MPL Wrecker - Jerr-Dan

VOLUME 16, NUMBER 2 | July 2007
www.jerr-dan.com
An Oshkosh Truck Corporation Company
For the hard-working towing professional
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Win a tr
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TAKES ANYTHING YOU THROW ON IT OR AT IT.
Jerr-Dan® aluminum and steel carriers are built to withstand years of hard use. That’s because Jerr-Dan builds the toughest materials
and most innovative technologies into superior designs. STEELBEAMTM technology on aluminum carriers means lightweight mobility with
heavy-duty durability. No-LubeTM pivot joints on all Jerr-Dan carriers mean no mess and even less worries. And all that means you can handle
the most difficult towing and recovery jobs over and over again. Whatever the job throws at you, throw it at Jerr-Dan.
©2007 JERR-DAN CORPORATION
®JERR-DAN AND THE JERR-DAN LOGO ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF JERR-DAN CORPORATION, GREENCASTLE, PA.
Page
24
The New Jerr-Dan
MPL Wrecker
RUNHARD is sent to you
compliments of
redesigned for unrelenting performance
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lebanon Jct., KY
Permit #246
Staying close to home
Page
4
Page
16
Giving back to the community
Comment
Continuous
improvement
For the HARD-WORKING Towing professional
is a must
I
n the towing profession, there is little
servicing and even more storage space.
room for complacency. Towers and
Standard equipment on our new
manufacturers alike must always
MPL is comprehensive, including
strive to move forward and improve their
improvements in the body, controls,
processes and their products.
hydraulics, lighting, paint, storage,
At Jerr-Dan, we believe strongly in
towing and underlift. Optional equipment
continuous improvement. We are always
is also available.
working on improving upon our existing
What does all this continuous
manufacturing processes and our existimprovement mean for you, our
ing equipment. We also work equally as
customer?
hard on developing new towing equipSimple. It means that you receive
ment that will help
better products with
you be more effihigher reliability for
Aren’t you just a little
cient, and safe, out
a higher value in the
bit curious to see what
in the field.
industry. It means
Just one example
that, like always,
we come up with next?
of our commitment
you can rely on our
Stay tuned . . .
to moving forward
equipment to help
is the improvements
you get those tough
we’ve made to our wrecker operations
towing jobs done right, the first time.
— specifically our new wrecker facility.
As Mike Baer says so eloquently in
(See “Quality Facilities Promote Quality
his Manufacturing article, “Jerr-Dan’s
Products” article on Pages 14-15.)
commitment to improvement and investThe new addition to our current
ment in people, products, processes and
wrecker operations is dedicated to our
places never ends.”
laser cutting and plasma areas, in addiThis is so true. We are always worktion to housing our brake forming and
ing to improve what we offer to you.
shearing operations.
Complacency is not a part of our culture.
This new addition left room in our
Aren’t you just a little bit curious to
existing facility for reorganization and
see what we come up with next? Stay
realignment of our welding and painting
tuned and see for yourself!
operations.
Another example of our commitment
to continuous improvement is our redesigned MPL wrecker. (See “The New MPL
Wrecker” article on Pages 24-25.)
Our redesigned wrecker is prepared
to work even harder than before with a
new modular body design, integrated
fender liners, clear deck top for better
Jeff Weller, President
visibility, Worm Gear winch for easier
www.jerr-dan.com
Contents
4
6
7
8
11
12
14
16
18
22
24
26
Jerr-dan
owner profile
Focusing on the needs of local
customers helps keep J.R.’s Wrecker
Services in business.
who’s who/
Company news
international review
jack’s Viewpoint
Diesel emissions.
Running hard
business management
Financing — a little preparation goes
a long way.
manufacturing
Quality facilities promote quality products.
JerR-dan owner profile
This California towing company is
publicly honored for its dedication
to the community.
distributor profile
Atlanta Wrecker & Carrier Sales
Matheny Motors
show & go
product profile
The new MPL wrecker is redesigned
for unrelenting performance.
Q&A
Our Mission
To provide you with timely information
about towing and recovery equipment
technology, products and safety.
“Since 1992”
Run Hard is published on behalf of Jerr-Dan Corporation, an
Oshkosh Truck Corporation Company, and Jerr-Dan Distributors.
Editorial office: 1233 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0803.
Phone: (800) 547-7377. E-mail: [email protected].
Printed in the United States, © 2007 Jerr-Dan Corporation
Volume 16, Number 2, July 2007. For Canada: Agreement
Number 40064547.
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Owner Profile
close to home
Focusing on the needs of local customers
is what keeps this Illinois tower in business.
The company’s
two newest trucks, a
Jerr-Dan HDL
500/280 25-ton and an
HDL 700/350
35-ton wrecker,
are the powerhorses of the
company, towing everything from fully
loaded semis
to overturned
dump trucks.
T
he next time you travel
through Lake County, Illinois
and find yourself in need of
a tow, give J.R.’s Wrecker Services a
call. The Waukegan, Illinois, towing
company prides itself on local service and fast response time.
“Our customers want what most
customers want — reliable towing
from clean, courteous professionals
at a reasonable price,” explains
owner Ted Richter Sr. “What sets our
company apart from other towing
companies is our response time
and our level of service. We give
customers what they expect, and
even more.”
Service is No. 1
“The most important commodity we have to sell is service,”
Richter adds. “To us that means fast
response time, damage-free towing
and fair rates.”
Customers, he’s found, prioritize
response time. “When our customers
call for a tow, they want to see us
within 15 minutes,” he adds. “And
we can provide that immediate
service for them.”
How? Richter and his son Ted
Richter Jr. prioritize local towing
jobs. Police towing, auto body
shops, repair facilities and commercial accounts make up the majority
of J.R.’s Wrecker Services’ business in the 20-square-mile area of
Illinois’ Lake County. Call volume
averages about 35 calls a day.
The 66-year-old elder Richter
has been towing since he was 15
years old. Richter used to own
a school bus company and rented
part of his property to the previous
owner of J.R.’s Wrecker Services.
Richter purchased J.R.’s Wrecker
Services in 1989 from that previous
tenant.
Over the last 19 years, the
Richter father-and-son team built the
business to where it stands today:
a 12-employee company with an
excellent reputation in Waukegan,
Illinois and surrounding area.
Plentiful people
Focusing on towing within
a 20-mile radius (which includes
Highway 41, a main thoroughfare
between Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
and Chicago, Illinois) is one of
Richter’s keys to his company’s
success. His other tip: Keep fully
staffed and rely on up-to-date,
new equipment.
Owner Profile
J.R.’s Wrecker Service
Waukegan, Illinois
Jerr-Dan Fleet Profile:
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New, up-to-date
trucks are key
Up-to-date equipment is also
high on the priority list for Richter.
“In order for our drivers to do a
good job, they have to have good
equipment,” he stresses.
His two most recent equipment
purchases are Jerr-Dan wreckers:
an HDL 500/280 25-ton integrated
wrecker and an HDL 700/350 35ton independent wrecker. Both sport
wheel lifts and ride on Peterbilt
chassis.
Newer is better
The new Jerr-Dan wreckers are
a favorite of heavy-duty operators
Ted Jr. and 10-year towing veteran
Matt Wilkins.
“The pulling power of these
two trucks alone is outstanding,”
notes Richter Jr. “With our 25- and
35-ton Jerr-Dan wreckers we’ve
uprighted trailers (some as heavy
as 78,000 lbs.), as well as dump
trucks, without even having to turn
up the idle.”
The user-friendly controls and
easy-to-operate nature of the trucks
also score points.
“Everything is visible and
accessible on these trucks,” says
Wilkins. “And they are loaded with
accessories, including wheel lifts.”
Both Jerr-Dan heavy-duty
trucks are equipped with all the
bells and whistles, from chrome
bumpers and stacks to custom paint
(see images below).
