May 1, 2005Archive – Summer 2005: Volume 14, Number 2 - Jerr-Dan
Transcription
May 1, 2005Archive – Summer 2005: Volume 14, Number 2 - Jerr-Dan
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 2 | MAY 2005 An Oshkosh Truck Corporation Company www.jerr-dan.com FOR THE HARD-WORKING TOWING PROFESSIONAL THE JERR-DAN PIONEER SERIES ALWAYS READY NO EXCUSES PAGE 4 TOWING FOR TOURISTS PAGE16 PAGE 10 IF EVERY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD WERE THIS DEPENDABLE, YOU'D BE BROKE. ® The Industry's First High Performance Trucks are designed to stay where they belong: out on the road, making you money. That's why we reengineered the engine components to work together more efficiently, increasing the number of miles between scheduled maintenance intervals. And with key elements grouped to one side within reach, servicing the engine is easier than ever. Get a better view at your dealer or InternationalDelivers.com. ® THE BRILLIANCE OF COMMON SENSE TM PROUD SPONSOR OF ® NASCAR IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR STOCK CAR AUTO RACING, INC. International is a registered trademark of International Truck and Engine Corporation ® Comment COMMUNICATION AND TRUST GO HAND-IN-HAND D uring our many years of business here at Jerr-Dan Corporation, we’ve learned that communication and trust are the building blocks for a successful customer/supplier relationship. You can’t have one without the other — communication builds trust. Trust promotes communication. Consider these elements of successful customer/supplier relationships. Each centers on communication and trust. • Openness. Communication really Run Hard is is a two-way street. a quick and The biggest source of mistrust is keeping easy avenue to information from the let us know people it affects most. We can better help what works you select the appropriate tow truck and for you. recovery equipment once we have a complete picture of your needs. We work hard to understand your business; You work hard to share your needs with us. • Respect. We couldn’t sell, lease, rent or service our tow trucks if we didn’t treat each and every customer with respect. Period. • Presence. Just as we must continue to understand your application and towing needs, you must continue to tell us what it is that you need in towing and recovery equipment. We know that your equipment must work each and every time you use it. We also know that you have “ ” preferences about the features of that equipment. Share those preferences with us. It’s through your suggestions, in addition to the hard work of our engineering team, that improvements are made to our towing equipment. • Consistency. People tend to judge trustworthiness by consistent performance over time. They look for fairness, honesty and evenhanded treatment in all relationships. You’ll find a consistent pattern of following through on policies, practices and promises — what you’ve come to expect from Jerr-Dan — is what builds trust. We appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us, and we’re committed to keeping it. The best way to do that is through communication. Take a few minutes and share your thoughts with us. Run Hard magazine is a quick and easy avenue to let us know what works for you. Send in your photo for the “Show & Go” section on Page 12. Submit a response to the Towing Forum section on Page 22. (The next issue’s question: How do you handle insurance costs?) It’s quick and it’s easy and it’s a valuable part of the communicative/trusting relationship we continue to build with you. Jeffrey Weller President FOR THE HARD-WORKING TOWING PROFESSIONAL Contents 4 JERR-DAN OWNER PROFILE West Virginia towing and recovery company gets more out of business with the MPL40 light-duty wrecker. 8 10 12 13 14 16 JACK’S HEAVY-DUTY Spec’ing your truck for balanced weight ensures maximum lift and tow capacity. PRODUCT PROFILE Pioneer Series all-aluminum carriers in action in Pennsylvania. SHOW & GO What does your Jerr-Dan look like? COMPANY NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS Weight . . . be very concerned. JERR-DAN OWNER PROFILE This New Jersey native focuses on the towing needs of the tourist and construction industries in Myrtle Beach. 18 20 22 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Insurance rates have stabilized. Here’s how to keep them that way. H0W TO Weight: the most important question. TOWING FORUM 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, © 2005 Jerr-Dan Corporation Volume 14, Number 2, May 2005. For Canada: Agreement Number 40064547. VOL.14, NO.2 RUN HARD MAY 2005 3 Owner Profile ALWAYS READY. NO EXCUSES. WEST VIRGINIA COMPANY TOWS IT QUICKER WITH THE MPL40 LIGHT-DUTY WRECKER. uickness pays off, especially in the towing and recovery business. Just ask Doug Brady of Doug’s Towing in Morgantown, West Virginia. This veteran towing professional recently purchased Jerr-Dan’s first MPL40 light-duty integrated wrecker. “I was the first to buy the MPL40 at the American Towman Expo in The MPL40 helps drivers Baltimore,” confirms Brady, owner of maneuver the full-service towing company servicinto tight ing Morgantown and Westover. “I knew spots at it was what my company needed.” 90-degree angles. The MPL40’s compact size and Q 4 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 quick crossbar positioning were the perfect features for the majority of towing Brady’s company performs: quickly removing illegally parked cars in permit-only lots. The company also handles heavyduty towing and roadside/shop service for a host of additional customers including the local police, the post office, trucking companies and motor clubs. In fact, Doug’s Towing is up for the No. 1 Tower award issued by Allstate Insurance! “This is a college town. We handle all types of interesting calls for the police and local landlords,” Brady explains. One recent example: Doug’s Towing was called upon to pull a burning car from a bonfire. College students began to riot and rolled a car into the fire. “The MPL40 was surrounded by police officers as we backed through the crowd toward the fire. We towed the car, after the fire was extinguished, out without incident,” he notes. It’s never a dull moment at Doug’s Towing. And Brady likes it that way. Do the job — no matter what “To make it in this town you have to be willing to go when you’re called. If it’s cold; if it’s raining . . . you go.” Brady lives what he preaches. He and his wife, Cathy, started the towing company almost 10 years ago. There were many nights, in the beginning, where he slept at the shop to be ready when a call came in. “I did what was necessary,” he says. “There were