Get Hooked

National Safety Month - What Towing Businesses Should Know

June is National Safety Month. This is the perfect time for everyone to focus on how they can keep their environment safe and free from any danger. Safety is critically important in the towing industry. So this month’s Get Hooked podcast is all about raising awareness for safety. Your hosts, Dennis McGowan and Shelli Hawkins talk about why there is a National Safety Month, why it's so important in the workplace, and what towing businesses like yours should be doing to stay safe while in the truck, while out on the road assisting motorists, loading and unloading vehicles on the tow truck. You'll get a brief overview of towing industry-related laws you should be aware of, and we’re bringing on 32-year automotive lighting veteran/ industry expert, John Golden, Market Manager from Whelen Engineering who will provide his insights on why and how to use lighting on your truck to stay safe. If you are interested in becoming a HONK Partner, you can sign up for free today at www.joinhonk.com [https://www.joinhonk.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=s2ep1&utm_campaign=gh].

Tips & Tricks for Towing Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Check out HONK’s Get Hooked podcast, all about electric vehicles (EVs)! There are 2.4 million EVs on the road today, and 39% of people are considering buying one. Is your towing and roadside business prepared to support these new electric vehicles? Listen to this episode to pick up a few tips and tricks for towing EVs from tow truck expert Chris Young of Parkway Consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-young-pc/] and podcast hosts Dennis McGowan and Shelli Hawkins. Towing and roadside jobs for EVs are not more complex than traditional gas-powered vehicles. Tow professionals just need to follow a slightly different set of procedures for these jobs. As vehicles evolve, so must the towing and roadside procedures we follow. Here are a few things you’ll learn during the podcast. 1) Why it’s crucial to use 8-point connection points and how to follow the manufacturers' recommendations tow eyelet use. 2) Why you should invest in EV/Hybrid training to keep your tow operators in the know. 3) The benefits of documenting what you’re doing to these vehicles and how to protect yourself from unwarranted damage claims. And much more! Do you want to attend EV Training? HONK worked with Wreckmaster to provide the towing and roadside community a $15 discount off their Hybrid/EV Awareness online training course [https://www.wreckmaster.com/w/us/courses/2257-hybrid-electric-vehicle-awareness-course]. Listen to the podcast to get your promo code. If you are interested in becoming a HONK Partner, you can sign up for free today at www.joinhonk.com [https://www.joinhonk.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=s2ep1&utm_campaign=gh].

The State of the Union 2022 (Towing & Roadside Edition)

Welcome to season 3 of HONK’s Get Hooked Podcast! We open up this season with a great discussion on the state of the union, towing and roadside edition. Listen in to understand how the pandemic, inflation, rising fuel prices, and geopolitical issues impact our industry. Your hosts, Dennis McGowan and Shelli Hawkins, also share exciting results from a recent tow industry survey highlighting what fellow tow business owners are experiencing. Hint, hint! There is a ton of upside and growth within the towing and roadside industry. Job volume is continuing to surpass pre-pandemic levels. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Commission, traffic volume in November of 2021 was up 11.2% year over year and is continuing to climb in 2022. That means many tow businesses are hiring and looking to buy new trucks. As a result, the towing and roadside industry outlook in 2022 is bright. Be sure to subscribe and download the episode now! If you are interested in becoming a HONK Partner, you can sign up for free today at www.joinhonk.com [https://www.joinhonk.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=s2ep1&utm_campaign=gh]. Do you want to view the Towing & Roadside Survey Results? Check it out! [https://www.honkforhelp.com/explore/2022/tow-industry-survey/]

Slow Down and Move Over Edition

Every year on the third Saturday of October, we recognize National Move Over Day. The day set aside to spread awareness of National and State Move Over laws, designed to highlight the risks Tow Operators face every day on our highways. Introducing, the Slow Down Move Over edition of season 2 of HONK’s Get Hooked podcast, a conversation about the cause of the risks tow operators face every day, what action can be taken to help spread awareness, and what you can do in your local community to make a difference. Hosts, Dennis and Y’von welcome back guests, Haas Alert [https://www.haasalert.com/] National Director of Sales, Tom Parbs, and Executive Director of APTRA [https://www.aptra.net/], Angela Roper-Barnett for a deeper dive into the “distracted driving” culture,  the statistics and data being used today to create better legislation on behalf of tow operators, and the initiatives taking place across the United States to spread awareness of this topic. This eye-opening discussion covers roadside hazards new and old that put operators at risk and the reality roadside customers are tragically impacted by these same struck-by incidents. We also take the time to highlight Haas Alert’s vision for their “No More Names on the Wall” campaign, the solemnity of International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame Museum’s annual “Wall of the Fallen” ceremony, and the necessity of APTRA’s annual National Move Over Day event. This episode is a call to action for every Tow Truck business owner. Grab your drivers and your dispatchers, grab your family and friends and take action now. Listen to the episode today for information that could save your life tomorrow. Be sure to subscribe and download the episode now! If you are interested in becoming a HONK Partner, you can sign up for free today at www.joinhonk.com [https://bit.ly/3nEDi1m]

In The Know - Tow Trucks & Equipment in Honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week

Happy National Truck Driver Appreciation Week! Every September we nationally recognize professional truck drivers for their invaluable contributions to our communities. There are over 3.6 million professional men and women who deliver our goods safe and secure. Along with their contributions, we want to be sure to celebrate the unsung heroes of the tow industry, all our tow truck drivers for keeping our roads clear and helping families make it home safely. In honor of your service, this episode’s is all about tow trucks and tow equipment. Hosts, Dennis and Y’von are joined by WorldWide Equipment Sales [https://newtowtrucks.com/] CEO, Jeff Irr. With over 31 years of experience and extensive expertise working in the trucking industry for some of the largest known truck manufacturers, Jeff shares his thoughts on what it takes to establish and maintain a tow truck business today. During this in-depth conversation, you’ll hear about everything there is to know about purchasing tow trucks, managing a towing business, and the future technology that is transforming the towing industry. Current and future tow business owners, listen to this episode now to gain valuable tips on tow business finances, more about the complexities of recoveries, new and future technology designed to keep your operators safe, and the 411 on the emerging electric vehicle industry and its impact on the towing industry. Be sure to subscribe and download the episode now! If you are interested in becoming a HONK Partner, you can sign up for free today at www.joinhonk.com [https://www.joinhonk.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=Get+Hooked+S2E5&utm_id=GHS2E5#register].