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COMPETING WITH CONSOLIDATION SUPPORTING SAFER HIGHWAYS
AT EXPO XXXVII NOVEMBER 19-21 BALTIMORE, MD
RECOVERY OF A SPLIT SEMI
OCTOBER 2026 AmericanTowman.com
TowIndustryWeek.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 3
Contents
Cover Feature
Features
10
Volume 50 Issue 10
35
American Towman Exposition XXXVII
October
The Official Program of the American Towman Exposition XXXVII featuring exhibitor roster, events schedule, exhibitor highlights, and information for attendees.
Competing With Consolidation
In a Challenging Business Environment by George Metos
16
Supporting Safer Highways
A Transportation Bill That Impacts Towers by Brian J. Riker
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2026 Departments 6 8 10 16 22 34 68 78 82 92 100 108 109 110 121
The Walkaround News Share Tow Manager Towing Legislation Towman Techniques Ad Index Repo Run Classic Wrecker Hands-On Tech Towing Laws Towman Safety Supplier Scoop Towman’s Market My Baby Adventures of A.T.
Split Decision Recovery of a Split Semi by Steve Temple
The American Towman staff continues to honor Steven L. Calitri, our Editor-In-Chief, who passed this last December. On the cover is a commemorative insignia, a tribute to a man who had a great passion for this industry and made a difference in the lives of so many towers. Intrepidus Imperator is a Latin phrase that translates to “Fearless Commander”.
4 • October 2026 | Towman.com
First on the scene since 1977
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 5
The Walkaround Innovation, Education, and Tribute Keeping up with innovations in the towing industry helps your business maintain its edge. To that end, this October issue serves as the Official Show Program Guide of the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. Within this program, there is a special section called Exhibit Dennie Ortiz Highlights, showcasing the many products and services Publisher suppliers will have on display on the exhibit floor. While equipment is a major consideration for any business, having a strong management team and trained operators is an equally important part of the equation. Education is a key to success, and it is one area to which the American Towman team and I are completely dedicated. We want to keep your business moving forward while continuing to raise the bar of professionalism within the industry. Between the more than 25 seminar sessions and several independent courses offered at this year’s Expo, the amount of industry knowledge available for you to absorb is tremendous. Not to mention the free sessions on the show floor offered by Allstate Roadside and the free Roadside Safety Clinics brought to you by SafeALL. Check out the highly-anticipated brochure on page 35, your resource for exploring the full range of participation opportunities. And, speaking of taking a moment to pause and enjoy the sights and sounds of life, be sure to turn to page 110 for this issue’s My Baby feature. This beauty from Mike’s Heavy Duty Towing out of Brooklyn, NY captured the Best in Show trophy at last year’s American Wrecker Pageant in Baltimore. Just a few weeks after receiving this coveted honor, the same truck became part of a much more personal journey. It unexpectedly became part of the family procession as it led our honored and deeply missed founder, Steven L. Calitri, on his final journey along the New York State Thruway. I wonder whether Steve’s spirit somehow found this Baltimore winning truck and asked it to ride along, or whether in some way, the truck found Steve’s spirit and helped guide him home to rest in peace. Either way, there is something about this aligning of stars that feels remarkably special. What began as a celebration of a beautiful machine became, only weeks later, part of a farewell to the man who helped build not only this magazine, but also the AT Exposition and the towing community. Some chance connections are difficult to explain, but they are no less meaningful and create memories that will not be forgotten. I hope you enjoy this issue, and I hope to see you in Baltimore. As always, stay safe out there!
Emergency Readiness When rapidly spreading wildfires recently threatened in northern Nevada, evacuations became necessary. Traffic clogged major escape routes for hours, nearly trapping both friends and family. This stressful event prompted a careful review of emergency measures. That’s good advice for the tow business as well, as featured in this issue. The “Split Decision” recovery Steve Temple required exercising care and precision in a precarious Editor situation to prevent further difficulties and possible injuries to tow operators. From a business standpoint, “Competing with Consolidated Companies” recommends some practical tips for smaller, independent tow companies. On the legislative side, tow bosses can benefit from considering the impacts of the Surface Transportation Bill. Lastly, impound yard security is an essential responsibility of all tow company staff, for their safety and protection. So, keep all of these pointers in mind to prevent having to put out various “wildfires” that can potentially threaten a tow company.
6 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Dennie Ortiz Steven C. Calitri Ellen Rosengart Steve Temple Randall Resch Terry Abejuela David Kolman Mark Lacek Brian Riker George Nitti Henri “Doc” Calitri Paul Stephens
Publisher & President Chief Executive Officer Senior Vice President Editor Operations Editor Field Editor, West Chassis Editor Repo Run Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Editor
Editorial Board Tommy Anderson Bill Johnson Kurt Wilson Tasha Mora Ron Meyers
Dallas, TX South Hadley, MA Creve Coeur, IL Austin, TX Cambridge, OH
American Towman Staff President AT Expo Corp. Art Director Advertising Sales Mgr. Regional Advertising Sales iMarketing Manager Finance Manager Conferences & Events Sr. Mgr. Events Manager Publisher’s Assistant Expo Operations Manager Registration & Subscription Mgr. ATTV Producer Customer Service
Henri “Doc” Calitri Anne Ruzsilla Dennie Ortiz Peggy Calabrese Ryan Oser Lisa Ciraldo Ilce Negri Bryna Stankiewicz Stephanie Marchese Jimmy Santos Andrea Richardson Emily Oz Henri Calitri
American Towman Media Headquarters 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990 800-732-3869 or 845-986-4546
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 7
News Share Diesel Prices Raise Tow Company Rates
Record-high diesel prices are forcing Mike’s Wrecker in Saginaw, Michigan, to raise its rates for the second time this year. Owner Bill Giorgis said diesel prices jumped 36% in just one week, rising from about $5 per gallon to as high as $6.80. The company uses 10,000 to 11,000 gallons of fuel each month, adding nearly $20,000 to its monthly fuel expense. Mike’s Wrecker increased base and mileage rates in May and added fuel surcharges of $8 per light-duty tow and $20 for heavy-duty tows. Giorgis said those surcharges will increase again, although the new amounts have not been determined. He noted that a tow’s fuel cost includes more than the customer’s mileage. A truck may travel several miles to reach a customer, complete the tow and then travel additional miles back to its base. The company is reducing idling and unnecessary trips to control costs. Giorgis said he hopes to reduce surcharges if diesel prices decline. Source: wnem.com
Two Dead After Repo Dispute Turns Fatal
A dispute over a repossessed vehicle turned deadly the morning of August 28th when gunfire erupted at a towing business in north Tulsa, leaving two people dead and the man police say opened fire injured. The shooting happened around 11:00 a.m., according to the Tulsa Police Department. Police said a group went to the towing company looking for a vehicle that had been repossessed. Two people entered the business to speak with the owner, and an altercation followed. According to police, one of the people looking for the vehicle, later identified as Darius Jones, pulled out a firearm. The business owner also produced a weapon, police said, and the two exchanged gunfire. The business owner and his wife were both struck. Jones was shot in the arm. Jones reportedly fled the business and ran across the street, where he was treated by emergency responders and taken to a hospital. The business owner’s wife died at the scene. The owner was transported to a hospital by emergency responders but later died from his injuries. Jones was treated for his gunshot wound and subsequently released from the hospital. Police then took him to the Tulsa County Jail, where he was booked on two counts of first-degree murder. The investigation remains ongoing. Source: fox23.com
8 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Hawaii Expands
Slow Down, Move Over Law
A new Hawaii law expands “Slow Down, Move Over” protections to all stationary vehicles stopped along the roadside. Act 95, which took effect this year, requires drivers to slow to a reasonable and prudent speed and, when safe and possible, move into an adjacent lane when passing a stopped vehicle. The law applies to emergency responders, tow truck operators, stranded motorists and others experiencing vehicle trouble. If changing lanes is not safe or possible, drivers must continue at a safe, reasonable speed and stop only when necessary to avoid a collision. State officials highlighted the expanded law recently at the Hawaii State Capitol, emphasizing the dangers faced by people working or standing near traffic.
State officials highlighted a new SDMO law at the Hawaii State Capitol. The law was inspired in part by the death of Corey Iodice, a Connecticut tow truck operator who was struck and killed by an impaired driver while assisting a stranded motorist. Officials say the message is simple: Slow down, move over and protect everyone working or stopped along Hawaii’s roads. Source: hawaiinewsnow.com
Arizona Towing Industry Wins Legislative Seat Arizona’s towing industry will have a direct voice in shaping the future of public property towing and impound practices following the passage and signing of SB 1366. Sponsored by Sen. David Gowan (R-AZ) and supported by the Tow Operators Safety Coalition of Arizona (TOSC-AZ), the legislation establishes the Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee. The committee will examine Department of Public Safety towing programs, operational standards, insurance requirements, rates and fees, and other issues affecting towing operators. It will include representatives from both urban and rural towing operations. The committee’s findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Legislature before the 2027 legislative session and are expected to provide a foundation for future
legislation. TOSC-AZ credited months of engagement with lawmakers, public safety officials and industry stakeholders for helping advance the measure. “This legislation ensures the towing industry has a seat at the table,” said Pete Colantoni of TOSCAZ, adding that the group looks forward to developing policies that improve safety for motorists, public safety personnel, and tow operators. Source: towopsafe.org
News Share
LAPD Crackdown
Tow Truck Convoy Honors Fallen Driver
Requires Vehicle Tows
Los Angeles police launched a massive early-morning operation targeting an illegal street takeover near South Figueroa Street and Alondra Boulevard, resulting in multiple arrests and numerous vehicles being towed. The LAPD Street Racing Task Force began the operation around 3 a.m., responding to activity in an area neighbors describe as a frequent gathering spot for street racers and takeover participants. Police brought in buses to transport those arrested to a local jail, while a long line of tow trucks removed vehicles from the scene. Several blocks remained closed as dozens of officers continued the operation, supported by helicopters circling overhead. Residents said hundreds of people regularly gather in the area on weekends, blocking streets and creating dangerous conditions.
A long line of tow trucks removed vehicles from a street racing scene. “They crash into cars. There’s debris out here. It’s just dangerous,” one neighbor said, adding that participants also set off fireworks and show little regard for nearby residents. The crackdown follows several recent street takeover-related crimes targeting businesses across Los Angeles. Police hope the operation sends a clear message that illegal takeovers will face increased enforcement. Source: youtube.com
AG Seeks $224K from Philly Towing Companies Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is seeking nearly $224,000 in penalties from a group of Philadelphia towing companies accused of continuing illegal towing practices despite a 2022 court agreement. Angelina’s, Siani’s and Aubry’s towing companies, along with Miguel Caban Jr., are accused of violating the settlement, which resolved an earlier lawsuit filed by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro. According to the Attorney General’s Office, Angelina’s and Siani’s continued performing unauthorized tows, charging illegal fees and demanding payment methods prohibited under city regulations. Philadelphia law generally limits towing fees to $175, plus $25 per day for storage. The companies allegedly added improper labor charges, inflated taxes and, in some cases, required customers to pay in cash or through cellphone payment apps.
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Dave Sunday, Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Authorities say they have received at least 38 consumer complaints since the settlement. The companies also allegedly failed to provide requested towing records. Sunday is asking a judge to hold the companies in contempt. Victims could receive restitution if the court grants the petition. Source: metrophiladelphia.com
More than 100 tow truck operators gathered in East Hartford, Connecticut, to honor Alexander Ramos, a 26-year-old tow truck driver killed while working the evening of September 8, on Tunxis Avenue in Bloomfield. Ramos, a husband, father, son and friend, was struck while working near his tow truck. He suffered severe head trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. The other vehicle was later found overturned on its roof, and its driver remained at the scene before being taken to a hospital for evaluation. The following night, dozens of tow operators drove their wreckers past Ramos’ East Hartford home, where family, friends, and neighbors gathered for a vigil. The show of support also renewed calls for motorists to slow down and move over. Connecticut’s move-over law requires drivers to slow down and, when possible, change lanes around stopped emergency vehicles, highway crews and tow trucks displaying flashing lights. No arrests had been made as of September 9, and the investigation continues. Source: instagram.com
Gainesville Moves to End “Roam Towing”
The city commissioners of Gainesville, Florida have taken a major step toward ending “roam towing,” a practice that allows tow companies to patrol marked private parking areas and tow or boot vehicles without receiving a request for a specific vehicle. Commissioners unanimously approved the ordinance on a first reading Sept. 17. If approved on a second reading, the measure would require property owners or their authorized representatives to specifically request the removal of an individual vehicle. The ordinance would not eliminate privateproperty towing, but it could significantly change the business model for towing operators. Instead of proactively patrolling properties and identifying violations, operators would have to wait for a property owner or authorized representative to request a tow. That could mean fewer tows, less predictable revenue, and higher response costs because trucks would be dispatched specifically to individual calls rather than finding violations while patrolling. Commissioner Harvey Ward noted that cities across the country, including other college towns, operate without roam towing. Source: wcjb.com
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 9
Tow Manager
Competing with Consolidated Companies Working Smarter in a Challenging Business Environment By George C. Metos
George Metos has been brokering businesses from his office in Utah since 2012. He founded Tow Broker to focus on the towing industry throughout the U.S. and Canada. businessbrokergeorge.com George can be reached at 801-440-3176 or GeorgeMetos@aol.com
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early every towman is aware that corporate investors have suddenly become involved in the towing industry. Is this good news or bad news for independent towers? The answer depends on the tow company, and its business focus. The industry has always had networks, privately owned by an individual or family, and typically consisting of four to eight locations in a tight geographic territory. Consolidation, however, is altogether different. As an example, when Guardian Fleet Services received a major investment from a private equity group in February of 2023, the business of towing markedly changed. Guardian has grown massively since then, mostly in the Southeast, and reaching into Kentucky, and as far west as Texas.
10 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Every year since 2023, more towing networks backed by private equity have popped up. Many are on the east coast, such as Valor Fleet Services in the Washington, DC area. There is also FirstLine Road Solutions, a large network that began in California, and has spread throughout the Rockies and as far east as Texas. By now, there are well over a dozen of these networks, with towers in every US state and Canadian province being pursued. This is known as industry consolidation, when towing companies band together into groups or a network, and are owned by a single investment firm. This phenomenon is similar to how hotels, restaurants, collision centers, and other industries began consolidating decades ago. It is finally happening in towing, and the networks are successful. The vast majority of these networks are growing briskly, and their investors keep feeding more cash into the machine as they prove their value.
HOW CONSOLIDATION OPERATES IN TOWING
Consolidation works when the acquired companies truly integrate, all pulling in the same direction as a team. Each network starts with a rather large and profitable towing operation to build upon. These are called “platform starters” in the world of mergers and acquisitions. The original owners have done very well by taking a large portion of their equity in cash, and becoming a major partner in the network. Other towers are acquired on high-traffic routes along the interstate, which do not need to be as mature as the platform starter. Yet, those sellers have done well, too. Some of them were too valuable to find buyers until these investors came along. This model allows networks the ability to offer highly trained towers in every location who show up as promised and with the right equipment. Towers who then skillfully recover the casualty vehicle, along with being courteous, and consistently provide billing as expected, ensure the network is appreciated by
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 11
SPOTLIGHT SEMINARS Industry ConsolidationThreat, Opportunity & the Future of Your Business George C. Metos, The Tow and Auto Recycler Broker Saturday, November 21, 8 am
its customers. Consider the massive amount of training required to get all facilities and resources within a network to operate as optimally as the best in the group. It is quite an undertaking. The tow management software, accounting software, GPS, and other systems all must work together. The same goes for payroll, HR, insurance, benefits, etc. Integration is no trivial task, and when the investors work hand-inhand with the towing managers in the group, they create tremendous value. Many consolidation efforts in any industry fail when they acquire companies too quickly to integrate properly. Yet, we already have evidence that two of the networks have integrated well enough to attract even bigger investors. Both Valor Fleet Services and FirstLine Road Solutions were sold in the first half of 2026, thus validating the business model. This is the signal that consolidation is here to stay. It also happens to be driving up the value of the quality towing operations that have not yet been acquired. This phenomenon will last until the networks are built out.
WHAT A NETWORK OFFERS
Consider large commercial fleet operators such as FedEx, JB Hunt, Werner, Swift, Coca Cola, etc. If they break down anywhere in the US and Canada, they may have a roster of 400 heavy-duty towers to call. There are dispatch services that help find a good tower within range 12 • October 2026 | Towman.com
for them, and most of these towers are very good. But they have not been integrated to the extent that the consolidators are accomplishing within their network. The networks are able to offer larger territorial coverage, brand recognition, and consistent service that the commercial fleet operators want. They can also move drivers and equipment around to service large accidents. The networks are not large enough to cover the US and Canada at this point, but the list of 400 options has been dramatically reduced. It is only a matter of time before two or more networks are merged, although this has not happened just yet. The networks create efficiencies of scale and cost reductions in administrative tasks, purchasing power, and financing of equipment. Also, insurance costs can be reduced by participation in captive plans and eventually self-insurance. Other benefits include using cutting-edge technologies such as predictive routing and dispatch, AI, etc. When new technologies or equipment emerge, networks are more likely to be the early adopters, as they have larger budgets for professional management, employee benefits, and retention. The vast majority of the networks focus on heavy-duty and recovery towing. Granted, most heavyduty towers also have a light-duty component. The reason the investors like heavy-duty towing is that commercial customers follow the interstate, and they appreciate a good tower being available throughout their route. In contrast, passenger vehicle customers don’t care about a network—they only care about the local towman in their home town. Note, however, that Vehicle Management Solutions, which is a new and improved incarnation of United Road Towing, has done an excellent job building a very large
As large commercial customers align with towing networks, small tow companies can consider offering alternative services.
network of towing that is not focused on heavy-duty towing. They break the mold, and the capital cost of their trucks is much lower than that of the heavy-duty towers.
IMPACTS ON INDEPENDENT TOWERS
The effect of the networks on smaller tow companies can be summarized in a couple of sentences, yet is absolutely massive: • Large commercial customers will systematically align themselves with the networks, which offer the large territorial coverage and consistent service mentioned above. • The bar is being raised in terms of expected service, professionalism, later model equipment, training, and employee benefits.
ALTERNATIVE SERVICES
To compete with networks, smaller tow companies can consider offering services that the networks are not pursuing. This requires some study of the competition in the area. Once a tow manager sets on a strategy, a good salesperson or sales staff may be needed for implementing it in order to succeed. Here are some possible alternative services: • Hazmat – Once the right training and equipment is in place, get the word out to customers about this capability. • Hauling/transport – This makes good sense for all towers
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 13
Competing Tips for Independent Towers By Brian Riker • Focus on what the big dog doesn’t do well (high touch personalized service). • Become indispensable to the community (many small fleets and private consumers prefer the local brands). • Form cooperative agreements with other small operations (mimic the big network without the ownership). • Learn to be collaborators/ colleagues instead of
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with semis, big trailers, and CDL drivers. Approach construction companies, equipment rentals, and road builders. Possibly even high-value exotic vehicles in certain areas of the country. One advantage is that the jobs can be scheduled conveniently (non emergencies). Mobile repair – More than the traditional roadside assistance, passenger vehicle repair is abundant. As for heavy-duty mobile repair, this service develops strong bonds with customers, who will appreciate a tower getting their truck back in service quickly, and possibly avoiding a pricey tow. Repossession – This is a stigmatized towing service that the investors tend to avoid. Yet, according to a revealing article written by Mark Lacek in the March 2026 issue of American Towman, there is a dire need for it. Repo work can be dangerous, yet if this is an area that the networks consistently reject, then it is worth a look. Get on law enforcement rotations that require a local presence, which the networks may not have. Auto salvage – This is a parallel industry to towing, and the
14 • October 2026 | Towman.com
competitors with local and regional towers (take a page from the medical or legal services playbook). • Train so that your team is better than the big dogs (they will have higher turnover, therefore lower experience levels, so if you can build a team that stays you win). • Control your expenses (perhaps money is better invested in technology instead of chrome and flashy graphics). advantage that independent towers have over auto salvage is that control of a territory is valuable in towing, because short ETAs are vital. • Parallel services – Some of these parallels may be obvious: battery boosts lead to battery replacement sales, roadside repairs can lead to work for an in-house shop, and idle trucks can make decent money transporting stuff other than cars as a scheduled service instead of a priority tow job. • Think creatively – Adding rental car or truck services, storage of boats, RVs, and other large items, and even general trucking services, all fit nicely with a towing operation. These services can optimize the use of real estate, staff, equipment and expertise.
EVALUATE BUSINESS PRACTICES
Most towers should put more energy and resources into business development. With the competition from the networks growing, it is important to spend some time cultivating relationships with local and regional businesses. Servicing local customers can become a key competitive advantage. In addition, develop best business
practices by joining a peer group, consulting industry magazines, attending informational seminars, and consistently sending drivers and managers for training. Successful independent towers have efficient tow-management software, prompt dispatching, fast ETAs, well-trained drivers, and reasonable rates. Essentially, they should have many of the same features as the network operators, just on a smaller scale. Given that good independent towers may need to become even better to survive long term, consider building a tow company that’s attractive to the networks for later acquisition, or convert some of the firm’s equity to cash. This is just a way for planning for the future. If networks are of interest, study their methods and practices and learn what might be attractive to them. Starting up small terminals with just one or two tow operators in hightraffic areas will not only increase the bottom line, but also get the attention of the networks. Along the way, stay in touch with a CPA or financial advisor regarding the value of the business to avoid any surprises. In addition, offer profit sharing and/or minority ownership shares to key employees, rather than risk losing them to the networks and jeopardizing the long-term health of the company. The best personnel will appreciate being rewarded for their special skills and practical experience. Align the business with a national dispatch service or two. It comes at a price, but may improve the bottom line significantly. In sum, the consolidation phenomenon requires towing managers of all types and sizes to become sharper in their business practices. Customers that have been loyal in the past are being pulled away, and it will take some creative thinking and energy to keep a tow business alive and thriving.
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 15
Towing Legislation
Supporting the Surface Transportation Bill Why It Matters to the Tow Industry By Brian J. Riker
Brian J. Riker is a thirdgeneration towman, with 30 years of experience in the ditch as a tow operator, and president of Fleet Compliance Solutions. He specializes in helping navigate the complex world of federal and state transportation regulatory compliance. He can be reached at brian.riker@ fleetcompliancesolutions.net
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merica has one of the most complex transportation infrastructure systems in the world, yet at the same time it is also in desperate need of modernization, repair, and replacement. Central to this infrastructure is the Surface Transportation Bill, one of a dozen appropriations measures that Congress must address to keep the government open and the funding flowing. Surface transportation includes things that obviously benefit motorists (including towers and truckers) such as upgrades to road surfaces, bridges, and snow removal. There are others that have a less obvious impact—bike and rail trails, support for commuter services, and highway beautification projects. Another area included within the Highway Bill (slang for the portions of the Surface Transportation Act, referred to as the BUILD America 250 Act) that’s most directly relevant to commercial vehicle operators is industry specific safety language designed to protect vulnerable roadway users such as pedestrian workers. It also provides support and training for emerging technologies such as electric and autonomous vehicles.
16 • October 2026 | Towman.com
The most recent version of the Highway Bill, passed in 2021, expires at the end of Fiscal Year 2026, which is September 30, 2026. However, on September 2, President Trump signed H.R. 6500, a stopgap measure that extended the funding at the current levels until December 11, 2026. This was done to allow more time for Congress to work on the Bill, as the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted 62-2 to advance their marked-up draft to the full House (although the House took recess before voting to advance the Bill to the Senate). Once the bill is advanced to the Senate, and that chamber considers and passes its own version, the two variants will be referred to a conference committee. There, the differences between the House and Senate texts will be reconciled before a final, unified version is sent to the President to become law.
