Towing Professionals News

Towing Industry News & Events

Towing Industry News & Events

Get latest news and events for the towing service industry right here.

We’ve searched the web and collected the latest in towing industry news and events. Find real stories about towing professionals.

Professional Towman and Towing Industry News

New Integrated MPL-60

New Year – New Rotator

Hypothermia Infographic

Learn more about how to keep your crew safe in the cold: click here.

The American Towman Exposition: Baltimore 2023

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! We're looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming Towman Exposition in Baltimore, now just days away! We're bringing THREE truck loads of straps, apparel, dollies and more. We will have more than 20 trucks available for sale exclusively at the show, including an all [...]

2022 Las Vegas American Towman ShowPlace

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! At the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada come to the American Towman ShowPlace - Las Vegas event featuring heavy duty equipment used in trucks, transport trailers, truck engines, truck cabin interiors, tow truck accessories, winches, emergency light products, engine components, wheels, [...]

Hot Weather Risks

Tow Industry Week 2022 With an extreme heat wave covering a large portion of the U.S. this week, now is a good time to address environmental exposure and OSHA compliance. As part of your workplace safety program, it is your duty to provide your employees with an environment free from recognized hazards. As employers you [...]

The American Towman Exposition: Baltimore 2021

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! Looking for a new wrecker? We will have several standard and heavy duty wreckers exclusively for sale at the Baltimore Tow Expo! Come out and see us there November 12th 1p – 5p, November 13th 11a – 6p, or November 14th 11a – 4p! Come see [...]

2021 Tennessee Tow Show

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! East Coast Truck and Trailer Sales is pleased to announce we will be attending the Tennessee Tow Show in Chattanooga, TN, this October hosted, as previously, by Tow Times and the Tennessee Tow Truck Association. The hosts anticipate a large crowd this year and so recommend [...]

Mid-America’s Tow Show: The Towman Games

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! Over 100 exhibitors are accommodated inside the world class Huntington Convention Center. The industry’s wrecker, carrier, trailer and chassis builders all exhibit. Today there are many satellite-distributor booths adding many more tow trucks for sale on the floor. The suppliers exhibiting cover an amazing sprectrum of [...]

Las Vegas American Towman ShowPlace

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! At the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada come to the American Towman ShowPlace - Las Vegas event featuring heavy duty equipment used in trucks, transport trailers, truck engines, truck cabin interiors, tow truck accessories, winches, emergency light products, engine components, wheels, [...]

San Antonio Tow Expo 2021

Come out and see us at the Tow Show! American Towman’s trade show tour makes its debut this year with the TowExpo, the biggest industry conference in the Southwest to take place in San Antonio Texas August 5-7! The city of San Antonio, ranked seventh in the nation in the number of people who reside [...]

2021 Truck Driving Industry Statistics

If you've ever driven down a highway, you've seen commercial truck drivers performing their jobs. But have you ever wondered who these drivers are, what their days look like, or how dangerous their jobs are to their health and lives? Or, as you've driven past a vehicle, have you thought about what laws govern them? [...]

Families of tow truck accident victims testify on “move over” bill

Slow down and move over when you see flashing lights Families -March 25th, 2021 HELENA, Mont. - "Slow down and move over when you see flashing lights," it’s a sentiment being echoed at the State Capitol after two tow truck drivers were killed last fall near Columbus. Casey Allen and Nick Visser died when a [...]

Tow Bill In Akron To Reform Police Tows

Akron deal would inject immediate and ongoing competition into who gets exclusive towing rights. - March 23rd, 2021 A police towing reform bill that was introduced on March 1 and then subject to further review will allow more towing and roadside service companies to compete fairly and openly for police vehicle tows throughout seven of [...]

Take the Roll-Off Quiz!

The Advantages of Using Roll-Off Trucks The advantage to using a roll-off truck or dumpster truck as opposed to a fixed body truck is the freedom to load any type of container that sits on rails. (This flexibility is highly valued in the industry as it allows for a smaller yet versatile fleet). Also, with [...]

