Towing News Now

Hosted by Grey Door Productions LLC

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Episodes

225

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 2, 202654 min

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?

August 22, 202639 min

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.

August 12, 202648 min

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.

August 4, 202652 min

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.

July 28, 202644 min

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.

July 20, 202633 min

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.

July 13, 202639 min

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.

June 16, 202629 min

Safety, Accountability, And The Stories Shaping Towing Today

A tow call can feel routine right up until it is not, and this week’s stories show the full emotional range of towing and recovery. We start with devastating news out of Chandler, Arizona, where a tow operator is lost in a fiery crash. We talk through what these scenes look like, why they are so dangerous, and why it matters when bystanders and fellow professionals step in to help even when the outcome is heartbreaking. From there, we shift into accountability and public trust. We cover a Kansas City case that takes a sudden turn when the state’s key witness is hospitalized, then head to Richmond, Virginia where predatory towing allegations lead to serious prison time. We also unpack a separate Richmond-area report involving a tow truck crash, questions about insurance coverage, and an expired tow driver registration, plus the real-world impact on a small business owner who cannot get back on the road. We round out the news with towing industry consolidation updates and a look at Cleveland’s proposal to raise impound and related fees, then end on the kind of courage that defines this profession at its best: a Seagoville, Texas tow truck driver who stops, calls 911, and holds onto a man in frigid water until help arrives. If you care about tow operator safety, towing regulations, impound fees, and the future of the towing industry, you will get real headlines and real takeaways here. Subscribe, share this with a tower or dispatcher you respect, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

June 2, 202629 min

How The Missouri Tow Truck Association Modernizes And Fights For Fair Recovery Pay

A heavy duty recovery can look like “just a few hours” to the outside world, right up until you learn what it costs to be ready at 2 a.m. with the right people, training, and equipment. We’re joined by Jared Ennis of All-Star Towing and RMW Towing, a longtime leader in the Missouri Tow Truck Association, to get honest about the towing and recovery industry from the inside. We talk fleet realities, statewide coverage, and what it means to run trucks that include rotators and heavy haul equipment while still trying to keep service fast, safe, and fair. From there, the conversation turns to association leadership and how Missouri is working to modernize. Jared shares why Zoom meetings and better communication help bring in rural operators who can’t afford to lose a full day to travel, and why learning from other state towing associations can save years of trial and error. We also dig into something every tower recognizes immediately: personalities. The line that sticks with us is simple and sharp, “we should be tired of talking about each other, we should be talking to each other.” Finally, we get into the legislative fight happening right now around heavy duty towing and recovery invoices in Missouri. Jared explains the pressure towers face when recoveries go unpaid due to underinsurance or low policy limits, why “just release the truck and sort it out later” doesn’t work, and what a fair dispute process could look like, whether that’s the existing court bond system or a properly built review board with qualified industry experts. If you care about towing rates, non-consensual tow rules, trucking insurance, and how policy shapes day-to-day recovery work, this one is for you. Subscribe for more conversations that protect the craft, share this with a tower or fleet manager who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find Towing News Now.

May 26, 202635 min

Inside Canada’s Towing Crackdown And The Fight Over Fair Rates

Tow trucks don’t just move broken cars, they sit at the intersection of public safety, insurance money, and human panic. That’s why our conversation with Joey Gagne lands hard. Joey has built a major towing operation across Southern Ontario and now serves as president of the Canadian Towing Association, giving him a front-row view of what happens when regulation meets real-world roadside chaos. We talk about Ontario’s push to clean up the towing industry after consumer abuses and shocking violence, including burned trucks and shootings. Because Canada has strict firearm laws, Joey explains why gun crime around towing signals a serious criminal element, and why that leaves legitimate operators at a dangerous disadvantage. We also dig into accident chasing and the on-scene sales pitch that can feel like “help” to a rattled driver but can spiral into exploitation of both consumers and insurers. Then we get practical: how Canadian no-fault auto insurance differs from the US system, why “nuclear” lawsuit exposure changes everything for commercial operators, and why governments often reach for towing rate caps even when caps can punish honest companies while bad actors simply shift where they extract money. Joey lays out the uncomfortable truth that many tools already exist, from consumer protection rules to highway traffic laws, but enforcement gaps and inconsistent policing keep the cycle going. If you care about towing safety, fair towing prices, roadside enforcement, and how to stop towing fraud without crushing small operators, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe, share the show with a friend in the industry, and leave us a review with your take: is the fix better laws or better enforcement?