RELEVANCE TO TOWING
Primarily, the Highway Bill represents a once every five-year opportunity to implement significant changes to the laws that regulate interstate commerce. This is often the measure used to support major changes to trucking regulations such as weights and measures, hours of service, required technologies, and more. The version of the Highway Bill pushed forward by the House T&I Committee contains the exact wording suggested by the TRAA (Towing and Recovery Association of America). It is designed to provide meaningful relief from burdensome size and weight regulations that hamper safe, efficient, and effective removal of wrecked and disabled vehicles from highways. This was accomplished with a Manager’s Package, which is bipartisan and generally thought of as non-controversial. As such, it is likely to survive the full floor vote in the House, and also be included intact within the Senate version. This is an impressive development, as the opposition to this language was formidable, including from entities like the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO). The revised language will allow a technical correction to language first introduced in the 2015 Highway Bill that erroneously
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 17
Repeal the Federal Excise Tax Another issue on the table this year is repealing the Federal Excise Tax (FET). First imposed in 1917 as a way to fund involvement in WWI, the Federal government imposes a 12% tax on the first retail sale of new heavy-duty trucks, which is then funneled into the Highway Trust Fund. It then provides funding, albeit in very inconsistent and volatile manner, to support road repairs. As a dependable source of funding, the FET program fails miserably, as it is based exclusively on new truck sales, which are very inconsistent. In its simplest form, the FET is imposed only on new trucks, and bodies/components designed for use with a chassis that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 33,000 pounds. The tax also applies to trailers or semi-trailers, and bodies designed or intended to be installed on such trailers, with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 26,000 pounds. While there are some exceptions for specific towing industry equipment such as rotators (which enjoy a partial exemption), generally any CDL-required vehicle in the towing industry will have a 12% tax imposed upon the first retail purchaser. Not only does this drive up the cost of new heavy-duty trucks, which causes environmental harm by encouraging many operators to keep older vehicles on the roadway longer than they should, it also encourages towers to try to do more with less. With vehicles gaining weight every year, it is no secret that current light-duty carriers are being pushed beyond their design capacity every day. Note that the typical Class 6 carrier, something like a International MV607 or Freightliner M2, will have a 26,000 GVWR and a tare (empty) weight of 17,000 pounds, leaving approximately 9,000 pounds of payload (carrying capacity). It’s even less when it has extended cab trucks, side pullers, or other heavy accessories. Granted, the commercial driver’s license, fuel tax,
required covered heavy-duty tow vehicles to have a gross weight—not gross weight rating—equal to or in excess of the disabled or wrecked vehicle they were towing. This caused several states to change their tow truck exemptions, and resulted in many formerly allowable tow truck 18 • October 2026 | Towman.com
and apportioned registration process also strongly influences owners to buy these 26,000-pound chassis. But if the 12% excise tax weren’t imposed upon them, the tax savings could easily help offset some of the other operational costs, thus allowing towers to spec heavier vehicles with a wider, built-in safety margin. Specific to flatbed carriers, the cost difference between a 26K and 33K GVWR chassis is minimal. Many towers are already specifying a “derated” chassis, meaning they buy a 33K GVWR chassis but have the manufacturer declare it at 26K, allowing it to beat FET and be operated without a CDL. They get the heavier components, so they last longer, but do not get to enjoy the excess hauling capacity legally. To buy this same body/chassis combination at 33K GVWR, the FET would be approximately $15,000 based on a $125,000 purchase cost. That is a high price to pay for a safety margin, which is why many towers opt out of such a purchase, Now consider the FET on heavyduty wreckers: a typical 25-ton wrecker today can retail for $500,000 or more, with $50,000 of that being FET on the chassis and wrecker body. Buy two heavy wreckers without FET, and the savings would pay for a support truck or another light-duty truck. On June 6 of this year, Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) introduced the Modern, Clean and Safe Trucks Act, which would ultimately repeal the burdensome Federal Excise Tax. This bipartisan legislation, which has a companion Bill in the House, is long overdue and supported by trucking associations and truck dealer associations alike. Any towers interested in saving 12% on their next qualifying heavy-duty truck or trailer purchase should reach out to their congressional representatives and support the repeal of the Federal Excise Tax.
combinations to be deemed technically illegal. Inserting the word “rating” will clarify the intent of Congress that the tow truck only needs to be rated to tow the weight of itself and the disabled or wrecked vehicle in tow, not physically heavier than the vehicle in tow.
MORE WEIGHTY MATTERS
The other portion of the included language will clarify Congressional intent that tow trucks shall be permitted to obtain permits to exceed federal bridge formula weight limits in the broadest possible terms. This change will alleviate the hesitance of several states to issue blanket permits. While it is not a perfect “no-permit required” solution, it is a reasonable compromise that still accomplishes the ultimate goal of clarifying that tow trucks are permitted to exceed axle-weight ratings while performing necessary services. Fundamental physics dictates that weight transfer cannot be distributed evenly at the rear of heavy-duty tow trucks. It is also readily apparent that the axle spacing created by the necessary location of towing equipment does not always conform to the federal bridge formula spacing— sometimes by as little as two inches. Yet, under current federal regulations, this small difference is enough to violate the rules resulting in costly overweight fines, downtime, and the inability to rapidly remove wrecked or disabled motor vehicles. This can be a problem, as the longer a vehicle sits on the shoulder, the greater the chance of a secondary crash event occurring. The other part of this equation is the overall length limits imposed upon combination vehicles on the National Network. The language included within the BUILD America 250 Act will alleviate such concerns by allowing a covered heavy-duty tow vehicle to exceed prescribed length limits, and tow tractor trailer combinations that were already legal prior to becoming disabled, to an appropriate place of repair or safety.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONCERNS
The proposed Highway Bill goes far beyond merely granting size and weight relief for towers. TRAA also successfully secured the inclusion
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 19
of H.R. 8307, known as the Responder and Recovery Safety in EV Fires Act, included as an amendment to the Highway Bill, as passed out of the T&I Committee. This bill will provide a federally funded and congressionally mandated working group designed to evaluate responder and recovery operator safety as related to electric vehicle fires. The group will have the authority to make recommendations for processes and procedures, input into future laws regulating electric vehicles, and recommendations for training programs and standards. It’s a step in the right direction, as currently towers, and other emergency responders, are often uninformed about responding to electric vehicles involved in crashes and fires.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THE SENATE
Overall, the Highway Bill delivers positive impacts, and it is especially encouraging that the towing industry now has a seat at the table. Voices have been heard on critical issues regarding size and weight and EVrelated safety concerns. However, the Senate will ultimately produce its own version of the BUILD America 250 Act. Despite the bipartisan support demonstrated in the House, the work is far from complete. The Senate is under no obligation to include any of the House provisions, and may even be reluctant to do so.
20 • October 2026 | Towman.com
The major hurdles include AASHTO opposition, which is more widely distributed within the Senate. There are three separate committees that work to develop the Senate version of the Highway Bill— unlike in the House where it is only one committee (T&I). In the Senate, the Commerce, Environment and Public Works (EPW), and Banking Committees share the responsibility, and weights and measures falls between two of the three committees, so there are extra possibilities for opposition to gain a foothold. For this reason, advocacy driven by grassroots action by individual towers, alongside organized efforts from trade associations, is critical to securing favorable outcomes. The Members of Congress that make these decisions, both at the committee level and eventually the entire body of Congress, are elected by their constituents and ultimately answer to them. Therefore, if something affects a tow business (or even an employee’s ability to do their job in a safe, legal, and effective manner), it is every towman’s duty to voice their concerns to elected officials. The tow industry is closer than ever to meaningful advancements in size and weight relief, and progress with understanding and support for working with electric vehicles. But towers are not out of the proverbial woods just yet. This is an ongoing mission that demands the unwavering support of every stakeholder whose livelihood depends on it.
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 21
Towman Techniques pending and potential dangers. It is a documented reality that violence could be inflicted on tow company employees at any given time. Business owners, tower operators, and staff personnel must all be engaged in maintaining and enforcing facility security as part of their workplace responsibilities. Although attaining this isn’t an easy undertaking, tow companies must implement specific plans and procedures to provide heightened facility security. While hundreds of facility-security recommendations exist, the following measures can strengthen the processes a tow business already has in-place.
Impound Yard Protection Facility Security is Every Towman’s Responsibility By Randall C. Resch
T Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired California police officer and veteran tow business owner, manager, consultant and trainer. He writes for TowIndustryWeek.com and American Towman, is a member of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and recipient of the Dave Jones Leadership Award. Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.
owing professionals routinely encounter motorists who are highly stressed, uncooperative, or even confrontational during vehicle recovery interactions. These behaviors directly impair an operator’s ability to work safely and effectively. In a tragic incident underscoring the risks faced by towing professionals, tow company owners Mike and Mary Moore of Tulsa, Oklahoma, were fatally shot on August 28, 2026, following a dispute over a private property impound that escalated into a violent encounter. The Moores were gunned down at their business when Darius Jones, allegedly opened fire on them. This event prompts a vital question: “What security measures are in place for specific businesses activities?” Tow personnel must stay acutely alert to
22 • October 2026 | Towman.com
GATES, DOORS, ENTRIES
A fort is only as strong as its perimeter. Gaps in fencing let the intruders in. Doors and gates must be completely secured at all times, and employees operating electric gates must verify they close completely before departing.
LIGHTS AND CAMERAS
Common areas near release windows, walkways, and entry doors should be sufficiently illuminated, and monitored with video cameras to observe and record 24/7 activity. Today’s high-tech market offers affordable camera systems. Adding signage to identify 24/7 video recordings offers excellent security, specifically at release windows. A simple, “dummy camera” with a blinking red light, accompanied by signs that read, “24-Hour Security Cameras”, can make aggressive customers take note. While dummy cameras and signs are cheap and effective, they don’t provide any security footage.
WINDOWS AND TINT
Release windows should have mirrored tint affixed to prevent anyone outside from peering into office areas. Although customers and vehicle owners might not like tinting because they can’t see who they’re talking to, handling customer service complaints are easy to overcome. A well-placed sign near release windows
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 23
announcing security presence might dispel customer complaints.
ACCESS POINTS
Entry doors of solid material should have dead-bolt locks that are opened from within using thumbturn knobs. Optional metal grate/ screen doors may be mounted for added security, and are welcome during hot summer months by providing cross-ventilation. Note, however, that dead-bolts and security doors are only as good as the personnel remembering to utilize them.
NO AFTER-HOUR VISITORS
Initiate an after-hours policy where only authorized personal may remain inside office spaces based on phone calls to the dispatch desk requesting entry. Access methods such as secret knocks can get shared with others, especially when
24 • October 2026 | Towman.com
investigations reveal a robbery was an inside job. If necessary, drivers must be prohibited from entering the office during late-night shifts.
CASH REGISTERS AND DESK LOCATIONS
When personnel conduct release transactions, outside windows may be in direct view of the cash drawer. Relocate drop locations, and ensure that all transactions are completed out of customers’ view. While heightened security measures may not be customer friendly, it is a given that anyone could be casing a tow business for a robbery.
CASH AND TRANSACTION DROPS
Cash businesses must be equipped with commercial-grade safes and drop boxes that are securely mounted. Cross-corner cameras taking “fish-eye-views” increase the
visibility of anyone approaching them. Professional CCTV companies can recommend an affordable system best for a specific workspace. Employees should fully complete vehicle releases, including payment reconciliation and document filling, before starting the next vehicle release. As some losses stem from internal theft, close monitoring of all transactions reduces the likelihood that employees will steal or mishandle money drops.
IN-HOUSE THIEVES
While most staffers are not criminals, money absently left on desktops, under blotters, or in desk drawers are easily lost. Demand every monetary transaction is secured immediately. Where lost or stolen funds are the result of incomplete or improperly documented transactions, initiate swift discipline, suspension, or termination when
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 25
Common areas should be sufficiently illuminated, and monitored with video cameras to observe and record 24/7 activity.
employee malfeasance is uncovered. Tow companies holding on-site auctions are especially vulnerable to robbery and inside theft. All proceeds from auction purchases must be removed promptly from facility strongholds and deposited under escort by armed, vetted security personnel. Past scenarios have proved that large amounts of money left in offices and on-site drop locations were the catalyst for robberies and burglaries committed by company personnel aware of these locations. When crooks case a business to learn where cash is kept on-site, there’s strong possibility that an armed intrusion is in the making.
NIGHT-SHIFT EMPLOYEES
For the safety of staff working alone during late-shifts, the company should provide a security escort from the worksite to their vehicle upon request, or as required by site risk assessment. Late-shift workers should be allowed to park in well-lit, designated areas inside facility gates. Evidence suggests that potential offenders are less likely to attempt an attack when more than one person is present, or when male workers are on-site. If possible, night-shifts should be staffed with at least two employees.
DRIVERS IN, DRIVERS OUT
To meet law enforcement’s 20-minute response-time requirement, the most effective practice is to stage drivers in the field rather than having them wait at the office. However, this approach may not apply to rural areas that are not contract providers for law enforcement. When drivers enter and exit the tow facility with rolling or swing-open gates, and gates aren’t immediately closed, someone may
26 • October 2026 | Towman.com
hide in the shadows and run through a slow-closing gate. Unfortunately, an open gate may also invite someone to drive away without paying.
ROBBERY PREVENTION
Tow operators delivering vehicles after hours, and where there’s room inside the yard, it’s recommended to either pull-in or back trucks within the perimeter, and then close the gate immediately. Based on storage yards potential for criminal activity, closing gates and locking them right away is highly recommended to avoid walk-up robberies. Be wary of strangers asking for directions, bumming a smoke, asking for matches, or inquiring about the time. These are the moments that will likely lead to a street-side robbery.
demands that cool heads prevail. Society has spawned generations of anti-social types, that use weapons to gain control of management, actions, and property. Experts point out that criminals use fear to control their victims. Remaining calm is the key to survival. When confronted by robbers or attackers, use calm to control fear and respond to their demands. Listen carefully to their directions. Owners must empower employees to surrender company funds and
property without fighting back. Discourage employees from physically engaging with suspects. An armed suspect who feels cornered may become violent when employees attempt to overpower them. No dollar amount of company money warrants exposing an employee to lethal risk. The following suggestions may help victims survive violent interactions and assist with eventual capture and
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VISITOR MANAGEMENT
Company policy should mandate that visitors are not permitted on the premises after business hours, including significant others, buddies, or casual acquaintances. Unauthorized persons entering or exiting the facility compromise its security and defeat the purpose of maintaining a secured site. This is especially true for weekend crews and after management leaves for the night. No visitors should be allowed in company offices unless serving ADA customers. True to companies serving law enforcement, never allow the public to use facility restrooms, Instead direct them to nearby locations suitable to their needs.
A CLOSED FACILITY
If disgruntled customers request to see managers, bring the manager to them. Opportunist criminals “selfeducate” by casing a workplace during a single walk-through. Anyone wandering freely onsite can gain valuable intel for robbing a business.
COOL, CALM, COLLECTED
Surviving violent crimes or robbery
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 27
prosecution. When faced with an imminent violent crime, consider the following: • Remain calm and dial 911. • If possible, lock yourself in bathroom or inner-office area. • Don’t be a hero. Never go after a suspect’s weapon. • Listen carefully to the suspect’s instructions . • Let suspects ransack and rifle through drawers. • Be the best witness by: » Study the suspect’s mannerisms, speech,
»
»
»
» »
actions, right or lefthanded Visualize the suspect’s clothing, physical description, tattoo’s, distinctive marks Recall if the the suspect’s face was covered, or if they wore gloves Note if they resemble a celebrity or other wellknown individual Analyze whether you’ve seen the individual before Recall if they appeared to
be familiar with office spaces • Upon the suspect’s departure, immediately call 911. » Provide direction of travel, in a vehicle, a bike, on-foot? » Advise if you need medical assistance » Stay on-line with 911, don’t hang up » Operators ask appropriate questions to bring help as fast as possible » Advise of your location inside the building, or • Remain locked inside until police arrive. » Don’t exit the facility; remember that officers are armed, and may have deployed unleashed police dogs » Police operators will provide instructions as to when to open the door
THE AFTERMATH
Employees who are victims of robbery or other violent crimes should not blame themselves for losing company funds or for complying with a perpetrator’s demands. The goal is to survive the confrontation and go home safe and sound. Because PTSD has a powerful impact, nearly all communities have assistance programs available to victims who have experienced a violent encounter. Our hearts hurt for Oklahoma’s Mike and Mary Moore, and the towing community they served. The purpose of this feature is to encourage all tow owners to re-evaluate their security programs. Safety solutions span a range of levels and technology, but first and foremost, security is every employee’s responsibility. This a great topic for future tow company meetings, or request your local police department provide an in-house facility presentation. Regardless of company size, having a solid plan, and sticking to it increases chances for safety and survival.
28 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 29
A Semi Recovery Hangs in the Balance
T
he highways through the High Sierras are a critical but potentially punishing link between California and Nevada, routinely testing truckers with severe weather, extreme elevation, and slippery ter-
30 • October 2026 | Towman.com
By Steve Temple
rain. While winter weather can be especially treacherous, even light rainfall can create slick conditions when mixed with oil residue on the road. That was the case last July when a semi heading downhill from Truckee,
CA toward Reno, NV was hit by a double trailer around 3:00 a.m. The tractor vaulted headlong over the K-rail, and was left dangling over a steep slope. Fortunately the driver was unharmed, but sent to the hospital for observation.
The trailer split in two when it vaulted over the guardrail.
A V-bridle was rigged to the tractor for winching it off the guardrail.
With the front of semi stabilized, the cargo could be unloaded from the trailer.
The tractor had to be secured with rigging to keep it from heading any farther down the cliffside.
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Cal-Nevada Road Solutions was called into keep the broken big-rig from toppling farther into the ravine. The tow company rolled out a pair of Century rotators (40 and 50 ton), along with a flatbed fitted with a fuel cube and air pump to siphon off diesel. A 35ton Jerr-Dan wrecker was dispatched as well to assist in winching the tractor away from the precipice.
Before the semi could be lifted off the guardrail, though, the cargo of electronics in the trailer had to be removed and loaded onto a trailer. This first required stabilizing the front and rear of the unsteady rig, and then slicing into the mangled trailer with a cutoff saw. “The twisted metal was the most dangerous part,” pointed out
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 31
RESPONDING PERSONNEL Cliff Osborne Duane Lippincott Gage Spanburgh Kent Orta Yevi Reuk Nick Garcia Stefan Untermoser Mike Trosper
Cal-Nevada’s crew carefully rigged the precarious trailer to prevent further collapse over the railing.
Jagged metal edges posed a hazard to the tow operators.
Cliff Osborne of Cal-Nevada Towing. Operators had to be careful to avoid getting injured by jagged edges. Cliff also noted that his operators also wore reflective PPE in the dim pre-dawn light, and made sure not to turn their backs on traffic. Fortunately, the California highway patrol had narrowed the traffic flow into one lane to ensure the safety of the tow operators. With the trailer unloaded, the tractor was rigged with a V-bridle on the front end, lifted off the K-rail and then ultimately loaded onto a Landoll low-boy. Cliff said things could have been much worse if the big rig had headed down the bluff. “It was a fairly typical recovery for Cal-Nevada,” he observed, given the hazards of the highways in the High Sierras. Despite the challenges, it was all in a day’s work, with the operation continuing until early afternoon.
RESPONDING EQUIPMENT Century 40-ton rotator Century 50-ton rotator
Jerr-Dan 35-ton wrecker Century flatbed with fuel cube and pump Dry van and trailer for off-loading cargo Cal-Nevada adds a grill guards to its tow trucks, due to the common risk of wildlife strikes in the High Sierras.
32 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Tractor with Landoll trailer
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 33
AD INDEX AAA...........................................................25 Access Tools..............................................71 Akins Body & Carrier Sales.........................77 All American Jerr-Dan Old Bridge....N, S, M 115 All In 1 Truck Services...............................76 Allstate Roadside.......................................34 Arrowhead Winch.......................................83 Ascentium Capital......................................98 AT Academy.............................................113 AT Hero Medal.........................................105 AT Order of Towman................................107 Austin Insurance................................... N118 Auto Data Direct......................................104 B/A Products................................................3 Bidwell Equipment Finance........................27 Big D’s Fabrication................................ N116 Chevron Commercial..................................76 Collins.......................................................97 Colstan & Associates........................ N, S 117 Command Light.........................................26 Copart Transportation.................................21 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equipment Sales.........87 Custom Built MFG......................................80 DeWalt 12V Automotive / Baccus Global.....20 DewEze Mfg...............................................73 Doepker Ind...............................................90 Don Wolf & Associates...............................29 dp Winch...................................................11 Dual-Tech..................................................86 Durabilt by Durbin......................................75
34 • October 2026 | Towman.com
October 2026
EdgeTec/Hooks.....................................W117 Elizabeth Truck Center...............................89 Federal Signal............................................98 GEICO................................ Inside Back Cover GuniWheel.................................................74 Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel.................... N120 HD Trailers.................................................28 Heavy Duty Help........................................69 Hino Trucks.................................. Back Cover In The Ditch Towing Products.....................85 Integrated Vehicle & Equipment Leasing.....83 Intek Truck Finance....................................94 Jerr-Dan Corp.................... Inside Front Cover Jump n Carry.............................................72 Khasim Insurance Agency.....................W117 Landoll.........................................................7 Lift and Tow.............................................106 Lift Marketing Group............................. N118 Lodar Ltd...................................................81 Master Tailgaters / Parts MT....................102 Matjack...................................................108 McMahon Truck Center.........................M119 Metrocom NYC...........................................96 Mike Keith Insurance............................M117 Miller Finance Solutions.............................33 Miller Industries.........................................19 MK Uniforms.........................................W118 Mobiframe Vehicle Solutions......................24 New England Truckmaster..................... N119 North.........................................................93
NRC Industries...........................................13 Nussbaum Equipment........................... N116 OMG Tow Marketing...................................96 Pacific General Insurance......................M118 Peak Wrecker Sales..............................W119 Performance Advantage Company............101 Phoenix USA..............................................94 Progressive Commercial Insurance.............15 Quick Draw Tarpaulin System.....................90 Rick’s Truck & Equipment...........................99 Roadside Protect........................................73 Roeda........................................................73 SafeAll.......................................................88 Santander Bank, N.A..................................23 Sepson USA...............................................69 Talbert Manufacturing........................... N119 Tow Broker................................................91 Tow Industries......................................W118 Towbook....................................................17 TowMate/Mobile Control Systems...............95 Trilight Fleet...............................................74 USFT..........................................................70 UtilityTrailer of Texas.............................W119 Warn Ind......................................................5 West End Service.......................................89 Will-Burt..................................................106 Wrecker Warehouse..............................W115 Zacklift......................................................75 Zermenos................................................103 Zip’s AW Direct..........................................67
0 5 R A T S 2A
D E L G N SPA N O I T I S EXPO AMERICAN TOWMAN EXPOSITION XXXVII NOVEMBER 19-21, 2026 | BALTIMORE, MD BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER Register at ATexposition.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 35
WORLD’S LARGEST TOW SHOW
Where History Meets the Future This November, the American Towman Exposition makes history, celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday with more than a century of towing innovation. With over 270 exhibitors showcasing the latest trucks, equipment, products, tools, technology, supplies, and services, towing professionals will get a firsthand look at the cuttingedge advances driving towing and recovery into the future.
As the largest tow show in the world, this is THE ultimate one-stop destination for tow bosses. Over the course of three spectacular days, you can explore next-level equipment, discover game changing products and technology, experience an aweinspiring Wrecker Pageant and unlock unbeatable opportunities to learn, network, and take your businesses to the next level. This year, there’s one more
reason to celebrate as American Towman Magazine marks its 50th Anniversary! Expect American Towman’s legendary hospitality to be bigger than ever, with unforgettable events, entertainment, camaraderie and celebrations that will knock your socks off! Come celebrate history and 50 years of American Towman Magazine as we honor the past, embrace the future, and move forward together.