ECTTS Brings Work Trucks to cover ANY Job to American Towman Expo Atlantic City!

See What's In Store at the 31st Annual American Towman Association Expo! --11/22/2019 The biggest event coming to Atlantic City this season, the American Towman Association's Exposition XXXI is taking place December 4-7, 2019. After spending the last few years attending the event in Baltimore, we're super excited to see our Atlantic City friends for [...]

Don’t Miss the 2019 NACV Atlanta Show!

You do not want to miss this year's North American Commercial Vehicle Show. This amazing commercial trade show is coming around the bend to Atlanta from October 28 to 31, 2019. At East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales, it's our first time exhibiting at NACV, and we are ready for the fun! NACV is the [...]

Time for the 2019 Tennessee Tow Show! — Join Us for the Fun!

Enjoy Special Discounts & New Products Making Their Debut! The 2019 Tennessee Tow Show is right around the corner! With new dates this year, the Tow Show will take place in Chattanooga from October 10-13, 2019 — and we are so excited you wouldn't believe it! It's the perfect time of year to enjoy the [...]

Don’t Miss the Fun: The Midwest Regional Tow Show Is Here!

Mark Your Calendars for Sept 27-29 Here comes the Midwest Regional Tow Show — the biggest tow show in the whole Midwest! Where else can you meet up with friends and colleagues, all while checking out cool new rigs and equipment? Personally, we can't wait! At East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales, this is one of our [...]

Staying Awake–Tips for Tow Truck Drivers

Thirty-seven percent of people admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel. Here’s what to do to make sure you’re not one of them. Fatigued driving is an issue not to be treated lightly, especially among truck drivers or towing operators. After driving long hours, it is understandable that one will feel tired and even unintentionally [...]

Join East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales at the Dallas Tow Show Aug. 15-18, 2019

Hook Up With Great Deals on Towing Parts & Supplies at the 2019 Dallas Tow Expo The Dallas Tow Expo happening this week is a must-do event for towing and recovery professionals — East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales will be there with the latest in Jerr-Dan wreckers plus two semi truckloads of towing equipment [...]

How The Car Towing Field is Born

The Debut of This Great Industry -08/08/2019 It All Started With The Old Professor In 1916, Cadillacs and Ford Model T’s where the main types of cars that people use to travel around places. One day, a mechanic from Chattanooga, Tennessee named Ernest Holmes received a call from his old professor saying that his Ford [...]

Points to Note in Carrying Out Heavy Duty Towing

Safety Measure to Carry Out to Prevent Damage and Injuries -08/06/2019 Heavy duty towing is not an easy job, and not all the tow truck companies are capable of carry out this task. In order to execute a flawless tow, it requires experience, skills and great attention to complete the job. Here we shall examine [...]

Business A guide to owner-operator success

Winning trucking company strategies for owner-ops -08/02/2019 A detailed, thoughtfully written business plan is more than just an outline from which to start a business. It’s the guide you use to be successful.  Following is a list of solid reasons why a trucking company needs to have a business plan. Set specific objectives. To correctly [...]

After the crash: What to do

How Transportation Professionals Can Limit Liability -07/24/2019 Anyone even loosely involved in the transportation industry is familiar with the increased demand and rapid growth of the last few years. For example, motor carriers are busier than ever. The booming economy has increased the amount of freight needing to be transported, so transportation companies report they [...]

Vintage Navy Aircraft Recovery

Vintage Navy Aircraft Recovery -07/24/2019 Kelvin and Janette Ramer established Auto Care Lifesaver Towing in Watsonville, California, in 1991. The business has been family owned and operated for the last 28 years and has expanded to include Kelvin’s brother Clinton, as well as the Ramers’ children Rosalee and Ben. They maintain a fleet of 16 [...]

