Buyers Report

Access Tools Helped Make Us A #1 Company

We buy everything Access Tools makes. All of our servicemen are required to use this brand of tool. We’re pretty adamant about that. And it’s part of the reason we were named a number one company for road service last year.

These tools unlock cars with the least amount of damages. They hold up wonderfully.

Trudy Pawson, Owner, Keyhole Road Assist,
Richardson, Texas
See ad on page 48

For My Money, Akins Is The Best

Akins has the best price and the most quality for my money. I started dealing with them about three years ago. I run a fleet of about 13 trucks, more than half of them have been bought from Akins. I’m usually buying about four or five new trucks a year. I keep them till the warrantees go out – for about two years – and then I buy new ones. Akins’ prices are the best. Nobody can beat them. Their customer service is great. I have had no problems.

I like the Chevron equipment. It’s sturdy, durable, and doesn’t show the work stress.

John Vollaro, President, Custom Towing,
Gilbert, Arizona
See ad on page 89

At Bob Fish They Know
What They’re Talking About

I’ve been doing business with Bob Fish since ’98. They’re very honest. They build it pretty much to what you want, or they will explain why your thoughts might not work. They don’t try to overbuild a truck or sell you something that you’re not going to use.

They know what they’re talking about.

I’ve bought five trucks from them, including Chevron and Vulcan and I’m looking to buy my sixth one.

Jerry Bentley, Owner, J&J Towing,
Hartland, Wisconsin
See ad on page 101

Cross Country Is A Pleasure To Work With

We’ve been a provider for Cross Country for about 18 years. My relationship with Cross Country is probably the best of all the companies I deal with. They keep us busy. They answer phone calls in a timely manner. They pay their invoices on time. In all my years of dealing with them, we’ve never had a problem that wasn’t easily resolved.

Dick Borchers, Owner, Borchers’ Auto Service,
Blenheim, New Jersey
See ad on page 41

Dynamic Equipment Makes
My Drivers More Effective

I have been buying Dynamics since 1989. I’ve probably bought 50 Dynamics. The equipment is so easy to use. It’s quick and efficient, so drivers become more effective. Now a driver can pick up 16 cars in a shift, instead of 10. You can come in at 90-degree angles and pick up cars parked within six inches of each other. No scratches.

Ever since the 701 came out, that is the one I have been using because it is stronger and the extension is longer.

Robert Ashenoff, General Manger,

Tremont Towing & Recovery,
Miami Beach, Florida
See ad on page 52 & 53

Fords Hold Up Well

I have three Fords, a 2000, an ’01, and an ’06. They make good trucks. The one thing Ford offers is a small cab truck, which we like because we do a lot of parking garage stuff, a lot of police impounds. The cabs are roomy, driver friendly. The engines have a lot of power. They hold up well. I haven’t had any problems.

Brian “Hawk” Hawkins, Owner, Hawk’s Towing & Recovery,
Trenton, New Jersey
See ad on page 12 & 13

With Miller’s Holmes DTU
You Get Top Shelf Quality

One thing that stands out the most about the Holmes DTU is the unit’s versatility. We were looking to grow the large wrecker segment of our business and began looking at the idea of the removable wrecker. We looked at several manufacturers and determined that the Holmes DTU was our best choice. We knew that the quality was top shelf. The DTU allows us to tow medium- to moderately heavy-duty trucks. The service we have received from our distributor as well as from Miller has been outstanding. They genuinely understand that the success of our business is dependent on the equipment that they manufacture and service.

Steve Welchel, Co-owner, Marietta Wrecker Service,
Marietta, Georgia
See ad on page 57

Jerr-Dans Are Built Tough

We’ve got five heavy-duty Jerr-Dan’s and two of their tilt bed carriers, and I just ordered a rotator from them. We don’t ever have to fix them. They’re built tough. I’ve built wreckers all my life, from 1966 till ’99. Jerr-Dan was one of the first factory wreckers I ever bought. I picked them because they stand behind their warrantees and they make good products.

The tilt cylinders tilt real nice; you don’t have to use two levers. I really like the composite boxes because they don’t rust.

I’m probably the largest heavy-duty tower in Iowa, so these Jerr-Dans really get used every day.

Julie and Jim Hanifen, Hanifen’s Towing,
Des Moines, Iowa
See ad on page 2 & 3

Matheny Motors Has What We Need

We’ve been dealing with Matheny Motors for about four years, and during that time we purchased four trucks from them. We have a 50-ton Jerr-Dan, a 12-ton Jerr-Dan, and two Jerr-Dan carriers. I chose Matheny Motors because I knew I wanted Jerr-Dans. They carry what we need. Jerr-Dan has excellent products; they’re durable and long-lasting.

Matheny Motors gives us great service. They’re always there when I call. Somebody always answers the phone and takes care of whatever I need.

Todd Lamore, Owner, Lamore’s Gulf Service,
Wethersfield, Connecticut
See ad on page 87

NRC Makes A Trouble-Free Product

I bought my very first NRC in 1987. The product is excellent. I have no problems whatsoever.

I have a 45-ton slider, a 35-ton slider, a 27-ton slider. Everything has wheel lifts. I also have one Quick Swap, and one 15-ton non-slider.

People might think because they’re out of the country you’d have a problem with parts, but it’s not true. You call them on the phone and you have the parts within a couple of days. I just give them the serial number of the truck and they know exactly what you’re talking about. They know their merchandise.

2007 American Towman Buyers Report
Products and services reported in this section relate to the advertisers in the 2007 April issue.