NEW JERSEY -- Motorists who break down on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway will soon pay $10 more to have their vehicles towed.

The increase, which raises the basic towing fee to $60, will take effect later this year. It marks the first time the fee has been raised since 1989.

Unlike other highways in New Jersey, the two toll roads are only open to tow truck operators who win contracts with highway officials. The basic fee covers a 10-mile tow, or more if the breakdown occurs farther from the tow truck's garage.

The costs of other services covered under the towing contracts, such as jumping a dead battery, will not increase. And drivers whose vehicles are kept overnight at a tower's garage will not have to pay a storage fee for the first 24 hours.

The contracts divide the two roads into small segments, with 37 firms having jurisdiction for various parts of the turnpike and 14 companies handling the parkway. The new fee will be imposed once the new contracts are awarded this year.

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

TENNESSEE -- A Knoxville law firm is contesting the removal of Jim Erwin Wrecker Service and Meeks Towing from the Bentonville Police Department's towing company list.

Michael P. McGovern of the law firm Ayres & Parkey in Knoxville, Tenn., sent a letter dated Monday to Police Chief James Allen.

The attorney requests that Erwin Wrecker Service and Meeks Towing "be immediately reinstated to the BPD nonconsensual towing list."

The letter states that Jim Erwin has not been found guilty of any criminal charges. McGovern also states that the suspension of Erwin and Meeks towing companies from the list is a "flagrant violation of Mr. Erwin's right to substantive due process."

Camille Thompson, Bentonville staff attorney, said Tuesday she is drafting a response to McGovern's letter.

"Obviously, I don't agree with his legal opinion," Thompson said.

Erwin faces two misdemeanor charges, deceptive trade practices and disorderly conduct. He is scheduled to answer those charges March 9 in Bentonville District Court.

Thompson said the city is investigating Erwin Towing and more information is being gathered. In addition, Thompson said the city does not have contracts with towing companies and has not accepted bids from towing companies.

Rather, area towing companies are on a list at Bentonville's dispatching center, and dispatchers are to rotate who is called, to evenly distribute business among towing companies.

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW JERSEY -- The future of municipal towing in Bayonne hit another roadblock Wednesday night, when the City Council put off making a decision on a new licensing system that would replace the old practice of awarding city contracts.

After hearing the concerns of two competing towing firms, the council members said revisions should be made to an ordinance that would establish a licensing procedure for private towing firms that work with the city's police on removing vehicles that are abandoned or involved in an accident.

The ordinance would eliminate the old bidding system, in which the city's contract was awarded to the bidder with the lowest cumulative towing cost. Instead, the city would license multiple towers to work on a weekly rotating basis as well as set the rates that they could charge the public.

These rates were at the heart of the criticism brought by the separate attorneys for Pete's Towing and Mark's Advanced Towing, both of which are currently working alternate weeks under an "emergency contract" with the city.

"The rates are a little low," said Martin Picillo, the attorney for Mark's. His client and Pete's are earning $75 for towing a car after an accident. But, under the proposed ordinance, the public would have to pay $40 for the same job.

Douglas Francis, the attorney for Pete's, said the proposed rates represented an "inadequate, under-market value." He told the council that the rates should be more aligned with those in Jersey City, where a standard tow fee after an accident is $80.

City Law Director John Coffey II said the rates were lowered to match the towing costs in communities such as North Bergen and Kearny, since they more closely resemble Bayonne in terms of size.

The uniform rates for other work, such as towing heavy-duty vehicles or changing a tire, must also be defined, council members said.

Picillo also questioned two significant changes that the ordinance makes to the current towing procedure.

While Bayonne residents are able to retrieve their cars from the towers' lots on a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week basis, the new ordinance would limit the retrieval time to regular business hours.

Council President Vincent Lo Re Jr. agreed with Picillo, saying that an amended ordinance should retain the 24/7 tradition, since the public is used to it.

Picillo's second concern was a clause in the ordinance that allows towing firms that are based within one mile outside the city to apply for a license.

"I don't know why you'd want to hurt the people in this town," Picillo said, adding that it would be a burden for people to have to travel to some other community for their vehicles.

Councilman-at-large Anthony Chiappone also said he would like to see this matter revised. "I don't feel that any resident in the city of Bayonne should have to travel out of town to get their car," he said.

In the amended ordinance, the licensing procedure may be limited to towing firms within Bayonne, but each would still have to meet the proper criteria, including the type of equipment and storage space that each firm utilizes. Each licensed firm would also have to respond to the scene of an accident within 20 minutes, Coffey said.

There will be no limit on the number of towers that can be licensed and squeezed into a rotating schedule, but licenses would have to be renewed every year.

"I think this is a great jumping-off point," Coffey said at the end of the hearing. With these changes, he hopes the new ordinance will keep the city out of court. For the past seven consecutive years, squabbles with bidders over municipal contract awards have smothered the city in litigation, he said. (William Wichert - The Jersey Journal)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

KENTUCKY -- Magnum-force abandoned vehicle legislation hits the state capital, as towers and legislators take aim on abandoned vehicles. HB 357 was introduced in Frankfort by Representatives Rick Rand of Bedford, Royce Adams of Dry Ridge, Jim Callahan of Wilder and Jon Draud of Edgewood Thursday, January 22. The bill, which amends, repeals and reenacts several KY statutes, will penalize drivers who abandon vehicles on the state's highways and city streets.

The legislation, presented to legislators by the Towing and Recovery Association of Kentucky, seeks to relieve towing companies of the burden of storing and disposing of abandoned vehicles, and the lengthy time interval that statutes currently require them to be stored. It is also seen as a safety initiative, as abandoned vehicles on the motorways present a hazard to drivers and to the environment.

