The Week's Features

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Las Vegas, NV.
May 9-11, 2018

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Dallas, TX.
August 16-18, 2018

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Baltimore, MD.
Nov. 16-18, 2018

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In his seminar, “Avoiding Job-Related Health Hazards ,” Troy Auto Care Owner Don K. Hudson will present a power point presentation and lead a discussion on the dangers of blood borne pathogens, being stuck with sharp objects and the crisis of being exposed to Fentanyl while doing a job. Join Hudson for this important session taking place at the American Towman Exposition, November 16, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

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American Towman Magazine Presents the Week in TowingOctober 17 - October 23, 2018

Celtic-Like Font Adds Luster to Unit

By George L. Nitti

Jeremy LeBleus of LeBleus Towing and Recovery of Kannapolis, N.C., entered the towing business somewhat accidentally. In 2007 he was working in the construction industry when his car broke down. Instead of hiring a tow company to do the job, he decided to purchase his first tow truck and did it himself.

"I thought I could do it cheaper and more efficiently and just started doing it. I always liked the business," LeBleus said.

From that modest beginning, LeBleus Towing and Recovery has grown into an eight-truck company focused on light- to heavy-duty towing. Their recent acquisition, a 2015 Dodge 5500/Century 312, is a marked departure from their other all-lime green trucks.

This truck, purchased from Auto Equipment, has an all-black background, with the lettering in the lime green colors of their other trucks. It's a winning combination.

A few features make this design effective. First and foremost is its large elaborate font on the side of the truck that spells out the company name. It has a Celtic flair, resembling other fonts from the Blackletter/Gothic family. Omega Graphics, also based in Kannapolis, created the graphic design.

Helping to bring the wrap together are large graphics of tow chains. The one at the front of the truck merges seamlessly with the lettering and adds further contrast with its white color and lime green shadow. The other chain is imprinted on the wrecker unit.

"We went with this design because we wanted something that stood out. We had this truck especially ordered, including the tunnel box (tool box) that sits between the cab and the wrecker."

As a member of three motor clubs, law enforcement rotations and highway patrol, the company is averaging 1,500 tows monthly.

"We work 24/7. This business has grown on me," he said.

And his business has grown as a result.

Brag @ TIW!
Should your truck be featured here? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at bdooley@towman.com. You might even be selected to go in print, too, in American Towman magazine!

Hooked on a Bold Design

By George L. Nitti

"Help's here."

That catchy expression on this truck and good graphic design melds together a number of elements that work well together on P.J.'s Towing's 2015 Ford F550 Ext Cab Lariat/B&B 12-Ton Signature Series twin-line self-loader.

The graphics on this tow truck comes together to produce what P.J. Daly, owner of the Lansing, Michigan, company, feels make his trucks "really cool" looking.

Blending a variety of elements, the unit stands out not only as "cool" but also well-composed. Several images come into focus visually, defining what has been seen around much of the towing industry.

Most pronounced are the wild, red flames that run across the hood and the front sides of the F550, serving to enhance the background while complementing other images found on the truck.

"I have always been into hot rods and think flames are cool," Daly said.

Then there is the signature tow chain that sprawls across the side and back of the unit.

"The guy who did the wrap came up with the tow chains," Daly elaborated. "It was done by a company called 180 Designs, which is in Carson City, Michigan. They do really great work. This wrap is bright and colorful and really good. So clean with no lines. Everything lines up."
Another visual element cartoons. On this truck one will find Tow Mater, who was one of the main characters from the movie Cars.

"We were trying to do something fun for kids," Daly stated. "Our trucks are often in parades and the kids like the cartoon."

The final visual is a flag theme on the backside of the unit. The stars are wrapped on the lightbar adjacent to a waving flag along the top and interior of the wrecker.

These images do not overshadow the company name, which stands out in large, bold, bright contrasting colors of blue and green. It's written in a font that asserts itself alongside all of the other imagery.

The slogan, "Get hooked on P.J.'s," written on top of a flag covered boom, says it all.
Brag @ TIW!
Should your truck be featured here? Send a few pics and your contact information to the editor at bdooley@towman.com. You might even be selected to go in print, too, in American Towman magazine!

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