News

Brian J. Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media on March 13, 2019 Are you sick and tired of things happening to you rather than controlling your own destiny? I know I am. Quit bitching about it and do something; it really is that simple. I attended the Towing and [...] Continue Reading

By Brian J Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media Is your compensation plan legal? This is an oft-debated subject in the transportation industry with some unique issues to consider as towers, especially those with light-duty service vehicles. Being that towers often engage in interstate commerce it can be argued [...] Continue Reading

By Brian J Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media Employee or contractor? Often a hotly debated subject in the port drayage segment of the trucking industry, it also arises in the towing industry. Recently under attack by several states, the owner-operator and independent contractor model deserves a closer look. [...] Continue Reading

Brian J Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media A colleague of mine recently noted an alarming increase of tow truck involved crashes, not struck-by or other slow down move over type incidents, rather simple crashes. Most of these have been single vehicle crashes, meaning the tow driver played a [...] Continue Reading

By: Brian J Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media Towers are often called upon to perform superhuman feats of endurance during periods of extreme weather. I remember early on in my career running 36 hours straight during winter storms. I wish I had that energy level again! In all [...] Continue Reading

Brian J. Riker In-cab technology is here, like it or not. The modern towman can not run a profitable business without embracing technology such as digital dispatch, route optimization and cellular communications. The days of a simple low band two-way radio, carbonless invoice pad and a pen are long gone. Even the vehicle manufacturers have [...] Continue Reading

Brian J Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media During a recent conversation with a good friend of mine the subject of employee behavior came up, specifically their actions and the recourse from those actions. One of her employees had just made a judgement call while out of contact with [...] Continue Reading

By: Brian J. Riker As first published in Tow Industry Week by American Towman Media on February 18, 2018 We all want to go home at the end of the day and are aware of the dangers faced daily in our chosen profession. These are indisputable facts. So why is it that I see questionable —even [...] Continue Reading