The bill directs law enforcement officials to notify abandoned vehicle owners of their responsibilities for removal of abandoned vehicles from the roadways, and of the potential fines for failure to comply. The bill establishes stiff penalties for the abandonment of vehicles, but allows the fines to be waived if the vehicles are redeemed and reclaimed promptly. Those penalties may include suspension of driving privileges and the inability to register automobile licenses.

Scott Burrows, President of the towing association, says the bill is long overdue. "Towing companies have suffered the economic hardships of being the state's scrap collectors for years. We are seeking to place that financial responsibility on the appropriate parties, those who choose to litter the state's roadways with junk automobiles. Towers feel that littering a highway with inoperative cars should carry penalties just like throwing trash out the window of a vehicle."

Burrows further comments, "Representative Rand has carefully considered the needs of the towing community, and has worked closely with the Legislative Research Commission to draft proposed legislation that fairly places the responsibility of junk cars on their owners. We commend Rep. Rand on his thorough preparation of this meaningful bill; he (Rep. Rand) is our 'knight in shining armor.'

For more information, contact the Towing & Recovery Association of Kentucky -- PO Box 35155, Louisville, KY. 40232 -- (866) 869-8255 (Thanks Scott)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

WEST VIRGINIA -- A proposed 911 written wrecker dispatch policy containing provisions for call-out to be on a rotation basis has been submitted to Wood County commissioners for consideration.

"All the wrecker companies, but one, 11 of them were at the meeting, and we went over the policy that has been sent to the commissioners for their approval, and all agreed it was a workable policy now. We've always had a verbal policy, but it wasn't in writing. When we became a 911 center we were required to have a written policy. This is just a written version of what was already being done, and it spells out a little better so there's no confusion. Law enforcement officers also met with me and agreed it appears to be a workable policy," said Duane Jones, E911 deputy director.

State code requires counties or cities operating an emergency telephone system to establish a policy that provides for the most prompt, fair, equitable and effective response to requests or dispatches for emergency towing services. This is to be done every three years, according to the code. There was no written policy, only a verbal one for wrecker dispatch in the county. But, once the 911 center came on board, a written policy was needed. Jones said the need for a written policy was raised to the 911 advisory board and a subcommittee was assigned to come up with such a policy.

The original proposal was presented to commissioners in August and met with objections by wrecker service operators present. The operators said they had not been included in the 911 advisory board subcommittee that came up with the proposal and did not like the call-out procedure, which was for the closest available wrecker to be dispatched unless another service was requested by the police officer at the scene. Wrecker policy had previously been to dispatch the wreckers on a rotating basis, operators said.

"When I started in this business about two years ago, it was a rotation list, that's fair to everyone," Dan Sayres of Sayres Towing of Waverly commented at the August meeting.

"If you do this by geography in districts, you're actually going to have regions that don't have a towing service in them," Becky Blair of Parkersburg Wrecker pointed out in August.

During the August meeting, commission President Rick Modesitt said since a majority of the accidents occur in Parkersburg and Vienna, sending the closest service, as then proposed "would eliminate a lot of people."

The policy was sent back to the 911 subcommittee. "After reviewing concerns brought forward at the commission meeting and several suggestions made by the wrecker company representatives the proposed policy was rewritten," Jones told commissioners. (Pamela Brust - NewsandSentinel.com)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

Ford: For the 2004 model year, Ford is expanding customer choices in its medium-duty F-650 and F-750 line. For example, there will be 38 instead of 11 wheelbase options, providing a wheelbase to accommodate nearly all types of truck bodies. Five chassis heights (ground to top of frame) will be available, ranging from 28 to 37 in. For improved traction, Ford is adding differential lock axles that engage both wheels. Air brakes will be available in GVWRs down to 20,000 lb., and hydraulic brakes will be offered in GVWRs up to 33,000 lb.

Engine options have also been expanded. International Truck & Engine Corp.'s Power Stroke diesel engine, produced exclusively for Ford, will be available in four power ratings; two power ratings have been added to the Caterpillar options; and Cummins engines will continue to be available. www.ford.com

Freightliner: Freightliner LLC has added two new models, the M2 100 and M2 112, to its medium-duty Business Class line. Available in GVWRs from 16,000 to 26,000 lb., the M2 100 and comes standard with a Mercedes-Benz MBE900 engine. Four- and 6-cyl. versions are available with horsepower ratings from 170 to 250. Transmissions available include the Mercedes-Benz MBT 6-sp. manual; Eaton-Fuller 6- or 7-sp. manuals; and Allison automatics. Front axle ratings range from 6,000 to 10,000 lb; rear axles from 10,000 to 17,500 lb.

The M2 112 has a 112-in.-BBC measurement and is available in GVW ratings up to 66,000 lb. M2 112 options include a factory-installed crew cab and extended cab. Available as truck or tractor, the M2 112 offers front axles rated from 12,000 lb. to 20,000 lb. and rear axles up to 46,000 lb. Freightliner's AirLiner rear suspension and heavy-duty TufTrac suspensions with ratings of 40,000 lb. and 46,000 lb. are optional. The M2 112 boasts a 1,200-sq.-in. radiator and standard Mercedes-Benz MBE4000 engine with horsepower ratings to 450 hp. Caterpillar engines are optional. Transmissions choices are Eaton Fuller AutoShift and manual 10- and 13-sp. and Allison HD Series automatics.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. has launched a Straight Rail (SR) version of its MT-45 diesel chassis. A new 8-in. tall steel straight-rail frame enhances overall strength and reliability . GVWRs range between 14,140 and 19,000 lb ; payload capacity is 10,000 lb.

