Experts’ Opinions of the Traffic Commander

Brent said his family’s company also relies on Zips.com to purchase parts and apparel. He said he especially appreciates the parts schematics, which help narrow down the search for the right part for the right piece of equipment.

“The ease of filling your cart and having the order processed in a couple of clicks is critical to our day-to-day operation,” he noted. “Zip's customer service goes above and beyond to get you same day answers and solutions.”

Ryan and Dorian Pantusa took a leap seven years ago and landed firmly on their feet.

In 2016, the San Antonio couple left their traditional careers behind and formed a towing company named Pantusa Towing. Ryan had worked previously in insurance, and Dorian was a nurse. They said owning their own business became a passion for them and fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“We knew we wanted to be entrepreneurs in some way,” Dorian said. “We started out with one truck and one driver and wanted to see how it went. We started growing from there.”

The multi-state company has since grown to more than 100 trucks and 100 employees. They began branching out in 2020, starting first with El Paso and then later adding operations in Atlanta and Nashville. Two years later, they opened satellite offices in Dallas and Macon, and earlier this year, added Colorado to the mix.

Ryan said each expansion presented strategic opportunities for their family-owned company.

“A lot of it was relationship-based,” he explained. “We were asked to go into those markets over the last three years by one of our larger clients. We were actually asked to go to several different areas but just stuck to the ones which fit us best.”

Besides establishing a strong customer base, Ryan said their aggressive expansion plans and rapid growth have been a direct reflection of their dedicated employees. He said good equipment, good benefits and a positive working environment greatly improves driver retention and keeps everyone engaged.

“I can’t give away all my secrets, but I will say we treat our company like a large, professional corporate organization with great leadership,” Ryan explained. “I feel we treat our drivers and employees excellently. I also think we provide some of the best benefits in the industry. The people are the key to our success.”

Pantusa Towing began working with Zip’s in 2021 and has since purchased more than 20 new trucks from us. Ryan said the need for additional equipment was the result of the company’s growth as well as upgrading older equipment at their original location.

“We’ve been replacing a little bit at a time, but our purchases lately have been mainly for expansion,” he noted.

Based on their customer needs, most of Pantusa’s fleet are car carriers. They operate a handful of heavies and a small fraction of light-duty wreckers. The Pantusas work closely with sales consultant Eric Albertson and have mapped out how they want their trucks. Ryan said those specs make the purchasing process seamless and painless.

“Eric makes things really easy for us,” Ryan said. “We’ve told him exactly how we want our trucks so when we go to place orders for new units, he already has down what we want to a science to meet our standards. There are no questions. We place the order and already know what to expect. All of them are exactly the same.”

One new accessory Pantusa has been adding to their fleet recently is the SafeAll Traffic Commander. Ryan said they have been installing this variable message sign on select new equipment as a way to improve operator safety, to promote their business and to stand out from the competition.

“These signs have been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve never used anything like them before. We appreciate the improved visibility this sign creates and the added safety benefits for our operators. It also brings a uniqueness to our fleet. It’s nice to have something that sets us apart from other companies—leading the way in the markets in which we serve.”

The Traffic Commander is just one accessory Pantusa Towing gets from Zip’s. The company orders all of its parts here as well, and Ryan said he appreciates that Zip’s AW Direct is a one-stop shop for all of their company’s needs: from truck purchases to financing and leasing to ordering parts and accessories to custom company apparel.

“It really works so well for us because we are so spread out,” Ryan said. “All of our regional managers have a central point of contact at Zip’s. We order a lot of parts and equipment, and the employees all have the link to order their own apparel through Zip’s should they choose to do so. Zip’s makes everything so convenient and easy for us. They have added a tremendous amount of value to our organization.”

Sling Inspection and Retirement Checklist

 Any synthetic rope that has been in use any period of time will show normal wear and tear. Some characteristics of a used rope will not reduce strength while others will. Below, we have identified conditions of damaged slings that should be inspected on a regular basis of its service life.

If upon a periodic inspection you find any of these conditions, you must consider the following before deciding to repair or retire it:

• The length of the rope
• The length of time it has been in service
• The type of work it does
• Where the damage is
• The extent of the damage

In general, it is recommended to:

• Repair the rope if the observed damage is in localized areas and the applications permits
• The rope should be removed from service if the damage is over extended areas

This Month’s ‘Meet an Expert’ at Zip’s AW Direct is LeRoy Gossling, a professional truck sales consultant whose territory primarily serves the state of Nebraska. A 30-year employee, Gossling also handles national and international sales, covering what the sales team here likes to call the “rest of the world.”

After spending a short time on the East Coast, Gossling, a northeast Iowa native, returned home in 1990 and joined Zip’s in the Parts Department three years later. Referred to the position by another employee at the time, Gossling said he spent his first six years here ordering, shipping and receiving parts and educating himself about the towing industry.

