From TRAA's Legislative & Leadership 2011 Conference

Look for the article about Captain Tom Martin in the July issue of Towing & Recovery Footnotes! Here is the speech he gave during this year's Legislative & Leadership Conference, with an introduction from TRAA's Harriet Cooley:

Cpt. Tom Martin Tells Towers:

“Lead, Follow or Get Out of The Way:

The Future of Private Sector Towing”

          An introduction by TRAA’s Harriet Cooley: “At the second TRAA Legislative and Leadership Conference held 12 years ago, we invited Captain Tom Martin of the Virginia State Police to review for us a video we had received showing tow operators working with law enforcement at the scene. This video had not been seen by our industry nor had Cpt. Martin seen it until I sent it to him for review and asked him to share it with the conference along with his thoughts.

          “He was not shy about speaking his mind about the video. Although it had been created by a well-known research university, he shared his sincere astonishment about its condescending treatment of the towers featured in it! This was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the towing industry and Captain Martin, which was further enhanced several years later by the production of the popular video “The Hats of Incident Management.”

          “Cpt. Martin filmed it in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Association of Towing & Recovery Operators (VATRO). The Hats video was met with such a favorable response that his fame among towers increased even more!

          “We always try to feature Cpt. Martin on the agenda for the L&L Conference, and he has graciously accepted almost all of our invitations. One of the great things about his presentations is that he genuinely cares about towers and the industry, so when he gives the assembled conferees his “straight talk,” they take it just as intended — an opportunity to learn how they can become better at what they do and work with the other responders so that the whole Traffic Incident Management (TIM) team wins!

          “Lead, Follow or Get Out of The Way: The Future of Private Sector Towing is just such “straight talk” and was very much appreciated by all in attendance last March. I have received many requests for copies, and it has been suggested that we find a way to film Cpt. Martin presenting it and get copies out to all the state towing associations and their members. Read on and you will see why this would be a worthwhile project….”

— Harriet Cooley, Executive Director, TRAA
. .

Cpt. Tom Martin’s Speech

          “Good morning; it is a privilege for me to be invited back to the TRAA 2011 Legislative and Leadership Conference. It is so good to see so many old friends.

          “My name is Tom Martin and I am the Operations Program Coordinator for the I-95 Corridor Coalition. The Coalition is a group of 16 states from Maine to Florida. The Coalition does not focus just on highway I-95; it focuses on multimodal transportation of people and goods along the East Coast. The Coalition knows the importance of moving people and goods throughout the corridor and the severe personal and economic impact when we do not.

          “The Coalition began in the early 1990s as an informal group of transportation professionals to manage major highway incidents. The Coalition was formally established in 1993 to enhance regional transportation mobility, safety, and efficiency.

          “The Coalition works with its member states on a consensus basis. In other words, the Coalition has no legislative authority. We do not buy or sell anything. We do not tell anyone what to do or how to do it. We try to get agencies and people to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Sound familiar?

          “The challenges of the Coalition are in many ways the same challenges you as leaders have in the towing and recovery industry. You have no legislative authority; you are selling a service and not a product. You do not tell others in your industry how to run their business. You are trying to get agencies and people to do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. You are a consensus-based organization when it comes to directing an industry.

          “I would like to talk to you for the next few minutes about the future of private sector towing.”

Some Issues

          “Maybe you do not see a need for a discussion on the future of private sector towing. Maybe you do not see an issue with governments operating tow services, buying towing equipment, and conducting removal operations. Maybe you like the way governments and localities run their rotation lists, write their contracts for services, structure the pay and bid process.

          “Maybe you think a zero bid for a service contract just to get the towing rights to a certain section of highway is a good business practice. Maybe you truly believe that everyone has your best interest at heart when they are controlling your industry.

“But for the one or two here who think there may be a problem, let’s look at some issues. Please understand that I am not criticizing or in any way suggesting how you should run your business — you are the industry experts, not me, but I truly care about your industry. I have been involved with the towing industry for many years.

                                                The Meeting

          “As a matter of fact, one of my first meetings with towers was when I was a First Sergeant with the Virginia State Police in Northern Virginia and that was in 1989. So I have been in and around your business for over 20 years. I have seen great progress in the development of a professional organization but I also have seen pockets of disappointment and frustration.

          “Would you like to know what that first meeting was about? Well, it was a meeting with Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators (VATRO) after they sent a letter to the State Police complaining about the State Police Rotation list. Can you imagine that? — someone complaining about the rotation list? (Here he reads a portion of the letter). This letter is dated January 3, 1989 but if any of you would like a copy, you can just change the date and send it. I look at this as 22 years of progress.

          “I have another letter about a meeting where, of all things, VATRO was complaining about VDOT purchasing wreckers to station at the bridges. For some silly reason they did not think the government should be doing a private sector job.

          “This letter is dated August 18, 1993, but I bet there are a few here that would just like to change the date and send it to some government agency that is buying towing equipment in your locale.

                                                Three Concepts

          “To start the discussion about the future of private sector towing, I would like for you to think about your top three problems. What are the top three issues you face as an industry? Can you agree on the top three problems? If not, maybe that is problem number one.

          “Now I would like for you to consider three things you need to do to improve the future of your industry. Again, do you think you can all agree on what those may be?

          “Instead of listing three specific tasks you need to achieve or three specific policies or laws you need enact, let’s identify three concepts that may dictate the future of private sector towing.

          “I think the three areas of focus to guide your industry to success are: leadership, followership, and moving obstacles out of the way: lead, follow, or get out of the way!

          “Leadership in any national organization is critical. I see this group as the leadership core. I see this group as critical to the success of your industry. I see this group developing and implementing a strategy for the future.

          “I see the challenges being that, first, you will not agree on a clear direction and we will continue to have 50 leaders going in 50 directions with limited local success and no national success. I also see a challenge in that you will want to deal with the laws and the policies and forget to address a critical issue: Perception!

Perception

          “What is the perception of your industry? It makes no difference what the reality — the public’s perception, the local and state government’s perception — is of the towing industry as a whole. You are part of the industry. Your individual towing company is lumped with all other companies when it comes to an industry perception.

          “Just as law enforcement and firefighters are lumped into one group, so is the towing industry. As an industry you should always consider the perception, not of an individual company but of the industry as a whole.

          “Is the general perception of the towing and recovery industry one of a professional, well-trained, well-equipped industry that is dedicated to prompt efficient service? Is the perception that you care about the motoring public, responder safety, efficient movement of traffic, quick clearance, preventing secondary incidents, or do you think the perception is that you only think about yourself, your next call, your next dollar!
          “So as a leadership challenge, remember: the perception of what you do is sometimes more powerful that what you really do or how you do it.

                                                Followers

          “The next challenge is followership. Everyone cannot be and should not be leaders. Without followers there is no need for leaders.

          “Think of the tremendous number of towing and recovery operators in the United States. Think of what could be accomplished if that group could somehow be mobilized to march in the same direction.

          “What can you do to mobilize this group? I think it may be hard if you are identifying a business practice but what about a safety practice? Everyone should be interested in safety. Whether it is reflectorized vests or emergency lighting practices, surely there has to be some common ground just like in your training video “Roadside Safety: Everyone Goes Home.”            “Even for the real hardcore converts that do not want to change the way they do business, just convince them that safety can save money on insurance and workmen’s compensation.