many sleepless nights full of hard work, but I’m proud of the company I’ve built. Someday I plan to leave it to my children.” Brady carries that philosophy today. “If any of our drivers run into a challenge, they know they can call me anytime and I’ll be there,” he stresses. Today Doug’s Towing employs 13 people; seven are drivers. Of his fleet of 13 trucks, seven are Jerr-Dans. His most recent purchase was the MPL40 — a purchase he’s very happy he made. At Doug’s Towing, standing left to right: Cathy Brady, Gene Efaw, Charles Galford, Keith Cummings, Chris Smith, Bill Glover, Doug Brady. Kneeling: Bobby Hilling, Roy Deavers. Missing from photo: Larry Merrill. Inset: Doug Brady’s philosophy: Whatever needs to be towed, tow it. Smaller is better “I’ve driven a lot of tow trucks in my time,” he remembers. “And I know what I want. I’d been watching Jerr-Dan’s previous self-loaders and knew I wanted something similar, but with a recovery boom. When I found the MPL40, I knew it was the right truck for our company.” “I use the MPL40 on almost every call,” Brady explains. The MPL40 is Brady’s truck of choice; he is typically the driver operating it. To date, the truck has completed more than 500 tows, and its 2005 Ford F450 chassis has logged approximately 4,800 miles. Brady also notes additional benefits of the MPL40: the self-loader style and LOCKLINK overcenter arm locking mechanism, as well as the 90-degree crossbar mechanism, allow him to pick up cars in the tightest parking spots. Parts are also easy to come by. “Our Jerr-Dan distributor, Dave Thornberry at Matheny Motor Truck Co., always has the parts we need in stock,” he says. “And we can fix things ourselves.” Not that there’s been much to fix on the Jerr-Dan wreckers. The MPL40, like all Jerr-Dan carriers, is equipped with No-Lube technology. This has cut maintenance time dramatically, Brady notes. He has been so happy with the performance of the MPL40 that he is looking at replacing several smaller competitive tow trucks with another MPL40. “You can tow faster with new trucks,” he concludes. “And faster towing means more business.” ■ OWNER PROFILE Doug’s Towing Morgantown, West Virginia Jerr-Dan Fleet Profile: Wreckers: Two HPL 35 Series light-duty wreckers; one MPL40 light-duty integrated wrecker; one HDL 500/280 25-ton integrated heavy-duty wrecker Carriers: 3 standard-duty steel rollback carriers with 20-ft. beds Services • Roadside assistance (including jump-starts, lockouts, etc.) • Accident/recovery services • Full-service repair shop • Long-distance vehicle transport • Vehicle storage RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 5 WITH THREE VALVES PER CYLINDER, THIS TRUCK FLAT-OUT HAULS. When you have one on the hook and two waiting, you need the power of the 6.8L Triton® gas engine in the new Ford F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty. With best-in-class 362 horsepower and 457 lb.-ft. of torque,* you have the added power to do your job faster and easier. In fact, our best-in-class, low-end torque* helps provide quicker takeoffs with the same hook weight. That means more calls for you. And more hang-ups for your competition. No wonder Ford F-Series is the best-selling truck 27 years running, as well as the number one chassis cab for customer satisfaction with vehicle quality.** THE NEXT FORD SUPER DUTY www.commtruck.ford.com *Class: GVWR: 3, 4 and 5 Conventional Chassis Cabs. **Based on 2003 Commercial Truck Quality Study. Jack’s Heavy-Duty A BALANCING ACT SPEC’ING YOUR TRUCK FOR BALANCED WEIGHT ENSURES MAXIMUM LIFT AND TOW CAPACITY W Jack Schrock Heavy-duty specialist 8 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 eight. It’s a serious issue in the towing industry, and one that I feel deserves attention. It is very important to understand that your heavy-duty (HD) wrecker is a machine that is designed to first recover, and then lift and tow, HEAVY loads. To get the most out of your HD wrecker, it is necessary to distribute the weight where it is most effective. Put too much weight on the rear tandems and you’ve got a bad case of the “Scalehouse Blues.” Too little weight on the front axle, and your machine won’t perform to its potential. Back to the basics To illustrate, let’s revisit farm tractor basics for a few moments. When the nose of your tractor became overloaded pulling a plow (or whatever), it would lift off the ground, making it impossible to steer. So, the answer was (and still is) to add counterweight to the front end. The results: the more counterweight you add, the more you can plow. The same principle holds true with your HD wrecker. However, there is a Standard, Non-Counterweighted limit as to how much counterweight you can add to the front of your wrecker. Keep in mind that your wrecker cannot exceed either the axle capacity as stated by the truck manufacturer OR the singleaxle weight allowance as stated by the officer standing there with the badge. In many cases, both of these limits could be as low as 12,000 lbs. for a Class 8 chassis. However, with an optional heavier-duty front axle (that also includes heavier components, wheels, tires, etc.) you may be able to increase the axle rating to as much as 20,000 lbs. Formulating an example Use the industry-accepted formula for calculating tow capacity: 1/2 Front Axle Weight (FAW) x Wheelbase (WB) / Overhang (OH) = Tow Capacity, let’s examine the difference between two front axle weights of a typical 25-ton wrecker, with everything else remaining the same. (Refer to sidebar at top right.) Wow, look at the tremendous difference! All we’ve done is increased the capacity of the front axle and added weight equivalent to the new rating. We did all of this without compromising boom reach or overall performance by relocating the wrecker crane forward on the chassis. Yes, the front axle, and components, ratings must be increased to cover the added weight, AND local laws must allow you to legally carry added weight on the front. But, doesn’t this make sense? If your HD underlift is rated at 28,000 lbs., why would you be satisfied with a lift and tow capacity that is less than 10,000 lbs. (which is less than the front end weight of a typical Class 8 road tractor)? Continuing with our example, in the counterweighted calculation we transferred 10,000 lbs. from the front to the rear axles when the underlift was loaded vs. only 5,000 lbs. with the non-counterweighted example. This means we’re picking up more weight, but it also means we’re transferring more weight from the front to the rear. To explain, with the counterweighted example, we picked up a heavier load which increased the weight on the rear axles to