Welcome
Listen to weekly American Towing & Recovery Institute On the Go Podcasts where ever you listen to podcasts or click on the corresponding link below.
Also check out the visuals or additional info of topics or features mentioned in the episodes.
Episode 2
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
In episode 2, Wes talks about his early years as a tow truck parts salesman, working as a tow truck operator and working with Donnie Cruise & Wreckmaster. Check out this photo of Wes & Terry Humelsine.
To join the International Towing Museum, follow this link to join online or download an application https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/membership-application/
2 Day Light & Medium Duty Towing & Recovery Continuing Education Class coming up in Opelika, AL March 13-14, 2021. To register or for more info http://bit.ly/OpelikaAL
Florida Tow Show – Free Light & Medium Duty with Intro to Heavy Duty Continuing Education Class April 9, 2021. To register & for more info https://floridatowshow.com/free-driver-training/
To join the American Towing & Recovery Institute, https://americantowingandrecoveryinstitute.org/atri-membership
Episode 3
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
In episode 3, Wes talks about the Florida Tow Show. It is to the towing event of the year! Mike Seamon and his tow show committee have been working very hard to make this tow show in 2021 to be spectacular for towers and their families... here is just a brief schedule of events:
Thursday: Jerr-Dan Kick Off Party Night with free food and drinks along with demos.
Friday: Miller Industries Street Party with free food, drinks along with demos.
Saturday: The show winds down with a Jerr-Dan Poolside Party.
Exhibitors will have lots of equipment and services to show both Friday & Saturday 9AM-6PM both outside and inside the convention halls.
Free driver training class on Saturday, business seminars along with a beautiful pool and lazy river for the whole family to enjoy.
Kids will have their own event with snacks and T-Shirts sponsored by Allstate Roadside Services on Saturday starting at 9AM.
Make you hotel reservations early and plan on a great time in Florida. Visit the follow link to reserve your room https://book.passkey.com/event/50143401/owner/1461794/home
Check out FloridaTowShow.com for more information and updates.
The American Towing & Recovery Institute Continuing Education Schedule is planning for a great spring and fall season.
Facebook Special Deals
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
American Towing & Recovery Institute on the go Podcast!
We currently are running a facebook special - Buy 2 Gunnebo Johnson Grade 100 1-1/4” Oblong Master Link at $220.76 and get 2 free (Plus Shipping).
Ebay Store: Wes Wilburn
Ebay Store: Wes Wilburn
Ebay Store: Wes Wilburn
Wes lists rare & collectible Ernest Holmes and other towing memorabilia weekly in his ebay store.
Ebay Store: Wes Wilburn
Ebay Store: Wes Wilburn
Episode 4
Florida Tow Show is right around the corner
Make your plans today! Here is a brief summary of scheduled activities.
Thursday: Jerr-Dan Kick Off Party Night with free food and drinks along with demos.
Friday: Miller Industries Street Party with free food, drinks along with demos.
Saturday: The show winds down with a Jerr-Dan Poolside Party.
Exhibitors will have lots of equipment and services to show both Friday & Saturday 9AM-6PM both outside and inside the convention halls.
Free driver training class on Saturday, business seminars along with a beautiful pool and lazy river for the whole family to enjoy.
Kids will have their own event with snacks and T-Shirts sponsored by Allstate Roadside Services on Saturday starting at 9AM.
Make you hotel reservations early and plan on a great time in Florida. Visit the follow link to reserve your room https://book.passkey.com/event/50143401/owner/1461794/home
Check out FloridaTowShow.com for more information and updates.
Episode 5
Move Over Slow Down
What can we do as towing & recovery operators to bring awareness of slow down move over law?
Being proactive and wearing reflective wear
By wearing reflective clothing while on the side of the road, makes you more visible to oncoming traffic.
Making your circle of family & friends more aware of the MOVE OVER SLOW DOWN Law.
Many of our friends and family are not involved in roadside work but by bringing awareness of the SDMO law, and the danger that comes in risking ones life while working on the side of the road, can bring more awareness.