          “Wherever I go and no matter what group I talk to, I talk about safety for all. I remind the police not to leave the tower alone and exposed to traffic. The practice of driving off when the tow truck arrives needs to stop. I always talk about the Wall of the Fallen and challenge the audience to visit this place just like they visit the Police Officers Memorial or the Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial.

Outta The Way

          “And one thing that I really get upset about is when a state does not include DOTs and towers in the Move Over law. It should cover all responders, all lights, including amber. And for the life of me, I cannot understand why someone would feel the life of a police officer or fire fighter is more important than the life of a tower. Any life is too precious to waste on the side of the road — but wait, I digress….

          “Back to followership: I encourage you to find a way to mobilize the towers on maybe one or two issues and this following will be powerful.

          “The last leadership challenge is that there just may be a few folks who just need to get out of the way. Do you have people in your industry who just complain about everything? I am not against constructive criticism if someone is willing to work toward a solution, but the negative naysayers, the ones who always criticize and are never willing to venture in a new direction, will cripple an entire industry if you let it.

          “Lead, follow, or get out of the way!

Getting Involved

          “As I was looking at the theme for this conference, “Bringing the Towing Industry into Balance,” I thought what a great initiative to unite and support the industry. You have great numbers, and assuring the towers are visible and engaged in every local event will go a long way to building a professional reputation.

          “Getting engaged in a positive way will not only help bridge the understanding of your industries, it will also help dispel some of the myths about your industry. You know better than I that there is a lot of misunderstanding about what you do and why you do it.

          “Getting engaged in the TIM network is a great way to keep up with what’s going on locally and nationally. When there is a training program in the area, show up and participate. Yes, I know there will be somewhere you are not invited but there are others where you are always welcome.

          “The Corridor Coalition and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) partnered last September and hosted a National Unified Goal (NUG) Summit. The NUG Summit had over 150 people in attendance and an additional 150 on the webinar. Harriet Cooley was on the agenda and participated in a panel discussion on identifying gaps in TIM Team development. This was a great opportunity to reach over 300 people at a national audience with the message of including towing and recovery in the process.

In Conclusion

          “On a more local level, the I-95 Corridor Coalition conducts Quick Clearance Workshops throughout the East Coast. Towers are always invited to these multi-discipline workshops. This is so important because issues are addressed and your industry is represented and can address problems and misunderstandings.

          “You know there is very little difference between a conflict and a misunderstanding. And if we clear up the misunderstanding, we avoid the devastating effects of conflict.

          “We have had four or five workshops in and around Virginia and Sue Brassell of VATRO has attended everyone of them. Sue gets our perfect attendance award. For some of them she has had to travel several hours but she is always there representing the interests of towers. This is the type of commitment that will bring your industry into balance.

          “As I conclude, I would like to just encourage you to get and stay involved. What you do is too important not to be recognized, but no one is going to do it for you. You are an industry of hard workers so work hard for your industry.

          “Remember, decisions about the future of private sector towing are being made every day and they will be made with or without you, so I encourage you get involved and get engaged.

          “Lead, follow or get out of the way!”

          Retired Virginia State Police Capt. Tom Martin joined the I-95 Corridor Coalition staff in December 2008 as its Operations Program Coordinator. He has extensive background in incident management and safety, and managing large public agency programs. Cpt. Martin recently retired from the Virginia State Police after 34 years of service, where he was the Commander of both Patrol Divisions and the Criminal Intelligence Division.

          During his time with the State Police, he participated in a number of major law enforcement missions, including the terrorist attack at the Pentagon. Cpt. Martin was also a multi-agency task force leader deployed to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

          He has been an invited speaker and served on expert panels at numerous state and national transportation and Homeland Security conferences.

 

Progress on the Reno Show Truck

From the initial sketches we made earlier, this is the character / dude we created to go on the back of the SidePuller.

If you look close you will notice small holes that surround the slow down sign and also illustrate the flashlight beam. We decided to put L.E.D. lights in those holes that will flash with the warning lights. You will have to keep following along to see what the outer two squares on the panel are going to be.At this point we have not come with a name to describe the Dude we created.

    This photo shows the design team at Idaho Wrecker Sales
at work talking about the feedback you towers gave us on Facebook. In case you were not aware, we asked the friends
of Idaho Wrecker Sales on Facebook to help us design this year's tow truck.
The 1st thing we asked for help with was designing a theme
for the truck. There were many great ideas submitted, from
The John Wayne themed truck to the Transformer truck. Ultimately the winning theme was
Move Over and Slow Down 

This Photo shows the initial sketches we made
showing different ways we could build a Slow Down
Move Over themed truck. After all the ideas were tossed
back and forth we decided there must be a compelling
statement to be made with this truck. Everyday tow truck operators lay their life on the line and it tends to go unnoticed by most of the public. We all felt we should incorporate that when you drive by this truck and it is working on the side of
the road - someone's life is at stake.
We felt having a tow truck operator on the back of the truck would be the best way to add the human element and let
people know that as a tow truck driver - my life is at stake.
You can see our rough sketches of what the character
could look like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The truck will be unveiled at the Reno Tow Show on June 2nd. For more information, visit
http://www.wreckerbuilder.com/reno_show_truck_2011.html.

International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum - Chattanooga TN |

International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum - Chattanooga TN - Failure magazine |Here's the story:

Most people don’t think for a second about the towing and recovery industry—until they find themselves stranded on the side of the road or involved in a collision. Then they call the American Automobile Association (AAA) or a wrecker arrives on the scene, and they find themselves grateful for the help. But one place the unsung heroes of the industry are recognized is the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a unique institution that highlights the rich heritage of what is now a $15 billion a year industry.

It’s no accident that the museum is located in Chattanooga, a city of 155,000 in southeast Tennessee. After all, Chattanooga is the birthplace of the wrecker industry, and to this day, the city remains the towing and recovery capital of the world. Incidentally, there is a difference between a wrecker and a tow truck (a wrecker is designed to tow and recover, and a tow truck merely tows), though casual observers rarely reflect on this distinction.

The grandfather of towing and recovery

As legend has it, the industry was born one fateful day in 1916 after a driver lost control of his Tin Lizzie—that is, a Ford Model T—and it ended up in Chickamauga Creek, which winds its way through the Chattanooga area. Ernest Holmes Sr. (1883-1945)—who was a member of the local auto club and whose brother Curtis owned a service station—got wind of the mishap and went to help recover the car from the water, a job that took ten men eight hours to complete. Thinking there must be an easier way, Holmes went back to his garage and began formulating a plan to build a wrecker, which he developed with an assist from two friends—L.C. Decker and Elmer Gross.

However, the first time Holmes put his prototype to the test it let him down, and the rescue workers had to fall back on old-fashioned manpower. He quickly came to the realization that his wrecker (bolted to the chassis of a 1913 Cadillac) needed outriggers to stabilize the vehicle when in recovery mode.

Despite the fact that the need for wreckers seemed self-evident, this initial setback no doubt emboldened naysayers, who included his mother and father. According to museum staffer Joyce Shrum, who worked in the parts department of the Ernest Holmes Company in the late 1960s and early ’70s, Holmes’ parents didn’t want him to get involved in the auto service industry because his neighbor—the aforementioned Decker—had put an eye out while on the job.

