlight stanchion OFF, when I am servicing a car on the interstate highway. I only use the lower spots on the wheel-lift, and the deck mounted lights on the carrier. Why? Because those floodlights mounted high on the barlight or the barlight stanchion BLIND THE LIVING HELL OUT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. And blinding oncoming traffic makes it more likely that the tow truck, the tow truck driver, the customer's car, and the customer might get hit. Sometimes I think that it would be more wise to NOT use the barlight at all, if the tow truck, and the car being serviced, is far enough off the road. The flashing lights create a distraction, and as the Wreckmaster instructor said in the seminar that I attended the other day, people tend to drive into the direction that they are looking. As far as driving with the lights on, I know that here in MA, it is not legal to drive to the scene of an accident with the barlight on. We do not have the right to exceed the posted speed, run red lights or stop signs, drive down one-way streets the wrong way, or violate any other law. I agree with the original poster, when he said that it is stupid to be driving along with a car on the deck of a carrier, and no car on the wheel-lift, and have all the lights flashing. I rarely operate the tow truck with the barlight on, while the truck is in motion. If the car is tracking straight behind the truck, and you DO have your draglights on the towed vehicle, AS YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO, then it is like you are pulling a utility trailer behind your truck. When you pull a camper behind your car or truck, do you have a barlight on your car? NO! Towers that drive with every emergency light on the truck flashing all the time have SMALL MAN SYNDROME! "Look at me! I am important!" I agree that people are so used to seeing amber flashing lights, that they just don't mean anything anymore. Maybe we should start using BLUE lights! Actually, we should start conducting ourselves in a more responsible manner on the side of the road. I am truly tired and saddened to constantly read here of our brother towers losing their lives, while practicing their professions. unknown member said: In ct I believe we are supposed to run our ct lights in tow with wrecker instead of having magnetic towlights on rear of car. These ct lights are much higher than our light bar they must be eight feet from ground ,and they are as wide as the widest part of our tow truck body.We can use the light bar when at scene.Using light bar or any flashing lights enroute to scene I'm sure is against law.Also must obey all speed limits ,traffic signals , signs ,rules of road, etc.I agree with mike who started post driving flatbed with strobes is not good idea.What I think is some drivers , since we need to use our ct lights in tow[the eight foot tall outer strobes]on wrecker,think it is okay to use the ct lights [that we must have by law]also on our flatbeds while in tow with car on deck only.I think but am not sure on flatbed with two cars must have magnetic tow lights on rear car,because upper and lower tail and turn lights are probably not visible. I APOLOGIZE if any comments I made earlier have offended anyone.If I said'' my friend told me'' this would be hearsay . I just repeated what I was told. This information was 4-5 years old.I'm sure if it were true there would have been improvements made since then. Clay said: Tow lights (drag lights) are required in CT on all tows. Don't use them and pass a Truck cop and you will find it out....... TowZone said: I can agree with Tow Lights being required. However, I have had an education on those CT Lights. I wish you guys were kidding us about them, just whose idiotic idea was that? Don 29 years aka THTDON said: I wish that motor vehicle laws were uniform throughout the country. I also wish that the temperature would stay at 68 degrees, with low humidity, all year long. That's not going to happen either! kstone said: I personally hate "lights" while driving down the road on a regular tow.If the vehicle is a danger to others of course I use them and I always use drag lights or tow lights which ever you preffer.Now I have gotten a ticket for not using amber flashing lights and I beat the ticket.I told the prosecuter that there was no difference between me and a tractor trailer. Mike I do have to say that osha class was not what I thought it should of been.There was people there that knew more than the guy giving the class.For one he didnt know that diesel shouldnt go ontop of gasoline that a big nono because of static dischage I knew that from driving tanker.Im not bashing osha or the fact he didnt know that but,he or (OSHA) would not give a straight answer on any thing other than the rite to give you a ticket for doing something wrong. Kevin Stone Clay said: I belive CT lights (the lights on the outside at the back of the cab) came from the days of just one light in the center of the cab. TowZone said: If that is accurate then I have a better understanding. Someone should bring the state into the 21st century those look ridiculous, like something from the days of Mayberry. We tear them off around here as we'd look like we were hauling mobile homes. My apologies to those who love them and want to hold on to a tradition. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: QUOTE FROM RON,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "the only leader who was a true professional for this so called professional towing association was the late Bob Halprin he knew how to run the thing. the current leader and the former ones were useless and liars." Danny, get off of it those folks are gone. They actually failed, as they did not see their own mortality. I should hope went I am not longer of this earth that their will be others to carry on the mission of uniting this fine industry. There is more good then bad, the bad keeps us down. If you don't agree with those running the current association DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT and Stop Bitchin. I hear you buddy! I've been there, listen to yourself. Your sounding like a broken record and many here are sick of it. well ron all i can say is i respect what you say. so for the folks that are gone who made a difference you have no respect for them,,,, so much for the towing hall of fame people i guess they mean nothing either according to you. i have no idea who you are ron but if you think i sound like a broken record then dont read what i write and whoever else does not like it ,,, well they can go pound sand also. everyone has an opinion and i may not like some of the the other peoples opinions and thats to bad if i dont like them so whoever has a problem with my opinions ,,,,well thats just to bad. i do not bash anyone i speak the truth here and say what takes place here. as for doing something about it well i did try to do something i joined the assocation and they cash my check take my money then tottally go against me but thats okay as the president at that time is a spineless coward who cannot face anyone as he would rather stab people in the back, big man he lies to your face just a useless spineless coward who was not a leader and never will be. if he was a real man he would work with the paid members and not stab them in the back. as for the current president he is in it for himself not his membership. i dont really care as i do my thing and they do