“It wasn’t just knowing all the parts but really the sales of those parts,” Gossling recalled. “I learned the behind-the-scenes side of the business, such as the shipping and receiving, doing inventory, stocking shelves and so on. I learned a lot from Rick and Chuck–two parts guys at the time–and I have to give both of these gentlemen credit for teaching me a lot about the towing industry.”

Gossling said that on-the-job training eventually led to an interest in equipment sales. Following an opening in 1999, he made the transition and joined the sales team here. That staff now numbers a dozen full-time consultants, and Gossling is the second-longest tenured sales rep. Returning the favor, he said he has helped guide other consultants who have come on board after him.

“As we have grown over the years as a company, I have taught or mentored a number of new or newer employees in the sales process,” he explained. “I feel obligated to, I guess, as I was lucky enough to have a few fellow employees mentor me. It’s the right thing to do. We all want to be successful here.”

Gossling describes working at Zip’s as a “family atmosphere” and that translates into his success in truck sales. Zip’s itself is a family-owned business, and many of the customers he works with are multi-generational, family-owned tow companies. 

“We have all become family over the years here. That makes a difference, I believe, along with getting to know your customers and learning about their operation,” Gossling said. “My customer base is filled with a number of family-owned, family-run companies and eventually you become part of their family.”

Gossling said many of the customers he works with have been in business for more than 40 years, and they usually know what they want when they call. Other inquiries he fields may come from younger customers who are just starting out in the business and need guidance on their equipment. He treats each sales call equally.

“A lot of my customers buy and update their equipment annually or at least every few years, so they usually know exactly what they want. But I still may provide guidance on ‘what's new’ in the industry,” Gossling explained. “I also get calls every day from very young companies, or someone who wants to get into the towing business, so this involves a lot of time and discussion on what type of equipment they need not just to start with but down the road as they grow.”

According to Gossling, the towing industry has “evolved” greatly in his three decades in the business, and he said it’s important to keep his customers abreast of the changes and improvements. During his time with Zip’s, Gossling has sold everything from light-duty wreckers, heavy-duty wreckers and rotators to car carriers and industrial trailers.

So what gives him the most satisfaction from his position? “The best part of my job is when a customer sees their new truck for the first time, and I hear ‘WOW, this is beautiful’. I call that the ‘wow factor’.”

Hauling flatbed freight can be tricky. Make sure you have the right tools and cargo control accessories to help simplify the process. Zip’s AW Direct offers a full line of Cargo Control products. These products protect your load, assist in tarping and keep everything secure.

You already know about our durable straps and chains. In today’s blog, we are going to look at the types of accessories that can make any tie-down job easier. We call them ‘must-haves’. Find room in your storage compartments for these hand-picked favorites that can help your flatbed operation.

Strap Winders

We’ve all seen the tail of a winch strap flying in the wind behind a trailer. Don’t be that driver. Zip’s AW Direct offers three types of strap winders. They store excess webbing neatly behind the winch cap and keep it from becoming a streamer.

• Winds straps up to 4”W
• Attaches to rail for mechanical operation
• Dual handles for improved control

Ancra Web Winder
Item #: AI-45801-10
Buy it

Ancra EZ Winder 2 Handle Strap Winder
Item #: AI-50092-10
Buy it

Premium Cargo Strap Winder
Item #: AI-50391-10
Buy it

All-Grip Telescoping Retrieval & Rigging Tool

Your loaded trailer can reach as high as 13’6”. Throwing straps, chains and tarps over that stack of freight can be challenging. Use the All-Grip Telescoping Retrieval and Rigging Tool to get your tie-down gear where it needs to get. This lightweight aluminum pole extends to 8’ and locks into position for easy maneuverability.

• Collapses to 42” for easy storage
• Hi-tech poly retrieval hook
• Marine finish for durability

 

Item #: 11810-5
Buy it

Corner Protectors

Your freight comes in all shapes and sizes. When it shows up as pallets, building materials and angle iron, make sure you have corner protectors to shield your straps from cuts and abrasions. Zip’s AW Direct offers 13 different options to add a layer of defense against sharp corners and edges.

• Wide footprint evenly distributes pressure
• Metal or plastic construction
• Pre-bent to 90 degrees

Zip's Corner Strap Protector
Item #: ZCSP
Buy it

Ancra X-Treme Guard HD Poly Corner Protector
Item #: AI-50089-GUARD
Buy it

All-Grip Plastic Corner Protector
Item #: WS-25037025
Buy it

Reversible Load Signs

Sometimes, your freight doesn’t fit the width of your trailer. To maintain compliance with DOT regulations, you need to notify other motorists of your oversized load. If that’s the case, Zip’s AW Direct offers several different options for reversible banners to address the situation.