“New equipment is definitely
the way to go,” stresses Richter.
“We don’t have to worry about
being overweight or about our
equipment failing.”
Richter Jr. agrees: “We’ve
never had a problem with our
Jerr-Dan trucks. Nothing has ever
broken and that means no seal
leaks or hydraulic line breaks.”
And the trucks aren’t just sitting there looking pretty. “They
work hard and they do the job
well,” stresses Richter.
Passing
the baton
When asked what his future
plans call for, Richter says with a
smile: “I’d like to retire.”
However, like many veterans of
the towing industry, he finds it difficult to let go.
“What would I do if I wasn’t
involved in this company?” he
ponders. For the immediate future,
Richter is staying put.
“I have the best of both worlds
right now,” he concludes. “I have
people I can trust to run the business day to day, and that leaves me
to come and go as I please.” ■
Wreckers:
One HDL 500/280 25-ton
integrated heavy-duty wrecker
One HDL 700/350 35-ton
independent heavy-duty wrecker
Services
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing and recovery
• Minor auto repair
• Vehicle storage
J.R.’s Wrecker Services maintains five full-time drivers during
peak hours, with on-call drivers
24 hours a day.
“I have drivers ready to go at
all times,” explains Richter. “I could
make more money with fewer people, but to me, service is more important. How can I service my customers
if we have to wait for a driver?”
Waiting is not an option when
you work for Richter. “When the
phone rings, you drop what you are
doing and head out the door,” he
says. “There are hundreds of tow
trucks in the area. We are successful
because we respond immediately.”
Having expectations of his staff,
Richter also has a reputation among
his employees for being fair.
“I’ve learned to keep my
mouth shut and let them do it their
way (within reason, of course)
because everyone has their own
way of doing something,” he adds.
Towing is about knowlege and understanding leverage, says
Ted Richter Sr. center, with Ted
Richter Jr., left, and operator
Matt Wilkins.
Custom painting, including
these caricatures, show off
the personalities of these
Illinois towers.
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Who’s Who & Company News
W h o ’s W h o
Weldon Wright, left, Jerr-Dan heavy-duty
product specialist, provides Robert Van
Lingen, owner of Van Lingen Towing
in Torrance, California, with a tour of the
Jerr-Dan manufacturing facility.
Rinny Dyar, left, of Valley Towing
in Phoenix, Arizona, stops to chat with
Joel Amsley, center, and Patrick Cahill,
right, of Jerr-Dan.
Darryl Johnson Jr., center, of Johnson’s
Wrecker Service in Orlando, Florida,
takes a break with Weldon Wright, left,
and Mike Cherry of Jerr-Dan at the recent
Florida Tow Show.
Santa (Mike Cherry of Jerr-Dan) dropped in
to Johnson Wrecker Service in Orlando,
Florida, this past holiday season. An annual
event for owners Darryl Jr. and Darlene
(brother and sister), the company serves up to
1,000 meals for customers, vendors and members of the local police and fire departments.
Eastern Wrecker Sales Inc.
recently announced well-earned
promotions: Worden Price, right,
has been named president and Mike
Kornegay, left, has been appointed
vice president. The company was
featured in a Distributor Profile in
the March 2007 issue of Run Hard
magazine.
Jerr-Dan distributors open
new division/location
Jerr-Dan is pleased to welcome these new distributors to their nationwide
sales and service network.
•Matheny Motor Truck Co.
Second location in Woodbridge, Virginia
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International Review
Upcoming
Jerr-Dan around the world
shows
Date July 27-28
Show Minnesota Professional Towing Assn.
25th Anniversary Trade Show
Location Treasure Island Resort and Casino
City Welch, Minnesota
Date
Show
Location
City
August 2-4
Texas Tow Expo
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
San Antonio, Texas
Date
Show
Location
City
August 10-11
Northwest Regional Tow Show
Red Lion at the Quay
Vancouver, Washington
Tony Bell, left, with Cee Jay Systems (Jerr-Dan distributor
located in New Alresford, England) congratulates Mark Hoare
of Statewide Towing on his newest purchase: an HDL
700/350 independent wrecker. The wrecker rides on a
Scania T420 6x2 chassis.
Alberta, Canada, Jerr-Dan distributor CAA took this photo
of Claude Labelle, owner of Grande Cache Towing in
Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada, and his new Wrangler
15-ton carrier. The carrier delivers 30,000 lbs. of payload
capacity, impressive load angles and years of reliable use.
Rogelio Gonzalez of Gruas Gonzalez Tenango in
Tenago Edo, Mexico, is proud of his Jerr-Dan HDL700/350
heavy-duty wrecker with wireless remote controls.
Ricardo Laura of Gruas Culiacan in Culiacan, Mexico,
owns this 21-ft. Shark carrier with wheel lift. It rides on a
Freightliner M2, and the photo was submitted by Jerr-Dan
distributor Comerzia in Monterrey, Mexico.
Jacquie Richards of Bill Hill Towing in Cochrane, Alberta,
Canada, shows off his Jerr-Dan HPL 6000. The wrecker rides
on a GM 4500 4x4 chassis.
This 15-ton carrier with Palfinger knuckle boom crane is owned
by Voice Construction in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and
rides on a Peterbilt chassis.
Date August 17-18
Show Professional Towing & Recovery Operators of Illinois
Location Wyndham Lisle-Chicago Hotel
City Chicago, Illinois
Date
Show
Location
City
September 21-22
North Carolina Tow Truck & Trade Show
Park Inn
Hickory, North Carolina
Date
Show
Location
City
September 22-23
Statewide Towing Assoc. Tow Show & Expo
DCU Center
Worcester, Massachusetts
Date
Show
Location
City
October 4-7
Midwest Regional Family Towing Affair
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Dublin, Ohio
Date
Show
Location
City
October 12-13
Virginia State Towing Expo
Virginia Fairgrounds
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Date October 24-28
Show Texas Towing & Storage Assn. Lonestar Wrecker Round-Up
Location Arlington Convention Center
City Arlington, Texas
Date
Show
Location
City
November 16-18
American Towman Exposition
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland
JERR-DAN BOOTH #909
•Regional International Corporation
Salvage & Wrecker Division
in Henrietta, New York
www.jerr-dan.com
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Jack’s Viewpoint
Diesel
emissions
By Jack Schrock
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T
here seems to be a lot of
confusion in the field these
days over the new federal
emissions regulations that were
implemented on January 1, 2007.
Since the truck chassis/engine is an
integral part of our finished product,
we decided to research the subject
and pass those findings along to
help clear the air. In the course of
our research we
talked with truck
dealers, equipment
distributors and
towers. We also
searched the
Web and visited
manufacturers’
websites, to get
their spin, and
reviewed dozens
of newspaper
articles from the
past several years.
This story continues
to develop to the extent that we may
even write a follow-up in a later issue
of Run Hard. For now, following
are the preliminary results of our
research.
According to one environmental
group, on-highway motor vehicles
are the source of about one-half of
the air pollution in the United States
that causes up to 20,000 premature
deaths (New York, California and
Pennsylvania experienced 2,332,
1,784 and 1,170 deaths respectively
in 1999) and tens of thousands of
respiratory cases annually. As a
result, many states responded by
passing legislation as early as the
mid-’50s.
Since vehicles can freely pass
from one state to another, the federal
government stepped in and enacted
the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955.
Since that time it has been updated
and re-enacted by Congress in
1963, 1970, 1977 and 1990 and
is now called The Clean Air Act.
Also, over the years many
amendments have been authorized.
The President signed the sweeping
1990 amendments into law on
November 15, 1990 with phased-in
thresholds of compliance in 1994,
1997, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007,
2010 and 2012 and likely, beyond.
