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For the hArD-WorKING toWING proFessIoNAl
VoLuMe 15, nuMBeR 4 | noVeMBeR 2006
www.jerr-dan.com An Oshkosh Truck Corporation Company
AMeRicAN
TOWMAN exPOJoin us at booth #909
AMeRicAN
TOWMAN exPOJoin us at booth #909
e understand that each and every one of your towing and recovery jobs has unique
challenges. Every situation is different and every tow and recovery is unique. We also know that you need reliable, durable equipment to handle those tough challenges.
To have the proper towing and recovery equipment for your individual needs, you must know what is available. What better time than the present to take a closer look at what Jerr-Dan has to offer.
Join us at Booth #909 at this year’s American Towman Expo (November 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center) to see the equipment up close and in person. You’ll also have a chance to talk individually with our engineers and sales staff.
Some of the highlights of this year’s display, (without revealing too much of course):
• Side Loading Vehicle Retriever (SLVR). The SLVR retrieves vehicles in less than 45 seconds from the tightest spots. Its unique side lift mecha-nism allows the operator to approach a vehicle, securely lift and place it on the retriever bed and drive off without ever leaving the cab.
• Rotator. This 60-ton heavy-duty powerhouse is a combination of heavy-duty capabilities, superior design and best-in-class lift, reach, stability and
recovery. It has a tip load rating of 18,400 lbs. and a working radius of nearly 42 ft.
• MPL40. Jerr-Dan’s MPL40 self-loader is perfect for repossession work. It’s versatile enough for almost any job, with a choice of three wheel-grid packages.
• Pioneer Alumunim Carrier. Jerr-Dan’s Pioneer carriers set the standard for tow-ing and recovery performance. They last longer with less maintenance because all major pivot points
are greaseless. Available in fixed rail, fixed dual angle or removable rail mod-els, each has a 10,000-lb. capacity.
For a more detailed sneak peek at our booth lineup, turn to Pages 8-9, visit our website at www.jerr-dan.com or stop by Booth #909.
When it comes to towing and recov-ery challenges, rely on us for durable, dependable solutions. Give us a call — or better yet, stop by our booth — and let us know how we can help you.
W 4 Jerr-dan owner profile Goingtheextramileisaneveryday businesspracticeforthisCaliforniatower.
7 Company news
8 produCt profile AmericanTowmanExposneakpeek.
12 business management The‘WarriorSpirit.’Doyouhaveit?
14 industry news TexasTowExporoundup.
16 Jerr-dan owner profile ThisMinnesotatowerlovesachallenge. Therearen'tmanyjobshewon’ttake!
19 industry news
20 show & go WhatdoesyourJerr-Danlooklike?
22 industry news
Our MissionToprovideyouwithtimelyinformationabouttowingandrecoveryequipmenttechnology,productsandsafety. “Since 1992”
Run Hard is published on behalf of Jerr-Dan Corporation, an Oshkosh Truck Corporation Company, and Jerr-Dan Distributors. Editorial office: 1233 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0803. Phone: (800) 547-7377. E-mail: [email protected]. Printed in the United States, © 2006 Jerr-Dan Corporation Volume 15, Number 4, November 2006. For Canada: Agreement Number 40064547.
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Contents
vol.15, no.4 november 2006�
Jeff Wellerpresident
Think Big and Build from There.
WANTED – SALES PEOPLE (NATIONWIDE)
Jerr-Dan Corporation has immediate openings in our growing Sales Department.Complete benefits package and competitive salary offered. Travel is required.
Interested candidates should send resumé and salary requirements to:JERR-DAN CORPORATION
Attn: Human Resources – Sales 1080 Hykes Rd
Greencastle, PA 17225or e-mail resumé to: [email protected]
For more specific information,please visit our website at:
www.jerr-dan.com
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Program Employer. Women and Minorities are Encouraged to Apply.
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“Give us a call — or better yet, stop by
our booth — and let us know how we
can help you.”
OWNeR PROfileJan’s Towing inc.Azusa and glendora, California
Jerr-Dan fleet Profile:Wreckers: Two HPL 35 light-duty wreckers One HPL 6000 light-duty wrecker (custom designed to accommo- date handicapped passengers) One HDL 1000 50-ton wreckerCarriers: Nine standard-duty steel rollback carriers with 96-in.-wide, 21-ft. beds/wheel lifts; one incorporates a 102-in.-wide bed
Services• 24-hour emergency roadside service• Light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing and recovery• Vehicle storage
Jan’s towing owns a variety of Jerr-Dan equipment, including (front to back): a 21-ft.-long, 102-in.-wide Shark carrier, a 21-ft.-long, 96-in.-wide Shark car-rier, an hDL 1000 50-ton heavy-duty wrecker and an hPL 35 light-duty wrecker.
e focus our business on our customers and on the act of towing and
recovery,“ says Jan Qualkenbush, president of Jan’s Towing in Azusa, California. “We really specialize in towing; we don’t diversify into servic-ing our customers’ vehicles but rather we focus solely on towing and recov-
ering those vehicles. This
is our expertise.“Qualkenbush has more than 25
years of personal towing expertise under his belt. He started his Azusa-based company in 1981. Today Jan’s Towing employs 35 people (15 driv-ers) and operates two locations, one is Azusa and one in Glendora.
The majority of the company’s 150-a-day call volume is towing for
“W
police departments and its agen-cies, as well as for the California Highway Patrol. AAA, private tows, local garages, gas stations, repair shops and dealers round out the company’s 500-plus customers.