Undeterred, Holmes made improvements to his design, and by 1919 had secured a patent and was selling branded wreckers, which were mounted on the backs of used cars. His first successful production model was the Holmes 485—one of which is on display at the museum, having been coupled with a 1913 Locomobile, a car that sold new for six-thousand dollars. (The combo on exhibit is worth a quarter-million dollars.)

Less well-known is the fact that Holmes’ first model was the 680, which at $680 proved too expensive for the marketplace, hence the 485, which sold for—you guessed it—$485. Holmes’ business continued to thrive until the United States entered World War II, at which point the raw materials he needed were deemed off-limits or in short supply. “Even during the Great Depression the Holmes Company didn’t lay anyone off. It prospered even as other businesses were failing,” notes Shrum.

Ultimately, Holmes received a government contract to build recovery vehicles and bomb-loaders for the war effort, which sustained the operation until his death (from a heart attack) in 1945. The company remained family-owned until 1973, when it was sold to the Dover Corporation for $64 million, and eventually ended up in the hands of Miller Industries (the world’s largest manufacturing of towing and recovery vehicles), based in nearby Ooltewah, Tennessee. Miller builds between five- and six-thousand vehicles a year, and remains a big reason why Chattanooga is to the wrecker industry what Detroit is to the automobile.

A museum on the move

Fittingly the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum got its start as a traveling museum, its exhibits housed in a tractor-trailer, which was transported from city to city by tow truck. Then in 1995—under the tutelage of curator William “Frank” Thomas Jr. (1924-2011)—the institution found a home in downtown Chattanooga, before settling in at a new location, on Broad Street, in 2003. Not only is the current space significantly larger, countless tourists now stumble across the museum on their way to Lookout Mountain, an area attraction that features a funicular (incline) railway, which has been, quite literally, towing passengers to the summit since 1895.

According to executive director Cheryl H. Mish, the museum—which is funded by memberships, donations and admission fees—receives upwards of ten-thousand visitors a year. Approximately one-quarter of those are somehow connected to the industry—the kind of individuals who read Tow Times, American Towman or On Call 24/7, business-to-business magazines that serve the industry. Certainly it’s insiders that are most appreciative of the vehicles on display, including the olive drab Diamond T wrecker that was used by the U.S. military during World War II, not to mention the largest mechanical wrecker ever built, a 70-ton prototype that was never put into production.

Devoted professionals are also drawn to the Hall of Fame gallery, a long hallway featuring photographs of everyone who has been enshrined in the industry’s hall of fame, which will count 275 members this coming September with the addition of five new inductees. And virtually everyone appreciates the huge collection of towing-related toys, as well as the model tow trucks and service station memorabilia.

The men and women of towing

What does it take to be honored by the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame? “You have to be in the industry for at least twenty years,” attests Shrum, but beyond that the requirements seem nebulous. “You also have to be an outstanding person,” she continues, noting that potential inductees must be nominated by a member of the museum, at which point the Board of Directors considers the candidate’s résumé and determines whether or not they will be inducted.

While the hall of fame effectively highlights the achievements of the titans of the industry, the most important aspect of the museum’s mission is educating the public about the importance of and challenges of the work being done by the thousands of men and women who, day in and day out, get the job done without much fanfare. In this regard, most visitors find the museum an eye-opening experience, says Mish. “A lot of visitors come to the understanding that it’s a much larger industry than they realized,” she begins. “They also don’t recognize that towing and recovery is a very hazardous occupation,” at least not until they come face-to-face with the Wall of the Fallen memorial (located just outside the museum’s front entrance), which honors those killed in the line of duty.

As for the dangers involved, it’s more than just the fact that upwards of fifty individuals are struck and killed every year by oncoming traffic—mostly by drunk drivers. Repossessors, for instance, are frequently assaulted (or even shot) by aggrieved vehicle owners, which perhaps explains why Tow Times recently published a “Repossessor Special” that featured tips on confrontation avoidance techniques.

In an effort to assist those that have lost a loved one on the side of the road, the museum has established a survivor fund, which provides monies (up to $1,500) for funeral expenses or other emergency needs. For better or worse, though, it seems unlikely that the public will ever fully appreciate the individuals who provide roadside service. “People just don’t think about the towing industry at all,” laments Mish. “Until they need a tow.”

See photos of vehicles on display at the museum

The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum Web site

Read more: http://failuremag.com/index.php/feature/article/the_museum_of_towing_and_recovery/#ixzz1NAmrAHY2

Nice Press In NV

Las Vegas Business Press :: Business Life : They've Got Pull

Here's the story:

Peter Catron is not a cop or a paramedic, but he was on the front lines of the emergency-response effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Catron oversees operations for Las Vegas-based Quality Towing, and was sent to the Gulf Coast in October 2005 with a crew of 25 tow-truck drivers to clear cars from debris-filled streets.

Catron's team roamed from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, La., to Gulfport, Miss., parking their travel trailers in community center and church parking lots with access to electricity and running water. Catron would scout nearby neighborhoods for grocery stores and laundry services so the drivers would have food to eat and clean clothes to wear after long days of unearthing cars buried in trees and sand. Bologna sandwiches and potato chips were often on the menu.

Despite the widespread looting and frequent gun battles between roving criminals and police, Canon and his treaters were treated with kindness by Louisiana residents after the hurricane. One family offered Catron use of their bathroom, which turned out to be a lone toilet in the back of the large, flooded-out room that was once their home.

"We're a lot like a mortician," Catron said. "People don't really plan on using you or save for the day when they need a tow, but we're there when it's at its worst. People were really helpful."

The National Guard imposed strict curfews on the drivers, warning them of looters and packs of wild dogs, and designated ZIP codes from which Quality's drivers could collect cars. Catron's team would find and pick up vehicles while the sun was out, then pile them in a "safe zone" to be retrieved at night. When a new neighborhood opened up, the drivers would move on.

Almost six years later, Catron can still picture the devastation.

"You see the pictures and it doesn't compare," he said. "When they opened up the new ZIP code area, whether it be animal or human remains, you could smell the rotting carcasses."

Hurricane Katrina was the first major disaster Quality Towing responded to, but it wasn't the last. The company's tow-truck drivers traveled to Houston after Hurricane Ike; Nashville, Tenn., after last year's floods; and most recently Chicago and Boston after a series of snowstorms blanketed both cities.

Quality's parent company, United Road Towing, coordinates nationwide catastrophe response efforts, and Quality general manager Jason Kent said his drivers are more than willing to take their equipment across the country if necessary. When a request for relief comes from United Road, Kent alerts his drivers, who then choose whether to volunteer.

In some cases, like New Orleans, the need for outside help is apparent. In others, like Chicago and Boston, which have their own towing companies, Quality contributes manpower and additional trucks as support for its affiliates.

"(The towing companies) have what they need under normal circumstances, but when things like (the recent snowstorms) happen, the local resources get overwhelmed," Kent said. "Our drivers and personnel out there were working really long hours in harsh conditions. They can handle it for the most part, but if they need the resources, why not get some relief if they can?"

