Towing News Now

Grey Door Productions LLC
  • 4.8 (13)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Each week Wes Wilburn talks about the towing industry. In every episode Wes talks about the important events and latest information. Keep up to date with the latest newws stories in the towing industry.

  1. 4d ago

    Tow Operators In The Line Of Fire

    Tow work is supposed to be straightforward: arrive, make the scene safer, move the vehicle, head to the next call. But what happens when the scene turns on you? We dig into a string of real-world incidents that show tow operators and repo agents working in the line of fire, including a hostile and highly charged response at a Chicago scene, a Massachusetts repossession attack involving a machete, and an impound situation in North Carolina that escalates to gunfire. The thread running through all of it is simple and brutal: the tow operator didn’t create the conflict, the policy, or the crash, yet they’re often the person standing closest when emotions explode. We also talk about the Move Over law with the heartbreaking update on Virginia tow operator Kelly Laneman, who suffers catastrophic injuries after being struck while finishing a tow on I-264. It’s a clear reminder that roadside safety isn’t theoretical, and that a single driver’s decision to slow down and move over can change a family’s life forever. On the practical side of running a towing business, we touch on what customers are asking for right now, including modern payment options like Apple Pay, plus how short educational videos and product demos can help operators choose the right gear, like our air fitting kit built around common brake and truck needs. We close with the kind of story we want more of: a Washington State tow company donating time to help clear burned vehicles during community recovery efforts. Subscribe for weekly towing and recovery news, share this with a driver who needs the reminder, and leave a review so more operators and supporters can find the show.

  2. Sep 2

    How Mobile License Plate Readers Boost Towing Revenue

    License plate reader cameras have become one of the most talked-about tools in towing and parking enforcement, and not always for the right reasons. Today we sit down with Marcus Oliver, VP of Security at Parkva, to unpack what mobile LPR technology actually does, how it changes nightly patrol work, and where operators can get burned if privacy and policy are treated like an afterthought. We dig into the difference between static LPR deployments and vehicle-mounted mobile systems, why “bad actors” created serious public backlash, and what real guardrails look like when you’re handling sensitive plate data. Marcus explains Parkva’s approach to retention limits (a maximum of 30 days), how disputes can still be supported with normal enforcement documentation, and why accountability and checks and balances matter as this tech spreads. We also talk accuracy, including how their system reaches about 98% across millions of reads and why extreme angles, lighting, and weather conditions are part of the test. Then we get practical for tow operators and private property enforcement teams: scanning a plate a second, auditing huge lots like stadiums and campuses, onboarding drivers quickly, and using software to simplify multi-property work. Marcus also shares where AI is headed next, including predictive enforcement ideas and route optimization that focuses time on the highest-impact areas. If you’re looking for a clearer way to think about LPR cameras, parking enforcement software, and property intelligence without hype, this one is for you. Subscribe for weekly towing industry insights, share this with a teammate, and leave a review so more operators can find the show. What’s your biggest question or concern about LPR tech right now?

  3. Aug 22

    We Break Down The Stories Shaping Towing

    A tow call can go from routine to life-threatening in seconds, and the news stories we’re seeing lately make that impossible to ignore. We start with the day-to-day realities of summer operations, including why back-to-school traffic is a real safety event for tow truck drivers and anyone running a fleet. School zones, buses, and distracted drivers change the risk picture fast, so we talk through the mindset and habits that keep operators safer on the road.  From there, we get practical with towing equipment and towing supplies. We share what’s been moving fast, then break down how we’re building flexible packages instead of forcing a cookie-cutter kit. We walk through a rotator recovery strap kit setup, why working load limits need to match across components, and the real-world reason we like certain shackle and chain configurations: faster hookups, better fit, and fewer weak points created by tight diameter bends. If you’ve ever wondered what “small hardware choices” do to performance, this section is for you.  The second half turns to towing and recovery industry news with big implications: Philadelphia’s abandoned vehicle backlog and the unanswered questions behind the numbers, two alarming cases where tow operators were threatened or shot, and a Palo Alto impound dispute that balloons into a costly investigation. We also spotlight an innovative wildfire prevention idea using recycled fire hose chain covers, plus a powerful reminder about Move Over laws and why compliance still lags. We close with a much-needed bright spot: an Iowa kitten rescue that shows towers at their best.  Subscribe for more towing news, share this with your crew, and leave a review so more operators can find the safety and equipment insights we all need.

  4. Aug 12

    Inside Towing’s Safety Culture And The Fight Over Fees

    A tow bill is easy to complain about until you’re the one standing on the shoulder at 2 a.m. trying to get traffic moving again. We get real about the towing and recovery industry, from the tools that make a heavy tow possible to the risks that come with doing the job inches from speeding traffic.  We’re joined by Richard Branch of Precision Towing (Rhode Island), who built his company from one truck into a 14 truck operation and still knows what it means to live on call. He shares what the lifestyle costs, why he treats his crew like team members, and how a tragic loss reshaped the way he preaches safety. The “Slow Down Move Over” message isn’t optional, and Richard’s making it personal by handing out pins at industry shows to keep the conversation alive.  Then we shift to towing legislation and the politics around rates, storage, and so called “predatory towing,” including pushes in Pennsylvania and North Carolina backed by trucking advocacy. We also react to a heated clip about the Invest in America Act and rising minimum liability insurance requirements, plus why underinsured trucking and delayed payments can turn a simple recovery into a long, expensive mess for everyone involved. Finally, we unpack troubling North Carolina investigative reports tied to booting and alleged criminal activity and why consistent enforcement matters as much as any new rulebook.  If you got value from this, subscribe, share the show with another operator, and leave a review so more people hear what towing really takes.

