Tow411

Post by Collisons Automotive in August of 2007: Chase's last pull out of the summer before returning to school. All I had to do was drive the truck. Before long hopefully I won't even have to do that. LOL We are very proud of Chase. He is the fourth generation to work in our business. TowForce went in search of images of Chase and here is what was found: 2010: Fast Forward 12 more years and we couldn't seem to find more images of Chase. Where are you Chase Jardine?

Posted on Tow411 by Heavytow17 in August of 2007: This pic was taken at the St. Ignace Michigan truck show September 2006. Last comment from Heavytow17 was: Thanks for the compliments,,,,the back end is 100% hand built in our own shop. Owned the truck since '76, started out a single axle with a Mack rear end and a smaller boom. In '93 we stretched it, fabricated a bigger boom, added extra frame rails and converted over to full hydraulic. In 2004 we did a complete over haul. It needed it!! Does anyone know where this unit is today?

In Memory of Da Wash Boss who created this topic. Plunskes Garage Unit 20 a beautiful 1976 Chevy with a holmes 440. As you can see this is a beautiful truck. This truck they purchased used and did a frame off restoration on it.

In Memory of Da Wash Boss who created this topic. I had to move one of my Dads car from his collection for him. I took unit 84 out for this. The car is a 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook.

In Memory of Da Wash Boss who created this topic. This is a 1968 Ford purchased new by this dealer and built new with this Holmes 500 body. The truck only has I believe 28,000 original miles on it the truck is equipped with air brakes as well. The Holmes 500 body also has the side outriggers which are rare on a 500. Truck is not for sale they tell me they use it everyday but looking at the brush around it this truck has not moved and the dealership is now closed up. Danny Cassello TRPC "EST 1963" East Hartford, CT

Charlie Rittenhouse said: nice work, easy money twinbulls said: Second time and its new .... Sure the third time might total it ..LOL Letsplay2 said: It sounds very interesting that they would have a policy that a trailer that is partially loaded on the nose, in front of the landing gear, with 6,000 lbs of weight would be moved out from the loading dock and then disconnected not even 10' away from the loading dock. This is what I saw in the pictures that you posted. It sounds like the yard dog and the trailer came disconnected and it took a nose dive. Although no matter how it happened you got the job and are going to invoice for it. Devin EdsTowing said: Devin it seemed odd to me as well but I learned that WalMart's policy is that a OTR truck is not permitted to back in or pull out a trailer from the building. I don't know if someone ripped out the dock lock or something but they have to have a jockey pull it away. Normally the trailer would be spotted in the yard but in this case the driver was there waiting. If it was a dry van it probably would of been fine but the reefer certainly takes it over the top. Also the trailer looked to have a longer set back on the landing gear like it was built to be pulled by a tandem. In Memory of Chadinfla who said: Look at the drag marks from the brakes being locked? Or was that possibly from a previous trailer? EdsTowing said: I saw the marks as well on the ground but I'm not sure if they were from this trailer. Some areas of this lot look like a drag strip burn out pit with so many skid marks around! rotator60 said: Yep..their "policy" seems flawed..Good for you Ed..lol..

A Blast from the Past: Topic Originally Created by lstyba in 2012: Hello Board, I am looking for your opinions for another Tow Canada Article that I am writing. Saftey Gear: Your Truck! IN your opinion what do you think is the best safety apparatus that is on your truck? Rotating lights or strobe bar to hidden corner strobes? Traffic cones, pylons, signs or even things that make your life easier and safer on your body like the fold down dollie arm that brings them to waist height so your back is not to sore? Any input would be appreciated Thanks ... Cya In the Ditch Larry Styba WM# 011088 6/7 AC RLC4523 said: well who doesnt like all the flashy lights on our trucks right?! Thats why i liked Tow trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, and cop cars when i was a kid cause of the pretty lights lol. I honestly would have to say the safety item I like the most about my truck is..........Me! I am the single most important item on the truck. My brain and my actions is what keeps me safe, the other items on the truck are just tools in my bag to help me to keep myself, and my customer, safe. Everything else is replaceable on and around my truck, I am not! plain and simple Acestowing said: To me the 2 most important and EFFECTIVE things we have are reflective vests and 3 foot orange reflective cones, the cones get traffic to move over and gets their attention. If a cone gets hit or destroyed I'm out 20 bucks, cheap saftey in my opinion. Bryce Weber - Aces Towing WM 091409 Level 6/7 danielswt said: The hard hat is my favorite. Maybe even my BERN snowboard helmet for winter use because it is insulated and very comfortable and low profile. marktows said: My air horn.. yup... it's saved me a ton of time from stuipid prius driving college yuppies that have no clue of anything other than their I POD>. gunions towing said: my roadside LED batons from AW Direct. I put them down the road and cars we flag and the Police/EMS all compliment us on how professional our scene looks. I where the reflective coat everywhere I go so I kinda forget it's safety related..lol QueenswayTire said: My least favourite is anything reflective that I have to wear. I am a firm believer that people drive towards what they are looking at, so I'd rather them not be looking at me. I still have vests, coats, etc., and wear them when I see fit, but not often. Now my favourite item would be strobe lights or even the new LED light bars. So far, they seem to be the only thing that people will slow down for. So many trucks drive around with rotating amber lights on all the time that the rotating amber light doesn't get any attention any more. Strobes seem to slow people down a bit, and anything is better than nothing. But with so many tow trucks driving around with their lights on while towing a car, I'm sure this will change too. Sorry to rant, just one of my pet peeves. Cdntowguy said: In addition what has been said already, I find the most effective piece of equipment that will slow an oncoming motorist down when I'm working on the side of the road is a big ugly worn out 4X4 piece of lumber. While hooking up, I put the 4X4 where a pylon would normally be placed,1-2 ft off the back corner of the car that is being towed,and slightly in the lane, if I need the space. Drivers will run over an orange pylon, and WILL NOT slow down for beacons or drivers with reflective vests on, however they do recognise what a 3ft long piece of lumber will do to their tire or undercarraige. They will make every possible effort to NOT hit that 4X4 including stopping dead in their lane and waiting till oncoming traffic clears. Steve in Ottawa annettemcd said: As a driver on the highway, I personally hate strobes. They immediately give me a headache and I have to look away. I think that the LED lightbars are great with their brightness, but without the rapid flash of the strobes. My drivers really like cones and use at least six of them behind the truck. My husband's rule of thumb is to walk as far as he thinks the farthest away cone needs to be and place one there and then he walks 50 and 100 feet farther away for the next two cones. He then places three perpendicular to the flow of traffic closer to the truck and extending beyond the line with the side of truck out into the traffic lane. My husband probably thinks that his flashlight is an important tool for safety. He carried at least three in his pockets at all times. With our light traffic, he is often able to stop working and watch each vehicle approach. He waves his flashlight back and forth. Then if that does not seem to get a reaction from them, he waves it in the driver's face. As others have said, he lives in his reflective gear and does not really think about it since he never goes out the door without putting it on. I should feel lucky that he does not sleep in it. visual towing said: reflective gear and lime green cones Visual Perfection and Towing, Inc. 5194 Elmore Rd. Memphis, TN 38134 brutus said: I've been wearing steel-toed boots for so long now, it hurts to wear runners lol. In BC it's law to have to wear the appropiate style and colored vis-vest, Can't get out of truck and run into the mini-mart without it on. Lights are great but every truck, mail delivery, snowplow, sander truck, bobcat, bylaw car, city worker, and their dog. have an amber light on top. Maybe it's time they give wreckers their own designated color light bar. As for what my favorite item is - I'll vote for a good fitting pair of work gloves. Keep hands warm, dry, clean and if you do get your hand "in a pinch" , they're always there for you. smity said: 1.black and white with blue and reds on top 2. Corner strobes unknown member said: Large "J" hook has many uses. People seem to move over very quickly when you motion you're gunna throw it through their windshield. Great defence tool for those pesky PPI and Repo's And i heard it also has it's place for towing vehicles?? LOL Non the less..It's a multi purpose tool lstyba said: Great Responses Folks thank you very much, the research continues Cya In the Ditch Larry Styba WM# 011088 6/7 AC tcsc1 said: I too think the most important safety item on the truck is me, without the training and alertness all the safety equipment in the world won't help. If you don't know how or when to use it the equipment is useless, but I do believe in anything hi-vis it scares the crap out of me when come up on a scene and can't see anybody. D lstyba said: Agree tcsc1 Cya In the Ditch Larry Styba WM# 011088 6/7 AC brostow13 said: I read a post on here some time ago by Brian Bell .He did an experiment in traffic one morning while waiting for a customer with his emergency lights and as I recall was dissapointed with the resulting cars that slowed or moved over .He then turned on his traffic advisor and the results were dramatic .I forget the exact numbers but it was significant enough for me to remember and file away in my l'il brain until last night when I was presented the oppurtunity with my friends service truck to do the same as Brian ....Wow ! I can honestly say I expected a bit of difference but nowhere near the results we got .EVERY car ,truck etc. for the time we were on the side of the road slowed and pulled into the passing lane . In fact the difference was so extreme my friend is ordering more and I am ordering one for our heavy . A big thanks to Brian Bell for taking the time to write that up. I have always been of the opinion that the more lights the better .Well if they are so bright or so many people can't see you then you are defeating you're purpose folks .A traffic advisor actually pointing drivers where you want them to go might save a life . I hope this helps someone like it did me ! Mark hook206 said: I hope that this does not harm any people in any way or manner. But any way to get people and cars of any shape and size to move is to stand on the side of the road beside your truck and point a shot gun at them that will call them down. but on the other hand it will probably call the local P.D . Who cares what other people think as long as it get people to slow down and move over well done. HF IN BC CANADA AND PROUD OF IT unknown member said: This is a great thread. I am currently looking at replacing a light bar and adding more safety equipment like lights and reflective tape ect. I'm all about safety on the road side. Highway pick-ups can be totoally nutz at times. I have been going back and forth about a traffic advisor. I like the idea but wasn't sure drivers really get what they are trying to be told, but I guess from ready here they DO get it. And that I like. Nothings more reassuring than seeing them coming down the lane and move over. Makes it easier to keep an eye on your back, especially while working in the kill zone between the car and the truck when your croutched down hookin chains or whatever. speedytow said: I know it has been said a few times already and it was the first response on this thread, but in my opinion, the operator's brain is absolutely the most important safety item on any piece of equipment. Without adequately established standards, and subsequent training to those standards ie:) what a safe work zone is, who is qualified to establish such a zone, how to establish and maintain such a zone, what to do with the people and equipment in that zone, etc. we are left to arbitrarily decide with our brains what works and doesn't work for ourselves, and as you can see it varies greatly. Accidents happen in a fraction of a second. What happens if someone hits something you put out onto the travelled portion of a roadway ( regardless of if it is a cone, a piece of lumber, a chain, or your vehicle) and there are injuries to you or someone else? Do you have the proper training and authority to interfere with traffic on a public roadway? The time to find out is NOT when you are sitting in front of a judge. Better yet, will your insurance pay your loved ones if you are killed at the side of the road in your running shoes, Motley Crew t-shirt and shorts, swinging a J-hook at cars while you work in front of a piece of wood you threw on the road ? This is not to belittle any one but rather to inspire thought because I can assure you I have employed at least one, if not all of the tactics mentioned in this thread myself when I felt threatened by idiots on the road. Your survival instincts kick in and you use whatever means you have, but answering for them later can be almost impossible if your methods are not established ! At the risk of sounding like a broken record ....... our industry needs to establish for itself, the standards for how a tower does his/her job and to ensure that every tower is educated and competent with those standards before they go out and work in live traffic. It is the only way to even begin to adequately cover our butts out there and to have the public and government show us a little more respect while we work for them. An apprenticeship program with mandatory certification is the key to establishing and recognizing the tower's brain as a standardized, officialy recognizeable piece of safety equipment on a tow truck! By comparison, a traffic cone is better defined than a tower! If you take it away from the truck, you still know what it is and what it does. If someone tried to pass off an ice cream cone as a traffic cone, you would know the difference every time, wouldn't you? Would you know the difference between the ice cream cart operator and the tow truck operator? Every time? If they weren't standing beside their vehicle? I doubt it. Provincial apprenticeships and the Red Seal Program are where Canadian towers brains should be established ..... for everyone's safety! I don't want to hi-jack your thread Larry. I know you were looking for in-animate objects, but the brain came up more than once, and it is important. I personally like directional arrows because they train the far off mind in the direction you want them to go long before they can see the whites of your eyes. It's flash, but with a specific message to it. Steve www.ofit.ca speedytow said: Slim miser strobe from AW Direct ( Blue in color) ...legal or not its the only different color i use other than the Amber Beacons, and believe it or not people slow down for it...not sure if they think i am Law Enforcement or not but i don't care it slows them down and keeps me and my customers alive...I don't not use it unless i am on a High Risk Highway or a Dark Highway & I don't chase or push Traffic with it...Strictly Roadside...I did get an OK from the RCMP in the area and follow their rules for it,but our Company has a good working relationship with the police , so that may help too... unknown member said: Slim miser strobe from AW Direct ( Blue in color) ...legal or not its the only different color i use other than the Amber Beacons, and believe it or not people slow down for it...not sure if they think i am Law Enforcement or not but i don't care it slows them down and keeps me and my customers alive...I don't not use it unless i am on a High Risk Highway or a Dark Highway & I don't chase or push Traffic with it...Strictly Roadside...I did get an OK from the RCMP in the area and follow their rules for it,but our Company has a good working relationship with the police , so that may help too...

