The Week's Features

Van trailer loaded with potatoes gets stuck on highway

Lincoln Towing to Continue Operating for Now

Company will challenge decision to revoke its license

Access Tools’ Bullets Ease Wheel Service

Designed to ease wheel service for European vehicles

Florida Investigating Marlin Financial

Accused of saddling consumers with excessive debt

Resplendent Design

It’s like a peacock with brilliant colors

Digital Edition

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Dallas, TX.
August 16-18, 2018

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Nov. 16-18, 2018

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American Towman Magazine Presents the Week in TowingSeptember 19 - September 25, 2018

With a Western Flair

By George L. Nitti

During the Spirit Ride's successful campaign through Nebraska last week, Lone Tree Towing & Recovery, with locations in Aurora, Central City and Grand Island, participated with one of their wreckers: an attention-grabbing 2007 Peterbilt 378 /Century 9055 50-ton.

It made an impact in supporting the cause to bring awareness to the Move Over law.

One of the unit's most striking features was the large company name written across the side of the unit in a bold Western typeface.

"My family has always been involved in the rodeo," owner Troy Wells said, "and Western lettering is something I like. Most every small town and fairgrounds in Nebraska has a rodeo. It's very popular here."

The company name came about as Wells and his wife were living in Central City, which in the mid-19th Century was called Lone Tree.

"Legend has it that the Lone Tree's name sprung from a cottonwood tree that could be seen from miles," Wells said. "Pioneers traveling westward marked it with carvings. Eventually it became a landmark and other local companies have used the name. That's how we came up with our name."

The reflective lettering of the company name sits on top of a sprawling image of the American flag, adding dimension and good old-fashioned American spirit.

"After Hours Grafix did the wrap," Wells said. "I think they did a really good job. The flag gets a lot of attention. We do a lot of parades in the summer, especially the Fourth of July, so it fits right in."

The mostly white unit has a few red lines for contrast that also blend with the imagery.

The back of the unit is decked out with a reflective chevron lettering on the back and additional Move-Over messaging.

Wells said, "This year we lost one of our customers who was hit roadside. It's making us step up our game to promote safety."

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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