Drivers Who Ignore Va.’s Move Over law Could Face Harsher Punishment

July 1st Virginia's Move Over Law Just Toughened The Penalties There are just a few of the hundreds of new laws going into effect on July 1st in the Commonwealth. But there are two super important ones that Virginia Auto Transport drivers need to know. 1. Failure to Move Over for Emergency Vehicles Is Reckless Driving Virginia has had a "Move Over Law" that requires [...]

Tow Truck Drivers Face Many Hazards on the Roads

Potential Risks of Being a Tow Truck Driver Those drivers who are considering a tow truck driver career or operating their own tow truck business should be aware that it is a very dangerous job. Injuries and fatalities are very high among tow truck drivers. Accidents regularly occur when the tow truck driver is loading a vehicle onto the [...]

Safety on the Road

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF BEING A TOW TRUCK DRIVER Safety on the Road Every occupation has its own risks, big or small. While being on the road is a risk in itself, tow truck drivers face even more challenges than a regular motorist. They may be heroes to those stuck on the side of the road [...]

Sleep Apnea & Safe Driving

Sleep Apnea & Safe Driving The Truckers & Turnover Project, led by Stephen Burks, with the University of Minnesota Morris, has earned the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies 2019 Robert C. Johns Research Partnership Award for researching commercial drivers and untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In the study, the research team identified that non-adherent drivers [...]

32 TRUCK DRIVING ESSENTIALS TO BRING ON THE ROAD

Truck driving jobs mean you live in your truck, and living in your truck means you need to pack it all! The essentials, entertainment options and work related items for a smooth ride. With this checklist, you’ll be able to pack the important stuff!   Infographic courtesy of CDL Jobs

How systematic are you in your maintenance process?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently announced that it is gathering information on the role of maintenance in vehicle safety. One area FMCSA wants to focus on is understanding what is meant by “systematic.” Current regulations say that fleets must have programs to “systematically inspect, repair and maintain” trucks. However, there is no clear-cut definition [...]

What does PM (preventive maintenance) really mean?

What does PM really mean? In some cases it means lights out, afternoon, or even after dark — as in post-meridian. But in other cases, "PM" is surrounded by a lack of understanding at a moment in time. It is clear that PM has different meanings to each person responsible for managing or performing the preventive maintenance process. Therefore, [...]

HOW TO BUY AND MAINTAIN WIRE ROPE FOR YOUR TOW TRUCK

Wire rope is the lifeline of your tow truck. We’ll help you understand the terminology, construction and ratings of wire rope. We’ll also give you advice on what type of rope to buy, how to attach it to a hook without losing towing capacity, how to inspect and maintain it, how to prevent damage, and [...]

Maintenance considerations for air disc brakes

Air disc brakes (ADB) continue to grow in popularity, and there are a number of reasons for this. Improved safety, shorter stopping distances, consistent stopping power and more efficient maintenance practices all help to lower both the cost per mile as well as vehicle downtime. As an example, the estimated time for a wheel-end drum [...]

Will you survive winter?

You can’t prevent or ignore temperatures below zero, ice, snow, sleet, deicing chemicals. You can, however, spend time before bad weather sets in getting your trucks ready for winter’s onslaught and then pay extra attention to a few specific areas during the winter. If you follow these tips, winter is likely to be less harsh for you. [...]

Middleweights doing big jobs

Not to be outdone by their more numerous light-duty siblings, medium-duty trucks covering Classes 4-6 have been the object of a flurry of development and experimentation the last few years. They're often on the job with upfit bodies of various kinds serving trades and utilities or handling last-mile and metro/urban-area deliveries and distribution, and they [...]

5 ways to prep for the downturn: With the economy cooling, owner-operators must be ready for leaner times

The final quarter of 2018 presented more mixed results for freight indicators than the roar of late 2017 and the first half of 2018. Still, rates remained near historic highs as trucking capacity held tight. As the year ended, the economy appeared stable despite that lull. Little risk of a recession looms for 2019, with [...]