Topic Originally Created on Tow411 in August of 2012: How many here are Members of the Ontario Recovery Group. What other Towing Associations exist in Canada and are you a member? Acetowing said: ORG and Provincal Towing Association. (PTAO) Shawn (Baker2008) and Tom Kells are ORG members, I don't believe there are any other members active on here. We were a member of the PTAO, but we are no longer a member for a few reasons. The President does come on here the odd time, I don't believe his profile is filled out though and I can't remeber the screen name, he did comment on a few posts a while back. Bryce Weber - Aces Towing WM 091409 Level 6/7 1-519-889-3350 MJorgensen said: I am the secretary for a local county towing association that exists to provide a rotation for law enforcement. No local ORG members here that I know of. Not a member of the Provincial assoc. (PTAO) but I should be, I think. Canadiantowman said: I thought to be apart of ORG you had to be an owner. MJorgensen said: I am an owner, but I also wash the trucks, change the oil and tires etc, oh and I drive too .... Edwardstowing said: I am a member of both PTAO and ORG Kevin Edwards Wreck Master 071284 phone #705-789-6384 fax #1-888-789-7857 http://www.edwardstowing.ca/ QueenswayTire said: We are an ORG member as well. Towdriver said: The company I work for (Northland Truck Centre) is a member of the ORG. Not suprised as Doug Nelson used to own the company. Just My Opion Not The Boss' Grant 24 Hour Towing & Recovery pttowguy said: We are a member of both PTAO and ORG also. Stapleytowin said: LOL Jorgenson is cheif cook and bottle washer hahahahah. Looked into joining but haven't done anything yet. we likely will join the PTAO but the ORG you have to get voted into by current members and have a minimum 2 HD wreckers. Good lookin group but we aint large enough in the sticks. EricGoddard CA said: We are also a member Kells Towing said: We are members of both the ORG and PTAO Feenstras said: We are also a member of the ORG. Baker2008 said: My father belongs to the "ORG" and I believe being an owner is a requirement. Perhaps Mr. Doug Nelson (Executive Director) can comment further on any inquiries anyone may have. The Ontario Recovery Group has a website www.ontariorecoverygroup.com, or call toll free 1-866-356-0033. Hope this helps now, or in future. Randy1 said: We (Randy's Towing) & our member's of the N.B.T.R.G. (New Brunswick Towing and Recovery Group) usbtowman said: or the information of the readers the Ontario Recovery Group AKA ORG is an organization of heavy duty tow operators that are committed to improving both the tow industry and providing excellent service to the consumer. ORG was originally formed in 1981 by a handful of heavy duty operators (including the late Donnie Cruse) who established the mission statement listed below. ORG has been far more active politically since 2005 and is recognized as the go to association by the Ministry of Transportation and other government agencies when issues with heavy duty towing arises. ORG was instrumental in obtaining the "Payment Garanty" for heavy-duty towing in Ontario and also the many changes in relation to the Over-length / over-weight regulations. There are many other initiatives with the Ontario Government the ORG is currently working on. To gain membership in ORG a company must "apply" and once the completed application is received it is passed on to the membership committee who screens the application, visits the applicants facilities then presents the application and make their recommendations at the next business meeting. Having two heavy wreckers is not mandatory but recommended. We do have a few members who operate only one heavy duty wrecker. Professionalism and a keen desire to move the industry forward are essential elements in a successful application. ORG works for the betterment of ALL tow operators NOT just the members. Regards, Doug Nelson The mission of the Ontario Recovery Group (ORG Inc.) is to promote the professional development and standards regarding all aspects of the Heavy Towing and Recovery Industry. All members are encouraged to let the following points be their guide.The Ontario Recovery Group members shall promote harmony and companionship among its members and competitors. The Ontario Recovery Group shall provide its members with a means of exchanging ideas and information with respect to the towing and recovery industry. The Ontario Recovery Group shall encourage the development of a professional approach and positive attitude in all phases of the towing and recovery industry. The Ontario Recovery Group shall sponsor, sanction and promote training courses that will benefit members of the industry. Ontario Recovery Group shall develop and promote acceptable standards of equipment, facilities, drivers, training and conduct. The Ontario Recovery Group shall develop and promote methods of regulation of the standards for the industry. The Ontario Recovery Group shall provide all levels of government with a means of communication to the towing and recovery industry. In this regard, it is our pledge to sustain friendly, straightforward and honest relations with our customers; productive, respectful and supportive relations with our employees; and wholesome and contributory relations within the community wherein we reside. TowMonster1062 said: My boss is a co founder of ORG we belong to both as well protower said: we are part of ptao but not org. the boss was in the process of joining when he died 2 1/2 years ago his wife hasn't followed up on it since.

Topic Originally Created by southernwrecker on 06.30.07: Tower Down 6/29/07 - SUV strikes 2 vehicles, 1 man killed Tower Killed While Loading Vehicle - The fatal crash backed up traffic on I-95 for hours A tow truck driver was killed and a Florida Highway Patrol officer injured after a sport utility vehicle sideswiped two vehicles Friday afternoon on Interstate 95. FHP Trooper Kenneth Washington, 52, had pulled over to the right side of the interstate north of State Street to complete a report on a previous minor accident, Lt. Bill Leeper said. As Washington typed on his computer, Charles Daniel Sharpe, 57, of Jacksonville was standing outside his tow truck, which was in front of the Highway Patrol car, Leeper said. For unknown reasons, Reginald Tyrone Benyard, 37, of Jacksonville drove his SUV off the road and into the sides of both vehicles about 1 p.m., Leeper said. Sharpe died at the scene, Leeper said. Benyard, who was wearing his seat belt, had no injuries. Washington, who was not wearing a seat belt and was parked, was taken to Shands Jacksonville with minor injuries, Leeper said. "If the trooper was standing outside his car, we could have had two deaths," Leeper said. Washington was able to describe the scene, Leeper said, but no charges have been filed. Traffic was backed up on I-95 until about 4 p.m. because of the crash investigation. This is why we can never turn our backs on traffic. News Resource Link is no longer active hpg1 said: this is very sad news to hear.....prayers and condolences to the family from the entire staff......bob TowMaster B said: No charges filed?! How about manslaughter! There is NO reason for a vehicle to lose control and hit a parked squad car and tow truck with there lights on. Muskegontowguy said: Since when is one life worth less than another? If the trooper had been killed this would be on all the national news stations, and the Driver of the striking vehicle would have been taken into custody and charged with Manslaughter ON THE SPOT!!!! Greg Kowalski Chuck Said: More Bad News, Our thoughts and prayers for the Driver, We wish the trooper a speedy recovery. As far as the driver of the SUV he needs to be charged. Be Safe Out There karlstowing said: another fallen brother prayers to his family and coworkers . i agree if it was the officer instead of the wrecker driver you can bet there would have been charges i dont see the law on our side. ForgivenOne said: My thoughts and prayers are offered for his family and friends. I would like to see those in Florida in our industry ban together and organize a procession of trucks so long that the people ask why? I know Florida has a Move Over Law, I don't know if it includes tow truck drivers. If it doesn't, now would be a good time to push for them to add towers. Make a big stink over this incident. If it does, then the news stations and papers need to cover this big time. Public awareness is the key to making the law work. I would not want to die doing my job because of someone else's short comings. Especially when it didn't have to happen if they would have been paying attention to what they had to do. This makes me angry, these deaths. He died because of someone else's mistake, ...ugh! rotator60 said: Our move over law DOES include wreckers here in Florida...But we are not afforded the same courtesy and respect as law enforcement and fire rescue gets..God Bless the families and the survivors of this tragic act of someone not paying attention..One thing is for certain..if this idiot had killed a police officer or a member of the fire dept or rescue personell they would have dragged him out of the suv and beat him senseless.. Heffy004 said: Our condolences go out to the drivers family & friends, and also to his company. HEFFY lovetohook said: my thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Mountain Towman said: Out thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Sharpe. ALso prayers for a quick recovery for the trooper. Keep us updated as far as charges to the stupid S.O.B. who hit them. Keep safe! localtowie said: Very sad news deepest condolences to family, friends ,workmates ...... Towman26 said: Our prayers for the families involved . The no charges filed is nothing new in FL. In the accident I was in last July there was a fatality & I was seriously injured also, but I was told that a person has to do 2 illegal acts before charges will be filed. So if they were speeding & on something, thats the only way they get charged. In my incident the driver only got a ticket for failure to keep vehicle under control!! He gets a ticket & a scatch & I am still out of the truck! Becky said: "how do you miss a tow truck....its as big as a tank with lots of bright lights flashing?" All too often, they don't! This deserves national news as well but the thing that really needs to be brought to the news media's attention on a national level is the number of deaths and life altering injuries of tow truck operators at the hand of an ignorant driver who couldn't be bothered to MOVE OVER. We need to get the numbers out there to our local news and then to our national news if we can. My prayers to the families of these two men. God bless. Becky et al from Holt & Mason Towing Mason, Michigan unknown member said: Sorry to hear of more senseless tragedy. Prayers for his family and friends. More people = More vehicles on the road = Watch Out Tow Boys and Girls HeavyTower75 said: Our thoughts and prayers to family,friends and coworkers of Charles sharpe. This is a senseless loss of life and someone needs to be held accountable for there actions Please keep us updated on the troopers condition and hope he has a speedy recovery. Casper 2 said: sorry to here about this tragedy. are prayers are with his family and friends get r towed said: This was a senceless tragedy, When is somebody going to wake up and realize where would this country be if there wasn't any tow trucks, but they are not recognized the same as a police car or a fire truck when they get hit.................Ron I could not open up the email, I finally read it on tow 411................John kwsam said: our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the trooper.this is just getting to the point where i warn all our guys to watch thier backs because no one else is.Be safe out there . 1RANDY said: Thoughts and Prayers to the family. oldtrucks said: Our thoughts are with his family and friends...... Judy and Doug Maple Ridge B.C. In Memory of Scooby who said: terrible, my thoughts and condolences to the family Unknown Member said: Mr. Benyard is one of my teachers and an amazing person at the. The last thing he deserves is manslaughter. He would never intentionally harm another human. Try involuntary vehecular manslaughter at the most. My prayers go out to the family but my thoughts and prayers go to My.Benyard. We are here for Mr.B. Unknown Member said: This man was my teacher...he's part of a program that does wonderful things for students, and in this program teachers are not only teachers, they become more like friends and family. To outright call him a SOB and an idiot does not make you any better, it just makes your character open to questioning and your moral low, as you obviously aren't aware of the entire story, nor is anywhere else. If you are so certain to follow the law, then follow this--innocent until proven guilty. Something could have occurred on I-95. He may not have been allowed to switch to the next lane, he may have had a slight seizure, something in his car may have jammed. Worse things than this occur daily, and you are suggesting that this recieves nation wide coverage? I pray to God that none of you run the media, or everything and anything slightly out of line would be brought to attention of the US. While the educational program that this instructor, Mr. Benyard, and many students are in, have heartfelt feelings towards Mr. Sharpe's family, we must also not forget the emotional impact on Reginald Benyard. To judge him so bluntly is quite narrow minded, and coming from a 16 year old right here, I hope you hear me. Mr. Sharpe's family has had to deal with quite a devastating incident, and our heart goes out to them, but we also stand by Mr. Benyard. Don't judge until you have the entire story. Mr. Benyard always taught us not to assume, and for good reason. He has many great things to say, and was one of the most caring teachers I have ever encountered. Innocent until proven guilty. Do not assume his motive. Unknown Member said: Nobody was questioning his "motives" for hitting a tow truck driver and killing him. The reason people on this board are upset is because this problem is killing hard working tow truck drivers across the country on what almost seems as a daily basis. The general public's lack of awareness of the Move Over laws and the police departments lack of enforcement is a huge problem for our industry. Ask any tow truck driver with more than a couple months of experience and they will all tell you about the close calls they've had. No one on this forum was trying to attack the integrity of this teacher, but most are sick and tired of reading news reports of this type of accident. It is a valid point that if the police officer was the one killed charges would possibly be charged. Maybe if this teacher is truly sorry for what he did, he can show it by becoming active in teaching the motoring public on move over laws and safety. You teenagers and drivers ed classes would be a good place to start. My heart goes out to all involved but this needs to stop. And as far as you comment " Worse things than this occur daily, " I'm speechless.... Unknown Member said: I think you should consider that Mr. Benyard is one of the greatest people I know. He is one of the greatest teachers in Florida or the world as far as I am concerned. He is deeply sorry for what has happened which was an accident and he should be forgiven. I feel horrible that what has happened has caused the death of the tow truck driver, but as a human being we all make mistakes and you wouldn't want people saying all of these hurtful things about you or someone you know and love. So, I believe that this is a tragic incident that we all including Mr. Benyard are very sorry happened. But to all the families early college students send their love and support, and to Mr. Benyard we love you and support you and are praying for you and all the other families inolved. Cotton said: I am sure the teacher is a nice guy and nobody here believes he did it on purpose. I think its kinda nice that you kids stand up for your teacher. But all I see is............ another dead tow driver lying in the middle of the road. Had it been the other way around and the tow truck driver killed the teacher due inattentive driving, equipment failure or whatever, I wonder if you would be so forgiving. Unknown Member said: Well, jeez, he's a wonderful teacher -- let's just give him a medal. Make it two, because he was wearing his seatbelt. Or 3, because he's sorry that he killed someone. Oh, hey, there's an idea -- let's just go through the jails and prisons, and everyone who's sorry for what they've done is free to go, because I'm sure someone thinks they're wonderful, too. Oh, and I'm sorry for the sarcasm. Unknown Member said: While you may not be questioning, I've heard a couple stories floating around in Jacksonville now questioning this teacher's sanity, and if it occurred with full knowledge of the intentions. The roads were slippery that day, and if I remember right, his SUV never had the best traction anyways. ...And actually, I had a teacher hit by a truck and on a bridge and die at the scene. The person manning the vehicle went to the funeral, and yes, I had sympathy because it was an accident. I realize there are quite a few on here who havent said anything towards the negative spectrum...but there are also those who have. I just wish they would release the story from the teacher's side also.... And to the previous poster, I am in no way implying or insinuating that just because he is a wonderful person means he should get off short. If it was in fact intentional, then please, I'm not so sure I want to be taught by a nut case, but right now I'm standing by the fact that he's innocent. There were a few uncalled comments, and I felt he deserved my support. While teachers should be appreciated more, thats a whole other argument. It's just I think if they knew a little more about Reginald Benyard, they wouldn't be so quick to make the cruel comments they had on here. Or at least I hope. But you proved me wrong. All well! Unknown Member said: People are going to vent. They're going to be rude and call names and release emotions. "sorry" doesn't fix it; hearing what a warm and wonderful person the guy is doesn't fix it. Maybe it was intentional, maybe it was an equipment failure, maybe the guy was zonked out of his mind, or talking on a cellphone, or hydroplaning, or whatever -- it doesn't matter. It could have been any one of us laying under that tarp. Hardly a day goes by that we're not out there, and but for the grace of god and, sometimes, a lot of luck, the wonderful people in the SUVs don't happen to run us down. You want understanding and forgiveness for your teacher? Then try understanding what's behind the negative spectrum. It could have been Mother Theresa behind the wheel of that SUV and it wouldn't change a darn thing -- a man is dead today and tomorrow it might be any of us. At least for me, I know my final thought won't be, "He's going to be so sorry for this..." Unknown Member said: Im not going to argue.......but if some nut job, was driving on crap tires, on a wet road.....and killed one of my brethren....as he did........well.....i think id lke to see em hang. Crap is oughta control.....how hard is it to SLOWWWW the F down or MOVE the F over?! Towmaster B said: Obviously these students don't have a clue as to how dangerous it is out there for us. So I invite all of you to drive down the interstate, pull over to the side, get out of your vehicle and stand on the white line and see how long it takes for you to get hit. What you experience out there is what we towers deal with several times a day, every day. I am scared every time I am out there that it will be my turn to get hit. Most move over laws state that if unable to move over than to slow down. Law or no law it should be common courtesy to move over. In my opinion there is no such thing as an "accident" as they ALL can be avoided. Law enforcement agencies don't even call them accidents anymore, they are called crashes. TOwBoY88 said: Well, in FLA if the law states there has to be TWO unlawful acts to be charged with the crime, then the fact his SUV was obviously not safe to be on the road would be the second. I don't know ANY SUV's that have such a terrible "traction" problem that causes them to just wreck. Nice try. Negligent on your teachers behalf to fix his vehicle to avoid a wreck. Obviously it was a problem, you kids admitted to knowing about it. With you kids being so caring for your teacher, I would have figured at least ONE of you would have cared enough to tell him about the ramifications that this might cause. As you see, it caused a death. One that didn't need to happen. This guy was killed. Your teacher, at worst, will be in jail. Ones ignorance and plain laziness caused another tragic death that didn't need to take place. By the time this week is over, there will be another tower hit somewhere and we will get to hear about how great the guy who killed him was too. Unknown Member said: You know, I'd like to think id be as forgiving, because I think the best of people and I believe I would feel horrible for the person who died, I really do but if it had been mr benyard I would like to think I would not dis the person as cruelly as what ive seen and that i would forgive the man who did it and i think justice was served. the way that this affects him is the worste punishment anyone could ever have. tator envy: I betcha ya next time his car is acting funny he will get it looked at. If you wanna defend him, dont do it behind a screen, go find his widow or his kids that he left behind, go look them in the eye and tell them that he is a great person and he got the worse end of the deal. autoexpresstow69 said: just what is the meaning of this and how do you know....did you ride in the rain with him? tator envy said: I would honestly be afraid to make a comment like that in a public forum, that could be used in a criminal or civil case. ibflat2 said: While this "accident" has caused a great discussion, two facts remain.. One is that the tow truck driver was killed, and Second is that a driver of a motor vehicle hit him... Weither or not, the person (the teacher who did it and who the current or former students praise) is guilty or not is up the the courts. But facts remain its a senseless death of a person.... Yes, common sense and courtesy says bad weather conditions or poor road conditions mean slow down. I am sorry but just because the SPEED LIMIT SIGN did not change because of the rain or bad conditions is not an excuse to still do 70 or what ever it is... People nowadays seem to think that they own the roadway and as such drive faster than safe and practical, do not use turn signals (are they options on cars now???) and of course are distracted a vast majority of the time while driving (stereos, cell phones, or even GPS navigation systems)... Move over laws or not, the motoring public is changing and its getting worse out there everyday... 2 weeks ago I was out helping a mobile road service company who was repairing a vehicle and we had warning lights, safety vests on, cones , reflective safety triangles, and were UNDER A STREET LIGHT, and as I was helping direct traffic my right hand (holding a flashlight which was on) was hit by a passing car, who stopped because she did not know what the "THUD" was .... This was a 4 lane road and it was 7 pm at night and still lots of daylight left.. I have to say I was P.O.ed to say the least.. Sorry your teacher feels bad for what happened, I just wonder what the "tow truck driver" felt ????? In Memory of DNDTOWINGCOM who said: You know........I bet every person that has hit a killed a fellow tower was a good person prior to the day that changed all parties lives. Still doesn't bring the deceased back home alive to the family that lost them. At least the others family still has their loved one in jail or not alive unlike the towers family. Driver on the roads just need to get off their phones, get their eyes on the road or what else may be distracting them and stop killing us! Dann Vegas Heavy Haul Inc. dba. Big Valley Towing Las Vegas, NV. Unknown Member said: Sorry for the family's loss. I can not help but think if the tow truck driver was your dad you might feel different. I would also like 2 point out if your dear teacher wants his side heard this is a open forum and he can post the same way you did. I do not think this was on purpose and that is why the charge is called involuntary manslaughter if we felt it was on purpose we would be calling 4 murder 1 or 2. God bless all involved and please be with the their family's localtowie said: I revisited this post due to discussion elsewhere....The young people visiting here should realise the people here work on the highways daily and to do so can be dangerous daily.....I myself and im sure every driver here and every emergency worker has learnt working the highways of its dangers nobody thinks for us but we have to think for our own safety for other drivers using the road and people at the scene plus loading and getting out of there...When a tow truck is stationery lights flashing it is making itself known add to this a police car and or other emergency vehicles it is obvious something is going on... If some of us here call names and get upset it is because this is not Our first loss due to this circumstance....Until you stand on the roadside and face it more then just once you have no idea... I dont think i have ever heard of a tow truck driver killing another in this fashion or an emergency services worker or vice versa... In my car if i see lights ahead or even stationery vehicles i become very aware due to my experience being there. Until you work in these circumstanes you dont really realise how dangerous the roads are... Just because people drive cars trucks daily just because they are great people they dont slow down for us people dont care.......... A car doesnt jump on a tow truck somebody is there working and people should think more..... It probably will go on forever and we will continue to loose our fellow tow truck drivers i hope not.....The driver causing accident is a man so let him face what he has done thats what being a man is facing up to your own actions.... He doesnt need defending he caused a fatality accident end of story no matter what people use to justify things the end result is a sad avoidable death.... To the young people showing support just remember you werent there or in his mind step back.. TOwBoY88 said: Not to beat a dead horse (never will be a "dead horse" to me -- some might be getting tired of it though) but, I don't think these kids know exactly what takes place along these roadways or how many people are dying because people just won't slow down or move over out of courtesy. Best case after all of this? Everyone of his students for the rest of their lives MOVE OVER OR SLOW DOWN when approaching emergency personell. Unknown Member said: You know i think it would benefit everyone of you to read Platos allegory of the cave. But I am going to assume that you won't and I am going to tell that basically it means that it is understood that we do not directly and immediately know real external objects. We only directly know the effect that reality has on our minds. In other words we immediately know only the shadowy inner mental images of real external objects. I.E. you have to ascend from the cave to know the truth that lies above. You may think (and I'm positive that you do) that we do not understand the hard ships of daily life that you all have to go through everyday. You think that we don't respect you or your fellow brethren but we do and we do actually understand that what you go through is not tolerable. I do as well as do my classmates follow the move over laws and I intend on doing so for the remainder of my life. I do indeed understand how a job can be a life threatening and scary situation. You all are thinking oh these are just a bunch of kids who don't know anything about us or what we do but you'd be wrong. Two tragedies would be committed if Mr. Benyard wasn't allowed to teach us and those who will undoubtedly come after us. He has become part of the Early College family and would not be the same without him. As for who probed us to write here and stand up for our teacher no friend no family member well we did that on our own. I do believe that if there was role reversal I would indeed feel the same way if my father had died and my teacher hd "killed him". I would ot want two tragedies to become from one. It seems unneccessary. ReliableTowing said: So what is mr. benyard's excuse for what he did, he lost control of a vehicle he was driving- that he was responsible for and killed someone. I'm sure he is grieving but he still can go home to his family and hold his children, and wife. Our fellow tower cannot. If mr. benyard is such an admirable person he will go to the PD and turn himself in and say- please lock me up I killed someone, I couldn't control myself and I may do it again. I have read many books while I was in school and college, not a single book I read said it was ok to kill someone that was helping others, so I won't waste my time cave hunting Steven Stay Safe & watch your back, noone else will MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN it's the LAW TOwBoY88 said: I wish on 6/29/2007 Mr. Charles Daniel Sharpe was in a cave. But guess what. He wasn't. He was along side of a road in REALITY. REALITY of things he is DEAD. He was HIT by YOUR teacher AND NOW his children DON'T have a FATHER anymore. You guys were taught well by a man who, himself failed to follow the rules of the road. Maybe he was in a cave when drivers ed. was in session...? I find it also amazing that you tend to know that ALL your classmates MOVE OVER. I am glad you have that much confidence in them, but I would expect nothing different from someone who is living in a cave of non-reality themselves. Anytime I am sure I can get you kids a ride along with a company in your area to get a real dose of REALITY. The kind not read or learned from a book. localtowee said: I wish these young people would realise these posts are listed to bring to our attention losses in our worldwide family.... How we choose to speak here is how we discuss among ourselves.... It was brought to all our attention numerous times relatives of the deceased friends or family may read such posts......I hope this is not the case here you young people dont seem to get the major points.... Someone died at the actions of another, someones family lost a loved one etc and it is a regular happening... But show some respect for the family and end this here now im sure if you had any style to you should edit your posts and go back to school and stay there... Accidents happen daily but we are still responsible for our actions and i will never understand how vehicles illuminated and parked with police cars get struck...Make all the excuses in the world but that is the end result.. But isnt it time to sit back and think of the deceased who is the priority here... Read the line above keep reading it till it sinks in...If you have more to add dont think of the family of the deceased first.... Tow_Zone said: "good people make bad decisions" - In this case the result is Involuntary Manslaughter which is still a Felony Crime. Everyone should relize that a life can be changed in an instant. The tow truck operators life ended and the teachers live will not be the same. Two lives crossed paths that day and neither are the same, it happen in this country every .023 seconds. Destiny although we will never know which mans destiny impacted the other. Likely the teacher as he was the one in control of the moving vehicle. Students are rarely taught by educators within our society that they can, will and should be held accountable for their actions. This is the real world situation, not a class room senario. 13thrattler said: To the students. Out here on the streets, we are also being taught. We are being taught by life lessons, and the grades are harsh. If we come home to our wives and families at the end of the day----we passed. If not----we failed. If this nice teacher had of ran over and killed your wife/husband/child/ parent/sister/brother, would you still have such great compassion for his forgiveness? If the asnswer is no----then you are just like the rest of us. If the answer is yes, then you are destined for Sainthood. Gilbert southernwrecker said: UPDATE: The Highway Patrolman ( Officer Washington) was struck again on 7/16. He was completing paperwork on an accident seen while parked off the side of the highway. He has been injured in this incident. I will update you on his condition. The long and short of this is that the increasing number of fatalities is unacceptable and until the motoring public is held to be responsible i believe these tragedy's will continue. I find it reprehensible that the motoring public will not take responsibility for there actions. In Memory of BROTHERANDSONS who said: I have been watching this for some time, and as the Father of 2 teenage boys who were born into the industry,and follow this forum, I have to respond To Kd and friends ,on their, and my behalf. My son's response is " Its easy to talk about Mr Beynard being sorry, few people MEAN to cause this, its an accident, but, they taught us driving is a privilege, as is personal responsibility, so the consequences need to fall where they do" Tires, brakes, wet roads, whatever, fall under the responsibility heading and are not excuses. Momentary lapse of control is not forgivable when someone else suffers from your actions. That is the substance of this great Republic we call America. You mentioned Platos Allegory of the Cave, and the inability to know the reality without ascending from the Cave. The POINT is the prisoners in Plato's Allegory realized the ERROR of their judgements when they could turn their heads and face the reality. They realized they were wrong to think the concepts they grasped were on the same level that they perceived. Think about that and apply it from the point of view of the Sharpes family, They are in the reality, Mr Beynard is in the reality, We all work in the reality every day, you are in the cave, Head locked forward to the wall, exposed to shadows of a false reality. Come out of the cave and turn your heads to the reality and see that your applying shadowed names ( Tragedy would be committed by the loss of Mr Benard as a teacher) to an already espoused reality...Mr Sharpes, is no longer with us..... This is the bottom line. I feel for all of you, I Grieve for Mr Sharpes family and our industry as a whole for the senseless loss, I have empathy for Mr Beynard for the remorse I am sure he feels, and the fact that he will face consequences. I Hope that the lesson is learned by all that this is a true tragedy, that could have been avoided. Nancy said: I am Charles Sharpe's little sister and I am glad to have this opportunity to thank all of the tow truck community for your comments pertaining to my brother. The most awesome tribute to your fellow driver was when his "band of brothers" led the procession to his final destination. It touched my heart deeply as I knew he would have done the same for you. I'm so sure he would have wanted his casket taken on the bed of a tow truck rather than in a Hurst. There were holes in the floor of heaven that dreadful day and his tears were coming through with gratitude for the tribute and respect that was given to him. His state trooper friends including Trooper Washington were there too and that meant a lot to our family. I'm going to take some time to read all of these post's before I write again. My heart is very heavy with the grief of loosing two awesome brothers due to the careless actions of another person while they were simply doing the job they loved. Again, thank you from the depth of my very soul for your kindness and I will write again soon. I welcome you all to sign his guest book at: Sincerely, Nancy (Sharpe) Freeland A Note by Tow411: Lest We Forget Our Fallen Towers