Jan’s Towing typically performs most of its towing and recovery jobs within a 100-mile radius of its two locations (which include all of Los Angeles county and Highway 210); however long-haul jobs are not uncommon.
Towing expertiseTo aid in its towing efforts,
Jans Towing relies more and more on Jerr-Dan towing equipment. To date the company owns 13 Jerr-Dans, nine Shark carriers with steel beds (one is equipped with a 102-in.-wide bed), two HPL 35s, one HPL 6000 and one HDL 1000 50-ton wrecker.
“We have standardized our carriers on Jerr-Dan and we are
working on the rest of our fleet,“ says Qualkenbush.
The 50-ton is one of the com-pany’s most recent purchases and Qualkenbush couldn’t be happier.
“We needed a good recovery truck and our 50-ton has been working nonstop since we took delivery of it,“ he notes.
“I thought it would be a great truck,“ notes D.J. Johnston, driver supervisor and one of two to oper-ate the heavy-duty truck. “However, the HDL 1000 has turned out to be even better than I thought. The 176-in. lift makes everything easier. This is the one truck I feel comfortable sending out on any tough job.“
A customer focusNo matter what the load or the
towing job, Jan’s Towing has one thing in mind: the customer.
“We treat people the way we want to be treated,“ says Qualkenbush. “Integrity, respect and
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GOiNG THe exTRA Mile
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this hPL 6000 is custom-designed to facilitate the needs of handicapped passengers. the vehicle incorporates a chair lift, room for 8 passengers and is compliant with
the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
Owner Profile
Owner Profile Header
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courtesy — these aren’t just words to us; they are the way we practice business every day.“
This business philosophy is visibly evident at Jan’s Towing.
One of the first things you’ll notice is that the company advertises towing equipment with wheelchair accessibil-ity. This is accomplished through a custom-designed Jerr-Dan HPL 6000 mounted on a 2001 Freightliner FL60 chassis.
“We help make our community
and police departments compliant with the American Disabilities Act by offering this resource around the clock,“ notes Qualkenbush.
Jan’s Towing is one of the only companies in the state to offer this service (see photo on Page 4.)
Jan’s Towing also gives back to the communities it serves by provid-ing free transportation and towing through its “Don't Drive Drunk“ detour program. With this program, explains Dawn Tarver, dispatch supervisor, anybody in the local com-munity can call Jan’s Towing (any time, day or night) if they’ve had too much to drink to drive home safely.
“We’ll pick them up and transport them and their vehicle for free,“ she says.
The little extrasIn addition to the obvious ways
the company takes care of its customers, there are little extras that often go unnoticed — little things like carrying bottled water (California temperatures can rise to about 100 degrees F) to equipping towing vehicles with crew cabs.
“Our competitors laughed at us for buying crew cabs,“ recalls Johnston, “but our customers know they can call on us to safely tow their vehicle and their entire family . . . the parents, the kids and even the family dog. The wheel lifts on all our Jerr-Dans even allow us to tow their boat.“
Driver training is also a behind-the-scenes benefit reaped by all Jan’s Towing customers. Each driver passes a background and certifica-tion test (both are required by police agencies), in addition to extensive
in-house company training.In addition to inspecting their
trucks daily, drivers are required to fill the gas tank when the meter reads half empty.
“You never know where they will have to go a half-hour before their shift ends,“ explains Qualkenbush. “At the drop of a hat they could be traveling hundreds of miles; our trucks are inspected daily and are road worthy at all times.“
Qualkenbush even takes this a step beyond road worthy. The appear-ance of his equipment is extremely important. The company regularly shines all the trucks’ tires with Armor Alls. It even employs a local company to steam and detail the undercarriages.
“We receive comments from our customers all the time,“ Qualkenbush says. “They tell us ’I know with the way you take care of your own equip-ment that I don’t have to worry about how you’ll take care of my vehicle.’“
Well-rounded Word-of-mouth travels. Jan’s
Towing has the reputation among the local community of being a towing company that goes the extra mile.
“We take time with our customers,“ says Qualkenbush. “If a customer has groceries that need to be carried in, we’ll even help with that,“ he adds.
“We try to be well-rounded in the way we treat our customers and in the towing and recovery jobs we perform for them,“ he concludes. “Wherever we find voids, we adjust our procedures. We’ve operated this way for 25-plus years and we’ll con-tinue to put our customers first.“ ■
Response time is what Jan Qualkenbush’s customers want most. “the quicker we can get to an accident, the quicker we can get them back on the road to their normal routines.“
pierCe VeloCity Custom Chassis designed by firefighters
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. recently unveiled its newest custom chassis — the Pierce Velocity™ at the Fire Rescue International show in Dallas. The Velocity was designed with input from firefighters around the country and features five significant improve-ments destined to change the fire industry. It is also the first custom fire truck to offer frontal air bags, avail-able spring 2007.
The five most significant changes are evident throughout the cab and chassis: • Increased space • Storage and clutter management • Safety and visibility • Seats • Maintenance
“Pierce asked firefighters from around the country what they wanted and needed in their apparatus, as well as to envision the ideal chassis,“ says John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “We listened closely to what they told us and then we built it. The Velocity offers the
advantages and comfort that no other chassis provides.
“Pierce is again leading the way in custom fire chassis design with this new model, which combines a spa-cious, state-of-the-art interior with industry-leading technologies. We’re pleased to provide a new fire truck that has basically been designed by input from firefighters.”