Truckers with depression find hope and others to listen online

Veteran driver Michael Suson came home one day and told his wife that a colleague had shot himself dead. The driver had suffered from depression. Suson, who had been driving for over 25 years knew about truckers and their high incidence of depression – he also suffered its effects – but until about four years ago, he [...]

MDOT Demonstrates ‘Move Over’ Law

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Every day, thousands of emergency responders put their lives on the line to save others. While the rapid response is crucial, several workers have died over the years in the line of duty. More than 500 people die in traffic crashes every year in Maryland. Dozens of emergency responders have been killed or [...]

Tow truck driver hailed hero after helping state trooper with traffic stop moments before dying

ARCOLA, Texas -- A former Arcola City Council member died a hero, a state trooper wrote in a moving Facebook post. The story of how Glenn "Bam Bam" Sanco lived out the final hours of his life has been shared hundreds of times, and is giving comfort to his grieving widow. "He had my back [...]

Poor dental health on the road can turn fatal

Imagine visiting the dentist for what you think is a quick pain fix and ending up in a hospital emergency room?

Dr. Thomas Roemer, the dentist at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, has seen it too many times. His practice is 95% emergency, drop-in care, but too often it’s beyond any dental intervention.

“My biggest advice to truck drivers is to keep themselves out of a medical emergency by making sure a dental problem doesn’t turn into a medical problem…I’m not here to say to [most of my patients], ‘Hey, you need to get your teeth cleaned and examined.’ We’re beyond that. It’s a situation where they have to get some kind of care to try to stay out the medical emergency room. I know I keep saying ‘medical, but there’s a handful of guys over the years I’ve sent to the hospital because I can’t even treat them. It’s actually that bad and I’ve said: ‘You […]

15 ESSENTIAL WINTER TRUCKING SAFETY TIPS

Winter trucking safety tips for truckers: driving a tractor-trailer in serious winter conditions, demands a specific set of skills for all drivers, especially big rig drivers. Too many drivers on the highways do not alter their driving skills, when driving in poor weather conditions, on snow-covered or icy roads. Good maneuvering and skid control skills [...]

5 tips for truckers away from home for the holidays

It’s rarely easy to be away from friends and family during Christmas or New Year’s, but there are things drivers can do to make the holidays more full of cheer. Few people want to be at work during the holidays. But for many truckers, that is their fate this time of year as they work [...]

Barrar’s Bill to Authorize Tow Truck Lights and Increase Safety Becomes Law

HARRISBURG, PA-Legislation sponsored by Rep. Steve Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) that would better protect tow truck operators by authorizing the use of emergency lights to increase other drivers’ visibility was recently signed into law. House Bill 1414, now Act 83, authorizes flashing yellow and white lights on tow trucks, yellow strobe lights for solid waste collection vehicles [...]

Dolly Safety Revealed

Reading through the various towing forums, the uninitiated can draw multiple conclusions over a single event—often erroneously. Much of the disparity in operating the self-loading dolly stems from a lack of uniform training or, for some, any real training at all. We are here to help. Since first coming to the scene in 1972, self-loading [...]

Hurricane Michael relief drivers exempt from HOS rules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMCSA) has exempted motor carriers and drivers involved in Hurricane Michael relief efforts in eight states from Hours of Service and other parts of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, or FMCSRs, in an extended regional emergency declaration. “Catastrophic Hurricane Michael continues to intensify as it approaches the Florida Panhandle," AccuWeather [...]

Impact of the 2018 Tax Changes for Truck Drivers

No one likes change, but there is typically a light at the end of the tunnel. Or at least that's what over-the-road company truck drivers are hoping for when it comes time to file 2018 taxes. Many drivers itemize deductions, including per diem rate pay, supplies gear, etc and until the new laws, could expect [...]

Do you have an exit plan?