Quality sent drivers to Chicago and Boston to remove cars from the streets so plows could clear the snow. Rather than camp out in parking lots like their colleagues did after Hurricane Katrina, the three drivers sent to Chicago and three sent to Boston were housed in hotels for the duration of their work.

The company also contributes to emergency response efforts in their own community, donating vehicles and support to the local fire and police departments so first-responders can practice dealing with large-vehicle accidents.

The catastrophe response efforts are philanthropic, but also inspire goodwill in consumers, who aren't big fans of towing companies.

"Let's face it: if we're involved, someone's having a bad day," Kent said.

But when catastrophe strikes, Quality Towing might just save the day.

Contact reporter Caitlin McGarry at cmcgarry@lvbusinesspress.com or 702-387-5273

.

UTSA student pleads guilty to killing tow truck driver - San Antonio Express-News

UTSA student pleads guilty to killing tow truck driver - San Antonio Express-News: "A former University of Texas at San Antonio graduate student whose sanity came into question after a deadly crime spree in which he claimed to be a movie villain has pleaded no contest to murder.

Jason Miears, 23, was set to go to trial this week for the slaying of tow truck driver Jose Fernandez, 29, who was shot multiple times in March 2009 while patrolling the parking lot outside the Outpost, a UTSA Boulevard apartment complex where Miears lived.

Miears was also accused of robbing IBC Bank and neighbors during the spree, as well as shooting at a neighbor. During an anonymous 911 call after the Fernandez shooting, police said Miears claimed to be Ben Wade, a villain in the western “3:10 to Yuma.”

In exchange for his plea on Thursday, prosecutors agreed to ask state District Judge Ron Rangel for no more than 50 years in prison during Miears' sentencing hearing in July."

AUTO-MOBI.info - United Road Towing, Inc. Acquires Rapid Recovery, Inc.

AUTO-MOBI.info - United Road Towing, Inc. Acquires Rapid Recovery, Inc.

Here's the story:

United Road Towing, Inc. (URT), the leader in towing, recovery, impound management, vehicle disposal, and motorist assistance solutions for both the public and private sectors, acquired Rapid Recovery, Inc. (Rapid Recovery) of Minnesota on April 21st, 2011.

Rapid Recovery provides towing and impound services to municipalities, commercial customers as well as private property impound customers. Operating out of three facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Rapid Recovery's presence blankets the Twin Cities. Rapid Recovery's management possesses over twenty five years of towing experience with a commitment to service excellence. Jared Gruett, a prior owner and current manager for Rapid Recovery, stated, "We are excited to partner with URT. Their national resources and technology allow us to improve our service offering and capitalize on new opportunities." Pete Olson, another prior owner and current manager, added, "We are excited about the growth opportunities this transaction presents to all our employees." Rapid Recovery has also established a robust abandoned vehicle auction in the last year.

Ryan Davids, Vice President of Business Development, commented, "Rapid Recovery expands URT's reach to another top 20 Metropolitan Statistical Area. Our proprietary resources combined with Rapid's strong management will allow us to capitalize on the many growth opportunities with the Twin Cities."

Jerry Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer and President of United Road Towing, added, "We are extremely impressed with Rapid Recovery's passionate, service-minded professionals and management team. They have grown the business significantly despite trying economic conditions. With them committed to URT, we are excited about the future possibilities in the market."

About United Road Towing

United Road Towing, Inc. is the leader in towing, recovery, and vehicle management solutions serving both the public and private sectors throughout the United States from Los Angeles to Boston. On an annual basis, URT dispatches approximately 500,000 tows as well as manages over 300,000 impounds and sells over 60,000 abandoned vehicles.

Wrecker Driver Shot During Car Repossession Attempt

Wrecker Driver Shot During Car Repossession Attempt: "HOUSTON - A grand jury will need to determine whether or not charges will be filed against a man who police say shot a tow truck driver who was repossessing his vehicle.

The shooting took place around 1:30 a.m. Friday at the SunBlossom at Woodlake apartment complex on South Gessner Road.

The tow truck driver had already hooked the reposessed vehicle onto the wrecker truck when police say he was shot once by the owner of the repossessed vehicle.

After the tow truck driver was shot, he drove away from the apartment complex to a nearby Exxon fuel station on South Gessner Road near Westheimer Road. He sought help once he arrived at the Exxon station.

When Houston police arrived to the Exxon station, the tow truck driver was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The shooting suspect fled from the apartment complex but Houston police have identified him and knows where he lives, so homicide investigators say the case will be referred to a grand jury."

Seattle Woman Sentenced For Tow Truck Driver's Death

Here's the story from The Seattle Times:

A Seattle woman who struck and killed a tow-truck driver on Interstate 5 in September was sentenced Friday to three years and five months in prison.
Shavelle Lewis, 21, had pleaded guilty in April to vehicular homicide and hit-and-run driving.
Lewis was driving with a suspended license when she struck William Padilla, 51, of Burien, at 1:26 a.m. on Sept. 24 as he was kneeling next to a disabled vehicle on the entrance ramp from Spokane Street to southbound I-5. After hitting Padilla, Lewis did a U-turn and drove away, charging papers said.
Troopers found Lewis and her 31-year-old passenger nearby.
Troopers said that Lewis smelled of alcohol and had watery, bloodshot eyes. Lewis told investigators that she had a glass of wine that night.
Lewis has previous convictions for prostitution, hit-and-run driving and drug crimes, and has been sought on 14 arrest warrants since 2008. Two days before the collision she was arrested on warrants, and was released from custody the day before the crash.

Updated Tow Shows & Demos

Shows & Demos
PUBLICIZE YOUR TOW SHOWS,
TRAINING CLASSES, OR RECOVERY DEMOS

Send your information to bcandler@dominionenterprises.com or to Editor, Towing & Recovery Footnotes, Dominion Enterprises, 150 Granby St., Norfolk VA 23510.

June 2-4
Western States Tow Show
Reno Events Center
Reno, Nevada
www.ctta.com
760-325-5840, ext 115

Jun 3-5
ESTRA Tow Show
Lake George, NY
518-543-6630
www.estranys.com

Jun 10-11
Iowa Tow Show
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa
515-244-5193

Jun 13-18
Colorado Tow Show
Jefferson Cnty Fairgrounds
Golden, CO
303-777-4208
www.coloradotowshow.com
connie@coloradotowshow.com

Jun 17-19
Wisconsin Towing Assoc.
Convention & Truck Show
Chula Vista Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
800-338-4782; 608-254-8366
ctuhus@witruk.org

Jul 15-17
Indiana Trade Show
Indiana Towing
& Wrecker Association
Holiday Inn North
Indianapolis, IN
765-288-6041
Sallie235@aol.com

Jun 25
Hookin' Up
& Hangin' Out
PA Towing Assoc.
Null's Towing
1003 Gap Newport Road
Conchranville, PA
ctennisblue@aol.com
814-234-9700

Aug 5-6
PTROI Trade Show
Wyndham Chicago
Lisle, IL
800-286-0519
www.towingillinois.com
www.ptrointslink.net

Aug 19-20
The NW Tow Expo
T&R Assoc. of Washington
Silver Reef Casino
Ferndale, WA
877-600-8729
www.towingandrecovery.org

Sept 10
North Carolina
Tow Truck & Trade Show
Big Boys Truck Stop
Kenly, NC
www.nctowing.org
919-876-0687