• Double-sided, DOT-compliant sign
• Secures with attached rope
• Vinyl material rolls up for convenient storage

We hope you find these accessories useful and beneficial to your operation. You can browse more options by visiting the Cargo Control section at Zips.com. Just remember, the most important tip is making sure you have the right tools to perform your job safely and efficiently.

Preventative trailer maintenance on your industrial flatbed trailer can keep your rig rolling down the road. By performing regular checks to catch and fix defects before they become problematic. This early intervention makes sure your deliveries stay on time. It also avoids service delays caused by unexpected downtime and fix-it tickets from roadside inspections.

In today’s blog, we are going to look at the 10 most common areas to address. These tips of all types of trailers including your lowboy, dropdeck or traveling axle trailer. Some tips should already be part of your daily inspection routine. Others may occur during PMs, and some need to be completed at other regularly-scheduled intervals.

Find the schedule that works the best for you and your fleet’s operation. The key takeaway here is to not ignore issues or put off routine maintenance. Preventative maintenance measures can ultimately save you time and money and preserve your reputation as a dependable carrier. Let’s start our rundown where the rubber meets the road.

5. Brake systems

The importance of stopping your trailer needs little explanation. Whether equipped with drum or disc brakes, daily brake inspections on your trailer need to be part of your dispatch routine. Most out-of-service tickets are related to brakes being out of adjustment, and most roadside DOT inspections are looking for brake system violations. Don’t risk an out-of-service ticket.

At a minimum, manufacturers like Landoll recommend trailer brake systems be inspected every 500 miles. Drivers and technicians should be looking for chafing air lines, hose kinks and damaged fittings. Keep an eye out for loose, missing or corroded fasteners. As always, any defects discovered should be fixed before the trailer returns to service.

Brakes need compressed air to operate, so make sure your power unit’s compressor is in operational condition. The gladhands should be sealed with plumber’s tape and the rubber grommet insert is not missing or deformed. Always remember, audible air leaks do not pass inspections.

To prevent ice build-up in air lines, be sure to drain the air reservoir daily. A drain cock is located on the bottom of the reservoir and allows collected water and oil to drain properly and exit the system before problems develop. Once complete, make sure the cock is sealed tightly to the bottom of the tank.

6. Hydraulic system

Your industrial trailer needs uninterrupted hydraulic fluid to function properly. Make sure you keep your tractor’s wet kit free of debris and water so fluids can flow freely without restriction. Start with a 10-micron filter and regular service changes. A well-maintained system will keep your trailer working as it should when you need it to. 

Just like your semi’s engine oil, be sure to check the hydraulic oil level daily and look for signs of fluid contamination. Evidence or presence of foreign materials can clog your system and may require a full-system flush. Don’t let debris stop you in your tracks when you are in the middle of a delivery.

7. Deck condition

It’s hard to haul flatbed freight with a compromised deck surface. Whether your trailer’s deck is made from wood, metal or a combination of both, inspect for loose sections, missing fasteners and other surface defects. Over time, the condition of your trailer’s deck can suffer from loading abuse, road vibration, weather elements and repeated washing.

If primarily wood, the best way to prolong the life of your deck is to treat the wood annually with preservatives. A deep penetrating oil-based formula that repels moisture will pay itself back over time. Check with your local home improvement store or refer to the can for application instructions. Periodic recoating could prevent deck failures in the future.

10. Dock leveler maintenance

Lastly, dock levelers round out our list of inspection points on your industrial flatbed trailer. Typically located between the rear axles, these dropdown legs provide support while loading equipment from a ramp or dock and prevent unnecessary suspension damage. Before moving a trailer, always make sure the legs are in the raised position for transport.

Daily use of leveler’s legs keeps the system fresh, but if your cylinders are seldomly used, you should still cycle the legs up and down at least weekly so oil circulates through the lines. This extra step ensures the leveler’s legs are ready and available when you need them.

Leveler legs should always be in the retracted position prior to transport. During your pre-trip inspection, you should check for loose, missing or damaged hardware. You should also look for hydraulic leaks and any unsupported lines that may be damaged. If any unsatisfactory conditions exist, put the trailer out of service for repair.

We hope you find this list useful. Always refer to your trailer’s owner’s and service manuals for exact details and instructions. Inspection points may vary by manufacturer, but the intent here is to not skip a step.

Once again, drivers and fleet managers need to remain mindful of all the moving parts on a trailer. Keeping your trailer in its best shape is in everyone’s best interest.

Having the products and equipment that you’d need to inspect your trailer on-hand can be the difference between performing these inspections or not. Be sure you have the supplies you need by visiting our Auto & Truck Service department.

Helping Others Comes Naturally for Tierney Lensing

This month’s ‘Meet an Expert’ employee profile at Zip’s AW Direct is Tierney Lensing, a product sales representative. Lensing joined Zip’s two years ago in customer service and processes customer requests and orders over the phone, by email and even through web and text messaging.