And Freightliner LLC is bringing the Class 6&7 Unimog U500 to the U.S. and Canada for specialized vocational applications. It will come in two GVWs, 26,000 or 33,000 lb., and with standard 132-in. or optional 154-in. wheelbase. www.freightliner.com

General Motors: After turning its new medium-duty chassis — the GMT560 — into the Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick models last year, GM will offer a new factory-built four-door crew cab for its ‘04 C5500 Chevy Kodiak/GMC TopKick models, holding up to six people. Later this year, the crew cab will be offered in GVWRs ranging from 16,500 to 61,000 lb., in a variety of wheelbases, and with gasoline or diesel engines. Two additional GVW ratings, 22,000 and 25,950 lb., provide the kind of payload capacity previously available only on larger Class 6 trucks.

Medium-duty product Manager Mike Eaves says that GM's Duramax diesel engine for the Kodiak and TopKick models would be compliant with the new ‘04 emissions regulations, as will the Caterpillar C-7, which is offered as an option.

The Kodiak and TopKick C4500-C5500 Series (Class 4-5) trucks are available in regular and commercial cutaway chassis cabs, as well as vocational applications. The C4500 has a GVWR of 16,000 lb., while the C5500 comes in 18,000 and 19,500 GVWR versions. The heavier end of the Kodiak/TopKick line includes the C6500, C7500 and C8500 Series, with. GVWRs ranging from 19,501 to 61,000 lb.

In ‘04, the Chevy/GMC T-Series low-cab-forward line (Class 6-8) will have a new chassis and feature a number of components currently found on GM's conventional C-Series. A new tandem-axle model, rated up to 56,000 lb. GVW, will be rolled out early next year, as well as a new tractor model. Changes to the chassis and frame will mean that the T-Series vehicles can take a wider range of truck bodies. The Duramax 7800 diesel is the engine spec for the T-Series. In addition to the current 250-hp. model, 275- and 300-hp. versions will be released in ‘04. www.chevrolet.com and www.gmc.com

Hino: The big news from Hino Diesel Trucks is that it will offer a conventional cab in 2004. Details will not be divulged until later in the year, however. For now, Class 4-7 cabovers remain the company's primary product line.

Hino's Class 4 FA4J Series have GVWRS of 15,000 lb., and are powered by 4-cyl. diesel engine using 5-sp. direct-drive synchromesh transmissions or 4-sp. Allison AT542 automatics. Capacity for the FA has increased, with wheelbases now ranging from 115 in. to 165 in.

GVWR for the Class 5 FB4J Series is 17,600 lb., and the trucks are powered by 4-cyl. diesel engines.

In Class 6, Hino offers the FD2J Series and the FE2J Series. GVWR is 23,000 lb., and wheelbase options range from 148 in. to 217 in. to accommodate 16- to 24-ft. bodies. FE vehicles have a GVWR of 25,995 lb., and can accommodate 16- to 28-ft. bodies.

Hino's Class 7 offerings include the FF2J Series and SG2J Series. The FF, designed for 18- to 26-ft. bodies, has a GVWR of 30,000 lb. GVWR for the SG2J Series is 32,900 lb., and a wheelbase of 244 in. accommodates 19- to 28-ft. bodies. SGs have 4-valve overhead cams, 6-cyl. diesel engines, and an engine-driven PTO option available on trucks with manual or automatic transmissions. www.hino.com

Hyundai: A new entry to the market this year is Hyundai Truck America (HTA). In the past, Hyundai marketed its truck cabs through the now-defunct Bering Truck Corp. HTA is taking over where Bering left off, but is moving into the medium-duty market slowly, offering chassis in two vehicle classes.

The Class 4 HLD150 and Class 6 HMD230 and HMD260 trucks are all cabovers. Standard features include ABS brakes, air conditioning, tilt/telescopic steering column, cruise control, front- and rear-axle shock absorbers, power windows and door locks, air suspension for the driver's seat, and reading lamps for drivers and passengers.

The HLD150 is powered by a 160-hp. DDC 638 engine and equipped with an Allison AT542 4-sp. automatic transmission; GVWR is 14,510-lb. The HMD230 (23,000-lb. GVWR) and HMD260 (25,510-lb. GVWR) are powered by 215-hp.Cummins ISB engines. Transmissions for are ZF 6S-850 6-sp. synchronized overdrive manuals. The HMD230 is offered in five wheelbases, the HMD260 in two.

International: International Truck & Engine Corp.'s latest addition to its medium-duty 4000 Series is the International 4400 4×2 Mid Cab tractor. The OEM said it is “engineered for urban and regional applications where the vehicle mission requires more than 10% bobtailing.” Standard power for the 4400 is the International DT466 diesel rated 215 hp. and 620 lb.-ft. of torque; DT466 engines with ratings up to 250 hp., and DT530 engines with ratings up to 300 hp. are options.

International says the 4400 offersoutstanding maneuverability, a commanding view of the road, exceptional serviceability, excellent fuel economy and superior powertrain performance. Standard features include a cab air suspension; and a parabolic, taper-leaf front suspension system with tuned shock absorbers. In addition, the truck features a lighter, stronger frame backed by a seven-year limited warranty.

