In this episode, we reflect on our podcast's journey as we announce the conclusion of regular episodes after 145 shows in six and a half years. We emphasize the importance of quality content for towing professionals while discussing the evolving industry landscape influenced by AI and technology. Practical applications of AI to enhance operations and customer service are explored, reinforcing its role as a supportive tool. We express gratitude to our listeners and partners, encouraging continued...
Jul 07, 2025•48 min•Season 18Ep. 145
In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, we explore the current challenges and opportunities within the towing industry. We discuss the resilience required to handle issues such as employee turnover and staffing shortages as we gear up for winter. The conversation turns to regulatory changes, particularly the FMCSA's transition to digital medical cards, examining its implications and the concerns it raises within our workforce. We share cautionary tales about rescue operations in adverse wea...
Jun 30, 2025•59 min•Season 18Ep. 144
In this episode, we speak with Brian Riker, a DOT compliance expert in the towing industry. He addresses common misconceptions about towing regulations and highlights the importance of operational compliance for liability management. Brian shares insights on establishing a compliant towing business, the significance of proper record-keeping, and the potential consequences of non-compliance. He offers practical strategies for enhancing safety and training while emphasizing that prioritizing compl...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 18Ep. 143
In episode 142 of the Tow Business Podcast, we explore the dynamics between towing industry owners and employees. We discuss different owner communication styles and their effects on team morale, advocating for operational transparency and accountability. The conversation covers the role of AI in hiring, teamwork in field operations, and the importance of clarity in company policies to prevent miscommunication. We emphasize fostering a positive work environment through effective communication an...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 18Ep. 142
Chapters 0:27 Introduction to the Tow Business Podcast 1:47 Florida Tow Show Recap 5:50 New Initiatives in Towing 10:21 Owner's Groups Discussion 18:24 Consulting Insights from Burt King 32:31 The Role of Ego in Business 46:39 Marketing Strategies for Towers 47:27 Interest in Owner's Groups 1:02:14 Personal Experiences and Accountability 1:13:53 Contact Information and Closing Remarks Long Summary In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, we delve deep into the intricacies of the towing indus...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 18Ep. 141
Chapters 0:27 Introduction to Tow Business Podcast 0:46 Spring Break and Florida Tow Show 11:00 AI in the Towing Industry 25:10 Compliance and Safety Insights 32:43 Marketing and Business Growth 43:32 Future Innovations in Towing 52:21 Conclusion and Wrap-Up Brief Summary In this episode, we discuss key topics in the towing industry with my co-host Brad, including our experiences at the Florida Tow Show and insights from the ATRI Report on anti-predatory towing measures. We highlight the impact ...
Apr 14, 2025•53 min•Season 18Ep. 140
In this episode, I team up with Brad to discuss the latest in the towing industry, sharing personal updates and the impact of recent weather events on our operations. We explore effective marketing strategies, highlighting the importance of targeted advertising and the need to address rising operational costs through rate adjustments. We share insights on competition and insurance challenges, emphasizing the necessity for operators to stay informed about regulatory issues. I wrap up with a light...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 18Ep. 139
In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast , Jeff shares his whirlwind experience dealing with four different tow truck companies during a recent trip, offering insights on customer service and efficiency in the industry. Brad discusses the challenges of replacing one of his trucks, weighing the options and costs involved. Jeff then wraps up with two wild stories about bogus damage claims on liftgates—shedding light on the importance of documentation and protecting your business from false accu...
Mar 10, 2025•52 min•Season 18Ep. 138
Traxero's CEO Chris Landis and SVP, Sales Jillian Grassetti come on to discuss their State of the Industry Report Brand and I discussed on a recent show. After that, we get into the Traxero / Autura merger and what it means for the towing industry.
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr•Season 18Ep. 137
Welcome to the Tow Business Podcast, the towing industry’s longest-running show, where we dive deep into the latest news, insights, and innovations that can help you grow your tow business. Each episode is crafted to provide a wealth of information and promote professionalism in the industry and within your community. Our distinguished hosts, Jeff and Brad, bring together their diverse experiences and viewpoints to foster thoughtful discussions on the challenges and triumphs faced by today's tow...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 18Ep. 136
In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, we examine the challenges and trends in the towing industry as we close out 2024. Key topics include scams targeting towing professionals and insights into the Traxero-Autoro merger. We share personal experiences with scams, highlight the necessity for valid information sources, and analyze economic trends affecting the market. We wrap up by celebrating listener engagement and encourage feedback as we finally announce the winner of the Whiskey Set. 0:...
Jan 06, 2025•48 min•Season 18Ep. 135
In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, we explore the unique challenges faced by the towing industry during the holiday season, sharing personal stories and insights. I discuss my struggles with managing health insurance for our employees amidst rising costs and the significance of providing meaningful benefits. We delve into the legislation affecting the industry, highlighting our advocacy efforts in response to the FTC's junk fee rule and the need for ongoing vigilance. The conversation ...