EXHIBIT HALL HOURS Thursday, November 19
1:00 - 5:00 pm Friday, November 20
11:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday, November 21
11:00 am - 5:00 pm 36 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
OVER 270 EXHIBITORS APPAREL Excel Sportswear Masterman’s Penny Pockets
AUCTIONS Copart pg. 21 Equiplinc Auction Group IAA Holdings Peak Auto Auctions CALL PROVIDERS / MOTOR CLUBS 24/7 Dispatch AAA pg. 25 Agero, Inc. Allstate Roadside pg. 34 Cox Fleet GEICO Inside Back Cover Good Sam Roadside Assistance HONK 2.0 Nation Safe Drivers National Automobile Club Peddle Penske Truck Leasing Rivian Automotive Roadside Protect pg. 73 Roadsider COMMUNICATIONS Apache 2 Way AT&T Business Metrocom NYC pg. 96 PeakPTT R.P. Recovery COMPUTER SOFTWARE Autura Dolooma EFI Tow PRZM Towbook pg. 17 Towboss TrxNow CREDIT CARD PROCESSING 360 Payments Benchmark Payment Networks Flute RoadSync Xpress-pay DISPATCH SERVICES Holly’s Towing Dispatch Towing Forward Company TowPilot FINANCING / LEASING Alliance Funding Group Amur Equipment Finance AP Equipment Financing Ascentium Capital pg. 98 Beacon Funding Bidwell Equipment Finance USA pg. 27 Commercial Equip. Financing Customers Comm. Finance Huntington National Bank Integrated Leasing pg. 83 Intek Truck Finance pg. 94 Jerr-Dan Financial Solutions Miller Finance Solutions pg. 33 Priority Capital Santander Bank, N.A. pg. 23 TEL360 Verdant Commercial Capital GPS Azuga, A Bridgestone Company Envue Telematics OnCallGPS Video PatrolWorks USFT pg. 70
INSURANCE All in 1 Insurance & Permits pg. 76 Arnold Insurance Company Austin Insurance pg. N118 Brown & Brown Insurance Colstan & Associates pg. N,S117 Gantt Ins. Agency / Builder’s Ins. iTow & Licona Insurance Grp. Marshall & Sterling Insurance Myers Benner Corporation NSM Insurance Brokers Pruuvn R&A Insurance Robertson Ryan Insurance/ Tow Insurance Pros Zellner Insurance Agency LIGHTS & LIGHTBARS Command Light pg. 26 Custer Products Ltd Federal Signal pg. 98 Helix Safety Essentials Master Tailgaters/ Parts MT pg. 102 MAXXIMA Nite Beams Products Safety Vision Star Safety Tech. TecNiq TowMate pg. 95 Voltexlights.com Whelen Engineering Co. Will-Burt pg.106 MARKETING American Towman Magazine/Expos Heavy Duty Help pg. 69 Lift Marketing Group pg. N118 OMG Tow Marketing pg. 96 Stamp Works Towing.com TowingWebsites.com Whiterail Heavy Tow Marketing
dp Winch pg. 11 Ramsey Winch Sepson USA pg. 69 Warn Industries pg. 5 Warrior Winches
WRECKER & CARRIER MANUFACTURERS Custom Built MFG pg. 80 Dual-Tech pg. 86 Dynamic Towing Equipment Horizon Motor Jerr-Dan Inside Front Cover Metro Tow Trucks Miller Industries pg. 19 Century, Chevron, Holmes, Vulcan NRC Industries pg. 13 Zacklift International pg. 75 WRECKER & CARRIER DISTRIBUTORS Akins Body & Carrier Sales pg. 77 All American Jerr-Dan in Old Bridge N,S,M 115 Atlanta Wrecker Sales Battelini Wrecker Sales Chevron Commercial pg. 76 Crouch’s Wrecker & Equip. Sales pg. 87 Dickerson Custom Trucks East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales East Penn Truck Equipment Edin”Burg” Truck, ETS Hobby Shop Lynch Chicago Maryland Carrier & Wrecker Sales Matheny Towing Equipment Purpose Wrecker Robert Young’s NRC Sales & Service West End Service pg. 89 Worldwide Equipment Sales Zip’s AW Direct pg. 67 OTHER 5TH WHEEL ATTACHMENT
Gitesa
ACCIDENT CLEAN-UP / HAZ MAT
TOOLS / TOOLBOXES
ECS
Allied Powers Bad Dog Tools Iver Tools JB Tow RC Industries
AIR CUSHIONS
TOWING ACCESSORIES DOT Tie Down In the Ditch Towing Products pg. 85 J & R / DG Towing & Trucking Supplies Secure Tow TowToolz TRAILER MANUFACTURERS Contral Trailers Custom Truck One Source Doepker Trailers pg. 90 Fontaine Specialized Kalyn Siebert Landoll Company pg. 7 Pine Hill Trailers Talbert Mfg. pg. N119 Trail King Industries TRAILER DISTRIBUTORS Alpha HD Trailers pg. 28 Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel pg. N120 HD Trailers pg. 28 Pinnacle Trailer Sales WINCHES Arrowhead Winch pg. 83 Bloom Mfg.
Matjack pg. 108 AUTO PARTS
Car-Part.com BUSINESS CONSULTATION
DRIVE Tow Broker pg. 91 CABLES, CHAINS, HOOKS, SLINGS
B/A Products Co. pg. 3 TW Products
HOME SOLAR POWER
Sunrun
IONIC THERAPY
The Pain Helper TNR Group
JUMP START / EMERGENCY STARTERS
DeWalt 12V Automotive / Baccus Global pg. 20 Lokithor KEY FOB BUYER
American Key Supply
LEGAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES
J. Alexander Law
LIFTS & HOISTS
Gray Manufacturing Co. LOCKOUT TOOLS
Access Tools pg. 71 Steck Mfg. Co.
MASSAGE STATION
Time-Out Seated Massage Corner MOBILE EV CHARGERS
EVchargeHERO
OILS & LUBRICANTS
Hot Shot’s Secret PipeBreak USA PAIN RELIEF
OmniMed
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
ParkM Ynot Parking
PTOS/CLUTCH PUMPS
DewEze Mfg. pg. 73
REPO PRODUCTS/SERVICES
International Recovery Systems ROBOTIC VEHICLES
ResQTrack
SAFETY PRODUCTS
Trilight Fleet pg. 74 SIGNS & PROMO
ROEDA pg. 73 Summit Graphics
SPECIALTY KNIVES
Cutco
TITLE/LIEN SEARCHES
Auto Data Direct pg. 104 Recovery Solutions and Title TOW DOLLIES
Big D’s Fabrication pg. N116 Collins pg. 97 TOWING ASSOCIATION
E.R.S.C.A. Garden State Towing Association TRAINING
CVVFA/Responder Safety Institute WreckMaster TRANSPORTATION LOGISTICS
National Recovery USA TRUCK BODIES MFR.
CAMERAS
Jutland Truck Bodies
CLEANING/POLISHING PRODUCTS
DC Modification
CONTROLLER HOLDER IN-CAB
Wrecker Stuff
Ford Pro™ Hino Trucks Back Cover
FCar Tech USA
Truck Parking Club
Lodar Ltd. pg. 81 Mobile Control Systems pg. 85
Iconic MetalGear
Transport Digital
Star Blink Products
DIAGNOSTIC SCANNERS ELECTRONICS
EV COMPLIANCE
Energy Security Agency FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
TRUCK CAB MODIFICATIONS TRUCK CHASSIS
TRUCK PARKING
TRUCK STORAGE ACCESSORIES VEHICLE WRAPS
Illusions Wraps Razor Wraps & Designs WHEEL LIFTS
PowerFleet
Hidden Lift & Tow pg. 106
Coast Guttman Energy
Aussie Rimshine
FLEET MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS HOME REMODELING
WHEEL POLISHER
WHEEL SIMULATORS
Phoenix USA pg. 94
Power Home Remodeling Exhibits as of September 22: For up-to-date roster go to ATExposition.com Exhibitors that advertise in this issue are highlighted with ad pages cross-referenced
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 18
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Towman Hunt Skeet Shoot (Ticket)
American Towman Academy & Independent Courses
Prince George Skeet & Trap Club 9:00 am Shuttle from Pratt St. entrance
Level 3 Meeting Rooms Baltimore Convention Center
Pratt Street Lobby - Level 3 Baltimore Convention Center
Sponsored by Eagle Towing Equipment
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN!
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Donnie Cruse Recovery Luncheon (Ticket)
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open
WreckMaster Rotator Training Level 3 Meeting Rooms & Hands – on in Camden Yards
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Exhibitor Hospitality Exhibitors ONLY Phillip’s Seafood Restaurant
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open Pratt Street Lobby - Level 3 Baltimore Convention Center
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
American Towman Academy & Independent Courses Level 3 Meeting Rooms Baltimore Convention Center
Ruth’s Chris Pier 5 Sponsored by WreckMaster, Zips/AW Direct, B/A Products Co., American Towman
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN! Baltimore Convention Center Allstate Roadside Education SAFEALL Roadside Safety Clinics
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
American Wrecker Pageant & Voting Open Exhibit Hall B Baltimore Convention Center Pageant Voting – Sponsored by Illusion Wraps
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20
Baltimore Convention Center Live Entertainment Allstate Roadside Education SAFEALL Roadside Safety Clinics
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
American Wrecker Pageant & Voting Open Exhibit Hall B Baltimore Convention Center Pageant Voting – Sponsored by Illusion Wraps
7:30 pm
Miller Rocks! Bull & Pig Roast (Free)
PBR Cowboy Bar:Power Plant Live! Sponsored by Miller Industries and American Towman
9:00 pm
Calitri’s Cuba Cigar Smoker (Free) Sponsored by TowToolz Luckie’s Tavern - Power Plant Live! VIP Tickets available for purchase
7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration Open Pratt Street Lobby - Level 3 Baltimore Convention Center
38 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21
Carvers Delight & Saturday Pie (Free)
Registration Open
Exhibit Hall B/Adjacent Wrecker Pageant Baltimore Convention Center Sponsored by Allstate Roadside, GEICO, NSD, Agero, TRXNOW
Pratt Street Lobby - Level 3 Baltimore Convention Center
4:00 pm
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
American Towman Academy & Independent Courses Level 3 Meeting Rooms Baltimore Convention Center
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN GRAND OPENING! Baltimore Convention Center Live Entertainment Allstate Roadside Education SAFEALL Roadside Safety Clinics
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
American Wrecker Pageant Open Exhibit Hall B Baltimore Convention Center
Band Stage in Pageant Area Baltimore Convention Center
6:00 pm
Ceremony of The Order of Towman Renaissance Harbor Place Hotel Baltimore Ballroom
7:00 pm
Roadside Safety Clinics
Festival Night (Ticket) Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel Maryland Grand Ballroom March of the Heroes, Towman Medal 6:30 pm Cocktails Sponsored by American Towman Magazine
American Wrecker Pageant Voting Hall B - Adjacent Wrecker Pageant Baltimore Convention Center Pageant Voting – Sponsored by Illusion Wraps
2:00 pm
ACE Awards Ceremony (Free) Exhibit Hall B Adjacent Wrecker Pageant Baltimore Convention Center Sponsored by Allstate Roadside, GEICO, Nation Safe Drivers, Agero, TrxNow
November 19-21, 2026 Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, MD
Education Sessions • Damage Claims and Investigations • Electric Vehicle Roadside Service • Recognizing Hazards and Controlling Risks • Protect Profits with Less Damage • Effective Training Methods • Sustaining Tow Operator Safety • Electric Vehicle Ready Operator • Operator Proficiency • Navigating Dangerous Scenes • Behind the Wheel
American Wrecker Pageant Winner Ceremony
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
FREE CLINICS ON THE SHOW FLOOR
• Protecting yourself at Roadside • Entering & Exiting Your Truck Work from the Non-Traffic Side • Required PPE • Setting Your Truck Up for Safety • Secondary Danger Awareness
VALOR PIN American Towman Exposition honors all Towmen who operate a tow truck and work the “White Line” every day by offering the EXCLUSIVE Valor Pin engraved with YOUR NAME. Make a moment of receiving the Valor Pin and make your trip one you will always cherish. A photo wall will be available where company owners may proudly pin the Valor Emblem on their operators, or receive the honor themselves. Several meaningful backdrops will set the stage for photos, including the Towman Monument and the Lifelines and Masters of Chaos murals. Your pre-ordered valor pin will be available for pickup at the Information booth, next to Registration beginning Wednesday, Nov. 18th through close of show on Saturday, Nov. 21st.
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 39
BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR One unforgettable destination – 250 years of American History
Experience the energy of Baltimore’s iconic Inner Harbor, where waterfront views, historic attractions, world class dining, and nonstop entertainment come together in a city that has been part of America’s story for generations. From historic ships like the
USS Constitution and USS Torsk submarine, discover the stories that helped shape America, and take in the sights along the bustling waterfront. From family-friendly attractions including the National Aquarium and Port Discovery Children’s
Museum, excitement can be found around every turn. Whether you’re exploring by day or enjoying the vibrant nightlife, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor provides the perfect backdrop to celebrate America’s 250th and create memories of your own.
FELLS POINT Baltimore’s legendary waterfront neighborhood
Step into the excitement of Fells Point, where Belgian-block streets, lively pubs, standout restaurants, boutique shopping, and harbor views create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else.
40 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Founded in 1763, this historic shipbuilding community grew around one of the region’s busiest deep-water ports and remains one of Baltimore’s most vibrant attractions.
American Towman will provide convenient shuttle service to Fells Point on Thursday and Friday morning, making it easy to experience the neighborhood’s rich maritime history, distinctive charm, and energetic waterfront scene.
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
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AAA
Access Tools
Akins Body & Carrier Sales
A network of industry leading organizations offering exclusive benefits and savings on services and products service providers use every day.
Access Tools is the undisputed leader in specialty tools. Our automotive lockout tools have achieved the respect of professionals worldwide.
Provider of quality towing equipment for Miller Industries.
Booth #1300
Booth #1318
Booth #4610
See Page NSM115
See Page 76
See Page 34
All American Jerr-Dan Old Bridge
All in 1 Insurance & Permits Corp.
Allstate Roadside
All American Jerr-Dan in New Jersey is one of the largest distributorships in the country selling wreckers and carriers.
We specialize in all types of transportation insurance and permits. We offer all coverages needed for towing companies, including auto liability, on-hood, garage libility/keepers, and more.
Drive your success with the network that makes it easy! Visit tow-providers.allstate.com to learn more about joining the Allstate Roadside Provider Network.
Booth #1514 & 1519
Booth #5306
See Page 83
See Page 98
Free Clinics Booth #245
Booth #2415
See Page N118
Arrowhead Winch
Ascentium Capital
Austin Insurance
Arrowhead Winch planetary and worm gear recovery winches have delivered proven performance in towing and trailer applications for 100 years and counting!
Ascentium Capital, a division of Regions Bank, specializes in fast, flexible financing with App-only up to $750,000. Stop by Booth #1113.
Commercial insurance specialists serving towing companies nationwide since the early 90’s, offering tailored coverage, risk management, and dependable service.
Booth #1108
Booth #1113
Booth #800
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Auto Data Direct
B/A Products Co.
Auto Data Direct streamlines towing operations with realtime vehicle records, NMVTIS title checks, and certified letter tools.
The gold standard in towing, auto transport, and fire rescue equipment.
Booth #3110
See Page 3
Booth #1335
Bidwell Equipment Finance USA Canadian and U.S. buyer financing. U.S. sellers paid immediately upon financing approval. Customs, imports, taxes, and delivery—all handled.
Booth #2719
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 41
EXHIBITOR ROSTER 24/7 Dispatch Booth# 3200
Your reliable dispatch specialists. We answer your calls and dispatch them how you want.
360 Payments Booth# 1801
Allstate Roadside Booth# 2415 Ad pg. 34 Join the network that supports you with leading technology, network support and technical information.
We simplify payment processes by seamlessly integrating with leading business management software solutions.
Alpha HD Trailers Booth# 253 Ad pg. 28
AAA Booth# 1300 Ad pg. 25
American Key Supply Booth# 2619
Alpha HD is a manufacturer of custom-engineered heavy haul semitrailers.
AAA serves more than 62 million members with roadside, travel, insurance and retail services.
We purchase automotive remotes - we pay top dollar - in cash.
Access Tools Booth# 1318 Ad pg. 71
Amur Equipment Finance Booth# 120
The undisputed leader in car opening tools.
Agero, Inc. Booth# 500
Equipment financing partner delivering service, growth and flexible fast sales for vendors and customers.
The largest provider of B2B disablement assistance in the U.S.
Apache 2 Way Booth# 4700
Akins Body & Carrier Sales
Arnold Insurance Company Booth# 2217
Booth# 4610 Ad pg. 77 Distributor of quality towing equipment for Miller Industries.
All American Jerr-Dan in Old Bridge
Booth# 1514 & 1519 Ad pg. NSM 115 Trusted Jerr-Dan tow truck dealer specializing in sales, financing, custom upfits, parts, service, and support.
All in 1 Insurance & Permits Corp.
Nationwide 2-way radio service.
Towing and transportation specialist, risk management, safety and DOT help.
Arrowhead Winch Booth# 1108 Ad pg. 83
BRADEN manufactures recovery winch solutions for trailers and towing as part of the Arrowhead Winch family.
Ascentium Capital Booth# 1113 Ad pg. 98
Booth# 5306 Ad pg. 76 Truck/towing insurance, permits, IRP.
Ascentium Capital offers flexible equipment financing for the tow industry up to $2 MM. Request pre-approval: Ascentium.info/ATExpo26
Alliance Funding Group Booth# 4007
Aspen Custom Trailers Booth# 2314
Commercial truck & equipment financing.
Allied Finance Adjusters Booth# 4911
National repossession trade association of independently owned and operated businesses from all around the United States.
Allied Powers Booth# 900 Portable ergonomic tools.
Aussie Rimshine Booth# 107 Portable wheel polisher.
Austin Insurance Booth# 800 Ad pg. N118
Austin Insurance sells truck insurance. We will come to you.
Auto Data Direct Booth# 3110 Ad pg. 104
ADD offers real-time motor vehicle records, vehicle history reports, salvage reporting tools, and certified mailing.
Autura Booth# 1115 Towing software.
Azuga, A Bridgestone Company
Booth# 3210 Azuga, a Bridgestone company, provides advanced fleet management and AI dashcam solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and accountability, helping businesses improve safety, performance and lower costs.
B/A Products Co. Booth# 1335 Ad pg. 3
The Gold Standard in towing, auto transport, fire & rescue.
Bad Dog Tools Booth# 1500 Lifetime guaranteed specialty and multi-purpose tools for cutting and drilling. Battelini Wrecker Sales Booth# 1431
Distributor of NRC Industries, Dynamic, Trail-Eze trailers & Reitnouer trailers. Full sales, service & custom fabrication facility.
Aspen brings heavy haul engineering, proven experience and product durability to the recovery market with the HY-TAILER and TILT trailers
Beacon Funding Booth# 1307
AT&T Business Booth# 5114
Benchmark Payment Networks Booth# 2300
Atlanta Wrecker Sales Booth# 1408
Booth# 2719 Ad pg. 27 Equipment financing specializing in providing support with cross-border sales between USA and Canada.
AT&T Business delivers wireless connectivity, internet, devices, fleet and workforce services. Jerr-Dan’s top distributor of light and medium duty tow trucks for over 2 decades.
Offering flexible financing for new and used tow trucks to start-up and established towing companies. Merchant services and credit card processing.
Bidwell Equipment Finance USA
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
MILLER
42 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
MILLER ROCKS! The Biggest Tower Party in Baltimore
Ask any tower what the hottest ticket in town is, and they will tell you Miller Rocks! at PBR Cowboy Bar…and its FREE! Sponsored by Miller Industries, Miller Rocks! Brings together the largest gathering of towers for an
unforgettable evening of great food, live music, dancing and nonstop fun. Attendees can take the bull by the horns and climb aboard the mechanical bull to see how long they can hang on. Challenge your buddies to see who can stay in the saddle!
During the evening, score an exclusive Miller t-shirt, available while supplies last. Join us Friday at 7:30 pm. Located in Power Plant Live! Come hungry and get ready to Rock with Miller!
CALITRI’S CUBA
Light Up a Cigar. Raise a Glass. Share the Towman Camaraderie. There’s no better way to end an action-packed day than by kicking back with your fellow towers and a fine cigar. Calitri’s Cuba Cigar Smoker is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and enjoy some great Towman camaraderie. Sponsored by TowToolz,
admission is FREE, and every attendee will receive one complimentary premium cigar, along with a special gift from TowToolz. Looking for a VIP experience? Upgrade to Calitri’s Harbor Reserve for $40, which includes two premium cigars and a specialty drink.
Conveniently located at Luckie’s Tavern, just downstairs from Miller Rocks! at PBR Cowboy Bar, it’s the perfect next stop. Wind down the night in style, light up a cigar, connect with great people, and enjoy an evening with the teams from American Towman and TowToolz!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 43
DONNIE RECOVERY LUNCHEON Recognizing Recovery Specialists
Donnie Cruse, a towing industry pioneer and legendary trainer, dedicated his career to teaching towers the skills and best practices needed to tackle the most challenging recovery situations. Each year in Baltimore, WreckMaster and American Towman honor his legacy by presenting the prestigious “Donnie Cruse Award” to towers who demonstrate exceptional skill and ingenuity while performing recoveries.
Join us on Thursday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at our new location at Ruth’s Chris Steak House on pier 5, where WreckMaster Recovery Specialists will critique and analyze some of the most intense recoveries. An excellent opportunity for every tower to get tips and advice on recovery techniques used by these operators. The luncheon is sponsored by B/A Products and Zips/AW Direct. Tickets are $75 per person.
ORDER OF TOWMAN Honoring Service to Community
For over 15 years, police and fire chiefs from across the nation have recognized local towing professionals for their valued partnerships with emergency responders, exemplary professionalism, and outstanding contributions to the communities they serve. On Saturday, November 21, at 6:00 pm, these distinguished towmen and women will be honored during a special pinning ceremony and inducted into the 44 • October 2026 | Towman.com
prestigious “Order of Towman”. Each honoree will receive the Cross of The Order, inscribed with the words “Intendo Fidelis” — Aim True, symbolizing their dedication and service. Following the ceremony, the newly inducted members will proudly participate in the “March of Heroes” at Festival Night, where the towing industry comes together to honor industry heroes.
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
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Big D’s Fabrication
Chevron Commercial
Collins
Manufacturing leader of the heavy-duty dollies. Capacities of 25K, 40K, and 25K Camper. Plus, several dolly accessories, boom sheaves and lifting plates. Created by towing professionals.
We carry chains, hooks, straps, toolboxes, lighting, dollies for Chevron & Vulcan, plus patented towing equipment & accessories.
Collins Hi-Speed® G7X Super Dolly built for extreme jobs and extreme conditions with cross rail axles that extend to 104”, 5,000 lb weight capacity, and a 75 mph speed rating.
Booth #1435
Booth #1230
Booth #1502
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Colstan & Associates
Command Light
Copart Transportation
Are you paying too much for your tow truck insurance?! We have a special Towing program for NJ, CT, FL,MD and NY (coming soon). Visit booth for a chance to win $200.
Consider equipping your truck with a Command Light tower. Many operators charge fees for lighting. Also see Command Light’s battery lights/work tripods.
Start or grow your business with Truck in a Box. Learn more at TruckInABox.com
Booth #4000
Booth #843
Booth #4010
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Crouch’s Tow Trucks
Custom Built MFG
DeWalt 12V Automotive
Crouch Tow Trucks supports the towing family with reduced inventory prices quality equipment, industry expertise, and dependable service you can trust.
Meeting and exceeding customer expectations at evry level of quality, value, performance, and price with shortest pissble lead times.
DeWALT delivers rugged jump starters and power solutions built for the towing professionals who show up when others need them most.
Booth #1118
Booth #2319
Booth #5307
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DewEze Mfg.
Doepker Trailers
dp Winch
DewEze Engine-Driven PTOs are engineered to deliver the reliability and high power needs your wreckers and carriers demand.
The Doepker ReCon Sliding Axle recovery trailer is designed to maximize both your payload and road life.
American-made, military-grade line of winches, capstan drives and bumper winches for the towing and recovery industry for more than 55 years.
Booth #1208
Booth #255
Booth #934
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 45
EXHIBITOR ROSTER Big D’s Fabrication Booth# 1435 Ad pg. N116
Copart Booth# 4010 Ad pg. 21
Bloom Mfg. Booth# 126
Cox Fleet Booth# 1237
Heavy duty emergency truck dollies. Custom winch manufacturer.
Brown & Brown Insurance Services
Booth# 103 Providing quality traditional and captive insurance solutions for towing, hauling, recovery and shop operations.
Car-Part.com Booth# 1700
Car-Part.com is the largest online recycled parts marketplace (with 200 million parts from 4,000 suppliers).
Chevron Commercial Booth# 1230 Ad pg. 76 Your one-stop shop for Chevron and Vulcan car carriers, wreckers, and parts.
Coast Booth# 3307
Fleet card and expense management platform for companies that own a fleet of vehicles.
Collins Booth# 1502 Ad pg. 97
The leading provider of online vehicle auctions.
Dickerson Custom Trucks Booth# 4013
Crouch’s Tow Trucks Booth# 1118 Ad pg. 87
Doepker Trailers Booth# 255 Ad pg. 90
Custer Products Ltd Booth# 1337
Dolooma Booth# 2604 Dolooma helps roadside providers manage jobs, streamline operations, improve visibility, and grow profitable partner revenue.
Your full line Miller Distributor since 1989, offering sales parts and service across 4 locations. Wireless tow lights, safety lighting.
Custom Built MFG Booth# 2319 Ad pg. 80
DCT is a premier custom truck shop that specializes in fabrication, paint and show stopping builds. High quality sliding axle tilt deck recovery trailers.
Custom Built heavy- duty wrecker manufacturer. Reliability since 2006.
DOT Tie Down Booth# 2400
Custom Truck One Source Booth# 5309
dp Winch Booth# 934 Ad pg. 11
Custom Truck One Source showcases Load King trailers with nationwide parts, service, sales, rentals, and support.
Customers Commercial Finance
Collins has been the industry leader and towers choice for dollies and accessories since 1972.
Colstan & Associates
Cutco Booth# 4905
Command Light Booth# 843 Ad pg. 26
On demand hydraulic systems preferred by wrecker experts in the work truck industry.