Sept 16-18
Tennessee Tow Show
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Convention Center
Chattanooga, TN
423-920-1219
Jerry.riggs@comcast.net

Sept 22-25
Midwest Regional Tow Show
Great Wolf Lodge
Mason, OH
877-341-3400; 513-791-3555
www.trao.org; dbrock@trao.org

Nov 18-20
ATowman Expo
Convention Center
Baltimore, MD
800-732-3869

Repo Man's Humor, Heart Drive New Reality TV Show

Here's the story from www.azcentral.com:

Tom DeTone has lost count of the cars he's absconded with over the years. Hundreds. And the list grows every day.
In most cases, the Phoenix repo man's biggest advantage has been the element of surprise. The best repo is quick and quiet, where, if the owner appears at all, it's in the tow truck's rearview mirror.
So forgive DeTone for being suspicious last summer when he received a call suggesting that he forgo such stealthy repos and, instead, knock on the front door and ask the car's owner to come outside and watch.
That did not seem like a good idea to a guy who's had many things thrown at him - punches, rolls of quarters, a 44-ounce soda - while repossessing cars.
"The drink really stung," DeTone, 41, recalled. "The cup clipped my head, soda was stinging my eyes. You'd be surprised how much a soft drink can hurt."
But as a result of that phone call, DeTone may be the happiest repo man in the country. As host of "Repo Games," a reality series debuting tonight on Spike, DeTone is a muscular, blue-collar Alex Trebek, giving owners a chance to win back the cars on which they've defaulted. Answer a few trivia questions correctly, and owners get their cars back, paid in full.
When contestants win, which DeTone said they do about half the time, he is seen as a combination of Santa Claus and Mother Teresa. And should owners lose - well, DeTone still is seen in a kinder light because they at least had the opportunity to get their cars back.
"For years, I've been seen as the bad guy, even though I was just doing a job," DeTone said. "Now it's completely different.
"I've gotten really good hugs from girlfriends, but when I get a hug from a woman who just got their car back, it's off the charts."
DeTone started a repo business in 2009 for a Phoenix towing company and built the business through a strong Internet presence. "Repo Games" producers discovered him on the Web and contacted the repo man last year to see if he might like to do a TV show.
Thinking the call a prank, DeTone's instincts kicked in and he ran a background check - while still on the phone. Not only were the producers legit, but they were the same folks behind MTV's popular "Jersey Shore."
After a face-to-face meeting a month later, DeTone was on board, joined by Josh Lewis, 30, an LA-based repo man who had responded to a casting call.
The game is simple: Once DeTone and Lewis spot the car that's to be repossessed - which may be on another block or in a neighbor's driveway as financially troubled owners try to hide their rides - it is loaded onto their tow truck. Once it is secured, DeTone knocks on the front door if the owner has yet to notice the 35-person, camera-laden crew around the vehicle.
DeTone escorts the owner outside and asks five trivia questions. Some are easy, taking advantage of the pressure of the situation.
"I can ask, 'What color is the sky?' and they will have no idea," he said. "All these cameras focused on them, people everywhere. They get tunnel vision."
If the "contestant" answers three questions correctly, the car is his or hers free and clear (the show pays off the balance). If not, DeTone and Lewis ride off into the repo sunset, returning the car to whoever holds the note.
Episodes thus far have been shot in Phoenix, Dallas and Las Vegas. Among cars repossessed: BMWs, Mercedes and a Lexus or two. Even the seemingly well-off can fall behind on car payments.
"I'm waiting for that day when we roll up to a famous person's house," DeTone said. "It can happen. And I will root for them, too, just like I root for everyone. I have a lot more fun when I can give a car back."

Towing Museum Fulfills Make-A-Wish Dream For Little Boy

Here's the story from WDEF News 12:

A child with a brain tumor comes to Chattanooga to fulfill a dream. The Make a Wish Foundation made it possible for Dylan Wallick to ride in a tow truck.
The 5-year-old checked out the Towing Museum today. His dad Cameron says this has been a great trip.
Cameron Wallick\Father, "He loves trucks and cars, and it was one of his things to see like a monster truck, and we got to do that. Got to come to this great museum and see all the trucks, and everybody down here in this area been so great, so nice to him."
Dylan has been battling his brain tumor since he was 19-months-old.

Here's the link to the video: http://wdef.com/video/towing_museum_fulfills_make_a_wish_dream_for_little_boy/04/2011

A Double Dose of Sad News From TX

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of Martha "Marti" Farrington, wife of Dewey Farrington, who was a longtime member of the Oklahoma Towing Association, a dedicated member and officer of TRAA, and a museum and Hall of Fame member and inductee. Marti passed away on April 23, 2011.

Our condolences also go out to the family and acquaintances of Casey Denman, 32, who worked for AA Wrecker Service in Haltom City (a member of the Texas Towing & Storage Association). He passed away in an automobile accident on April 21, 2011 in Weatherford, TX.

T&R Footnotes' May Digital Edition Now Available Online!

Your May 2011 digital edition of Towing and Recovery Footnotes is now available. Simply click here to instantly begin reading the issue, or click on the features below to read specific articles.

• Tracking Trucks. The very latest advanced technology for keeping track of your tow trucks and the jobs they are on is captured in this article. These amazing new dispatch and accounting tools will save money on fuel and other equipment, save drive time, and make calls more efficient, as well as provide effective online fiscal accounting and equipment monitoring. This will help you keep up with these fast-moving developments.Page 1

• Steering Clear. Want to do everything possible to avoid going to court and the wasted time and expense to defend your interests, either as plaintiff or defendant? Here are some tips from the experts on how to avoid costly litigation. Read and heed! Page 11

• Smart Start-Ups. As the economy gradually improves, towing company owners will want to consider ways to obtain financing for new trucks and other equipment as the banks begin to loosen up on lending. Here are some tips to help you get that loan you need to keep your business thriving and your equipment up to date. Page 17

• The Advisor. The towPartners Advisor appears monthly in Footnotes. Advisor features advice in all areas of towing, from technical details to business operations. towPartners also offers towers the opportunity for great discounts from many equipment and service vendors. Page 13

Also in this issue: Dennis Wencel's column The Black Book offers important business advice for tow company owners; Short Hauls offers the latest nationwide news about towing and recovery every month; see our schedule of upcoming tow shows and education, such asWes Wilburn's training schedule; and much more. Also, we offer great combo print/online advertising deals that will increase product visibility at a savings over the usual ad rates.

If you cannot click on any of the links above, please copy and paste this URL into your web browser:
May 2011 Issue: http://www.myonlinepubs.com/publication?i=67114

Towing and Recovery Footnotes .

Sincerely,Bill Candler 
Editor

Got Video? It Might Earn You Some $$

Here's some info sent in by TruTV:

TOP 20 MOST SHOCKING

PRODUCES TOW TRUCK MADNESS FOR SEASON 5!

There’s no business like tow business! As drivers, you know every call can lead you into a hotbed of freakish behavior. From the furious deadbeat targeted for a repo, to the drunk driver who still doesn’t know why his car’s split in two, you can never tell what you’re going to find. That’s why having cameras – in your vehicles and in your yards – is such a slam dunk.