their thing. so ron hope your not offended by what i say if you are to bad thats life, i like some things people say here and then other things i dont like thats life. Danny Cassello East Hartford, CT "TRPC" The honest one TowZone said: Danny, you can't offend me that easily. I like towers with the fire and passion. Those who stand up for what they believe in as I too felt as though I was wronged by the state association. But, that was 20 years ago and I finally got over it but it took this board. It took seeing what associations with enough like minded individuals can accomplish. It took seeing that all Associations Presidents are not in it just to benefit themselves. It took members in a couple of states who could make those changes so they found enough like minded individuals to force those changes or create a new organization to move forward. Yes, each and every one of those person honored in the hall of fame whom have passed did something in their life to cause them to be recognized. But to dwell on the past will not move the industry forward. It will take a new generation of towers who take charge and make change happen. It's Destiny for some and for others it's a lot of hard work unknown member said: I guess the saying '' show them if you got em'' isn't for carriers going down the road with car on bed secured with the four point tie down. In Memory of Scooby aka Howard Eagen who said: I wish that motor vehicle laws were uniform throughout the country unknown member said: On our wrecker, we dont use the drag lights, which we should, we have wireless tow lights, and they dont work worth a crap, they come on thats it, occasionally we get a signal or 2, Our high mounts are visable when towing a car, but when we do medium duty tows, we=screwed. But its the bosses ticket, because he doesnt keep that stuff up, sooo. and as far as tow lights(the high mounted strobes), I use em, wrecker or flatbed, been stopped for havin em off on a flatbed, warning though. unknown member said: Brian townlinetow did you have car on deck with one behind you? Or did you only have one on deck when you received warning. I don't believe you need ct, lights [8' tall outer strobes] with only car on deck.I'm not sure.I also believe you don't need magnetic lights on car behind wrecker only your ct. lights.If I am wrong please someone clarify! I am not saying our laws are the greatest. I think lights on rear of vehicle being towed is good idea. Clay said: Federal law You must have tow lights (within 36 inches of the trailing end) They must be park lights, right and left turn, and stop. You are out of service without them. Remember if the worse case senerio happens Lawyers will come after everyone... What will you say on the stand. Owners why would drivers work for you if you put them in the situation they have to run unsafe. This is a problem I'm running into because I know what is right and don't want to put others (or myself) in harms way. Because of this I can't work at most shops. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Hello Clay, CONGRATULATIONS,,,, I am glad someone here in Connecticut wants to do things right. Safety is very important one would think employers would encourage safety. Keep up the good work. Danny Cassello East Hartford, CT "TRPC" The honest one Clay said: More on this is to come... But why would I work for a shop without basic safety equipment? unknown member said: Are you sure this federal law applys to light duty towing? I am not questioning your knowledge but I want to be on same page. unknown member said: I only had a car on the deck, Thats what got me. I thought i was clear because It was just as i was empty, No towed vehicle touching the ground. And I am not happy with a few things up here, but im workin on it with the owner, I drive the flatbed because I wont drive the wrecker without those lights, I watched one of our drivers almost get rear-ended because of it. I dont want it to be me in court defending an owner who didnt care for simple safety procedures. unknown member said: You would think since we are all state certified towers, that this is something they would have gone over better in class. They instead gave us a bunch of algebra formulas that we won't remember and can't use anyway because we never know the weights of the things we tow or recover because of the different loads they may have. Clay said: First Yes the fed reg apply to you in a light duty truck. Due to a bad ground I was put out of service with a Nissian on the wheel lift because of the lights not working. Second: "You would think since we are all state certified towers, that this is something they would have gone over better in class. They instead gave us a bunch of algebra formulas that we won't remember and can't use anyway because we never know the weights of the things we tow or recover because of the different loads they may have." Why don't you know the weights? The vin tag on the door has the weights, the manual, and your AAA tow book. Those formulas will make you look good or kill you on the side of the road, It's really that simple. Yes light duty you are within your safe working limits most of the time but say you got a E350 ambulance, strong 11,000 lbs pulling it up a a 12 degree angle of your bed with the rear axel locked up. Your winch line is rated at 3,050 lbs in like new condition. Is it safe????? What about a Range Rover? unknown member said: The vin tag on door does not give the exact weight of loaded vehicle.Sometimes they are overloaded or improperly loaded.I would also say not safe.Can't guess weight on ambulance.Usually overloaded.
  2. Preferred Recovery said: Our prayers go out to all involved.. Mark. www.preferredrecovery.com Lincoln, Rhode Island For The Industry said: Our prayers will be with the family during this holiday season. -Jeffrey Godwin Stevo said: So very sad, My thoughts and prayers for his friends and family.Steve The sword of justice has no scabbard. Choice Towing & Recovery Fredericksburg, Va In memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Such sad news,,,, our prayers to him and his family. Danny Cassello TRPC East Hartford, CT general tow said: Sad news AGAIN. We are losing too many. Our condolences and prayers for the family. Forgivenone said: My thoughts and prayers for his family. As I was updating the tower's memorial website and the tower's death record list, I was made aware of his passing. Do you guys realize how hard it is to do this and not cry for those who have passed? Please my brothers and sisters, be careful and vigilant in your awareness out there on the side of the road hooking and loading your vehicles. Look and prepare for a way out if anything comes barreling your way. Peace,... Doreen Aragona said: This is just sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers. Meier Towing said: Our prayers & condolences to family & friends..Jamie, Fredstowingnj said: Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the company Stevo said: Dan, I sure dont envy your job and I just want to say Thanks for doing it. Everytime I get a email about another brother hurt or killed it hurts, but having to add it to the list must be unbearable. Im so glad we have a community here that lets us all vent and turn to for support when we need to. Thanks againSteve The sword of justice has no scabbard. Choice Towing & Recovery Fredericksburg, Va micheal212 said: Very, very Sad. Our thoughts & Prayers go out to those involved. mountain towman said: Our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends. May he Rest in Peace. towman416 said: Me and my family prayer for the family and all involved. kenny smith kenny smith`s towing service Oldtrucks said: Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Judy and Doug Maple Ridge B.C."Tow them like you own them" Heffy004 said: Our thoughts & prayers also go out to everyone involved in this tragedy. Everytime it snows....... Joe's family will be reminded of this, plus the Holiday Season will never be the same again for his family. 