Tom Toteff wants to ‘put Oxford back on the map? with his invention.
The manager of the Oxford-based Tom’s Hardware created an adjustable tie down system for securing and transporting dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles that’s simple, easy-to-use and most importantly ? it works!
Dubbed ‘FASTRAC,? the system consists of four-foot pieces of metal track, double or single track wheel chocks (or single track custom ones for smaller bikes), and tie down clips, each rated to hold 1,000 pounds.
Each item is sold separately so as to allow users the opportunity to custom fit the FASTRAC system to their specific needs without purchasing any unnecessary or extra pieces, according to Toteff, who resides in Addison Township.
The way it works is simple ? and you’ll kick yourself that you didn’t think of it first.
Pieces of metal track are fastened to the floor of a trailer using nuts and bolts (available at Tom’s Hardware). The number of track pieces used is determined by the owner’s needs. Track pieces can be cut at the store, if shorter lengths are required, Toteff said.
Once the track is place, a double or single wheel chock (for dirt bikes or motorcycles only) is secured into the track to prevent the wheels from moving.
The bike can then be secured using ropes, bungee cords or straps, which are tied to special clips with spring-loaded latches that lock into the track.
The result is an ‘efficient? and ‘proper? tie-down system, which keeps ‘your investment safe and secure? during transport, Toteff said.
Because the tie down system is so ‘versatile? and can be configured in many different ways to fit many different spaces and needs, Toteff said it has a variety other applications such as securing boxes, lumber, appliances, building materials, ‘anything you need to haul.?
‘You can use it for anything,? he said. ‘Quite frankly, it’s doing more than I even thought it would do. It’s more universal than I expected.?
With FASTRAC, gone are the days when a person’s ability to transport items is limited by their trailer’s size and configuration.
With FASTRAC, Toteff said ‘the trailer isn’t going to tell you what you can do. You tell the trailer what you’re going to do.?
‘You put enough track down, you can secure anything and everything,? he said.
FASTRAC can even be used vertically to create wall brackets for adjustable shelving or a hanger bracket unit.
Toteff said he’s ‘pretty proud? of the fact that FASTRAC is made in the United States. ‘Even better than that, it’s made here in Oxford,? he said.
The tie down system’s components are manufactured at Automatic Press Products on N. Glaspie St., inside the village’s industrial district. It was Steve McCracken, of Automatic Press Products, who helped translate Toteff’s brainchild into a working prototype.
Another Oxford company, Quality Enamelers on Lakeville Road, is responsible for ‘E-Coating? (or electrocoating, which consists of using electrical current to deposit paint) the tie down system’s components to resist corrosion. An ‘automotive grade? of E-Coating is done for maximum protection, according to Toteff.
Although he’s sold about 300 of the system’s pieces locally at his store, Toteff hopes to introduce his invention on a national scale ‘within a couple of years.?
Two national companies have expressed interest in the product, which Toteff said has a patent pending for the United States and plans to file paperwork for an international patent as well.
‘They’ve already done a patent search (for the U.S.) and found there’s nothing out there like it,? he said.
Aside from personal profit, Toteff hopes his Oxford-created-and-manufactured invention will give the community a notoriety it hasn’t had since its days as the Gravel Capital of the World.
‘I want to put Oxford on the map again,? he said with pride.
For more information about FASTRAC call (248) 628-2222 or visit Tom’s Hardware located at 558 S. Lapeer Road.