Now, thanks to truTV, those cameras don’t just watch your back – they can earn you some cool cash! This is your chance to showcase your company’s drivers and the bizarre world they inhabit. Did your cameras catch the businessman going ballistic over his illegally-parked Lexus? The rubbernecker who turned an accident scene into a demolition derby? Or the irate customer who stormed into your business? Then you can be part of the hottest reality show on television –TOP 20 MOST SHOCKING!

EARN $$$ FOR YOUR VIDEO! BE ON TV!

TOP 20 MOST SHOCKING is the wildest, most action-packed hour of caught-on-tape footage on the air. Whether it’s the outrageous rampages of Hotheads From Hell, or the unbelievable antics of Biggest Boozers, no other show can match our raw take on the unexpected. And now, we’re ready to deliver our eye-opening look at the job that always comes with a hitch: TOW TRUCK MADNESS!

We’re tracking down the craziest footage from across the country and around the globe of tow trucking lunacy as experienced by the pros! Forget watching others on Operation Repo. Now you can be in the spotlight as the star of our show!

What we’re looking for:

Car Owners Wielding Weapons

Vehicles Falling Off The Truck

Tow Trucks Rammed By Negligent Drivers

Customers Who Think Their Car’s Disabled When It’s Not

Employees Being Chased By Vengeful Drivers

Or any other situation that leaves you hoisting your jaw off the ground!

TOP 20 MOST SHOCKING has consistently topped the ratings, thanks to fans like you sending in the hottest videos out there today. And we’ll pony up to keep delivering the goods! To send in your video, just contact clips@nashentertainment.com, 323-468-4600, or upload footage directly to http://upload.nashentertainment.com.  

Hino Trucks 338 Model Named '11 MD Commercial Truck of the Year

Glenn Ellis - VP of Marketing & Dealer Operations, Sumio Fukaya - President and CEO, Bob McDowell - Sr. VP Sales & Customer Support

Here's part of the press release:

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks 338 model took home the 2011 Medium Duty Commercial Truck of the Year award. The 2011 award marks the second year in a row that the American Truck Dealers (ATD) division of the NADA has bestowed this honor on Hino after its 268 model received the same accolade in 2010.
The trucks were judged on innovation, design, fuel economy, driver and owner satisfaction, ease of maintenance and safety. “We congratulate Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. and all of the nominees for participating in this year’s ATD Commercial Truck of the Year competition,” said Dick Witcher, ATD convention chairman. “The award competition, which honors the top medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold in the United States, continues to grow. We look forward to hosting the competition next year during the convention in Las Vegas.” The judging panel consists of journalists from leading truck publications in North America.
“We are honored and thrilled to have won the ATD Medium Duty truck of the Year Award for the second consecutive year,” said Sumio Fukaya, President and CEO of Hino Trucks. “We strive to make the world a better place to live by helping people and goods get where they need to go - safely, economically and with environmental responsibility - while focusing on sustainable development. It brings us great satisfaction to see that our efforts are meeting the expectation of the industry."
The 33,000 lb. GVW, 2012MY Hino 338 model features Hino’s signature J08E series 8-liter diesel engine producing 260 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque that has become the premier choice for many vocations such as beverage delivery, municipalities, construction, utilities, petroleum/gas delivery and waste/recycling. In addition to a 13% improvement in engine torque, Hino’s 338 model provides class 7 vocational fleets the advantages of an industry-leading 5-year/250,000 mile warranty and the only conventional medium duty EPA10 engine certified at the mandated level.

OR Tow Operator Injured

We hope Matt Stuart of Retriever Towing recovers quickly! Here's the story from KGW.com:

PORTLAND -- A tow truck operator was injured after he was hit by a man who was trying to illegally retrieve his car from a tow yard Tuesday night, police said.
"We'd really like to have some help from the public in finding this guy," said Gary Coe, owner of Retriever Towing.
Once caught, the suspect will be charged with vehicular assault. The suspect's vehicle was described as a black Subaru Outback Impreza.  It has a California license plate 5TIC397.
It happened at approximately 5 p.m. at Retriever Towing's property in NW Portland.  Coe said the man showed up to get his car after it was towed from a parking lot near MLK and Washington earlier in the day.
"He asked how much the car was," said employee Chris Jones.  "I explained it to him how much it was."
Jones said the man realized he was short about $20.  He then darted onto the lot and jumped in his car.
Surveillance photos: Suspect in impound lot
"He proceeded to go ahead, rev up his engine and start his car, and went towards the gate," said Jones.
Jones tried to stop the man.  He was joined by his co-worker, Matt Stuart.
"Eventually I was able to get out of his way as he went through our gate," said Jones.  "Matt was pinned between the car and the gate and he fell backwards and hit his head on the asphalt behind him."
Jones said the man raced off the lot and drove away as Stuart laid on the ground, bleeding from his head.
Photos: Injured tow truck operator
"It was pretty disturbing to see my co-worker looking up at me with a glossy-eyed look in his face and seeing the blood underneath his head."
"There's no sense in getting foul," said Coe.  "I just hope we can find the person and bring him to justice."
Fortunately, Stuart will be okay.  He was released from Good Samaritan Hospital at around 8 p.m. and is at home recovering.
Stuart told KGW Wednesday that he is sore but thankful to be alive. He said he was anxious for the man who hit him to be captured.
Anyone with information that may help investigators was urged to call Portland police.

Sad News From WI

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of tow truck driver Dan Bobholz of Bobholz Trucking, Inc.,  who died Tuesday, April 19, after being struck by two vehicles while he was working on the side of the road. Here's the story from WSIN.com:

ALLENTON, Wis. -- There's new information about the tow truck operator who was killed as a result of trecherous road conditions near West Bend on Tuesday
It's a sad situation," said Bill Rate of Bob's Main Street Auto & Towing.
Tow truck owner and operator Bill Rate looked over a vehicle that may have struck and killed his friend and associate Tuesday in Allenton.
"My heart and condolences go out to the family and everything for the tragedy that happened yesterday," Rate said.
Dan Bobholz, of Allenton, responded to a call around 2:30 p.m. The weather was bad.
Investigators at the scene said that a Jeep traveling southbound on Highway 41 sideswiped a legally parked Washington County Sheriff's Office squad that was doing traffic direction on the right shoulder for Bobholz Towing while Bobholz removed a runoff vehicle from the right ditch.
After the Jeep sideswiped the Washington Cunty squad, it started to spin and struck Bobholz while he was on foot loading the runoff vehicle onto his wrecker.
Bobholz was then pushed into his wrecker and, as the Jeep rotated away, he fell into a traffic lane of Highway 41 where he was then run over by a semi tractor-trailer traveling past the scene.
Tow truck operators said this is their worst fear every time they go out.
"We have the lights. We have the reflective gear. We have all the equipment that we need out there, watching our backs at all times, but in a condition like this, people are just not paying attention," Rate said.
Rate said he was just north of the crash picking up a car about an hour before it happened. He said people were driving way too fast, and he and his other operators are lucky they didn't get hit.
It's a reminder of how dangerous traveling during bad weather can be and a reminder to all motorists to slow down and yield to respect.
The State Patrol said it appeared that icy roads and excessive speed might have contributed to that fatal crash.