10 miles / hour slower........Would have probably prevented his untimely death & let the driver maintain more control of his car. May he rest in eternal peace. HEFFY & all the employees of D & E Service. To many of these notices keep coming. Please be safe. curt sharp said: Our extended Family here will keep you in our prayers. aatowing said: Such sad news. My thoughts and prayers to his family,freinds and co-workers. Dennis CASPER 2 said: Our prayers to his family Chris Hillyer nytowboss said: prays and condolences to familywm98943 sometimes you win sometimes you lose sometimes it don't even pay to play Buddy Corgan said: Very sad. Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends. Peter applepiejoe said: Very sad and unnecessary loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers go to all involved. Larry Screen name unknown said: Another brother in towing gone at such a young age. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends. God bless and keep safe all. Donald F Burgett Burgett's Towing II,Inc. Columbus,Michigan Love To Hook said: my prayers will be with the mlj T and B Towing said: My thoughts and prayers for his family Chucks Towing said: He will be in our thoughts and prayers, Very Sad. Be safe Out There CHUCK Caleb1 said: My wife and I send our thoughts, and prayers to his family, friends, and co-workers. Unknown Screen Name said: Our condolences and prayers are with the family & co-workers of Joe Tatenhorst............................... "Another Towman is called home". Rest in peace Rick & Bonnie Gandy Belmont-Kolmar Towing, Skokie Il. WYOTOW said: Our prayers go out to the family, friends, and co-works. Jim Nichols said: it is heart-wrenching to continue to read these and again say that his family, friends and coworkers will be in our prayers. In Memory of Towing Grandfather who said: He is in our prayers. Was there a patrol car standing by for protection, we ask for a patrol car to park to the rear of our incident in unsafe conditions fog , storms, sharp curves ,etc. on the NYS Thurway as they travel 65+ mph. We have lost 2 towers within 25 miles of us in the past 2 yrs. God be with you! Warren Dale at Rich's said: Very said news. He is in our prayers. Karlstowing said: another brother lost our thoughts and prayers from everyone here at karls towing sptow said: Our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this very sad tragedy. God Bless. Unknown Screen Name said: Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family and to all whose life he touched with his help and wonderful nature. Unknown Screen Name said: My thoughts and prayers go out to the family... Have lost a few good freinds thru the yrs. please be safe out there and god be with you. joefromjd said: This is terrible to hear. guys we got to be more careful out there so this don't happen. we can't leave anything to chance.lets all make that a new years resolution to be more careful. for all of those concerned, happy new year. Unknown Screen Name said: Sad news again. prayers for his family and friends... Unknown Screen Name said: Our thoughts & prayers are with his family, friends & co-workers. Danny & Lisa Unknown Screen Name said: Our Prayers are with the families involved.
  3. Man Killed in Storm-Related Accident Last Edited: Friday, 29 Dec 2006, 8:21 AM MST Created: Friday, 29 Dec 2006, 8:21 AM MST BURLINGTON -- State emergency management officials say a man has died as a result of the latest snowstorm. The Colorado Division of Emergency Management says the man was struck at 10:30 last night in Kit Carson County when he was trying to load a car onto his tow truck. Officials say a motorist was traveling west on Interstate-70 when he lost control and hit the man. They say the motorist was traveling at 40 to 50 miles an hour. The division says the Colorado State Patrol has confirmed the accident was related to bad road conditions. Early Resource Link Tow-truck driver struck, killed on I-70 A tow truck driver was struck and killed by a motorist while working during Thursday night's storm on Interstate 70 near Burlington. Joe C. Tatenhorst, 60, of Burlington was struck while out of his truck to assist a motorist near mile post 440, about two miles east of Burlington, the Colorado State Patrol reported, The accident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Thursday. A tan 2004 Ford Taurus was traveling westbound on I-70 when the driver lost control and struck Tatenhorst, the state patrol reported. The Taurus continued out of control and struck Tatenhorst's 1991 International tow truck that was parked and unattended. The Ford continued after impact and came to rest on all wheels in the right lane of I-70. The driver of the Ford Taurus was identified as Bennie L. Hoskins Jr., 28, of Denver. He and three passengers were unhurt. Alcohol, and drugs are not suspected as contributing factors, however speed is suspected, CSP reported
  4. Danny was in the process of changing a tire in eastbound I-80 when a Pennsylvania commuter hit and killed him. Danny was removing the tire from the rear undercarriage of a Ford pickup truck. When he got up from underneath the rear end, an errant driver struck the back of the Ford pickup truck and hit Danny in the chest area killing him instantly. The errant driver told police that the sun had been in his eyes and later admitted he was trying to go around the slow traffic by driving on the shoulder.
  5. Danny was in the process of changing a tire in east bound I-80 when a Pennsylvania commuter hit and killed him. Danny was removing the tire from the rear under carriage of a Ford pickup truck. When he got up from underneath the rear end, an errant driver struck the back of the Ford pickup truck and hit Danny in the chest area killing him instantly. The errant driver told police that the sun had been in his eyes and later admitted he was trying to go around the slow traffic by driving on the shoulder. Thank you Heffy for remembering Danny
  6. Topic Created on Tow411 back in August 2007: Found these old pictures from years back when I was cleaning out some drawers this weekend. Anyways, all I remember was thinking "what the $#!@" when the dispatcher called in a "kissmobile". All I did was pull it off a trailer that had brought it in from an accident...the tow was literally about 100' in a parking lot. Regardless, remains as one of the odder things I have towed. Bad scan of an old photo. The wrecker is actually maroon. What was really funny is that they trailered it all the way from Minnesota (I believe that's where it hit a snow bank) to California to fix it. Oh well, life is never dull in the towing business. Brian Bell said: I don't know what's funnier.. The choclate color of the truck unloading it or the fact that it really had been "kissed". Tobtow said: nice Note: there were multiple other replies which have not been copied over.