This question was asked on Tow411 in March of 2008: what do you do with this situation? your company is called out at 3 am on a police accident the car is off the road in the trees you winch the car out clean up the debris tow the car to your stoage yard . the owner comes in the to pick up personel property and says there are items missing from the car .they go back to the accident site and can not locate missing items. so naturally its your fault and they file a complaint with the police dept. how does your operation handle this type of complaint? Twinbulls said: PD call ?? if so they (PD) should have a inventory sheet that the officer wrote up... If not .. Tough luck..... I had people claim all sort of things....Missing laptops,missing money, missing guns.... One lap top was in a black bag so the guy said well the PD only wrote up black bag 2 hours after he picked up the car he called back saying his laptop was stolen !!! never whent anywhere .. but still a pain !!! Tow4fun said: Good question. I do get that alot..."Did you find my cell phone" ...if I found it its in the car, if its not there, I didn't find it. Maybe you could go back to the scene and look for it in the creek you landed upside down in. TowgirlFL said: We get it all the time, not on the inventory sheet too bad.....IF it is on the inventory sheet we tell them to file a report with the PD. Never goes anywhere though. capptow said: I tell people to look harder cause i sure as hell didnt dig thru the glass and blood to steal your stuff. Most of the time when i get those claims the car was "stolen". i tell them who ever stole your car must have stole your stuff. ryan Kyresqtow said: Here we only have one PD that inventories cars.... otherwise it is a so sad kind of deal.... I like the ones that come in saying they know something is missing before they even look at the car.... I keep them from going to the car until PD arrives... or the ones that claim damage the same way..... just burns me up BlackAutoLoad said: A very direct way to deal with that sort of situation is to simply say, "look at the invoice amount. Do you really think i would jepordize this kind of money for your busted ass laptop (whatever item may be)? "It is a very direct approach to people who you KNOW are "scammers". This takes some tact, so i wouldn't recommend it to everyone... If the person is persistent tell them to show you proof of ownership of whatever is missing, and that a background check will need to be performed to see if they have a trustworthy past. Once the bachground check is performed, then you can chose to replace the "missing" item if you want. Most people do not want this process to go forward.... after all, they were usually an impound customer to start with... If I was getting hit with a bunch of "missing item claims", then I would start taking digital photos of every car I hooked up. A local law enforcement officer got into trouble finally when there seemed to be a lot of missing items when he was the officer requesting the tow. Of course the blame went to the "tower" until someone finally stepped up to the plate and found out the officer was doing a little too good of "inventory" on each vehicle that was towed. My guys had to take a lie detector test and everything... was worth it in the end. people, got to love um. Anaron said: Customer claims something is missing, I do not release anything until the Sheriff Department sends out an investigator to take a complaint. Had one a few months back on a DUI. Real pain during the arrest, threatening law suits, sexual harrassment etc. The inventory was very detailed with every t crossed and every i dotted. She called the next day asking if I had her car and stated that her $15,000 diamond ring better be in there. I told her that everything that was in the car when she was arrested is still there knowing that there was no $15,000 diamond ring in the car. She arrived, I escorted her to the car and unlocked it. She opened the ash tray and said "somebody stole my ring". I asked her to back out of the car and locked the doors. She wanted to know what I was doing as she had to go. In front of her, I called the arresting officer and the Sheriff explaining the situation. They arrived in short order. I explained the situation and the Sheriff explained that there was no ring in the car at the time of her arrest but they would conduct an investigation. He filled out a complaint form which she signed and explained to her that the vehicle and contents would have to remain until the Investigator could print and search the vehicle. She goes back to the front of my office where her husband was waiting in his vehicle. The Sheriff explained the situation to him to which he replied "typical drunk bitch - she ain't never owned a $500 ring in her life much less a $15,000 ring." The Sheriff got real hot at that point. Bet she never tries to pull that one again! wreckerman05 said: in our area-the only inventory of a vehicle we ever see ,and we dont get a copy--sometimes and not always--local police dept does a slight look,sometimes listing previous damages to vehicle--the shp could care less,and a vehicle that maybe rolled and contents scattered(how are we to know,that someone else hasnt picked up something before we get there)-- iam the first to tell you i look as good as i can and pick-up all i see, and yes we to have been asked where a certain item is or have we seen it-- i do my best,try to obtain anything thats been thrown out,but icant do miracles---but then theresthe vehicle owner-who maybe trueful and has something missing(not our fault) or one that looking for something that wasnt there start with..always blame the tow-truck driver or owner---hes got plenty of money, ill sue him----yea right-- DMHANDSONWRECKER said: we had a lady claim we stole her husbands used work boots!!!!!!!ohp had to come out and do an invesigation,she filed a complaint againts us,car was rolled in a creek all glass gone, come to find out husband had the boots at home,guess what no sorry, from woman or husband,she said well if they were there we would have stole them!!!!!!!!,guess what the whole kicker was no insurance and abandoned the car on us.i love people. marescon motors said: I take pictures of every thing at different angles to show damage and what may be inside. Dennis TBar1117 said: I laugh every time someone complains about something missing. We towed a drunk in not long ago and the owner comes in yelling at the boss that we were a bunch of thieves. We called the p.d. to come file a complaint because he would not tell us what we stole. The police officer came in laughing his a.. off and advised us that the owner claims we stole his dentures out of the ash tray. Too funny. onetentowing saidd: I Tow a Subaru worth nothing from a Arrest,Typical nobody claims it, 7 months later,after car is junked,owner shows up,After explaining the Law to him, He says whats the tow bill, I tell him 5500.00,I figure that will be that,Well he says if I can still access the car,and his 24K ROLEX is still under the seat,he will pay the tow bill,I say the car is in China by now,but I will call the Yard That I send them too. My guy says Its possible that he still has the car,come take a look, Car Owner offers me 2500.00 cash on the spot,and if Watch is there,the other half. We jump in the car and of to the Junk yard, Car is on top of a pile,Customer climbs up,lifts up spare tire,cover and tire,pulls out a paper bag,and starts laughing. Jumps down and On the way back,he says he don't want the car,and hands me another 500 cash,3 GRAND TOTAL........Thats fine with me,I say,and off they go VERY HAPPY..........................................There was $150.000.00 + Cash in the bag, ...............................Mike certifiedautomallnj said: One ten dont you wish you searched that car before you scrapped it?? lol i take it there was never a watch lol onetentowing said: And another funny thing,about that yard is,Ever since I got my license and went to that junkyard for parts,the Old man who owned the place,use to have this rule that when new wrecks were brought in,they would go to an area in the front where NO ONE,was allowed to go near them,until after he Personnaly went thru them and collected the loose change from under the seats!! Then the car would be brought into the yard and customers could remove parts. Well He passed on a couple of years ago,and now his sons run the place ,and they don't bother with that ...... Mike Ostrom said: Before I junk a car I do look through the car to see if there is anything of value in it because the way i understand the law in Wisconsin after the paperwork is done and the time is waited the car becomes mine to do with as i want. Ostrom's Minong Wi 715-466-2377 Preferred said: If it's not listed on the 180 form, tough luck.... All my trucks also have cameras, so, if the customer wants to push the issue I can show the entire clean-up and towing. Filing a complaint with the police department usually does not go very far! Jarold Howland said: So you sold the car or give it to a salvageyard,technically would that money not belong to the new owner?Months later,where was the original owner. In jail maybe? onetentowing said: Thats Right,If its not in the officers inventory,on the tow sheet,it was not there as far as I am concerned....................Mike Marlena said: Some people want something for nothing and unfortunially some towing companies are known for taking things out of vehicles in their lot. When the driver brings the vehicle into the lot they need to do an inventory of the vehicle. Write it down on the vehicle information card. Around here the police don't always write inventory information on their report so if your driver does it then that helps cover the company. Even that won't stop some people from trying to get something for nothing!