It wasn’t until I hit my mid-50s that having an exit strategy for my business even occurred to me.  I saw the need to start tweaking my business plan to make the end come on my terms as much as possible.

And it’s good to think about planning for all the “exits” in our lives, not just retirement.  Whether it’s closing a business, ending a relationship, estate planning or appointing the person who will be your medical power of attorney, planning makes our lives and the lives of our loved ones easier.

Frequent the truck stop Counters of Knowledge, and you’ll overhear too many truckers admit that they can never afford to retire, or that their plan is to exit when their life ends. It shouldn’t be a catastrophe that drives us into the exit lane. […]

Charles County Implements New Tow Program Tow Companies Requested to Submit Application for Tow Service Permit

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has begun the process of implementing legislation that was signed into law regarding tow services in Charles County. House Bill 1320, which passed in March 2017 and was initiated by Sergeant Jon Burroughs of the CCSO Traffic Operations Unit, ensures oversight and regulation of towing operations within Charles County. In order to operate within Charles County, tow companies must now complete and submit the application for tow service operating in Charles County, MD.

To be considered for a permit, tow companies should visit the Charles County Sheriff’s Office website to download, print, and fill out the application and read through the county tow regulations.For a Level 1 Application, which covers only consensual tow services, the fee is $250. For a Level 2 Application, which covers consensual and non-consensual tow services, the fee is $500. All fees will need to […]

Some Truckers Finding Stress Relief in Meditation

“It sort of resets me,” says Echols, who has been driving for 21 years, some of it over the road. “I find breathing meditation to be the simplest and most effective. I think there are benefits physically to it as well. If you concentrate on your breathing, you can’t focus on anything else.”

Echols doesn’t know any other drivers who mediate, and he suggests that the majority of truckers think meditation is “wacky, kooky stuff.” He adds that for the many drivers, meditation comes across as weakness or worse, for some, as an anti-Christian or Eastern-based religion in opposition to their own religious beliefs. “Mediation is just sitting still. If you tell people to sit still for a few minutes and just breathe, that’s something that your mother or your grandmother said to do; sit still and breathe. That’s mediation, but they didn’t call it meditation. If we can explain to drivers, ‘Look, we just want […]

Know your risk factors for diabetes

Truck drivers have a higher-than-average risk for diabetes, which affects over 30 million Americans. That’s largely because the sedentary nature of truck driving contributes to obesity and lack of physical activity, which increases the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

DIABETES TYPES. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, occurs when the body develops insulin resistance and is unable to use insulin properly. This causes an inability to regulate blood glucose levels properly, causing levels of blood glucose, or sugar, to rise too high.

Only about 5 percent of people who have diabetes have Type 1 diabetes, which is not as straightforward as Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes typically is diagnosed in children and young adults, according to the American Diabetes Association. It is considered to be caused by an immune reaction in which the body attacks itself. Family history and age are considered risk factors.

SYMPTOMS. Frequent thirst and excessive urination […]

10 TIPS FOR SUMMER TOW TRUCK DRIVING

Whether you’re a fan of warm weather or you prefer to stay inside where it’s air-conditioned, you can’t deny that summer is HERE!  Today is the first day of Summer and the temperatures have been soaring and the sun is blazing. And for tow truck drivers, the change in season means a new set of risks to look out for – roadwork, traffic, weather, sunlight, and heat, to name a few. So, how can a tow truck driver prepare for the new hazards and risks?

 

Check out the following summer tow truck driving tips.

 

1. Be mindful of construction and roadwork.

Summer is prime time for construction, which can mean closed lanes, delays, detours, and traffic. Be extra careful as you navigate through the work zones, which might resemble a maze of pylons more than a road. Pay attention to all road signs and obey them. Slow down, take it easy, and watch for construction […]

Taxes & Trucking for 2018

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 22, 2017, contains numerous changes that will affect individuals, as well as businesses large and small. The new tax law has both good and bad news for company drivers but mostly good news for owner-operators and fleet operators.