“The International 4400 Mid Cab tractor represents the logical extension of our medium-duty product line into urban and regional applications that desire economical diesel power and productivity delivered in a durable and serviceable on-highway tractor,” said David Johanneson, group vp & gm of International's Medium Vehicle Center. www.nav-international.com

Isuzu: For model-year 2004, the Isuzu F-Series low-cab-forward line (Class 6-8) will have a new chassis and feature a number of components currently found on GM's conventional C-Series models. The company will roll out a new tandem-axle model early next year, rated up to 56,000-lb. GVW, as well as a new tractor model. Single-axle models with GVWRs of 19,501- 39,000 lb. are also offered. Changes to the chassis and frame will enable these vehicles to accept a wider range of truck bodies.

The F-Series is currently powered by Isuzu's 6HK1 7.8-L engine, with horsepower ratings of 200 to 250; a 275- to 300-hp. rating will be available early next year. The engine can be slotted to deliver multiple torque outputs, ranging from 520 to 860 lb.-ft., depending on the application.

New to the FTR, FTV and FXR models for ‘04 will be Allison automatic transmissions (2000 series, MD 3060 and 3560), improved brake systems, 19.5- and 22.5-in. wheels, traction control, and a 16,000-lb. front axle.

Isuzu's medium-duty lineup also includes three Class 3-5 N-Series low cab forwards (NPR, NPR HD, and NQR), with crew cab options on the NPR HD and NQR. The NPR and NPR HD are available with diesel or gasoline engines; the NQR with diesel only. www.isuzucv.com

Kenworth: Kenworth Truck Co. has made numerous improvements to its T300 medium-duty conventional. The T300 is available as a single or tandem-axle straight truck or tractor in a variety of wheelbases, with air or hydraulic brakes, in GVWs from 26,000 to 54,000 lb.

Biggest news is the creation of an aftermarket crew cab conversion for the T300 in conjunction with Bentz Transport Products. Standard features include a one-piece fiberglass roof with a 4-in. raised rear section that provides 62 in. of height in the interior. The rest of the crew cab is constructed of aluminum, with a 52-in. long addition and 84-in. width at the rear. The crew cab has a 157-in. BBC and features Kenworth Daylite door assemblies and door panels, granite gray vinyl interior trim, interior upper B-pillar and exterior grab handles and DuPont Imron 5000 paint.

Crew cab options include separate heater or heater/air conditioner, stainless steel cab accessories, extended horizontal exhaust pipe, and carpet and custom trim packages. Bench and bucket seats are available as are fire-service SCBA seats.

Other T300 news includes availability of the Caterpillar C7 ACERT engine, which replaces the Cat 3126. And high-capacity hydraulic brake configurations are offered on C7-powered T300s. The newly available Bosch hydraulic brake and Dana Spicer axle component ratings allow GVW ratings to reach 33,000 lb. Previously, hydraulic brake equipment was offered for T300 models up to 26,000 lb.

An option that provides an air supply for air-operated accessories on 4×2 T300s with hydraulic brakes expands the engine, transmission, suspension and other air components available on hydraulically braked models.

A new proprietary Alcoa aluminum wheel features a unique hole pattern that makes valve stem access much easier; it is offered in 22.5- and 24.5-in. sizes. Three new KW radios are available that include Sirius and XM satellite-ready capability on both cassette and CD versions. Also now optional are dual KW aerodynamic mirrors. www.kenworth.com

Mitsubishi Fuso: Big changes are ahead as Mitsubishi Fuso gears up for the 2004 engine emissions regulations. For now, however, the company is touting the FH 210 model and FE-SP crew cab introduced as new models last year.

The FH 210 is a Class 5 vehicle available at a GVW of 17,000 lb, with a sister truck, the 211, available at 17,995 GVW. Wheelbases are 130.3, 150, 169.7, 181.5, and 191.7 in.; cab-to-axle lengths, 106.2, 125.9, 145.6, 157.4, and 168.9 in.; and overall lengths, 222.6, 257.3, 285.4, 302.6, and 318.3 in.

The front axle is a reverse Elliott I-beam type, with a capacity of 7,275 lb. The rear axle is the full-floating type, with 16,975-lb capacity. Front suspension has heavy-duty laminated leaf springs with shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, while the rear has heavy-duty laminated leaf springs. The steering is ball-nut type, with integral-type hydraulic power booster, telescopic, and tilt steering column with steering lock. The FH 210 features a 175-hp. turbocharged 4-cyl. diesel engine and automatic transmission (U.S. only).

The FE-SP crew cab is a Class 4, 14,500-lb. GVW truck with four doors and room for seven passengers. The front-axle rating is 5,360 lb, while the rear is 9880; wheelbase spec is 165.4 in. The engine is model 4M50T2, a turbocharged diesel, with maximum torque of 347 l.b-ft. at 1,800 rpm. The transmission is 4-sp. automatic, 175 hp.

Among other changes, Mitsubishi has discontinued its13,500-lb. GVW model, upgrading it to 14,050-lb. for all states. The Class 3 lineup is now comprised of the FE 639 at 12,000-lb. GVW, FE 649 at 14,050 lb., and SP at 14,500 lb. www.mitfuso.com

Peterbilt: Peterbilt Motors Co. is making a crew cab version of its medium-duty Model 330 available via a new program with Bentz Transport Products. “This will be a particularly attractive option for customers in construction, utility, fire and rescue, wrecker and other vocational applications,” noted assistant GM Dan Sobic.

According to Pete, the integrated crew cab comfortably seats five persons and measures 52-in. long and 84-in. wide (at rear of the cab) for a 160-in. BBC. The roofline is increased by 3 in., allowing a 61-in. interior height throughout the cab.