approximately 49,000 lbs. as follows: Rear Axle Weight (empty) Transferred from front Weight of load picked Total weight on rear 20,000 lbs. 10,000 lbs. 19,105 lbs. 49,105 lbs. • Front Axle Weight (FAW) 10,000 lbs. • Wheelbase (WB) 300 in. • Overhang (OH) 157 in. (Underlift extended for axle pick.) Lift & Tow Capacity 9,554 lbs. Counterweighted • Front Axle Weight (FAW) 20,000 lbs. • Wheelbase (WB) 300 in. • Overhang (OH) 157 in. Lift & Tow Capacity 19,108 lbs. Obviously, this 49,000-plus-lb. limit exceeds the federal 34,000 lb. limit for rear tandems, so we must either have an overweight exemption; be in a state that exempts wreckers from You must weight laws; OR add a drop axle to increase the legal balance the load carrying capacity. weight of your That earns us a green light at the scales plus allows wrecker to us to operate well within the Gross Axle Weight Rating maximize its (GAWR) of our rig. lift and tow And remember, you don’t have to jump to the maxicapacity. mum 20,000-lb. axle used in this illustration. There are several less expensive intermediate steps along the way that will definitely increase your lift and towing capacity more than enough to handle road tractors. This illustration is very simplistic but is offered to make the point that you must balance the weight of your wrecker to maximize its lift and tow capacity. Remember, this isn’t rocket science, but there’s a lot of misinformation flying around out there that is leading you away from top performance and, after all, that’s what you bought your HD wrecker for in the first place! Now, go make some money! See ya’ soon! ■ “ ” RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 9 Product Profile PIONEER SERIES ALL-ALUMINUM CARRIERS T he Jerr-Dan Pioneer Aluminum Carrier Series offers the towing and recovery professional the benefits of aluminum construction — weight savings and corrosion resistance — all with the strength of steel. Available in four models, Fixed Rail, Removable Rail, Dual Angle and 3-Car Carrier, each Pioneer Aluminum Carrier shares the same benefits: • No-Lube technology. Every pivoting connection on Pioneer Series subframes utilize a greaseless bushing and pin design. Each of these moving joint loca- tions utilize the No-Lube technology: ultra life slide pads, wheellift crossbar pivot, IRL strut arm and adjustable link pivots, IRL cylinder pivots, subframe pivots and tilt cylinder pivots. (See graphic at right.) • Steel-beam technology. Hot-dipped galvanized steel longitudinal beams support the entire length of the Pioneer Series aluminum deck. Steel-beam technology securely joins both aluminum and steel for a lightweight, long-life structure. • Deck extrusions. These extrusions provide a rigid deck surface and incorpo- rate a revised tread pattern to improve deck surface traction. • Approach tip wear strip. Aluminum approach tips wear out. The Pioneer Series Carriers incorporate an exclusive stainless-steel approach tip wear strip for longevity. • Mid-deck keyslots. Eight standard keyslots are positioned along the deck for maximum operator tie-down flexibility. • Pivot joints. A standard feature, grease- less pivot joints allow you to spend more time towing and no time greasing with Jerr-Dan’s exclusive composite bushings and hardened/plated pivot pins. Additional standard and optional features are also available, depending on which Pioneer Aluminum Carrier Series model you choose. ■ PIONEERS IN ACTION IN PENNSYLVANIA C entral Penn Sales in Pennsylvania knows about transporting multiple cars. The company has been in the business of selling total loss insurance salvage vehicles for insurance company clients for 33 years. These vehicles have been acquired by the insurance companies as a result of settling insurance claims in which the vehicles were determined to be total losses. Towing is a necessary service Central Penn Sales must supply to transport the vehicles they are selling for their clients. “We have to haul most of our own vehicles,” explains owner Scott Rhinehart. “And with the cost of fuel continuously increasing, we will continue to use our Jerr-Dan 3-car Pioneer Series carriers.” To date, the Pennsylvania company has locations around the state near Harrisburg, Chambersburg and Altoona, in addition to a location near Salisbury Maryland. The company’s 22 drivers utilize two dozen Jerr-Dan Pioneer Series carriers to haul salvage vehicles within a 50-mile radius of the four locations. PIONEER SERIES ALUMINUM CARRIERS Staying under weight The 28-ft. 3-car Pioneer Series carrier decks and the 19- to 21-ft. 2-car Pioneer Series decks are constructed with steel-beam technology. Hauling everything from motorcycles to 1-ton trucks, weight is an issue for the com- Fixed Rail Dual Angle • Deck capacity: 10,000 lbs. • Deck lengths: 19 ft., 20 ft., 21 ft. • Deck widths: 96 in. (95-in. inside deck width), 102 in. • Polished fixed side rails with natural deck finish • Replaces both Vector and Elite models • Deck capacity: 10,000 lbs. • Deck lengths: 19 ft., 20 ft., 21 ft. • Deck widths: 96 in. (95-in. inside deck width), 102 in. • Polished fixed side rails with natural deck finish • Replaces both Stingray models • The choice for low ground clearance vehicles Mounted on a 2004 M-2 Freightliner chassis, this Pioneer Series 3-Car Carrier with a 28-ft. deck is one of 12 in Central Penn Sales’ fleet. pany due to D.O.T. regulations. Central Penn Sales safety director, Brian Snook, and truck specialist, Dan Clauser, explain how they keep carriers within gross weight restrictions. “We utilize air ride suspension and aluminum wherever we can: fuel tanks, wheels, toolboxes, etc., ” explains Clauser. “We also buy Freightliner aluminum cabs,” notes Clauser. “These cabs are constructed mostly of aluminum, with a fiberglass bonnet. They are sturdy and light.” Central Penn Sales management customizes the Jerr-Dan carriers by specifying additional keyslots and D-rings. The result: a flexible carrier that weighs in under the 33,000-lb. Gross Vehicle Weight (G.V.W.). Removable Rail 3-Car Carrier • • • • • Deck capacity: 15,000-lb. main deck;5,000-lb. upper deck • Deck lengths: 28-ft. main deck; 14-ft.upper deck • Deck width: 96 in. (95-in. inside deck width) • Fixed polished aluminum rails on main deck; aluminum angle raised rails on upper deck • Saves 1,000 lbs. in weight compared to other 3-car carriers Deck capacity: 10,000 lbs. Deck lengths: 19 ft., 20 ft., 21 ft. Deck widths: 96 in. (95-in. inside deck width), 102 in. Removable polished aluminum angle rails or optional removable steel tubular side rails • Natural deck finish 10 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 “We are happy with Jerr-Dan equipment,” says Snook. “We’ve been buying it for more than 20 years.” Rhinehart agrees. “We have used Jerr-Dan trucks since our first day of operation, and we’re extremely pleased with the way the company and its distributors work with us to develop the carriers we consider a perfect fit for our company,” he concludes. ■ RUN HARD VO L . 