Beacon Funding Corporation Announces New Hire for Tow/Work Truck Equipment Financing

Beacon Funding Corporation Announces New Hire for Tow/Work Truck Equipment Financing
Here's the press release:

Todd Chase brings over 18 years of tow truck industry experience to Beacon Funding. His diversified background includes tow equipment/supply sales, tow operations, towing & recovery training and customer relations and support. Todd is also a lead trainer for the Statewide Towing Academy and a Director of the Statewide Towing Association(of Massachusetts).
Per Toby McDonough, Vice President of Beacon's Sales & Marketing, "Todd has already proven to be an excellent addition to our team. His extensive knowledge of all aspects of the work truck marketplace coupled with Beacon's niche truck financing expertise has proven invaluable to his equipment vendor and business owner relationships."
Based in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Todd's primary responsibility will be to assist Beacon in developing new relationships with tow/work truck dealerships and clients.
Todd Chase will be attending the 2011 Florida Tow Show in Orlando, FloridaApril 14-17, 2011.
ABOUT BEACON FUNDING CORPORATION
For the past 21 years, Beacon Funding Corporation has been providing equipment financing solutions to all types of organizations, new and established, throughout a variety of industries in the United States and Canada. For more information please visit http://www.beaconfunding.com.

Sad News From IA

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of Larry Wickersham, who ran I-80 Towing in Altoona, IA, for many years. He passed away on February 21, 2011 in Colfax, IA, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. 

"Towing and the Law" Book Now Available

Michael McGovern has released a new book, based on 15 years of the popular Legaleze column in Tow Times. 

Dangerous Duty In NE

Here's the story from KETV News 7:

OMAHA, Neb. -- Police said no one was hurt, but two tow truck operators were threatened at gunpoint early Friday morning in midtown Omaha.Investigators said the incident took place near 38th and Farnam streets around 3:45 a.m.As the two operators were loading a car onto the flatbed of their tow truck, three men confronted them, police said. The owner of the car and the owner's boyfriend argued they didn't have enough money to pay the towing fee and then pulled out a gun and threatened the truck operators, according to investigators. Bullet holes found in tow truck's windshield.Police said to two towing company employees went to another tow truck to leave and the man with the gun fired multiple times into the cab of the first tow truck.Officers said, as they arrived, they spotted someone tossing a gun as he ran off. They recovered the weapon and then took Kenneth Hatch, 24, into custody. Hatch is now facing charges of possession of a stolen firearm and terroristic threats, investigators said.Officers said they were given permission to search the apartment where the men came from and found another stolen handgun and some marijuana. Investigators said Kyle Hauder, 22, is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and for an unrelated misdemeanor warrant.

Kenworth Truck Company News

Here's the press release:

LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 30, 2011– Kenworth Truck Company announced that it will offer its first 6x6 configuration for the Kenworth T370 medium duty model.“Kenworth is further expanding its reach into key medium duty markets by providing quality, durable and high-performance Kenworth T370s in a 6x6 configuration for the first time,” said Preston Feight, Kenworth chief engineer. “This new offering will benefit operators running utility service, construction, oilfield service and boom trucks, in addition to municipal applications, such as fire and emergency vehicles. Customers get a great medium duty truck for applications which require a heavier front axle and tandem rear axle to get the job done.”The Kenworth T370 6x6 features a factory-installed front drive axle available in ratings ranging from 10,000 lbs. to 16,000 lbs. The 6x6 will be equipped with a 40,000 lb. rated rear suspension. Initially, the Chalmers series 854-40 suspension will be offered, followed by the addition of the Hendrickson PRIMAAX(R) EX rear air suspension later this year. T370 6x6 customers can choose either the PACCAR PX-6 or PACCAR PX-8 engine. The addition of Kenworth’s new 6x6 configuration builds upon the 4x4 configuration introduced for the T270 and T370 in 2010.Kenworth’s quality medium duty products, combined with excellent dealer support, contributed to Kenworth receiving the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates award for “Highest in Customer Satisfaction for Medium Duty Truck Dealer Service.”*Kenworth Truck Company is the manufacturer of The World’s Best(R) heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth is an industry leader in providing fuel-saving technology solutions that help increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The company’s dedication to the green fleet includes aerodynamic trucks, compressed and liquefied natural gas trucks, and medium duty diesel-electric hybrids. Kenworth is the only truck manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence award in recognition of its environmentally friendly products. Kenworth’s Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. Kenworth. A PACCAR Company.#*Kenworth received the highest numerical score for medium-duty truck dealer service in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Medium Duty Truck Customer Satisfaction Study(SM).  Study based on responses from 1,258 respondents measuring 8 manufacturers. Survey was of primary maintainers and owner operators and measures overall service quality of new (2009 model year) medium-duty (Class 5, 6, and 7) trucks (2009 model year).  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in June-August 2010. Your experiences may vary.  Visit jdpower.com

New Ranger SST-CommLink MDT With Credit Card Processing

Here's the press release:

New from Ranger SST - CommLink MDT™ -  Now With Credit Card ProcessingExtend and integrate your dispatch process with drivers in the field.  Send detailed call information and receive status updates back from drivers, along with vehicle information and any "Extras"  that were delivered.  Send account-specific pricing parameters with the call and the CommLink MDT™ calculates the charges for the driver and processes the customer's credit card!  All information from the driver automatically updates the dispatch screen and accounting records (in DispatchDirect™).  No Voice Traffic To Manage - you only need the radio for back-up.  Driver interface is a Mentor Ranger MDT unit that  includes  fixed-in-vehicle GPS with antenna.  Enables visual dispatch (drag and drop) from the map (MapTrack™) - shows truck location, truck type, truck availability, and proximity to an incoming call.   See www.RangerSST.com for more information, or call 440.498.1495.  

Here's part of the press release:

Novi, Michigan – Hino Trucks announces “HINO INSIGHT” – the most advanced, tailored, comprehensive web-based location and telematics solution in the medium-duty commercial truck market. Hino‟s solution provides innovative GPS-based, remote fleet management capabilities to fleet operations of all sizes – driving efficiencies, safety, security, customer satisfaction and green initiatives.Hino Trucks and their industry-leading telematics technology partner, WebTech Wireless®, have invested more than two years and over a million miles of real world testing to develop the ultimate, value-added, versatile fleet management solution. INSIGHT is more than a basic telematics package, it is a complete solution including a mix of premium and Hino exclusive services ranging from, route tracking, geofencing, advanced vehicle administration, and planned maintenance management to real-time critical Hino proprietary diagnostics alerts, custom fleet performance dashboard reporting, and remote door unlock telemetry. Additionally, Hino INSIGHT units come standard with a free 1-year service subscription plan and a 2-year Hino OEM full product warranty.

