Article of American Towman Magazine

July 2003 magazine

Lagniappe
Tie-downs, Mistakes, and T-Shirts
By David Lambert
Use several types of tie-downs in my classes and often have a different type of tie-down on each wheel, just to show the different methods. The straps pictured in Photo #1 have become my favorite method to tie-down a vehicle whenever there's a D-ring in the middle of the bed. These over-the-tire straps should be considered whenever you have a choice.

Mistakes cost both time and money…and too many mistakes are due to carelessness. Using tie-down chains with J-hooks or a bridle with J-hooks probably causes most of the damage to vehicle being loaded and transported on a flat bed (car carrier, rollback, or slider). Fishing with a J-hook and catching a suspension part can be an expensive fishing trip.

Even using an approved method, such as the screw-in towing loops or towing eyes found on Mercedes, VW, Audi, Porsche, Mini Cooper, and Saab can easily damage the vehicles. Pulling the vehicle too close to the winch can damage them. These loading attachments are intended for a straight pull only. As the vehicle is loaded, there is more downward force placed on the loop or eye, as it gets closer to the winch. It can actually break off if too much downward force is exerted. Only pull these vehicles onto the bed far enough to properly secure the rear tie-downs. The loop or eye should be no closer than 4 feet from the winch.

You face new challenges every-day. Training and experience can provide you with the knowledge that's needed to accomplish most tasks, but you must often be inventive and resourceful when faced with new and different types of jobs.

Unfortunately, even the best operators will occasionally make mistakes and often it's while performing a routine job. The job you've done a hundred times before is so routine you can do it blindfolded; so easy you don't even have to think about it and there lies the problem. We can only hope our errors are minor and don't hit our wallets to hard or cause injuries.

When it comes to difficult or new tasks, you take time to plan and to solve the problem. When faced with a job you've never performed, or even just towing a new model vehicle, you stop, take the time to think about the problem and the solution. This attention to detail isn't only for new towing or recovery challenges. It's for those simple tasks also. Don't switch into the "automatic" when performing routine tasks.

The very nature of your job sets you up to make mistakes. You work long hours and late night shifts. You have one hand on the wheel while the other is holding a microphone, cell phone, or a sandwich. There always seems to be two calls waiting and that last service writer made you wait too long for a P.O. Even the small, routine job requires the same amount of concentration.

T-shirts are common in the towing industry. A lot of operators at the various tow shows wear company t-shirts. Tow shows are a good place to wear them, but I question whether or not they should be worn at work.

If t-shirts are new, clean and fit rather than old, dirty and one size too small, they may be acceptable but generally, t-shirts should be acceptable but generally, t-shirts should be for casual wear, worn around the house or at the beach, not to work. Too often they are still being worn when they should be in the rag pile.

It strikes me as a little odd that a company will invest mega-bucks in a paint job for a truck, and then put the operators in t-shirts rather than a sharp uniform. Uniforms can raise the customers' confidence in the operator, the operator's own attitude, and can enhance the company's image within the community and within the industry.

The cost to supply an operator with a uniform shouldn't be an argument. Costs are minimal, very affordable, and convenient from a number of uniform supplies and distributors. The price of a couple of call per month would cover the cost of uniforms for month for a small to medium sized company.

In order to succeed, any business depends on repeat customers (although funeral homes may not fit here). The tow truck operator is the business's representative and comes into contact with dozens of people everyday. Your customers, law enforcement, dealerships, repair shops, and even your competitors judge your company. Why not put your best foot forward and help ensure the operator makes a good "first" impression by wearing a uniform.

A clean, sharp uniform to begin the day can positively affect the operator's attitude about both himself or herself and their chosen career. A professional should look like a professional whether they're a mechanic, a nurse, or a police officer. A professional image can only help instill confidence in the public's eye.

Email was deleted…to the tower who emailed me asking how to load a BMW if the towing loop or eye could not be used, I apologize for accidentally deleting the email. The shipping slots are below the doors that has a pin through the middle. Remove the pin; drop the jacking pad and you'll see the shipping slots.

On most I've seen, the R-hook would be recommended for loading because of the direction of the slot. The Mini Cooper is the only BMW that the towing loop or eye should be used to load.

David Lambert has been in the towing industry since 1982. He teaches courses in light-duty towing instruction and is a frequent seminar presenter at the American Towman Expo. He's a past member and chairman of the SAE Towability Committee. David is AT's Field Editor, he can be contacted at JdaveLambert@aol.com.

Be careful when ordering tie-down straps. In Photo #1, notice the straps have no metal rings. Some similar straps have two metal rings. They can do the job, but when placed incorrectly, they can damage rims and hubcaps.

Photo #2 shows another type of over-the-tire strap with a metal ring that can quickly become a problem for the tow operator when placed in the wrong position. In the picture, the operator had to offset the ring to keep it way from the vehicle's protruding hubcap, but didn't move the ring far enough. It may still damage the hubcap in its offset position.