Available options for the Model 330 crew cab include additional lighting, auxiliary heating and air conditioning. There is a choice of bench, air-ride, sleeper-sofa and fire-crew and “officer” (accommodating self-contained breathing apparatus) seating. The four-door configuration, combined with rear access steps and grab handles, helps facilitate quick and safe entry and exit, which is particularly desirable for emergency crews.

All Model 330s are equipped with a new ergonomic tilt steering wheel that, according to Pete, is positioned to provide excellent visibility to the gauges while adjusting to drivers of all sizes. The Class 6-7 trucks are now available with Eaton Fuller manual and automated mechanical transmissions, as well as Allison automatics. www.peterbilt.com

Sterling: Sterling Truck Corp. has added a new models to its medium-duty line-the Acterra Crew Cab. The crew cab features a 163-inch BBC and is available with GVW ratings from 19,000 to 46,000 lb. The OEM says it offers the industry's largest interior passenger compartment, measuring a full 113 in. from the front to the rear wall inside the cab. The cab is 15 in. longer on the inside than any other factory crew cab on the market, said Sterling, noting it offers “significantly increased overall headroom and legroom due to a flat floor front to back and a tall concave steel roof.”

It features monocoque, all-welded steel cab construction, reinforced with extensive use of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel panels. It boasts full-length exterior cab steps and grab handles that are placed on the outside of the body and inside each door to further aid entry. Air-ride cab suspension is standard and standard fixed or optional air ride seating is offered for front passengers and there is a standard three-person bench seat in the rear. Sterling is also making a crew cab option available on its Acterra SportChassis model, which is aimed at the recreational towing market.

The OEM has also announced it is making a factory-authorized AWD conversion available on Acterra models. The AWD feature, manufactured by Fabco Automotive Corp., is available now on all Acterra 4×2 versions and is expected to be on Acterra 6×4 trucks by the end of this year. The AWD conversion is offered with front axle ratings of 12,000, 14,000 or 16,000 lb. and comes with a choice of one- or two-speed transfer cases. AWD is available on Acterras equipped with Mercedes-Benz and Caterpillar medium-duty engines and with DaimlerChrysler Powersystems, Eaton Fuller or Allison transmissions. Sterling said the AWD features a technologically advanced offset front drive carrier axle and four-shaft transfer case to ensure vehicle height is increased only four to six inches over standard height.

Coupled with no step-frame modifications, noted the OEM, the conversion retains frame integrity and durability, maintains a low center of gravity and eliminates up to 300 lb. of weight. The AWD system is engaged through two electropneumatic switches on the dash. www.sterlingtrucks.com

UD Trucks: Nissan Diesel America says the first changes to its UD Trucks lineup since 1999 will take place when the company rolls out it ‘05 vehicles next year. “Look for some significant upgrades and big changes,” says spokesman David Trussell.

For ‘04, however, Class 3-7 UD trucks will see only minimal changes. The lineup includes the UD 1200, at 12,000-lb. GVWR; the 1400 at 14,250-lb. GVWR; the 1800CS (City Spec) and 1800HD (Heavy-Duty), at 17,995 lb. GVWR; the 2300LP (Low-Profile) and 2300DH (Dock-Height), at 23,000-lb. GVWR; the 2600 at 25,995 lb GVWR; and the 3300, with a GVWR of 32,000 lb.

Nissan Diesel says the heart of its trucks remains the FD46TA turbocharged diesel engine. Engine ratings are 145 hp. for the 1200 and 1400; 175 hp. for the 1800CS; and 225 hp. for the heavier vehicles. The 1800HD through 3300 models can be equipped with the MLS61B, 6-sp. overdrive manual transmission. Allison automatics are available on 1800HD through 3300 models. www.udtrucks.com

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW YORK -- Vince Monaco, from Coseo's Service Station, said, "I can't run around and make any money for $19 a call anymore. The average contractor for AAA makes much more than $19 per call."

Here is the heart of the matter. Local towing companies like Coseo's Service Station said that working with AAA was no longer making them any money.

Monaco said, "Costs have gone up, but their increases haven't. Together, it's just too much to carry the load."

Monaco said requests for increases in the money paid per call were never addressed.

Monaco said, "We've asked for increases and they would say, 'Well we took a hard winter last winter. We're not giving increases out right away.' So bottom line we had to say, 'Well we need to get $25 a call or we just can't do it anymore.'"

AAA said they were paying the contractors a fair rate, and they still maintain successful relationships with tow companies in the area.

Ian Pinkerton from AAA, said, "They were dissatisfied with the pay. But the two contractors we have up there now covering the area are very, very happy. They're very pleased with the relationship they have with us."

Now that towing companies like Coseo's are no longer doing business with AAA, they said the volume of their business has dropped. But it's at a manageable level and for more money.

Monaco said, "We're probably right now doing 20 calls a day. It used to be, with AAA, on a day like today, we'd do 120, but it's a lot easier on everybody here to not have them."

AAA also said they are not hurting from the split and their members are extremely satisfied with service.

Pinkerton said, "As far as we're concerned, we're providing the best service for our members at this point."

Both companies are responding to tow calls and both said they are working to get to stranded drivers quickly. (Emily Riemer - Capitol News 9)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

ILLINOIS -- The Hanover Park village board on Thursday passed an ordinance that allows police to fine certain offenders $500 to retrieve their impounded vehicles from tow truck companies.

Anyone caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, or driving while under the influence of alcohol in which their cars are towed from the scene of an arrest, will be required to pay the fine to get their cars back.

Police consider the latest fine a "administrative fee" that is designed to help recoup the cost of labor involved with such arrests, but mostly it's to deter such activities in the village, said Hanover Park Police Chief Ron Moser.

