Towing on a flatbed tow truck help

Budman 911 !! · Budman 911 !!'s Garage

I need to tow my '81 SC approx. 30 miles to have the clutch / clutch fork replaced. My local tow company does not use wheel straps but assures me that they have extensive experience towing high end cars on flatbed tow trucks.
My question here is what should I look for and insist that they do to tie my baby down properly?

afterburn 549 · 04-10-2012, 06:30 AM

There are lots of places to tie your car dwn...Just make sure they can provide you with a CERT. of insurance.
Make sure you have a agreed value on your car (you should anyway) with your ins. company)

Sunroof · 04-10-2012, 08:51 AM

My 73 has been on lots of flat beds over the years and I learned a lot about how these guys operate. First off DO NOT let them secure anything to the half shafts! This will tear up you CV boots without you aware of it and the CV will go down hill from there. Tow rings should be used and on your car should be in the front and rear.

Many of these guys carry extra boards to use under your front tires to elevate the front end on to the flat bed, which can extend out just so far and at just an angle. If you have a front AC condenser or front spoiler and are low to the ground, its probable your going to see your front end scrap the flatbed or get very close! Make sure they have the boards first!

No matter the experience or the carrier, I always watch carefully and that includes unloading as well.

I just got towed last week over a dead CD unit and the tow truck was one of those new "dolly" units, which are fantastic.

Good luck and be wise.

Bob

Budman 911 !! · Budman 911 !!'s Garage

Thanks guys

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

What is this "dolly unit"? Why are they "better" (fantastic)?

Doyle

Cairo94507 · Cairo94507's Garage

I would call another tow company. I do not trust these "I have towed cars that cost $1M. I am sure I can tow your Porsche" guys. I like the wheels straps; absolutely prevent damage from the hooks they like to use because they are much easier to use than the straps.

FastCarFan · FastCarFan's Garage

My '88 Carrera had to be "flat-bedded" to the shop a couple years ago after the rubber-center in the clutch failed (dried up & then "chunked"). The tow-truck driver was, uh, not the brightest bulb in the pack, & he couldn't figure out how to get the car on the truck because it was so low. As he was on the phone with his boss asking for help, others used pieces of wood to raise the front-end (as Bob said above) & get it on the truck. The guy tied it down with straps through the wheels.

dipso · 04-11-2012, 08:39 AM

Make sure your tow hooks are in good shape. Mine were weakened from hitting the ground, my car is very low.
I had a flatbed tow truck driver hook up the chains to the tow hooks and pull the car up the bed.
One of the tow hooks broke, the chain yanked forward, and it almost ripped the front valance off my car.

Jdub · 04-11-2012, 09:16 AM

Just be sure that the back and forth jerking your car will experience is not tied to your transmission. That is, if the operator insists on having your car in gear as a "backup" against your e-brake failing go elsewhere for the tow. That is not any kind of failsafe but you'd be surprised how many "strapless" towers count on a) your handbrake and b) the transmission to prevent your car from rolling off the bed.