The legislative process continues
to evolve at the federal level as
new technologies emerge and new
standards are established. The 2007
requirements apply to on-highway
diesel engines manufactured on or
after January 1, 2007, and are the
subject of this article. (For additional
information, visit the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) website at
www.epa.gov.)
The regulations
These new regs require the
reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx)
and hydrocarbons (HC) by more
than 50%, and particulate matter (PM) by 90% beyond the 2004
emissions standards. Further
reductions of NOx and HC will be
required by 2010, and new standards for locomotives, boats and
other off-road applications become
effective in 2012.
Obviously, this is all very serious business and billions of dollars
are being spent by the petroleum
industry and truck/engine manufacturers to comply with the EPA Tier
3/Stage IIIA Emissions Standards,
which became effective January 1,
2007. So, first and foremost, this is
federal law and these requirements
cannot be avoided or ignored without serious consequences.
On-highway emission standards
were implemented by the federal
government in 1988 with stairstep revisions every few years. The
2002 standards reduced the 1988
allowable emissions by some 98%,
and the 2007 standards that just
went into effect this year impose yet
another 98% reduction over 2002.
In fact, in several smog-filled cities the exhaust gases from a diesel
engine could actually be “cleaner”
than the intake air itself and that’s
saying a lot about the performance
of these new technologies.
These new regs apply to any
on-highway diesel engine manufactured on or after January 1, 2007
as opposed to marine, stationary
and other applications. As a result,
manufacturers and the truck supply
network has gorged itself with “preemissions” trucks to defer the costs
and impact of compliance with these
new regs as long as possible.
The technology
Initially, the major domestic engine manufacturers chose
to develop an engine emissions
control system called Exhaust-GasRecirculation (EGR). Several years
ago Caterpillar abandoned EGR
in favor of ACERT Technology. The
company provides a long list of
reasons why their system is superior.
For purposes of this article we will
discuss only the EGR system as space
is limited, and the majority of engine
manufacturers have pursued the EGR
concept. However, Caterpillar has
made a major financial commitment
to its ACERT Technology program
and claims to have 120,000 ACERT
Technology engines running with
virtually no reliability issues. The
Caterpillar system may offer some
very real advantages over EGR.
The cost of
compliance (EGR)
We’re told that initial truck cost
increases to the retail buyer can
vary between $5,000 to $15,000
depending on engine size, manufacturer and whom you talk to. But
that’s not the end of the added cost.
Since the exhaust system cannot be
relocated or modified in any way
without voiding the integrity of the
emissions system, equipment manufacturers such as Jerr-Dan, upfitters
and installers may be forced to
modify their equipment instead of
the truck exhaust system and that
will likely result in even more cost.
Also, visualize longer wheelbases to clear exhaust components,
gaps here and there and a cosmetic
appearance that is less than the
buyer wanted or expected. The
consequences are not limited to just
the price of the truck; however, the
industry really isn’t fully engaged
in all of this yet because most
everybody is still working with preemissions trucks, so there’s more to
come. One source suggests that it
will be at least the first quarter of
2008 before the market shakes out
enough to realize the full impact.
The fuel
In October of 2006 ultra-low
sulfur diesel (ULSD) was required
by the federal government in order
to reduce sulfur content from 500
parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm or
about 1 oz. of sulfur in a tanker truck
load of fuel. More importantly, ULSD
allows other technologies to work
just as catalytic converters on cars in
the ‘70s allowed new technologies to
reduce emissions some 99%.
Quality of this new ULSD fuel
around the country is reportedly
inconsistent: Lubricity is not as good
as the old fuel, cetane ratings can
vary, and adding kerosene to keep it
from gelling is illegal. There is room
for improvement, but the petroleum
industry is answering the call and
investing $9 billion in expansion and
improvements to meet the challenge.
The engine (EGR)
Diesel engines are the world’s
most efficient, delivering more
power and fuel economy than
gasoline, liquid natural gas or com-
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Running Hard
Jack’s Viewpoint
pressed natural gas. Advanced technologies such as electronic controls,
high-pressure fuel injection, variable
injection timing, improved combustion chamber configuration and
turbocharging help make today’s
diesel engines cleaner, quieter and
more powerful than ever before, yet
these advancements are possible
only through the use of ULSD fuel.
Overall performance and fuel economy of the 2007-compliant engines
seem to be acceptable, we are told
by operators, while engine manufacturers report significant improvement
in all areas.
The emissions
control system (EGR)
Particulate traps (diesel particulate filters or DPF) collect soot
as the exhaust gas passes through
reducing particulate emissions by
80 to 90%. Oxidation converters
use a chemical reaction to convert
emissions, such as smog forming
nitrogen oxides (NOx)
into harmless substances.
Some catalysts, like selective
catalytic reduction (SCR) devices
and NOx absorbers, focus on nitrogen oxides and can reduce these
emissions by 25 to 50%. The system
remains in “passive regeneration
mode” until it senses a buildup of
particulates that affects performance
in any way, in which case it goes
into “active regeneration.” We
understand that long haul trucks
will usually regenerate themselves
passively but short haul trucks, such
as city deliveries, refuse collectors,
wreckers, etc., will be more susceptible to clogging and will likely spend
more time in the “regeneration”
phase, which raises the exhaust
gas temps 800 to 1,000 degrees.
Whether working on- or off-road,
these extremely high exhaust gas
temperatures could result in grass
fires and other environmental damage, possibly even injury to T&R
operators and other first responders
10
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at the scene.
We understand there will be
an override switch, but if used
too often, the system will become
clogged and damaged and the
repair costs are expected to be considerable. And, speaking of repairs,
the particulate filter (PF) will require
occasional servicing using a fairly
expensive machine, so not all shops
will have one, and the cost will likely
be adjusted accordingly.
Idle reduction
technologies
For a variety of valid reasons,
diesel operators like to idle their
engines. T&R operators must engage
in prolonged idling at the scene in
order to remain fully operational.
However, it is estimated that diesel
truck idling consumes 1 billion gal.
of fuel annually and emits some
11 million tons of CO2, 180,000
tons of NOx and 5,000 tons of PM.
As a result, Advanced Truck Stop
Electrification Units (ATSE) are being
developed to allow truckers to park,
shut down their engines and plug
into ground power, air conditioning
and even Internet connections.
In Beaumont, 532 ATSE units
are reducing emissions at the rate
of 25 kilograms/day CO, 60kg/
day NOx, 1.6 kg/day PM and 3
kg/day VOC. Another ATSE setup
in Knoxville claims similar results
over an operating period of 826
days. Obviously, T&R will surely be
challenged to further limit engine
idling, which can be much more
than a mere inconvenience at the
busy accident scene.
Engine
manufacturers
We understand that European
manufacturers such as Volvo,
Mercedes and DAF have been dealing with similar standards for more
than 10 years and seem to have a
pretty good handle on all of this.
Also, for the past several years,
General Motors has had 80,000
low-emission truck engines operating in Japan, where the government
is spending huge amounts on battery research, which is consistent
with their aggressive environmental
cleanup effort. Word on the street is
that these manufacturers got it right
while Caterpillar didn’t introduce its
ACERT Technology system until 2002
and, along with International, is now
playing catch-up.
However, the highly touted
Caterpillar ACERT Technology is very
simple. Better control of the combustion process results in lower emissions
and that requires precise control of
two elements: air and fuel. Only time
and the marketplace will tell the tale
of how effectively they are able to
manage both of these variables.
As this magazine goes to print,
there are still thousands of pre2007 engine/chassis combinations
in inventory around the country.
But, they are going fast because
most knowledgeable buyers choose
to replace now, rather than later,
when costs will be much higher and
some performance restrictions could
present difficult challenges. While
it’s anybody’s guess as to just when
these pre-2007 chassis will be gone,
most think that we’ll see the end of
them at the end of this summer. So,
if you’re a buyer today, then by all
means, buy today.