1 4 , N O. 2 M AY 2 0 0 5 11 Show & Go What does YOUR look like? Jerr-Dan Mike Hodges of Hodges Garage & Towing in Clover, South Carolina, takes pride in his 21-ft. Jerr-Dan Best-In-Class carrier. The removablerail, steel-bed carrier is equipped with aluminum rails, stationary headboard and a Whelen Freedom LED-light bar. It’s mounted on a 2005 International 4300 extended cab chassis. Mike Kenjesky of MGM Towing in Queens, New York, shows off this 21-ft. carrier with removable rails (above) and this Best-In-Class 22-ft. industrial stationary-bed carrier (right). Would you like to se pictured he e your rig re? Do you have an image of your Je rr-Dan rig that with readers? you’d Submit your ph otos Ray Buczkowski of Ray & Wally’s Towing Service in Lynwood, Illinois, sent in this picture of his most recent purchase: an HDL 1200/530 60-ton heavy-duty wrecker with a 2005 Kenworth chassis. 12 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 like to share via: E-MAIL to RunH ard@cygnusb2 b.com (High-res photos only. Hint: Set yo ur digital camer photos as large a to take of a size and as MAIL to Editor, many pixels as Run Hard magaz possible.) ine 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort A tkinson, WI 5353 In addition to yo 8 ur photo, tell us w ha t model of Jerr-D what model chas an you have, sis you have an d why you are submitting your rig! Company News UPCOMING SHOWS Date Show June 3-5 Empire State Towing & Recovery Association Location Fort William Henry Resort City Lake George, New York Date Show Location City Date Show June 3-5 Tennessee Tow Truck Association Location International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame Museum City Chattanooga, Tennessee Date Show Date Show Date Show June 24-26 New England Tow Show Holiday Inn Boxbourgh, Massachusetts August 12-13 Professional Towing & Recovery Association of Illinois Location DoubleTree Hotel City Alsip, Illinois JERR-DAN AT NASCAR Eight new pieces of Jerr-Dan towing equipment provided fans and competitors an added measure of confidence during the NASCAR® Nextel Cup Series UAW-Daimler Chrysler 400 earlier this year. As the official towing and recovery equipment of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Jerr-Dan provides tow trucks and carriers for nearly 1,000 major racing events at the track. For this year’s events, four Jerr-Dan 21-ft. steel Best-In-Class carriers and four HPL 6000 Cougar wreckers were on hand. These are among Jerr-Dan’s most popular models and provide performance benefits unmatched in their respective classes. The carriers and wreckers are each mounted on an International 4300 chassis with a 200-hp diesel engine, exhaust brake and air ride suspension. June 17-19 Wisconsin Tow Association Location Chula Vista Resort City Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Sept. 29-Oct. 2 2005 Midwest Regional Family Towing Affair Location Sawmill Creek Resort City Huron, Ohio The towing and recovery industry recently lost a valuable towing expert. Bob Dyar, who passed away on Jan. 7, was the owner of Valley Towing in Phoenix, Arizona. Jerr-Dan offers its deepest sympathies to Bob’s family and friends. He will be missed. OSHKOSH TRUCK CORPORATION NEWS Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Truck Corporation company, has been awarded a contract from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide a first-of-its-kind 34-ft. custom command post vehicle. The unit was placed into service at the Presidential inauguration earlier this year. The deployable Pierce® stainless steel heavy-duty command vehicle is used in national situations, such as terrorist activities, hostage situations and natural disasters. The command vehicle includes a Detroit Diesel 60 12.L 500-hp engine, an Allison 4000 EVS PR automatic transmission, and three body slide-outs with two side awnings. The interior includes a command center, galley and a conference area. The vehicle is equipped with land lines, Telular and satellite telephone systems, a camera system, LCD TV monitors, DVD/VHS combination decks, color printers, DSS receivers, two Will-Burt masts and a Pelco camera system. RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 13 Industry News WEIGHT . . . . . . BE VERY CONCERNED. I f you’re running mostly small towing and recovery equipment, about the only time you’re concerned with vehicle weight is when you head to the tax office to buy your new tags. However, larger (and much heavier) rigs offer special weight challenges. Here are some truisms regarding heavy-duty (HD) tow trucks: • A HD wrecker is a better anchor for recovery work. • A HD wrecker gets stuck more easily working off-road. • It’s almost impossible to scale a loaded single-axle HD tow truck. • It can be difficult to scale a loaded tandem-axle HD tow truck. • Most “fabricated” HD tow trucks are heavier than those that are designed and engineered. • You can significantly reduce the weight (and cost) of a HD tow truck through modern engineering. • Enforcement of weight laws for HD tow trucks vary from state to state. A revenue stream Weight is a difficult subject but one that deserves some serious thought. If you’re simply towing around your hometown, chances are that you’ll have little difficulty being overweight (unless you’re in California). However, when you hit the open road, be prepared to have a few weight issues. Federal weight laws are simple and straightforward — 20,000 lbs. on a single axle and 34,000 lbs. on a set of tandems — and apply consistently coastto-coast and border-to-border. The challenge is with state and local laws because these laws are the basis for “revenue enhancement” — a clever way of saying the states, counties and cities rely on income from overweight wreckers, tow trucks, tractor trailers and dumps to provide revenue for their respective treasuries. 