Next Generation Towers Shout Out ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This Topic Originated on Tow411 in 2007, let's see who is still around. LEAD TOPIC: While I realize we have a topic concerning age. This topic is specifically for our industries next generation. I would like to hear from our members under 21 years of age, wait I want to hear from all members under the age of 30. Please add a reply including your age and how you are associated with the tow company. Son, Daughter, Grandchild, Niece, nephew, cousin, other relative etc. I want to hear from our younger owners as well (yes I do realize how many tow company owners there are under 30). These are the members that will be most effected by the regulations which are currently being discussed on the board. In Memory of BROTHERANDSONS who said: 09.22.07 My youngest Son Gavin(15), he and his Brother Stephen (16) started in car seats in the front seat of a KW Brute w/ a 1040 on the back. Pretty accomplished Wrecker guys, certified Light/Medium by NATA( Thanks Dave Lambert.... great program) Ole Mixmaster here was # 3 in the class on the exam. They always make me proud, and will work until the work is done. They both will be introducing themselves very soon Jan Wade200 said: 09.22.07 Daniel 25 I'm Tony's son, I have been riding in tow trucks since I could walk and working full time for nearly 8 years. My brother and I will be taking over the business pretty soon. We already manage for the most part, but getting dad out of the saddle can be a task in itself. Brett Holcome said: WOW only a picture of the favorite son I see another fight on the way to school over airtime !!!! Just kidding I forgot which one was the favorite son; Oh yea the one with the highest test score LOL!!!! Brett timjohn said: 09.23.07 Tim Grube I'm 26 years old. Our business started as a Standard Oil Service Station 60 some years ago. My dad started there at the age of 14 pumping gas. I started the same way at the age of 13. Got my license the day I turned 16 and went on my first solo tow that afternoon. I have slowly bought shares in our company and own a fair chunk. We are up to 7 trucks and close to 6000 calls a year. I enjoy the challenges this business brings on. Most people do not know what it takes to be operating 24/7... 365 days a year. They sleep at night I bet. Be safe Adams Towing said: 09.23.07 I'm 29 and have been in business for 4 years. I've been towing for 11 years total. Michael212 said: Here is a pic of my oldest son and I taking in the "Brain Storming" with the pros during this years Florida Show. As you can tell we were both listing closely to what Tom Luciano was discussing. (I'm the Good Lookin' Bald guy LOL.... And he's the 12 year old in the black hat with the Wreckmaster shirt on) I am a second generation and he and his brother will hopefully be third and beyond......... IMAGE MISSING nullstowing said: 09.23.07 Jared, 18 owners son, been riding with dad and grandpop since I was potty trained. Got my CDL in March so I am finally able to go out on my own. TOWAHOLIC said: 09.23.07 I am 27. started my buisness when i was 21. was towing before i got my permit in the lot at the service station. Dennis MHDT said: 09.24.07 Dennis, 20 years old. Been around the industry since birth. My dad has worked for/owned several collision shops with major tow companies. I started dispatching when i was around 15-16, and I've been doing that ever since. I now manage the office and dispatch for Apple Towing. Foxtow82 said: Jared- 25 years old. I have been around towing since I was 2 years old.I grew up all my life with tow trucks and towing.I will be the fourth generation owner of our company.I started driving for my dad(Jay) around 18 years old and got my Class A CDL about 3 years ago. I have been trained to operate a wide variety of equipment big and small. The business has been established since 1965. Thanks, Bob's Garage & Towing Inc. wreckerman05 said: i hope some or all of you younger men & ladies will get involved in you local,state,national associations. we just had our state meeting and as i spoke to the crowd that was something i said--most of or all the people who are really involved and care about our industry are getting older and lots of the great people who i grew up admiring or learning from are gone--we need the younger generation involved in our meetings,trips to meet the lobbyist, state reps,etc--call someone get involved, you are needed-- your involvement will be worth you troubles--stand up and be heard----- danielswt said: 09.24.22 ya dont know my story yet? im 22 i feel like an old man trapped in a kids body. benn riding shotgun since i was in the womb sucking my thumb....been driving tow trucks since i was 9...... yes i was 9 when i cruzed across town while dad followed me in another truck. been nearly full time since i was 15 or 16 ( being homeschooled had it's perks ) have been lead h/d operator since i was 18 . now i am operator and managing our main office. dad up and moved 50 miles away to manage our satalitte office. i do everything there is to do with the buisness except buy the trucks..... ( i tried that last week,didnt go over so hot with dad ) BHarris1092 said: 09.24.22 22 Years Old....I Own & Operate Capital Towing & Recovery in Columbus, Ohio which I started completely by myself. I opened 04/2007 with one carrier, since then I have purchased one twin line wrecker and hired my first employee about two weeks ago. I definitely started young but love every day of it. Recovery Inc said: 09.24.22 I am 22, I have been driving since the day I turned 18 which is when Ma. allows a driver to drive a commercial vehicle I have been waiting to drive for years and always knew this is what I have wanted to do since I was young. I also have been riding with my father since I was a baby and I am planning on going to CDL school in the very near future so I can expand my abilities in the heavy market. I have played with the idea of opening my own company and I would love to but the wife wanted a house and a baby so now that I am back from Iraq we just bought the house and trying on the baby. Even better than having my own business right now is the possibility of driving for the best company in my area and getting some more experience under my belt with an option to start a company in the future but a steady pay check is whats needed now. I am also qualified by North American Towing Academy with Dave Lambert, I hate to brag but I was first in my class over some people doing it alot longer than I. I have heard with the new possible employer that he send drivers to wreckmaster so maybe I will be wreckmaster certified soon also. Chris Fontaine Interstate Towing General Manage/Heavy Wrecker Operator WreckMaster #080843 Wade200 said: We are members of the Alabama Towing Association. I am Wreckmaster certified, TRAA certified and have taken other classes (Wes Wilburn, John Hawkins, local training, etc.) I would say I am pretty involved with things on a local level, but don't get too far away to help the big picture as much as I would like to. I have written two city towing ordinances and pushed for ours and other companies rates in the area even though they never helped with anything. I have won 4-1st place, 2-2nd place beauty contest trophies (with my rollbacks). Also, 1-2nd place L/D, 1-3rd place L/D, and 1-1st place H/D driving contest trophies all from various tow shows. I try to be the best at what I do and take extreme pride in my job unlike many towing "professionals" I see on a daily basis. FMS Mike said: I am 21 years old and have been in a tow truck since I was old enough to ride. My brother is 16 and is usually at the desk dispatching or riding shottie with me. Our dad owns the company and is Vice President of the Connecticut Towing Association as well as Volunteer Fire Chief. I am certified through the Association. I am Volunteer Firefighter/ Engineer for the Farmington Volunteer Fire Dept. I am currently a full time student at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in my senior year going for my bachelors in Emergency Management. I love the towing industry and preach safety and all the things needed to keep our image as good as it can get. Here I am in the old F-600 with Holmes 500 cdntowguy said: 09.27.22 My name is Ian Redpath, and I'm 20 years old in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. I am Steve Redpath's son, and am surfing on his account (with permission). I've grown up around towing, as my dad has been in the business since I can remember. I've been driving for him since I was 18 years old, running an '05 GMC 3500 with an '05 Vulcan 804. I have also driven a service truck, and have started training on our '07 International rollback. I'm wreckmaster certified (WM#060707) and we are members of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario. I'm a 2nd year College student and Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ont. studying Business. Dallas Horton said: Been around tow trucks since the day I was born, my dad is Danny Horton who has been in the industry either towing or running our business Horton Truck & Equipment. I was driving tow trucks before I had my license basically towing my own stuff or riding with friends of mine. Im glad a site like this is around, great for imformation and chatting with all the people I cant see on a everyday ocassion. certifiedautomallNJ said: im 20 and my father owns our dealership EdsTowing said: 10.23.07 My son Eddie has been around the business his whole life. Image Missing He'll be 19 in two weeks and probably averages 1200 mi. a week in the rollback. I'll get after him to get his own screen name. My younger son Joe helps around the shop & rides all the time but isn't old enough to drive a commercial vehicle....but soon. HartsTowing said: 10.24.07 im 20 and i own Harts towing. i have been in the towing industry since i was born my father started the company when he was my age and then it i took over the name last year about 4 years after he passed trying to get it back to how it was when he was around. www.hartstowing.com Unknown Member Name: Stephen Brothers, 16. Can't remember life without a wrecker. light, heavy , ultra heavy certified, been rigging and rolling with my Dad and brother my whole life. I was resposible for maintenance on our 25 ton, pretty much by myself since age 13. I think I know every nut and bolt on a V50 by its 1st name. Like the heavies ,but, thats pretty much all we ever did. Learning the everyday of light duty and counting the days till I can get my CDL. Unknown Member Name: Josh-23 years old . Got into towing when I was 18 driving the service van, then got into light duty wrecker. After the company I used to work for sold to another went to work at a chrysler jeep dealer and have been looking to get back into a truck since. I would like to pursue my cdl and hopefully own my own company one day. Unknown Member Name: Steve Rose, I'm 19 going on 20, started towing when I was 18 for a local auto repair shop, growing up my father owned a towing company out of Brockton, Ma so I grew up around towing and couldnt wait to get into a truck, At the moment I'm working as a truck mechanic but want to go into bussiness for myself at some point. Stapley Towing said: 02.21.08 Bryce Stapley, 24, turn 25 in may been towing all my life Dad started bussiness in 1975, run tilt and load and heavy single axle. really pushing for our towing business to grow the last couple of years, went from 1 truck three years ago to three now. want to see about getting a heavier heavy soon. Love this board beleieve its a great learning tool!!! towinu said: 02.22.08 Derek Bjork, 29 my Dad bought our bussiness in 1994 it came with 3 truck 1 ld, 1 md, and 1 carrier we now have 10 trucks 2 service vehicles, 1 ld, 2md, 2hd, 3carriers I started rigging, and hooking up and dispatching at about 15 and driving at 18 we belong to both towing associations in our state and try to keep an eye on changes in our state and local requirments. 60tonner said: 02.24.08 Im 22, my brother jr is 25 and sister is dispatching part time 18 yrs old, grandpa and grandma started in 1958 then my dad & mom took over its been in my blood ever since ill never leave it except when i retire. Unknown Member Name: This is my truck that I drive for my dad. I have been driving for my dad now for a year. I am 18 & will one day be in the a rotator. Hvywreckerw900 said: I am 29 will be 30 in Aug of this year. Our business was started by my grandfather Red Beauman in 1950 and is now owned by my father John Beauman Sr. I have been driving on my own since about 16 but most of the cops on police calls thought I was older. I am only coming up on 30 but I was brought up old school. I think that really helps in the heavy duty department. I plan on buying our business from my father when if ever he is willing to give it up. I am involved in almost every aspect of our business from light thru heavy towing , Heavy duty roadservice, shop work. But they try to keep me out of the office because I like to shake to many things up there LOL. I love what I do and I will do this for the rest of my life. Nothing else really interests me. Jr Unknown Member Name: 02.26.08 My name is Mike Jr. I'M 16 My Dad owns American Towing. I have been around towing from the time i was born. My Dad taught me to operate a flatbed when i was big enough to reach the controls. Now i have gained exp. in the line truck also. My goals in life are to be a Pro Baseball player. But I know towing will never leave my blood. I love the interaction with the police and firemen. Its really fun when i get out of the truck and they tell ME whats going on. I love the feeling that gives me. I have been working around most of these guys all of my life. they are my friends. I love Towing and hope to someday be able to help my dad if the Baseball dreams dont work out. Nice to meet you all. jared allpoints said: 02.26.08 my name is jared, i'm 30 and i own and operate all-points towing,recovery,and service center in jim thorpe pa. i've owned all-points for 4 years now and i added the service center last year. been doing this my whole life. my grandfather owned hoffman bros. auto salvage in lehighton from 1930-1994. been in the truck from diapers on. would not have it any other way. Little Swap said: 02.27.08 I'm jesse and i'm 14. I've been in a wrecker since i was born. Have ran every piece of equipment in our business. My brother is just turning 29 (JTRGO). My brother and i do rolled over TT together and i run a medium duty with my dad. Usually with my brother in the heavy chain forking tractors from the rear. My brother and my dad started the business and i'm glad i grew up in it. Especially for the jerrdan tator. 30 years of hard work for the business and 14 for me. Jesse Trgo Interstate Towing Macedonia, Ohio Holmes850 said: 02.28.08 Christopher (21) Brian (23) We Have been running our fathers towing business since brian was 18, i was 16. When i turned 16, i had my licence for 3 days then went and got certified. My dad, brother and i are all TRAA certifed. My dad and brother run the heavies and i do all of the light duty towing. We split the light when we work for city, state, count, and border patrol. We all have our own heavy and our own light. My brother and i started to work with our dad at the age of 10. Unknown Member Name: 02.28.08 my name is jimmy jones and i'm 24. I am the owner/operatior of CJ towing and recovery in tempe, az. l grew up in a tow truck and as soon as I was able I went to work for a local company here in phoenix. after about a year me and my dad(now retired after 54 years) had saved up enough money to buy a flatbed of our own. we dumped our combined life-savings into the buisness and picked up a contract hauling cars for the insurance auction he was working for at the time. since then(2 years ago) we have managed to thrive and grow in our own way. we still use the same truck and will continue to as long as it keeps working. and I look as I foreward every day to what lies ahead I also look back to where we once were and be thankful for what we have. Unknown Member Name: 03.01.08 i guess i can jump in here, i'm jason 25 years old, my father and grandparents are the owners of our company, and my uncle runs the business, i had never worked with or around tow trucks before, but went and received certification through wreckmaster and have been getting into the business with my uncle, i am in the process of moving from florida to new jersey to work alongside my uncle and to do my best to help grow our business. my dad, uncle, and i all log in on this account....so at any given time you could be talking to either one of us. certifiedautomallNJ 2nd reply: 03.01.08 Ill add some more info to mine since i have time i Just turned 21 my family owns Certified Auto Mall in howell NJ we are a used car dealership as well as having the #1 Service center in Monmouth County. Ive known how to load a rollback since i was 7. You will usually always find either me My brother who just turned 24 or my father in the office Im a Junior at Seton Hall University Studying accounting ill be a CPA the time im 25 then who knows make some money and maybe get a job with Jerr Dan currently we have an 07 UD rollback i a wreckmaster certified and got a 98 on the test we also belong to the GSTA morinstow said: 03.05.08 Christopher Morin....age 17.... been towing with dad ever since i could lift a chain or pull a lever. I now have a NYS CDL class C with wrecker endorsement, doing majority of light/medium duty towing and rollback and assisting w/ heavy work and running the rhino off roader. Love the job espescially the heavy work and hope to have future in the profession. here are some pics of me at work Blinkytowkid said: 03.24.08 Adam Flood 21 years old been in a tow truck since i was real young now have my advanced light duty cert and getting my heavy cert in a couple of weeks i have my mass CDL class A with tank and hazmat endorsements im still in a carrier for now but i do plan on jumpin in a heavy as soon as i can ive been around alot of good recoveries but i still learn something new everyday im also taking my test for my mass hoisting lic in a month. Adam Capeway Towing INC. Hanover MA Preferred said: 10.23.08 I also missed this post. Well, guess I will add now... I'm 29, been in the biz since I was 18... My daughter is 12, been around the company since she was about 1 year old. She knows all the in's & out's of the biz. She cannot wait to go out on a call or run the tractor around the yard.... Unknown Member Name: 10.24.08 I am 13 years old. I know how to drive and operate all of the trucks. There's just one thing......I don't have a drivers liscense or any of the certifications yet. It's hard to ignore something I've been around my whole life. See you in Baltimore.......might bring you some gator tail! Houston Customcruz45 said: 10.26.08 Eric, im 19 and a driver for a local company in michigan. I am engaged with plans to get married next august. bobjrv60 said: 10.26.08 Bob, I'm 20 years old my father started this business about 5 months before I was born. Been ridding along in the trucks and hanging out at the shop since I could walk. Started working the controls with my dad when I was finally able to reach them on the heavy lol. Been working full time for about 4 years now i run the shop and a heavy and love every minute of it. bigtow00 said: 11.18.08 Garrett what makes me feel old is when my kids say can I spin the boom. Kyle 6 Drew 8 I was hanging around the service at that age but I had Holmes 480's, 600's and 750's. Oh yeah we had 1 hydraulic boom wrecker then. Here they are with the remote on my tator. I believe the actual words during this picture were daddy can I start it? I don't know If I want them in the dangers of this business but then again my father said the same thing. Jason Ray Unknown Member Name: 11.20.08 m only 22 i have been towing for a little over 3 years now i start pumping gas for my boss in 2001 and just worked my way up in to a truck now im working on get my cdl so i can get into the big trucks. napadude1515 said: 12.09.08 my name is Dennis and im 18. Ive been working with my dad who owns Rend Lake Towing since the late 90's and ive been towing by myself for the last couple of years. I currently have my CDL permit and plan to get my CDL when i go home in a couple of weeks from college for Christmas break. Andys08tow said: 12.09.08 20 years old owner or Andrew's Towing & recovery I have been in the game for almost 5 years. Battelini Towing said: 01.12.09 Anthony, 22, been riding around with my father and uncle who own the comany since I was a kid. The business was started in 1921 and my brother and I are the 4th Generation. I have had my CDL since 18 and run heavy's everyday. Unknown Member Name: 01.20.08 Hi I'm Alex Tilford. My dad owns Tilford's Paint -Body and Towing. We are a auto body repair shop that started out with a tow truck just for our business and now it has grown to 4 trucks and a service truck. I'm 16 yrs old. I've been watching and learning for as long as I can remember. I do tows on my own now. I have a good relationship with the police department and do the night tows. I'm hoping to take the business over when my dad decides he has had enough. Unknown Member Name: 01.20.08 Saw this thread and just had to add one in for the next generation. I've been at it about ten years doing towing and vehicle transportation but..... this little fella loves being with daddy in the big truck. He's the whole reason I'm at this game! Dixietowgirl88 said: 02.06.08 Don't forget me!! Chantell Matthews--- I am 14 years old. I am a Third Generation Tower. I am Ricky Matthews' daughter (the owner of Matthews Garage in GA). I've been going with my dad and brother for a while now. I am wreckmaster 4/5A and 2x "student of the class". I can operate every piece of equipment my dad has. I can drive all the trucks too but mostly just around the shop yard and stuff, but it still counts! And I love going on calls whenever I can:) www.matthewsgarage.com Niemans Towing said: 02.27.09 Chris Nieman 22 Im a 3rd generation tower i have been im the trucks since i was atleast 2 my grand father started Niemans service Inc in 1945 & passed away in 2005 at the age of 93 , i quit high school 5 years ago to help with the business thats was the best thing for me & for Niemans service my dad didnt like it but we knew the time was comming for my grand father & my dad didnt know much about all the paper work i was always around to learn it so here i am running it for 3 years now , I have a daughter that is almost 3 now & she loves comming to work with me so i hope shes the 4th generation along with my son thats almost a year old now i dnt get much ferr time with them because i work all the time just like everyone on tow411 but is for a better life . thats part of my life story Thanks Chris Soonertator said: 04.14.09 Jared Hahn- At 27 I am the youngest heavy driver at our company, been towing about 10yrs 2 in the army and about 8 out. I enjoy towing so much sometimes I cant believe I get paid for it. LOL curvin said: 04.22.09 Curvin Martin 24 2nd generation tower. I have been an owner for three years. Started driving tow trucks at eighteen and have been riding along since I was knee high to a toadstool. I love what I do and would not trade it for any other job The guy with the purple trucks. www.eastowing.com RedWolfNC said: 04.27.09 name is Levi, I'm 25 years old about to go on 26 in june. My brother got me into two 7 years ago. he's been twoing for 13 years now. We started our company in 2006 when I was 23. gen4towman said: 04.28.09 Im Zach im 16 almost 17 and ive been ridin with my dad and grandpa since i could walk. My grandpa was killed in a towing accident in 2001 one. (going to be inducted on the wall of the fallen this fall) Business was started 60 some years ago by my great grandfather and grown since. That makes me the fourth generation towman from our family business, Benefiel Truck Repair and Towing. TowCoTN said: 04.28.09 Mike, 19 I own TowCo Towing in Chattanooga, TN. I started with one truck about 2 years ago and now I have 2 Flatbeds, 1 self loader and 2 medium duty wreckers. I hve been around towing since I could sit in a car seat my Grand father has 32 trucks in Dallas. He owns Pro-Tow wrecker. That is where I learned and thought I learned it all until I started my own. Mike Phillips Pro-Tow Wrecker Service Dallas, TX cell: 972-922-2200 Unknown Member Name: 04.29.09 Hey my names Becky and I'm 22. I'm the owners daughter and I've been going on tows with my dad since I was a little one. I decided a few years back that I can do whatever my brothers do so I went out and got my permit to drive the big trucks. I am now a full time Wreckmaster certified class A CDL driver and I love every minute of it. Gettin dirty doesn't stop me. ExpressTowAaron said: 05.12.09 My name is Aaron and i'm 25, i've owned Express Towing for going on 5 years now. The company was started solely to service our family auto shop, due to health reasons my parents were forced to retire and sell the auto shop but the tow company is going strong. We are currently scouting property for our next branch! Unknown Member Name: 05.02.09 My name is Andrew and I am a first generation tower I am 20, Currently I am Dispatch and Impound Manager at my company. Been doing this since I was 18. When I started I had no connection to this industry and still dont besides my self. I am Southwest Tow Operators Certified and have my wrecker liscence(sp) and run casual on the weekends if we get in a bind. I am currently training to run a heavy wrecker when I turn 22 and working on getting TRAA certified. Once I started I have not looked back, I love everyday of my job. tripod said: 08.28.09 g'day my names michael ( tripod ) 15 really love towing.... allways have since my dad started driving tow trucks.... unfortunately and it kind of makes me ashamed but im not going to follow in my dads footsteps..... im hoping to do a mechanic trade instead but i allways have hope to do towing later on down the track i really enjoy everything about towing im practically obsessed with the towing and recovery industry..... i would love to do anything that involves trucks.... so ive got my fingers crossed in another couple of years to drive heavys the main section of towing i really like...... tripod.... RaymondsAuto Repair said: 01.03.10 glad to see all this young blood out there !! that's good for all us "old" guys who don't have young family members to take over, when we are not able. I am also glad to see a few have the ambition and the drive to start their own companies. I would like to wish all of you a good life in the towing business. The future is what you decide to make it !! Work hard but take time to enjoy life.. JRhd34 said: 01.07.10 J.R. - i'm 28 years old- Second generation owner/manager been running daily operations for some 5 years now. Got my CDL @ 18 and been running a rotator for 8 years now. Like many hear have been around the biz all my life and acquired the respect of my piers. My father who has been doing this for 50 years now taught me the old school way which really is a nice contributor to all the training and certifications i have gone through. Not to mention having some of the best mentors and teachers along the way like Tom John Jr, Butch, and Norm. Dont have any kids yet but just cashed in my playboy lifestyle about a year ago and got settled down with a lovely woman (she puts up with me) and plan to get married in the next year or so. Hoiser Hooker said: 01.09.10 I'm Shaun, 25 years old. Been towing since 16. Been going on runs since I have been 12. My father started the service in 1996. Been going strong since. Only do Med-Light Duty towing. Plan on running the business till i'm dead and gone lol. Im on facebook under Shaun Ratts. add me Roadside31069 said: 01.14.10 Hi I'm Stephen, 24, been around the towing business since I was about 12 use to go with my best friend and his dad on calls with Singleton Towing. Lived down the street from Mike of Mike Wells Towing and went to school with his daughters. Went to his shop everyday after school swept floors and waited to ride with drivers on call. After a while he built a service truck for me to run, started in the wreckers about a year later. Worked for him a few years and quit after a dispute with another driver. Went to work for Tri-County towing in Byron and ran rollback and helped with the transport trucks from time to time. Worked at Tri-County for about a year left when my father got terminally ill. Took a job with AutoZone as a Parts Manager and went back to work for Mike part time. Really wanna go back full-time but don't want to lose the benefits of working for a big corporation. Who knows what the future has in store for me. DodgeTowGuy134 said: 01.24.10 I'm 29 and my wife is 27, we have a son and he's 8 qs said: 01.24.10 I am Kyle, 21, 1st generation tower. Got hooked when I was just trying to get a job. Got hired as a dispatcher and hung out with the veteran drivers a lot and made friends with a few of them. Got in a disagreement with one of the owners of that company and was relieved of my job. Wanted back into towing, so I asked Gary Schumacher(schu) for some help and he graciously pointed me in the right direction. Now I work for an awesome business doing what I have a passion to do! I hope to go through Wreckmaster 2/3 this spring at Zips and 4/5 in the fall and get my Class A CDL before I turn 23. Mater1 said: 01.27.10 Mitch, I am 25 from started towing when I was 18. Been driving and learning all about heavy work for a while now. Unknown Member Name: 01.29.10 My name is Jeremy. I am a first generation tower. I started about 5 years ago towing in the army. Running a M984 Hemtt wrecker. Mostly towing the M1070 Het tractor. Now I run a 1986 International Cargostar 1850B with a Weild Built 16ton bed. I have loved my time running light duty and some medium. Looking forward to my newer truck when we can get it. nissan36 said: 03.04.10 I'm 30; my dad and I have owned a towing business for about 7 years and have been operating tow trucks for 15 years. My dad is a mechanic; I have been around tow trucks my whole life. I am learning new stuff everyday and am eager to continue learning! wreck85 said: 08.28.10 Im Randy I'm 24 i currently Run my family business in kingston ontario, Canada I grew up in the industry,started driving fulltime the day i turned 16, I also do all of our book keeping and Majority of our mechanical repairs. we run 4 wreckers and 1 Tilt and load. Can operate light,flatbed and medium . wreckergirl said: 08.28.10 my names katie im 29. have been towing since i was 16.i love it!. i just started my company Allstar towing and recovery with my ford wrecker and am in the process of buying a flatbed. my kids dakota 9yrs,javlin8yrs and lexus5yrs love riding in the truck and helping with upkeep and repairs. ALLSTAR TOWING & RECOVERY 24hr towing & roadside Assistance. Coleman wi 920-594-0432 "Just one call & you're hooked" KirbysTowing said: 08.29.10 My names Nathan 22 yrs old, been aroung towing and auto salvage my whole life and wouldnt do anything else! Me and my dad run the towing and salvage business together and its has been in the family for years. My primary trucks I run are an 04 Ford 450 with a century wheel self loader, and a 98 chevy 3500HD with a 19ft jerrdan. Towing U said: 08.28.10 I'm Randy -26, 3rd generation tower and towing operations manager for our company since 2005. We started out as a Texaco Service Station in 1953, a full service shop in 1970's, then we expanded into towing in the early 1980's . I started driving / operating tow trucks solo since i was 16.As for the state organization if there is one in va that can stand a float for more than 6 months will have something. Junoir 42 said: 09.05.10 I'm Chance, 26, and I won't lie... I tried to avoid getting into this business. I was just never a fan of the schedule, as a kid my father missed a lot of my ball games and whatnot due to work. Wouldn't trade him for the world, though, he has done more for me along with my mom than most parents would ever dream of. That said... employees helped raise me at times, and I was a damn brat, poor guys/gals. I went to college, tried working at other places ... always picked jobs involving some sort of physical labor though. At 18 I was cutting and welding awnings, going to Mississippi and back as a full time student while in a frat. Then worked valet, joined the PD to setup a career move into the FBI, decided that line of work was enjoyable but not ultimately what I wanted to do. Moved back home and decided to work for Dad again, to "get back on my feet financially"... that was about 2 or 3 years ago. Now I manage our new location and slip seat between a roll back, medium duty, heavy duty and slide axle trailer. I've been around the business since I was 2, assisted with my first HD recovery around 10, and would work every summer with my old man to make some extra cash and help out. Now I do everything at this location and learn something everyday. I'm easy to spot, just look for the kid with long hair in a Bar 'S' truck, with a straw hat or bandanna on and sleeves rolled up with grease on my face. I've never been able to stay clean when in the medium or heavy, mom loved that when I was at home and it came time to do laundry. That or just look for the pete with a stainless bed in the hammer down lane if I'm empty. If anyone is ever in the central/west central Louisiana area don't hesitate to call if you need a hand, we're always willing to help out fellow towers. 318 487 0037 is my office number and I have everything from series 10 roll backs to a 50 ton HD and a 70 ton slide axle. 04.23.13 Certainly a trip down memory lane every time I bring this topic back around. In fact in the past 16 years, this topic has cycled 14 times. Wow.... JTC Towing said: 04.23.13 Haven't seen this before.. I'm Casey Love I'm the owner of JTC Customs Inc I'm 27 started this business from scratch 4 years ago I have 7 trucks 11 drivers working 2 locations. Love my job. Would rather work a recovery on a sat night than any local bar.. As I herd when I started it gets in your blood. I'm level one IITR and level 2/3 WreckMaster. Dowhytowing said: 05.18.13 Logan Dowhy 26- owner/operator of Dowhy Towing & Recovery. Started business 7/10/2010. Been a long rough road but things couldn't get better. Started with one flatbed and just myself... Now up to 4 trucks and 3 guys... Was a welder by trade... Eye Doctor said no more welding... I always loved tow trucks so I thought start a towing business and here I am 3 years later..