Web based search tool allowing commercial carriers the ability to locate and electronically dispatch service providers.
Booth# 2117 We provide financing for tow & recovery equipment from any dealer or private entity.
Booth# 4000 Ad pg. NS 117 Comprehensive insurance agency protecting your shop, trucks, dealer plates, transport plates, and roadside operations.
DewEze Mfg. Booth# 1208 Ad pg. 73
Household cutlery. Culinary bbq, garden tools, cookware, flatware, scissors, sporting/hunting knives, wellness mats.
CVVFA/Responder Safety Institute
Family owned & operated scene lighting buisness located in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Booth# 4600 Provide free handout materials on distracted driver, move over slow down laws, materials on training.
Commercial Equipment Financing
DC Modification Booth# 5605
Tiedowns, towing, hardware, custom solutions, etc. Military grade line of planetary winches, for towing and recovery vehicles and more.
DRIVE Booth# 3207
North America’s leading coaching and management training company, for tow, auto, collision and truck repair industries.
Dual-Tech Booth# 2601 Ad pg. 86
Manufacturer of 2-car carriers and wrecker bodies.
Dynamic Towing Equipment Booth# 2608 Tow trucks, slide-ins, parts and accessories.
Eagle Group XX Repo Pavilion
Repo training.
East Coast Truck & Trailer Sales
Booth# 4709 Equipment financing.
Truck cab modifications.
Booth# 2109, 6010 Full service Jerr-Dan, Cottrell, Hiab and Galfab distributor including parts, services and sales.
Contral Trailers Booth# 249
DeWalt 12V Automotive
Booth# 5307 Ad pg. 20 DeWalt 12V jump starters, power stations, battery chargers, power inverters, and spotlights.
East Penn Truck Equipment Booth# 216
Tilt deck trailers for recovery, containers and equipment. Fifth wheel or semi models available
Miller Industries full line towing equipment dealer.
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
JERR-DAN
46 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
FESTIVAL NIGHT Honoring the Simple Act of Bravery
A tower answers a call like any other day. But today is different. He is faced with an extraordinary, life-threatening situation. There is no time to hesitate. No time to think about his own safety. He simply reacts—and in doing so, a life is saved. It is this extraordinary act of courage that earns him the prestigious Towman Medal, inscribed with the words: “The Simple Act of Bravery.” Every day, towmen and women go beyond the call of duty, stepping into dangerous and unpredictable situations to help others in their time of greatest need. Their courage saves lives, protects motorists, and makes a lasting difference.
Festival Night is our celebration of these heroes. An unforgettable ceremony like no other. As the trumpet sounds to call all Heroes, the newly inducted members of the Order of Towmen join in the March of Heroes to salute their bravery. Their remarkable stories are shared, reminding everyone in attendance of the courage and commitment that define the towing profession. But Festival Night is more than a ceremony. It is an evening
November 19-21, 2026 Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, MD
of celebration, featuring live entertainment, music, dancing, and a spectacular dinner highlighted by Baltimore’s famous jumbo lump crab cakes. Join us Saturday at the Renaissance Harbor Place Hotel. Reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase. Come celebrate towing’s heroes and experience an enduring American Towman tradition.
A special portion of the evening will feature a tribute and celebration of the legacy of Steven Calitri, Founder of American Towman Expositions, Editor- in-Chief of American Towman Magazine, and American Towman’s Towman of The Year. Join us and raise a glass to his lasting contributions. AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 47
AT ACADEMY Full Access to Over 25 Seminars – Breakfast Included!
Sharpen your edge at the American Towman Academy featuring 25+ high-impact courses taught by renowned towing and recovery industry experts. Built
to help tow bosses lead smarter, operate safer, and grow stronger, AT Academy delivers timely, real-world insight on Equipment Finance Strategies, AI for Tow
Companies, Mobile EV Charging, Driver Qualification in the ICE age, Social-Media Marketing, and much more.
ROTATOR RECOVERY TRAINING Real instruction. Real equipment. Real-world skills you can put to work immediately. Take your rotator skills to the next level. Learn to operate with greater safety, efficiency, and confidence alongside WreckMaster’s renowned instructors at this year’s Baltimore Exposition. This intensive two-day training experience combines classroom instruction with hands-on learning, covering 48 • October 2026 | Towman.com
the equipment, techniques, processes, and recovery strategies you need to take on even the most challenging recoveries. Held Wednesday and Thursday, Rotator Recovery Training is an independent course and can be purchased separately online. Shuttle transportation to Camden Yards and lunch are included.
New this year – ERSCA’s all new Standard Duty Rollover Course!
This dynamic two-hour training session gets you up to speed on the latest techniques for safe, effective, and fast standard-duty rollover recoveries. Realworld skills you’ll use from the moment you hit the road.
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
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See Inside Back Cover
Dual-Tech
Federal Signal
GEICO
The Dual-Tech “Roll Back” carrier is known by its users as a high quality, durable, and easy to operate system. Our motto is, “Built Stronger Than It Has to Be”.
Allegiant Max Rollback Safety Reflectors direct LED light across a wider vertical angle, helping improve visibility to rear approaching traffic.
Come see how you can join the elite in providing exceptional customer service to GEICO’s 19 million policies and 24.4 million vehicles.
Booth #2601
Booth #1409
Booth #1136
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Guniwheel
Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel
HD Trailers
This universal vehicle mounting system is designed to safely mount and move vehicles with missing or damaged tires and wheels.
Largest independent trailer dealership in North America, offering new and used trailers, rentals, parts and service. Vast inventory and strong partnerships..
Wide selection of new and used heavy-haul trailers. We proudly partner with AlphaHD Trailers, Kalyn Siebert, & XL Specialized. Locations in Andalusia, AL and West Palm Beach, FL.
Booth #602
Booth #948
Booth #230
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See Back Cover
Heavy Duty Help
Hidden Lift & Tow
Hino Trucks
HDH connects 800+ major trucking companies, 250,000+ owner-operators, and 150,000+ bus & RV owners with vetted, reliable towing and repair companies across America.
Easy, reliable, affordable hidden wheel lifts now available in 3 different sizes.
Hino Trucks, a Toyota Group Company, manufactures, sells, and services a lineup of Class 4-8 commercial trucks in the United States.
Booth #112
Booth #240
Booth #830
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In The Ditch Towing Products In The Ditch SidePuller™ adds versatile side-recovery capability to your carrier, helping operators safely handle difficult recoveries with speed and control.
Booth #114
Integrated Vehicle & Equipment Leasing
Intek Truck Finance
As a national direct lender since 1999, Integrated has been providing leasing and financing for the tow truck industry. Booth #1426
Offers customized and flexible lease & financing options for all new and used towing equipment. Exclusive finance programs for up to 10 years.
Booth #2100
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 49
AT ACADEMY CARTE BLANCHE PASSPORT SEMINARS $150 Advance Registration gets you access to all the seminars you are able to attend, and complimentary breakfast Thursday, Friday and Saturday. ($225 after Nov. 16). Open to all who sign up for the Carte Blanche Passport.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 Charting a Growth Plan for Your PPI Business
8 AM - 8:50 AM Gain hands-on exposure to a range of professional vehicle entry methods. This session emphasizes techniques designed to minimize damage while showcasing proper use of specialized unlocking tools and equipment. Jim Shellhaas, PatrolWorks for Parking Management
Leave No Trace Lockouts
8 AM - 8:50 AM Strategic requirements for a forward-looking parking management solution. PPI companies are facing increasing competitive pressure from permitting-focused companies outside the industry that are seeking to gain control of their customers. Jeff Mullins, AAA Club Alliance
Wire Rope Fundamentals
9 AM - 9:50 AM A wire rope is a complex machine made of moving parts. There are many wire rope sizes and configurations designed for optimal performance in a specific application. In the towing and recovery industry we need a wire rope that is flexible, abrasion resistant, weather resistant, strong and easy to maintain. In this seminar, learn the fundamentals of wire rope construction, terminations, working load limits, maintenance and proper use. Terry Abejuela, American Towman
50 • October 2026 | Towman.com
The $10 Million Mistake
9 AM - 9:50 AM This groundbreaking seminar examines the operational failures, documentation issues, driver behaviors, safety violations, training deficiencies, and management decisions that can lead to catastrophic lawsuits and multi-million-dollar verdicts against towing companies. Attendees will gain critical insight into modern litigation trends, liability exposure, distracted driving concerns, and proactive risk-reduction strategies designed to protect towing companies from devastating legal outcomes. John Borowski, Roadsider
As a Tow Owner, What Are Your Biggest Risks?
10 AM - 10:50 AM Join Brian Riker, Chief Compliance Officer for Fleet Compliance Solutions, as he explains where towing companies face their greatest risks. The exposure to lawsuits, dangers on the roadway, labor relations and even compliance with DOT regulations all expose your company, and you personally, to great risks. Brian Riker, American Towman
Rotator Economics – How to be more Profitable by Owning a Rotator
10 AM - 10:50 AM Benefits of owning a HD Wrecker & Airbags & Recovery Billing Class. Eric Fouquette, Big Wheel Towing
Developing Your Company’s Safety Training
11 AM - 11:50 AM There’s sad reality knowing few tow companies send operators to formal industry training. Although tow personnel may receive in-house training, many companies’ disregard the importance of monthly or periodic training. For tow owners seeking best practices, periodic training complies with OSHA and acceptable industry teachings. Towman’s, long time, Operations Editor, Randall Resch, focuses on how-to develop periodic safety training. A takeaway handout listing 170+ safety topics is provided. Don’t risk OSHA fines, explosive settlements, or tower incarceration for negligent acts as direct result of no training or lack of periodic safety meetings. Randall Resch, American Towman
Legal & Tax Strategies for Towing Businesses
11 AM - 11:50 AM Structure your towing and recovery business to prevent lawsuits and protect assets, Reduce liability insurance exposure and costs in a high-risk industry, Minimize taxes, Create successful estate. Larry Oxenham, American Society for Asset Protection
AI for Tow Companies: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and Where It Actually Helps
11 AM - 11:50 AM AI can feel overwhelming. This class cuts through the noise and explains AI in plain language, with real towing examples. Learn what AI can realistically do today, where it fits in a tow office, and how to use it as an assistant to take pressure off your team, reduce repetitive work, and help keep operations running smoother. Jade Fickert, TowBoss
NEW! Recovery Theater Open to all Attendees
12 PM-1:30 PM This interactive session is designed as a brainstorming-style recovery class. Attendees will be presented with various crash scenes and invited to share their ideas and approaches for performing each recovery. Participants will discuss the types of tow trucks and equipment that could be used, rigging techniques, recovery strategies, safety considerations, and other important factors involved in handling each scenario. The goal is to encourage discussion, exchange ideas, and learn from the different approaches and real-world experiences of fellow towing and recovery professionals. Bobby Tuttle, CIRT
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Captive 101: Turning Your Insurance Program into a Profit Center
8 AM - 8:50 AM Traditional insurance is often viewed as a necessary expense, but what if it could become a strategic asset? This session will provide an introduction to captive insurance, how it works, and how businesses can leverage it to gain greater
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
control over risk, improve cash flow, and participate in underwriting profits. Learn the key benefits, qualifications, and considerations for evaluating whether a captive insurance program may be right for your organization. Don Blood, Abe Elias, Brown & Brown Insurance Services
Equipment Financing Strategies for Towing & Roadside Business Owners
8 AM - 8:50 AM Thinking about buying a truck? This session breaks down equipment financing in a clear, practical way, helping towers understand their options, strengthen their position before applying, and make confident decisions that support cash flow and profitability. Stephanie Richards, Beacon Funding
Driver Qualification in the ICE Age
9 AM - 9:50 AM Join Your DOT Guy, Brian Riker, as he digs into what a qualified driver is, and why it is more important than ever to get it right today. From lawsuit liability to immigration enforcement, there is much more to a qualified driver than just having a driver’s license. This is important for all types of drivers, not just your CDL operators. Brian Riker, American Towman
Utilizing Social Media and LinkedIn for your Towing Business
9 AM - 9:50 AM Platforms like LinkedIn have millions and millions of users, learn how to utilize these platforms to showcase your business and grow your professional reputation. Learn how to connect with customers, community leaders and decision makers through these platforms, set your profile and frameworks to start posting immediately. Devon Banks, Zip’s AW Direct
The History, Application and Today’s Need for Air Cushions in Recovery
9 AM - 9:50 AM A brief history and applications along with today’s needs for Air Cushions in your recovery efforts. John Sweezy Jr, Jeff Martin, Deb Martin, Jamie Dougherty, Dale McLaughlin & Bruce Pedigo, MatJack
Drive Cash Calls with Google + AI
10 AM - 10:50 AM Learn high-impact methods to make it easy for customers to find you online. Rank higher, attract 5-star reviews, and drive more cash calls with a proven plan for tow business leaders who want measurable growth. Kevin McMillan, Lift Marketing Group
Digital Marketing 101: Build, Rank & Grow by Understanding Algorithims and Getting Found on AI Platforms
Outrank, Outsmart, Outbook: Using AI, Google & Facebook to Win More Tow Calls
10 AM - 10:50 AM Customers now discover businesses through Google, social media, YouTube, Maps, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms. Algorithms determine what gets seen, trusted, and recommended based on relevance, engagement, consistency, authority, location, and reputation. A strong digital presence requires a clear website, optimized Google Business Profile, consistent information, strong reviews, and valuable social and video content. Businesses must think beyond traditional SEO and focus on AI visibility, making it easy for AI platforms to understand who they are, what they offer, and why they’re credible. Marcello Perez & Derek Benningfield, Wolverine Productions
Business Strategies to Improve Your Company’s Bottom-Line
10 AM - 10:50 AM The Business Strategy Concept, is the focused act of finding, “a company’s balance”, by working to recognize core principals and goals. Evaluating a company’s strategy is one practice that identifies and reduces company expenses by increasing profits; yet recognizes factors that can lead to disappointing loss. Come join Randall Resch as he shares what strategies help business owners achieve success in growing strong and profitable businesses that makes your business run lean and green. Randall Resch, American Towman
Synthetics in the Towing Industry
9 AM - 9:50 AM The towing and recovery industry, over most of it’s over 109 year history, has been using ropes, chains and shackles made of steel. However, over the last decade, synthetics have been creeping into the industry. Synthetic ropes, chains and shackles provide many benefits for towers. Explore the possibilities of improving safety and efficiency through the use of synthetics. This seminar will cover inspection, working load limits, proper use, and the benefits of synthetics over steel products. Terry Abejuela, American Towman
Spill & Debris cleanup and Insurance, Law, Regulation, and Strategies to get paid for your services
9 AM - 10:30 AM This seminar will address questions and strategies regarding your required cleanup of accident scenes, dealing with regulations which hampers your ability to follow the law, and steps to follow that minimize delays and denials from getting paid for your required services. Jim Figueira, ECS Environmental Chemical Solutions
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 The 5-Stage Evolution of Dispatch Management
8 AM - 8:50 AM Dennis McGowan of Autura explores the evolution of towing dispatch management—from paperbased processes to modern, data-driven solutions. Discover how technology, integrations, and better data can improve efficiency and increase profitability. Dennis McGowan, Autura
Industry ConsolidationThreat, Opportunity & the Future of Your Business
9 AM - 9:50 AM Every missed call is revenue going to your competitors. In this no-BS session, OMG Tow Marketing reveals how towing companies are using AI, Google, and Facebook to show up first, convert faster, and generate more inbound calls. Walk away with simple, proven tactics you can implement immediately to win more jobs without wasting ad spend. Jared Fischgrund & Christopher Blake, OMG National
8 AM - 8:50 AM Like it or not, private-equity consolidation has arrived in the towing industry, and investor-backed networks are here to stay. For independent towing operations, this shift brings both deep uncertainty and massive potential. George C. Metos, The Tow and Auto Recycler Broker
Repossession: Stay Out of the Courtroom, Stay Out of the Emergency Room, and By God, Avoid the Cemetery
9 AM - 11 AM Many tow companies that perform repossessions DO NOT adequately train or certify employees on legal and professional repossession standards. It is not as simple as some would have you believe. Join Mark Lacek, an industry veteran of more than 50 years in the repossession business, who will cover the repossession process from recovery assignments through final delivery. He will introduce certification, credentialing, and training programs available both online and in-person to train and certify employees and drivers on the repossession process. This seminar is a MUST for tow business owners and drivers to know the ins and outs of repossession so you can avoid preventable harms, costly settlements, and potential incarceration resulting from negligent acts and a lack of structured training. Mark Lacek, Repossession Consultant
CARTE BLANCHE SEMINARS CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 51
AT ACADEMY CARTE BLANCHE SEMINARS CONTINUED Mobile EV Charging: A New Way to Get More Calls
10 AM - 10:50 AM Learn how to become your area’s go-to EV rescue provider before your competition does. When an EV runs out of charge—and they do more often than you might think—it doesn’t need a tow, but typically only about 20 minutes of electricity to drive to the nearest charger. The driver really doesn’t want to be towed or ride in your truck, and you can avoid tying up an expensive rollback and operator. Instead, a lower-cost service truck can provide the rescue charge, helping you avoid the added time, liability, and insurance concerns that come with towing an EV and transporting its occupants. Learn the basics of EV rescue charging, equipment options, how to price a rescue charge, and practical ways to get your phone ringing with EV rescue calls. You’ll also learn how organizations like MobileChargersofAmerica. org and EEErescue.com are helping educate providers and connect them with new EV rescue opportunities. Ron Sledzieski, EVroadHERO
The Roadside Professional: A Customer First Approach
10 AM - 10:50 AM How to engage with customers. From Dispatch to Operators building loyalty by making customers feel appreciated and taken care of beyond just the service. Bear Godfrey, Nick Webb, WreckMaster
Busting Training Myths
10 AM - 10:50 AM Sit in on an essential conversation with ERSCA’s national training director, Shane Coleman as he takes a professional approach to busting the most commonly heard myths on training. Whether you are training currently, or if you are considering it, listen in as Shane brings solid practical evidence that training is an essential “tool” of success for your operation. Shane Coleman, ERSCA
52 • October 2026 | Towman.com
TRAINING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 Industry’s Premier Rotator Training with WreckMaster Instructors
Wednesday: 8 AM - 12 Noon (Classroom) 1 PM - 5 PM (Hands-On, Shuttle to location) Thursday: 8 AM - 12 Noon (Classroom) WreckMaster instructors Bruce Campbell & Jeff Martin, will conduct an exclusive 12-hour training course on rotator recovery, consisting of classroom and outdoor hands-on instruction. Includes lunch on Wednesday as well as Conference Passport Seminars on Friday and Saturday. INTRODUCTION & EXPLANATION OF STUDENTS ROLE: • Introduction of Lead Instructor, assistances and students • Set Course goals and objectives • Overview of WreckMaster program YOU & THE TOW TRUCK SET-UP: • Positioning the truck • Leveling the truck • Recommended distances- Utilities Overhead & Underground • Recommended cribbing • Safety in Genera • Ground Loads • Calculating Out-rigger Loads UNDERSTANDING THE LIFT: • Determining the weight • Shock Loads • Cause and effect of tipping • Determining the COG “Center of Gravity” THE BOOM: • Calculating “Load Capacity” • Calculating “Boom Top Load” RIGGING: • General overview • Wire Rope, Synthetic & Chain Bridles • Calculating Bridle Leg Lengths • Calculating Bridle Leg Loads • Selecting the Correct Rigging for the job SITE SAFETY: • PPE “Personal Proction Equipment” • Operator Training • Rigging Training • Site Supervisor Training Bruce Campbell & Jeff Martin, WreckMaster $795/person. $895 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 ERSCA Advance Rigging 3-hour Training
9 AM - 12 Noon Operators will get focused and direct knowledge and insight into rigging details that make the difference in recovery success and safety of the operation. Open for all levels of operators engaged in rigging for lifting or recovery work. TRAINING OBJECTIVES: • To key in on ‘must-know’ aspects to riggings when deploying various types of equipment including chains, synthetic slings, hooks, snatch blocks, attachments, and wire rope, to include capabilities and limitations. • To review rigging system integrity and rigging techniques. • Focus on Rigging and Hardware selection and deployment included. •
Optimizing Rigging Tension Factors.
Shane Coleman & Chuck MacLellan, ERSCA $225/person. $325 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 NEW! ERSCA Standard Duty - ‘Rollovers’ 2-Hour Training
9 AM - 11 AM Operators will get an in-depth structure of tasking overturned vehicles with standard duty wreckers and carriers. Covering essential information to effectively and efficiently up-right any passengers vehicle using various equipment with focus on various rigging techniques. Shane Coleman & Chuck MacLellan, ERSCA $150/person. $250 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
INDEPENDENT COURSES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19
WreckMaster’s Keys to Heavy Duty EV Success
Heavy-Duty Recovery Business Success
8 AM - 11 AM A special three-hour course geared towards the business end of heavy-duty recovery. Three crucial steps for recovery business success will be covered: Documenting the Recovery; Billing the Recovery; and Collecting on the Recovery Invoice. Ron Myers, Pine Tree Towing $250/person. $350 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
NEW! Too Busy, Not Profitable: How to Fix the Chaos in Your Tow, Repair, and Collision Business - Are You Dealing With This?
8 AM - 11 AM This session shows you what’s really causing the chaos in your business - and why working harder isn’t fixing it. You’ll learn how to move from reacting all day to taking control of your operation, improving profit, and building a business that works for you - not one that depends on you every minute. Since 1993, we’ve worked with owners in the industry helping them gain control, improve profitability, and achieve a better quality of life. Jim Saeli, DRIVE $150/person. $250 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
YOU’LL LEARN: • • • •
8 AM - 10 AM Join Lead Instructor Nick Webb for a 2-hour seminar on Heavy Duty EV trucks. This seminar will include how to safely interact with heavy duty EV’s manufacture’s recommended towing procedures from all the major brands. What tools may be required for towing, recovery, and storage. Get informed so you can tackle these jobs with confidence! Knowledge is Power! “CYA” in the ditch. Nick Webb, WreckMaster $150/person. $225 starting November 16 Save $75 by registering now!
Recovery Billing Course
Friday: 9 AM - 1 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM 8-hour course. Teaches towers how to become more profitable. Some restrictions apply; must be accepted by Recovery Billing. Includes Carte Blanche Passport on Thursday.
• • •
•
Foundational Principles: Handbooks, policies, safety, insurance needs, and more. Documenting the Scene from Start to Finish. Drafting the Documentation Packet. Laws to Help Get Paid: Expert towing & recovery attorneys educate on the main reasons for claim denial (AND how to overcome them). How to Bill: Learn how to get paid on various types of insurances: collision, property damage liability, home owners, and more! How NOT to Bill: Learn how to avoid mistakes and spot objections before they happen! How to Navigate an Insurance Claim: Learn how to navigate various insurance processes and how to work with the vehicle owner and the payer, not against them. Negotiation strategies: How to respond to things like “sorry, that’s not covered” and “we never pay that” - you’re going to be fully prepared when it comes to communicating with payers.
Eric Fouquette and Recovery Billing Team $2,500 for the first employee, then up to 4 additional employees $1,500 each. MUST BE FROM THE SAME COMPANY.
You have spent hundreds of thousands on equipment…it’s time to invest in a course designed to teach you how to invoice efficiently, stop settling, and get paid! After years of trial, error, and missed payment opportunities, we now know exactly what needs to be done to get paid for recovery work, how to navigate the various insurance/private payer routes and what triggers each to get paid time and time again. In this course, you learn in two days what took us 40+ years to acquire. The Recovery Billing Course will show you how to overcome recovery billing & collection obstacles that can be rectified with the proper education and systems. Join our elite network of thousands of tower owners and managers who’ve taken the course!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Light-Duty Recovery Business Success
8 AM - 10 AM A special two-hour course geared towards the business end of light-duty recovery. Three crucial steps for recovery business success will be covered: Documenting the Recovery; Billing the Recovery; and Collecting on the Recovery Invoice. Ron Myers, Pine Tree Towing $150/person. $250 starting November 16 Save $100 by registering now!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 53
EXHIBITOR ROSTER ECS Booth# 5803
Supplies support for tow & wrecker services that provide emergency response cleanup, billing support, products & training.
Edin”Burg” Truck, ETS Hobby Shop
Booth# 2606 Zacklift distributor. Tow truck dealer, towing equipment sales and hobby shop stocked w/ RC cars, trucks & more.
EFI Tow Booth# 3115
Comprehensive solution for the management of assistance and logistic services.
Energy Security Agency Booth# 1800
The ESA provides complete and compliant solutions for safely handling hybrid/electric vehicles.