Dec 23, 2024•59 min•Season 18Ep. 134
Chapters 0:25 Introduction to Tow Business Podcast 0:50 Opening Dialog 8:01 Remembering Irvin Johns 9:39 Traxero's 2024 State of Towing Report 46:57 Marketing Opportunities for Towing Businesses 1:04:53 Conclusion and Acknowledgments **Tow Business Podcast**: Your Ultimate Source for Towing Industry Insights In this episode, titled "Show 133," co-hosts Jeff and Brad share their thoughts and experiences related to the towing industry, while diving deep into the recently released 2024 State of Tow...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 18Ep. 133
In this episode of the Tow Business Podcast, I team up with co-host Brad to explore the challenges in the towing industry, focusing on leadership and professional growth. We discuss the importance of mentorship for aspiring leaders, the lack of initiative among some employees, and the need to foster accountability within our teams. We also cover effective communication between management and operators, the complexities of safety bonus programs, and the risks of 1099 employment. I encourage liste...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 18Ep. 132
Unfortunately, there are many topics we feel need to be revisited time and time again. These are a few of those topics. Chapters 0:24 Welcome to Tow Business Podcast 0:51 Season 18 Begins 8:24 Mountain Biking in Bentonville 8:41 Innovations in Towing Equipment 15:24 The Challenges of Starting a Towing Business 32:40 Tackling Towing Scams 34:14 The Importance of Marketing 34:23 Investing in Employee Training 50:05 Rigging Inspections and Safety 59:50 Reflections on Podcasting and Collaboration...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 18Ep. 131
I stumbled across a few towing news websites I hadn't seen before. Without surprise, the majority of stories were negative but we found one good story about a tower in Georgia. We discuss some of the tops stories we found on these Geocities era websites. Miller Industries Traxero Harbinger Marketing HAAS Alert Safety Cloud ERSCA
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 17Ep. 130
We talk about the greatest scandal to ever rock the towing industry and several other hot, current tow topics. Tesla Truck Crash and fire A 5 state SDMO blitz nabs 1130 violators Massachusetts truck regulation madness Mandatory, non-existent tow training in Ottawa Thank our Show Sponsors: Miller Industries Traxero HAAS Alert Safety Cloud Harbinger Marketing
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 17Ep. 129
The title says it all. We as an industry have been labeled predators. If you start peeling the layers of that onion off how can we be predators? Why are police departments calling predators to the scene of a wreck? They aren't, they are calling professionals to provide necessary services. Thankfully The National open Commerce and Safer Highways Coalition is a group that's finally fighting back for us and they need your help. Visit https://www.nocshc.com/ to get the truth. If someone tries to bad...
Aug 12, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 17Ep. 128
David Harbin with Harbinger Marketing joins us to discuss creating and maintaining a solid, effective marketing program for your towing company regardless of size. It's no longer a matter of giving your company a name that starts with A so you are first in the phonebook. Our customers come from different places now and digital marketing is how you reach them. Traxero Miller Industries Harbinger Marketing HAAS Alert Safety Cloud ERSCA
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 17Ep. 127
There may be a new twist to your competition trying to get you to run a fake call at your expense. Are you thinking of adding an outside salesperson? How do you pay them and when is a new customer actually a new customer? We also have a few more problems invoices to talk about. Keep them coming to jeff@southsidewreckers.com
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 17Ep. 126
There's a new scam popping up among the bad players in our industry. We explain how it happens and why these dirty towers must be stopped. We also discuss the new tactics some Canadian towers are using to greatly increase their odds of being paid for recovery work as heard on episode 139 of The Towing Life Podcast. Finally, we discuss those special employees who think they are too good to be terminated and why do co-workers only come to complain about them after they are gone. millerind.com harb...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 17Ep. 125
Our industry is under attack by a well-funded, well-organized group using the FTC and FMCSA to accomplish their goals. Unfortunately, it seems that most U.S. towers are still unaware. The National Open Commerce and Safer Highways Coalition needs your support! Please visit www.nocshc.com for accurate, up-to-date information. Please consider a one-time or recurring donation so that they can represent our proud industry in Washington D.C. The coalition is already starting to tackle the issue of low...
Jun 11, 2024•46 min•Season 17Ep. 124
Brad goes to the Florida show and Buc-ees has everything! Also, the over-the-phone Tow Scam strikes again.
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 16Ep. 123
ERSCA.org Training, Standard Duty Heavy Duty, EV Winching & Rigging Online & in person
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 15Ep. 122
We discuss some current topics going on in Towing News. If you own a Freightliner M2 make sure you listen until the end. Traxero.com Millerind.com ERSCA.org Haasalert.com https://harbingermarketing.com/
Apr 01, 2024•58 min•Season 16Ep. 121
Traxero's products help glue the business side of our industry together by offering several pieces of software, services, and hardware that integrate in a way we've never before seen. Dispatching software, payment systems, GPS, dashcams, auctions, and more. Whether you're using a pen and paper wondering if it's time to go digital or a 20-year veteran of digital dispatching wondering if there is a better way, give them a call. This episode discusses many of the integrated solutions they offer and...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 16Ep. 120
Recently the FTC and FMCSA announced new rules that would adversely affect the Towing Industry and those who supply and support the industry. Luckily, a large group of towers from around the nation worked tirelessly to create a new Coalition not only to fight against these new proposed rules but to combat the negative stereotypes and misunderstanding of the costs and challenges we face while trying to keep America's roads and commerce flowing. NOCSHC isn't simply talking about doing something ab...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 16Ep. 119
There is a war being waged against the towing industry by insurance companies and trucking companies simply trying to improve their bottom line. We all know there are bad actors within the towing industry but they are few and far between. We are all currently being accused of being that small group and people are manipulating the data in an attempt to crush our industry so they can increase their profits. This episode is a must-listen for every tower in the United States. We told you this was co...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 16Ep. 118
A listener sent us a great email asking us follow-up questions about previous shows. We chose several of his questions to respond to. Miller Industries Traxero HAAS Alert Safety Cloud ERSCA
Feb 05, 2024•58 min•Season 16Ep. 117
A major auto club has come out in support of Congestion Charges. We also discuss the Not So Crazy TRIP Invoice that is in the news and try to provide some insight to the costs of participating in the TRIP Program.
Dec 30, 2023•1 hr•Season 15Ep. 116
