The Week's Features

Show floor crowds were robust all weekend.

City suspended three companies with alleged ties to Gasper Fiore

On the Wild Side

Colors and shapes work together in an explosive backdrop

Medium-Duty Storage Option from Miller

Provides additional storage for certain medium-duty wreckers

Overturned Gasoline Tanker

DeFalco’s recovers leaking overturned gasoline tanker

Digital Edition

Events

Las Vegas, NV.
May 9-11, 2018

Tow Expo Dallas

Dallas, TX.
August 16-18, 2018

AT Exposition

Baltimore, MD.
Nov. 16-18, 2018

Don't Miss It!

Customer service has become a lost art. How often does your business even get a thank you nowadays? In his Management Conference seminar, “Putting the ‘Service’ Back in Customer Service,” Don K. Hudson of Troy Auto Care will share his ideas. His tow company has won several awards, including the prestigious “Service Providers of Excellence Award" from AAA for five years in a row. His session will take place at Tow Expo-Dallas, August 16-18, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. towexpodfw.com

atshowplace.com

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American Towman Magazine Presents the Week in TowingMay 23 - May 29, 2018

'Pretty Black Tow Trucks'

By GEORGE L. NITTI

Since 1985, S&R Towing, with eight locations in northern San Diego County, Calif., has evolved significantly, now with 40 trucks in its extensive fleet. At the recent Tow Industry Week at the American Towman ShowPlace-Las Vegas, S&R showcased one of their newer heavy-duty black trucks, a 2012 Peterbilt with a Century 1040 rotator in the wrecker pageant.

Their all-black trucks have made a huge impact.

"Everybody knows us as the company with the black tow trucks. When we started out, everyone had a white truck. As a AAA-preferred provider, we were encouraged to adopt their blue-and-white image, but we decided to stick to our black colors," Russell said. "One AAA representative even said, 'You guys are the ones with the pretty black tow trucks.' "

It's a beautiful all-black truck with a strong logo that stands out above the rest.

"The logo started as an airbrushed S&R and changed throughout the years to a hand-painted one, evolving into what it is today with an arch in it," said owner Rusty Russell. "We found that the silver has the look that we were trying to get from the gold, and the blue stripe is reflectorized. [At] night, it just lights up."

"Pretty black tow trucks" are only part of the success story of S&R's journey from a one-truck operation. One key factor to their success was innovation.

"Like everybody in the business, it's an every-day challenge. You have to change with the times and be innovative," said Russell. "In early '90s, we were the only company in the area that had mobile data terminals in the trucks, working off of an 800 two-way radio. I could see back then that if I could get each truck to do one more tow a day, it would be cost-effective to purchase that kind of a system."

Russell keeps a hands-on involvement with the company.

"By getting into the truck, my employees can count on me to assist, knowing that I've got their back. They know they are not going to be working alone, which creates a tighter bond between us," Russell said.

S&R may be back to AT ShowPlace-Las Vegas next year.

"Vegas is a good place to have a show because there is so much to do outside of a tow show," Russell said. "If you want to bring your family, you can, because there are other things the family can do."

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!

No Pictures, Just All Decals

By George L. Nitti

With tornados slicing through South Carolina this past week, SDR Towing in West Columbia and its newly acquired 2018 Kenworth W900 Twin Steer/Century 1075S rotator has been busy in the recovery effort.

David McGee, who founded the company in 2009, said the truck recently arrived from Zip's in Iowa.

SDR stands for Southern Diesel Repair, and was a service that McGee specialized in until he entered the towing business. Seeing an opportunity, McGee and his wife started a towing business that has grown significantly to some two dozen trucks.

"Often I would provide road service to diesel trucks that had broken down and found that there were tow trucks not available to come out. ... I don't like customers sitting on the side of the road," McGee said.

For about a month and a half, McGee worked with Dendy Hill Graphics of Tennessee until he was satisfied with the design. It's strikingly bold for its original colors. The design is done in all decals and is set atop a black background.

"I wanted it where people could memorize the name," McGee said. "I wanted it to stand out. Everybody talks about our trucks."

The SDR logo stands out clearly on the side of the unit. It's written in a chrome color against a deep blue background, with a metal cut-out design accentuating the perimeter of the graphic.

The vibrant Kawasaki green and deep blue striping are especially appealing, and a couple of eye-popping yellow stripes add further contrast.

The chromeplating found on the boom, with the company name embossed, is also a special touch.

"I didn't want a lot of pictures on it," McGee said. "I wanted people to be able to read our letters and phone number. The truck really stands out at night, as it is all reflective. People are always videoing our truck when we're driving down the road."

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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