The Velocity features include a big block engine (up to 525 hp), 147.8-in. flat cab, seating for up to 10 people, TAK-4® independent front suspension and Side Roll Protection.
Pierce also introduced the Impel™, sister chassis to the Velocity. The Impel features include a medium block engine (up to 425 hp), 137.8-in. flat cab and seating for up to eight people. Many additional features and options are available on both chassis.
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a sub-sidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corpration, is a leading manufacturer of custom fire apparatus.
upComing shows
Date november 17-19Show AmerIcAN toWmAN exposItIoNLocation Baltimore Convention CenterCity Baltimore, Maryland
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Date April 12-15Show Southeastern Regional Tow Show & Incident Mgmt. ExpoLocation Jim Miller Park and ColiseumCity Marietta, Georgia
Date May 10-13Show Florida Tow ShowLocation Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney WorldCity Orlando, Florida
Date June 1-3Show Empire State Towing & Recovery AssociationLocation Ft. William Henry ResortCity Lake George, New York
Date June 7-9Show Western States Tow ShowLocation Silver Legacy Resort & Casino and Reno Event CenterCity Reno, Nevada
Date June 15-17Show Wisconsin Towing Association Annual ConventionLocation Chula Vista ResortCity Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
pierCe offers first frontal air bags for fire trucks
Pierce Manufacturing Inc. is the first fire truck manufacturer to offer frontal air bags in its custom fire chassis. The air bags, available in spring 2007, will cushion front- seat occupants in the event of a frontal collision.
Pierce introduced the new frontal air bags with the unveiling of its two new custom chassis — the Velocity™ and Impel™. The air bag offering is the latest element in Pierce’s 360º Protection From Every Angle™ pro-gram, a bumper-to-bumper program designed to increase the safety of fire-fighters as they respond to and from fire and emergency calls.
The frontal airbag will activate in the case of frontal impact. The airbag was co-engineered with LifeGuard
Technologies, a division of IMMI, and is available exclusively from Pierce for three years.
The Pierce air bag will also be paired with the Pierce Side Roll Protection™ system. This system senses the exact moment of a side roll, and then provides instantaneous passenger protection, including seat belt preten-sioners and side air curtains.
Company News
RUN HARD v o l . 1 5 , n o . 4 n o v e m b e r 2 0 0 6
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Product Profile
AMeRicAN TOWMAN exPO
here’s a sneak peek at just some of what you'll find at the Jerr-Dan Booth #909!
THere’s muCH mOre TO see!
Join us at Booth #909 for a closer look at what Jerr-Dan can do to help your towing business
Run Hard.
urability . . . reliability . . . the power to handle the most difficult towing and recovery jobs. This is what you expect from Jerr-Dan, and this is what we’ve built into every piece of equipment bearing our name. Jerr-Dan offers the best in standard-, medium- and heavy-duty wreckers and rotators, as well as standard-,
medium- and heavy-duty, industrial carriers and vehicle retrievers. On these two pages is just a snippet of what you’ll see at this year’s American Towman Expo on November 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
wreckers
carriersreliability
durability
innovative design
�0 Ton Heavy-Duty Rotator
This powerhouse is rated Best In Class for lift, reach, stability and recovery. It encompasses a combination of heavy-duty capabilities, unsurpassed pulling capacity and superior design. The Rotator features a boom that rotates a full 360 degrees, is rated at 120,000 lbs. while the boom is retracted and can handle a side pull of more than 68,000 lbs. No matter what the situation, extreme stability is provided by the widest double outrigger spread in the industry at 112 in. by 264 in.
Pioneer Aluminum carrier
Forget the grease gun. With the Jerr-Dan Pioneer Aluminum Carrier and its exclusive No-Lube™ technol-ogy, those days are over. The Pioneer lasts longer and needs less maintenance because all major pivot points are greaseless, and plated pins and composite bushings never seize or rust.
Side loading Vehicle Retriever
A revolutionary new concept in towing and recovery equipment, the Side Loading Vehicle Retriever (SLVR) provides unmatched performance capabilities for city towing and recovery. The SLVR offers fast recovery, provides unparalleled access to tightly parked cars and never blocks more than one lane during towing operations. In addition, the operator remotely controls recovery operations and never needs to leave the comfort and safety of the cab. This is the first model of its kind introduced to the U.S. towing industry and is available exclusively from Jerr-Dan Corporation.
MPl�0 Wrecker
The perfect combination of technology and brute force, this light-duty, integrated wrecker is versatile enough for almost any job, with a choice of three wheel grid pack-ages: Self-loader style; Manual pivoting T37 L-arm style; or Manual L-arm. It’s easy to operate with best-in-class visibility. The tapered deck increases visibility and the exclusive Jerr-Dan No-Lube™ system saves time and cost. This easy-to-use wrecker gives you the flexibility to tow more and be more productive than you ever thought possible.
Pioneer Aluminum carrier �0 Ton Heavy-Duty Rotator
Side loading Vehicle Retriever MPl�0 WreckerD
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360°
BOOM ROTATION
24,600 LBS.AT 43' BOOM EXTENSION AND 50° BOOM ELEVATION *
53,000 LBS.AT 24' BOOM EXTENSION AND 30° BOOM ELEVATION *
68,000 LBS.SIDE PULL WHILE STILL ANCHORED
*Front, rear, front outrigger
www.jerrdan.com
With the industry’s widest outrigger footprint area, 112" X 264" this wide platform base and correct placement provide extreme stability
The Jerr-Dan 60-Ton Heavy-Duty Rotator reaches farther and lifts more..WORK THE NUMBERS. You’ll see no other truck adds up.