Owner Operators – Sole Proprietors or S-Corporations

Self-employed individuals and companies will get the same deduction they have always had in the past. Owner-operators will still be able to take a per diem for meals and incidentals, just as they have in the past, since they are in business for themselves, and those costs are deductible business expenses. The new law also implements a 20 percent deduction on net business profits of Pass-Throughs which includes S corporation or sole proprietorship to […]

DOT Inspections: What You Should Be Prepared For

Most commercial drivers do not like the mention of DOT inspections, but it doesn’t have to be so hard if you know what’s expected of you. It is advisable to be conversant with the different requirements needed during the various levels of a DOT inspection. A DOT inspection is a routine annual checkup for all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) weighing over 10,000 pounds to ascertain their safety on the road.

Here is what all commercial drivers should know about a DOT inspection:

Have your paperwork ready
During a level 1 inspection, the driver should be ready for a full DOT inspection and hence have their paperwork near […]

How Far Away are We from Self-Driving Trucks?

With the world’s seemingly unending obsession with technology automation, it should come as no surprise that companies are leading the trucking industry into the future with the development of self-driving technology. In the sweep of advancements that are changing the way we live, work, and play, the trucking industry won’t be left behind. So, how far away are we from self-driving trucks?

Experts are suggesting that self-driving trucks may surface even before self-driving taxis. And although it is predicted that we are at least a decade away from completely autonomous self-driving trucks, several companies have thrown their hat into the ring, and are investing billions of dollars to make this concept a reality.

Like any other advancement, this feat won’t come without its hurdles. Before the trucking industry can […]

Fire Extinguishers are Required Safety Equipment in Your Truck(s)!

Fire extinguishers are required by law on all trucks, truck tractors, and buses - except those in driveaway-towaway operations. Per the Code of Federal Regulations 393.95: A power unit that is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity that requires placarding (see 177.823) must be equipped with a fire extinguisher having an Underwriters' Laboratories [...]

Why Your Business Needs Customer Reviews

You know your company has the very best product and/or service in the industry; however, no one seems to know this but you. In this era of frenzied business competition, how do you make sure people know what you do for your customers? Of the many forms of advertising and marketing, only one can change how someone “feels” about your company. Only one speaks to people, because it’s by a real person. Your best salesperson should tell your story. You need your customers to share their stories – you need customer reviews, testimonials, and recommendations. With these references, you are now the star, instead of simply another player on the field.

Leave us a review on Google! - Customer ReviewsThere is no doubt that it can be difficult to get great customer reviews – if […]

Autumn Safety for Commercial Drivers

For some of us, it sure doesn’t feel like summer is over – but it’s already here! 
Here are a few autumn safety tips for preparing your truck(s) in advance of the cold weather:

 

Leaves on the Road

While the fall foliage is breathtaking enough to bring tourists out in droves, they’re sure to be a pain once they hit the pavement. Especially after it rains, they can stick to the pavement and cause slippery conditions. The leaves may not be the only thing on the road, either – they […]

ELD Data Collection May Help Truckers Avoid Roadside Inspections

Mention ELDs in any freight yard or truck stop and you are bound to hear to a wide array of opinions from those that praise them to those whose language is best left out of print. The fact is that they are with us to stay and thanks to some of the data mining experts at ‘Keep Truckin‘, you might find they are a more valuable asset than you would have ever believed.No one in the trucking industry, carrier or driver, benefits from time spent going through roadside inspections, especially, a time-consuming Level 1 inspections.

‘Keep Truckin’ has discovered by carefully studying information collected by their units that the risk of being subjected to this nuisance can be greatly reduced.

The company began by focusing on four key areas;

  • Inspections by cargo types
  • How violations vary state to state
  • Most common types of violations
  • Time period of inspections

Training Announcement: National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training

A new coordinated, multi-disciplinary training program developed through the Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) is available for all emergency responders and those supporting traffic incident management operations. This training puts police, firefighters, state and local departments of transportation, towing and recovery professionals, medical personnel, and other incident responders on the same page, leading to a safer, faster, integrated responder team.