Currently, offenders pay only for their bail and the fee imposed by towing companies to release their vehicles. Hanover Park police has contacted towing companies about the new department fee requirement. The companies have agreed to prevent release of vehicles until the village is paid.

Residents have the right to request a hearing to contest the fine. The village will pay an administrative judge to hear these cases at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at village hall, 2121 Lake St. If offenders do not wish to pay the fine or request a hearing, the towing company, after a period of time, has the right to claim the vehicle.

Based on 2002 figures, Hanover Park police made roughly 650 arrests for DUIs or revoked or suspended licenses, Moser said. Assuming about 60 percent of offenders pay the fee, the village stands to make between $100,000 to $150,000, Moser said. If a higher percentage of residents request hearing, the profits will be less since the department will have higher labor costs associated with the hearings.

Moser said he considered the idea after he recently learned two other towns, Aurora and Kankakee, impose similar fees. Hanover Park's procedures and fee amounts are based on those towns' models, he said. The program will begin the first part of February. (Sue Ter Maat - Chicago's Daily Herald)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

TENNESSEE -- A Tennessee law, which requires written authorization from a property owner or police officer prior to the removal of a trespassing vehicle from private property, is unconstitutional, says a Davidson County Criminal Court judge.

The ruling comes in a criminal case charging two Nashville tow truck drivers with violating the law. William Brashear and Clyde Daniels, of Action Towing in Nashville, had towed unauthorized vehicles from the parking lot of a Family General store pursuant to a contract from the store manager giving them authority to tow vehicles after normal business hours. In November 2002 the two drivers were cited for violating the state law, which requires "express written authorization" from the property owner or law enforcement officer before towing. The state attorney general had previously issued an opinion that the law requires on-scene authorization and prohibits so-called "blanket authorizations"

The defendants attorney, Michael McGovern, of Knoxville, a towing advocate, argued that the Tennessee law was preempted by a federal transportation law that restricts the regulatory authority of state and local governments. In a motion filed with the court, McGovern said, "The requirement that a towing operator obtain an express written consent from anyone - before, during, or after towing of a trespassing vehicle from private property - is preempted, period…"

In his order, Judge Randall Wyatt wrote that McGovern's motion was "well taken." He dismissed the charges related to the "written authorization" statute.

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Beginning in July, Washington, D.C., motorists and tow operators caught using hand-held cell phones while driving can receive $100 fines.

Even though every poll on the subject has overwhelmingly shown that talking on a cell phone is the least dangerous of all driver inattention activities, the District’s city council voted overwhelmingly to approve the ban Jan. 6.

In fact, statistics show that talking to others in the car, changing radio stations, applying makeup, and eating are all much more likely to cause an accident than talking on a cell phone.

The District's law also bars drivers from using hand-held computers while driving and requires police to note driver use of hand-held phones on motor vehicle accident forms.

The District will allow exceptions for emergency use and for their own emergency workers who use cell phones while on duty.

Mayor Anthony Williams reportedly supports the ordinance, which requires congressional approval to become law.

In 2001, New York was the first state in the nation to ban use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Other states have considered passing similar laws.

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW JERSEY -- A local towing service operator has filed a civil suit seeking Deptford Township officials to pay him for as many as 200 junk cars he towed for the township under a verbal agreement.

George Harvey, owner of Harvey's Towing in Deptford Township, claims that dozens of abandoned cars remain on company property since he is unable to dispose of the vehicles without titles obtained by the township. The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court, asks Deptford Township to reimburse Harvey for the money spent to haul the cars as well as store them.

Harvey's Towing, at the request of Deptford Township, towed automobiles, mobile homes, trailers, campers and boats and stored them at the township's request, the suit claims. He no longer works for the township.

At no time did township officials ever suggest that it was not responsible to pay for the towing and storage costs associated with the tows it requested, the suit states.

While there was never an agreement in writing that Harvey's Towing would handle all township towing work, the company hauled junk cars, responded to accident scenes and towed impounded vehicles to its Delsea Drive location over a period of seven years, the suit says.

Harvey claims in the lawsuit that as a result of storing the vehicles, he has suffered a loss of property use and income.

Township Manager Joe Picardi said Thursday he has not yet seen the lawsuit and could not comment. Township officials have previously said they owe Harvey nothing for the cars but will continue to send Harvey the title documents as they come in from the state. Township officials have also said there is a backlog in the junk permit process.

The suit asks for compensatory, punitive and special damages, in addition to the reimbursement of storage fees and a directive from the court asking that the township "comply with its obligation" to obtain titles for the vehicles. (Regina Schaffer - NJ.com)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW YORK -- Three major towing companies in the county stopped doing business with AAA Northway in the middle of last year, citing poor business practices and low pay that in some cases cost the independent tow services money, they said.

Managers or owners from Matt's Service Center and East Side Towing and Recovery of Saratoga Springs and Coseo's Service Station in Ballston Spa said AAA capped its service pay at $19 after decades of working with them. The tow companies were asking for at least $25 per call.

"We were 90 percent of the time breaking even … and that's being generous," said Joe Ernst, manager at Matt's. "The other (10 percent) we were losing money."

Ernst, along with other tow service businessmen, said their trucks cost about $58,000 and get 8 miles per gallon. The businesses said they weren't losing money on the 800 or so AAA calls a month and have since taken on new accounts at $30 to $35 a call.

"Who's going to get out of bed at 2 a.m. and change a flat tire on the Northway for someone for $19?" said Vince Monaco, owner of Coseo's.

Ian Pinkerton, a spokesman for AAA Northway, said it had not lost business in the county and has not been slower on calls, as the tow drivers contended. Pinkerton said AAA has 36,000 members in Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties. Most of them are in Saratoga County.