Through effective communication, Tierney said she is able to build strong relationships with Zip’s customers by sharing her extensive knowledge of products and services. She has established a rapport with many of them by offering solutions through support and recommendations.

“Being in customer service at Zip’s, you are helping people on every call,” Tierney explained. “Just being able to help them with a positive approach and mindset and knowing that you impacted their day in a positive way is a win in my book.

“I have always been motivated by learning and helping others,” she continued. “I find that working at Zip’s, you learn something new every single day…from products, customers or something new in the industries we serve. By learning, it helps you strive and grow.”

Tierney said she is impressed by the breadth and depth of the products offered by Zip’s AW Direct. The company currently carries more than 60,000 products from more than 400 vendors. Every week, new customers discover Zips.com, and Tierney wants to make sure they stay.

“I am a firm believer that people can hear a smile through the phone,” she said. “It amazes me all the customers that we have and the different industries that Zip’s has products for. There is truly something for everyone here.”

In her role, Tierney tracks order histories and inventory levels through databases and spreadsheets. She says keeping information current helps with each call, leads to job satisfaction and assists others in the call center. Teamwork, she said, is what she likes best about working at Zip’s.

“Everyone is treated like family here,” Tierney said. “We all build such great relationships with our customers and our co-workers. Everyone truly cares about each other—whether it be on a personal or professional level. Zip’s is always evolving, and they want every one of their employees to grow as well.”

Close enough is not good enough. Don’t rely on your own judgment or the sound of your impact wrench to determine if lugnuts are properly secured. Always torque them to exact vehicle and manufacturer specifications.

Professionally-torqued lugnuts prevent dangerous wheel separations on the highway and limit a mechanic’s liability. A loose wheel can cause property damage, personal injury or, in the worst case scenario, a fatal accident.

The internet is littered with videos showing close calls with runaway tires on highways and on busy streets, nearly striking emergency personnel, pedestrians and the motoring public. Don’t risk a loose wheel. Invest in a torque wrench and give yourself peace of mind.

Lugnut specifications range by rim size, stud diameter and vehicle ratings. Passenger tires vary from 70 ft./lbs. to more than 100 ft./lbs.

Refer to a vehicle’s owner manual or check available resources online for proper specifications. Here is an example of the torque ranges available with the TorcUP torque wrench.

Improper implications

Undertightening a lugnut will put additional strain on the remaining lugnuts and will eventually cause them to fatigue, loosen and separate. Relaxed lugnuts will also cause the lug holes to elongate and become oblong, thus ruining the rim.

An overtightened lugnut is just as dangerous. Too much force can strip the threads and cause them to stretch, effectively losing their clamping pressure. Over-exertion on the wheel stud can also force them to crack and break off.

The intent behind properly-torqued lugnuts is to prevent wheel separations. One study found “fastener failure” was to blame in 85 percent of reported wheel separation accidents. Don’t become part of that statistic and always follow manufacturer recommendations.

Each time a wheel is removed–whether for tire rotation, new tires or other routine wheel maintenance–the lugnuts need to be torqued accurately before the vehicle leaves the shop. They should also be rechecked two more times in the first 100 miles.

Invest in a quality torque wrench 

A properly calibrated torque wrench will prevent wheel separation and avoid any unnecessary exposure to risk. Several torque wrenches are available in the automotive market, from manual “click” wrenches to battery-powered models. 

At Zip’s AW Direct, we sell and recommend the TorcUP, a quality, durable cordless unit delivering digital precision and offering reduced user fatigue. Click here for complete details on the six options available.

With the TorcUP, you can accurately tighten a lugnut to exact specifications with less effort and greater convenience. This cordless unit frees yourself from manual lever-type torque wrenches and improves confidence, knowing you’ve accurately tightened a lugnut.

The TorcUP also allows you to reach inside a wheel well without a cumbersome lever getting in the way. For safety, yellow “reaction arms” are available to brace against or lock onto neighboring lugnuts to absorb the force generated by this power-packed wrench.

A digital readout at the base of the TorcUP wrench allows you to input the exact torque setting. To set it, press the up and down arrows. You can switch between standard and metric readings by pressing both arrows simultaneously. 

At a max RPM of 20, the TorcUP wrench spins slowly and deliberately and then stops turning when the torque setting is achieved. To improve your efficiency, you can use a standard impact wrench to tighten the nut and then switch to the TorqUP wrench for the final torque setting.

Please note the TorcUP does not record individual torque settings. We recommend documenting each wheel setting and then listing that information on the customer’s invoice. This will limit your exposure to risk once the vehicle leaves the shop.

Accurate recordkeeping and properly tightening lugnuts are the hallmarks of a professional automotive technician. You don’t cut corners and have the safety and best interest of your customers and the motoring public in mind. Invest in a TorcUP wrench and sleep good at night.