As a towing operator, the answer is not criminal acts
Many towing operators have bragged about throwing lug wrenches to oncoming traffic. By doing these criminal acts, you are not solving the problem when you are putting others lives in harms way.
Organizing a Community Rally
Have you ever considered coming together in your community with your local trash pickup, emergency personnel, DOT, roadside assistance, landsurveyors, etc and put together a non-political rally to bring the SDMO law awareness to your community. By maybe showing real time fatalities, videos, photos, etc it can show them that they can be prevent such a fatality just by moving over in the line of traffic away from road side workers.
Company Social Media Policy
Does your company have a social media policy in place? Did you know that not only your friends and family can see the things you post on social media? Your customers, new contracts, etc can also locate these things on the world wide web, it is open for all to see. So please be aware of what you post on social media. It can be your biggest advertisement for your company.
Tow Eye Suggestions: We now know a better way for Light Duty Towing with Luxury Vehicles.
We highly suggest & promote BA Product's Low Profile Exotic Strap also known as Tesla Strap. This straps has a low profile hook and allows only the soft strap material to come in contact with the vehicle to prevent damage as it allows to pull the car up into position to be tied down by its wheels.
If you use a tow pin, we highly suggest using a catch strap or some use a round sling, You would typically use the catch strap or round sling in case the tow eye fails.
If you are using a tow eye, you should consider coming down to the tow eye with a snatch block, take the cable to the back & far corner of the same side which is the passenger side of the vehicle. Normally, what this does by using the snatch block, it creates a 2 part line, which reduces the tension line. But we arent using it for that reason, we are using it to center the pull.
I suggest being ve
This Week's ATRI Deals
Grade 70 3/8” Chain w/Grab Hooks & Ratchet Binder
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
Grade 70 3/8” Chain w/Grab Hooks & Ratchet Binder
Regular Price $131.75 (plus shipping)
Special Price $131.75 (FREE SHIPPING)**
Grade 70 3/8” x 10’ chain with grab hooks on each end and upper hand ratchet binder fits 5/16-3/8” chain. Ratchet binder has 6600 lbs working load limit.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Grade 80 3/8” x 10’ W/Grab Hook & J Hook
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
Grade 70 3/8” Chain w/Grab Hooks & Ratchet Binder
Regular Price $128.85 (plus shipping)
Special Price $128.85 (FREE SHIPPING)**
Grade 80 3/8” 10 foot chain assembly with 3/8” grab hook on one end & J Hook. 7100 lbs working load limit.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
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Regular Price $325.25 ea (Plus Shipping)
Sale Price $625.60/2 (**Shipping) Get 1- 1/2” Assembly Free
This sale includes – Buy 2 Grade 100 5/8” Gunnebo Johnson Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Short Chain w/ Oversized Oblong Ring & Clevis Foundry Hook and get 1 Grade 100 1/2” Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Short Chain w/ Oversized Oblong Ring & Clevis Foundry Hook for FREE!!
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Grade 100 Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Chain Pkg
Grade 100 Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Chain Pkg
Grade 100 Foundry Hook - Buy 2- 5/8” get 1- 1/2” Free
Regular $3450.50 (+Freight)
Sale $2950.50 (+Freight*)
Grade 100 Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Chain Package with Non-Shouldered Grab Hook on each end
This chain package includes:
• (2) 5/16” x 10’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) 5/16” x 20’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) 3/8” x 10’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) 3/8” x 20’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) 1/2” x 10’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) 1/2” x 20’ Chain with cradle grab hooks on each end
• (2) Q10-12FH1 with 3 Foot of chain and oversized oblong
*$199.00 Shipping to any business in the continental 48 states with a fork lift or loading dock
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Gunnebo Gr100 1-1/4” Oblong Ring (Buy 2get 2)
Grade 100 Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Chain Pkg
Gunnebo Gr100 1-1/4” Oblong Ring (Buy 2get 2)
Regular $110.38 ea (plus shipping)
Sale 2/$220.76 (plus shipping)** get 2 free
Gunnebo Johnson Grade 100 1-1/4” Oblong Master Link. 35,200 lbs wll each at 5:1 design factor and 44,000 lbs wll at 4:1.