The companies' leaving "did provide a gap, yes it did, but it did not provide any gap in our member service. Customer satisfaction levels are phenomenal at this point," Pinkerton said.

AAA has an annual member renewal rate of 91 percent, he said. Contractors, too, have a "very low turnover," he said.

In place of the local contractors, AAA is now working with tow companies out of Glens Falls that are based in Saratoga County for quick dispatch, he said. Pinkerton would not discuss money matters, but he said, "We pay tow contractors much more than $19 per tow."

Essential Towing & Recovery of Gansevoort is the only AAA contractor left in Saratoga County. Owner Pete Coffman said he is "happy" with AAA's rates, though he would not discuss them. Business has always been steady in the six years he's been working with AAA, but it's been booming since the others dropped their contracts, he said.

Jim Cornick, assistant chief of the Saratoga Springs Police, said he hadn't heard any problems caused by the businesses separation, but he said that two months ago, he had to wait an hour for an AAA Northway truck to come from Glenville in Schenectady County.

Pinkerton would not give any time frame for how long it should take for a truck to arrive because it all depends on the circumstances, he said.

Ernst said when he started working with AAA in 1970, it was "greatest thing going." He'd tow trucks to his garage and fix them at a nice profit. Then, the profits began to shrink when AAA started allowing towing anywhere, he said.

Feeling cheated, Ernst dropped the contract. "We were doing the tow for nothing," he said. (Jerome Burdi - The Saratogian)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

INDIANA -- A heart attack may have preceded a traffic accident Tuesday in the 1500 block of Platt Street in Niles Township.

Niles Township police said Charles Daly, 66, was dead at the scene.

A tow truck operator for Dave's Garage on 13th Street, Daly had just picked up a vehicle near Philip and Niles-Buchanan roads and was towing the auto to the garage about 9 a.m. when the wrecker veered off the road and struck a tree, said Niles Township police officer Jeff Dunlap.

Although the road was slippery from falling snow and near zero temperatures, an experienced motorist like Daly would have been expected to handle such road conditions without difficulty, he said.

"He didn't appear to lose control ... There were no mechanical problems,'' he said.

He said it didn't appear either that the wrecker was traveling too fast for the road surface.

"This was not a high-speed collision,'' Dunlap said.

Funeral services will be in charge of the Halbritter Funeral Home. Obituary information wasn't available Tuesday afternoon. (Lou Mumford - South Bend Tribune)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

TENNESSEE -- The first day a new batch of wrecker services began towing vehicles for the Knoxville Police Department, one of the new contractors got into a dispute with a former contractor's driver who showed up at a crash scene to solicit business.

According to Knoxville Police officer Phil Major, the confrontation occurred after a three-car collision Sunday at the intersection of Merchant Drive and Central Avenue Pike.

Rick Carnes, owner of Clinton Highway Wrecker Service, showed up at the scene shortly after 7 p.m. to find two trucks belonging to Fountain City Wrecker Service already there.

According to Carnes, the driver of one of the Fountain City Wrecker Service trucks had asked the driver of one of the damaged vehicles for business. However, Clinton Highway Wrecker Service had replaced Fountain City Wrecker Service at midnight as the contractor for the area.

"It got a little heated. There were a few words exchanged between the driver and myself. I told him we weren't going to sit back and let this happen," Carnes said.

A call to Fountain City Wrecker Service seeking comment wasn't immediately returned.

Carnes said the Fountain City Wrecker Service driver hauled one vehicle a short distance away and repaired a damaged tire. The motorist then drove away.

A second vehicle wasn't damaged enough to need towing, Major said, but Carnes' company hauled the third vehicle, which allegedly caused the crash, to the city's impound lot. Its driver had fled the scene.

Major said police officers are supposed to control access to crash scenes and prevent business solicitation while sorting out what happened. Officers may cite anyone, including tow truck drivers, Major said, who doesn't follow an officer's orders at a crash scene.

"It's going to be left up to the officer. He's going to have to make a determination about who should be there and who shouldn't be there," Major said.

Carnes agreed, saying it could take police issuing citations to stop the practice of showing up at wrecks to solicit business.

"If (police) do their job, we won't have to argue on the scene," Carnes said.

Carnes noted that city contracts stipulate that only contracted firms can enter a wreck scene area unless called by one of the people involved in the collision.

Five new companies are working wrecks for Knoxville police after city officials alleged four firms, including Fountain City Wrecker, overcharged customers in violation of their contracts. The contracts, which set a guaranteed price for work in assigned geographic areas, only apply to calls made by police. They don't cover privately arranged jobs.

The city alleges Fountain City Wrecker Service, Cedar Bluff 24-Hour Towing, Sutherland Avenue Wrecker Service and Chestnut Street Garage charged customers more than allowed under the contracts. The city sued all but Fountain City Wrecker for submitting false documents. The companies have denied any wrongdoing in the matter. (Scott Barker - KnoxNews.com)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

IOWA -- A proposed towing ordinance in Sioux City will take center stage at the council's first town hall meeting of the New Year.

City manager Paul Eckert says the council has come up with a few changes to the towing ordinance, which includes limits on towing charges, and more signs defining illegal parking.

Eckert says the changes were drafted to make them easier to understand and give people more protection. (KTIV News Channel 4)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

VIRGINIA -- Frank's Towing of Arlington has asked the county to increase the rate cap on private impounds from $95 to $140 in order to cover the rising costs of doing business.

The county government seems less than receptive to Mr. Kings ideas. In fact, recent reports say that Arlington County officials are trying to put the power to regulate towing companies back in the hands of municipalities.