This is a huge topic and this
article only touches the surface
as there are many other directly
related facets. (For example, check
out the EPA SmartWay Transport
Partnership website).
More importantly, this story
continues to develop and it will be
interesting to see just where we are
a year from now, after the industry
has had time to deal with, and
adapt to, these new standards.
See Ya’ Soon! ■
what can
your jerr-dan do?
Rick from R&W
Towing used his
two HDL 500/280 25-ton
integrated Jerr-Dan wreckers
to upright this cement truck,
which wasn’t able to make
the street corner and instead
rolled through a wall and
over two vehicles.
Norm Bush,
owner of Norm’s
West Coast Towing
finds many uses for his
Jerr-Dan MDL 280/
110 medium-duty
wrecker, mounted on
a 2006 International
4400 chassis.
Advertisement
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How to Win:
Share your Jerr-Dan rig photo!
Submit your photos via:
E-MAIL: to [email protected]
(High-res photos only. Please set your
digital camera to take photos as large
of a size and as many pixels as possible.)
MAIL: to Editor, Run Hard magazine
1233 Janesville Avenue,
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
In addition to your photo, please provide
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- Welcome-gift package
* Winner will be drawn in September 2007 and will be notified via phone/e-mail.
Deadline for submissions is August 15, 2007.
DewEze is proud to be the supplier of
mobile hydraulics to Jerr-Dan.
We’re here for all your hydraulic needs—
not just auto loaders.
A Division of Harper Industries, Inc.
151 E. Hwy. 160, Harper, Kansas 67058 • [email protected]
Toll Free 800-835-1042
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www.deweze.com
Business Management
In addition to personal credit,
you must always be aware of the
credit rating of the business. One
common measure is the PayDex
score. The PayDex score is similar
to a FICO score for the individual
in that it measures your creditworthiness of the business.
The higher the PayDex score, the
higher the probability the company
will pay its creditors and suppliers
in a timely fashion. Go to Dun and
Bradstreet (D&B) to find out if your
business is already listed and has a
PayDex score.
finance it
A
little preparation goes a long way.
By Dan Wong, general manager of Oshkosh Capital
F
inancing is a critical part of
growing a small business and
almost always a very large
concern for its owners. Nothing
is more important and vital to the
health of a small business than having the right financing in place.
When you apply for business
funding, potential creditors review
the credit rating of both the business and its owners to assess the
risk of the request to the lender and
the probability the business might
default on the loan. This risk is measured by reviewing business reports,
personal credit bureaus, financial
statements and the structure of the
proposed loan.
Building your personal and business credit rating will increase the
chance that your loan request is
approved. Every potential borrower
should prepare by understanding
the process and knowing his credit
rating in advance.
Do the research
Begin by researching the personal credit bureau scores of the
principals of the business (anyone
who owns more than 20% of the
business). There are several resources available including the three
primary credit reporting agencies:
Experian, Equifax and Transunion.
The credit bureau score (also
called the FICO score) is expressed
as a number and is based on historical payment history as well as
the amount of debt outstanding.
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Other factors affecting the rating include the number of recent
credit inquiries and any suits, liens
or judgments that may be present. Scores greater than 675 are
considered favorable and should
often qualify the business for financing opportunities. Scores between
640 and 675 are considered slightly
marginal and may result in higher
borrowing rates.
If your personal credit bureau
score is less than 640, creditors may
require additional enhancements
such as down payments to approve
the request.
Your FICO score
As a rule, credit scores analyze
the credit related information on
your credit report. Your total FICO
score is comprised of the following
(per Fair Isaac’s):
1. Your payment history (35% of
your FICO score) — late payments,
bankruptcies and other negative
items can hurt your credit score, but
a solid record of on-time payments
helps your score.
2. How much you owe (30% of
your FICO score) — the more you
owe compared to your credit limit,
the lower your score.
3. Length of credit history (15%
of your FICO score) – a longer credit history will increase your score.
4. New credit (10% of your FICO
score) – if you have recently applied
for or opened new credit accounts,
your credit score will weigh this fact
against the rest of your credit history.
If you need a loan, do most of your
shopping within a focused period of
time to avoid lowering your score.
5. Other factors (10% of your
FICO score) – items such as mix of
credit types on your report can add
slightly to your scores.
Manage it
Personal credit scores change
when new information is reported
by your creditors. So your scores
will improve over time when you
manage your credit responsibly.
Here are some general ways to
improve your credit scores:
• Pay your bills on time.
• Keep balances low on
credit cards.
• Pay off debt rather than moving
it between credit cards.
• Apply for and open new credit accounts only when you
need them.
• Check your credit report
regularly for accuracy.
• If you have missed payments, get current and stay current.
It is imperative that you maintain
an acceptable FICO score in order
to secure financing for your business. Failure to do so may result in
a decline of your loan request from
potential creditors.
Keep it separate
In order to successfully fund your
future capital needs, it is important
that you build a favorable credit
rating for your business. In order to
build a business credit rating, you
must do all of the following things:
1. Have a legal business entity.
Without a business entity, there is
nothing for a lender to lend to. You
must separate the business as an
entity apart from the personal owners, and the only way to do this is
setting up a legal business entity
such as a corporation or limited
liability company.
2. Business listing confirmation.
Confirm that every agency and
trade credit vendor has your business listed the exact same way, with
the same address and phone number. Also take the time to verify that
all agencies, banks and trade credit
vendors have your business listed
with the same tax ID number.
3. Physical location. Your business must be real and have a physical address that is different than
your home address or P.O. Box.
Most creditors do not look favorably
on home-based businesses.
4. Phone service. Your business
needs a separate phone and fax line.
5. Licenses. You must obtain a
business license and, if applicable,
a tax resale license in the state, and
possibly the county or city, where
you are conducting business.
6. Financials. The business should
have two years of financial statements. If you have been in business as
a sole proprietor or partnership prior
to forming your business entity, you
can carry those financials forward
with you. At minimum the financial
statements should include the balance
sheet and income statement for each
of the last two fiscal years.
7. Tax returns. Your business
entity should have a Tax ID number
similar to a social security number
for individuals. Your tax ID number is
used to open your bank account and
to build your business credit rating.
This number is vital to successfully
building your business credit rating.
8. Bank references. Your business entity must have a minimum of
one bank reference. Your business
banking reflects how you manage
your cash flow and lenders want to
know that your cash flow is capable
of handling the business debt and
expenses on a consistent basis. A
bank rating is based on your average daily balance over the past
three months, overdrafts or returned
check activity, and historical payment
performance on credit obligations.
9. Credit reporting agencies.
Credit reporting agencies include
Dun and Bradstreet, Experian and
Equifax. Obtaining a D&B number
(D-U-N-S #) begins the process of
building your business credit history.
This number is how lenders access
your business credit rating, and it is
used to determine the creditworthiness of your business as a standalone entity.
10. Trade references. You will
need at least five trade references
reporting to D&B that you pay your
bills in a timely manner (no more
than one week behind). Trade references are suppliers who extend
payment terms to your business.
Your business entity is going to need
five trade references that have given
you a credit account and report a
favorable credit history to the credit
reporting agencies. Establishing just
five favorable trade references is a
major part of building your business
credit rating and creating a favorable PayDex score. (PayDex is a “1
to 100” score calculated by using
up to 875 payment “experiences”
from your trade references reporting
how your company pays its bills.)
It all takes work
Building good business credit
is just like building good personal
credit — it takes work and requires
that you pay your bills on time.
Having the highest FICO and
Paydex scores possible will ensure
approval of your loan request, provide the lowest available financing
costs, and provide the loan terms
needed by your business.