14 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 As a vital money stream, law enforcement can be creative, often discriminating against the nonresident and looking the other way for the hometown crowd. Legislation is the best answer Years ago, when they were new, I (Jack) drove a HD underlift to a tow show and was detained at a Midwestern portof-entry. The officer looked through the regulations and called the state D.O.T. to find something to cite me for. He had never seen such a rig. He just “knew” it deserved special taxation, but couldn’t find the needed authority to do so. If you are planning on towing beyond your local jurisdiction (where you have knowledge of the interpretation and application of weight laws), you should expect to be detained and even receive an occasional ticket — all to fulfill the needs of “revenue enhancement.” Some towing associations have been able to lobby bills through their state’s legislatures allowing tow trucks special weight exemptions. Several states exempt tow trucks entirely. Another few exempt rigs registered within their states; others provide special overweight exemptions under certain conditions. We should applaud those associations and states that have recognized and responded to this apparent need, but there is much more to be done. This article was written by Jerr-Dan’s Jack Schrock, HD specialist and Weldon Wright, HD wrecker product specialist. To those of you who have graduated from HD Towing 101, you know that a single-axle tow truck will pick and tow a heavier load than a tandem of the same wheelbase. This simple law of physics is proven on a daily basis by towers around the world. However, the single-axle rig is limited to 20,000 lbs. (even less in some states). Taken to a ridiculous extreme, if you load the nose of a Class 8 power unit onto the frame rails of a single-axle chassis/cab at a point where the underlift connection would have been made, you will more than likely be overweight, even without the weight of wrecker equipment. So, we add axles to get through the scales, not to increase towing capacity. We even add a third rear axle to scale an even heavier load. With each rear axle we add, the lift and tow capability of our HD tow truck is greatly reduced. So what’s the answer? Let’s return to the state legislature as noted above. If a HD tow truck is going to do a job, it must have certain capabilities and that translates to needed weight where it counts. When you pick up a fire truck, garbage packer or concrete mixer, you’ve got to have some muscle or you’re an accident in the making. We can’t chop up these loads to reduce weight, but we can get a green light at the scale house if the legislators agree. Legislation is the best answer. At some point in the future, we’ll discuss strategies to help with this effort. ■ AAA Wants to Help You be the Best Vehicles are one of your biggest expenses, so buying carefully is key. A sparkling, wellmaintained fleet of service vehicles can drive new business to you. Save both time and money! A special alliance between AAA, Jerr-Dan and Sovereign Bank means that AAA affiliates enjoy a bundle of benefits. Jerr-Dan is one of the most trusted names in the business with a large selection of top-notch tow equipment. Finance your vehicles through Sovereign Bank, and save even more. Identify yourself as a AAA service provider and enjoy same-day credit approvals and flexible terms and payment plans. Shop for your new Jerr-Dan vehicle and experience: • Cutting-edge towing technologies. • Exclusive rebates* on tow body purchases. • A nationwide distributor network makes buying easy. • Solid support service after the sale. For more information on AAA vehicle purchasing and financing programs, ask your local AAA club contact or call: 800-270-2410 or email [email protected] * Available on selected models www.aaa.biz Unlock the Value TM Owner Profile TOWING FOR TOURISTS THIS NEW JERSEY NATIVE FOCUSES ON THE TOWING NEEDS OF THE TOURIST AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES IN MYRTLE BEACH. ourist towns have special towing needs. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is no exception. This formerly quiet sunny beach resort has experienced record growth in the past decade. With record growth comes increased towing needs — and unique challenges. Rick Rahner stepped up to the challenge more than 15 years ago when he moved from New Jersey to Myrtle Beach. “Times were tough in the late 1980s,” recalls Rick Rahner. “I bought a tow truck in New Jersey, drove it down to Myrtle Beach and opened my own towing T This HPL 35 wrecker, one of two in the company, is perfect for the crowded parking spaces in the tourist beach town. company, Quality Towing Inc.” With years of New Jersey towing experience under his belt, Rick began focusing on the beach resort’s growing tourism industry. Today Quality Towing has evolved into a full-service towing and recovery operation, employing 16 towing professionals (including 12 drivers) and serving a variety of customers, including those in the construction and tourist industries, car dealerships, commercial accounts, motor clubs and the state police. The business has grown from a onetow truck business to a fleet of more than 12 vehicles. Four tow trucks are currently Jerr-Dan: two HPL 35 Series wreckers; an HDL 500/280 25-ton heavy-duty wrecker; and a 22-ft. steel rollback carrier. A balanced fleet To meet the unique needs of towing in a tourist town, Rahner diversified his fleet to include light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Drivers tow and recover vehicles 16 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 ranging from passenger cars to ambulances to RVs and tour buses. Rahner has also customized many of his light- and medium-duty trucks to overcome frequent challenges of the Myrtle Beach area, including salty climate, shoulderless roads and cramped parking lots. The majority of the Quality Towing fleet is constructed with aluminum, with the exception of the rollback’s steel bed. (Rahner prefers steel for its strength benefits.) “Weather is a huge factor — the high salt content on this city’s roads can wreak havoc on trucks,” he reveals. “Aluminum provides longevity.” Rahner overcomes the dangerous, shoulderless roads and crowded parking lots with short trucks that fit into tight spaces, like the HPL 35 Series wrecker. “We complete a lot of private impounding from beach access areas, packed shopping malls and roads with no curbs or gutters. This requires trucks that allow drivers to hook up quickly and Left to right: Quality Towing’s HDL 500/280 25-ton wrecker rides on a 1005 Peterbilt chassis; the 22.5-ft. carrier on a 2002 International 4700 chassis; and the HPL 35 on a 2001 Ford F650 chassis. Inset: Owner Rick Rahner prefers aluminum, composite-bodied trucks for longevity in the salty Myrtle Beach climate. tow cars to a safer location.” Safety and power are also challenges Rahner has under control. “We choose larger chassis with automatic transmissions, such as Ford F650s and International 4700s, for the majority of our trucks, including our