• Personal safety by eliminating fumes and slippery surfaces
• Environmental protection by controlling hazardous material spills
• Property preservation by preventing long-term damage

• Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, boots and safety glasses

• Containment products, like absorbent mats, booms, socks and pillows

• Disposal bags to properly collect and identify soiled materials

• Cautionary signs to warn others of the spill and cleanup underway

• Universal to address a combination of chemical and water-based fluids
• Oil-only to absorb petroleum-based leaks and spills
• Hazmat to handle dangerous situations, such as battery acid

When Avery Sassman first joined Zip’s AW Direct 18 months ago, he said he was pretty familiar with the company. He had grown up in nearby Fredericksburg, and the company he worked for previously shared a warehouse and production facility with Zip’s on the west side of New Hampton.

Now living in Hawkeye, the 23-year-old said he was eventually referred to work at Zip’s by a family friend, and he was hired on for the warehouse here in February of 2021. He said he had prior shipping and receiving experience, so the distribution center was a natural fit for him at Zip’s.

“I was really looking for something different at the time,” Sassman said as the reason for his career change. “I had always heard good things about working here. At my last job, I pretty much did anything related to the warehouse, so I was already comfortable with that line of work.”

Sassman, who is this month’s ‘Meet an Expert’ at Zip’s, started off as a parts runner and was “absolutely amazed” by the breadth and depth of the products offered here. At last count, Zip’s AW Direct offers more than 65,000 products from 400-plus vendors.

Included with that product offering are more than 100 pre-assembled kits for the towing and recovery industry, including toolbox systems, chain kits and synthetic winch lines. During his downtime in the warehouse, Sassman said he began to work on the kit assemblies to stay busy, and based on his performance there, he eventually transitioned to that role full time.

His days now are spent cutting chain to specifications and measuring and splicing synthetic rope for a variety of Manufacturing Orders. Since he first started in the kit department, he said he has been able to shave his time in half, increasing his productivity and efficiency with experience.

“Once you get used to it, the process goes pretty quickly,” Sassman noted. “But when I first started out, it took me a little longer to put everything together.”

As he continues to improve his craft, Sassman said he takes pride in the products he produces for Zip’s customers. At the end of the day, his job satisfaction comes from knowing he is shipping out durable products with expert workmanship.

“I like to make sure I’m doing quality work,” he said. “You know you did a good job when the product doesn’t get returned.”

Good pay and benefits, including paid time off and generous profit sharing, are key ingredients to reducing turnover and improving employee retention at Zip’s AW Direct. It’s a recipe the New Hampton-based company tries to follow as it competes for workers in rural northeast Iowa.

Employee referrals have also become critical to the company’s hiring goals, particularly as the business–operating primarily in a community of just over 3,000 people–has grown from 66 employees to 250 workers with the acquisition of AW Direct four years ago.

Facing stiff small-market competition, that recruitment effort has often led to the employment of relatives. A family-owned company, Zip’s itself is led by two generations of the Rottinghaus family, so it seemed fairly natural to hire relatives of current employees to fill job openings.

Besides owners Paul and Margo Rottinghaus and their son David, the stable employee base at Zip’s includes siblings, parents, children, uncles, cousins and even a handful of married couples from the surrounding area. Besides often sharing the same last names, they take ownership in each other’s success, which leads to longevity within the company.

Among the husband-and-wife teams here are New Hampton natives Todd and Maelynn Tenge. Todd is one of the longest-serving employees at Zip’s and oversees Quality Control on the truck side. Maelynn works in the Payroll Department and supports Human Resources.

Todd has been employed by Zip’s for the past 35 years and was joined by his wife seven and a half years ago when the company lifted its unwritten policy preventing husbands and wives working together here. The Tenges said they appreciate the family-friendly culture and atmosphere at Zip’s. 

“We have really been able to raise our family at Zip’s and have been able to send each of our three kids off to college because of our jobs here,” Maelynn said. “This is a very good place to work. Everyone is well taken care of, which makes people want to come to work everyday and do a good job.”

“Zip’s has been able to adapt with the times,” Todd added. “They want everybody’s future here to be long and prosperous, and they want people to stay here. We have a good group of workers, and that starts from the top on down. It’s not one person who makes this company go. Everybody works together to get that product out.”

The Tenges have been married for 31 years and recalled attending Zip’s Christmas parties early on “when there were just 40 of us,” Maelynn said. Although the business has grown exponentially since–including adding a second location in Michigan in 2012–the Tenges said the company’s hometown values have always remained in-tact, which was particularly evident when one of their children was facing health issues.

“The Rottinghaus family really takes care of their employees,” Maelynn said. “They are really good about working with you if you have a situation where you need time off. We have never been denied time to take off for personal reasons, but we have never abused it either. We have only taken off when we really needed to.”