Envue Telematics Booth# 2711
Telematics, GPS, and safety tools that help towing fleets boost efficiency, reduce risk and manage operations
Equiplinc Auction Group Booth# 2312
EquipLinc Auction Group remarkets heavy trucks, equipment, and commercial assets through nationwide, globally marketed auctions
EVchargeHERO Booth# 1600
Mobile EV rescue equipment for stranded EV’s. Faster, safer and easier than towing.
Excel Sportswear Booth# 1308
Flute Booth# 5304
Flute is a payment platform for businesses, delivering transparent pricing, modern tools, and support.
Fontaine Specialized Booth# 251
Our 53-foot traveling axle trailer is built for long service life and reduced maintenance.
Ford Pro™ Booth# 4005
Commercial vehicles and services.
Gantt Insurance Agency / Builder’s Insurance Booth# 5110
We provide tailored commercial auto coverage for tow truck operators through trusted insurance carriers.
Garden State Towing Association
Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel
Booth# 948 Ad pg. N120 North America’s largest retail supplier of commercial and specialized trailers including rentals, parts and service.
HD Trailers Booth# 230 Ad pg. 28
New and used heavy haul trailers, low boys and towing equipment. We offer financing and leasing options.
Heavy Duty Help Booth# 112 Ad pg. 69
Connecting fleets, owner-operators, and bus/RV owners with reliable towing and repair companies nationwide.
Helix Safety Essentials Booth# 1214
Helix SE is dedicated to enhancing safety and security through quality warning and safety lighting.
Booth# 4800 N.J. towing association representing the towing industry best interest.
Hidden Lift & Tow Booth# 240 Ad pg. 106
GEICO Booth# 1136 Inside Back Cover
Hino Trucks Booth# 830 Back Cover
Emergency road service.
Gitesa Booth# 4505
Hidden wheel lifts.
Hino trucks manufactures class 5-8 trucks delivering reliability, low cost of ownership costs, sustainability and dealer support.
Manufacture of the Fifth Wheel Wrecker, a heavyduty-recovery unit built for Towing, hauling, and roadside service
Holly’s Towing Dispatch Booth# 200
Good Sam Roadside Assistance Booth# 1309
HONK 2.0 Booth# 3206
Towing dispatch services.
Good Sam Roadside Assistance is a trusted service provider network for RVs and Autos.
Tech enabled roadside services.
Gray Manufacturing Co. Booth# 4902
Horizon Motor Booth# 206
Custom designed screen printed and embroidered products.
Manufacturer of professional shop equipment for maintenance and repair.
Horizon Motors presents our all electric flatbed tow truck, say hello to big torque and goodbye to diesel bills.
FCar Tech USA Booth# 1206
Guttman Energy Booth# 2500
Hot Shot’s Secret Booth# 4507
Truck diagnostic scanners and AC recycle and recharge machines.
Federal Signal Booth# 1409 Ad pg. 98
Employee owned wholesale fuel distributor specializing in comprehensive fuel solutions including a nationwide fuel card program.
High-performance diesel additives and fluids engineered to maximize power, boost reliability, and protect hardworking tow rigs.
Federal Signal is the premier provider of tow truck warning lights and back-up safety products.
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
NRC INDUSTRIES
54 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
See Inside Front Cover
See Page 7
See Page N118
Jerr-Dan Corp.
Landoll Corp.
Lift Marketing Group
Jerr-Dan offers a range of light, medium and heavy duty wreckers, carriers and rotators for the towing and recovery industry.
The most multi-purpose trailer Landoll has EVER built ...the 850XT Extendable Detach! Extendable trailer to haul heavy an oversized equipment.
Online Marketing Solutions - dominate Google & AI searches and get more cash calls. We’re towing marketing made simple: custom, fast & effective.
Booth #1505
Booth #430
Booth #1213
See Page 81
See Page 102
See Page 108
Lodar USA
Master Tailgaters / Parts MT
Matjack
CANBUS integration, rugged IP69K design, smarter connectivity and flexible I/O for more control, more eliability, more possibilities — built for the future.
Wireless Tow Light Bar features integrated camera, makes towing safer, easier and more reliable. Available in 24” and 30” models.
Matjack high, medium and low pressure airbags/Jumbo cushions/Landing bags/Fire EV blankets/Helmets/ Comm Sets/Underwater Recovery.
Booth #1325
Booth #2900
See Page 96
Booth #1328
See Page 19
See Page 19
Metrocom NYC
Miller Industries
Miller Industries
Metroccom is a premier two-way radio communication sales & service company.
Century 30 & 40 Series LCG Our patented LCG® design delivers lower load angles, enhanced stability, and serious hauling capability.
Chevron 408. Built for productivity, the Chevron 408 combines dependable towing performance with flexible wheel-lift and winch configurations.
Booth #400
Booth #223
Booth #223
See Page 95
See Page 13
See Page 96
Mobile Control Systems
NRC Industries
OMG Tow Marketing
New Plug-and-Play Wireless Proportional System for Jerr-Dan MPL40 & MPL60 units by Mobile Control Systems. Made in USA & Lifetime Warranty!
Manufacturer of high-performance and innovative towing and recovery equipment.
Digital marketing services for towing companies.Websites. Google business profile. Google ads. The only Google premier partner serving the industry.
Booth #1425
Booth #1304
Booth #3002
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 55
EXHIBITOR ROSTER Huntington National Bank Booth# 1407
Vendor equipment financing options provide financial solutions for your customers and help expedite the sales process.
IAA Holdings Booth# 2200
A trusted global marketplace for insights, services, and transportation solutions for commercial assets and vehicles.
J & R / DG Towing and Trucking Supplies Booth# 3012 Towing and trucking supplies.
J. Alexander Law Booth# 2820
Nationwide personal injury firm fighting for justice, maximum recovery while protecting the tow truck operators.
Lokithor Booth# 3001
Lokithor manufactures heavy-duty and portable jump starters built for professional towing, roadside, and emergency vehicles.
Lynch Chicago Booth# 613
A Miller industries distributor, offers a full line-up of light to heavy duty wreckers and carriers.
JB Tow Booth# 4615
Marshall & Sterling Insurance Booth# 3116
Builders of durable, high-quality aluminum semi/tow truck storage accessories for the toughest jobs.
High quality tow truck accessories providing professionals with dependable years for faster, safer, and more efficient recoveries.
Illusions Wraps Booth# 7015
Jerr-Dan Booth# 1505, 5608 Inside Front Cover
Booth# 1900, 1901 Get the service, price and support you would expect from a national dealer in your backyard.
Iconic MetalGear Booth# 1433
Vehicle wraps.
In the Ditch Towing Products
A premier manufacturer of towing and recovery equipment, including wreckers, carriers, and rotator.
Commercial insurance.
Maryland Carrier & Wrecker Sales
Masterman’s Booth# 4900
Booth# 114 Ad pg. 85 In The Ditch towing products.
Jerr-Dan Financial Solutions Booth# 2203
Integrated Vehicle & Equip. Leasing
Jutland Truck Bodies Booth# 834
Custom all-aluminum truck bodies by Jutland— engineered for performance, built to last, and tailored to you.
Booth# 2900 Ad pg. 102 Heavy-duty wireless tow lights with pivot base, metal housing, long-life battery, and integrated back-up camera.
Kalyn Siebert Booth# 954
Matheny Towing Equipment Booth# 914
Manufacturer of custom heavy haul trailers and lowboy trailer products.
Full line Miller Industries dealer with locations in West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia and now Kentucky.
Landoll Company Booth# 430 Ad pg. 7 Manufacturer of specialized equipment transport, traveling axle and detachable trailers. Galvanizing, HOSS hydraulic systems, enhanced LED lighting.
Matjack Booth# 1328 Ad pg. 108
Lift Marketing Group
MAXXIMA Booth# 124
Booth# 1426 Ad pg. 83 A direct nationwide lender for over 25 years in the towing industry. Leasing & financing up to 10 years.
Intek Truck Finance Booth# 2100 Ad pg. 94
Intek provides fast and affordable financing on heavy wreckers, rotators, roll-backs and more.
International Recovery Systems Booth# 132 Transportation, leader in the repossession industry.
iTow & Licona Insurance Group
Booth# 2600 A complete towing insurance program for all towing services.
Iver Tools Booth# 5602
Make your towing and recovery operations easy, fast, and safe use Iver Tools
Jerr-Dan financing.
Booth# 1213 Ad pg. N118 Effective tow marketing to grow your business. We drive profits 24/7/365 for all lines of your business. Light, heavy, recovery, hauling, Rrepair & Hazmat.
Lodar Ltd. Booth# 1325 Ad pg. 81
High-Visibility clothing and safety equipment.
Master Tailgaters / Parts MT
Matjack airbags & cushions/ underwater cushions/ Setcom Liberator headsets/ PMI helmets/ Fire Isolator EV fire blankets. Lighting: tow bars, work lights, stop/turn/tail &backup alarms.
Metro Tow Trucks Booth# 839
Tow trucks and tow accessories. Built by towers for towers.
Industry leaders in wireless operation for 40+ yearsdelivering premium products, exceptional service and competitive pricing.
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
DUAL-TECH
56 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
AMERICAN WRECKER PAGEANT World’s Largest Wrecker Pageant
Wandering through the American Wrecker Pageant in the Baltimore Convention Center is an experience you won’t forget. With more than 70 light, medium, and heavy-duty wreckers all under one roof, the pageant is a showcase of pride, innovation, and tradition. With their booms raised high, vibrant colors and custom paint, intricate graphics, and one-ofa-kind details, it’s like stepping into a museum of rolling art. Each impressive wrecker has made the long haul to compete in a variety of categories for the honor of taking home the legendary Silver Trophy. Walking by every wrecker, you will feel the emotion and pride each owner puts into presenting their truck. But only one can
win the coveted “Best in Show” trophy—and that is up to you! Which one will you choose? Cast your vote during exhibit hall hours Thursday through Saturday at the voting booth sponsored by Illusion Wraps.
November 19-21, 2026 Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, MD
Everyone who votes can enter the raffle, but you’ll need to be present to cheer on your favorites at the Wrecker Pageant Winners Ceremony at 4:00 pm on Saturday in the pageant area to claim your prize. Don’t miss it!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 57
ACE AWARDS Recognizing the Best in Towing
When you call a Towman ACE, you’re calling on the Gold Standard in towing. Recognized by leading motor clubs and call providers for outstanding on-time performance and customer service excellence, ACE award recipients from across the US and Canada will receive American Towman’s legendary ACE Buckle honoring
their place among the top 1% of towing operations. Join us on the Show Floor Saturday at 2:00 pm for the Towman ACE Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Allstate Roadside, NSD, GEICO, Agero, and TRXNow. We invite you to cheer them on!
TOWMAN HUNT SKEET SHOOT Lock, load, and get ready for an action-packed day! The Towman Hunt Skeet Shoot brings friendly competition to the range,and this year, generous sponsor Eagle Towing Equipment has you covered with tickets for just $85 per person. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a first-timer, you’re in for a blast. Hang out with fellow towers and the Eagle Towing Equipment team as 58 • October 2026 | Towman.com
you take aim, test your skills, and compete for bragging rights to be named a Towman Sharpshooter! Join us Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and enjoy a day of camaraderie and fun at Prince George’s County Trap & Skeet. Ticket price Includes trainer, equipment, supplies, lunch and transportation. Get your ticket and take your best shot!
Easy Online Registration at ATExposition.com
EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
See Page 94
See Page 73
See Page 73
Phoenix USA
Roadside Protect
ROEDA
Phoenix USA Inc. rear storage box kits for carriers! Prefab bracket kits available for popular Jerr Dan and Miller beds. Box features a powder coated body w/ polished SS door.
A leading provider of roadside assistance programs serving a wide array of industries.
Clear Message: Programmable Transparent LED displays for work trucks. Real-time alerts warn approaching traffic. Reduce incidents, increase visibility, protect your crews.
Booth #1102
Booth #3215
Booth #4707
See Page 88
See Page 23
See Page 69
SafeAll
Santander Bank, N.A.
Sepson USA
Get traffic to pay attention with this truck-mounted variable message sign. LED block letters and perimeter lighting warn oncoming traffic from 4,000 feet.
Financing Program, Flexible plans, low rates, and extended terms—grow your fleet today.
Increase power, flexibility, and safety with Sepson and Vime towing winches, line tension readers, snatch blocks, and other accessories.
Free Clinics Booth #753
Booth #602
Booth #1323
Booth #2816
See Page N119
See Page 91
See Page 17
Talbert Manufacturing
The Tow Broker
Towbook
Heavy Haul, Tag-A-Long & Air Tilt, Double Drop & Oil Field Traveling Axles & Hydraulic Tail.
We help towers get the money to retire, or the investment to accelerate growth.
The most trusted towing software, period. Towbook serves towing and roadside companies of every size; try it for 30-days, free! www.towbook.com
Booth #945
Booth #1432
Booth #3212
See Page 95
See Page 74
See Page 70
TowMate
Trilight
US FLEET TRACKING
New Quad-Color, 2-Wire Install, Overhead Light Bar The Infinitra by TowMate! Made in the USA & Lifetime Warranty on Electronics & LEDs.
TRILIGHT’s two-sided illuminated safety vest helps tow operators stay highly visible while working alongside disabled vehicles in dangerous roadside conditions.
GPS, GPS-taillights, telematics, live-video, PTO-tracking, Servapp, IFTA reporting, PTT radios, driver ID, remove door lock, live weather input control, traffic output control, ruting, Geo-fencing, speed reporting.
Booth #3002
Booth #5305
Booth #1310
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 59
EXHIBITOR ROSTER Metrocom NYC Booth# 400 Ad pg. 95
Nationwide LTE walkie talkie sales and service.
Miller Industries Booth# 223 Ad pg. 19 Equipment Financing.
Miller Finance Solutions
OnCallGPS Video Booth# 3106
Unlimited real time video streaming - always recording - beyond incidents only.
ParkM Booth# 4607
Digital parking permit software for PPI towers.
Booth# 223 Ad pg. 33 The world leader in towing and recovery equipment. Manufacturers of the industry leading brands Century, Vulcan, Chevron, and Holmes.
PatrolWorks Booth# 1306
Myers Benner Corporation Booth# 131
Peak Auto Auctions Booth# 1000
Towing & garage repair insurance program: property / cargo / liability / umbrella / workers comp.
Nation Safe Drivers Booth# 2302
The nations leading provider of Platinum Preferred roadside assistance and secondary recovery providers.
National Automobile Club Booth# 101 Reliable roadside assistance since 1924.
National Recovery USA Booth# 3006
National Recovery handles post claims logistics for the insurance industry, partner with us today.
Nite Beams Products Booth# 1413 LED safety products and apparel.
NRC Industries Booth# 1425 Ad pg. 13
Manufacturer of innovative and exclusive vehicle recovery equipment.
NSM Insurance Brokers Booth# 2116 We write towing insurance nationwide.
OMG Tow Marketing
Booth# 1304 Ad pg. 96 Providing tow bosses with creative advertising and marketing services. Websites, local search ads, video, on-hold messages.
OmniMed Booth# 2800
P/T & Pain Relief Solutions
Complete solution for private property parking management integrating, permitting and enforcement (LPR or mobile device). Peak is an online auction platform specializing in selling abandoned and surplus vehicles for tow companies, salvage and recycle yards and dealerships.
PeakPTT Booth# 2815
Manufacturer of nationwide push to talk rugged radios.
Peddle Booth# 2705
Boost your towing business with a consistent flow of Peddle pickups and easy automated payments.
Penny Pockets Booth# 1315 Embroidery & printing.
PipeBreak USA Booth# 1331
PipeBreak super penetrating oil, AeroSilk by Pipe Break dry silicone lubricant and Smooth Shot by Pie Break CLP gun product.
Power Home Remodeling Booth# 5105
Free estimates for exterior windows, siding, roofing, entry doors, gutters, trim and attic insulation.
PowerFleet Booth# 5014
An AT&T Fleet Management Solution delivers mission-critical, award-winning solutions for fleet & mobile workforce mgmt.
Priority Capital Booth# 4910
Experienced equipment finance provider in the tow industry.
Pruuvn Booth# 1411
We simplify the contractor onboarding, training and compliance processes from multiple steps to one-click.
PRZM Booth# 4807
Towing dispatch, impound management, and auctions all in one platform
Purpose Wrecker Booth# 211
Penske Truck Leasing Booth# 121
Truck rental, leasing, logistics, and maintenance.
Distributor of Miller Industries products, Century and Vulcan wreckers and rollbacks. Located in St. Louis, MO.
Phoenix USA Booth# 1102 Ad pg. 94
R.P. Recovery Booth# 1235
Wheel simulator and accessories, toolboxes and fenders.
Pine Hill Trailers Booth# 238
Pine Hill delivers custom trailers, parts, and services so you haul stronger, longer, and without interruption.
Pinnacle Trailer Sales Booth# 956
For more than 20 years, we’ve helped customers get the trailer they need, when they need it.
Wireless headsets team communication.
R&A Insurance Booth# 3109
The East Coast leader insuring the towing industry.
Ramsey Winch Booth# 2115
Industrial grade winches, hoists, and speed reducers for mission critical application.
Razor Wraps & Designs Booth# 1236
Professional design & wraps that turn tow trucks into moving billboards for your business
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
DYNAMIC MFG.
60 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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FESTIVAL SATURDAY America’s 250th Birthday and American Towman Magazine’s 50th Anniversary – Two incredible milestones celebrated with tow trucks, marching bands, prime rib carving stations, and Saturday Pie. Now that’s a perfect day!
When the trumpeter hits the harbor and sends the first soaring notes echoing across the water, you know Festival Saturday is officially on! Across the way, the Baltimore City College Marching Knights Marching Band kicks into high gear with brass blazing and drums rolling as a wall of sound rolls into the doors of the Baltimore Convention Center where the 37th Annual American Towman Exposition is ready to roar to life. Inside, it’s pure sensory overload. More than 270 exhibitors pack the floor, and trucks flash their lights across the Grand Hall like a rolling light show. The whole place buzzes with vibrant energy filled with vendors, exhibitors, gear, equipment, and everything a towing business owner needs, all under one roof. The National Anthem brings it
all to a soaring halt as American Towman’s own Andrea Richardson steps up to sing the Star-Spangled Banner, and the moment lands hard because this year is bigger than any year before. It’s a double celebration: America’s 250 birthday and American Towman Magazine’s 50th anniversary, two milestones colliding on one unforgettable weekend. But Saturday isn’t all business, it’s also a feast. Carver’s Delight takes over with carving stations piled high with a selection of meats, and the American Towman favorite Saturday Pie feature lays out every pie you love, ready to be devoured – all compliments of American Towman magazine! The day culminates with the announcing of the Wrecker Pageant winners, capped by Best in Show, the truck that turned the most heads, the rig that
November 19-21, 2026 Baltimore Convention Center | Baltimore, MD
stole the spotlight. The crowd erupts, cameras flash, and for one electric afternoon, the whole industry is watching!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 61
EXHIBITOR ROSTER RC Industries Booth# 1209
America’s most durable toolbox. Built to withstand all of your daily tasks.
Recovery Solutions and Title Booth# 3000
Robertson Ryan Insurance/Tow Insurance Pros Booth# 1414 Nationwide tow truck insurance experts with 25+ years of experience providing trusted solutions and guidance.
Management service for certified mailings, title searches and lien process for unclaimed and abandoned vehicles.
ROEDA Booth# 4707 Ad pg. 73
ResQTrack Booth# 208
Safety Vision Booth# 1326
ResQTrack and EasyMover: Unrivaled innovation for safe, remote-controlled vehicle lifting and EV-safe technology
RISC Booth# 5113
RISC provides compliance services, including driver safety education, industry training, vendor vetting, and site inspections.
A full-service sign and graphics manufacturer specializing in fleet graphics, signage, and deals. High-resolution cameras providing total vehicle coverage around the vehicle - enabling drivers to safely secure the vehicle being towed.
Santander Bank, N.A. Booth# 1323 Ad pg. 23 Commercial vehicle financing.
Secure Tow Booth# 2720
Steck Mfg. Co. Booth# 1110
Specializing in various body shop tools and lockout towing tools.
Summit Graphics Booth# 5603
Print and packaging, signs and labels.
Sunrun Booth# 4509
We are the # 1 Home Solar and battery power in America.
Talbert Manufacturing
Booth# 945 Ad pg. N119 Building innovative transport solutions for over 85 years. Nothing better between the load and the road.
TD-Vision/Transport Digital Booth# 1430 Video telematics solutions, cameras, MDVR’s, 360 degree views, available with or without (ADAS/ DSM).
RISG Booth# 5111
Premium towing & recovery products to tow truck distributors.
TecNiq Booth# 5302
Rivian Automotive Booth# 3201
Sepson USA Booth# 2816 Ad pg. 69 Sepson manufactures world class, military grade winches that make your operations safer and more reliable. SmartBox by Kore.co Booth# 4913
TEL360 Booth# 133
RISG provides compliance services, including driver safety education, industry training, vendor vetting and site inspections. OEM of fully EVs.
Roadside Protect Booth# 3215 Ad pg. 73
Leading provider of specialty roadside assistance programs.
Roadsider Booth# 300
The most powerful automated roadside assistance platform.
RoadSync Booth# 1312
Payment processor for logistic industry.
Robert Young’s NRC Sales & Service
Booth# 1925 Offering over 25 years of NRC equipment sales & service.
TecNiq manufactures premium LED lighting solutions for tow tucks to increase visibility, and roadside safety.
Advanced automotive key programming tool designed for efficient, reliable vehicle key coding and diagnostics.
Finance/lease trucks & trailers.
Stamp Works Booth# 102
Custom magnets, decals, keychains and more.
Heavy duty pull hook racks for storing semi-truck towing pins.
Star Blink Products Booth# 2310
TNR Group Booth# 3009
All natural multipurpose cleaner made in the USA. Made in America.
Star Safety Technologies Booth# 2721
Designs and manufactures emergency vehicle lighting, warning systems, sirens, and safety equipment for multiple industries.
The Pinecone Shop Booth# 4914
UltraBand USA - Elite Magnetic, Ionic wellness bracelets for pain relief, energy & better sleep. Offered in a variety of styles.
Towbook Booth# 3212 Ad pg. 17
The industry’s most loved dispatching and towing management software solution; try it for 30 days, free!
Towboss Booth# 117
TowBoss uses AI to assist dispatch, write recovery narratives, and streamline customer and insurance communication.
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
METRO
62 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS AT Expo Exhibit Highlights from American Towman October display advertisers
See Page 5
See Page 89
See Page 106
Warn Industries
West End Service
Will-Burt
The series G2 electric and hydraulic winches are more modular, high performance, and more durable than any WARN industrial winch ever.
New 2026 White KW WZ990 TX TRI X15 16hp/2,050 ft-lb, 18-spd Century 1075 (75 ton) Rotator with HHU Wheel lift, loaded.
Will-Burt. See more. React faster. Recover aafer. Powered by Night Scan® light towers and rechargeable lighting.
Booth #1403
Booth #616
See Page 75
Booth #106
See Page 67, 74, 88
Zacklift International
Zip’s AW Direct
Heavy-duty towing equipment you can completely detach 15 minutes so your truck has all the capabilities of a non-detachable rig, but isn’t tied down to a single source of income.
Find and finance your next Ram Rollback at Zip’s. We have new rides starting at just $2,250 per month.
Booth #2609
Booth #602
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS
EXHIBITOR ROSTER Tow Broker Booth# 1432 Ad pg. 91
TrxNow Booth# 3007
Towing Forward Company Booth# 136
TW Products Booth# 2202
Agent representation for owners desiring to sell their towing business, and business valuation services.
World class outsourced towing dispatch.
Towing.com Booth# 1702
The front door of the towing industry. Free registration. Direct to towers. Not a middleman.
TowingWebsites.com Booth# 1138
Get Hooked Up® and get found on online! Tow marketing, advertising, SEO, website, Facebook, & review management!
TowMate/Mobile Control Systems
Booth# 3002 Ad pg. 95 Leading US manufacturer of high quality wireless tow lights, LED warning lights and roadside safety systems.
TowPilot Booth# 2915
AI dispatchers that answer every towing call 24/7, capture job details, and keep drivers moving.
TowToolz Booth# 1341
Serving the industry with innovative recovery solutions with combination of consultation, training, and equipment sales.
Trail King Industries Booth# 952
Leading manufacturer with a complete line of trailers for over 50 years.
Trilight Booth# 5305 Ad pg. 74
LED Safety System, two-sided illuminated safety vest.
Truck Parking Club Booth# 128
Truck Parking Club’s mission is to help truckers save time and fuel by efficiently finding and reserving truck parking across the U.S.
The industry’s most customized tracking and customer interaction technology platform.
Rigging hardware, chain, wire rope and synthetic products.
TX Payments & Technology Booth# 5407 Payment processing, technology/hardware, web design/marketing.