light-duty wreckers,” explains Rahner. “Larger chassis are more reliable, last longer and offer greater safety considerations such as allowing the driver to sit higher; a larger breaking system; etc.” Heavy-duty trucks are also a necessity for Quality Towing. The company’s HDL 500/280 25-ton heavy-duty wrecker gets a workout towing tour buses, RVs, cement trucks and dump trucks — all common vehicles in a growing tourist town booming with construction. Quality breeds quantity “We complete more than 36,000 calls a year, with as many as 100 calls a day during peak summer hours,” explains Rahner. “We need reliable trucks that work hard and can go the distance,” he adds. Jerr-Dans have become Rahner’s tow trucks of choice primarily for safety and reliability reasons. He is currently phasing out his company’s competitive trucks and phasing in Jerr-Dan wreckers and carriers. This year’s plans call for adding several Jerr-Dan light-duty wreckers in addition to building another facility on the city’s north side. “This business takes hard work, dedication, knowledge — which comes with experience — and training,” he concludes. “Each part of the equation is just as important as the other.” ■ OWNER PROFILE Quality Towing Inc. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Jerr-Dan Fleet Profile: Wreckers: Two HPL 35 Series light-duty wreckers; one HDL 500/280 25-ton integrated heavy-duty wrecker Carrier: One standard-duty steel rollback carrier with a 22-ft. bed Services • 24-hour emergency roadside service • Full-service repair shop • Light-, medium- and heavy-duty towing (specializing in touring vehicles) • Equipment transport • Vehicle storage RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 17 Business Management INSURANCE UPDATE RATES HAVE STABILIZED. HERE’S HOW TO KEEP THEM THAT WAY. I n many parts of the country, the towing and recovery industry is finally experiencing a stabilizing effect in insurance rates. “We’ve even seen rates drop in some areas,” notes Jack Babbitt, owner of Tri-State Insurance in Oregon. Babbitt’s company provides insurance services for towers in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming. Rates have stabilized in the Midwest as well, according to Rob Austin of The more Rob Austin information you Insurance Inc. in Kentucky. provide your “Many of our customers in insurance agent, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, the better Illinois, Arkansas equipped they and Missouri have seen their towing are to help you. insurance rates stay the same or even decrease,” he confirms. This is good news, but shouldn’t cause complacency among towers. Both Austin and Babbitt agree that to maintain stabilized insurance rates (or even decrease rates), towing professionals should understand and respond to several factors. “ ” How it works It’s important for every towing professional to understand how insurance companies evaluate the towing business. There are two key factors for every quote offered to a towing company: • The towing company’s loss history. • The towing company’s drivers’ history (especially the drivers’ capabilities and how they are trained). 18 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 Regardless of the size of the towing company, every owner should keep careful records of the company’s loss history and its drivers’ driving records. A few tips from the experts: Set up proper (and detailed) records on each driver, including not only their D.O.T. driving record, but also background checks and drug test results. Keep detailed notes on truck maintenance in addition to loss history. The more information you provide your insurance agent, the better equipped they are to help you receive an accurate quote. What you can do “The single most important factor to keeping insurance premiums at a minimum is hiring, training and retaining quality employees,” stresses Babbitt. “A positive attitude, by both drivers and management, follows a close second.” The easiest way to hire and retain quality drivers is to implement a quality safety program. The program can range in frequency (minimum of monthly) and depth, but a quality program will provide the following results for your business: • A method for analyzing accidents and a means to correct them. • A method for background checks. • Safety training for new hires and existing drivers. • A method for monitoring driver performance. • A method to evaluate equipment. A few specifics In today’s congested and high-pressure traffic environments, focus should be placed not only on the back end of the truck (towing) but on the front end of the truck (driving) as well. Organizations exist in the industry to help with both. The most common claim, according to Babbitt and Austin, is a rear-end collision — 80 percent of claims involve this type of accident. “A quality safety program will allow you to determine fault in any accident, as well as if your maintenance practices are adequate,” notes Austin. Also, by utilizing a safety program strategy, you’ll quickly realize just how important your equipment specifications are. For example, if your tow trucks are constantly running in stop-and-go traffic or in hilly areas, air brakes and even the addition of an exhaust brake will decrease your risk. Automatic transmissions not only improve driver productivity, but they also help keep a driver’s attention on road conditions. Anti-lock brakes are great for the stability of the vehicle. However, train your drivers that once they step on the brakes, they need to continue to brake. Anti-lock brakes are automatically controlled. Pumping the brakes defeats the purpose. Wireless remote winch controllers, work lights and winch remote free-spools also add to the safety of a carrier. Each of these issues — establishing a total safety program; hiring quality drivers; performing training; implementing a quality maintenance program and utilizing quality equipment specifications — will help to stabilize, and even decrease, your insurance rates. The final step is to work with your insurance provider. Provide your insurer with detailed information on your drivers, your trucks, your safety program and your plans to prevent future losses. ■ How To A WEIGHTY ISSUE By Ken Cruse, C.E.O. of WreckMaster Inc. A Crucial calculation t dinner one evening after a What effect does weight have in towtrade show, I was given the ing a vehicle? Quite a lot I can assure opportunity to pose one simple you. Weight may dictate whether you will question to a new and recently hired toweven be able to tow the vehicle. When ing and recovery operator. The question towing any vehicle, you are well advised was this: In as few