Topic Originally Created by underdog on Tow411 in Decmember of 2008: "BABY MACK" This is the "baby Mack" of the Three that are located out by a Tower out by my Father in Allentown,Pa...... Stay Safe, Rich. karls towing said: rich i know right where those three trucks are every time i go by them i just stare nice old iron ........john ftowntow said: I agree ,they are definately something to look at, I believe they have moved from there, do you know where they are now?? There is also some other big old iron not to far from there, I posted some pics a couple pics last year!! In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Thats a nice baby. Can I adopt it? Danny Cassello "Momma Mack" This is the midsized B model Mack. It has 4 winches, one in the base of the mast that goes out the center of the extendable portion of the boom, two on either side of the mast that go up to the fixed portion of the boom, and one on the top of the mast that raises and lowers the boom. The boom is hydraulically extendable. On the front bumper are solid steel plates that hang on the solid steel bumper and are removable, they had a pile of different sized weights to be hung depending on the work. This is an amazingingly engineered truck that has had to have seen some tough jobs! Every couple of months my father goes to the yard to see if they are ready to sell them...... no luck yet.... Stay Safe, Rich. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: As the saying goes for many trucks,,,, If they could only talk. I would love to listen to them stories. Danny Cassello "BIG DADDY MACK" This beast has a 100 ton main winch, two rear drag winches and a fourth winch to raise & lower the hyraulically extendable boom. The most interesting feature are the rear most wheels that swing out and get locked in place with srew jacks. He said they used this a lot in fields recovering farm equipment & it gave the truck stability on the soft ground. I'm sure if this bad-boy rolled out to you...... you were in a real jam! This truck is amazing & the picture do it no justice. Stay safe, Rich In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Okay Rich, first you introduced us to the baby now to daddy. how about the grandaddy. they just keep getting better and better. Thank You for sharing. Danny Cassello EdsTowing Said: Innovation at it's finest! Where is that sitting Rich? underdog said: Hey Ed, it's located in Emmaus, Pa. Stay Safe, Rich. Note: This was 3 Topics combined to creeate 1 progressive topic. Oh, the images were also cropped and tweaked. If anyone has better images of these Macks please post them.