US Fleet Tracking
Booth# 1310 Ad pg. 70 Live dash cams, GPS, trailer tracking, dispatch, US based support.
Valor Fleet Services Booth# 4502
Whiterail Heavy Tow Marketing
Booth# 1412 Dominate your market. Whiterail manages heavy tow marketing for industry leaders – big and small.
Will-Burt Booth# 106 Ad pg. 106
These scene lighting products enhance safety and security in rescue and recovery operations.
Worldwide Equipment Sales Booth# 1819 We offer a wide selection of tow trucks, trailers, car haulers, specialty vehicles.
Wrecker Stuff Booth# 2309
Keep your Jerr-Dan and Dynamic wrecker controller secure, accessible, and organized with this durable holder.
Valor Fleet Services is a Mid-Atlantic family of trusted towing, recovery, and roadside assistance companies.
WreckMaster Booth# 1311
Verdant Commercial Capital Booth# 2605
Xpress-pay Booth# 122
Financing.
VoltexLights.com Booth# 3209 3207
Specializing in manufacturing and distributing a arrow boards, warning Lights, and VMS boards.
Warn Industries Booth# 1403 Ad pg. 5 Manufactures electric and hydraulic winches and hoists for commercial and industrial applications. Warrior Winches Booth# 2107
Diverse range of hydraulic and electric winches, tested and certified, available from stock.
West End Service Booth# 616 Ad pg. 89
We are your one-stop shop for all of your towing, recovery needs. Sales, parts & service.
Towing & recovery training & rigging supplies.
Helping businesses adopt an e-payment solution that reduces, or eliminates, credit card processing fees.
Ynot Parking Booth# 4500
Private property parking management and license plate reading software and hardware.
Zacklift International Booth# 2609 Ad pg. 75 The world leader for heavy duty detachable towing equipment.
Zellner Insurance Agency Booth# 3010
Insurance agency focused on the towing and recovery industry.
Zip’s AW Direct Booth# 602 Ad pg. 67, 74, 88 Distributor of equipment, products and apparel.
Whelen Engineering Co. Booth# 1210
Manufacturer of vehicular emergency warning lights and sirens.
MANUFACTURER’S SPOTLIGHT
CUSTOM BUILT
64 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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A GRAND TRIBUTE Join us for a special ceremony honoring the life and legacy of Steven L. Calitri, as the towing industry comes together during this historic year—celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary and 50 years of American Towman magazine. The ceremony will mark the beginning of a very special AT Expo, honoring Steve’s extraordinary contributions to the towing industry and the countless lives he touched along the way. “This year’s show is dedicated to those my father devoted his life to recognizing: The Great American Tower.” — Steve C. Calitri And the celebration continues throughout the show. In the spirit of Steve’s lifelong dedication to the men and women of towing, special tributes, memorable moments and unique celebrations will honor his legacy and the Great American Tower throughout the Exposition.
Saturday, November 21, 10:15 am Outside, in front of the Baltimore Convention Center
Portrait Artist: Hani Shihada
OFFICIAL AT EXPO BEER STEIN Custom Manufactured In Germany Purchase the Official AT Expo Stein through advance-registration and pick it up at the show. Purchase includes magazine subscription. Sold exclusively at the American Towman Merchandise store
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 65
Register Now!
Baltimore, MD | Nov. 19 – 21, 2026
At a glance
ATExposition.com Need help registering? Call 800.732.3869 ext. 214
EXHIBIT HALL & EVENTS
Exhibit Hall Entry..... First two advance registrants FREE before Nov. 16th .......................... Adults $10 / Child (14 & under) FREE Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 pm - 5 pm. Friday, Nov. 20, 11 am - 5 pm. Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 am - 5 pm American Wrecker Pageant ........................................................ $150/$200 ..........................($125/$175 before Nov. 16)
Trucks are on display in the Convention Center Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 pm-5 pm Friday, Nov. 20, 11 am- 5 pm Saturday, Nov. 21, 11 am – 5 pm. Awards ceremony begins at 4:00 pm on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Towman Hunt Skeet Shoot ....................................................................................................................... $85 Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 am-2 pm at Prince George’s Skeet & Trap Club. Sponsored by Eagle Towing Equipment.
Donnie Recovery Luncheon .....................................................................................................................................$75 / Child: $30 Thursday, Nov. 19, 12 pm - 2 pm at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Co-sponsored by Zip’s/AW Direct and B/A Products along with American Towman and WreckMaster.
Miller Rocks! Bull & Pig Roast ............................................................................................................. FREE
Friday, Nov. 20, 7:30 pm at PBR Cowboy Bar: Power Plant Live! Sponsored by Miller Industries and American Towman.
Calitri’s Cuba – Cigar Smoker .......................................................................................................... FREE (Harbor Reserve VIP Ticket $40) Friday, Nov. 20, 9 pm at Luckie’s Tavern. Sponsored by TowToolz.
Saturday Pie & Carvers Delight............................................................................................................ FREE
Saturday, Nov. 21 on the Exhibit Floor.
Festival Night ..........................................................................................................................$115 / Child: $40 Saturday Nov. 21, 7 pm Festival Dinner. Renaissance Hotel. Sponsored by American Towman Magazine.
CONFERENCES & TRAINING
Prices after 11/16
Early Registration Prices (Price before 11/16)
American Towman Academy Seminar Passport ............................................... $225 .................................... $150
Passport seminars are being held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. Breakfast included.
Industry’s Premier Rotator Training with WreckMaster .................................. $895 .................................... $795 Instructed by Bruce Campbell and Jeff Martin. Part I: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 8 am-12 pm; Part II: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1 pm-5 pm, Hands On; Part III: Thursday, Nov. 19, 8 am-12 pm.
ERSCA - Advance Rigging 3-Hour Training ................................................... $325 .................................... $225
Instructed by Shane Coleman & Chuck MacLellan. Wednesday Nov 18, 10 am - 5 pm.
WreckMaster’s Keys to Heavy Duty EV Success .................................................................. $225 .................................... $150 Instructed by Nick Webb, WreckMaster. Friday, Nov. 20, 8 am-10 am
Heavy-Duty Recovery Business Success .......................................................................... $350 .................................... $250 Presented by Ron Myers, Pine Tree Towing. Thursday, Nov 19, 8 am – 11 am
Light-Duty Recovery Business Success ............................................................................ $250 .................................... $150 Presented by Ron Myers, Pine Tree Towing. Saturday, Nov. 21, 8 am -10 am.
Too Busy, Not Profitable................................................................................... $250 .................................... $150 Presented by Jim Saeli. Thursday, Nov 19, 8 am - 11 am.
Recovery Billing Course..$2,500/1st person............................ $1,500/2-4 Additional Employees Presented by Eric Fouquette & Team. Must be accepted by Recovery Billing Part I: Friday, Nov 20, 9 am - 1 pm, 4 hours of classroom, Part II: Saturday, Nov 21, 9 am - 1 pm, 4 hours of classroom
ERSCA Standard Duty - ‘Rollovers’ - 2-Hour Training .................................... $250 .................................... $150 Presented by Shane Coleman & Chuck MacLellan, ERSCA. Friday, Nov. 20, 9 am- 11 am.
Allstate Roadside Education............................................................................FREE
Sponsored by Allstate Roadside. Thursday, Nov. 19, Friday, Nov. 20, Saturday Nov. 21. On Exhibit Hall Floor during show hours.
SafeAll Roadside Safety Clinics (Conducted by WreckMaster) .......................FREE
Sponsored by SafeAll and WreckMaster. Thursday, Nov. 19, Friday, Nov. 20, Saturday Nov. 21. On Exhibit Hall Floor during show hours.
HOTELS
Lord Baltimore Hotel.......................................................................$165/night Royal Sonesta Harbor Court .........................................................$188/night Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel Hyatt Regency Baltimore Inner Harbor.......................................$219/night (Headquarters Hotel) ......................................................................$219/night Hilton Baltimore...............................................................................$249/night Marriott Waterfront .........................................................................$264/night 66 • October 2026 | Towman.com Easy Online Hampton Registration Inn Baltimore at ATExposition.com Marriott Inner Harbor ....................................................................$210/night Downtown-Convention Center .....................................................$163/night Pricing below ends 10/24
Repo Run conflict: legal precedent and case history, statutory repossession laws, and professional repossession industry standards.
LEGAL OPINION MAKER
When is a Repossession Complete? Sorting Through Vague and Unclear Wording By Mark Lacek
Repo Editor Mark Lacek has over 35 years of recovery experience. He is the former editor of “Professional Repossessor” magazine. Lacek is a sought-after repossession expert witness and has been retained by law firms across the country in many repossession-related lawsuits.
W
hen a consumer confronts a repossession agent, it could mark the beginning of a really bad day. If the consumer objects to the repossession, this confrontation is called a “breach of peace” and should prompt the agent to retreat. An educated decision at that moment will determine if it is a good or bad day for both the agent and the consumer. The key phrase here is “educated decision.” Often a repossessor will believe the repossession is complete simply because the tow truck is hooked to the collateral or has been lifted off the ground. Many incidents of injury and/or death occur when the collateral is considered repossessed when the repossessor thinks he has custody and control of the asset he is attempting to recover. However, this raises two critical questions: When is a repossession actually complete? And, when does the agent gain custody and control of the collateral? Answering this question requires examining three areas of
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As a point of reference, the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) is at the center of a national network of legal aid lawyers, private attorneys, elder advocates, proconsumer policymakers, and enforcement officials, and other various allies. All of them use NCLC’s expertise to fight for consumers on the front lines, and NCLC opinions often play a decisive role in legal cases. The NCLC has published a book titled “Repossessions” which is listed with the Library of Congress. Included on page 218 is the section titled, “Breaches That Occur After Repossessor Has Gained Possession.” The section includes language some courts have recognized as a defense to a debtor’s claim of breach of the peace when this has occurred after the repossessor had gained possession of the collateral. These courts often draw artificial distinctions, failing to recognize that a repossession is not complete simply when a vehicle is hooked up to a tow truck, or towed a few yards. In that circumstance, when the collateral is still within the consumer’s reach, the repossessor has at most, partial possession of the collateral, and certainly not secure or exclusive possession. Betterreasoned decisions reject the view that an objection comes too late if the repossession agent has already lifted the vehicles back wheels off the ground. In addition, some of these cases give insufficient weight to the rule that the prohibition against breach of the peace is intended to avoid violence. The potential for immediate physical violence continues until the repossessor has moved the collateral to a site that is under the secured parties’ control—or at least that is well outside the consumers range. Until that point, the danger of a highspeed chase or violent confrontation remains high. The consumer’s objection should be sufficient to require the repossessor to stop the repossession as long as continuation could conceivably lead to an immediate
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 69
physical confrontation. Hence, the NCLC has basically indicated how the court will rule. Those repossessors thinking of their “bottom line” will not like seeing this. Keep in mind, though, that the agent’s safety, the safety of their employees, and the consumer, all take precedence over profit. Those individuals in the repossession and towing industries should understand that state and federal courts are likely to base their decisions on legal doctrines and professional industry standards,
rather than solely on the wording of state laws. Judges across the country understand that the language of written law is often broadly written or even inaccurate about industry standards. Some state legislators try to clarify regulatory language but use imprecise wording that creates even more confusion. This ambiguity can lead repossessors to make decisions that result in injury or death. Florida, California, and Illinois show us how vague and unclear language can create confusion both on the street and in the courtroom.
UNCLEAR EXAMPLES
Florida law states that, “Property that is being repossessed shall be considered to be in the control, custody, and possession of a recovery agent if the property being repossessed is secured in preparation for transport from the site of the recovery by means of being attached to or placed on the towing or other transport vehicle or if the property being repossessed is being operated or about to be operated by an employee of the recovery agency.” After a review of this example, it is easy to agree that “in preparation for transport” and “or about to be operated” are both vague and unclear. Further, the Illinois Collateral Recovery Act (225 ILCS 422) in section 10 reads, “…repossession occurs when the licensed repossession agency employee gains entry into the collateral, the collateral becomes connected to a tow vehicle, or the licensed repossession agency employee has physical control, custody, or possession of the collateral.” The Illinois statute’s ambiguous wording is deeply concerning. It reads “when the licensed repossession agency employee gains entry into the collateral.” Illinois repossessors are led to believe that when the repossessor is sitting in the car, in the consumers driveway, the repossession is complete. A jury would likely reach a different conclusion in a wrongful repossession lawsuit. Yet another example of unclear wording is the in California Collateral Recovery Act (Chapter 11 7500-7511.5): “A repossession is when: 1. The repossessor gains entry to the collateral. 2. The collateral becomes connected to a tow truck or the repossessors tow vehicle. 3. The repossessor moves the entire collateral present. 4. The repossessor gains control of the collateral. 5. The repossessor disconnects any part of the collateral
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SPOTLIGHT SEMINARS On Saturday November 21, Mark Lacek will be presenting at this year’s American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. For two hours he will share his 50 years of repossession knowledge with the attendees. We look forward to seeing you there!
from any surface where it is mounted or attached. California’s repossession law is exceptionally vague. The five actions listed above have resulted in wrongful repossession lawsuits across many California courts. The California regulatory language is dangerous for the safety of both the repossessor and the consumer. A repossessor must retreat from the repossession when an objection to the repossession is presented. The California Recovery Act offers the repossessor a false sense of authority.
It is the custody and control language which legislators have introduced into law, which gives repossessors a deadly misunderstanding of the self-help repossession process.
WRITTEN LAW VS. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
It is the Repossession Industry Standards that speak loudly in the courtroom. These professional standards are clear. The repossessor must retreat when an objection to the repossession occurs. Custody and control are only achieved when the recovery agent has moved the collateral a safe distance from the scene of the repossession. Professional repossession standards are documented in certification and credentialing courses, often presented at repossession and towing industry conferences. All instruct the repossessor to retreat when confronted with an objection to the repossession. The repossession is complete only when the collateral has been transported a safe distance from the recovery location.
REPOSSESSION CERTIFICATIONS
1. The Certified Asset Recovery Specialist (C.A.R.S ) certification course states that, “If the agent has entered the debtor’s property and the debtor is determined in his requests for the agent to leave and states he is going to contact the local police, then the agent must retreat and leave.” 2. The Recovery Specialist Insurance Group (RSIG) states in their handbook that, “the debtors physical objection bars repossession even from a public street.” 3. Eagle Group Credentialing & Training in the FACT3 section states, “If the consumer becomes aware of the recovery agent’s intrusion and objects to the agent being
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 73
on their property, the agent must leave or they would be considered trespassing.” The Eagle Group credentialing program also states, “It is extremely important that an agent understands when there is any type of confrontation from any party and there is any impending chance of violence that the agent involved has a statutory duty to retreat.” There are no conditions or wording that states “unless the collateral is hooked to the tow truck” which makes it acceptable to complete the repossession process. “Don’t take my car” means drop the car and retreat.
REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
Carl “Wes” Carico’s book titled “Professional Standards In Repossession,” volume 1 describes an “Objection” to the repossession as, “Any verbal or physical act by the borrower or another party indicating resistance to the recovery must be respected immediately to avoid breach of peace.” This respected book on professional repossession industry standards defines a peaceful repossession as “a repossession conducted without resistance, violence, or breach of peace.” The American Recovery Association (ARA) published in June of 2026 an industry white paper titled, “ARA Framework for Breach-of Peace Prevention, Violence Response, and Recovery Safety Management.” “When a recovery professional reasonably believes that a repossession may escalate into a breach of peace, the recovery effort should be immediately discontinued.” The ARA white paper also lists as a reason to disengage in the repossession effort in the following, “a consumer objection, escalating confrontation, law enforcement response or any circumstance creating substantial safety concern.” The ARA white paper clearly states that recovery agents and consumers
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 75
face less risk of injury or death when the recovery agent avoids confrontation and the collateral is moved a safe distance from the recovery site.
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IN THE COURTROOM
History shows that courts typically base their decisions on professional industry standards rather than regulatory
language. Injury and death in the repossession injury will continue as long as repossessors fail to retreat when a confrontation occurs. The meaning of custody and control remains disputed, often because financial interests influence the debate. Some argue that an agent gains custody and control only after the collateral reaches the agent’s secured facility. Others follow the broad language used in State regulations. These conflicting interpretations have contributed to injuries and deaths during the selfhelp repossession process. Unless repossessors follow safe procedures and disengage when confrontations arise, such outcomes will continue. To avoid them, agents should gain as much knowledge as possible. Attend repossession seminars, become certified, credentialed, and licensed in the self-help repossession process.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
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Classic Wrecker
The Workhorse Ford’s ‘32 BB was Brawnier, Built for Towing By Steve Temple
The Beach Boys music group immortalized “The Little Deuce Coupe” as an iconic American hot rod. This Ford model was the first lowpriced, mass-market car to feature an affordable V8 engine, the groundbreaking Ford Flathead delivering 65 horsepower. PostWorld War II, returning soldiers bought inexpensive ‘32 Fords, stripped them down, chopped their tops, and upgraded their engines to race on dry lake beds. A lesser-known variant to this popular model was the Ford Model BB, offered with either the Flathead or a 50hp, four-cylinder engine. Most of these working vehicles came with the sturdy and simpler four-banger, since they were meant for heavyduty use, and not suitable for hot rodding. Built with wheelbases of 78 • October 2026 | Towman.com
This nicely restored example of a ’32 Ford BB can be seen at the offices of the Automobile Club of Southern California in Costa Mesa, CA.
The wrecker body has a hand-cranked mechanical boom manufactured by the Manley Manufacturing Company in York, PA.
Both single and dual rear-wheel setups were available on the BB.
The spare tire was side-mounted on ’32 Ford trucks fitted with a tailgate.
The rigging setup pre-dates the modern use of safetylatch hooks.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
131.5 or 157 inches (longer than the previous AA trucks), the BB boasted a stronger frame. The BB’s 3-speed manual sliding-gear transmission was also beefed up, as were the wheels, springs, tires, and axles. Also, the mechanical drum brakes were enlarged to handle the heavier payloads supported by the strengthened frame. Many BB trucks were sold as a chassis and engine, or chassis and cab. This allowed independent coachbuilders
to add whatever commercial setup was needed, such as for an ambulance, fire truck, hearse, and tow truck, as shown here. This particular model, fitted with the four-cylinder engine, was previously displayed at the prestigious Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, CA, but is now at the Automobile Club of Southern California’s administrative offices in Costa Mesa, CA. The wrecker body
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Most BB models ran a 50hp four-cylinder engine, instead of the popular Flathead V8.
features a Manley tow truck boom, a hand-cranked mechanical unit manufactured by the Manley Manufacturing Company in York, PA in the 1930s for automotive recovery. The boom was designed to be mounted on heavy-duty 1.5- to
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The interior of a 1932 Ford Model BB truck was basic and rugged, designed strictly for commercial durability rather than passenger comfort.
2-ton truck frames, such as the Ford Model AA or International chassis— rather than light pickup beds. Many units featured a removable or adaptable steel base that allowed the crane to double as a shop floor or engine hoist.
Even though the Beach Boys never wrote a catchy tune about the BB version of the ’32 Ford, tow truck enthusiasts still sing the praises of this hard-working classic wrecker.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
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Hands-On Tech
Surface conditions are just one of several factors to consider when calculating recovery resistance.
Force Factors Calculating Total Recovery Resistance By Terry Abejuela
I Field Editor Terry Abejuela has 40-plus years of light-duty towing and recovery experience. He is also a light-duty Level 1 instructor for the California Tow Truck Association.
n the towing and recovery industry, few skills separate the seasoned professional from the inexperienced or untrained operators more clearly than the ability to calculate the total amount of recovery resistance. Determining the total amount of resistance that must be overcome to move a casualty vehicle is one of the most important calculations required to perform recovery work safely. It determines if a tow truck and its rigging has enough capacity, the rigging plan is safe, and the casualty will move in a way that's expected. Whether a tower is uprighting a casualty, winching a casualty stuck in mud or pulling a casualty up a steep embankment, understanding the resistance forces is what keeps recoveries safe, predictable and successful. Modern recovery equipment has evolved dramatically, yet the physics
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behind resistance hasn’t changed. What has changed is the expectation that tow operators know how to accurately estimate recovery resistance. Many of the numbers used in the tow industry come from an old Department of the US Army Field Manual FM 20-22 from 1962. A newer version of this manual was published in 2014, but there has been very little change in these numbers since then.
TYPES OF RESISTANCE
By definition, recovery resistance is the sum of all forces that oppose efforts to move a casualty from one point to another. These forces include surface resistance, grade resistance, rolling resistance, and casualty damage resistance. Not all of these forces are present on a specific recovery. Obviously. if there is no grade in a recovery, there won’t be any resistance created by gravity on a slope. On the other hand, there may be a recovery that includes all of the forces. Such as a casualty that is located down a soft dirt embankment with a 30-degree slope, and all of the tires are flat and there’s structural damage that is causing resistance. Before calculating the total recovery resistance, first estimate how much the casualty weighs. It is difficult to get
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A casualty that is in mud above the wheels is considered body depth, and the surface resistance is calculated as approximately 300 percent of the casualty weight. Don't forget that mud of this consistency will also create additional resistance due to suction.
an exact weight of a casualty and its cargo in the field, but a towman can make an educated estimate. One commonly used method is to use a Google search. Be as specific with the vehicle description as possible. Enter the year, make, model and mechanical information such as 4-wheel drive.
QUICK CHECK
In order to verify this method, I have taken several vehicles to a commercial scale to get an accurate weight, and then did a Google search. Every time it came up with a number that was within 200 pounds of the actual weight. This figure is close enough to use for resistance calculations. Don’t forget to include any cargo that is in the vehicle, especially on loaded pick-up trucks and vans.
Manuals such as the AAA Tow & Service Manual may provide vehicle weights. Another method is to use the certification label located on the door jamb. Take the vehicles Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and reduce that number to account for the absence of passengers and cargo (if applicable). Here’s an example: 1998 Dodge Durango 4WD GVWR: 6,400 lbs. Seating capacity: 7 Cargo capacity: 200 lbs. Take the GVWR of 6,400 lbs. and subtract 1,400 lbs. for passengers and 200 lbs. for cargo. The equals approximately 4,800 lbs. Use this as a casualty weight.
MATERIAL CALCULATIONS
Surface resistance is determined by the terrain the casualty must move
A casualty that is in mud up to the bottom of the rim is considered tire depth and the surface resistance is calculated as approximately 100 percent of the casualty weight
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across. Towers have all experienced the effect a surface material has on the resistance created by the terrain. Pedaling a bicycle on level concrete does not require a lot of effort, but pedaling bicycle on sandy soil requires a lot of effort. Terrain can be categorized in three basic types: hard, medium and soft. Hard surfaces would include concrete, asphalt, and hard-packed dirt. Medium surfaces would include grass, gravel and loose dirt. Soft surfaces would consist of sand and/ or mud. Calculate surface resistance as follows: • Hard Surface = 10 percent of the casualty weight • Medium Surfaces = 33 percent of the casualty weight • Soft Surfaces = 100 to 300 percent of the casualty weight, depending on depth Assuming no other forces apply, if the 1998 Durango is on a surface that is concrete, the estimated resistance for the surface type would be approximately 10 percent or about 480 lbs. If the Durango is on grass or gravel, the estimated resistance for the surface type would be approximately 33 percent or about 1,584 lbs. When a casualty is in sand or mud, another factor to consider is how deep the casualty is in the
A casualty that is in mud up to middle of the wheel is considered wheel depth and the surface resistance is calculated as approximately 200 percent of the casualty weight.
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One method to estimate a casualty weight is to use the certification label located on the driver’s side door jamb. Subtracting weight from the GVWR to account for the absence of passengers or cargo will provide an estimated weight of the casualty.
muck and mire. To estimate the depth, examine use the wheels on the casualty. There are three depths commonly used: tire depth, wheel depth and body depth. Calculate the surface resistance for sand or mud as follows: • Tire depth = 100 percent of the casualty weight • Wheel depth = 200 percent of the casualty weight • Body depth = 300 percent of the casualty weight
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With the latest technology of this type of chain load cell, towers can verify their resistance calculations.
Assuming no other forces apply, if the 1998 Durango’s wheels are in the sand or mud up to the bottom of the rims, this would be considered tire depth and is equal to approximately 100 percent of the casualties weight or 4,800 lbs. If the 1998 Durango is in sand or mud up to the middle of the wheels, this would be considered wheel depth and is equal to approximately 200 percent of the casualties weight or 9,000 lbs. If the Durango is in sand
or mud above the middle of the wheel, this would be considered body depth and equal to 300 percent of the casualty weight or 14,400 lbs.