words as possible, to retain a minimum of one-half or explain to someone outside our industry, 50 percent of your front axles’ static what is it you do every day? weight for steering, handling After a few minutes, and braking under ideal the new operator said he The most driving conditions. hadn’t thought much important An industry-excepted about it and he simply formula for calculating tow wasn’t sure he could question you capacity is one-half or explain it. He then asked could ever ask is: 50 percent of the front axles’ me how I would answer static weight (FAW) in pounds that question if asked. How much does multiplied by the wheel-base My response was sim(WB) in inches and divided it weigh? ply this: I move weight. To by the overhang (OH) in further simplify, I inches. (See formula below.) explained that I move the “ ” resistance being created. Think about it. It doesn’t matter whether you are towing it with a tow truck, transporting it with a carrier, pulling it, pushing it or winching it. In each and every case, you are moving a percentage of the static weight. Depending on the type and degree of resistance being created, you will be moving less than the static weight in one case, more than the static weight in others and in some cases, the resistance may even equal the static weight. Only during a perfectly vertical lift does the resistance equal the static weight. Therefore, the WEIGHT of the load is always critically important. After all, you are going to move it. 20 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 weight ratings and limits, as well as load position and gross combination weight ratings, must be considered at all times when towing and transporting. Be ‘in the know’ The subject of weight is of extreme importance when performing recoveries. If you don’t know the static weight of the load, you cannot accurately calculate the amount of resistance that needs to be overcome. If you do not know or if you are not able to calculate the total amount of resistance to be overcome, then how would you know if your rigging will have sufficient ratings to be successful in your recovery? What is the load on each of your winch lines? What is the working load limit of your wire rope? Your chain? Your shackles or your straps? You simply need to know the amount of weight or load forces at any given point in your rigging at ALL times. Failure to know and stay within the working load limits of any part of your rigging can have catastrophic consequences. If you don’t know, don’t go! Weight: The most important question These are just a few of the many reasons why an operator needs to be informed of weight. No certified crane operator would ever attempt to pick up a load without first knowing what it weighs, nor should any certified towing, transport and recovery operator. The most important question you could ever ask is: How much does it weigh? From this, most all other questions can also be answered and calculated. Answers to all types of questions on weights and resistances can be found by attending one of WreckMaster’s numerous training classes held throughout North America. ■ For more information about weight issues or training classes, contact WreckMaster Inc. at 800-267-2266 or visit the training organization online at www.wreckmaster.com. You also need to know your truck’s static weight in order to calculate its lifting capacity. Another important factor: your truck’s anchorability or its ability to anchor itself while performing a recovery procedure. 1/2 FAW x WB / OH = Tow Capacity Once again, the weight of the lifted axle on the vehicle you are towing, coupled with speed, may have a dramatic effect on steering, handling, braking and overall control of the tow truck or carrier you are operating. When loading for transport with a carrier or trailer, weight and the resistance of loading are critical factors. Gross axle RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 21 Towing Forum Q How do changing weight laws affect your business? Vann Beckner AA Towing Bill Parks Transport Towing Ray Buczkowski Ray & Wally’s Towing Service Albany, Oregon Joliet, Illinois Lynwood, Illinois Weight laws are certainly a The state of Illinois weight laws are The most prevalent weight issue I challenge for us. However, recent near and dear to my heart — I wrote face is weight-restricted bridges. Over changes in Illinois weight laws have and helped pass the most recent law the past several years, laws have gone made it a little easier for towing recognizing tri-axle tow trucks. I into effect in our state restricting weight companies in our state. represented the towing and recovery to 34,000 lbs. on tow truck rear axles. The state of Illinois recently passed a industry and the Illinois Department of With a yearly permit, we can haul a law recognizing tri-axle tow trucks. Transportation to legislators regarding load from a point of disablement to a Recognizing this extra pusher axle on Illinois weight laws. safe place of repair. However, our wreckers allows us to tow heavier loads As of January of this year, the revised yearly permit doesn’t cover bridges that with our trucks. weight law now allows for 44,000 lbs. have weight-restricted limits. In addition, the additional third rear on a tandem axle; 50,000 lbs. with Because of Oregon’s higher weight axle provides extra stability on our a permit. This allows towing profeslimit, many Oregon bridges have wreckers. For example, we just sionals greater flexibility when towing been damaged. (Oregon allows a purchased a 4-axle, 60-ton Jerr-Dan from a point of disablement to a point of 105,500-lb. weight limit for regular HDL 1200/530 wrecker (which rides actual repair. tractor trailers. Many on a 2005 Kenworth chassis.) The law also now recogstates have an 80,000-lb. Illinois now The truck weighs approximately nizes tri-axle tow trucks and weight limit.) 