Topic Originally Crreated by psaservice on Tow411 in November of 2008: Ok, I am picking up my Coe in the next week or so, It will need a paint job I am looking to try to figure out what will look good. So, If you are good at planning out paint jobs please post them. Once I get a few. I think a vote of the top Three I like will be the winner. I will be using a Gooseneck Trailer with this Tractor unit. We will be haulling Vintage equipment like truck etc. so, It must look good. The Nick Name is Dog House.... I have a few Doxies... Hint the name. The Truck Will be blue Theme as the company colors are blue and black. I don't want a strong bright blue. nor a dark blue. I figure a few tones of blue? I really don't know. I do know that I will be installing a rear body like the Holmes bodies were like. This once had one. But, the deck will be flat and a gooseneck hitch... and a standard class 3 hitch below. I am looking at making this thing look cool and vintage in style.... I am up for some ideas. Lets see what you guys come up with.... i would like to start the work on the paint this winter.. Thanks Guys. I will post a Pick of the Coe.. it is the red and white one. I will also post a pick to show what style of rear body I am going to install. Ameritowruston said: Find an old fire truck. They sometimes have the same syle bed as the wreckers and you can get them fairly cheap. That is what I did to build my hotrod wrecker I am working on. I had a guy that wanted to build a truck but didn't want a bed on it so I bought a fire truck and sold him the truck and kept the bed. Thanks Brad psaservice said: getting the bed is no problem as I will build it from scratch. then I can add the boxes and doors where I want it. This truck is a short unit. I would hate to have to modify a larger body. I am just trying to figure out a paint layout.

OldHolmesUser460 said: As I recall the museum was established in about 1995, which was 13 years ago. So how could the wrecker have been in the museum 25 years? In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Thats a beautiful truck but for a truck with 190 miles on it,,, lot of dirt inside cab floor, looks like drivers mirror brackets are bent maybe not but looks like they are to me. For a factory built holmes unit I do not see a Holmes Light Panel in the cab, I notice its an automatic with a 440 I wonder how the pto works on that truck? I would also have thought this body would have the famous Holmes Chevrons on it. It appears someone really liked that truck to drop 50K on it. Whoever bought it best of luck to them. I gotta wonder about this truck, looking closer at it there is no control lever on the deck for the winch. Danny Cassello Micheal212 said: Weeks before the auction a friend called me a told me this was on the auction list. He gave me the lot# and said see what you think I see? So I did. We noticed the same thing. The Holmes 440 plate, the ramsey electric winch, and no winch control for a Holmes 440. My thought is how many of the other vehicles are mis-represented at this "Big Show"???? And whoever paid $50K for that should have some buyer remorse................ FMS Mike said: I am thinking this is a Holmes 220 if it has an electric winch, giving it no need for a pto and would have the handheld control. And the mirror brackets definitely look bent. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Thanks Mike, now I know my eyes are not bad,,,,,, I notice on the back tailgate there is a plug in the center not sure if its for tow lights or for the remote. No doubt it is a nice truck but I would love to sell whoever purchased that some of my trucks. Danny Cassello Jerrys Garage said: This truck WAS in the Museum. It was down in the old building on 3rd and Broad. Story is the man took delivery of it drove it home, parked in his garage and had a heart attack that night. The family removed it from the Museum about a year before the move into the new building. At the time it was in the Museum it showed around 110 miles, as far as the dirt in the floor that is typical of having a show or auction on a sand lot, but you think they would use paper floor mats before driving the vehicles. Jerry Greenwich Towing said: I saw that truck at barrett Jackson in Scottsdale AZ 2008 tator envy said: looks like someone had a jc whitney catalog and a little bit of free time. ZENKS TOW said: 440 holmes was top of the line in 74????? single winch?? what about a 480? bob graham said: I did not see this Chev at the opening of the Museum in 95 ,Bob. hpgtowing said: I also have to question the authenticity of this truck. No winch control levers? No clutch pump visible on top of engine? Don't forget? In 1974 it had a polution pump on it? onthe driversside is the A/C and P/S pump.. On the passengers side would be the Alt. and the Polution pump? Mirrors do look bent? The cab roof lights are wrong? No Holmes switch panel? If factory installed? Why no upper stop & tails? Why the dual upright stacks from factory? Holmes would normally have 2 lolly pop light flashers on either side of crane mast... Holmes factory units had upper work lights on the mast... The upper ICC lights are not correct? The truck is just not correct to the era? I think it's a fake.... A put together/ Someone paid to much for it? Thanks.. Steve

Topic Originally Created by DrHook541 on Tow411 in January of 2008: This truck is said to have come from the "American Towing and Recovery Museum". It only has 190 miles on the odometer. Barrett-Jackson's description ... 1974 GMC HOLMES 1-TON WRECKER TRUCK BLACK GRAY V8 454 3-SPEED AUTOMATIC Never put in service and driven less than 200 actual miles its entire life. From the American Towing and Recovery Museum. Perfect as-new truck. Surely the only one in existence, this 34-year-old tow truck is brand new with just 190 actual miles on the odometer and having never towed the first car. A true time capsule of a commercial vehicle. Ordered from the GMC truck division as a highly optioned cab and chassis, this 1974 GMC 1-ton truck was delivered to the Ernest Holmes Co. of Chattanooga, TN, for the installation of their top-of-the-line wrecker body and slated to be used as their show and promotional display truck through the model year. The Holmes Co. is regarded as the founder of the towing and recovery vehicle business dating back to 1916 and traditionally a truck would be built and used to market their newest product and then sold to a consumer at the end of the model year. This particular truck, through a series of events, was not sold to a customer but ended up being displayed in the American Towing and Recovery Museum where it remained for over 25 years before passing into private ownership. This is the first time this vehicle has been offered for open market sale. This GMC is equipped with the biggest motor available, a 454cid V8 backed up by a Turbo Hydra-matic 400 transmission and all of the heavy-duty components for commercial use. Always stored correctly and maintained well, this truck performs flawlessly and is sure to be an irreplaceable attraction in any collection. The truck sold just after the auction went off the air on Sunday (the final day), so I didn't get to see it auctioned off, but the website shows $50,000 as the final bid. The auction is a no-reserve auction. I do not remember seeing this truck at the Museum in Chattanooga. Anybody have any info they would like to share?? Does Anyone know where this Wrecker is Now??

Unknown member Created this topic on Tow411 in June 2008: Got a call for this Triumph TR6 that had a rear flat. I had to straighten the wheels & the fancy spokes caught my eye. When the lug nuts were not visible, I knew I was in for dollies. Had to short shoe the wheel lift and the dollies. Don't see too many spinners around anymore. The shop was mighty impressed that I put it on dollies...LOL Thanks for looking! P.S. PGhrist, I got a little more of my truck in the second pic. Southerstar1 said: Wire wheels with knock off spinners like that are still out there but widely used on lowriders. Alot of lowriders such as Impalas use 13 and 14 inch wire wheels. The biggest thing to remember when towing them, is not to tow them backwards cause they will come loose. wreckerman05 said: you did it proper--good looking hook-up--- now its been awhile but do those type wheels loosen up when towed backwards ???will the newer type we see now do the same ???? anybody have 1st hand info on this subject ??? i always have been able to use a rollback but i would like to know ??? Southerstar1 said: I know the newer ones like what is used on most lowriders now can and will come loose. I have seen it several times when we used to do hydraulic work on lowriders, other companies would tow them to us backwards and they would have no idea why the front wheels were falling off. The spinner is a self tightening type of set up, you tighten them by hand, then use a soft lead hammer to tighten more and as they go down the road, they tighten more. PGhrist said: Very nice job... I see cordless towlights too!!! You guys get to play with all the toys!!! unknown member said: Good to see that reminder about them coming loose if towed backwards and something i might add is those winged center locks ( spinners) will come off first and take off at high speed flying 30 feet in the air and pass you if you are lucky enough not to get hit by one of them, they weigh enough to kill someone so always be very carefull with these types of wheels and we might also want to check that they were mounted on the correct side, they usually say "right side" " left side" on the spinner.....i have seen them on the wrong side before , and that was the time i saw them take off in frightening flight Rod Midkiff said: funny you would talk about right side/left side was called to tow a car that had just installed them and one just fell off in the middle of the road.... Yeap you guessed it... it was installed on the wrong side... the one on the other side was finger lose.. other axle was installed correctly. I also heard about someone doing a burn out in reverse.. and both wheels slipping off.. opps.... stay safe Rod Part Timer said: Thanks for the info about reverse towing with spinners, but this car was dollied so would this not eliminate the possibility of the spinners coming off ? Thanks for any info, I have not had to deal with them before...... Rob

Hello, we are Bill & Marci Gratzianna from O'Hare Towing Service Northlake Illinois. Have enjoyed reading some of the posts an looking forward to being a part of it. auto rescue said: Welcome to the forum...John R. North County said: Welcome from the coastline.Karen from Cali. Big Red Towing said: Hello and Welcome TOwBoY88 said: Welcome from Central Illinois! Billy M. Bill's Towing Jacksonville, IL (217) 245-7835 MNPOOL said: Bill & Marci: Hello & Welcome from West Texas PS: Jack was a Good Man. Mike Pool In Memory of DNDTOWINGCOM who said: Welcome from sunny Las Vegas NV. Gotta watch out for da , He'll eat all da twinkies and drink all your moosehead beer.~Dann D&D Towing, Inc. WWW.DNDTOWINGINC.COM Dann Vegas Heavy Haul Inc. dba. Big Valley Towing Las Vegas, NV. Bodysoother said: Welcome Bill & Marci********from OKLAHOMA wonderboyz said: hello and welcome from east texas.John Hopkins Towing and Recovery 514 CR 503 Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 936-564-7722 or toll free 1-800-499-7955 OHare Towing Service said: Everyone, thank you for the welcomes.. as for the questions... Steve, yes I know that it is you, and go ahead and kick Tryke, but it tend to make him mad. As far as the wagon, I will have to get some pictures of it and post them, better yet everyone should come to the Illinois show and see it for themselves! Moose, I hope O'Hare isn't slipping, I have a lot of kids to put thru school and weddings to pay for! WOW, Mike get to work..... Mike, yes Jack was a good guy, thank you. And we would love to go to Texas, tell us when and where. John, although I say it is both Bill and I, in fact it is only me for the most part (Bill says his fingers are to fat to go on line...) Again thanks, Marci ChuckatNoltes said: Hi Gratzie's, I still plan on being down Friday before the show to hang out. See you soon. Noltes, Oshkosh, WI Jeepers1 said: Welcome - Laurie from AZ Defalco's said: elcome from the Garden State Kenny@Defalco's Heavy Recovery Chatham, NJ towing4u said: welcomel, glad to have you here... your old friend. paul stephens coleman motor company fredericksburg va jimnicholds359 said: welcome to the board Youngman's Towing said: Welcome aboard. Heffy004 said: Hi, Marci & Bill..... Welcome Catch ya & C'ya HEFFY Ken said: Oh well, Kenny& Heffy beat me to it but, Welcome from northeast N.J. Its great to have a company as well known as OHARE TOWING on this forum,us old guys know of your company right Heffy! Glad your here Bill&Marci.Looking foward to some great photo's. mihael212 said: Welcome Bill & Marci big berthas towing said: Welcome from Southwest Virginia! Tom Whitman Big Bertha's Towing Box 206 Coeburn, Virginia 24230 Crazedkook said: Welcome Bill & Marci nice to meet yaJack Lawson Blue Hills Towing Quincy, MA Redwolf1357 said: Hi boss I was hard at work and thought i should say welcome In Memory of Eagletow who said: I heard DA MOOSE was right ,Ohare is slipping . Someone there left the barn door open and the wolf escaped for a night off .This is intolerable ,to let him loose on society is almost like letting DA MOOSE loose . You at Ohare have a responsibility .That responsibility is to keep your animals in check .You can not do that by letting him have a day off !!! Make the approiate corrections and send 6 cases of Moosehead Beer as your demonstration of good faith showing your commitment to our industry .And dont forget the Twinkies Signed This aint DA MOOSE and I aint on eagle's computer . These were only a few of the many replies from back in 2005/2006.