The Tenges said they have returned the favor through their loyalty to the company and their commitment to producing quality products and services. Through their combined 42 years of service, they said they are personally invested in seeing the company prosper and maintain its foothold as a top employer in the region.

“This is our hometown,” Maelynn said. “We went to school here. We work here. We shop here. We want to see Zip’s stick around here for a long time to come.”

“The biggest thing we can do as employees is making sure the customer is happy,” Todd added. “When the customer is happy, we know we did our job right.”

Doesn’t matter who locked the keys inside the car. What matters is what you’re going to do to get them out. Zip’s AW Direct offers several car-opening kits to help automotive professionals gain access to locked vehicles.

In today’s blog, we’re going to look at some of our best-selling kits from different manufacturers. We’ll start with basic packages and finish with the most comprehensive kits, going over each lockout kit contents. Each one brings its own value, price-point and distinct lockout advantages.

Steck’s BigEasy Door Tool Kit  See Details

(1) 4-1/2' L long reach tool
(1) Glow-in-the-dark tip
(1) Window wedge
(1) Paint protector
(1) Lock knob plastic strip tool

Steck's BigEasy door tool kit includes a fluorescent pink long reach tool with glow-in-the-dark properties. This allows for better visibility in low-light situations. Featuring a T-handle for better maneuvering, the long reach tool will appear white in the daylight and then bright pink at night.

This kit also features a window wedge and other essential accessories for most unlock scenarios. With customer service in mind, the paint protector, rubber tip and plastic strip all combine to prevent unwanted scratches to the vehicle.

AW Direct Big Blue Long-Reach Door Tool Kit  See Details

(1) Rigid plastic window wedge
(1) Long reach door tool
(1) Protective rubber tip
(1) Inflatable air wedge 
(1) Carrying case 

This convenient door tool kit from AW Direct includes a zippered, black carrying case so your tools will stay organized, stay together, will be easy to transport and will be ready to go to work when you need them. 

Similar to Steck’s BigEasy offering, this kit also features several properties to protect your customer’s vehicle. The inflatable air wedge won’t scratch windows or paint, and the rubber tip on the end of the long reach tool will soften any button or lever action.

Pro-Lok 4 Piece Extra Length Long Arm Lockout Kit  See Details

(1) Extra Long Arm tool
(1) Plastic sleeve
(1) Pump wedge
(1) Mini rubber wedge

By now, we’ve established the importance of protecting your customer’s vehicle and finish with soft air wedges, plastic paint protectors and rubber rod tips. What makes this four-piece kit from Pro-Lok different from the first two is the additional length of the long reach tool. 

At 76”, the Extra Long Arm tool is nearly two feet longer than the standard 4-1/2' long reach tool. Most of these door tools work alongside the window to reach door control buttons. With Pro-Lok’s kit, you now have the ability to reach across the vehicle’s interior.

With a direct line of sight, you can easily position the long reach tool to depress the unlock button, access the pull handle, lift the lock button and even retrieve the keys. With this improved viewing angle, the only better position would be from inside the vehicle.

Sully Tools Basic Door Tool Kit  See Details

(1) Sully Pouch carry case
(1) Sully Strip 
(2) Handle Wedges 
(1 ) Sticky L 
(1) Sully J 
(1) Sully Big Foot 
(1) Sully Dipper 
(1) Sully L 
(1) Sully Drop Hook 
(1) Sully Double Dipper

Unlike the first three kits, Sully Tools’ Basic Door Tool Kit gives us our first look at In The Door tools, a separate category at Zips.com. The previous kits just featured long reach tools, which work well between the door frame and window weatherstripping to access the door controls.

With In The Door tools, the pre-bent rods are inserted into the door cavity and, through careful manipulation, emerge on the inside of the window. The plated shafts are able to hold their shape but remain flexible enough to bend and form to the contour of the door.

When using these tools, auto entry experts use extreme caution to avoid damage to internal door components and also use the Sully strips to prevent scratches on the glass surface. Each tool number is stamped on the handle for easy identification and replacement.

Access Tools Contractor's Lockout Kit  See Details

(1) Wonder shield
(1) Glassman tool
(1) Wedgee wedge with strip savers
(1) Standard one-hand jack tool
(1) Air Jack wedge
(1) Button Master tool
(1) Button Strip tool
(1) Quick Max long reach tool
(1) Slim Jim
(1) Carrying case

The Contractor’s Lockout Kit from Access Tools is the most popular and best-selling kit at Zips.com. Complete with a soft-sided carrying case to keep everything together, this kit offers several wedge options as well as unique tools for door pulls and unlock buttons.

At 24-1/2", the Slim Jim tool included in this professional kit is made from stainless steel for added firmness, corrosion resistance and durability. As its name implies, the thin profile slides into the door cavity to reach door linkages for simple opening of any vehicle.