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THe MeANiNG Of SPiRiTSo what is Warrior Spirit? As can be gleaned from
the previous examples, it is simply bold, dogged, and when needed, fierce, determination in the face of chal-lenges, NO MATTER THE ODDS.
Throughout history, certain famous individuals have stood out above the crowd. Joshua and David, (of biblical times), William Wallace (immortalized in “Braveheart“), Joan of Arc, Nathan Bedford Forest (Confederate General), Patton, Macarthur, Churchill, etc.
All these men and women owe their place in history to their unshakable Warrior Spirit.
My favorite quote is from Winston Churchill in a speech he gave at the onset of World War II. He said, “If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your vic-tory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.“
It takes your breath away pondering the courage it took to make a statement like that. But truer words were never spoken. If you intend to succeed beyond your wildest dreams, it truly takes that kind of conviction. You must be able to FEEL it in your gut. When it seems all is against you, nothing is going right, everything appears hopeless, you must keep swinging.
SPiRiT iN TOWiNG
At Ellison’s Towing, we take pride in proclaiming our Warrior Spirit. We interview and hire for it. We teach it. We live it. We find that it has served us very well.
This year we are the recipient of the San Francisco Bay Area and Peninsula’s first-ever Diamond Certified towing company. This prestigious award signifies high-est in quality through independent surveying by the American Ratings Corporation.
Again, we attribute this to our Warrior Spirit and unwavering perseverance. We believe in going forward when everything seems stacked against you, maintain-ing an attitude of never quitting and a full expectation of success.
No goal is too high; no dream is too lofty. In 1998, we experienced more than 230% of annual rainfall in a short period of time. Parking garages were flooded for up to three weeks.
It was interesting to watch drivers and their reac-tions. Some were content to stand by and let the flood-waters slowly recede. But some weren’t.
A few waded out to hook up recovery chains. One driver swam out with his cable and dove under-water in order to winch out vehicles! He loved it. The more challenging the scenario, the more enthused he was. This is the Warrior Spirit.
Of course this must always be balanced by today’s realities of workplace injuries and prevention of those injuries. But we believe one can understand the spirit.
Not everyone has this Warrior Spirit. We have found that the majority of people are content to be led. But from time to time you will discover that some-one special. Keep that person, work with him/her and see what great things they are capable of doing for you and for themselves.
These are the types of employees you promote into leadership. They will not be content to be a follower. If you know what to look for, they are truly a diamond in the rough. They are the ones who will go far in life and accomplish great things, if they are given proper guid-ance to develop their inner strengths.
Use other individuals with Warrior Spirit as exam-ples. You know who they are. Go forward BOLDLY, with an expectation of positive results and success. You just might be surprised at what you discover. ■
he “Warrior Spirit.“ What is it? How does it relate to towing? The term “Warrior Spirit“ is
used by many successful people to describe their life and business models.
Does your company have the Warrior Spirit? Should it? Do you need it for your survival in today’s business climate? We believe the correct answer to all these questions is a resounding “YES“!
SPiRiT ON TV
The Warrior Spirit. Legendary rock-n-roller-turned-outdoor-sportsman Ted Nugent uses this term to describe both his outlook on his personal life and the winning contestant on his hit television show, “Wanted: Ted or Alive.“ In this spin on reality shows, male and female contestants are subjected to different tasks that encompass mankind’s basic survival skills: primitive fire and shelter building, hunting, trapping, butchering and cooking. It also requires the contestants to remain in total harmony with nature.
As Nugent explains, “Only the person with the true Warrior Spirit deep within him/her will triumph in these contests.“
And it’s true. As you watch each person go through the events, week after week, you realize that the object of the challenge is to test each individual’s mettle; to see just what types of adversity they can be subjected to and still triumph. The object is to determine who in this day of “soft living“ is still capable of producing the Warrior Spirit within themselves.
SPiRiT iN BUSiNeSS
An example of the Warrior Spirit in business is none other than Southwest Airlines co-founder, current chair-man and former CEO and president, Herb Kelleher. He
requires all employ-ees to have a Warrior Spirit because he says his heroes have always been warriors.
The Warrior Spirit is also how the company got started more than 35 years ago. Realize that Kelleher isn’t just talking the talk; he has for many years also walked the walk.
It took tremendous amounts of the Warrior Spirit for Southwest Airlines to transform itself into the success story it is today. When it first began, the airline wasn’t allowed to fly! Kelleher, acting as the airline’s attorney, battled 10 years of continuous lawsuits filed by competi-tors, all aimed at never letting this upstart airline get off the ground!
After a few years, the Southwest Airlines board (then known as Air Southwest) told Kelleher to hang it up. He offered to work without pay and handle all the legal costs himself for as long as it took to win!
They reluctantly agreed and Kelleher took it one law-suit at a time, all the way to the Supreme Court. He won unprecedented rulings that no one in the legal world believed even remotely possible.
He WON, attributing his victory to Warrior Spirit. “I’ve always had The Warrior Spirit in me,“ Kelleher
says. “I was enraged by the anti-competitive activities of the other carriers. I believe in what this country stands for — freedom.“
By Brent and Cheri Ellison-Carroll of Ellison’s Towing Inc.