  7. These bears have been each been wearing their own Tow411 t-shirt for more than 10 years.
  8. Topic Originally Created on Tow411 by Larry Styba in January of 2013 for a TowCanada Article: What makes the towing professional professional? What makes you one step ahead of the pack? In Memory of Scooby aka Howard Eagan who said: appearance. I'm a firm believer in looking good. In fact, you should have a little bag in your truck full of grooming accessories to keep yourself primped. I'm not lying about this, or making it a joke. anyone who sat in on my seminar in Baltimore this year, I showed the entire audience the little bag I carry. Carry a toothbrush perhaps, have clean smelling breath. have a air freshener in your cab so it doesn't smell like a Chicago cab don't look like a slob, have some self-respect/dignity always be nice... no matter what, always be nice keep your truck grease free. Not everyone has big glamorous rides. but take a minute to wipe the grease prints of your cabinet doors before you pull away. Especially in a customers lot, if your customer sees you taking the time to keep your ride in good order, he knows you are doing the same for his vehicle. take your crappy gloves off before climbing in a customers truck to prep for towing. wipe your grimy prints off the front bumper or side fairings when you placed your grimy paws there to help get out from underneath said unit. don't be ignorant and drag your air lines and light cords over the trucks hood and body. I don't care if its a lease/rental/company unit. Treat your customers rides with respect. Use a light cord and safety chains and so on. Follow those guidelines, and the rest will take care of itself.... image is everything.. perhaps the best of things unknown member said: Totally agree appearance is everything to a customer. I knew a guy that started out last spring and he and his buddy would show up on calls with no shirts on and smelling like b. o needless to say he didn't last 6 months, professionalism goes a long way and reflects your business. Ronin said: Scooby nailed it. The only thing I'll add is watch your mouth - some of us can curse like drunken sailors, and that's ok when you're killing time after hours at the shop with the boys, but off-color remarks and curse words don't belong arounf women and children, AND many people don't even stop to think if a lady or a guy is religious, or just likes clean language. How you talk is as important as how you look and work. The other side of that is WHAT you say - if you're bad-mouthing your company, your boss, another driver, another company, or especially a shop, people talk, and it'll get back to whomever. Ugly scenario when you're running your mouth and a few days later you have to see the boss because you talked trash about someone in the office, and your customer happens to work with their husband/cousin/girlfriend/whatever. You can look the part, smell good, drive a nice truck, etc, but if you open your mouth and stupid, ugly stuff comes out, you might as well have set fire to your business. I guess to sum it up - look at the loser with the trashed truck, foul mouth, stinky body, and bad attitude, and do everything in the opposite. Larry Styba replied: I agree with what is said here. Would you rather have your mother in her Sunday best sit in a clean truck or dirty truck? My pet peeve is over the top facial hair as well as Dayton boots and a Mack jacket! I think training should be included in this piece too! In Memory of Scooby aka Howard Eagan who said: you can direct quote me on everything I said Larry. I'll challenge anyone to prove me wrong. I got one other qualification.. but from a legal standpoint, I can't post it here... LOL Surrytower said: Scooby and ronin have said it all. I would add that foul language does not help anyones professional image. John New Zealand Towing said: everything everyone else has said but watch the little things. get cheap disposable razors and foam for depo - when the staff forget to shave. chuck spray deodrant in trucks as back up for them. no baseball caps or beenies unless they got company logo on them. NO SMOKING IN FRONT OF CUSTOMER No to biker/repo look sunglasses - get tinted safety glasses (I went for Blue frame and Blue tint to match uniform and logo) keep bucket of soapywater and broom at depo - so when trucks in at yard spend 1-3 minutes spot washing it including tires while the driver dropping off or reloading. fully wash truck least every 2 days. quick way to check with driver that everything is ok or any faults with truck (and staff like the boss coming out saying hi hows it going and cleaning a bit of dirt off the truck). Eye to detail - 3 clean trucks and clean identical looking drivers at a multi vehicle accident site - Police/ customer and the rubber necking public all get impressed phone ring more. chuck company logo and phone number on back of hi viz vests - iron on transfer cheap but does the job - and replace dirty looking vests - if soaking for 2 days then washing and they still look like you rolled in grease time for new hi vis vest - i replace mine every 3 months. put your company logo on everything. if your doing tow away signs or use company branding / logo. I have 500+ towaway signs around city all with our company logo (FREE ADVERTS each one). use back of your company business card for customer to note other parties contact and insurance details. there is a lot you can do. but looking like something the cat dragged in swearing your head looking like a cast member of sons of anarchy quickest way to loss everything your working for. but thats just me. Ronin said: Smoking is a big negative for me - being a throat cancer survivor, but having never smoked - my parents smoked 3-4 packs a day - I REALLY dislike smoking. As a customer, I don't want to climb into a tow truck that smells like an ashtray, or especially have someone with a cigarette sticking out of their mouth all the time, when loading, while standing around with customer or cops, or while driving with the customer. Your habit isn't so danged strong that you have to smoke every single minute of the day, so give non-smokers a break. Smoking all the time is also part of that "bubba" stereotype in our industry, along with the dirty truck, dirty body, and foul mouth. New Zealand Towing said: I all most forgot chewing gum. My first boss when i got my first full time job after leaving school would not answer your question if you were masticating he would just look at you and reply MOO. and that always stuck with me. that and he said never get a tatoo you cant hide with a long shirt and trousers or a piercing in you face other than ears - he was x navy covered in tatoos etc. 25 years later and all my tatoos are covered at work and only my ear is full of earings - when a customer looks at my ear funny i tell them straight up 1 for of my 4 children and 4 grandchildren so far Good on ya Ronin wish i had never started but i dont smoke in house, car or truck walk outside every time (even if raining) my wife dont smoke so i dont do it around her or grandkids and down from 2 packs a day to 1 pack every 2-3 days so getting there. Koenigs said: I have a scruffy beard, jacked up grill and could stand to lose 30 lbs....I work for a living and find it Impossible to keep my uniforms clean. Confidence... Control the