New Lowboys From Landoll

Here's the press release:

Landoll Corporation is pleased to announce an all new line of heavy haul detachable lowboy trailers. The 800 Series has two primary models. The 835 is a 35-ton – with two or three axles; the 855 is a 55-ton – with three or four axles. This new construction series of hydraulic non-ground bearing detachables have loaded deck heights down to 17.75” and deck lengths up to 32’. 
The 800 Series of construction trailers have an impressive list of standard equipment that includes four (4) 100,000-lb. high tensile steel beams and 4S2M ABS with spring brakes on all axles. The 12’5” long gooseneck comes standard with two King Pin settings, 108” by 90” and seven ride height settings. These trailers will be equipped with 12” swing out extensions, a recessed boom trough, a recessed bucket trough in the lower deck and dropped wheel bolsters. Landoll will also include its standard zinc rich powder primer with a choice of six standard powder color top coats or optional hot dip galvanizing is available for the ultimate in rust protection.The 855 will be on display at the Florida Tow Show April 14-17, 2011 – Booth #881

Sad News From TX

Our condolences to the family and acquaintances of 24-year-old Christian Gutierrez who died on Mar. 31 as he was moving a wrecked vehicle on the side of the highway. He was killed by a UPS 18-wheeler. Gutierrez worked for Coby's Auto and Wrecker Service. Here's the story from the Victoria Advocate:

Christian Gutierrez rarely got a day off from his job at Coby's Auto and Wrecker Service.
To maximize their time together, his girlfriend, Maria Cahue, and her 2-year-old daughter, Andrea, would ride in the wrecker with him, Cahue said.
"That's how we spent our time together, up until that same night," Cahue said Saturday.
Cahue, 19, said she had just returned home from responding to a call with her 24-year-old boyfriend when he was called to another wreck near Refugio.
Gutierrez, 24, was struck and killed by a UPS tractor-trailer while loading a vehicle at that wreck.
The crash that killed Gutierrez remains under investigation by the Department of Public Safety.
The couple's one year anniversary was Friday.
On Saturday, Cahue was in Laredo with Gutierrez's family, preparing for his funeral.
Cahue said the family did not want to talk publicly about Gutierrez.
With nine siblings, Gutierrez was a family man, she said.
"Anything for me and my daughter. He always put us first," Cahue said.
Over the phone, Andrea could be heard calling for her mother.
"She asks for him," Cahue said. "She thinks he's working."
Gutierrez moved to Victoria almost a year ago to be with his girlfriend and her daughter, Cahue said.
That was after his service as a Marine in Iraq.
"He was a three-time combat veteran. He went overseas more than once," Cahue said. "He liked serving his country."
Gutierrez received several military honors, including the Marine Corp. Good Conduct Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, the National Defense Service Medal and the Rifle Expert Badge, according to his obituary.
He also enlisted in the Marine Corp. Reserve.
Cahue said on a rare day off, Gutierrez would still be putting others before himself, most likely taking Andrea out to have fun.
"We love him. There was not one person that he did not touch, that did not like him," Cahue said. "He was just very loving."

Related story:  http://www.kristv.com/news/tow-truck-driver-struck-and-killed-on-highway-77/

Everyday Tow Hero Honored In L.A.

Here's the story from EGP News:

Justice Served Through Bravery of Local CitizensDistrict Attorney Steve Cooley honors Los Angeles area residents who were instrumental in putting criminals in jail.By EGP News ReportLos Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley on Friday recognized four everyday citizens who acted courageously under extraordinary and stressful circumstances to bring criminals to justice.Among them was a man who came to the rescue of a woman getting beaten on an Echo Park sidewalk, a Boyle Heights man who bravely came forward to identify the shooter in a gang murder case, a nine-year-old Los Angeles girl who provided eye-witness testimony in a drug murder case, and a Los Angeles tow-truck driver whose persistence put a group of armed gunmen behind bars.Cooley presented the four with the Courageous Citizen Award during a luncheon held by the Los Angeles Rotary Club on April 1.While driving in Echo Park in January 2010, honoree Robert Mark, 60, saw a man kicking and punching a woman in the face as she lay on a sidewalk trying to block the blows. Mark reacted to this scene by stopping his car, getting out of his car, and charging the assailant, who fled.Soon the assailant, who turned out to be the victim’s ex-boyfriend, returned, but Mark stood in the man’s way, until the attacker retreated for good. The defendant was captured, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and is awaiting sentencing.In April 2008, honoree Jesus Delgadillo, 28, of Los Angeles, witnessed the murder of a former gang member in his Boyle Heights neighborhood. The victim, a former gang member who had turned his life around, was shot dead during a verbal confrontationWhile other witnesses were unwilling, Delgadillo came forward to testify in court on what he saw. He was able to identify the shooter, who was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.Despite her young age, honoree Chynna Hunt, 9, of Los Angeles, proved a poised and effective witness. She gave testimony about a man shooting to death another man after a September 2008 drug deal. The defendant in the case was convicted of murder and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
Tow truck driver Joseph Mosesean, 52, was honored for giving chase to a group of gunmen he witness fleeing the scene in December 2008.Mosean was stopped at a traffic light west of downtown Los Angeles, when he saw a group of armed suspects in a station wagon fire at a second car, killing the driver. When the gunmen attempted to flee, Mosesean jumped into action, following closely behind and relaying critical details to his company’s dispatch operator, who notified police.Mosesean tailed them for more than a mile before a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter joined the pursuit. The three suspects tried to flee on foot, but all were captured, and later each convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years to life in state prison.

CCMC News

Here's the press release:

CROSS COUNTRY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES EARNS GLOBAL SUPPLIER AWARD FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SERVICES
MEDFORD, MASS, March 22, 2011 – Cross Country Automotive Services (Cross Country), a leading provider of driver and vehicle assistance services in North America, has been selected by Ford Motor Company as a recipient of a 2010 World Excellence Award, the company's highest recognition for its suppliers globally.
Ford honored Cross Country with a Gold World Excellence Award for attaining a superior level of excellence in the management and execution of its roadside assistance program. The Gold award is the highest level of the recognition by Ford for service.  
“Cross Country is proud to be recognized for its contribution toward Ford’s highest standards of customer services,” said Michael Saxton, chief executive officer for Cross Country. “We share Ford’s total commitment to excellence in technology, quality and cost efficiency, and appreciate being entrusted to provide a wide range of roadside assistance services that add value to the company’s innovative vehicles.”
A total of 15 suppliers received Gold World Excellence Awards; Ford selected 47 total World Excellence Award honorees from 16 different countries for aligning themselves with the values and operating practices of Ford.

About Cross CountryFor nearly 40 years, Cross Country Automotive Services has been a pioneer and thought leader in creating and delivering technology-enabled service solutions for the auto and insurance industries.  Cross Country manages roadside assistance programs in the U.S. on behalf of global automobile manufacturers and U.S. insurance carriers, providing solutions for the nearly six million roadside service events experienced by their consumers each year.  In addition, Cross Country provides accident scene management, vehicle release management and total loss screening services for insurance carriers, and customer care services and connected vehicle services for a number of automotive manufacturers. For more information, visit www.crosscountry-auto.com.  

TX Passes Tow Truck "Move Over" Law!

Round of applause! Here's the story from WTAW News Talk 1620:

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Motorists could face new penalties for passing tow trucks on the highway unless they slowed down or changed lanes.Without any debate, the Texas House unanimously approved legislation Wednesday adding tow trucks to the law requiring motorists to move over or slow down when passing law enforcement or emergency vehicles, such as police cars or ambulances. The tow trucks would have to have their emergency lights flashing.Motorists who violate the law would face a fine of up to $200 — akin to a speeding ticket — or more if the violation causes an accident and causes property or bodily damage.Advocates say the bill, pushed by towing interests, is needed to protect tow truck operators who routinely work in extremely dangerous conditions on Texas highways.