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Several OWOA members showed the newest OHP Trooper Cadet Class how wreckers work and what they look like. We had less than 48 hours notice but we were able to get several members to respond. The members attending were: Arrow Wrecker, OKC; Alford's Wrecker, Lawton; LD's Automotive, Chandler; Midwest Customs, OKC; Wrecker Service of Oklahoma, Tulsa; AAAA, OKC; Puckett's, OKC; Farrington's, OKC; Oklahoma Wrecker & Equipment Sales, OKC; and last but definitely not least (with the greatest of contribution) Moore Towing, El Reno. Terry Moore drove to Tulsa to get Dewey Farrington's "practice truck & tractor" and brought it to OKC for the class. He also used his air bag setup for the recovery. Thanks Terry! I also want to thank Andy Eidt of Midwest Customs for these photos.
Demonstrating to cadets how dollies work and how the dollies, combined with a wheel lift, do not cause any damage to a vehicle being towed. The only thing touched is the tires.
President Chris (in the straw hat, it was HOT!) explaining dollies and how, even with running boards and air dams, no damage will occur to the towed vehicle. This demo showed why you don't always need a rollback for customized vehicles.
Al Muzny of Arrow Wrecker in OKC explaining a wrecker's function and how the equipment works.
Glen Alford's pride and joy. A four door rollback wrecker. Talk about riding in class!!
Cadets admiring the large wreckers of Arrow Wrecker in OKC. They asked many questions and even sat in the seats of many wreckers. This is going to be a good Trooper class. These Cadets are sharp.
Trooper Cadets in line up while wrecker owners explain what they will see and an invitation to look at all the wreckers and ask questions and examine the equipment required by State Law. A handout was given to all Trooper Cadets showing a DPS License, a "W" tag, the DPS number on a wrecker and the "AA" windshield sticker on a LEGAL WRECKER. Make sure you are legal because these Troopers will be looking.
A rollback wrecker recovery by AAAA Wrecker Service and how a vehicle is loaded on a rollback. AAAA provided their practice vehicle for this recovery.
Trooper Cadets examining the large wreckers and the equipment required by State Law.
Before the Trooper Cadets made it out of class, Moore Towing, Farrington's, and Oklahoma Wrecker Sales prepared the truck and trailer for an air bag recovery. We were setting up while the other DPS employees were leaving work.
It is more difficult to turn it on its side than to raise it up. Terry Moore's wrecker is on this side of the practice vehicle and Farrington's and Oklahoma Wrecker Sales are on the other side.
While it looks like the tractor & trailer are going to hit the ground hard, it was a gentle touch down on the ground aided by all three wreckers.
Terry Moore set up the recovery and explained the process to the Trooper Cadets to let them know a safe recovery does take time and it can be done in a safe manner without removing the cargo from the trailer. The Cadets were very impressed and asked many, many questions. They are well informed.
I wish we had more time and could have had more members involved. This is the first step to establishing a good working relationship with the future Troopers. They have a much better understanding of our equipment and how wreckers can work and that we are professionals and know what we are doing. I look forward to the next Trooper Cadet class. I want to thank Lt. Russ Maples for allowing us to "do our thing" and show his Cadets how wreckers work.