Oshkosh Capital provides financing to Jerr-Dan customers. Our
approach is to utilize an application-only process for exposures of
less than $150,000.
A simple application identifies
information of the business, its owners, bank and trade references, and
the amount of financing needed.
Based on credit scores and pay history of the applicant, a decision can
usually be made on the same day
the application is received.
For exposures greater than
$150,000, the applicant must provide the past two years’ financial
statements or tax returns as part of
the decision process.
For more information on the
topics discussed in this article,
contact Oshkosh Capital at
800-820-9041. ■
Note: A FICO score is a credit score
developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.
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13
Manufacturing
Quality facilities
promote
Quality PRODUCTS
quality breeds quality.
By Mike Baer, vice president of manufacturing for Jerr-Dan Corporation
L
ast month we focused on the
importance of the quality of
people. We talked about
Jerr-Dan’s continued investment in
its employees to ensure a strong and
successful future.
To recap: Quality products begin
with quality people. After all, quality people are the foundation upon
which we continue to build our
Jerr-Dan organization.
However, as we mentioned in our
last article, quality just doesn’t happen by accident. Rather, it’s
a purposeful and integral part of
our culture.
Quality breeds quality — quality
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people, quality engineering, quality
processes and quality facilities.
This installment on the topic of
quality will focus on the importance
of investing in quality facilities.
Future articles will focus on process
improvements.
Investments
are a key
to our future
Investments in our employees and
continued improvements in
our facilities are all investments in
our future.
Here at Jerr-Dan we are currently
in the process of improving our
wrecker operations — specifically
the wrecker facility.
Here are highlights of several of
the improvements:
1) Expansion of the facilities,
allowing for:
• Improved flow via LEAN
manufacturing.
• Improved material handling,
storage and product
retrieval areas.
• Improved aesthetics and
organization of work space.
• Improved overall efficiencies
and quality of operations.
2) Upgrades to utilities for improved reliability of operations.
www.jerr-dan.com
3)
4)
Improved accessibility to
the facility for better material movement.
Improved site layout and
appearance.
New addition
improves flow
The new wrecker facility addition
will be dedicated to our laser cutting and plasma operations, along
with housing our brake forming and
shearing operations.
Movement of these critical operations and strategic alignment with
downstream operations allows for
more efficient feeding of parts into
the welding areas.
The space vacated by these existing processes allows for reorganization of our assembly operations into
progressive build lines.
Additionally, this newly opened
space will provide room for realignment of our welding and painting
operations for improved flow and
more efficient operations.
What it all
means for YOU
Investing and improving our facilities is the groundwork for improving the quality of our employees’
work environment, which ultimately
improves operations, and most
importantly, the end product.
Our employees will experience a
safer, more efficient and productive
work environment.
“Jerr-Dan’s
commitment to
improvement and
investment in our
people, products,
processes and
places never ends.”
All this translates for you into better products with higher reliability
for higher value.
During this expansion project, our
entire wrecker facility was reviewed,
evaluated, reconfigured and
realigned for optimum performance,
flow, safety and quality. No stone
was left unturned.
This attention to detail and investment in our facilities and people
should be evident in the products
we deliver to you everyday.
Jerr-Dan’s commitment to
improvement and investment in our
people, products, processes and
places never ends. It is an integral
part of our continuous improvement
journey and commitment to you,
our customer.
Although this particular article
focused on wrecker operations,
we are making similar investments
and improvements in our carrier
operations.
Next month we will focus on process improvements, which enable us
to deliver high-quality/high-value
units to our customers.
Thank you for your continued
business and confidence in our
products, and more importantly,
in our people. ■
vo l . 1 6 , n o. 2
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Owner Profile
this california towing company is
publicly honored for its dedication
to the local community.
Giving back
T
he community of Baldwin
Park, California, is important
to the Salazar family — in
their personal and professional lives.
The Salazars live in the area and
own and operate Royal Coaches
Auto Body and Towing, a fullservice towing and repair company
dedicated to serving the needs of
the Baldwin Park community.
“I grew up here and took over the
towing side of our family business
right out of high school,” says coowner Bill Salazar. His brother, Jim,
heads the auto body portion of the
family business their father started in
1973. Two sisters are also involved,
in the dispatch and booking areas
of the company.
Establishing a
long-term relationship with the community has been a
priority for the family-owned business
since Day 1, and
continues today with
the second generation of towers.
For example,
the company is
Owner Bill Salazar took on the
very involved with
towing portion of his family nonprofit and youth
business right after high school.
groups. It also offers
a “Tipsy Tow” program that encourages those that have had too much
to drink to call the towing company
for a free tow and ride home.
The company’s newest tow truck,
16
The company’s newest carrier is equipped to handle the needs of handicapped passengers. The 21-ft. steel rollback includes a chair lift
and has room for eight passengers.
a Jerr-Dan 21-ft. steel bed Shark,
is equipped for the needs of handicapped customers and can seat
eight passengers.
Today the company employs about
30 people, half of whom work on
the towing side of the business. The
majority of the company’s calls are
for local law enforcement agencies
and various commerical accounts.
Most towing, explains Bill, is
conducted with a 10-mile radius
of the company’s home base in
Baldwin Park.
Uniformity is
a necessity
Uniformity in the family business
is also important. From clean-cut,
uniformed drivers (shirttails must be
tucked in and baseball caps worn
properly), Bill strives for a uniformity
in his towing equipment.
Currently, the company utilizes
12 pieces of towing equipment. All
trucks are Jerr-Dan models with the
exception of one Landoll trailer.
Seven Shark carriers with 21-ft.,
108-in.-wide steel decks are mounted
on International chassis. Two Cougar
wreckers also ride on International
chassis. A 30-ton HDL 600/350
wrecker on an International Eagle
chassis, and a 25-ton HDL 500/280
wrecker on a 2006 Peterbilt chassis
round out the fleet.
“All our trucks, carriers and
wreckers alike, look similar,” notes
Bill. “They are painted the same and
kept in clean, up-to-date condition.”
A big benefit to uniformity is not
only appearance, but usage.
“Because all our trucks are
Jerr-Dan, the controls are the same
and the operation is the same so
our drivers become very proficient
with the equipment,” he says.
The company has always relied
on Jerr-Dan towing equipment.
Longevity and reliability are the
main reasons Bill continues to
purchase Jerr-Dan units.
“I knew from the beginning that I
wanted to purchase from only one
manufacturer. I choose Jerr-Dan not
because I have to, but because I
want to,” he stresses. “The product
has worked so well for us over the
years, I see no reason to change.”
Additional benefits of the
Jerr-Dan units according to Bill:
• The loading angle of the
Shark flatbeds doesn’t damage
vehicle spoilers.
• The 108-in.-wide deck allows
drivers to walk around on the deck without having to climb up on the rails. The wider deck also allows for wider-wheel
base cars.
• The steel bed is “bullet proof.” The majority of the vehicles towed by the company for law enforcement have been in a collision or are without wheels.
• Removable rails allows for even more flexibility for towing larger loads.
High employee
standards
“Our employee retention is one
attribute that sets us apart as a towing company,” notes Bill. “We have
many long-term employees because
we treat them like family — with
above-average pay, benefits, paid
holidays and vacations, sick pay
and bonuses.”
Drivers are paid hourly and leave
trucks at the shop when not working.
“Being a small business that operates around the clock, our drivers
work 10- or 12-hour shifts,” he
says. “We have found that when
our drivers are in the trucks or in the
office when they are working, it’s
more effective than being on call.
Being on call after working all day
creates burnout.”
Employees also wear uniforms
with reflective safety striping as well
as appropriate foot gear.
“We are really strict on appearance,” he adds. “It’s so important to
stress a positive, professional image.”