This topic was created back in July of 2005. Wondering what the rates are today. NORMAL -- You'll have to dig deeper into your pockets if your vehicle gets towed in Normal. The City Council voted Monday to raise the towing fee from $50 to $85 for "nonvoluntary" tows from public or private property. In addition, there will be a $25 fee if a dolly is needed to move a four-wheel-drive vehicle, a $10 processing fee and an increase in storage fees from $5 per day to $12 per day. However, if you're a little short on cash, towing companies now will accept a debit or credit card. The council originally considered the changes July 5 at the prompting of Joe's Towing, the company doing most of the towing in Normal. The fees had been the same for about 10 years. State and federal laws allow local governments to regulate the towing companies, including their rates. The council decided to postpone a decision until Monday's meeting to give town staff members a chance to review suggested changes made by council members. Originally, the new code would have required towing companies to return a vehicle to the owner at least 15 minutes after the owner paid the fees. However, some council members thought that was too quick of a turnaround, especially because drivers have to go to Joe's office in Bloomington to do the paperwork and then pick up their vehicle at a storage lot in Normal. That time limit has been changed to 30 minutes, and the towing service is required to document the time they are paid for their services and the time the vehicle is returned to the owner. The new ordinance also gives vehicle owners 30 days to ask for a post-tow hearing. Originally, owners were given only five working days to appeal. The first change suggested 30 working days. However, Bruce Pedigo, vice president of operations for Joe's Towing, said that would amount to 45 days between the tow and the hearing and could be a problem for month-end book work. The July 5 ordinance also included a phrase that called on towing company workers to treat customers with courtesy and respect. Pedigo suggested that was inappropriate and pinpointed his company. While the language was removed, council members Jeff Fritzen, Jason Chambers and Cheryl Gaines said they had received e-mails from residents who maintain they were treated rudely by workers at Joe's. Fritzen suggested the town stay on top of complaints and if there continues to be problems, it should be addressed. "It's a poor reflection on our community and our town," he said. Pedigo said Joe's Towing recently installed cameras and audio recording equipment to document workers comments. News link is Broken!

Tower Down: Cash's Garage Owner killed in Amherst County (VA) Madison Heights family mourns tow truck driver killed in unusual accident Dennis Cash was on the job Monday when witnesses say another person's negligence caused a tragic accident NEWS LINK INACTIVE MADISON HEIGHTS, Va.— It's a somber day at Cash's Garage in Madison Heights; a family owned business that's now mourning the loss of its owner. Dennis Cash died on the job Monday. "He loved his family, he loved his business, and he loved his community," said Cash's son Jonathan, holding back tears as he recalled memories of his father Tuesday. Cash was trying to tow away a truck that crashed on Route 130 Monday morning. Witnesses say another vehicle plowed through the accident scene and pinned Cash against his tow truck. Jonathan and his brother, Matthew, watched in horror as their father's body was dragged across the length of his vehicle. "I would have never guessed that something like this would have happened where it happened at, and how it happened," Jonathan said. Cash's death is a wake up call for other tow truck drivers. "When you're working a wreck, that's when you're most liable to be hurt by somebody else," said George Stanley, owner of Smiley's Towing in Amherst County. Stanley says accident scenes are a great danger for workers like himself. "When drivers pass by, sometimes they'll take their eye off the road for a split second to see what's going on, and things happen," Stanley said, adding that he works to stay alert when working at crash sites. "You have to look things over, because it don't take but one mistake and something really bad can happen," Stanley said. Witnesses say Cash was doing everything right. He was known for being safety conscious, and even won a statewide award for saving a life at an accident scene years ago. "My Dad tried his best to help people," said Matthew Cash, adding that he'll remember his father's dedication as he and his brother work to keep the family business going. "Most father and sons go fishing and hunting, but we did wreckers and we enjoyed it together," Matthew said. "We've got a missing piece right now." The driver who hit Cash is from Georgia. He's not charged with anything right now, but the Amherst County Commonwealth's Attorney is investigating to see whether a criminal case needs to be opened. February 27, 2012 Virginia State Police are releasing more details about a fatal crash that happened in Amherst County Monday. Officers say late Monday morning, they were called to clear a tractor-trailer crash on Route 130 in the Snowden area. The big rig had overturned, so workers from "Cash's Garage" in Madison Heights were called in to help with the clean up effort. State Police say just after 12:00pm, 64-year-old Claude Cash was standing near his wrecker when another tractor trailer traveling by the crash site crashed into him. Cash died at the scene. Online records show Cash is the owner of "Cash's Garage." VSP say charges are pending against the driver of the tractor trailer that hit Cash. ------------------------------------------------- A person is dead after two separate crashes in the same area in Amherst County on Monday. Route 130 in the Snowden part of Amherst County had been closed Monday morning because of a tractor-trailer accident. Just as that accident cleared, state police say, there was a second crash. A person was killed in the second crash. Check back later for more updates. Here is the news release from Virginia State Police: Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Monday afternoon in Amherst County. At 12:10 p.m., state police were called to the scene on Route 130 in the Snowden community. This fatal crash occurred in the wake of an earlier crash at the same site involving a tractor-trailer…that crash had just cleared when this second - and fatal - crash happened. There is one confirmed fatality On this section of road, tractor trailers over 60 feet long are not allowed because of the tight curvy road, but many use this shortcut between a paper mill and I-81. Its sad that a life was taken because others drive past really big signs that state no trucks beyond this point. Thoughts and prayers go out to the folks at Cash's Garage. Mama Null said: Prayers to the Cash family. jcash said: This was unnecessary death caused by negligant truck driver. I know because I was there and watched a jb hunt truck kill my father. The best piece of advice that I can give anybody from this is to alway tell your love ones that you love them because they can be gone in a second. TowZone said: Our sincere condolences on the tragic loss of your father. Even one of our brothers taken is too many and we have seen these tragic losses of life increase over the years. Our thoughts and prayers be with you and your family in this time of sadness. SnH Recovery said: Thoughts and prayers to Mr Cash and family Towing U said: Thoughts and Prayers to Mr Cash's Family and friends HYATT TOWING said: Thoughts and Prayers go out to The Cash family . ILTowman said: thoughts and prayer for family, co workers and friends. sorry to hear about your lost. In Memory of Don44Tows who said: thoughts and prayers for the family & friends Towman92266 said: My condolences to the Cash family and friends. You are in my thoughts. srvmgrnow said: My sincerest condolences, and thoughts and prayers to you and your family jcash. maresco motors said: Our thoughts and prayers to the Cash family... miracle1 said: Our sincerest condolences to the cash family for your loss.We will keep you and yours in our prayers.....kenny Miracle timstruckservice said: Our Thoughts go out to you and Your Family !! Very Tragic to hear. Flamintow said: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the cash family. DW Carter said: Jonathan, our thoughts and prayers are with ya'll. aztecatowingllc said: Thoughts and prayers to JCash, family and team members. Larry Searles said: sorry for your loss! Hard to find words at a time like ths! Gullyman said: Sorry for your loss. I hate reading these. I feel like I have read too many every time I read one. aanomettow said: Thoughts and prayers to Mr Cash and family. to bad another tower dies because of the carlessness of others mooresbp said: Our most sincere thoughts and prayers to you and your family at this sad time. teams251 said: Very Sad! Our condolences to the Cash family,you will be in our thoughts. Bucs said: My prayers go out to the Cash family. Sorry for your loss. ctowman333 said: This hits too close to home. Thoughts and prayers from the crew at Total Truck Svc. Leroy Hedrick said: my thoughts and prayers go out to the cash family in this tragic time. Heavytowman12 said: As much as I like this site I hate to open it up in fear of this type post Seems like more post on this type thing happening then ever before Is it me or are these type post more frequent then all other post It sure seems like it All at Ted's Towing in Baltimore feel your pain and are sorry for your loss. ASSOCIATEDTOWING said: Thoughts and Prayers to Mr Cash's Family and friends crbrown said: Our thoughts and prayers for our fellow Virginia towing family. Johnny, very sorry for your loss. Charlie Brown - Brown & Son - Salem, Va. phillyrepoman said: rest in peace brother Tows531 said: My Thoughts go out to the Family. rantif3 said: You, Your family, freinds, and co-workers are in our thoughts and prayers from everyone here @ Wrecker 1!!!! It's hard to lose a loved one in any circumstance. It's very tragic that your dad's death was caused by obvious neglect on the drivers part, while you guys were just trying to perform your duties. It must be devestating for you to have been there to witness this, and I ( along with many others I'm sure ) will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers in hopes that you can somehow get through this extremely difficult time!!! WestLakeTowing said: Jonathan you and your family are in our prayers. Allen Cook - Woods Towing and Recovery - Vinton, Virginia Heffy004 said: Our sincere condolences & prayers go out to the Cash family. Maay he rest in eternal peace. HEFFY Brinkleys said: Very tragic news. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family Jonathan. Another one of the family lost to soon. OConnellBodayandTowing said: Very sad and disturbing to have happen, and for his sons to see this too. What a shame. Schmitty30 said: Thoughts and prayers to the family and employes at cashs garage. Brian Crane said: I stopped by Cash's a year ago or so on a Sunday afternoon, one of my guys and myself were transporting some equipment south, we had some tire trouble on one of our trailers, Dennis was there and showed us around while is guys changed the tire. Dennis went out of his way to help us, he showed us his trucks and we chatted for a while, very nice guy! Great Service I wish his family well, I offer my condolences and my he rest in eternal peace ! Brian Crane WM971216 dbtow said: Sorry to here a fellow Virginia Brother has fallen.. This really saddens and ANGERS me. JCASH, from all of us here at DB Towing, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If you need anything, please call. Forgivenone said: Thoughts and prayers for Mr. Cash's family and friends. There were twice as many replies this is just all we could add here.

This is a recreation of a topic from back in May of 2011: Capptow Wrote: the TRPNC is having a membership meeting Saturday May 7 at Skeets Wrecker Service, Conover NC. Membership meeting is set for 10:00 am. 11:00 am quest speaker Perry Beaty will discuss Hazmat Cleanup 12:00 pm we wil have hamburgers and hot dogs provided by Capps Towing. 1:00 pm we will have a recovery demo. This class will be conducted by Dennis Harris. Hunters 85 ton rotator, crawfords 60 ton rotator, phillips Hazmat trailer will be onsite. All of these people are Tow411 members. All Members and non members are invited to attended. All tow411 members are invited also. skeets address is 906 conover blvd, conover nc. Wreckerman05 said: If your a member or a non-member come out and enjoy the spring meeting at a members facility---Skeet has put alot of time and effort into this and we always have a good turn-out when we do these meetings at a members facility--SPeaker-food,light & heavy demos--some members are bringing their big guns----come out enjoy the fellowship from other towers--weve invited our Associate members to also come and bring equipment or info for their business ---- towbiz said: Kyle just came in from there and he had a great time. I hate i missed it but someone had to work lol. Thanks for inviting us boys from SC. Southernstar1 said: I know I was there, but does anyone have pics to post? Kinda like to see things the way others seen them. littleredg said: I`m with Jamie need some pics ....I had to work..... concordtowing said: I have a couple pics I will try to post on Monday,we had a very good meeting and the demo/training was very good,Crawfords Garage and Hunter Wrecker did a great job with the uprighting of an overturned tanker truck.Thanks to Skeets for hosting and Ryan Capps for providing a meal,if you went away hungry it was your fault cause there was plenty of food and drinks. SKEETS1 added these images: jrtowman said: I have a couple pics I will try to post on Monday,we had a very good meeting and the demo/training was very good,Crawfords Garage and Hunter Wrecker did a great job with the uprighting of an overturned tanker truck.Thanks to Skeets for hosting and Ryan Capps for providing a meal,if you went away hungry it was your fault cause there was plenty of food and drinks.