Access Tools’ contractor kit also includes two options to reach the door lock knob. The Button Strip was designed for insertion into narrow gaps for grabbing vertical buttons, and with its handle-operated lasso, the Button Master was specifically created to pull up knobs.

Save your customer’s day

Unintentionally locking keys in a vehicle can be an embarrassing moment for your customers and cause unnecessary delays in their busy lives. Be a hero and come to their rescue with the right lockout tools from Zip’s AW Direct.

Our rundown today of five different types of lockout kits should give you an idea of what you’ll need to respond to your next dispatch. If you don’t get a lot of those calls, a basic set may be right for you. However, if you handle a lot of them, consider a more comprehensive kit.

Several more options are available at Zips.com. Click on the ‘Shop Products’ tab on the top navigation bar and then scroll down to Lockout Tools. Here, you’ll discover more kits and individual tools in a number of different categories.

Find the options that are right for your operation. We also sell how-to manuals and include instructional videos on our product detail pages. These resources will come in handy the next time you head out to a lockout call.

Zip’s team member Jimmy Geerts operated large, eight-wheeled recovery trucks in the military and even helped to build a heavy-duty rotator when he first started here, but he has since found his niche in small wrecker assembly at New Hampton, IA.

Work and life on a smaller scale suits him just fine. A native of nearby Alta Vista, Geerts hails from a community of just 200 people, and he is one of only seven employees who work in Zip’s newly-renovated--and air-conditioned--light-duty plant on the West Campus here.

The crew there is separated into three teams. Depending on the model, lighting package and accessories, each team can turn out a light-duty wrecker in a week and a half. Some build sheets take a little longer; others are a little less complicated.

As a former Iowa National Guardsman, Geerts said he understands the value of teamwork and appreciates the fact he can turn to his co-workers for advice and assistance when he needs it. He said they can almost read each other’s minds.

“It’s really been a learning experience since I’ve started here,” said Geerts, now two and a half years in. “I feel like I learn something new every day. It’s awesome working with the guys here. It’s very good to have them as resources. We really work well together.”

Geerts said he likes building new tow trucks because the parts, chassis and bodies are fairly clean to work on. He also said there is usually more room to work if he needs to run wires before the body is mounted to the chassis. Where things get a little cramped is on the topside.

From brooms and shovels to dollies and jacks on the deck, “they pack a lot of stuff on these little things,” Geerts noted. “You really need to find spots to make all these things fit just right. It can be quite a puzzle at times.”

Geerts said the best part of each build is when the truck passes quality control and they turn it over to the customer. The finished product gives him great satisfaction. “You can really take pride in knowing you helped build it, and the customer appreciates the work you put into it," he said.

You can’t spell car carrier without care, and you can’t build one without it, either. That’s what team member Steven Kurash puts into every rollback he assembles at Zip’s West Campus production facility in New Hampton, IA.

Kurash--this week’s Meet an Expert-- joined Zip’s as a truck builder eight years ago and is now a crew lead on one of seven two-person teams at the carrier plant. He helps train new employees and is often tasked with building many custom carriers and as well as special edition show trucks.

“Anything that’s a challenge, that’s what I like,” said Kurash, who has also helped design some of the storage brackets seen on many Zip’s car carriers. “If I had to build the same truck every day, I would get bored pretty easily.”

Starting from the chassis up, Kurash said he and his partner produce--on average--50 to 60 car carriers each year. Depending on the build sheet, he said it takes three to four days to complete a standard rollback, whereas some of the more custom units can take quite a bit longer.

Kurash said he takes a great deal of pride in the finished product and even takes pictures and videos of each build and keeps track of where they end up. He said he hopes the customer appreciates the extra effort and attention to detail he puts into each car carrier.

“I’m very picky on my trucks,” he said. “I don’t care if it takes a little longer. It’s going to be done right. I don’t want to see it coming back for any reason if I can help it.”

You’ve seen them deployed at recovery scenes by professional heavy-duty towing and recovery companies. Now, you’re thinking about adding a set to your operation. In today’s blog, we are going to answer some basic questions related to compressed air bag lifting systems.

Produced from thick, pliable rubber to withstand extreme weight loads, air bags rely on compressed air to lift heavy objects, upright overturned vehicles or shift loads to the proper location. The source of the air can vary, but each bag usually has its own color-coded supply line for easy identification at the recovery scene.

Depending on the manufacturer, air bags range in size from 6” square to 57” in diameter and can reach up to 7’ tall. Square, high-pressure bags generally provide the initial clearance to insert taller bags, while cylindrical, low-pressure bags finish the lift. Round landing or catch bags control the descent.