Visitors to Royal Coaches will
notice immediately that drivers
maintain their appearance and
work areas are kept clean (as are
trucks). That same presentation
is evident when passing a Royal
Coaches’ truck on the highway.
The efforts of the Salazars recently earned them recognition as Small
Business of the Year for the 57th
Assembly District.
“It’s an honor for us to receive this
award,” says Bill. “It validates what
we work so hard to do: give back to
the community that’s been so good
to us for 25 years,” he concludes. ■
Owner Profile
Royal Coaches
Baldwin Park, California
Jerr-Dan Fleet Profile:
Wrecker:
• Two HPL 6000 aluminum-body
light-duty wreckers
• One HDL 500/280 25-ton
integrated wrecker
• One HDL 600/350 30-ton
integrated wrecker
Carriers:
• Seven standard-duty steel rollback carriers
with 21-ft.-long and 108-in.-wide beds
Services
• Light-, medium- and heavy-duty
towing and transport
paint facility
• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Full-service collision repair and
• Vehicle storage
The 108-in.-wide, 21-ft.-steel beds on Royal Coaches’ seven Jerr-Dan carriers allow towers to walk around
on the deck, even when the deck is fully loaded.
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Distributor Profiles
Atlanta Wrecker
& carrier sales
Matheny Motors
Distributor
Matheny Motors
Distributor
Atlanta Wrecker
& Carrier Sales
2130 Atlanta Road
Smyrna, Georgia
770-432-0097
340 Maltbie Street
Lawrenceville, Georgia
770-963-0966
6301 E. Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, Florida
813-626-2144
418 Scuffletown Road
Simpsonville, South Carolina
864-688-0170
www.atlantawrecker.com
Employees make the difference
South Carolina
Jeff McKinney, President
Tracy McKinney, Vice President
Rita Patrick, Controller
Nell Johnson, Sales/Parts Sales
Sonny Chastain, Sales
Gina Carter, Accounting
Georgia
Dail Skelton, Operations Manager
Heath Fassnacht, Sales Manager
Grady Cooke, Parts Sales
Cathy Ford, Sales Support
Terry Crane, Installation/Service Mgr.
Brittnie Crane, Administration
Rickie Lance, Installer
Chad Hughes, Installer
Walter McCoy, Installer
Harry Dodson, Sales
Florida
Jack Russell, Sales
Ryan Cherry, Parts Sales
Bradley Price, Sales
Steve Ferrie, Sales
Sharon Wilson, Sales Support
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3rd and Ann Street
Parkersburg, West Virginia
304-485-4418
T
here is an atmosphere
of true team spirit at
Atlanta Wrecker &
Carrier Sales.
From the moment you
walk through the door of any
of their four locations, you get
the feeling that the company
operates like a well-oiled
machine. And they should
— they have been Jerr-Dan’s
No. 1 volume distributor six
years in a row.
How do they do it?
According to owners Jeff and
Tracy McKinney, it all comes
down to the team and plans
you put in place.
“In addition to the processes we’ve put in place, we
have hand-selected 18 of the
best people to help us make it
work,” says Tracy McKinney.
“We couldn’t get this far and
have accomplished this much
without them.”
And accomplish they
have. This husband-and-wife
team have built a solid distributorship with successful sales.
This large annual sales
volume allows the company
some serious buying power.
Those benefits are passed
right along to the customer
in ways like rolling stock, a
14716 Industry Court
Woodbridge, Virginia
703-499-9216
www.mathenymotors.com
W
huge parts inventory, chassis
choice and financing options.
In it for the
long haul
“We have no interest
in hitting that one-time big
sale,” says Jeff McKinney.
“We are more interested in
customer loyalty and building
a long-lasting relationship
with our customers.”
This type of business plan
has afforded the company
an excellent reputation in the
territories it serves: Georgia,
Florida and South Carolina.
“When we sell a truck in
an area, we often find that
we’ll sell another three to four
trucks in that same area within a year,” says McKinney.
“We attribute much of that to
word-of-mouth advertising by
our customers.”
Caring for its customers
and caring for its employees
is one and the same for the
McKinneys.
“We are fortunate to
team up with folks who are
very versed in the industry. They are thrilled to be
involved with a distributor
who is excited about the
product, moves the equipment and maintains good
employee relations,” concludes Tracy.
Perhaps it could be
summed up in what could be
the company’s mantra: “We do
what we say we will do.” ■
ith third- and fourthgeneration owners
involved in the daily
operation of the business, Matheny
Motors operates like a small familyowned company — a company that
currently employs more than 100
full-time employees!
Today, the Matheny Motors
dealership has locations in
Parkersburg, West Virginia, and
Woodbridge, Virginia. The company is a retail dealership for Buick,
GMC, Suzuki, Volvo Trucks and
Thomas Built Bus as well as a
Jerr-Dan distributor.
At the Woodbridge facility ribbon
cutting ceremony, left to right: Rob
Anderson, Dave Thornberry, Mike
Matheny, Tim Matheny, Charlie Beach and Marcus Messier.
The company’s most recent
location in Woodbridge, Virginia,
is a dedicated Jerr-Dan facility for
parts, service and sales.
A natural fit
Matheny Motors has been a
Jerr-Dan distributor for six years.
“This partnership was a natural fit for our company,” recalls Tim
Matheny, fourth-generation president.
“Our customers were already purchasing chassis from us and up-fitting
them with Jerr-Dan bodies. It just
made sense for us to provide that
complete package for our customers.”
And complete package it is.
Matheny Motors sells all kinds of
Jerr-Dan units ranging from light-,
medium- and heavy-duty wreckers
to carriers.
Sales manager Dave Thornberry
has led the company into recent
growth in the heavy-duty market.
Thornberry, as well as the entire
team at Matheny Motors, does what
it takes to meet customers’ needs.
For example, driving to a
customer’s location to demonstrate
a Jerr-Dan truck is a common
occurrence. “We take our products
to our customers; we don’t necessarily expect them to have to come to
us,” notes Marcus Messier, Virginia
sales manager.
Sticking with one manufacturer
is also beneficial to Matheny customers, according to Matheny.
“Historically our family has
developed a good relationship with
one manufacturer’s product line,”
he concludes. “We feel that focusing
100% of our efforts on selling one
brand of equipment does everyone
justice.” ■
vo l . 1 6 , n o. 2
The newest
location in
Woodbridge,
Virginia, is a dedicated
Jerr-Dan facility.
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Collect them all.
THE NEW ’08 SUPER DUTY.
®
An impressive 47'8" turn radius. Clean Diesel technology that churns out 325 horsepower and
600 lb.-ft. of torque.* The bold, new look of the ’08 Super Duty.®
commtruck.ford.com
*Available 6.4L Diesel V8 engine.
Show & Go
win a trip to
what does
your jerr-dan
APB Towing & Wrecking of Medical Lake,
Washington, is
located just outside of
Spokane. Owner Jon
Hook is proud of his
Jerr-Dan BIC 21-ft.
steel carrier with
3,000-lb. wheel lift,
LED light package,
two stainless-steel tool
boxes and aluminum
wheels and fuel tank.
nascar
How to Win:
look like?
Steve Mooso of
Powder Mill Towing in Parsippany,
New Jersey, submitted this
photo to surprise the owner
of the company, Michael
Benson. This 50-ton HDL
1000/530 wrecker rides
on a 2007 Peterbilt chassis. Steve says he receives
compliments on the truck
every day.
Share your Jerr-Dan truck photo!
Submit your photos via:
E-MAIL: to [email protected] (High-res photos only.
Please set your digital camera to take photos as large
of a size and as many pixels as possible.)
MAIL: to Editor, Run Hard magazine
1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
In addition to your photo, please provide your complete
contact information. Also tell us what model of Jerr-Dan
you have, what model chassis you have and why you
are submitting your truck.