48,700 lbs. empty. The extra rear axle allows for a weight limit of The state is in the recognizes (three axles in the rear) allow us to tow 60,000 lbs. on a tri-axle process of repairing these tri-axle tow heavy loads safely. tow truck without a permit bridges, but in the meanI believe that you need steel to tow (we don’t permit tri-axle time, strict laws prohibit trucks . . . steel. We need the stability the extra tow trucks). any vehicle with a weight Bill Parks axle provides our trucks. This recent The new law has been greater than 34,000 lbs. Transport Towing law has made our jobs a little easier. well received in our state. In on the rear tandems from Future legislation is in the works — fact, representatives in other traveling over these I can only hope it will benefit our states have been asking for our assisbridges. It’s a safety issue. company as much as this most tance in changing their weight laws. To compensate, we usually find an recent law has. alternate route. If there’s a bridge between here and where we need to Question for next issue: go, it’s a big inconvenience for us to go around. But it’s what we have to do How do you handle insurance costs? until the bridges are repaired. “ ” Submit your answers via E-MAIL to [email protected] FAX to Run Hard Editor 920-568-2293 or MAIL to Editor, Run Hard magazine, 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 22 RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 U.S. & Canada Jerr-Dan Distributor Listing ALABAMA Arab, AL Austin Hinds Motors Inc. 256-586-8161 Ozark, AL Stormins Inc. 334-774-7138 Miami, FL Rechtien International Trucks dba Wreckers Limited 305-888-0111 Riviera Beach, FL Rechtien International dba Wreckers Limited 561-882-9050 ARIZONA Tempe, AZ Todd Equipment, Inc. 480-557-8633 ARKANSAS Alma, AR Arkansas Truck Center 479-632-2650 Caraway, AR Cars, Inc. 870-482-3614 Pocahontas, AR Ward’s Wrecker Sales & Service 870-248-1000 CALIFORNIA Bell Gardens, CA Tow World Inc. 562-806-9155 Concord, CA Best Equipment 510-569-1288 Fontana, CA Gooding Enterprises, Inc. 909-357-7920 Fresno, CA Valley Wrecker Sales Inc. 559-485-1513 Rancho Dominguez, CA Pacific West Towing Equipment Inc. 310-223-2900 San Leandro, CA Tow World Inc. 510-430-9894 West Sacramento, CA Riverview International Trucks Inc. 916-371-3110 COLORADO Aurora, CO McCandless International Trucks of Colorado 303-739-9900 DELAWARE Selbyville, DE Danzi Brothers Inc. 302-436-2000 FLORIDA Jacksonville, FL Stover Sales Inc. 904-696-3496 Sanford, FL Rechtien International dba Wreckers Limited 407-321-8474 Tampa, FL Atlanta Wrecker & Carrier Sales Inc. 813-626-2144 GEORGIA Smyrna, GA Atlanta Wrecker & Carrier Sales Inc. 770-432-0097 ILLINOIS Champaign, IL Prairie International 217-352-4187 Chicago, IL Chicago International Trucks 708-496-7500 Decatur, IL Prairie International 217-877-8411 Elmhurst, IL Worldwide Equipment Sales LLC 630-617-9848 Quincy, IL Prairie International 217-222-1518 Springfield, IL Prairie International 217-523-5631 INDIANA Elkhart, IN B & B Industries Inc. 574-262-8551 Greensburg, IN Hedinger’s Auto Care, Inc. 812-663-7885 KANSAS Wichita, KS Kansas Truck Center 316-838-3800 KENTUCKY Burlington, KY Tipton Auto Sales & Parts Inc. 859-689-4222 Richmond, KY Tebco of Kentucky 859-624-0653 Waddy, KY Peytona Garage 502-829-5263 LOUISIANA Kansas City, MO KCR International Trucks Inc. 816-455-1833 St. Louis, MO Miller Brothers Inc. 314-752-5726 PENNSYLVANIA WEST VIRGINIA Collegeville, PA Mobile Lifts 610-489-1900 Parkersburg, WV Matheny Motor Truck Co. 304-485-4418 Columbia, PA Nussbaum Equipment Inc. 717-684-0189 WISCONSIN LaFarge, WI LaFarge Truck Center 608-625-4285 Gary, LA Southland International of Louisiana 985-876-3000 NEBRASKA Harahan, LA Southland International of Louisiana 504-733-7711 NEVADA North Las Vegas, NV McCandless International 702-642-8789 Scenery Hill, PA ASCO Enterprises Inc. 724-945-5525 West Monroe, LA Plunk’s Truck Parts & Equipment Inc. 318-388-4462 Sparks, NV Silver State International 775-685-6000 West Bend, WI Bob Fish PontiacCadillac-GMC 262-338-2235 Wilkes-Barre, PA Wilkes-Barre Truck 570-823-0144 CANADA MAINE Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Nussbaum Sales Corp. 201-288-3885 South Portland, ME Hews Company LLC 207-767-2136 MARYLAND Aberdeen MD JP Chevrolet 410-272-0300 Baltimore, MD Beltway International 410-247-5700 MASSACHUSETTS Lancaster, MA Crawford Truck Sales Inc. 978-534-1954 West Hatfield, MA G & S Industrial 413-247-9631 MICHIGAN Auburn Hills, MI Fallsway Equipment Co. 248-340-2421 Detroit, MI Santoro Inc. 315-526-1300 Muskegon, MI Port City Wrecker Sales 231-773-2001 MINNESOTA St. Paul, MN Twin Cities Wrecker Sales 651-488-4210 MISSISSIPPI Brandon, MS Magnolia Wrecker Sales 601-825-6400 MISSOURI Columbia, MO Select Truck & Equipment, Inc. 573-886-7886 Stuart, NE Roy’s Auto 402-924-3211 NEW JERSEY Shrewsbury, NJ Circle Truck Center 732-741-3130 Spotswood, NJ Giancola Motor Car Corp. 732-251-4422 NEW YORK Albany, NY P.A. Ruth Automotive 518-456-0356 Hornell, NY Elsenheimer Chevrolet 607-324-3330 Port Jefferson Station, NY Ramp Chevrolet Inc. 631-473-1234 NORTH CAROLINA Clayton, NC Eastern Wrecker Sales 919-553-4038 OHIO Akron, OH Fallsway Equipment Co., Inc. 330-633-6000 Toledo, OH ABCO 419-536-6123 OKLAHOMA Okarche, OK OEM Systems 405-263-7488 OREGON Lyons, OR Santiam Enterprises 503-859-2793 Greencastle, PA Mason Dixon Trucks & Carriers Inc. 717-597-9400 Windber, PA GAP Chevrolet 814-467-4596 SOUTH CAROLINA Orangeburg, SC Smith Services Inc. 803-533-1585 TENNESSEE Rockwood, TN Glenn’s Motors and Auto Parts 865-354-0622 TEXAS Buda, TX Wrecker Capitol 512-312-5655 Dallas, TX Coker Equipment 214-742-5221 Houston, TX RPM Equipment 281-590-1494 UTAH Salt Lake City, UT Rocky Mountain Wrecker Sales 801-268-8850 Marshfield, WI V&H Inc. 715-486-8800 Calgary, Alberta Danco Equipment Inc. 403-253-6421 Charlesbourg, Quebec Plamondon Camquip LTEE 418-849-7575 Dorval, Quebec Del Equipment Limited 514-684-1760 Edmonton, Alberta Alberta Motor Association 780-430-5520 Edmonton, Alberta Danco Equipment Inc. 780-468-5151 Mississauga, Ontario H.R. Runciman & Co., LTD 905-625-7222 Moncton, New Brunswick Del Equipment Limited 506-857-4291 Regina, Saskatchewan Danco Equipment Inc. 306-721-9575 Surrey, British Columbia Danco Equipment Inc. 604-888-0513 VIRGINIA Manassas Park, VA Horton Truck and Equipment 703-530-7800 VERMONT Burlington, VT Charlebois Garage 802-862-6385 WASHINGTON Kent, WA Nelson Truck Equipment 253-395-3825 Tacoma, WA Northwest Equipment Sales & Service 253-922-7581 Call 800-926-9666 for information on your nearest authorized Jerr-Dan Distributor. RUN HARD VOL.14, NO.2 M AY 2 0 0 5 23 SINCE YOU NEVER LIKED TO LUBE YOUR TRUCK, WE DID IT FOR YOU. Forget the grease gun. With the Jerr-Dan® Pioneer Aluminum Carrier and its exclusive No-Lube™ Technology, those days are over. The Pioneer lasts longer and needs less maintenance because all major pivot points are greaseless, and plated pins and composite bushings never seize or rust. Add in the ultra-life composite slide pads, the industry’s only Zero-Degree underlift, and STEELBEAM™ Technology that delivers less deflection than any other carrier, and you’ve got a carrier that works harder than ever to help you build your business. Call 800-926-9666 or visit jerrdan.com today. RUNHARD is sent to you compliments of PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Lebanon Jct., KY Permit #246