scene, make the customer feel safe, make them confident that you know what your doing, have a plan and let'em know they don't have to worry... Your going to not only get their car to a safe location, your going to make sure they are safe also. I go the extra mile, I will call a hotel, drop them off there after verifying they have a room avail. Just because a driver looks like a Duck Dynasty dude with a bad hair day does Not mean they can't earn respect Quickly from a customer. Another point to make, I generally try to make contact with the customer before leaving the shop in case there are special needs. If it's a Woman by herself and is obviously freaked out, I will have the wife ride with to put them at ease (She looks WAY better than I do) I have been screwed over by more well dressed and clean shaven people than by ones that are ruff around the edges but work hard for a living. Both methods can get the job done.... If you take the time to make the customer feel Safe and Confident that it will be OK. Ronin said: Having a beard doesn't make someone less professional - having hair that smells does. Many a friend and coworker of mine have facial hair - it all matters as to whether it's touched water in the last few days. Larry Styba said: Koenigs I feel the operator must have clean uniform at start of day and understandably it may get dirty as the day progresses but I have a extra shirt or coverall to change into. Facial hair that covers the whole mouth so a lip reader has a problem understanding the driver is over the top and I am not talking about neat well kept beards which are all good. Great ideas guys. schoolboy. Email me your legal issue at towinstructorlarry@hotmail.com please. In Memory of NationalAutow who said: So the original question what what makes a pro stand out? Consider the competition. If you even think about doing half the things written above BUT your competition looks like some pics posted, then you are the pro and you do standout. I like all of the ideas and we practice a lot of them if not the majority. I am convinced that few, if any of our competitors will ever see this post. In Memory of Scooby aka Howard Eagan who said: carry clean uniform/spare in truck. lets face it, ya we do at times get real crapped up. I don't want that crap in my truck... I'll change before I get back in. ...... and lets be honest, thats a extra bonus seeing me stripped down for both the ladies and the men..... LOL Kenny Miracle said: I know appearance is important,But if you show up to a call all cleaned up,clean shaved and your an hour past your ETA Your still going to look unprofessional! There's not one single thing that makes a professional "professional" it's a multitude of things Arriving within your ETA,being trained , qualified and confident enough to safely accomplish the task asked,having well equipped and maintained equipment, appearance of yourself and your equipment,being polite,Having compassion(things we deal with each day some may only deal with once in a life time) having courtesy (open the door for them etc) On regular tows,I start by arriving on time and greeting them with my business card, I make it a point to escort them back to the wrecker, help em get situated,properly loading and transporting their car while putting their mind at ease.. On accident tows, Basically the same if they are uninjured,If they are injured, I always contact them or family(hospital) to check their condition and let them know their property is safe and secure and will be waiting on them when they're able and if I can assist in any way feel free to call.. As far as setting us a part from the rest,I don't think anything does we have a good group of towers locally that love what they do and are good at it.... Larry Styba said: Mr. Miracle........ You are hired. Thank you for your comments Mama Null: The attitude you take to the job determines the level of professionalism that comes across to the customer. All of the things mentioned are important and play into the attitude that comes across to the people you come in contact with. rotator60 said: Appearance..obviously..the old adage of only having 1 chance to make a good impression applies here...Confidence..show it..talk the talk and walk the walk..but do so without arrogance...Equipment..clean..in good working order..Does not have to be brand new..just take care of it...Once the customer is in your tow truck and you are off to their destination refrain from complaining about the low pay or the long hours that you work..Try to speak professionally about the line of work you are in..Show your pride in everything you do by doing it right the first time...Remember..You Are The Professional.. Eddiestowing82 said: All of the above comments are very true. Grooming and proper uniform mean a lot attitude is very important. Clean neat and organized equipment . Take pride in what u do. Respect for fellow workers on scene, law enforcement,fire official or customer. But at the end of the day your there to do a job. This is where being trained to accomplish the task professionally comes into play. You can look good smell good and have the cleanest truck but you still need the skills to get it done. If you have taken the time to be properly trained and are certified proudly display that on your uniform and truck. Customers, law enforcement and fire officials ask all the time. I always have the time to explain to them about the training Scott Eger Eddies 24 Hr Towing WM#071741 Larry Styba said: Thank you all for the info. Cheers! glnstowing said: I'll give you the same answer I told the BBB man when he asked what set my company apart from everyone else. ME! towcats said: I think that all the previous information should be a given. I tell my staff one thing, and one thing only. It's how I deal with everything. "Everything you say and do while at work, you should be trying to make or keep a customer". It's that simple. All your actions should fall into place, if you live this mantra. Works for me!! littletow said: KNOWLEDGE!!! Everything everyone says is right. However, an intelligent conversation goes a long way with someone who does not know our industry. Part of our problem as an industry, is we don't take time to tell people about US! How many times do you tell people what you do and their response is - " I was repoed once" or 'You Repo?? " Knowledge to know that there are different kinds of towing, and all states are different goes a long way to professionalism. Confidence, training, good personal hygeine come from knowledge!! WE have all been taught - we gained knowledge. I think good personal hygiene should not even have to be discussed we learn this when we get out of diapers if not before. That is just laziness and someone who hires people like that, should be responsible for that.! Clean trucks and equipment, again if we allow our staff to get away with it we (as owners) are responsible. I paid a lot of money for my trucks and Ill be damned if they were doing to look like a pig pen. It is your image! WE have to be accountable for that. JTFormula said: I think another point is answering the phone properly. "Thank you for calling JT's Towing, this is JT speaking, how may I help you". Sounds a lot better than " Yeah, towing" when you pick up a call. Instantly the customer has a more confident image you are professional. I