STUCK IN THE MUD
The other thing to consider when a casualty is in mud is suction. Depending on the consistency of the mud a tow operator may need to add to the estimate to account for this additional resistance. It might be possible to reduce the
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suction effect of the mud, by pulling the casualty back through the path created when it went into the mud, or digging mud out in the path of the wheels. Another method that experienced operators use is what’s called “the fishing pole technique”. Keep the wheel lift off the ground surface and start to winch. When the suspension of the tow truck squats, stop and let the constant pull of the compressed suspension break the suction, which
The shackle load cell also allows the tow operators to verify their resistance calculations.
will raise the truck back up. Repeat this process until the casualty is out of the mud. Regarding the resistance created by a grade, calculate the effects of gravity as follows:
• 15-degree uphill grade = 25 percent of the casualty weight • 30-degree uphill grade = 50 percent of the casualty weight • 45-degree uphill grade = 75 percent of the casualty weight • 45- to 90-degree grade uphill grade = 100 percent of the casualty weight There would be no resistance of more than 100 percent due to grade because at 90 degrees the vehicle is being vertically lifted free of the surface. When pulling a casualty down a grade, the resistance calculation would be minus these same percentages. If there are no other forces that apply, a casualty on a downhill grade will roll downhill on its own.
FREE WHEELING
Experienced towers have all encountered rolling resistance, created when the wheels of the casualty do not roll freely for whatever reasons. A 2,000 lbs. car on a level hard surface can be pushed because it only requires a force of about 10 percent or 200 lbs. to move it. However, if the car is in park and the brakes are applied, it can’t be pushed. In this case, calculate rolling resistance as 25 percent of the casualty weight for each wheel that does not roll freely. Damage to a casualty will normally create resistance due to rolling resistance. Locked brakes, bent axles, suspension damage, fenders smashed into a wheel, or damaged components that drag of the surface all can create additional resistance. Due to the many variables possible, there is no formula commonly used in the tow industry for calculating damage resistance. The best a tower can do is to allow for additional resistance force when the casualty damage is creating significant resistance beyond the other resistance factors.
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Continuing with the example of a 1998 Dodge Durango that weighs approximately 4,800 lbs. and is on a grass surface with a 15 degree slope, with two wheels that don’t roll freely.
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• Surface resistance on grass (33 percent) = 1,584 lbs. • Grade resistance for 15 degrees (25 percent) = 1,200 lbs. • Rolling Resistance for two wheels
(50 percent) = 2,400 lbs. • Damage Resistance = None • Total recovery resistance is estimated at 5,184 lbs. Formula for total recovery resistance is: S + or - G + R + D = TRR The resistance calculation numbers provided here are commonly used in the industry, but are overestimated. When using a load cell to test these numbers, the actual resistance has always been significantly less than calculated. A tower using these numbers for calculating resistance can be confident that they will not exceed the appropriate ratings of the equipment. The anchors and recovery truck will not move, so what’s expected to happen will happen. Take the time to perform these recovery resistance calculations on every recovery job in order to perform recovery work, safely, efficiently and effectively.
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Towing Laws
Plaque Presentation, Front Row, Left to Right: James Bennett, Nicole Ortiz, Brian Walters, Randy Solberg, Jonathan Cleaver, Cheri Huddleston, Rick Chron, Jess Horton, Josh Pace, Ronny New, David Escalera, and Travis Shumate. Back Row, Left to Right: Tasha Mora, Gary Hoffman, and Charlie Miller.
Legislative Champions Shaping the Future of the Texas Towing Industry By Tasha Mora
A
Tasha Mora is Legislative Chair and 1st Vice President of Southwest Tow Operators, Presiding Chair of the TDLR Towing and Storage Advisory Board, and Co-Owner and Compliance Director of A&A Wrecker & Recovery in Austin, Texas.
t 8:30 on Saturday morning, July 18, a banquet room at the Marriott Riverwalk was filled to capacity. Tow bosses and operators from all across Texas showed up for a legislative strategy breakfast. The STO (Southwest Tow Operators) created the Legislative Champions program because the upcoming 2027 session does not start in January 2027. It begins now, in the preceding months when positions get drafted, sponsors get identified, and the tow industry gathers evidence for its case. Texas has two towing associations. Historically, this has been a fact the Capitol could use. Southwest Tow Operators built Legislative Champions with the explicit aim of getting everyone to one table, legislatively. On July 18, operators from both associations were in the room, with
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the lobbyist for TTSA (Texas Towing & Storage Association) among them. The Legislative Champions program is not a test of association loyalty. It is open to any tow operator willing to support and fund the legislative work, regardless of which association they belong to. The qualifying question is not whose letterhead an operator carries. It is whether they will provide money and support for the agenda. A divided industry hands every opponent the same easy argument: towers cannot even agree among themselves. Any operator in a state with more than one association should read that twice.
KEY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The program opened with a welcome and an outline, followed by recognition of the sponsors funding this work. STO board member Geoff Nienstedt of Roadrunner Towing Service and Executive Director Tommy Anderson presented the recognition roll—plaques, a group photo, and a reading of the names. A total of 24 Champion companies were present in the room. The plaques mark them as 2026 Legislative Champions, and thanks each recipient for their commitment to the Texas towing industry and for guiding it into the next decade. Champions fund the work before there is anything to show for it. What they get is a seat in the room where the industry decides what it will ask for, and a package ready to move on the day the legislative session opens. By the end of the morning, eight more operators had signed up. They were not recruited in advance, but persuaded in the room by the direction the legislative efforts are heading.
MOTIVATING COMMENTS
Travis Shumate of Unlimited Towing and Recovery, Charlie Miller of Miller Towing & Recovery, and STO President Gary Hoffman of Tow King spoke about what these meetings have built, and why broader participation changes the
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math this cycle. The through-line: a consultant can carry a position, but only an operator can substantiate it. A committee member is moved by an invoice with a constituent’s name on it, not by argument. At 10:00 a.m. the program opened to all attendees for the general legislative briefing. Charlie Miller walked through the 2025 VSF (Vehicle Storage Facility) fee-adjustment experience, the episode that pushed legislative solutions to the front of the strategy. This experience proved to be the clearest argument the tow industry has. The statute states that the commission may adjust the fees by rule at each odd-numbered year. It clearly states “may”—not “shall”. When a rate depends on a rule that may or may not be adopted, operators absorb the gap. Every operator in that room is living it. The question was not whether the problem is real, but whether the industry intends to fix the issue, or keep litigating the outcome at every cycle. For context: a Texas VSF may charge $22.85 a day to store a vehicle 25 feet or less in length, and $39.99 for anything longer. These are not market rates. They are statutory maximums reflecting the 2023 biennial adjustment, and still the most recent on the books.
PRACTICAL STEPS
Cheri Huddleston, STO’s lobbyist and a longtime Austin legislative consultant, laid out the filing path: sponsor outlook, member introductions, and the support needed between now and the gavel. Her segment turned policy into logistics. Instead of a bill-by-bill preview, the Legislative Champions are holding the specifics inside the membership until committee assignments are set. Bills in Texas are not usually killed on the merits. They are defeated early and quietly, by people with time to organize against them, and there is no advantage to handing anyone that head start. One name never appeared on
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Tow bosses and operators from all across Texas filled the banquet room to capacity for a legislative breakfast.
the agenda. STO attorney Brian Walters built the briefing materials, the program, and the preparation behind both, then kept himself off the schedule entirely. A great deal of the momentum described here runs through work he chose not to take credit for.
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Jonathan Charnitski, an attorney who has spent years representing heavy-duty tow operators in Texas fee-collection disputes, closed the program by setting the Texas agenda against national trends, including jurisdictions where operators recover far more for the same work.
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ON THE HORIZON
This breakfast meeting was a starting line. Between now and January, the association asked operators for specific, unglamorous things: invoices, timelines, photographs, documented delays. Arguments built on anecdotes lose to arguments built on records. It also asked to open doors. Operators with relationships to state offices, local officials, or public-safety partners were asked to say so, because a bill’s odds improve when the person explaining it to a member’s staff is a constituent who tows in their district. STO is continuing to build the sponsor path and organizing questions submitted at the show. Operators who want to know what is in the package—and who want a say in it—can join, upgrade, or become Legislative Champions. This is not a sales pitch. It is where the details live. In sum, the tow industry’s credibility at the Capitol is not built during session. It is built in rooms like this one, months early, by operators willing to spend a Saturday morning on it.
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Towman Safety
Motorists need to be alert to tow operators putting their lives on the line while handling roadside recoveries.
Roadside Protection AAA’s New Survey Reveals Significant Support for Slow Down, Move Over Laws
Brittany Moye is a Media Relations Manager at AAA, handling public affairs, media relations, and external communications efforts that advance consumer advocacy and roadway safety. She specializes in strategic storytelling, media engagement, and public awareness campaigns, including AAA’s Slow Down, Move Over initiatives. Passionate about creating meaningful impact, Brittany works to amplify AAA’s mission and promote safer roads for all.
By Brittany Moye
E
ach name etched on the Wall of the Fallen at the International Towing & Recovery Museum is a reminder that roadside safety is deeply personal. Behind every name is a family, a colleague, and a life cut short while helping someone in need. More than 3,855 people were struck and killed while stranded or working on the roadside from 2019 through 2024
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(according to NHTSA and the Federal Highway Administration). New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows an encouraging but incomplete picture: most drivers support SDMO (Slow Down, Move Over) laws, and believe drivers should slow down or move over when someone is stopped at the roadside, regardless of state law requirements. Yet, many still do not fully understand when exactly the laws apply or that even if slowing down may be is required. Tow operators, mobile technicians, emergency responders, and stranded motorists often work or wait just feet or even inches from moving traffic, where one driver’s failure to slow down or move over can have devastating consequences. While this roadside reality is ominous, there are some positive developments. "The encouraging news is that most drivers recognize slowing down or moving over as the right thing to do," said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "But awareness and good intentions are not enough. Drivers must turn that understanding into action the moment they see someone stopped at the roadside, because failing to slow down or move over can turn a routine stop into a preventable tragedy." Every U.S. state has some form of SDMO law, requiring drivers to move to another
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Much more work is needed to help motorists realize that slowing down and moving over needs to be an automatic response, not a last-second reaction.
lane if possible, and/or reduce their speed when approaching a roadside worker or disabled vehicle. Yet, the survey found drivers are often less familiar with the protections for tow trucks and stranded vehicles than for police vehicles.
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DRIVERS CARE—BUT CONFUSION REMAINS
• More than 90% of drivers said they personally moved over and/or slowed down the last time they encountered a disabled vehicle, tow truck, or police car on the shoulder — a sign that
many drivers recognize the need to protect people at the roadside. • Only 66% believed their state law required special action when passing a stopped police car, and only 58% said the same for tow trucks, despite every state having such requirements. • Among drivers aware of applicable laws, more than 90% knew they required moving over, but fewer than half knew about requirements to slow down. • In states that always require drivers to slow down, even if they also move over, fewer than one in five knew that the requirement exists. • More than two-thirds believed violators were not very likely, or not likely at all, to be caught. "Slow Down, Move Over laws vary by state, but the safe choice should be automatic: slow down, move over if you can, and give
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AAA has championed SDMO laws nationwide for more than two decades.
people at the roadside space,” Yang points out. Despite these gaps, support is strong: after SDMO laws were explained, 90% of respondents supported them, with only 2% opposing them. Even more encouraging, when asked what drivers should do when approaching someone stopped at the roadside — regardless of what the law requires in their state— more than 9 out of 10 said drivers should slow down or
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move over. This shared instinct matters. The challenge is not only convincing drivers that roadside safety matters, but also helping them recognize when to act, so slowing down and moving over becomes automatic. Taken together, these findings offer a hopeful takeaway: most drivers value roadside safety, support stronger protections, and instinctively understand that slowing down or moving over is the
The Wall of the Fallen at the International Towing Museum is a reverent reminder of the importance of increasing awareness of SDMO laws.
right response. The mission now is to close the gap between shared belief and consistent behavior on the road.
HONORING THOSE LOST
Each year, families, friends, and colleagues gather at the International Towing & Recovery Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to honor roadside workers whose lives were cut short while helping others. Their names are permanently
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a e t a n i m o N
o r He Risking their life to save another while on the job; Exhibiting courage under fire; Overcoming adversity and inspiring an industry.
HERO Risking their life to save another while on the job.
SILVER STAR Overcoming adversity and inspiring an industry.
SEND NOMINATIONS VIA MAIL TO:
Stephanie Marchese, American Towman 2 Overlook Drive, Suite 5, Warwick, NY 10990
OR EMAIL:
stephanie@towman.com
Submission Deadline October 15
NOMINATIONS MUST INCLUDE:
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1. Nominee Name, Company, Phone, and Email 2. Your Name, Phone, and Email 3. Description of Incident
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 105
NOTE: All accounts must be verifiable through a third-party source (i.e., Police, Fire, EMS, etc.)
CTTA’s Free SDMO Event Join the California Tow Truck Association for a Slow Down Move Over—Family Fun Day in the Park on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Located at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area (15501 E. Arrow Highway, Baldwin Park, CA), gates open for event at 6:00 a.m,, followed by a SDMO TowTruck Procession at 9:00 a.m. Also, a free BBQ Chuckwagon Lunch, sponsored by AAA, begins at noon. This event is open to CTTA members, AAA Service Providers, Industry Partners, non-members, employees, families, friends, and the entire community. Bring the whole family and enjoy a funfilled day featuring a Tow Truck Show & Shine, kids activities, prizes, and giveaways. This event supports an important public safety message, helps spread awareness, and celebrates towing industry, all while enjoying a great day with family and friends.
etched on the museum’s Wall of the Fallen—a lasting reminder that every roadside stop carries risk. The AAA urges drivers to turn that shared belief into action. Stay alert, reduce speed, and move over if safe to do so when approaching flashing lights, hazard lights, or a stopped vehicle on the roadside. Research shows most drivers already believe slowing down or moving over is the right response. The challenge, though, is making that response virtually instinctive every time. These simple actions take only seconds, but they can ultimately save lives. "The goal is to make slowing down and moving over an automatic response, not a last-second reaction," said Dr. William Van Tassel, AAA Driver Training Manager. "Drivers should scan ahead, ease off the accelerator early, and create space whenever they see flashing lights, hazard lights, or anyone stopped at the roadside."
AAA’S COMMITMENT TO ROADSIDE SAFETY
For more than two decades, AAA has championed Slow Down, Move Over laws nationwide and continues to advocate for clearer laws, stronger enforcement, public education, and technology solutions that alert drivers to roadside incidents. Every name on the Wall of the Fallen is a solemn reminder for all motorists to make roadside safety automatic and a personal commitment: Slow Down. Move Over. Stay Alert. Save a Life. Link: https://aaafoundation.org/research/slow-down-move-over-lawsnational-survey-of-drivers-knowledge-attitudes-and-behaviors-202
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As a Towing Professional, be recognized by your Police or Fire Chief for serving your community in an exceptional way
Have your Police or Fire Chief nominate you for
THE ORDER OF TOWMAN Should you feel you qualify, take this nomination form to your chief. •
For the past 17 years over 2,500 police and fire chiefs across the U.S. have nominated towing professionals for The Order of Towman, presented by American Towman Magazine in recognition of their supreme dedication to their communities and to the professionalism in their trade.
•
No one knows better than chiefs how towers rise to the occasion to face challenges at incident scenes or support their departments.
•
While American Towman Magazine mails nomination forms to chiefs nationwide, it may take more than one notice.
Deadline: October 15, 2026 for nominations. The ceremony presentation of the Cross of The Order will take place at the American Towman Exposition in Baltimore.
NOMINATION FORM
Nominee(OwnerorManager):_______________________________________________________ NameofTowingCompany:_________________________________________________________
Email To: Bryna@towman.com
Address:__________________________City:_______________State:____ZipCode:_________
Fax To: 845-986-5181
PhoneNumber:____/____/_______emailaddress:___________________________________
Or Mail To:
NominatingPolice/FireChief:________________________________________________________
Bryna Stankiewicz
Police/FireDepartmentName:_______________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: ____ Zip Code: _________
American Towman 2 Overlook Dr. Ste. 5 Warwick, NY 10990
Position: _______________________Phone Number: ____ / ____ / _______ Work theSignature: non-traffic_____________________________________________________ side - Stay Safe! AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • 107 Chief’s
Supplier Scoop Agero Partners with MOTER
Agero, through its Urgently acquisition, announced a partnership with MOTER Technologies, Inc., an insurtech company that transforms connected vehicle data into real-time risk and claims insights. Together, the companies will deliver an integrated solution that connects roadside assistance, accident support, claims intelligence, and driver engagement to help insurers and automakers respond more proactively to vehicle incidents. The collaboration pairs Urgently’s digital roadside assistance platform and Agero’s nationwide service network with MOTER’s connected vehicle intelligence, claims visualization, and driver risk technologies. The integration enables connected vehicle incidents to trigger digital roadside and accident assistance automatically while simultaneously creating a data-backed claims package. By expediting first notice of loss (FNOL) and claim triage, the solution helps insurers shift from reactive claims handling to a more proactive, streamlined response model, reducing friction, limiting fraud exposure, and
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improving the policyholder experience. MOTER’s platform uses connected vehicle data to digitally reconstruct accident events, helping insurers improve claims visibility, shorten resolution times, and enhance operational efficiency. The company is also advancing driver engagement technologies that provide real-time coaching and feedback around risky driving behaviors. The partnership also supports the growing shift toward embedded and OEM-branded insurance experiences, where automakers are seeking technology partners that can deliver scalable, customer-focused insurance and mobility programs without the complexity of building those capabilities internally. For more details about the partnership and other partnership opportunities, visit: agero.com/insurance
Ignyte by Yrefy Expands CDL Financing Access
Ignyte by Yrefy, a private education financing program designed for career and trade school students, is working with truck driving and CDL schools across the country to help prospective
drivers access the training needed to enter careers in trucking, towing, and other transportation fields. The total cost to become a truck driver typically ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 or more, creating a significant barrier for many students. This is particularly true for individuals with limited or no credit history who may struggle to qualify for traditional private financing. Ignyte works directly with career schools and evaluates students based on their ability to repay rather than relying on credit scores alone. Students attending participating schools can apply for loans with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.99% to 5.99%, with typical repayment terms of four to six years. Ignyte by Yrefy is currently partnering with trade schools in 42 states to offer private loans to current and potential students. There are no participation fees for schools, no student minimums, and there is no recourse if students default on payments. Both accredited and non-accredited trade schools are eligible to partner with Ignyte by Yrefy. Schools and students interested in learning more about Ignyte by Yrefy can visit yrefyignyte.com.
Towman’s Market
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Ellen Rosengart erosengart@towman.com
October 2026 • 109
My Baby
The color palette is vivid and impressive, as subtlety is not an advantage when promoting a tow company.
Double Duty Built to Recover, Painted to Remember By George L. Nitti
George L. Nitti has written for American Towman since 2009. He started out as a news writer and now writes a weekly feature on TowIndustryWeek.com, Tow Illustrated, which spotlights the tow truck graphics.
I
n a sea of flashing lights and heavy steel, some tow trucks turn heads with the audacity of their customizations and the vivacity of their graphics—none more so than the award-winning 2024 rotator from Mike’s Heavy-Duty Towing of Brooklyn, New York, owned by Margaret Mazzio. Equipped with a 65-ton NRC slider on a 2024 Peterbilt 567 tri-axle, this exceptional setup took home the trophy for Best of
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Show at the 2025 American Towman Exposition in Baltimore. As a complete custom build, inside and out, every box is hand-painted and pinstriped, while the interior—steering wheel, column, shifters and panels—has been reimagined with chrome and custom finishes. Even the storage compartments carry the same level of artistry. “All my show trucks get the full treatment,” explained Sal Mazzio, lead operator at Mike’s Towing, along with his son, Sal Jr. The result is a truck designed to make an impression from virtually every angle. The custom work extends across the body, from the painted boxes and fenders to the hood, sides, and interior, giving the rotator a consistent show-truck finish. Looking at what led to this achievement, the company’s roots go back to 1977, when
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS Engine: 605 Cummins
Transmission: Allison 18-speed transmission
Chassis: 2024 Peterbilt 567 tri-axle
Wrecker: 65-ton NRC rotator Graphics: Cecil Burrowes
Sal’s father started the business after experiencing a mechanical breakdown while driving a tractortrailer, and becoming dissatisfied with the towing service he received. What began with forklift carriers and transportation has grown into a multi-location operation with more than 50 trucks serving customers across the region. Today, Sal works alongside his mother, who took ownership after his father’s death in 2013, as well as other members of the family, including his nephew Mikey and as mentioned, his son Sal Jr. The fleet ranges from light- and medium-duty
The previous graphics had to be stripped off with oven cleaner in order to start with a white foundation prior to adding any colors.
tow trucks to heavy-duty wreckers and rotators, along with lowboys, drop-deck trailers, goosenecks, flatbeds, and reefers. Photos of this winning rotator in action offer a glimpse of
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This trophy-winning rotator is not just another pretty face, but a hard-working rig that handles a wide variety of construction equipment.
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Family Guy’s cartoon character Stewie Griffin is a familiar mascot of Mike’s Towing.
The truck’s visuals make clear statements about the company brand and its services.
customized trucks— has also become a calling card, helping attract customers who recognize the equipment and the capabilities that come with it. As for the showtruck treatment on the rotator, graphic artist Cecil Burrowes, who has been painting Mike’s trucks since the 1990s, described this project as one of his most daunting. Intricate pinstripes prevail throughout the graphic design. “I can’t remember the kind of specialized work that the last time I striped has become a major part of the a truck this much,” Burrowes company’s business. Sal said the admitted. “I just was in the mood company handles a wide range to do that, and I did all that of crane, rigging and lifting jobs, pinstriping.” including moving heavy machinery Burrowes deliberately avoided and transferring cement barrels simply duplicating patterns between trucks. The company also throughout the truck. recently handled a rolled-over “I tried not to repeat it,” he noted. tractor-trailer loaded with fuel. “It’s so intricate, it’s hard to really Much of that work comes through repeat it.” long-standing customers, which Sal Before any color was applied, considers one of the most important Burrowes stripped the truck back to parts of building a successful its white foundation. The previous towing operation. graphics were removed using oven “It’s very important to have cleaner, followed by washing, customers and keep them for a cleaning, and sanding with 800-grit long time,” he said. The company’s paper before he began laying out the distinctive fleet—and its highly new artwork. 112 • October 2026 | Towman.com
From there, the design was built one color at a time, with each color requiring its own masking process. The yellow outlines were intentional, Burrowes said, helping the blue graphics stand out against the white. The color palette also had to work within the identity already established on Mike’s trucks. “I had to go with the previous colors that he has on the trucks,” Burrowes said. “Most of his trucks have those colors—have the blue, purple and orange—but those are his colors. So ,I had to incorporate them in the best way I could.” He used yellow selectively to outline the blue and make it pop, while adding blue around the purple sections for additional contrast. The paintwork involved more than simply applying different colors. Burrowes added blue pearl over the blue base and purple pearl over the purple, mixing each pearl into an intercoat clear before spraying it over the underlying color. When the main artwork was complete, Mazzio wanted another element: sparkle. Burrowes again mixed the material into an intercoat clear before spraying it over the truck. But he had to be careful, particularly on the white panels. “I couldn’t put on too much of it,” he explained. “On the white there’s sparkles at certain angles. Before
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Even the floorboards of the cab get a special treatment.
Details really matter when developing a showtruck finish.
Winning a trophy at the AT Expo’s Wrecker Pageant is a significant achievement, one to be proud of.
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they sparkle, they look like dirt.” The restrained application allowed the sparkle to reveal itself when the light hit the truck, rather than overwhelming the white finish. The sheer number of steps added considerably to the project. Burrowes spent eight weeks completing the truck, moving through preparation, masking, color application, pearl effects, sparkle, and clear coat. “It’s a process,” he said. “It’s just more stages to go through more than usual because of the different colors.” One of the most meaningful additions came during the project when a previous slogan was removed to make room for an image of Tuxi, a bulldog that belonged to Sal’s late father. Burrowes painted the bulldog on both sides of the truck, turning the image into a permanent tribute. Another familiar character received a distinctly New York setting. The hood showcases a reimagined Stewie Griffin from Family Guy, a character that has appeared on Mike’s trucks for years. Rather than leave Stewie against a plain background, Burrowes wanted to give the character depth and a sense of place. “At first I thought about doing the Brooklyn Bridge,” he said. “I figured the Brooklyn Bridge was kind of, you know, intricate time wise. So, I said let me just do the cobblestones and put some buildings behind him. And I wanted to create some depth.” The result gives the cartoon character a backdrop rooted in the city where the truck works. Handpainted flames stretch across the hood and sides, adding another layer to the already intricate design. Even after eight weeks of preparation and painting, the final stage presented another challenge. Burrowes initially used a clear coat that had worked well for him on previous trucks. But cold
conditions caused the clear to run across the truck. “I had to sand the whole thing back down to make it smooth again and then re-clear it with the proper clear,” he said. The extra work in going back to the color coat and reapplying the clear coat paid off. “I went through and busted it, and it came up,” Burrowes said. “It was successful, man, but it was a lot of work.” Then, after all the sanding, spraying, masking, striping, pearls and sparkle, he had his final verdict. “I had to do it all over again,” he said. “But when it was done, it was beautiful.” For the Mazzio family, the rotator’s Best of Show honor at the 2025 American Towman Exposition was a fitting payoff for the time and craftsmanship invested in it. Even so, the Wrecker Pageant is never really finished. Each year, a new collection of highly customized wreckers arrives in Baltimore, give owners another opportunity to showcase their machines and giving fellow towers the chance to decide which one stands above the rest. That tradition continues this November at the American Towman Exposition, where the Wrecker Pageant will again bring some of the industry’s most distinctive trucks together under one roof. For a truck that has already claimed the top prize, it’s a fitting backdrop: this “My Baby” has had its moment in the spotlight, and now a new generation of custom-built units are ready to take the stage. The combination of customization, personal storytelling, and Burrowes’ painstaking artistry makes this hard-working rotator more than an award-winning showpiece. It is an expression of family, craftsmanship, and professionalism that the Mazzio family can be proud to call their own.