 

Save Lives
– Faster incident response and clearance times result in fewer secondary crashes.
– Training results in less exposure of responder team to moving traffic during recovery.

Save Money
– Less congestion leads to fewer freight and travel delays in backups.
– Fewer secondary crashes save on insurance claims.
– Faster cleanups lead to cost savings for incident personnel.

Save Time
– Smarter response techniques […]

SmartLINQ – Peterbilt’s Built-In Monitoring System

SmartLINQ is a factory installed diagnostic system in all new Peterbilt trucks – including all of the new Petes on our lot!! – and it is designed to help you stay on the road. SmartLINQ helps drivers, fleet owners, and vehicle service and maintenance coordinators by remotely keeping track of engine and aftertreatment diagnostic codes, notifying the appropriate parties of problems that need to be addressed, and instantly giving the driver an easy to understand alert with directions on how to proceed.

SmartLINQ in ActionThe online portal for SmartLINQ, through PACCAR, allows the fleet owner or truck maintenance person to view all of the fleet’s trucks color coded to show their current engine health, allows for customized notifications 24/7/365 of alerts from trucks, and tracks the vehicles through North America.

U.S. Senate to Consider Bill Opposing Increases in FET

A new bill has been introduced to U.S. Congress that will seek to repeal the federal excise tax (FET), which is at present 12 percent. The FET on heavy duty trucks dates back to 1917 when it was introduced to defray the cost of World War I. The tax on new heavy duty trucks later grew from 3 percent in 1917 up to the 12 percent we see today.

The 12 percent FET on the purchase of heavy duty trucks is a burdensome tax – higher than taxes for all other vehicles, and when combined with recent federal emissions and fuel-economy mandates, can add up to thousands of extra dollars when purchasing a new truck. At its present 12 percent, the FET depresses heavy duty truck sales and, as a result, slows companies […]

Is the Towing Insurance Market Really That Bad?

Article by Hal Kresser, Principal at Hal Kresser Agency

“Tow Truck Market Gets Hit Hard as Carriers Exit Market.” This article appeared in The Insurance News Journal on February 6, 2017 and featured on the front cover.  Simultaneously, it was posted in the Forums section of Tow 411, so it was written before February 6, 2017.  Naturally, a front page article will get the attention and it did!  That magazine is distributed to every insurance company in the country and most agencies. Within just a few weeks I heard from underwriters that they will have to tighten up their requirements and continue to raise rates due to claims. They were also apprehensive because many of their competitors were exiting the market. In their minds the only reason a competitor would exit the market is if they […]

Summer Towing Tips: Avoid Heat Illness, Get Ready for these Common Summer Issues

The hot weather that’s paired with the summer months adds more difficulty to the towing industry. Not only does the heat provide additional health risks for you, but also for your towing truck and for the vehicles of your customers. Here are some summer towing tips for avoiding heat illnesses and dealing with common summertime towing issues to help you ride out the heat waves.

Safety Tips for You

Working out in the sun provides two big threats for truck towers: heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is an illness that occurs through a combination of exposure to high temperatures and dehydration. While not as serious as heat stroke, failing to intervene may lead to more danger heat related illnesses. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

  • Confusion
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Fainting
  • Pale skin
  • Dizziness

 

Heat Stroke

If heat exhaustion is left untreated, you may suffer a heat stroke. A heat stroke […]

Slow Down – Move Over (SDMO) – It’s the Law!

Slow Down Move Over LawSlow Down – Move Over (SDMO) – It’s the Law! Tragically, emergency responders are being struck and killed at traffic incidents in the U.S. on an average of five firefighters a year, one law enforcement officer a month, one tow truck operator a week and one road service person every three days!

Slow Down. Move Over.