This is an old topic by an unknown member on Tow411: How many miles in-between PM's do you run, and what does your PM cover? Do you do everything every time or do some things wait for every other PM? Also, what brand oil is your favorite and why? Does any1 run synthetics? Unknown Member said in 2004: I'm running a couple of F-550 7.3 power strokes and a Heavy cummins. I do oil changes every 3,000 using only Chevron Delo 15/40. I use synthetics in each rear end differential. I ad Lucas to my transmissions and change the trans and cooling fluids every 50K. I mark the miles and date on the bottom of the oil filter. I'm currently doing research on the type of oil filter to use. Since I buy them in bulk to reduce the cost by nearly half, I currently use Prestone oil filters. But we don't have the long driving you guys do over in the mainland. Our problems are having humidity mix with the oils. So if you don't change oils regularly, depending on your usage, you can develop rust and moisture problems in the cylinders. Then, it's not a bad idea every 50K to run a couple of quarts of transfluid in your oil for the 3,000 miles. TowTrk1 said: We are supposed to service trucks? I wanna hire that NAPA guy in the commercial..he can work on it while its traveling at 75 mph down I-95. That's the type of mechanic we need datowman said: every 6000 or so miles do pm's. check every aspect of the truck. change all filters and oil. any repairs that are needed. we have a two sided check list in small type we go through everytime for every truck.Stay Safe John transtow said: We change the oil every 250 hours of service. We run synth. trans fluid in the roadrangers and mercon in the auto's We have 7 Cummings motors 1 cat. We change trans fluid every 3rd oil change and grease u-joints. My shop happens to be one of the very few that has a lift big enough to lift a large truck/bus up to 64.000 lbs. We repair trans do clutches and so we just got dine mounting a 7035 century. Unkonwn member said: We run all diesels in our tow trucks.We have a Cummins,Cat and a new 6.0 powerstoke.We change oil,oil filters,fuel filters and lube entire truck every 5000 mi. Air filters usally last 15000-20000 mi. and we service auto trans at 25000mi.,if auto trans has cartridge filter we change it along with oil filter at 5000mi.We use Shell Rotella 15w40 oil.My light vehicles and personal vehicles are serviced at 3000mi intervals. hansonma said: Every 5k on my DT466's & GM 6.5, shell rotella 15/40.I will lube the chassis and other moving parts again in between services.I'm pretty faithful but winter time will stretch the services out a little. Kevin Truck said: we change the fluids every 20k km's and grease,check brakes etc. every 2 weeks. lantz70 said: every 5000 miles oil,lube filter.fuel filters and air every ten thou.amsoil synthetic grease,rotella 15-40. Unknown Member said: lube chassis and wrecker body every 4000 miles using redtack sold by moble , oil and filter and fuel filter every 8000 miles, brake inspections 4 times a year, air filter every 30,000 miles use guardall 15/40 and synthetics in trans and rear ends. drain and fill rear ends and trans once a year Unknown Member said: 5W30 in the Chevys, 10W40 in the Ford -- all gasoline. Complete chassis lube and oil change every 3000 miles, bed lube at least every 6000 (try for 3k, but not always possible). Everything else per manufacturer's schedule.

Topic Originally Create on Tow411 by Rod Midkiff in August of 2007: My turn to be picked on Landing gear is still their.... sorta .. on this side only thing hold it on is two circles of chain (borrowed from the other company due to the nature of having to re-string it with my chain.. will return it next time I am that way..) THANKS BOB Yes the main rail is totally missing from under the lower left white name block to behind the red hood of the KW the horizontal chain at (red KW) head light level.. is ran from the 5th wheel plate.. to the 2nd cross member that is well attacked to the tandem slider. green hook.. first hook used.. run's to a set of tall stands on the under reach and a welded hook on the side.. Red hook.. used to extend the tail end of the green chain (so the tail is of the green chain is also in play).. Red and green are both grade 100 1/2 3rd chain 3/8 g70.. the tower I picked this up at suggest it.. as we talk about 411 and the tower who had a hook break off His factory end cap.... 4th chain 1/2 in (not sure on the grade.. it is what came with the truck in safty chain pockets). and as their is no light cord.. I showed the wireless bar on the tail.. (I considered just using a pig tail plug on this one to run all the clearance lights as well.. my tow was in the day light (pictures are in the yard.. going to co-part in the am) would you believe a load of plastic pipe did all this damage.... will have the trailer connected untill the am.. any questions or further picture requests let Me know.. comments please stay safe Rod Kurt Frazier said: quite the chain configuration on the t bar? excesiveforce52 said: Ok Rod maybe I am missing something, what did you do wrong that you are going to be picked on cause it looks pretty good to me......you definitely used enough chains on your hk-up , cause myself would have only used 2-for the hk-up and 2- safety's......good job..... EdsTowing said: This is empty right? The only other thing I would do as well is run 4 chains from the front plate to the landing gear, then four more (two 20's hooked together) from the landing gear to the slider with 4 binders. Then maybe a small chain from the rear marker light bezel to the ICC bumper to ensure that the doors don't open.....and then call the shop for more chain and a small boy to help carry it all.... I'm just busting ya Rod, it looks pretty secured... As long as you were comfortable going down the road with it then it looks good to me. Hook29 said: Well I would have used 2 chains to tow it, 2 chains to tie together.... And Yes a wireless light bar. Keithrickstowing said: looks good rod,that factory cap was replaced at no cost to us at all...i still have the pics too. how the hech did this happen? Ed Barker said: Rod,,with all those chains,,,you sure you were legal on your tandems?????? unknown member said: I'm exhausted! Pulling all those chains... I mean reading about all those chains! this is a clear cut example of measure twice, cut once. No one wants to be finding out along the way that the 2 chains weren't enough and the trailer you are towing is almost on the ground beacuse the center is bowing like a happy face! Great looking work! From my vantage point, of course. Rod Midkiff said: This happened some where on hwy 97.. I only did the 2nd tow.. but I heard a bit about it.. all the damage was causes from pvc pipe.. (a full load) 4 trucks in total.. some glue lame beams a full load.. was lost in the middle of the road.. other trucks ran the beams over.. the tower that did the work is online and posts sometime.... He might talk some about the inital crash.... every truck was loaded.. every load was a loss.... stay safe Rod karlstowing said: holly cow i think you needed about six more chains and two more sets of saftys and like ed said a small boy to help Rod Midkiff said: I considered trying to fork further back..... and the only 5th plate addaptor we have only works on the nomar (that was showed in the broken nomar section)..... but that truck is down.. 10,000 only got us 6 injectors, a harness, puter, fan cluth, and batteries.. they are on their 4th try to fix it.. I did stop a few times and look for any shifting.. no movement.. it's now at co-part... stay safe Rod

Topic Originally Created by nullstowing on Tow411 in August of 2007: We were called by one of our customers to go to New Jersey and pick up a trailer from another towing companies storage lot that the floor collapsed on the trailer. The trailer was loaded when the floor gave way. Nick's Towing handled the clean up with the help from a crew from the trucking company. We went and picked the trailer up at Nick"s yard and delivered it to a repair facility in Bethel Pa. We ran chains from the tandems to the fifth wheel plate to keep the trailer from bowing. We then ran four 4 inch ratchet straps around the trailer to hold the floor up. Dualie said: by pass repair shop and take it strait to the scrapper. I would say that one is DONE! More power to them if they put it back together. Let me know if they do so I know to stay away from that co! Gaylock1 said: Are they really going to repair it ? It looks like a good parts trailer to me...........................Paul Rod Midkiff said: ?? what are peoples thoughts about removing the landing gear. and backing a trailer under the unit??? stay safe Rod nullstowing said: We talked about how we would have handled that job. The idea of cleaning the bottom of the trailer off and loading it onto the landoll was brought up. Also the dolly under the middle was thought of. There were several different ways that this job could have been handled. When transporting the trailer empty there was no need to do all that in my feelings. As far as fixing the trailer new the trailer is app. $70,000 that trailer is still worth $55,000 so they can do alot of fixin for $55,000. Dualie said: Whoops i didnt notice it was a live floor trailer. even then its never going to be the same! and with exstensive repairs like that even after its fixed value would be 30K max. i feel sorry for the unsuspecting guy that buys that used hookin29 said: Another job well done by Nulls.... That happened on the NJ turnpike in the travel lanes. When that floor broke that sh!& was all over the highway...... Nice job on the tow..

Topic Origially Created by an unknown member in 2008: I found this not long ago and I know it is still there. I'm sure this is to heavy for my roll back or I would have bought it by now. Anyone have any idea what this may weigh? Anyone near Springfield Missouri coming near Rockord that wants to haul this...lol let me know. Note: This is from 2008 Ameritowruston said: You had better jump on that and get it. Those trucks are very hard to find and when you do find one it will be expensive, believe me. I just bought one that is just a little newer and it is posted on here take a look at it. If you don't get it let me know and I will buy it. It more than likely is a little heavy for your truck but I would find a way to go get it. Find a buddy with a gooseneck and use your truck to load it. That is how I went and picked up mine. That would be a great truck to restore and it looks like it is in pretty good shape. Hope you buy it and restore it back to its original beauty. I would say 5000 to 7500 pounds on weight. Thanks Brad Unknown Member said: I thought it might be heavy not to mention top heavy. I just don't want to go through scales and have an issue. I'm going to call and make sure it is still there. I found this like 5 years ago and it was still in the same spot a few months back. And it's cheap! Thanks for the response. Jerold Howland said: Tell us more about it please. Year,make and model ,can't wait. Ameritowruston said: I agree to that I would like to know the year and size of bed. I would definately jump on that truck if I were you. I would love to find that truck or one similar around me. All the old stuff around me is gone. I believe it is a chevy but it may be a GMC. Correct me if I am wrong. Thanks Brad spanky said: '41 thru early '47 Chevrolet COE's were this body stye. Looking at the channel style front bummper, I'm going to guess '46, or '47 model. Can't tell what type of wrecker unit, is on the back. Unknown Member said: This is a GMC I'm pretty sure around a 46 model. I don't know what unit is on the back and I have yet to reach anyone today at the number I have. I will keep everyone posted and yes I plan on grabbing this soon. I thought it would be nice to restore for our local parades and advertisment of the shop. spanky said: The only way this truck is a GMC, is if a Chevy front clip was added later. This truck definitely has a Chevrolet COE Hood, & grille setup. '41- early '47 GMC's had a lower grille with horizontal bars. Chevrolet used the vertical grille bars like this one. I've owned two Chevrolets like this. Check out the following link, IMAGE LINK BROKEN Unknown Member said: Spanky you right. I was just assuming it was and well we all know where that gets us...lol. All I knew was it was cool and in good shape. And that I wanted it. Just had to figure out how to get it back so I never really studied anything else. Thanks for the link and the help. TOwBoY88 said: Hey Al, if you are not going to buy it...? Let me know. I am going to Jeff City, Missouri next weekend. Jhns tw said: Good possibility it's a factory built rig because in the first picture it looks like a ID plate on the mast. It would make a nice restoration job, I'd jump on it quick.

Topic Originally Created by Ameritowruston on Tow411 in September of 2008: I bought this truck off ebay last week. I saw one that spanky had and I wanted one. When this one showed up I knew it was the one. It was fairly close and it was in great shape, with two owners. It is a 48 GMC 350 cabover with a W35 holmes bed. The truck is great and I hope to make it run this weekend. I have had no time to play with it because of the hurricane. I have plans to restore the truck back to its orginal form but it will take me a while. I took some pictures of the stuff in the toolboxes hoping someone would know what it is. Spanky you asked for it so here it is. Also in the last picture is where I bought the truck from. I thought it was a neat name for a town.http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif Thanks Brad Spanky said: AWESOME !, Brad, looks like you've got yourself a nice one, with lots of potential. You've even got yourself a nice set of original Holmes Ground Anchors. Holmes Heavy Duty Steering Clamps, & a vintage set of kerosene road flare(smudge pots). Along with boom, & drum crank handles. Thanks, for the pictures. Leadership Towing said: I love this truck! Post pics when you finish the rebuild!! JHNS tw said: Man you hit the gold mine with that one especially with the accessories! Scott Johnson John's Towing Durham N.C. 919-730-3692 Jarold Howland said: It certainly seems you know your equipment,I didn't know one piece from another. Fine looking potential with it, good luck. Keep us posted with pics of the progress. underdog said: That should be a fun project. Good luck with it. Great equipment. Stay safe, Rich. Ameritowruston said: Thanks for all the replys and I will post pics when I am through. It will take me a while but I will get around to restoring it. I really need to get rid of a few other trucks I have so check for my add in pre 1980s section and look at my cabovers. They really need to go. I just started college and I need some money just in case. I may be selling my 49 GMC with a Holmes 515 in a few weeks so keep your eyes open. Thanks Brad Spanky said: Brad, Those rubber fender, & step pads are being reproduced, & are available from Jim Carters Antique Truck Parts www.oldchevytrucks.com . Also I don't know what the title says on your COE, but seeing how it has a inside cab fuel tank, with the filler neck on the passenger side below the beltline, I'd venture to say your truck is a '49, or '50 model. 1949 was the first year for the inside the cab fuel tank. I have two '48's, & neither has the fuel tank inside the cab. 1951 was the first year for the vent door glass, with no cowl vent on the driver side. HDtower2 said: love the truck,but, love the city name more!!! tony coffey -- tri-power towing and recovery 900 south oak, effingham il 217-342-6135 TRAA -#9159 - WM 090526 - Miller Ring LeadeASE master tech Ameritowruston said: Sorry Spanky started college last month and time is kind of short around here now. Also, we have done so many truck wrecks in the last two weeks that I have barely slept. My plans are to try it again tomorrow but who knows what will happen. This week has not been good for us. Look in the good, the bad, and the ugly and you will understand what I am talking about. I have all the points and other parts to make it run but I have not had time. Thanks Brad Wrecktech100 said: great looking truck..some tales could be told by that old timer. 72vanova said: Aw man, love the old COE's. Great find !! When metal was metal... Good Luck. Jimmy easttown said: I wonder what these beasts were like to drive everyday. No power assists...what would be their cruising speeds?..braking?...I remember driving a 69 C30 Chevy without PS...wore me out after a hour of driving in the city.. Spanky said: They are not too bad to drive. I presently have 3 of them, & they average out to around 48-55 mph pretty comfortably. All depends on the tire size, & rear axle ratio also. My '53 Chevy COE with 8.25 20 tires, & single speed rear axle runs between 48-50 mph, while my two '52 GMC COE's, one running with 9.00 20, tires, & 2 spd. rear axle around 50-52, while the other GMC runs between 52-55, with 10.00 20 tires. No power assist, but I don't need any. aussiehooker said: it will look great in red and white please send more pics as you go happy hooking don jimnjem said: I used to live in Jonesboro, so I've driven through Weiner more times than I care to remember. Was this at the old shop with the wood plank garage door? There is a guy there that has a warehouse full of antique cars. It sits right on the Hwy. 49 (the main drag through town). There is also a lot with a 6' chain link fence around it with lots of old cars, including some old Mopar muscle cars. In Memory of Da Wash Boss who said: Thats nice, love them old cannonball gmcs. Please keep us posted with progress pics. Ameritowruston said: jlmnjem you are right. It was at Perkins body shop in weiner but he only had one car left. He took down the fence the day before I picked up the truck. His shop had been there for a very long time. Any body tell me what would make a truck not fire. I have brand new coil, points, wires and plugs in this truck and it still won't fire. I have not had any time to work on it but soon I will. Right now I am building my hotrod cabover wrecker and it is taking a while. Thanks Brad Ameritowruston said: Just wondering if anyone would be interested in buying this truck? I have found one in a little better shape that runs and drives. You geteverything you see in the pitures except for two of the wheel stops on the board. I have started to restore them for another truck. You get the other two though and everything in the bed. Thanks Brad Passervice said: You need to check your Ground straps and to make shure that the dist. Is getting a good ground. and to check your plug wires for Cont. On a rare chance you can end up with a bad condenser. good luck.... I would think it would sell fast on Ebay... but, There new Fee is over 150.00 and they say you only pay that if it sells and that there is no listing fee. But, the other catch is you are required to take paypal for full payment. and there is another fee there. But, it is an option for a fast sell... Ameritowruston said: I know but three of the people that bid against me when I bought it were on here so I thought I would get it a try here first. I am trying to buy one that is on here for sale. That is the only reason that I am selling it. Did you get the email I sent you? Spanky can tell you all about where to find parts. Thanks Brad