Previous Best Of A.T.

Lagniappe Tie-downs, Mistakes, and T-Shirts By David Lambert Use several types of tie-downs in my classes and often have a different type of tie-down on each wheel, just to show the different methods. The straps pictured in Photo #1 have become my favorite method to tie-down a vehicle whenever there's a D-ring in the middle of the bed. These over-the-tire straps should be considered whenever you have a choice. Mistakes cost both time and money…and too many mistakes are due to carelessness. Using tie-down chains with J-hooks or a bridle with J-hooks probably causes most of the damage to vehicle being loaded and transported on a flat bed (car carrier, rollback, or slider). Fishing with a J-hook and catching a suspension part can be an expensive fishing trip. Even using an approved method, such as the screw-in towing loops or towing eyes found on Mercedes, VW, Audi, Porsche, Mini Cooper, and Saab can easily damage the vehicles. Pulling the vehicle too close to the winch can damage them. These loading attachments are intended for a straight pull only. As the vehicle is loaded, there is more downward force placed on the loop or eye, as it gets closer to the winch. It can actually break off if too much downward force is exerted. Only pull these vehicles onto the bed far enough to properly secure the rear tie-downs. The loop or eye should be no closer than 4 feet from the winch. You face new challenges every-day. Training and experience can provide you with the knowledge that's needed to accomplish most tasks, but you must often be inventive and resourceful when faced with new and different types of jobs. Unfortunately, even the best operators will occasionally make mistakes and often it's while performing a routine job. The job you've done a hundred times before is so routine you can do it blindfolded; so easy you don't even have to think about it and there lies the problem. We can only hope our errors are minor and don't hit our wallets to hard or cause injuries. When it comes to difficult or new tasks, you take time to plan and to solve the problem. When faced with a job you've never performed, or even just towing a new model vehicle, you stop, take the time to think about the problem and the solution. This attention to detail isn't only for new towing or recovery challenges. It's for those simple tasks also. Don't switch into the "automatic" when performing routine tasks. The very nature of your job sets you up to make mistakes. You work long hours and late night shifts. You have one hand on the wheel while the other is holding a microphone, cell phone, or a sandwich. There always seems to be two calls waiting and that last service writer made you wait too long for a P.O. Even the small, routine job requires the same amount of concentration. T-shirts are common in the towing industry. A lot of operators at the various tow shows wear company t-shirts. Tow shows are a good place to wear them, but I question whether or not they should be worn at work. If t-shirts are new, clean and fit rather than old, dirty and one size too small, they may be acceptable but generally, t-shirts should be acceptable but generally, t-shirts should be for casual wear, worn around the house or at the beach, not to work. Too often they are still being worn when they should be in the rag pile. It strikes me as a little odd that a company will invest mega-bucks in a paint job for a truck, and then put the operators in t-shirts rather than a sharp uniform. Uniforms can raise the customers' confidence in the operator, the operator's own attitude, and can enhance the company's image within the community and within the industry. The cost to supply an operator with a uniform shouldn't be an argument. Costs are minimal, very affordable, and convenient from a number of uniform supplies and distributors. The price of a couple of call per month would cover the cost of uniforms for month for a small to medium sized company. In order to succeed, any business depends on repeat customers (although funeral homes may not fit here). The tow truck operator is the business's representative and comes into contact with dozens of people everyday. Your customers, law enforcement, dealerships, repair shops, and even your competitors judge your company. Why not put your best foot forward and help ensure the operator makes a good "first" impression by wearing a uniform. A clean, sharp uniform to begin the day can positively affect the operator's attitude about both himself or herself and their chosen career. A professional should look like a professional whether they're a mechanic, a nurse, or a police officer. A professional image can only help instill confidence in the public's eye. Email was deleted…to the tower who emailed me asking how to load a BMW if the towing loop or eye could not be used, I apologize for accidentally deleting the email. The shipping slots are below the doors that has a pin through the middle. Remove the pin; drop the jacking pad and you'll see the shipping slots. On most I've seen, the R-hook would be recommended for loading because of the direction of the slot. The Mini Cooper is the only BMW that the towing loop or eye should be used to load. David Lambert has been in the towing industry since 1982. He teaches courses in light-duty towing instruction and is a frequent seminar presenter at the American Towman Expo. He's a past member and chairman of the SAE Towability Committee. David is AT's Field Editor, he can be contacted at JdaveLambert@aol.com.
		Be careful when ordering tie-down straps. In Photo #1, notice the straps have no metal rings. Some similar straps have two metal rings. They can do the job, but when placed incorrectly, they can damage rims and hubcaps.
		Photo #2 shows another type of over-the-tire strap with a metal ring that can quickly become a problem for the tow operator when placed in the wrong position. In the picture, the operator had to offset the ring to keep it way from the vehicle's protruding hubcap, but didn't move the ring far enough. It may still damage the hubcap in its offset position.