32 10-4 Magazine / December 2025 displayed a massive 20-foot by 48-foot American flag, with the help of the Koebley rotator, for all to enjoy. There were several trucks that caught my attention right away after arriving at the show on Thursday. One of the most unique and biggest tow trucks in attendance at MWTS was owned by fourth generation tower Nick Shade of Tony’s Wrecker Service. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the company is Louisville’s oldest towing company. Nick brought their largest truck to the show – a twin-steer 2024 Autocar DC64 conventional equipped with a NRC85 85-ton rotator. Powered by a Cummins X12 rated at 500-hp and mated to an Allison 7-speed automatic transmission, the big Autocar is double framed and spec’d heavy with a steerable third lift axle and 52K Hendrickson HMX-EX-520 suspension with 4.30 geared rears. Along with the Autocar from Tony’s Wrecker Service, Bardstown, Kentucky based Ellis Towing had an awesome twin-steer 2024 Kenworth W990 with a Miller Century 1075 75-ton rotator. These two awesome rigs held a banner recognizing fallen towers in the industry, while framing a stage between them for the show all weekend long, with bands playing to entertain attendees every night. The towing industry is a tight knit community. A vigil was held on Thursday night, complete with a wall containing the names of fallen towers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for all to view, not too far from the Tony’s Wrecker Service Autocar DC64 and Ellis Kenworth W990 rotators. As someone who loves vintage trucks and trucks that are special or have a unique story behind them, two Peterbilts caught my attention at MWTS. The first one was a beautiful red and silver 1969 ‘little window’ Peterbilt model 288ST, equipped with a rare 30-ton Hubbard Manufacturing twin boom body on it. This classic Pete, Owned and operated by Dean Stebbins Sr. of Mantua, Ohio based F&S Automotive, rides on a long 300-inch wheelbase and is powered by a classic 270 Cummins, that pushes its power through an Eaton-Fuller 13-speed, and has a Peterbilt air-leaf suspension. Nicknamed the “Drag-N-Wagon” for some obvious reasons, Dean has owned this Peterbilt since 1976. The second Peterbilt that caught my attention was a 1990 model 379 with only 12,000 original miles on its odometer! Needless to say, this classic Peterbilt is an amazing trucking time capsule. Ordered by Bob and Margie Myers of Batavia, Ohio in 1990, this big Pete was spec’d with every option available at the time, inside and out, that you could get from Peterbilt. The big wrecker is powered
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