T
Business management
THe ‘WARRiOR SPiRiT'
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do you have it?
When it seems all is against you, nothing is going right, everything appears hopeless,
you must keep swinging.
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TexAS TOW exPO
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more than 100 exhibitors showed off their towing
equipment at this year’s expo.
the Jerr-Dan hDL 500/280 25-ton wrecker on display was supplied by Coker equipment.
Attendees checked out Jerr-Dan’s MPL40 self-loading wrecker
on display.
Attendees were able to view a
demonstration of the hDL 500/280
25-ton wrecker on a large screen.
Denny Buhrman, Jerr-Dan product specialist, explains the features of Jerr-Dan’s MDL
280/110 14-ton wrecker.
Jerr-Dan sponsored friday night’s gala event at this year’s texas tow expo. Approximately 650 attendees enjoyed a complimentary dinner buffet and entertain-ment by LC Rocks of Austin, texas.
Industry NewsPhotos courtesy of W
illiam Burw
ell, Am
erican Towm
an Magazine
he Texas Tow Expo was held August 11 and 12 at its new loca-tion — the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio,
Texas. (The show had been held in Arlington, Texas for many years.) The move turned out to be the right one as attendance was a little more than 1, 600 people. Jerr-Dan exhibited in conjunction with its Texas distributors: Coker Equipment in Dallas, Texas and RPM Equipment in Houston, Texas.
T
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employees want to see you come in and do what they are doing; they want to see you get dirty. They know that if you’re there, you’re watching everything that is happening.“
The equipment at Collins Brothers Towing is known for its spotless appearance. (People have been seen taking pictures of the equip-ment with their mobile phone cam-
eras as the trucks travel down the freeway.) Keeping it that way is a result of owner involvement.
Collins says he sees it all the time; companies with involved owners have nicer looking equipment than companies with absent owners.
Collins falls into the category of involved owners. The appearance, and performance, of his trucks is a
top priority. “Your trucks are traveling bill-
boards advertising your business,“ he explains. “I want them to look and perform their best at all times.“
To aid in the performance depart-ment, the company employs a full-time employee to perform routine maintenance and ensure each truck is kept in tip-top shape.
ou name it, Collins Brothers Towing will tow it. Cars, trucks, heavy equipment, large
safes, cows, horses, pigs . . . yes, even large farm animals. When you practice towing in rural areas of Minnesota, all kinds of interesting jobs arise.
“We’ll tow just about anything,“ says owner Phil Collins. “Whatever our customers need towed, we’ll try.“
And that’s just what Collins Brothers towing does. The 13-staff towing company, located in Elk River, Minnesota, has quite a few interesting jobs under its belt:
• Pulling horses and cows out of the mud. “We typically attach a strap to the animal and pull a little; let the animal rest and then pull a little more. Eventually we are able to get them back on their feet.“
• Pulling out a pickup truck with a lift kit that was half sunk and fro-zen in a lake. “We’ve done a lot of close-to-the-shore work before, as well as work in neighboring ponds, but towing a large truck from the middle of a lake was a new experi-ence for us.“
The key to it all, according to Collins, is reliable equipment.
choose carefully“The No. 1 thing our customers
want from us is quick response,“ he explains. “Fifteen to 20 minutes is fine, but once they are required to wait 30 minutes, they become anxious. The only way we can meet their needs is to have reliable equipment we can count on EVERY time.“
Collins turned to Jerr-Dan for his company’s towing needs 10 years ago shortly after he started his own towing company. With 24 years of experience under his belt, he knows what works and what he wants in towing equipment.
“I standardize my fleet with Jerr-Dan equipment,“ he says. The reasons he cites:
• Aluminum body. “The paint doesn’t chip off aluminum bodies and they are nicer looking,“ he explains. “And as long as you take care of them, they last a long time.“
• Standard, easy-to-find parts. “All our Jerr-Dan equipment uses the same parts.“
• Common controls. “I don’t have to worry about the operator grabbing the wrong controls in the middle of the night; all Jerr-Dan
controls are universal and located in the same place.“
Be involved
In addition to having equipment that works, being involved in the daily activities of the towing business is another key to running a success-ful towing company, according to Collins.
“It’s critical for the owner to physically be at the towing com-pany every day,” he explains. “Your
Y
TOWiNG iT
AllOWNeR PROfilecollins Brothers Towingelk River, Minnesota
Jerr-Dan fleet Profile:Wreckers: Two HPL 35 light-duty wreckers One HPL 60 light-duty wrecker One HDL 500/280 25-ton wrecker
Carriers: One standard-duty rollback carrier with a 21-ft. aluminum bed and wheel lift
Services• 24-hour roadside service• Light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing and recovery• Vehicle storage
This MinnesoTa Tower loves a challenge. There aren’T Many jobs he won’T Take!
the majority of the towing equipment at Collins Brothers towing is manufactured by Jerr-Dan. Pictured here clockwise from top left: an hPL 60 with a 1994 gMC chassis; an hPL35 with a 2002 ford f450 chassis; a 21-ft. standard aluminum body carrier with a 2005 ford f650 chassis; an hPL 35 with a 2001 ford f350 chassis; and an hDL 500/280 25-ton wrecker with a 1999 Peterbilt chassis.
owner Phil Collins is one of two to operate the company's new
25-ton wrecker.
Owner Profile
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Serve the needs of the community
In the rural areas surrounding Elk River, Minnesota, staying visible in the community is important.