also agree with what everyone says about appearance. I bought my first wrecker in 1997 to do side work, it was a 1978 C30 Chevy with a WreckMaster sling body. No wheel lift. I kept that truck clean like it was a show car and I mostly did junk cars at the time until I mounted a wheel lift a year later. The junk guys used to comment how my rig always looked perfect. I would also make sure the interior was clean with no coffee cups, fast food bags etc laying around and always made sure my tools and chains were stored properly. I also got a full weeks worth of dickies work clothes so I wasn't just in crappy jeans and an old t shirt. I was only 26 years old at the time but I wanted to make a good name for myself. Because of the way I projected myself, I always had job offers from other companies. I started getting some small accounts by being persistent but not trying to under cut my competition or steal their accounts. I would tell them "I know you use so and so towing but if for whatever reason they are backed up, I would be able to take care of it quickly for you". I never said anything bad about the other companies just give me a shot if they can't do it. That went a long way and I was able to turn a couple guys from being the back up wrecker to the first guy they called. The most important thing to looking professional? Make sure you know what you are doing. Learn the correct ways to hook up everything you haul. Get the proper apps for your phone. If you don't know where the attachment points are, look in the owners manual. The customer will appreciate you taking the extra two minutes to look it up and they will know you are going to do it properly. Show them what you are doing to properly secure the vehicle if they are watching. Respect goes long way. certifiedautomallnj said: For me image is everything.... from the start as soon as the truck pulls up the customer needs to see a clean truck not some ratty dirty truck!you should also turn the radio down and heat or AC up depending on the time of year. When the driver steps out they must be in a uniform. Now my guys are permitted to wear T-shirts and sweatshirts that are company issued and the company name is well displayed. The customer must be greeted nicely, informed of the drivers name and asked what the problem is then inform them how you will be loading the car. Then walk them to the truck and inform them that they may feel the truck moving but that's normal. Load the vehicle properly and secure it right. Never having your gloves on in the customers car. re enter your truck and proceed to your drop off and do everything in reverse. my biggest issue is guys that show up get out of a truck and load the car all while smoking a cigarette!!! That is one of the worst images there can be! No one is permitted to smoke in my trucks and my drivers are not permitted to smoke in front of a customer or while loading! I see guys coming to my shop every day that if they showed up to tow my family member they would be turned away because they look like felons are ungroomed and smell like ass! I tell my guys to treat any customer the way you want your grandmother treated! DragNTow said: All the above are good but I would have to add COMPASSION. Have compassion for the person who is requesting your services. More than likely he/she is having a bad day or else they would not be calling you. Show that you are concerned about their problem and are there to help them resolve it. Sometimes a little humor helps break the ice with a distraught customer. Like...........hey man it could always be worse..........you could be married to one of my ex-wives! Happy Haulin...................DragNTow Danielswt said: What characteristics make a towing professional stand out ? Honesty Joe Shoreline said: Courteous, polite, and professional demeanor will go a long way. I think that competent operation of the recovery vehicle is also paramount. Cleanliness is also good, but you can be as clean and polished as you want, but if you are not a skilled operator what good is it? Because of the multiple jobs we all perform it is difficult to always stay clean. One hour you towing a garbage truck and an hour later it's a ferrari. That is just the nature of this business. I think that customers feel the most comfortable with polite, intelligent ,capable operators that understand their situation and try to put them at ease that it will be handled properly and at a fair price. Psychology 101 .A major part of my job is calming people down and making them feel comfortable. That is the first step to success and a professional way to approach the situation. People will remember how they were treated long after the towing situation has been forgotten. We have had repeat customers call us years later and say" I've used your company in the past and you guys were really nice". That type of compliment is almost better than money. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ The Image which was added to this original topic was from a story which appeared in Sept. 2022 Tow truck driver who risked his own safety receives award from Willows CHP https://www.actionnewsnow.com/news/local/tow-truck-driver-who-risked-his-own-safety-receives-award-from-willows-chp/article_3b6c902c-3545-11ed-99b6-b76324cbcdf0.html
  9. Topic Originally Created by Budtow in April of 2007: "It would be good to find it without the watermark" My brother-in-law passed away and in his collection of stuff, we found this picture. Notice the label says they were a AAA tow company! Buddy localtowie said: Nice thanks for sharing..Sorry for your loss... Richard In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: hose are nice, sorry to hear of your loss. I bet Steve and Bob @HPG will remember those trucks. Danny Cassello East Hartford, CT edgarroad said: Mr, Mitchell, that picture is of equipment owned and operated by Mr. Ken Conway of Elizabeth New Jersey. Could you please tell me what your brother in laws name was? I told Mrs. Conway of the posting of the picture, which also hangs above her late husband's desk. Is there any possibility that more pictures exist? Any information that I could run by Mrs. Conway would be greatly appreciated. They have family and friends in Florida, and some that they have lost touch with. Please contact me at (908)486-0050, or I can also be emailed at edgarroad@verizon.net budtow replied: I seriously think that my brother-in-law was not related. He was born in Tennessee and only lived in NJ because of his wife's relatives. But anyway, this man was a real character. When he died we found stacks of magazines in his bedroom. There was a stack of Hot Rod Magazines going back to the early 60's. you would not believe the collection in his bedroom. This man was a genius when it came to making things work but was crazy as a Hoot Owl. When you talked to him he would make sense right up to the time that he started talking about how the aliens were here and had infiltrated the US government. They were going to put things in our brains so they could control us all. We found this picture in an old Chiltons book and have not found any others. This book was in a converted bus that was in the field behind the house. Along with the books and an amazing amount of parts, we found a 1954 Corvette and all the parts to put it together. It has been a year since his passing and we are still sorting parts and tools he used in his body shop. Just a short time ago we looked in another bus and there was a 1957 Corvette in that bus. I have identified that it is an Airbox model. That (If true) means that it is one of 50 made when Corvette went racing in the 50's. So if I came across any other information about this I will get in touch. Buddy
