The Week's Features

Towman Hettmann Struck and Killed in Wisconsin

Towman hit on I-41 in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, Jan. 11.

Homemade wrecker promotes pride of ownership

Jerr-Dan’s JD10XLP Carrier

Dual operating box, other features standout on new carrier

Sensibar is Finalist for Award

Author of book on towman highway memorials up for Viola Award

Concrete Beam Lift

Tractor-trailer with an 80,000-lbs. concrete beam rolled-over

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Dec. 4-8, 2019

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American Towman Magazine Presents the Week in TowingJanuary 16 - January 22, 2019

Remembering 9/11 and More

This week we give remembrance on the 12th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks to the men, women and children who lost their lives. As well as the heroes that responded to the tragedy.

This tow truck is a 2012 Kenworth with a Jerr-Dan 16-ton wrecker, belonging to Westway Towing of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They have wrapped their truck with evocative imagery in giving remembrance to that tragic day in U.S. history.

“Our 9/11 truck to remember this disaster clearly says ‘NEVER FORGET 9/11,’ and shows our support to our emergency responder partners,” said Westway owner Craig Goldstein. “Other imagery includes the famous raising of the American flag by three firefighters, a portrait of a firefighter, and a scene of piled rubble.”

Westway Towing likes to support different causes, expressing their feelings through their truck designs. They have designed a breast cancer awareness truck in memory of one of their long-time friends and recently purchased a 60-ton rotator that is a rolling salute to our troops.

“We recognize all of the armed forces on this truck,” Goldstein said. “We actually had a three-star general call me to say, ‘Thanks.’ ”

Westway Towing opened in 1990, starting with a 1975 Dodge dually with a 220 Holmes electric over hydraulic towing unit and has grown leaps and bounds since then. Today, with more than 115 trucks purchased over a 22-year period and towing for 11 cities and every major highway in their area, they have amassed equipment for all occasions, including a 75-ton rotator and a hazmat cleanup tanker truck.

“We have a sister company that picks up waste vegetable oil from local restaurants and converts it with our 1.5 million gallon a year bio diesel plant,” Goldstein said. “Our trucks run on a mixture of biodiesel fuel and is a big part of our sustainability rating.”

Next up for Westway is a new 50-ton truck to be dedicated to autism.

“These trucks I design personally and the satisfaction of watching people’s eyes come out of their head when they see the trucks pass them is worth all the hard work it takes to create,” Goldstein said. “The smiles and sometimes emotional tears are brought out at every parade and function we attend.”

Shamrocks Celebrate Kids

By George L. Nitti

In Holyoke, Massachusetts, the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the country (New York City's is the largest) will take place. More than 400,000 people are expected to attend.

Founded by Bernard "Red" Sheehan in 1958, Red's Towing Transport and Recovery in Springfield will continue its tradition of sponsoring the event, enabling Holyoke's high school band to perform while showcasing their Irish pride with their 2014 Western Star/Century 60-ton rotator.

They mark this special occasion by dolling up their rotator with shamrocks, a symbol of Ireland that represents the Holy Trinity, as well as standing for faith, love and hope.

According to General Manager Chad Willard, who is also the driver, the shamrock decals are placed all over the truck just before the event. Each shamrock contains very special names: the children of the employees that work at Red's.

"The kids go to the event and can see their names on the truck. It's a family event that everyone goes to," said Willard, whose children Ava, 9, and Garret, 11, are among the names displayed. "Every year the truck gets a great response, and the crowds love it."

Contrasting the green shamrocks is the unit's all-black body, with the company name in large, bold red lettering that tilts upward on the side door of the unit. The boom is painted red, balancing to the overall color scheme of the truck.

The company boasts more than 30 pieces of equipment, including six heavy-duty units.

"This rotator is used every day," Willard said. "The Western Star holds the ground well and its frame is very strong."

The shamrocks are left on for about a month after the event.

"At the end of a month or so," Willard stated, "we take the decals off as we don't want to leave the outline markings of the shamrock to do damage to the paint."

Brag @ TIW!
Should your truck be featured here? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at bdooley@towman.com . You might even be selected to go in print, too, in American Towman magazine!

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