  5. Aug 4

    How Spill Response Turns A Tow Call Into A Second Business

    Rush-hour gridlock, a leaking saddle tank, and a stranger in civilian clothes telling the tow operator “don’t touch it” sounds like a movie scene. It was real, and it’s the moment that pushed Perry Beatty from traditional towing into hazmat spill response, environmental cleanup, and training that now helps recovery operators work faster and safer. We talk through what changed in the late 80s and early 90s as OSHA, EPA, and DOT guidelines tightened up around spills at controlled and uncontrolled sites. Perry breaks down why towing companies get stuck waiting at major truck wrecks, how certification removes that bottleneck, and why OSHA expects two trained technicians on a cleanup no matter what product hits the ground. We also cover what “responsible responder” really means: you answer to the officials on scene, you document the work, and you leave the property in the condition it was before the crash. From there, we get practical. We dig into the equipment and PPE that matter, how emergency management agencies and fire hazmat teams fit into large releases, and why cargo tank awareness is its own skill set. Perry shares hands-on training built around DOT-406, DOT-407, and DOT-412 tankers, plus the safety reality behind NFPA and API guidance on loaded fuel tanker uprighting and static spark risks. We also explore FlowStop tools designed to control leaks and protect storm drains when seconds count. Subscribe, share this with a fellow operator, and leave a review so more towers and recovery teams can find the show.

  6. Jul 28

    Cheaper Quotes Cost More When Safety Fails

    A heavy recovery can look “easy” right up until physics, ground conditions, and rushed decision-making cash the check. We walk through a real incident shared by Kentucky tow operator Josh Payne where a low-price plan, light cribbing, mismatched rigging, and zero willingness to reset led to a 60-ton wrecker tipping onto its side during a lift in unstable sand. Nobody was hurt, but the lesson is the kind you only want to learn from someone else: capacity is not the same as stability, and “possible” is not the same as “safe.” Josh also brings a sharp business perspective from running multiple divisions, including towing, transport, exporting, and a smart after-hours fleet maintenance service that helps customers reduce vehicle downtime. We dig into why off-hours work can be a win for fleets, a win for employee earning, and a win for operational planning when your busiest towing window is daytime. If you care about towing business growth, heavy recovery planning, rigging standards, and professional service, you’ll get practical ideas you can apply immediately. We close with towing news that reinforces just how dangerous roadside work can be: a sentencing in a repo driver killing, a tow operator injured when drivers fail to move over, and the real-world cost of impaired driving. We also highlight the Move Over and Slow Down initiative and spell out what motorists should do when they see flashing lights, whether it’s a trooper, a tow truck, or a stranded driver. Subscribe, share this with someone who drives for a living, and leave a review so more people hear the safety message.

  7. Jul 20

    A Tow Operator Shows Us How TikTok And AI Can Work

    One phone call can decide whether a tow job gets finished safely or turns into a long, expensive wait. We talk about what fast fulfillment really looks like at Towing Equipment Direct, including how we process orders, ship same-day when we can, and choose shipping options based on when the box will actually hit your doorstep. If you’ve ever needed a strap, cable, or recovery gear yesterday, you’ll recognize why we obsess over speed, accuracy, and straight answers.  Then we jump into the modern side of the towing industry with our guest David Kidwell, a tow company veteran from Northern Virginia who’s been creating TikTok content for years. He shares how he builds short videos, how he’s been experimenting with AI tools to get more creative faster, and what makes social media marketing feel doable even if you’re not “a content person.” We also talk about what it’s like working the front counter at a tow lot, where you hear more problems than a bartender and still have to keep your cool.  We close with Towing News Now: Baltimore’s push to tighten private property towing rules and fee enforcement, Louisville’s infamous low-clearance “can opener” chewing up detouring semis, and a hard reminder to slow down and move over when first responders and tow operators are roadside. We also cover a $160,000 settlement tied to the Service Members Civil Relief Act, and why towing compliance matters even more near military bases. Subscribe, share this with a driver who needs it, and leave us a review so more towers can find the show.

  8. Jul 13

    AI Jingles And Chain Safety For Tow Operators

    A tow call can flip from routine to life-changing in seconds, and this week’s stories make that painfully clear. We start by catching up from the Towing Equipment Direct studios, including a real-world reminder that summer heat, dehydration, and electrolytes affect how you feel and how you perform on the job. Staying sharp isn’t just personal wellness, it’s part of professional towing safety. We also share a fun behind-the-scenes experiment: AI-generated TikTok jingles made for our towing supplies and equipment brand. The point isn’t novelty, it’s clarity. Short, memorable content helps customers remember where to get the right chain assemblies, hooks, and recovery gear when they’re under pressure. Then we get into the practical details tow operators care about: rigging inspection after difficult recoveries, spotting stretch and deformation, and why pulling questionable equipment from service protects lives. Wes breaks down the most-requested chain setups we’re building right now, including specialty “do anything” chains and a short V bridle approach that makes better use of the chains you already carry. We also talk USA-made options, Crosby hooks, working load limits, and how limited-time deals work when inventory is tight. The second half turns to towing industry news: a tow truck driver shot during a service call, an operator assaulted after signaling a driver to move over, a major fire at a towing operation, and a bright spot, a creator’s thoughtful visit to the International Towing and Recovery Museum in Chattanooga. If you care about tow operator safety, recovery equipment, and doing the job the right way, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share the show with a friend in the industry, and leave a review so more operators can find it.

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4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Each week Wes Wilburn talks about the towing industry. In every episode Wes talks about the important events and latest information. Keep up to date with the latest newws stories in the towing industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Grey Door Productions LLC
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    227
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Towing News Now
  • Show Website
    Towing News Now

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