  10. Topic Originally Created by EdsTowing in February of 2015: Got a call for a front discharge, AWD Terex Mixer with 8 yards that fell in to the foundation hole. The driver got in to position which was tight and prepared to start dumping. As soon as the barrel started to spin, the bank gave away & the ass slid in the hole... He immediately stopped turning while everybody else ran.... They were afraid that it was going to fall over which was quite a possibility... There wasn't much room to work which made this a nice job for a tator. We had an excavator on scene so I had them pull it in the woods and figured he could help hold the barrel so it wouldn't fall over. Doubled up a recovery strap over the barrel and hooked to the chassis with a foundry hook. Then we hooked the other end with a shackle to the bucket... I rigged two 5/8 chains around the rear frame and set up off set to the left to get some swing on it... I lifted the whole truck in the air and walked it back as the excavator followed with the barrel. Had to take small bites at it due to room. At first I tried to have the driver in it and help but when I got the unit off the ground, the chassis was bowed & the fan started to hit the shroud so we had to turn it off. Once I got 1 axle on level ground, he held it so I could pull forward to get another bite... The bank gave away under the RF tire which added some "drama" but we were able to over come it. By then I could set it down some and have the driver in it. I had him lock the front diff & help to back out while I pulled. The tire walked right up the bank... Overall the job went good & they were happy. They didn't loose the load & more importantly the truck! I although needed 8hrs of sleep & a bowl of Wheaties after the work out....LoL mushspeed said: Ed, Good to see you are keeping busy, plenty of snow, ice and stuff, Awkward job with little room for manoeuvre I guess it was about 30 tons 66,000 ? with a shelf life of 2 hours..... a hot load !! The holmes trees probably not substantial enough, the excavator was a good a good call Nice Job... Thanks for sharing. John. EdsTowing Said: Thanks John. These trucks are pretty much grossed out with 8 yards which is 73280. The last one I scaled was an Oshkosh but they are pretty much the same and it was 38k & change empty. 4500# mix and your there. We have had them with a "good" load which will be 80+... towing them is a bear since the tag doesn't hardly touch the ground when lifted and the steers get up in the 23-24k range which spanks my truck. As soon as I did my walk around I started looking for Holmes trees. I found a couple of "440's" but was looking for a "850" if you know what I mean...LoL I intended to do a 4 part line to lift and the second line off a tree to the barrel. Then the site foreman said his excavator was already coming over so I figured it would give us a little more control. Plus he could go right over the bank in to the woods to set up. I knew the operator and with my remote we could communicate together. mooresbp said: That was a load, very nice. Acestowing said: From looking at the pictures, he was able to reach to start unloading? I'd lift the rear, hold the high side susp with the hoe and unloaded as much as they could take, makes the recovery much easier and make the same money Bryce Weber - Aces Towing WM 091409 Level 6/7 1-519-889-3350 EdsTowing said: Well we entertained all options before starting. Yea I could hold it but from where he was, we were only going to use a yard or less. Then it would of been a wheel barrel job to finish the footers - a lot more time then I felt like sitting there. The second truck that was there had already filled in the left side footers and the front. Then they discussed just dumping it on the ground to save the truck which is a viable choice but I didn't want to see them scrap the load if they didn't have to. So... I "leave the door open" and said lets try this 1st before we go throwing any money away. Then if it doesn't work....we go to plan B. In this case....and most cases...I came out the hero and everybody was happy....the Mixer company manager shook my hand with a smile and money rained from the heavens.... Thanks, miracle 1 said: Minus the cold and that white stuff, looks like a gravy job for the JD...... Kenny EdsTowing said: Ahhh Kenny a little cold won't hurt you... This day wasn't too bad. Last Sunday & Monday were ridiculous though. -7...-9 w/ a -37 wind chill factor? Yea that's freeking cold. I got to the point where I brought the guys in and said enough...it isn't safe to work in it. I imagine in Florida "windchill" is a term used when the little umbrella blows out of your MaiTai cocktail... miracle 1 said: Being from Florida any amount of cold is too much cold..... Heavy recovery presents enough challenges without adding ice and snow into the mix.... towgod46 said: I spent my last ten yrs driving in a mixer. You take evrything you know about driving a truck and throw it out the window the first day you start training in a mixer. Our company in Lansing mi. Had all front discharge mixer the five axel could scale 10.25 at 80,000 and the six axle could scale 11 yards at 84,000 which was good if you had a good driver. You take a new guy that doesn't know how to wash correctly you have to add the the 1 to 3 yards hanging from the fins in the drum and the axle weights are quite a bit more. We had chains we pulled each other out with or a dozer. The guy in the first picture was steering him self right into the whole and had that chute pointed hanging over that side pulling him right in.we always would swing them to the other side or at least straight out in front if you didn't have room on other side. Some of the places we took those mixer had a very high pucker factor.the stockholders in the company before they sold out to U.S concrete were the five of the biggest construction comp. in Lansing.so if they told you take it there it was their buts if it went in the hole.i've seen mixers go some slop and mud you wouldn't beleive and then get stuck on wet grass. Great job getting it out though and getting driver to listen to you.The older drivers will say we're a liitle set in their ways. Most of them knew their stuff though.at 4,000 pds a yard that's a lot of weight on a straight truck EdsTowing said: When these trucks were introduced, it changed our industry with recovering mixers. When I was a kid we did mixer winch outs all the time through the building season. Sometimes a couple a day in the spring. Then these units came out and once drivers were educated to operate them correctly, they hardly ever get stuck. Then with the trend of having excavators at job sites all the time, you hardly ever get these calls anymore. In PA they are legal @ 73280 on 4 axles. With the way the bridge law is written, they would need 7 axles to get to 80,000. Obviously the weight of the extra axles would deem it useless to go through all that so they are all on 4 axles.