New, unused. Buy 2 at $220.76 (plus shipping) get 2 free.
** $38 Shipping to US Domestic addresses, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Yoke Gr10 1-5/8” Oblong Ring (Buy1get 1)
Grade 100 Grabiq Blue Powder Coated Chain Pkg
Gunnebo Gr100 1-1/4” Oblong Ring (Buy 2get 2)
Regular $258.75ea (plus shipping)
Sale Buy 1 - $258.75ea (plus shipping)** get 1 free
Yoke Grade 100 1-5/8” Oblong Master Link. 78,200 lbs wll each.
New, unused. Buy 1 at $258.75 (plus shipping) get 1 free.
** $42 Shipping to US Domestic addresses, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Uprighting a Sea Container
When the industry was searching for solutions to the problem associated with uprighting a sea container. The Van Lingen Group shared with the towing industry a double jointed method of using an oblong ring & shackle (see photo taken from our catalog. You can also additional images on page 37 of our product catalog (https://americantowingandrecoveryinstitute.org/product-catalog)
Florida Tow Show
The Florida Tow Show host hotel is 90% or more (at the time of recording so with this being a week later it is probably already booked) however there is a sister Hilton just a couple blocks away with free shuttle rides to the tow show available. Visit https://floridatowshow.com/ for additional info.
Wes' Light & Medium w/Intro Heavy Duty Continuing Education class...
This free class held on April 9th at 9 am at the Florida Tow Show is currently full for pre-registration. It is advised to show up the morning of the class and once the seats of full they will stop taking any additional attendees - there will be safe & comfortable detail to social distancing in the classroom.
Also, make sure you come by Booth 210-213 in Palm Hall where we will have towing equipment, memorabilia and many more items available. Directions to our booth: When you come in Palm Hall, make a sharp left and it is all the way on the left.
Meet DJ Harrington
Wes turned the tables on DJ and interviewed him. Listen to the inspirational story from growing up in a family of 12 siblings where he followed his fathers footsteps as a young teen through college as a natural entrepreneur. DJ went from magazine writing to MC'ing at many towing events. He currently is writing for 36 newspapers, he has spoken for big corporations such as Federal Express, American Express, Chevrolet, Uniroyal Tires, Mohawk Carpet, Lowes and many, many more.
Check out DJ's website for many motivational opportunities at www.djsays.com.
This Week's Special Deals
Collins Aluminum SLX Dolly w/4.80" × 8 Aluminum Wheels
Collins Aluminum SLX Dolly w/4.80 × 8 Alum Wheels
Regular Price $2024.45 (Plus Freight)
Special Sale Price $1616.00 (Plus Freight**)
Inventory Blowout Sale #26
Self-Loading Hi-Speed® Dolly Includes:
• Aluminum 84″ Telescoping Axles w/Zinc Plated Ends
• Diamond Cut Finish Aluminum Wheels
• 4.80 x 8 Tires – Rated 3,040 lbs.
• Greaseable Aluminum Hubs
• Aluminum Square Pry Bar w/Orange Grip
• Weight: 156 lbs
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Lifting Beam/Tanker Tube & (3) 1-1/8” 9.5t Shackles
Lifting Beam/Tanker Tube & (3) 1-1/8” 9.5t Shackles
Regular Price $1850 (Plus Shipping)
Sale Price $1695 (Free Shipping)**
Inventory Blowout Sale #27
BA Products Tanker Tube measures 48 inches. Its non-sparking & a lightweight 45 lbs. Also included are are 3 BA Products 1-1/8” 9.5 ton Carbon Screw Pin Anchor Shackles that works with this tube. ($78.75 value)
These lifting beams can be used to upright takers, tank trailers or buses… simply insert through man-ways, attach rigging and lift.