On heavy-duty rollovers--such as a tractor-trailer on its side in the ditch--a series of lift bags are positioned under the wall of the trailer. As the bags inflate, wide straps and slings from the wrecker on the roadside lift at the same time to assist in the maneuver.

Catch or control bags are then placed underneath the casualty to soften the landing as the tractor-trailer reaches its critical tipping point. Straps from the wrecker also help control the landing, and as the weight of the trailer falls on the bags, air is released as the casualty drops back on its feet.

By using air bags on both the lift and descent, heavy-duty tow operators are reducing the risk for further damage to the customer’s vehicle and the cargo inside. Depending on the weight of the load, semi trailer walls generally lack the structural integrity for a recovery using straps alone.

Lifting in unison along the entire length of the trailer helps eliminate potential weak points. Deploying catch bags under the frame side of the trailer also helps reduce shock loading as the vehicle comes to a rest and thereby prevents a secondary rollover due to a slingshot effect.

This controlled action protects rims, tires and suspension components from further damage. This maneuver also preserves--as best as possible--the cargo located inside the trailer and can usually prevent a costly and time-consuming off-load of the pallets or freight.

Towing companies can generally recover the expense of air bag lifting systems by charging a separate line item for the service on their invoice. Depending on the size and quantity of a kit, the investment can be as high as $50,000. Most companies dedicate a separate response trailer for the set up.

In addition to the air bags, other accessories required for a successful heavy-duty recovery may include an air compressor for the lift side, a blower for the landing side, air hoses to supply each bag and a deadman controller to operate all of the lifting bags at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

To determine if an air bag system is right for your fleet, we put together a series of questions to help you make your decision:

Q: Are there different types of lifting bags?
A: Yes. High-, medium- and low-pressure lift bags in square or cylindrical shapes.

Q: What is the name of the bags which control the descent of a vehicle being uprighted?
A: Terms and descriptions vary among manufacturers, but they are typically referred to as landing, catch or control bags.

Q: How is air generated for the bags?
A: The air can be supplied by a compressed gas cylinder, an air tank, a stand-alone compressor, a truck-mounted compressor, gas-powered blower or even a manual foot pump.

Q: Are lifting bags safe to use?
A: Yes, lifting bags can withstand four times the bursting pressure safety factor (EN 13731).Accessories are also fitted with safety valves which do not allow excessive pressure to build up.

Q: How do I choose a suitable lifting bag?
A: The following data is required to choose a suitable high-pressure lifting bag:

• Shape of the load
• Weight of the load
• Required lifting height

Q: Do lifting bags perform well on soft ground?
A: Lifting bags are made from flexible, durable rubber, and the wide footprint provides stability on any surface. They can function in many different environments and weather conditions.

Q: What size lifting bag is the most popular size?
A: The 22''x22'' size is very popular. The working pressure of 116 PSI max translates to a 23.2 ton lifting capacity.

Q: How is the air pressure measured?
A: PSI (imperical) or Bar (metric). For example, an 8 Bar rated bag has a maximum pressure of 116 PSI.

Q: What is the typical lifespan of a lifting bag?
A: When properly maintained, you can use lifting bags up to 15 years before replacing.

Q: What is the biggest advantage of flat lifting bag compared to conventional one?
A: Flat lifting bags have greater surface contact and improved stability. You may be able to stack more than one together, giving you the desired lifting height.

When you look at the business end of a light-duty wrecker, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of real estate available to transport a motorcycle. Unlike a car carrier, there are no platforms, no side rails and limited stability. All you have to work with is a narrow wheel lift.

However, if your wrecker is equipped with an auto loader or a self-loading wheel lift, you’re in luck. Several wrecker manufacturers and after-market suppliers have designed brackets to help. They bolt onto or pin into the center beam of your auto loader just for the purpose of transporting motorcycles.

Common to most late-model equipment, this T-shaped extension makes life easier when picking up a disabled bike. The extra length of the auto loader accommodates the size of most motorcycles out on the road. The crossbar provides tie-down points on each side of the bike.

Uniquely designed for this type of wheel lift, storable motorcycle kits typically include brackets for both the front and rear wheels. Some also include a small loading ramp.

The front wheel bracket likely includes a cradle to lock in the front tire. Beveled or flared sides help guide the motorcycle onto the center beam and prevent the tires from sliding sideways during transport. Most kits require only two straps on opposing sides to fully secure the bike upright.

Most of the new light-duty wreckers assembled by Zip’s are sold with auto loaders. If you operate in an area with moderate to heavy motorcycle traffic, you may want to consider an auto loader and a motorcycle attachment. This will have you prepared for when that next bike call comes in. Plus, you can add more functionality to your fleet without the added expense of more trucks.

For tips on loading a motorcycle onto a car carrier, click on this blog post. Here, we discuss three options for loading a motorcycle on a car carrier. We also discuss strapping points on a motorcycle which can apply to securing a bike to an autoloader.