The majority of the company’s business consists of towing for the general public and several area repair shops in addition to towing for the Elk River Police Department, the Minnesota State Highway Patrol and the Sherburne, Wright and Anoka county sheriff’s departments. Collins Brothers is also a service provider for AAA, Cross Country, USAC, ERS, Mr. Rescue and other auto clubs.
With visibility in the community comes responsibility. Collins is the vice president of the Minnesota Professional Towing Association and a captain on the Elk River Fire Department, of which he has been a member for 18 years. His company
is also nationally certified through the Towing and Recovery Association of America.
Responding to the needs and challenges of the community is also a top priority for this company.
Fuel prices and rising insurance costs have forced Collins Brothers Towing to increase prices, but in a creative way.
The company set standard busi-ness hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., the call rate is raised $10 per call. There is also a fuel sur-charge on impounded vehicles. This increase has balanced out fuel and insurance costs for the company.
Another challenge is abandoned motor vehicles. The company is required by law to hold all abandon vehicles for 45 days. After that, the company is allowed to sell the vehicle, either for scrap or in the rare instance, as a drivable vehicle.
Keeping up on the latest in tow-ing methods has helped keep Collins Brothers ahead of the competition. Monthly driver meetings find partici-pants “testing” different types of towing situations from rollovers
to recoveries.“The best training is hands-on,“
says Collins. “The drivers have to want to do well; if they don’t want to, we don’t want them here.“
Drivers are compensated differ-ently. Some are straight salary; some are salary plus commission; and some are straight commission. Collins realizes that every one of his drivers is motivated differently, and he com-pensates them with a payment style that reflects their personality.
Moving along
Collins has plans for his towing company. One of those plans is to expand into more specialized equip-ment transport.
Additional Jerr-Dan equipment is also on the horizon. The HPL 60 will be replaced with a new 14-ton Jerr-Dan wrecker in the near future. More equipment will be added as necessary.
“I’ve been using Jerr-Dan tow-ing equipment for years,“ Collins concluded. “I’m happy with its per-formance and I see no reason to buy anything else.“ ■
Collins Brothers towing is a
family business. Phil poses here
with his step-son, Cody, in
front of his new hDL 500/280
25-ton wrecker. Although there
are no broth-ers involved in the actual ownership,
Collins Brothers employs sever-al family mem-bers including brothers and
nephews.
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Owner Profile
Aluminum beds are the
right choice for Collins Brothers
towing. here owner Phil Collins uses the remote operating
option on his Jerr-Dan 21-ft. standard-duty
rollback carrier.
unveiledn Saturday, September 9, the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, unveiled its memo-
rial to fallen towers as it dedicated the Wall of The Fallen. The event was attended by towing operators, local officials, museum members and others from around the industry and around the world, including representa-tives from Jerr-Dan Corp.
The memorial honors those in the industry who have been killed in the line of service. Its purpose is to not only honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to generate public awareness of the dangers involved in the towing and recovery industry and to permanently record and commemorate those involved in fatalities in the towing and recovery industry.
For more information, visit www.internationaltowing-museum.org.
O
the wall of the fallen
DewEze is proud to be the supplier of mobile hydraulics to Jerr-Dan.
We’re here for all your hydraulic needs—not just auto loaders.
A Division of Harper Industries, Inc.151 E. Hwy. 160, Harper, Kansas 67058 • [email protected]
Toll Free 800-835-1042www.deweze.com
Industry News
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show & Go
This 21-ft. steel bed carrier with aluminum side rails has hauled A.T.V.s, tractors and everything in between. The Jerr-Dan rollback is owned by Molenko Inc. in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania and has even been
used as scaffolding in Molenko’s Sign Shop! It rides on a 2004 International truck body and is operated by Michael “Scooter“ Molenko. All striping on the truck is reflective for late night safety.
Owner Jon Ellis of excaliber towing in Laveen, Arizona (a suburb of Phoenix) owns this 21-ft. Jerr-Dan Shark carrier. The diamond-plated bed is 102 in. wide and rides on a 2006 International 4300 chassis.
Owner Sean Lozcalco of A Superior towing in Davie, Florida knows his new MPL40 wrecker will stay busy in the company’s south Florida territory. A Superior Towing provides service to the state police and county. Lozcalco is a member of the “Incident Management“ for south Florida. This MPL40 rides on a 2006 Ford F450 chassis.
Johnson’s Wrecker
Service of Orlando, Florida has been in
business for more than 25 years. This Jerr-Dan
14-ton wrecker is equipped with a 2006 Interntaional
chassis.
Doug Young of Bumper to
Bumper towing in Naples, Florida calls his Jerr-Dan 50-ton wrecker his “little-big truck.“ He’s been so pleased with its performance that he knows his next heavy purchase will be a Jerr-Dan as well. This 50-ton rides on a 2007 Peterbilt 335 chassis.
Do you have an image of your Jerr-Dan rig that you’d like to share with readers?
Submit your photos via:E-MAIL
to [email protected] (High-res photos only. Hint: Set your digital camera to take photos as large of a size and as many pixels as possible.)
MAIL to Editor, Run Hard magazine1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
In addition to your photo, tell us what model of Jerr-Dan you have, what model chassis you have and why you are submitting your rig!
would you like to see
your rig piCtured here?