2 Main Purposes/uses of Lifting Beam/Tanker Tube:
1. Lifting Beam – a working load limit of 10,000 lbs
2. Tanker Tube – a working load limit of 18,000 lbs
To Order Call 910 747 9000
G100 5/8”x5’ Hiviz Chain Oblong & 3/4” Foundry Hook
G100 5/8”x5’ Hiviz Chain Oblong & 3/4” Foundry Hook
Regular $611.50 (Plus Shipping)
Sale $611.50 (FREE SHIPPING + G10 1/2” Fdry & Oblong*
Inventory Blowout Sale #28
Buy 1 – Grade 100 5/8” x 5’ Hi Viz Chain with G100 Gunnebo Johnson 1-1/4” Oversized Oblong Ring & 5/8” ACL (alloy connector link) on one end and Grade 100 5/8” ACL, grade 80 3/4” ACL & grade 80 3/4” Foundry Hook on other end. AND GET FREE SHIPPING** AND Grade 100 1/2” Foundry Hook & Oblong Ring Assembly FREE.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Johnson 8 ton 8” Snatch Blocks
Johnson 8 ton 8” Snatch Block
Regular $584.25 ea (Plus Shipping)
Sale $395.72 ea (Free Shipping)
Inventory Blowout Sale #37
Only 8 available at this price.
Johnson, 8 ton 8 inch sheave snatch block that fits 9/16” wire. 35 lbs
New, old stock. This snatchblock has been sitting in a warehouse.
To Order Call 910 747 9000
Most Interesting Thing on the Internet this week
This week - We feature most shocking by Pete Ashenden, Jr.
This week - We feature most shocking by Pete Ashenden, Jr.
This week - We feature most shocking by Pete Ashenden, Jr.
Just like every week, we spotlight news that we found most interesting on the interesting. When prompted by Wes, Pete brings up when he shared on facebook about the 6 month maintenance he does on his 75 ton rotator. He was shocked because fb friends, etc were shocked in how he did his check up on "Big Girl" As he stated "If you take care of her, she will take care of you". He received responses of "What kind of grease are you using..." He was most shocked because many claimed they never thought of doing it that way... Many just add grease on top of grease and don't actually climb through the truck and inspect the wells. Here is the steps Pete mentions he does in his 6 month checkup on his 75 ton...
- WD40 because its a great degreaser
- Then uses a product called Tidal Wave
- Rinses it all down
- Adds new grease (link for more info is: https://www.greengrease.net/kitinfo/Single14/single14ounce.html instead of putting grease on top of grease ... it is full synthetic, polymer high temp grease as it repels water & is all around the best Pete has come across.
What can we do to help the towing industry...
This week - We feature most shocking by Pete Ashenden, Jr.
This week - We feature most shocking by Pete Ashenden, Jr.
International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum in Chattanooga, TN!
If you have never been to the International Towing Museum, you should definitely make sure you take a trip if you are ever the area. But most importantly, shop on their website www.internationaltowingmuseum.org and check out their gift shop. They can ship to you and proceeds go to them to fund the wall of the fallen program. One more very important way to support the museum is by becoming a member. If you are already a member, make sure you renew your membership. There are many levels of membership from regular member for $150 to Diamond $5000 annual fee. This support will preserve the history & even moreso supporting the survivor fund of the wall of the fallen for towing operators that have been killed in the line of service. A check is mailed to the family is mailed a check, see more details on their website under survivor fund.
To become a new member go to the following link https://internationaltowingmuseum.org/membership-application/
Site Content
We are your Grade 100 Headquarters...
When it comes to grade 100 chain assemblies we are your in stock headquarters. We make chain assemblies by hand by either Wes, Wesley or Wesley's Grandfather so we know its made properly. Many things are made custom to what Wes believes will benefit particular rigging jobs. So if you want a particular combination and cannot find it in our online catalog or on our facebook, page give us a call or send us a message because more than likely we can make it for you.
We stock Gunnebo Johnson Blue Powder Coated Chain in 9/32", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" & 5/8".
Why we prefer powder coated over painted chain.
Listen to the podcast, episode 8 as Pete tells us why he prefers powder coated chain over painted chain as a heavy duty towing operator.
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