  11. Topic Originally Created by Lee in April of 2003: I wish I had taken CPR classes now, Thank God for 911 dispatchers ! I had always thought that maybe I should take a CPR class because of my business,little did I know I would need to use it at home ! On Friday night I had just returned from a motorcycle accident when I heard frantic knocking on my front door,it was my nephew Sam,He and a friend were house-sitting at my Mom & Dad's while they were gone on a trip.He said " I need your help fast,I can't wake my friend up,I think he's dying".It seems that Sams' seventeen year old friend had gotten into my fathers medicine cabinet and taken a couple of handfuls of various pills,looking for a high. I found this kid,(Zack) flat on the floor not breathing,my sister was on the phone with 911,but was too distressed to do anything other than cry and scream.I took the phone and the dispatcher instructed me on performing CPR.After about fifteen or twenty minutes of CPR with not much response ( other than vomiting on me ),the aid crew arrived.They admistered some type of an antidote for narcorics overdose and used a hand-operated pump to keep him breathing,they did find that he had a pulse. After about thirty minutes of this he began to breathe on his own and spit up a bunch of pills,he then sat up and said " what happened ?". Although he is in Intensive care at an area hospital with lung problems,it looks like he is going to make it. Just when I thought I had experienced every kind of stress possible,here comes something else ! On one hand I feel blessed at being able to help save this young man's life,on the other hand,I would just as soon never go through this again. One thing I do know,should this have happened at a place where there was no telephone, I don't think that seventeen year-old boy would be alive right now unless I had taken a CPR class! If you haven't done so,then seriously think about it.I know I am going to! Unknown Member said: I was on the Cle Elum fire dept in Washington and went thru the EMT 4 program at the hospital in Yakima. I am a firm believer in everyone having basic first aid and CPR training. In our line of work, odds are you will get into a situation that will require you to give aid. Especially if you cover rural areas. TNTOW said: I feel lucky to have 3 out of four employees including myself affiliated with either the Fire or EMS department and trained to the First Responder, EMT-B, or EMT-IV level. A part time employee who was also a Paramedic had to give up the part time gig when he was promoted to EMS shift supervisor. You can contact your local Red Cross or American Heart Association to find a date for a class. If they cannot set you up with a class you might try the fire department or hospital in your area for a schedule. Kim Inman said: I need to take time to recertify. Was a Paramedic for 10 years but haven't taken class since I quit that. They seem to change things every so often. I think everyone should take a CPR class at some point. Jackmaster said: this is a little off subject butttt the Red cross also has an emergency cpr and emergency training for pets. I found this to be very helpful to go along with human cpr. You might be suprised at how many pets we find at accidents. The training is very good as one of the things they show you is how to muzzle mo9st any cat or dog so they cant hurt themselvs or responders, using only gauze or a towel. glen In Memory of Eagletow who said: as assist chief in charge of training ,i of course have the training and am an instructor . for our department . we have a fire department and an ems department and until now were not cross trained in any aspect . our ems people do not have any fire training but our fire people have some ems . with in a few years we will probably make a requirement to be at least an mfr to be on our FD. Lee Replied: thats an amazing story! I'm glad you were there to save his life. I'm sure he wouldn't have lived the 15-20 min it took for the medics to arrive w/o your help. The stress you go through during an emergency like that is tremendous and I'm glad you were able to keep calm and focused enough to perform the job. You are a hero- you saved his life! Resqtator said: Lee, Way to go. You done good! And very good advice to take a cpr class and keep it current. If one is not sure about doing it on strangers at least learn it for one's own family. Besides, those pocket masks are cheap. They are constantly doing studies on what is most effective, learn more, then update the procedures about every 5 years. We just had an update, so now is a good time to take a class. Going through the motions without the training ususlly doesn't work well like in your case, Lee. You're a cool listener!
  12. Topic Originally Created by OWL WRECKER in December of 2010:
  13. Topic Originally Created by BigHook18 aka Todd Pell in June of 2007: We received a call from our good customer to upright and tow a powder cement tractor trailer that was in a fatal accident about 65 miles from our shop. We responded with a 60T Rotator, and a 9055. Upon arrival we learned a 15yr old on only a driving permit 2 weeks pulled out in front of the loaded truck. The boy was airlifted to the hospital, but sadly his mother did not make it. The tractor and lead had rollover and the pup was still upright, the hitch severely bound and twisted. We hammered the pin out and winched the pup away so we could go to work on the tractor and lead. We positioned the rotator to do a top lift and catch and the 9055 to the tractor front axle and a down pull on the trailer. It had 57K of material and the T/T weighed about 33K, so we were up-righting about 90K lb. Once up-righted, we winched it backward and towed to their shop. Eric said: Looks like a job well done. I do have one question though. We don't see a lot of those trailers, why did you use a chain on the tanker instead of a strap? Already damaged to even worry about it? Not bashing at all I think it was well done just a question. Todd Pell Replied: Thanks for the question Eric, We elected to use grade 100 chains because of the weight of the unit and the sharp edges and ridges. There is a step/platform that ran the length of the tank. We didn't want to cut or ruin any straps, the bottom side was severely damaged already, chains were easier to rig and we thought the safer option overall. We used a strap as a control because the top of the tank (drivers side) wasn't damaged. BigWheelRecovery said: TOP NOTCH JOB VERY NICE CAN,T BEAT THAT TATER THE DRAG WINCH IS A MUST HAVE .THANKS ERIC Claytons Towing: Well done, neat recovery, good pics......Mike blue hills towing: nice job,trucks look very nice also Kim Inman said: Nice job! Well thought out. Those are very heavy & awkward to deal with. In Memory of Scooby who said: looks good TowBoy88 said: Looks good Merl crew. Nice job. Jerrys Road Service said: Very Nice job.i like the help from drag winch In Memory of lasvegastowpro who said: Great job Excellent use of your drag winch as a catch line, nice and easy roll-over shtowing said: Sad to hear about the mom did the boy pull completely through Bighook18 aka Todd Pell said: Brise, the boy was going to be in surgery all night from what I was told. At the time of the accident his outlook was grim. I haven't heard otherwise, so I am sure he is still hanging in there. I hope for the best for him. hookmastrer said: Nice recovery and no sense chancing a strap on the down side for sure . That 3rd winch sure comes in handy ! wreckerman05 said: that was a excellent recovery--of course that some nice equipment also--that was alot of weight to deal with,lucky the rear unit stayed on its wheels auto rescue said: It's amazing what damage a car can reap upon a semi. Thank you for the pictures.
  14. Originally Posted by EdsTowing in September of 2006: I found some older parade shots from a few years ago. We get invited to a few every year.
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