YOUR JeRR-DAN lOOk like? WHAT DOeS
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By Author Name
Rudy Smith, left, and his brother Ronnie aren’t going anywhere. they are observing the ever-changing new orleans market and adapting their towing company to serve those needs.
TiTlesubhead
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By Connie Antill, Connolly Towing, Arvada, Colorado
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On a warm summer’s eve there is sadness in the air as the family of a fallen tower prepares for a funeral. As they lay awake that night, rest-lessly trying to cope with their loss, another tower falls.
Competitors come together to mourn each other’s loss. The ques-tion of “why“ and the expression of “it’s just not fair,“ lingers in the minds of all. And for those of us who have been working diligently for the past seven months to start the process of promoting aware-ness of these fallen towers, this is a harsh reminder of why we began this project and why we must push forward with it.
Unfortunately, these are the trag-edies that keep this group moving forward and pushing hard to get worldwide involvement in this cause.
It is up to all of us in the tow-ing and recovery industry to work together to honor and commemo-rate our brothers and sisters who have given their lives in the line of
service. We need to awaken the general public to the dangers we face every day. For this, we must put competition aside and look to each other for support and ideas on how we can deal with this growing problem.
The best way for all of us to help – get involved. Join your state association, join the museum and contribute to the Survivor Fund. Find groups in your state that are work-ing on “Move Over“ laws and work to get towers added to their legisla-tion. Promote and instill strict safety policies within your own company. Post signs around your offices to remind everyone to move over when they see emergency equipment, including tow trucks, on the side of the road.
Each time you assist a motorist, hand them a sheet of paper that says, “Move over and slow down for stopped emergency and public ser-vice vehicles — lives depend on it.“
It does not have to be anything
fancy. If you have children, ask them to write it; then photocopy it and hand it out. Saving lives can be as simple as that. What is not so simple? Saying goodbye.
The sadness filling the air at this funeral will not disappear. There is no bringing someone back. However, this sadness needs to be replaced by our resolve to remem-ber and honor the fallen by doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again.
For more information on how to get involved contact:• Cheryl Mish, director, International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, 423-267-3132 or [email protected]• Jeffrey godwin, chairman, Survivor Fund, [email protected]• Lara feinberg, founder and president, Families for Roadside Safety, Inc., [email protected]
By Connie Antill, Connolly Towing, Arvada, Colorado
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Industry News
ALABAMAArab, ALAustin hinds motors Inc.256-586-8161
Ozark, ALStormins Inc.334-774-7138
ARizonATempe, AZtodd equipment, Inc.480-557-8633
ARkAnSASCaraway, ARcars, Inc.870-482-3614
Pocahontas, ARWard’s Wrecker sales & service870-248-1000
CALifoRniABell Gardens, CAtow World Inc.562-806-9155
Concord, CABest equipment510-569-1288
Fontana, CAGooding enterprises, Inc.909-357-7920
Fresno, CAValley Wrecker sales Inc.559-485-1513
San Leandro, CAtow World Inc.510-430-9894
Torrence, CAcalifornia Western towing equipment310-787-0208
West Sacramento, CAriverview International trucks Inc.916-371-3110
CoLoRADoCommerce City, COsummit truck equipment 303-289-3161
DeLAWAReSelbyville, DEDanzi Brothers Inc.302-436-2000
fLoRiDAJacksonville, FLstover sales Inc.904-696-3496
Miami, FLrechtien International trucks dba Wreckers limited305-888-0111
Riviera Beach, FLrechtien Internationaldba Wreckers limited561-882-9050
Sanford, FLrechtien Internationaldba Wreckers limited407-321-8474
Tampa, FLAtlanta Wrecker & carrier sales Inc.813-626-2144
geoRgiALawrenceville, GAAtlanta Wrecker & carrier sales Inc.770-963-0966
Smyrna, GAAtlanta Wrecker & carrier sales Inc.770-432-0097
iLLinoiSChampaign, ILprairie International217-352-4187
Chicago, ILchicago International trucks708-496-7500
Decatur, ILprairie International217-877-8411
Elmhurst, ILWorldwide equipment sales llc630-617-9848
Quincy, ILprairie International217-222-1518
Springfield, ILprairie International217-523-5631
inDiAnAGreensburg, INhedinger’s Auto care, Inc.812-663-7885
ioWACedar Rapids, IAtruck country cedar rapids319-365-0531
Davenport, IAtruck country Davenport309-507-1525
Des Moines, IAtruck country Des moines515-265-7361
Dubuque, IAtruck country Iowa641-330-2149
kAnSASWichita, KSKansas truck center316-838-3800
kentuCkYBurlington, KYtipton Auto sales & parts Inc.859-689-4222
Richmond, KYtebco of Kentucky859-624-0653
LouiSiAnAGary, LAsouthland International of louisiana985-876-3000
Harahan, LAsouthland International of louisiana504-733-7711
West Monroe, LAplunk’s truck parts & equipment Inc.318-388-4460
MAineSouth Portland, MEhews company llc207-767-2136
MARYLAnDAberdeen MDJp chevrolet410-272-0300
Baltimore, MDBeltway International410-247-5700
MASSAChuSettSLancaster, MAcrawford truck sales Inc.978-534-1954