In 1995 the federal government passed the ICC Termination act which deregulated the overregulated towing industry. This act still allows municipalities to regulate non-consensual tow rates and clear safety issues.

U.S. Rep. James P. Moran, Virginia Democrat, plans to introduce a bill this year that would allow localities to demand a "minimum level of decency and responsibility to the public" from towing companies.

"Tow-truck companies have become the epitome of bad business," Mr. Moran said.

In addition to the price increase, Mr. King wants the county to form a towing advisory board that would be made up of county and police officials, towing company operators and an independent lawyer who practices outside of Arlington.

Mr. King said the board should mediate any complaints, come up with a fair-market cap for towing prices, and review the prices regularly.

The county, which has not published any sort of cost study, said if the law is changed, the county might consider forming a board to regulate the price. But such a board would likely recommend the price be lowered. (Thanks Robert)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A tow company in Newport is the latest victim of a scam which has targeted towing companies up and down the east coast for over four years.

Since the first report of this scam in 1998, as many as a dozen companies up and down the east coast have been victimized by this scam, some losing as much as $1700.

Here is how the scam works:

The perpetrator calls the towing company and has them respond to another tow company's impound lot, usually in another city, to pick up the perpetrator's car and his stranded wife. The perpetrator asks the towing company to bring a large amount of cash to bail the car out of impound, and promises that it will all be paid back, along with the towing bill, when they arrive at his home with the car and the wife. When the tow driver arrives at the towing lot, the perpetrator asks for the cash in order to go inside the towing office and square-away the bill. They never return.

If you have thank you have been approached by these scammers, please call the New Hampshire Towing Association at (800) 287-4206. (Thanks Ken)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

For the first time, International Truck and Engine Corporation has combined all of its industry leading diesel engine technologies into one higher performing design, which goes well beyond meeting 2004 emissions requirements and sets a higher standard of performance in the industry.

With advanced technologies such as the EVRT® turbocharger (Electronic Variable Response Turbocharger) for better breathing, four valves per cylinder for increased horsepower, and an optional integrated engine brake, as well as the proven cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system for cleaner emissions, the International® DT 466, DT 570 and HT 570 engines feature an all-new design to drive business performance.

This new in-line, six-cylinder (I-6) family of International® diesel engines will power all 2004 International® 4000 Series vehicles, and will be available for select International® 7000 and 8000 Series vehicles.

The latest improvement to The Industry's First High Performance Trucks, the new International® I-6 diesel engines deliver a valuable, cost-effective ownership experience throughout the commercial vehicle lifecycle. Owners, drivers and maintainers will notice improved performance and response, redefined durability and reliability, simplified serviceability, and extended performance capabilities.

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

ARIZONA -- Some truck owners in Arizona awoke New Year’s Day to an anti-pollution law that prohibits them from driving their older trucks because they don’t meet the state’s emissions requirements.

A ban on trucks older than 1988 – rated at 26,000 pounds or more and registered within the Greater Phoenix area - was passed in 1996 and lawmakers believed that eight years would be enough time for these trucks to be phased out or retrofitted for compliance.

Not so, according to officials of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality which has been fielding phone calls from hundreds of small-truck operators who were unaware of the new law. Although the majority of truck owners are in compliance, about 2,000 or so small operators are not prepared, because notices about the law were mailed out in November and some say this was not enough time to respond.

Non-compliant truck owners have some leeway. Truck owners can get a one-year reprieve if they can prove that they have ordered parts needed to make their engines comply or are on a waiting list to get the needed repairs. Otherwise, trucks with pre-1988 engines that fail the emissions test will not be given their registration. (Thanks Kevin)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story

NEW YORK -- New York City Consumer Affairs officials began seizing unlicensed tow trucks yesterday, starting with one parked right in front of the agency's office.

Driver Manuel Santos became the first victim of the department's crackdown, watching angrily as his truck was towed away from the street in front of 42 Broadway in lower Manhattan at 10:30 a.m.

"This was a fellow who was an unlicensed tow-truck operator, and as a tow-truck business he's unlicensed," said Consumer Affairs spokeswoman Pauline Toole. "He decided he would begin to start the paperwork. He parked right in front of our office."

Just 530 of the 2,000 private tow trucks in the city have renewed their licenses, DCA officials said. The industry gets more complaints from consumers than almost any other in the city.

Santos told consumer affairs officials that he had been dealing with a tow-truck operators' association for the new license but didn't want to pay the high fees it was charging and decided to go to the agency directly, Toole said.

But a source said Santos claimed to others that he hadn't been aware that he needed a new license.

Neither Santos nor officials of his company, identified as American Towing, could be reached for comment.

Now, the driver, or his employer, will have to fork over $1,000 to get the truck out of the pound.

"That's more than it would have cost for a new license," Toole said.

Tow-truck companies must renew their licenses every two years. It costs $600 for a company to get itself and one truck a license. Additional tow truck licenses are $600 each, and the driver's licenses are $20 apiece.

Four other tow trucks - two based in Queens and two based in Brooklyn - also were impounded as part of the campaign.

One of the Brooklyn companies, Greco, has had some consumer complaints - mostly for overcharging - over the years, Toole said.

Joseph Cozelino, who owns Exclusive Auto-Body and Tow in Queens, said the city had changed its procedures for inspecting the trucks - creating huge delays.

"I don't know how to react to what they're doing. I guess it's good," he said. "But they should have sent more people to inspect. ... They should have done a better job." (Maggie Haberman - NY Daily News)

Return to Headlines - Comment on This Story