Nascar trip details:
- All-expenses-paid trip for two to the Texas Motor
Speedway, November 2-5, 2007
- Airfare and hotel accommodations included
- Motorcoach transportation to and from the race included
- All meals included (welcome reception, breakfast, dinners)
- Lunch at The Speedway Club (private club at Texas
Motor Speedway)
- Race tickets for two
- Credentials (garage & pit access)
- Welcome-gift package
* Winner will be drawn in September 2007 and will be notified
via phone/e-mail. Deadline for submissions is August 15, 2007.
Owners Ricky and Karen Duke of Scrambletown Towing
in Silver Springs, Florida, are happy with the newest addition
to their towing fleet: a Jerr-Dan 14-ton wrecker mounted on
a 2007 Freightliner M2. The truck was built to Ricky and
Karen’s specifications and incorporates strobe lights and a
backup camera.
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Jim Wilkinson, owner of Jim’s Auto Service
in Lake City, Florida, just added this 25-ton HDL
500/280 wrecker, mounted on a 2000 Kenworth
T800, and this 21-ft. Jerr-Dan carrier, on top of a
2007 Ford F650 with an extended cab.
This 19-ft. aluminum bed carrier can run circles around other types of wheel-lift trucks in the
crowded metropolitan areas serviced by Ellison’s Towing Inc. in Mountain View, California.
The company is owned by Brent and Cheri Ellison-Carroll, frequent contributors to the Business
Management section of Run Hard magazine.
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23
Header Profile
Product
the new mpl wrecker
Standard Equipment:
Body
•Fixed-width modular aluminum body
with polished, diamond plating and
side rails
•Independently rubber shock
mounted body
•Integrated fender liners and flares
•Center line of rear axle to rear of tail
board — 36 in.
•Aluminum light pylon
•Spacious clear-top deck offers more
storage for towing accessories
Controls
•In-cab nonproportional controls
with accessible manual backup
Hydraulics
•Hydraulic reservoir with integrated
oil level gauge and magnetic
clean-out provisions
•10-micron in-line return filter with pressure gauge
•Chrome-plated cylinder rods
•System overload protection
Top reasons
to make this
wrecker yours
Lighting
1. The MPL offers best-in-class
visibility. The operator has a
tremendous view of the underlift
and crossbar, as well as the
low-profile, tapered rear deck
winch(es) mounted below the rear
window.
2. The motorcycle towing
adapter and self-loading dolly
with storage brackets make loading and towing vehicles of any
size easy.
3. The longest underlift reach
in its class means it is easier
than ever to tow long-overhang
vehicles. Also, the negativetilt feature allows you to tow
vehicles from ditches or even
downhill.
4. The patented LOCKLINK™
overcenter L-Arm locking device
keeps the arm behind the tire.
5. Standard Underlift Level
Stop Assist System allows the
operator to set up and get into
position quickly.
6. Major pivot joints are
greaseless utilizing Jerr-Dan
exclusive “No-Lube” Technology.
24
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redesigned for unrelenting performance
I
n the towing industry, even the best truck
can always be improved upon. The new,
redesigned MPL is no exception.
The newly redesigned Jerr-Dan workhorse
is a ruthless workaholic. As part of the MPL
Series, which includes the redesigned MPL as
well as the MPL40, the MPL is prepared to
work even harder than before.
The redesigned MPL has been improved in
the following areas:
•New modular aluminum body design and rubrails are stylish and allow for easy maintenance.
•Integrated fender liners and flares are durable and rustproof.
•Outstanding visibility with clear deck top and new headboard.
•Longest underlift in the industry.
•Patented over-center LOCKLINK mechanism.
•Standard Underlift Level Stop Assist System allows the opera tor to set up and get into position
quickly. It also provides an inter-
rupt to the remote control signal
to stop the underlift travel at a
desired loading position.
•Negative tilt, a must for those vehicles in ditches or on steep inclines, is also still possible with system override.
•High-speed Worm Gear winch allows for quicker, easier servicing.
•More storage space.
•Jerr-Dan’s exclusive “No-Lube” Pivot Joint Technology.
•Motorcycle towing adapter makes loading and unloading motor-
cycles even easier.
See for yourself. Consider the redesigned
MPL’s standard equipment (optional equipment
is also available).
•FMVSS 108 light group utilizing weather-resistant harnesses
and connectors
•Marker lights in pylon
•Lower hookup lights (pair)
•Auto on/off lighted tool
compartments
•Receptacle for auxiliary tow lights
Miscellaneous
•Mud flaps
•Backup alarm
Winch
•Single 8,000-lb. Worm Gear winch
with 3/8-in. diameter by 110-ft. cable
•Cable tensioner and T-handle free
spool release
Paint
•Prime finish
Storage
•Driver- and passenger-side tool
storage compartments
with rotary paddle latches
•Concealed stainless hinges and
adjustable height shelf
More storage
Driver- and passenger-side toolboxes offer
adjustable shelf, durable latches, auto on-off
lighting and more space than ever before.
Towing
•Trailer towing adapter
Underlift
•Wheel lift tie-down straps
•Safety chains with boom
storage pockets
•Patented LOCKLINK overcenter
L-Arm locking device
• Self-centering low-profile height
crossbar and 90° lift approach
•No-Lube pivot joints and wear pads
(most pivot points)
•Underlift level stop assist system ■
Specifications:
Winching power
This Worn Gear (not planetary) winch is durable, fast and reliable. Hoses and valves
are now located near the winch for quicker,
easier servicing.
Underlift
Self-loading wheel grids Power tilt & fold - positive/negative Reach with L-Arms, retracted (rear of tailboard to centerline of L-Arms)
Reach with L-Arms, extended (rear of tailboard to centerline of L-Arms)
Centerline of rear axle to rear of tailboard Maximum horizontal towing height with L-Arms 4,000 lb. capacity
20°/20°
49 in.
78 in.
36 in.
31 in.
Recommended chassis
requirements
Minimum GVWR Minimum cab to axle (clear) Minimum frame RBM (each rail) Maximum unloaded frame height Minimum frame length behind center of rear axle
11,000 lbs.
60 in.
230,000 in./lbs.
36 in.
36 in.
Greater visibility
The redesigned deck top is clear, offering more
space for storage. The stylish new headboard
provides greater visibility.
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U.S. & Canada Jerr-Dan Distributor Header
Listing
Q&A
Q&A
Q. Which is better, fiberglass or composite? And what’s the difference
between the two?
A.
Over the past 20 years the words
fiberglass and composite have been used in the
description of different manufacturers’ truck bodies.
Even though there are similarities based strictly on the
materials used, the words are often either misunderstood
or misinterpreted.
The word composite in itself is ambiguous (having
more than one meaning). If you break down the components of the Jerr-Dan composite truck body, you will find
vast differences from the attempts of other manufacturers.
Is fiberglass used in Jerr-Dan bodies? It is, but it is
only part of an RTM (Resin Transfer Mold) panel. This
panel incorporates fiberglass, foam core centers, stainless inserts, and is more impact-resistant than steel, aluminum or stainless. It is also repairable for a fraction of
the cost of the other materials.
You must now look beyond the RTM panels or outer
cladding to the substructure, which is bonded aluminum,
not welded. Any welded structure is rigid and does not
allow for flex, therefore subject to stress cracks. The
bonding process has been around for years in the aerospace industry as well as the automotive industry. It is
significantly stronger than a weld, and also allows for
flex, therefore eliminating the problem with stress cracks.
Jerr-Dan now has a 10-year track record that is
unsurpassed with this body, and we welcome your visit
to our factory so you can see the differences for yourself. Remember there is much more to our body than the
words fiberglass and composite may suggest.
We look forward to your visit.
Q.
I have older Jerr-Dan equipment.
Where do I find parts?