West Hatfield, MAG & s Industrial413-247-9631
MiChigAnAuburn Hills, MIFallsway equipment co.248-340-2421
Detroit, MIsantoro Inc.315-526-1300
Muskegon, MIport city Wrecker sales231-773-2001
MinneSotASt. Paul, MNtwin cities Wrecker sales651-488-4210
MiSSiSSiPPiBrandon, MSmagnolia Wrecker sales601-825-6400
MiSSouRiKansas City, MOKcr International trucks Inc.816-455-1833
St. Louis, MOArchway International314-771-3900
St. Louis, MOmiller Brothers Inc.314-752-5726
neBRASkAOmaha, NEomaha truck center402-935-2442
neVADANorth Las Vegas, NVmccandless International702-642-8789
Sparks, NVsilver state International775-685-6000
neW JeRSeYHasbrouck Heights, NJNussbaum sales corp.201-288-3885
Shrewsbury, NJcircle truck center732-741-3130
Spotswood, NJGiancola motor car corp.732-251-4422
neW YoRkAlbany, NYp.A. ruth Automotive518-456-0356
Hornell, NYelsenheimer chevrolet607-324-3330
Port Jefferson Station, NYramp chevrolet Inc.631-473-1234
noRth CARoLinAClayton, NCeastern Wrecker sales919-553-4038
ohioAkron, OHFallsway equipment co., Inc.330-633-6000
Canal Winchester, OHBob mcDorman chevrolet Inc.614-837-3421
Toledo, OHABco419-536-6123
okLAhoMAClaremore, OKtri-state Wrecker sales Inc.918-342-4244
oRegonLyons, ORsantiam enterprises503-859-2793
PennSYLVAniACollegeville, PAmobile lifts610-489-1900
Columbia, PANussbaum equipment Inc.717-684-0189
Greencastle, PAmason Dixon trucks & carriers Inc.717-597-9400
Scenery Hill, PAAsco enterprises Inc.724-945-5525
Wilkes-Barre, PAWilkes-Barre truck570-823-0144
Windber, PAGAp chevrolet814-467-4596
South CARoLinAOrangeburg, SCsmith services Inc.803-533-1585
Simpsonville, SCAtlanta Wrecker & carrier sales Inc.864-688-0170
tenneSSeeRockwood, TNGlenn’s motors and Auto parts865-354-0622
texASBuda, TXWrecker capitol512-312-5655
Dallas, TXcoker equipment214-742-5221
Houston, TXrpm equipment281-590-1494
utAhSalt Lake City, UTrocky mountain Wrecker sales801-268-8850
VeRMontWhite River Junction, VTsabil & sons Inc802-295-4325
ViRginiAManassas Park, VAhorton truck and equipment703-530-7800
WAShingtonTacoma, WANorthwest equipment sales & service253-922-7581
WeSt ViRginiAParkersburg, WVmatheny motor truck co.304-485-4418
WiSConSinLaFarge, WIlaFarge truck center608-625-4285
Marshfield, WImid state truck service Inc.715-591-2591
Milwaukee, WIBadger truck center414-344-9500
West Allis, WIBadger truck of West Allis800-553-1927
Windsor, WIBadger truck of madison866-846-0680
CAnADACharlesbourg, Quebecplamondon camquip ltee418-849-7575
Dorval, QuebecDel equipment limited514-684-1760
Edmonton, AlbertaAlberta motor Association780-430-5520
Mississauga, Ontarioh.r. runciman & co., ltD905-625-7222
Moncton, New BrunswickDel equipment limited506-857-4291
Port Coquitlam, British ColumbiaDel equipment limited604-941-6241
Call 800-926-9666 for information on your nearest authorized Jerr-Dan Distributor.
On a warm summer’s eve there is sadness in the air as the family of a fallen tower prepares for a funeral. As they lay awake that night, rest-lessly trying to cope with their loss, another tower falls.
Competitors come together to mourn each other’s loss. The ques-tion of “why“ and the expression of “it’s just not fair,“ lingers in the minds of all. And for those of us who have been working diligently for the past seven months to start the process of promoting aware-ness of these fallen towers, this is a harsh reminder of why we began this project and why we must push forward with it.
Unfortunately, these are the trag-edies that keep this group moving forward and pushing hard to get worldwide involvement in this cause.
It is up to all of us in the tow-ing and recovery industry to work together to honor and commemo-rate our brothers and sisters who have given their lives in the line of
service. We need to awaken the general public to the dangers we face every day. For this, we must put competition aside and look to each other for support and ideas on how we can deal with this growing problem.
The best way for all of us to help – get involved. Join your state association, join the museum and contribute to the Survivor Fund. Find groups in your state that are work-ing on “Move Over“ laws and work to get towers added to their legisla-tion. Promote and instill strict safety policies within your own company. Post signs around your offices to remind everyone to move over when they see emergency equipment, including tow trucks, on the side of the road.
Each time you assist a motorist, hand them a sheet of paper that says, “Move over and slow down for stopped emergency and public ser-vice vehicles — lives depend on it.“
It does not have to be anything
fancy. If you have children, ask them to write it; then photocopy it and hand it out. Saving lives can be as simple as that. What is not so simple? Saying goodbye.
The sadness filling the air at this funeral will not disappear. There is no bringing someone back. However, this sadness needs to be replaced by our resolve to remem-ber and honor the fallen by doing everything we can to prevent this from happening again.
For more information on how to get involved contact:• Cheryl Mish, director, International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, 423-267-3132 or [email protected]• Jeffrey godwin, chairman, Survivor Fund, [email protected]• Lara feinberg, founder and president, Families for Roadside Safety, Inc., [email protected]
u.s. & Canada Jerr-Dan Distributor Listing