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • North 115
News Flash Tow Truck Driver Fighting to Walk Again After Crash
A Virginia tow truck driver is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while finishing a tow on I-264. Kelly Glanemann was securing the final strap on a vehicle on Aug. 1 near Newtown Road when a Toyota 4Runner crossed the line and struck her, according to her sister, Kirsten. “She was moments away from getting back in her truck and leaving, but she didn’t make it,” Kirsten said. The impact sent Glanemann flying and left her with serious injuries. Her family feared they might lose her, but she survived and is now facing a long recovery. Kirsten said Kelly has yet to regain the ability to walk or use her arms. Local tow truck operators from throughout Hampton Roads recently gathered to support Glanemann and recognize the dangers they face while working along busy roadways. “You really don’t know if you’re coming home every time you walk out the door,” Kirsten said. Virginia State Police charged the driver with reckless driving. Glanemann’s family hopes to push for stronger penalties and greater awareness of roadside workers. Source: youtube.com
Auto Delinquencies Remain Highest in Southeast
Auto-loan delinquency rates continue to show significant geographic differences, with several Southeastern states posting elevated levels even after accounting for borrower credit quality. A state-by-state analysis by Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) found that four of the five highest rates of auto loans at least 60 days delinquent during the first half of 2026 were in the Southeast. Mississippi recorded the highest rate at 4.57%, followed by South Carolina at 4.54%, Georgia at 4.46%, New Mexico at 4.40% and Louisiana at 4.17%. By comparison, Vermont
◀
North 116 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • North 117
had the lowest rate at 1.50%. KBRA found the differences persisted after controlling for credit scores and securitization composition. Louisiana performed 77 basis points worse than expected, followed by Georgia at 60 basis points worse, Mississippi at 51, and South Carolina at 37. The findings suggest geography may be an important factor in auto-loan performance beyond traditional credit measures. For lenders, collectors and recovery companies, concentrated delinquency could eventually translate into geographically concentrated collections, charge-offs, and repossession activity. Source: CURepossession.com
Towman Sought After Fatal Kentucky Collision
Kentucky State Police are searching for a tow truck driver who left the scene of a fatal collision August 14 night in Bullitt County, Kentucky. Luis Gonzalez Perez, 34, of Louisville, was operating a wrecker that was towing a bobtail tractor when the crash occurred on Interstate 65 near mile marker 112. Police said the wrecker was positioned across all three northbound lanes as Perez attempted to make a U-turn to head north. A 2007 Ford Focus struck the wrecker during the maneuver. The car’s driver, Shawn Franklin, 43, of North Carolina, suffered severe injuries and was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died. According to the preliminary investigation, the bobtail tractor had been parked on the shoulder facing north, while the tow truck was facing south to prepare for the recovery. KSP said Perez was not injured and left the scene after the crash. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies are searching for him. Charges are pending. Source: kentuckynewera.com
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North 118 • October 2026 | Towman.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • North 119
Episode 64
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to capitano@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • South 115
News Flash
Auto Delinquencies Remain Highest in Southeast
Tow Truck Driver Fighting to Walk Again After Crash
A Virginia tow truck driver is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while finishing a tow on I-264. Kelly Glanemann was securing the final strap on a vehicle on Aug. 1 near Newtown Road when a Toyota 4Runner crossed the line and struck her, according to her sister, Kirsten. “She was moments away from getting back in her truck and leaving, but she didn’t make it,” Kirsten said. The impact sent Glanemann flying and left her with serious injuries. Her family feared they might lose her, but she survived and is now facing a long recovery. Kirsten said Kelly has yet to regain the ability to walk or use her arms. Local tow truck operators from throughout Hampton Roads recently gathered to support Glanemann and recognize the dangers they face while working along busy roadways. “You really don’t know if you’re coming home every time you walk out the door,” Kirsten said. Virginia State Police charged the driver with reckless driving. Glanemann’s family hopes to push for stronger penalties and greater awareness of roadside workers. Source: youtube.com
Auto-loan delinquency rates continue to show significant geographic differences, with several Southeastern states posting elevated levels even after accounting for borrower credit quality. A state-by-state analysis by Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) found that four of the five highest rates of auto loans at least 60 days delinquent during the first half of 2026 were in the Southeast. Mississippi recorded the highest rate at 4.57%, followed by South Carolina at 4.54%, Georgia at 4.46%, New Mexico at 4.40% and Louisiana at 4.17%. By comparison, Vermont had the lowest rate at 1.50%. KBRA found the differences persisted after controlling for credit scores and securitization composition. Louisiana performed 77 basis points worse than expected, followed by Georgia at 60 basis points worse, Mississippi at 51, and South Carolina at 37. The findings suggest geography may be an important factor in auto-loan performance beyond traditional credit measures. For lenders, collectors and recovery companies, concentrated delinquency could eventually translate into geographically concentrated collections, chargeoffs, and repossession activity. Source: CURepossession.com
Towman Sought After Fatal Kentucky Collision
Kentucky State Police are searching for a tow truck driver who left the scene of a fatal collision August 14
South 116 • October 2026 | Towman.com
night in Bullitt County, Kentucky. Luis Gonzalez Perez, 34, of Louisville, was operating a wrecker that was towing a bobtail tractor when the crash occurred on Interstate 65 near mile marker 112. Police said the wrecker was positioned across all three northbound lanes as Perez attempted to make a U-turn to head north. A 2007 Ford Focus struck the wrecker during the maneuver. The car’s driver, Shawn Franklin, 43, of North Carolina, suffered severe injuries and was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died. According to the preliminary investigation, the bobtail tractor had been parked on the shoulder facing north, while the tow truck was facing south to prepare for the recovery. KSP said Perez was not injured and left the scene after the crash. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies are searching for him. Charges are pending. Source: kentuckynewera.com
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • South 117
Isuzu and U.S. Department of Labor Celebrate Veterans Apprenticeship Program
Isuzu announced an important milestone in the company’s commitment to America’s Veterans and the future of the commercial transportation workforce. A formal signing ceremony recognized the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP) at the company’s Center of Excellence in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The ceremony brought together leaders from Isuzu companies, the U.S. Department of Labor, ERS Elite, and Isuzu’s nationwide dealer network to recognize a shared commitment: helping the men and women who have served the United States translate their military skills, discipline, and experience into rewarding long-term civilian careers. Participating in the ceremony were Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada; Yoshi Murakami, Chairman and CEO of Isuzu North America Corporation; and Marek Laco, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The event represents another step forward for a program created around a simple but powerful idea: America’s Veterans have already demonstrated the technical ability, leadership, accountability, and determination that employers need. IVAP provides a structured pathway to put those attributes to work in a growing industry that needs them. “Veterans have already answered one of the greatest calls anyone can answer—the call to serve their country,” said Skinner. “When that service ends, we believe they deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve opportunity. IVAP gives talented veterans a path to build a rewarding second career while helping our dealers develop the skilled technicians they need to serve Isuzu customers today and for years to come.” IVAP connects transitioning Ser-
vice Members and Veterans with technician career opportunities at participating Isuzu dealerships across the United States. Working with ERS Elite, the program combines paid dealership employment with on-thejob learning, mentorship, Isuzu technical training and a structured apprenticeship pathway. The program is designed to recognize and build upon the considerable mechanical and technical skills that many service members develop while maintaining military vehicles, equipment, aircraft, power-generation systems, and other complex machinery. For veterans, the experience gained in uniform isn’t left behind when military service ends. Instead, their skills become the foundation of a new career with opportunities for professional development and technical certification, coupled with longterm earning potential. Three key phrases—disciplined veterans; structured training; and stronger shops—capture IVAP’s mission, but its purpose extends beyond filling open positions. The program is designed to create a repeatable career pathway for veterans to successfully make one of the most significant transitions of their lives, while providing Isuzu dealerships with access to individuals accustomed to working as part of a team, solving problems under pressure and taking responsibility for completing a mission. “Isuzu vehicles in America spans more than four decades due to strong relationships with our dealers, our customers and the communities they serve,” said Murakami. “Our commitment to the U.S. is a long-term commitment, and that includes investing in people. IVAP reflects the values we want to carry forward—respect for those who have served, the creation of opportunities for future generations, and continued investment in the people who will support our customers today and in the future.” For dealers, recruiting and retaining qualified commercial vehicle technicians is increasingly difficult as vehicle technology advances and
South 118 • October 2026 | Towman.com
the technician shortage grows. IVAP helps bridge the gap by connecting highly motivated candidates to Isuzu dealers. This enables dealers to expand service capacity, improve shop productivity, reduce recruiting and turnover, and develop individuals who can grow a career with their businesses. Commercial trucks are essential working assets—and for many Isuzu customers, their livelihood. When a truck is out of service, businesses lose productivity, revenue, and the ability to serve their own customers, creating ripple effects across their customers’ operations as well. As commercial vehicles become more advanced—with electronics, emissions systems, alternative powertrains and diagnostic technology— the need for highly-trained service teams continues to grow. Developing more technicians who can efficiently diagnose, maintain, and repair vehicles maximizes customers’ uptime while enhancing their ownership experience. For Isuzu, IVAP represents purpose in action. It transforms the tremendous potential of America’s veterans and the strength of the partnerships behind the program into lasting opportunity—for veterans beginning a new chapter, for dealers building stronger service organizations, and for customers who depend on skilled technicians to keep their businesses moving. It is also a reflection of Isuzu’s purpose, “Moving the World – for You,” and the belief that those words extend far beyond Isuzu vehicles. They represent a commitment to the people, businesses and communities Isuzu serves—and to creating opportunities that will make a difference for years to come. Visit www.erselite.com for more information.
Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com
by Don Lomax
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AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • South 119
South 120 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Episode 64
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to capitano@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • Midwest 115
News Flash Auto Delinquencies Remain Highest in Southeast
Tow Truck Driver Fighting to Walk Again After Crash
A Virginia tow truck driver is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while finishing a tow on I-264. Kelly Glanemann was securing the final strap on a vehicle on Aug. 1 near Newtown Road when a Toyota 4Runner crossed the line and struck her, according to her sister, Kirsten. “She was moments away from getting back in her truck and leaving, but she didn’t make it,” Kirsten said. The impact sent Glanemann flying and left her with serious injuries. Her family feared they might lose her, but she survived and is now facing a long recovery. Kirsten said Kelly has yet to regain the ability to walk or use her arms. Local tow truck operators from throughout Hampton Roads recently gathered to support Glanemann and recognize the dangers they face while working along busy roadways. “You really don’t know if you’re coming home every time you walk out the door,” Kirsten said. Virginia State Police charged the driver with reckless driving. Glanemann’s family hopes to push for stronger penalties and greater awareness of roadside workers. Source: youtube.com
Auto-loan delinquency rates continue to show significant geographic differences, with several Southeastern states posting elevated levels even after accounting for borrower credit quality. A state-by-state analysis by Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) found that four of the five highest rates of auto loans at least 60 days delinquent during the first half of 2026 were in the Southeast. Mississippi recorded the highest rate at 4.57%, followed by South Carolina at 4.54%, Georgia at 4.46%, New Mexico at 4.40% and Louisiana at 4.17%. By comparison, Vermont had the lowest rate at 1.50%. KBRA found the differences persisted after controlling for credit scores and securitization composition. Louisiana performed 77 basis points worse than expected, followed by Georgia at 60 basis points worse, Mississippi at 51, and South Carolina at 37. The findings suggest geography may be an important factor in auto-loan performance beyond traditional credit measures. For lenders, collectors and recovery companies, concentrated delinquency could eventually translate into geographically concentrated collections, charge-offs, and repossession activity. Source: CURepossession.com
Towman Sought After Fatal Kentucky Collision
Kentucky State Police are searching for a tow truck driver who left the scene of a fatal collision August 14 night in Bullitt County, Kentucky. Luis Gonzalez Perez, 34, of Louisville, was operating a wrecker that was towing a bobtail tractor when the crash occurred on Interstate 65 near mile marker 112. Police said the wrecker was positioned across all three northbound lanes as Perez attempted to make a U-turn to head north. A 2007 Ford Focus struck the wrecker during the maneuver. The car’s driver, Shawn Franklin, 43, of North Carolina, suffered severe injuries and
Midwest 116 • October 2026 | Towman.com
was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died. According to the preliminary investigation, the bobtail tractor had been parked on the shoulder facing north, while the tow truck was facing south to prepare for the recovery. KSP said Perez was not injured and left the scene after the crash. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies are searching for him. Charges are pending. Source: kentuckynewera.com
Isuzu and U.S. Department of Labor Celebrate Veterans Apprenticeship Program
Isuzu announced an important milestone in the company’s commitment to America’s Veterans and the future of the commercial transportation workforce. A formal signing ceremony recognized the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP) at the company’s Center of Excellence in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The ceremony brought together leaders from Isuzu companies, the U.S. Department of Labor, ERS Elite, and Isuzu’s nationwide dealer network to recognize a shared commitment: helping the men and women who have served the United States translate their military skills, discipline, and experience into rewarding longterm civilian careers. Participating in the ceremony were Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada; Yoshi Murakami, Chairman and CEO of Isuzu North America Corporation; and Marek Laco, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The event represents another step forward for a program created around a simple but powerful idea: America’s Veterans have already demonstrated the technical ability, leadership, accountability, and determination that employers need. IVAP provides a structured pathway to put those attributes to work in a growing industry that needs them. “Veterans have already answered
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • Midwest 117
one of the greatest calls anyone can answer—the call to serve their country,” said Skinner. “When that service ends, we believe they deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve opportunity. IVAP gives talented veterans a path to build a rewarding second career while helping our dealers develop the skilled technicians they need to serve Isuzu customers today and for years to come.” IVAP connects transitioning Service Members and Veterans with technician career opportunities at participating Isuzu dealerships across the United States. Working with ERS Elite, the program combines paid dealership employment with on-the-job learning, mentorship, Isuzu technical training and a structured apprenticeship pathway. The program is designed to recognize and build upon the considerable mechanical and technical skills that many service members develop while maintaining military vehicles, equipment, aircraft, power-generation systems, and other complex machinery. For veterans, the experience
gained in uniform isn’t left behind when military service ends. Instead, their skills become the foundation of a new career with opportunities for professional development and technical certification, coupled with long-term earning potential. Three key phrases—disciplined veterans; structured training; and stronger shops—capture IVAP’s mission, but its purpose extends beyond filling open positions. The program is designed to create a repeatable career pathway for veterans to successfully make one of the most significant transitions of their lives, while providing Isuzu dealerships with access to individuals accustomed to working as part of a team, solving problems under pressure and taking responsibility for completing a mission. “Isuzu vehicles in America spans more than four decades due to strong relationships with our dealers, our customers and the communities they serve,” said Murakami. “Our commitment to the U.S. is a long-term commitment, and that includes investing in people. IVAP reflects the values we
Midwest 118 • October 2026 | Towman.com
want to carry forward—respect for those who have served, the creation of opportunities for future generations, and continued investment in the people who will support our customers today and in the future.” For dealers, recruiting and retaining qualified commercial vehicle technicians is increasingly difficult as vehicle technology advances and the technician shortage grows. IVAP helps bridge the gap by connecting highly motivated candidates to Isuzu dealers. This enables dealers to expand service capacity, improve shop productivity, reduce recruiting and turnover, and develop individuals who can grow a career with their businesses. Commercial trucks are essential working assets—and for many Isuzu customers, their livelihood. When a truck is out of service, businesses lose productivity, revenue, and the ability to serve their own customers, creating ripple effects across their customers’ operations as well. As commercial vehicles become more advanced—with electronics, emissions systems, alternative powertrains and diagnostic technology—the need for highly-trained service teams continues to grow. Developing more technicians who can efficiently diagnose, maintain, and repair vehicles maximizes customers’ uptime while enhancing their ownership experience. For Isuzu, IVAP represents purpose in action. It transforms the tremendous potential of America’s veterans and the strength of the partnerships behind the program into lasting opportunity—for veterans beginning a new chapter, for dealers building stronger service organizations, and for customers who depend on skilled technicians to keep their businesses moving. It is also a reflection of Isuzu’s purpose, “Moving the World – for You,” and the belief that those words extend far beyond Isuzu vehicles. They represent a commitment to the people, businesses and communities Isuzu serves—and to creating opportunities that will make a difference for years to come. Visit www.erselite.com for more information.
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • Midwest 119
Midwest 120 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Episode 64
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to capitano@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • West 115
News Flash Auto Delinquencies Remain Highest in Southeast
Tow Truck Driver Fighting to Walk Again After Crash
A Virginia tow truck driver is recovering in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle while finishing a tow on I-264. Kelly Glanemann was securing the final strap on a vehicle on Aug. 1 near Newtown Road when a Toyota 4Runner crossed the line and struck her, according to her sister, Kirsten. “She was moments away from getting back in her truck and leaving, but she didn’t make it,” Kirsten said. The impact sent Glanemann flying and left her with serious injuries. Her family feared they might lose her, but she survived and is now facing a long recovery. Kirsten said Kelly has yet to regain the ability to walk or use her arms. Local tow truck operators from throughout Hampton Roads recently gathered to support Glanemann and recognize the dangers they face while working along busy roadways. “You really don’t know if you’re coming home every time you walk out the door,” Kirsten said. Virginia State Police charged the driver with reckless driving. Glanemann’s family hopes to push for stronger penalties and greater awareness of roadside workers. Source: youtube.com
Auto-loan delinquency rates continue to show significant geographic differences, with several Southeastern states posting elevated levels even after accounting for borrower credit quality. A state-by-state analysis by Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) found that four of the five highest rates of auto loans at least 60 days delinquent during the first half of 2026 were in the Southeast. Mississippi recorded the highest rate at 4.57%, followed by South Carolina at 4.54%, Georgia at 4.46%, New Mexico at 4.40% and Louisiana at 4.17%. By comparison, Vermont had the lowest rate at 1.50%. KBRA found the differences persisted after controlling for credit scores and securitization composition. Louisiana performed 77 basis points worse than expected, followed by Georgia at 60 basis points worse, Mississippi at 51, and South Carolina at 37. The findings suggest geography may be an important factor in auto-loan performance beyond traditional credit measures. For lenders, collectors and recovery companies, concentrated delinquency could eventually translate into geographically concentrated collections, chargeoffs, and repossession activity. Source: CURepossession.com
Towman Sought After Fatal Kentucky Collision
Kentucky State Police are searching for a tow truck driver who left the scene of a fatal collision August 14 night in Bullitt County, Kentucky. Luis Gonzalez Perez, 34, of Louisville, was operating a wrecker that was towing a bobtail tractor when the crash occurred on Interstate 65 near mile marker 112. Police said the wrecker was positioned across
West 116 • October 2026 | Towman.com
all three northbound lanes as Perez attempted to make a U-turn to head north. A 2007 Ford Focus struck the wrecker during the maneuver. The car’s driver, Shawn Franklin, 43, of North Carolina, suffered severe injuries and was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he later died. According to the preliminary investigation, the bobtail tractor had been parked on the shoulder facing north, while the tow truck was facing south to prepare for the recovery. KSP said Perez was not injured and left the scene after the crash. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies are searching for him. Charges are pending. Source: kentuckynewera.com
Isuzu and U.S. Department of Labor Celebrate Veterans Apprenticeship Program
Isuzu announced an important milestone in the company’s commitment to America’s Veterans and the future of the commercial transportation workforce. A formal signing ceremony recognized the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP) at the company’s Center of Excellence in Pittston, Pennsylvania. The ceremony brought together leaders from Isuzu companies, the U.S. Department of Labor, ERS Elite, and Isuzu’s nationwide dealer network to recognize a shared commitment: helping the men and women who have served the United States translate their military skills, discipline, and experience into rewarding long-term civilian careers. Participating in the ceremony were Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada; Yoshi Murakami, Chairman and CEO of Isuzu North America Corporation; and Marek Laco, Acting Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department
◀
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • West 117
of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The event represents another step forward for a program created around a simple but powerful idea: America’s Veterans have already demonstrated the technical ability, leadership, accountability, and determination that employers need. IVAP provides a structured pathway to put those attributes to work in a growing industry that needs them. “Veterans have already answered one of the greatest calls anyone can answer—the call to serve their country,” said Skinner. “When that service ends, we believe they deserve more than our gratitude. They deserve opportunity. IVAP gives talented veterans a path to build a rewarding second career while helping our dealers develop the skilled technicians they need to serve Isuzu customers today and for years to come.” IVAP connects transitioning Service Members and Veterans with technician career opportunities at participating Isuzu dealerships across the United States. Working with ERS Elite, the program combines paid dealership employment with on-the-job learning, mentorship, Isuzu technical training and a structured apprenticeship pathway. The program is designed to recognize and build upon the considerable mechanical and technical skills that many service members develop while maintaining military vehicles, equipment, aircraft, power-generation systems, and other complex machinery. For veterans, the experience gained in uniform isn’t left behind when military service ends. Instead, their skills become the foundation of a new career with opportunities for professional development and technical certification, coupled with long-term earning potential. Three key phrases—disciplined veterans; structured training; and stronger shops—capture IVAP’s mission, but its purpose extends beyond filling open positions. The program is designed to create a repeatable career pathway for veterans to successfully make one of the most significant transitions of their lives, while providing Isuzu dealerships with access to individuals accus-
◀
West 118 • October 2026 | Towman.com
Work the non-traffic side - Stay Safe!
AmericanTowman.com | October 2026 • West 119
tomed to working as part of a team, solving problems under pressure and taking responsibility for completing a mission. “Isuzu vehicles in America spans more than four decades due to strong relationships with our dealers, our customers and the communities they serve,” said Murakami. “Our commitment to the U.S. is a long-term commitment, and that includes investing in people. IVAP reflects the values we want to carry forward—respect for those who have served, the creation of opportunities for future generations, and continued investment in the people who will support our customers today and in the future.” For dealers, recruiting and retaining qualified commercial vehicle technicians is increasingly difficult as vehicle technology advances and the technician shortage grows. IVAP helps bridge the gap by connecting highly motivated candidates to Isuzu dealers. This enables dealers to expand service capacity, improve
shop productivity, reduce recruiting and turnover, and develop individuals who can grow a career with their businesses. Commercial trucks are essential working assets—and for many Isuzu customers, their livelihood. When a truck is out of service, businesses lose productivity, revenue, and the ability to serve their own customers, creating ripple effects across their customers’ operations as well. As commercial vehicles become more advanced—with electronics, emissions systems, alternative powertrains and diagnostic technology— the need for highly-trained service teams continues to grow. Developing more technicians who can efficiently diagnose, maintain, and repair vehicles maximizes customers’ uptime while enhancing their ownership experience. For Isuzu, IVAP represents purpose in action. It transforms the tremendous potential of America’s veterans and the strength of the part-
West 120 • October 2026 | Towman.com
nerships behind the program into lasting opportunity—for veterans beginning a new chapter, for dealers building stronger service organizations, and for customers who depend on skilled technicians to keep their businesses moving. It is also a reflection of Isuzu’s purpose, “Moving the World – for You,” and the belief that those words extend far beyond Isuzu vehicles. They represent a commitment to the people, businesses and communities Isuzu serves—and to creating opportunities that will make a difference for years to come. Visit www.erselite.com for more information.
Find us on Facebook Read more towing news at towman.com
Episode 64
Copyright©2021 American Towman Magazine. Characters and stories are fictitious; no resemblance to real life characters is intended.
Send your thoughts/suggestions on the Adventures to capitano@towman.com or American Towman, 2 Overlook Dr #5, Warwick NY 10990