A. Your local Jerr-Dan distributor is your best
source for all of your parts needs.
If you have a parts manual and can identify the
necessary parts, simply call your local distributor with
the information.
The Jerr-Dan service parts warehouse carries parts
for units as old as 40 years! Your local distributor has
access to this parts warehouse so chances of finding
even the oldest parts are good.
If a parts manual is not available, simply supply
your local distributor with the make, model and serial
number of your equipment. (This can be obtained from
the serial number plate on your equipment.) Your distributor will take it from there.
Need help finding your nearest Jerr-Dan
distributor? Call Jerr-Dan directly at 800-926-9666
or go online to www.jerr-dan.com. Once at the home
page, simply enter your zip code into the “Find a
Distributor” box in the “Tools” section of the site. Follow
the prompts to locate a distributor nearest you. You can
even find Canadian and international distributors.
do you have a
questiON?
Do you have a question that you would like answered?
If so, please e-mail your question to
[email protected]
In addition to your question, please include your name, company and location.
Alabama
Arab, AL
Austin Hinds Motors Inc.
256-586-8161
Tampa, FL
Atlanta Wrecker &
Carrier Sales Inc.
813-626-2144
Arizona
Georgia
Phoenix, AZ
Todd Equipment, Inc.
480-557-8633
Arkansas
Caraway, AR
Cars, Inc.
870-482-3614
Pocahontas, AR
Ward’s Wrecker
Sales & Service
870-248-1000
California
Concord, CA
Best Equipment
510-569-1288
Fontana, CA
Gooding Enterprises, Inc.
909-357-7920
Torrence, CA
California Western
Towing Equipment
310-787-0208
West Sacramento, CA
Riverview International
Trucks Inc.
916-371-3110
Colorado
Commerce City, CO
Summit Truck Equipment
303-289-3161
Grand Junction, CO
Transwest Freightliner
970-256-1081
Delaware
Selbyville, DE
Danzi Brothers Inc.
302-436-2000
Florida
Miami, FL
Rechtien Intl. Trucks
dba Wreckers Limited
305-888-0111
Riviera Beach, FL
Rechtien International
dba Wreckers Limited
561-882-9050
Sanford, FL
Rechtien International
dba Wreckers Limited
407-321-8474
Louisiana
Gary, LA
Southland International
of Louisiana
985-876-3000
Smyrna, GA
Atlanta Wrecker &
Carrier Sales Inc.
770-432-0097
Harahan, LA
Southland International
of Louisiana
504-733-7711
Illinois
Maine
Champaign, IL
Prairie International
217-352-4187
South Portland, ME
Hews Company LLC
207-767-2136
Maryland
Decatur, IL
Prairie International
217-877-8411
Aberdeen MD
JP Chevrolet
410-272-0300
Quincy, IL
Prairie International
217-222-1518
Baltimore, MD
Maryland Carrier &
Wrecker Sales
410-247-5700
Rockdale, IL
Worldwide Equipment
Sales LLC
815-725-4400
Massachusetts
Lancaster, MA
Crawford Truck Sales Inc.
978-534-1954
Springfield, IL
Prairie International
217-523-5631
Indiana
Greensburg, IN
Hedinger’s Auto Care, Inc.
812-663-7885
Indianapolis, IN
Hedinger’s Equipment
317-322-7885
Cedar Rapids, IA
Truck Country of Iowa Inc.
319-365-0531
Davenport, IA
Truck Country of Iowa Inc.
309-507-1525
Des Moines, IA
Truck Country of Iowa Inc.
515-265-7361
Dubuque, IA
Truck Country of Iowa Inc.
563-556-2616
Wichita, KS
Kansas Truck Center
316-945-5600
Kentucky
Hebron, KY
Tipton Auto Sales
& Parts Inc.
859-689-4888
Michigan
Detroit, MI
Santoro Inc.
315-526-1300
Minnesota
iowa
Kansas
West Hatfield, MA
G & S Industrial
413-247-9631
St. Paul, MN
Twin Cities Wrecker Sales
651-488-4210
Mississippi
Brandon, MS
Magnolia Wrecker Sales
601-825-6400
Missouri
St. Louis, MO
Archway International
314-771-3900
MONTANA
Missoula, MT
Missoula Freightliner
406-728-5250
Nebraska
Omaha, NE
Omaha Truck Center
402-592-2440
Nevada
North Las Vegas, NV
McCandless International
702-642-8789
New Jersey
Columbia, PA
Nussbaum Equipment Inc.
717-684-0189
Woodbridge, VA
Matheny Motor Truck Co.
703-499-9216
Greencastle, PA
Mason Dixon
Trucks & Carriers Inc.
717-597-9400
Washington
Shrewsbury, NJ
Circle Truck Center
732-741-3130
Spotswood, NJ
Giancola Motor Car Corp.
732-251-4422
Scenery Hill, PA
ASCO Enterprises Inc.
724-945-5525
New York
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Truck
570-823-0144
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Nussbaum Sales Corp.
201-288-3885
Albany, NY
P.A. Ruth Automotive
518-456-0356
Buffalo, NY
Regional International Corp.
Salvage & Wrecker Division
716-681-9500
Geneva, NY
Regional International Corp.
Salvage & Wrecker Division
315-789-8543
Henrietta, NY
Regional International Corp.
Salvage & Wrecker Division
585-359-2011
Windber, PA
GAP Chevrolet
814-467-4596
South Carolina
Orangeburg, SC
Smith Services Inc.
803-533-1585
Simpsonville, SC
Atlanta Wrecker & Carrier
Sales Inc.
864-688-0170
Tennessee
Tacoma, WA
Northwest Equipment
Sales & Service
253-922-7581
West Virginia
Parkersburg, WV
Matheny Motor Truck Co.
304-485-4418
Wisconsin
Marshfield, WI
Mid-State Truck Service Inc.
715-591-2591
Milwaukee, WI
Badger Truck Center
414-344-9500
Shullsburg, WI
Truck Country of Iowa
563-556-3773
West Allis, WI
Badger Truck of West Allis
800-553-1927
Port Jefferson Station, NY
Ramp Chevrolet Inc.
631-473-1234
Rockwood, TN
Glenn’s Motors
and Auto Parts
865-354-0622
Windsor, WI
Badger Truck of Madison
866-846-0680
North Carolina
Texas
Clayton, NC
Eastern Wrecker Sales
919-553-4038
Buda, TX
Wrecker Capitol
512-312-5655
Charlesbourg, Quebec
Plamondon Camquip LTEE
418-849-7575
Ohio
Dallas, TX
Coker Equipment
214-742-5221
Akron, OH
Fallsway Equipment
Co., Inc.
330-633-6000
Canal Winchester, OH
Bob McDorman
Chevrolet Inc.
614-837-3421
Toledo, OH
ABCO
419-536-6123
Oregon
Lyons, OR
Santiam Enterprises
503-859-2793
Pennsylvania
Collegeville, PA
Mobile Lifts
610-489-1900
Canada
Houston, TX
RPM Equipment
281-590-1494
Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Rocky Mountain
Wrecker Sales
801-268-8850
vermont
White River Junction, VT
Sabil & Sons Inc.
802-295-4325
Virginia
Dorval, Quebec
Del Equipment Limited
514-684-1760
Edmonton, Alberta
Alberta Motor Association
780-430-5520
Mississauga, Ontario
H.R. Runciman & Co., LTD
905-625-7222
Moncton, New Brunswick
Del Equipment Limited
506-857-4291
Port Coquitlam, British
Columbia
Del Equipment Limited
604-941-6241
Manassas Park, VA
Horton Truck
and Equipment
703-530-7800
Call 800-926-9666 or visit www.jerr-dan.com for information on your nearest authorized Jerr-Dan Distributor.
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www.jerr-dan.com
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