Imagine working in an industry that makes the “Deadliest Catch” fishing industry seem like a cruise ship vacation. If you’re reading this, chances are good you already do. As a tow driver you work in an industry where you’re practically invisible – until it’s almost too late. In some states, you’re also invisible to the law telling people to slow down and move over when passing an incident or emergency on the highway.

TOWMATE WIRELESS TOW LIGHTS PASS FEDERAL SAFETY REGULATIONS ALL 50 STATES

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its decision to grant TowMate, LLC’s (TowMate) application for a limited two-year exemption to allow motor carriers to operate rechargeable wireless temporary stop, turn, and tail lighting systems during temporary towing operations. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs), all required lamps, with the exception of battery-powered lamps used on projecting loads, must be powered by the electrical system of the motor vehicle.

Tractor Trailer Stopped In Second Recycle Fraud Attempt

Tractor Trailer Recycling NJosephOn Feb. 16, at 4:25 p.m., agents watched a white semi-truck with “New Evolution Trucking” name on it enter the yard. The California Department of Justice’s Recycling Fraud Team conducted an investigation into a North Las Vegas storage yard. 

During the investigation they watched the truck as it left at approximately 10:42 p.m. and called for assistance from California Highway Patrol. The driver took a route which would miss the Yermo California Department of Food and Agriculture border checkpoint in.

Towing With A Tesla

TeslaHow do you get a boat out of your drive way without calling a tow man? Drive a Tesla apparently – Towing with a Tesla. The new Model X has a gross weight of 6,000 lbs, goes 0-60 in 3.2 seconds with a P90D modification. Tesla recommends this car to those in the market for an SUV with a need to tow. The model features a smooth interior with comfort designated seating and built in technology and medical grade HEPA filters for added safety.

Beyond the Wash – Detailing for Car Haulers & More

Beyond-the-wash

 

Amazing Need-to-Know Detailing Practices

Every dedicated truck driver knows and feels the love that I am about to express. This is not just a truck you say. Maybe you have a nickname for your truck; Mickey the Hi-Roller, Cab-Stabber or Buddy. For many truckers this is the lovable machine they wake up to at the crack of diesel dawn.

Towing Benchmark: Municipal Support In Managing The Towing Environment

Towing Benchmark: Municipal Support In Managing The Towing Environment

Distracted Driving at a whole new level

pulled from Toronto Sun
July 21,2010

A Kitchener truck driver is facing a careless driving charge but on the bright side, his tooth doesn’t hurt anymore.

Lambton County OPP say they stopped a big rig driver doing some driving dentistry along Hwy. 402 on Wednesday.

Const. John Reurink told the Sun Saturday it’s the first time he’s ever heard of a driver being pulled over performing dental surgery.

“I’ve never heard of this sort of thing occurring before,” Reurink said, adding he has stopped drivers doing their make-up, reading a map or talking on a cellphone. “Somebody doing an amateur tooth pulling? That’s a first.”

Reurink said it all started June 30 when an officer was on Hwy. 402 in Warwick Township, near Sarnia, and a passing driver pointed him to a tractor trailer being driven “all over the road.”

The officer found the eastbound […]

Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles

Tips for Towing Disabled Vehicles

By Ann Job of MSN Autos
Sophisticated new vehicles require great care and different types of towing techniques.

Always make certain that the tow truck driver knows the proper way to tow your vehicle.

On occasion, our car, van, truck or sport-utility vehicle can break down and need to be towed.

Decades ago, it wasn’t uncommon to see a friend, family member, neighbor or Good Samaritan towing the stranded vehicle home for a needy driver.

It’s rare to see this today—for good reason.

Towing practices, like today’s vehicles, are more sophisticated than they were years ago— so sophisticated, in fact, that there are more rules and “don’ts” than ever before.

Even AAA, the largest member-supported roadside assistance service in the United States, offers a towing manual for tow truck operators that has “more than 350 pages of details involving every make and model,” said Larry Keller, editor at AAA […]

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