Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting frame can be used to convert a conventional vehicle having a fifth wheel, such as the semi-tractor, into a tow truck. The fifth wheel mounting frame advantageously mounts to the tow vehicle's fifth wheel assembly to provide stability and other advantages. Additionally, various coupling members having selectably adjustable lengths and having various coupling mechanisms are used for variable placement of the coupling mechanisms and coupling members to the frame of the fifth wheel vehicle to accommodate such things as obstructions found on the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A lifting method and apparatus is provided that is especially suited for mounting on a towing vehicle and for lifting a vehicle. The apparatus is compact and efficient and especially suited for mounting to a tow truck. The lifting apparatus includes a boom and a riser pivotably mounted to a frame. A riser plate is mounted to the top end of the riser. A camming crank is pivotably attached to the riser plate. A riser pivot hingeably connects the camming crank to the riser plate. An arm anchor is also mounted to the frame. Link arms connect the arm anchor to the camming crank. A crank actuator rotates the camming crank to pivot the riser. The crank actuator can rotate the camming crank to selectively pivot the riser toward or away from the arm anchor, to respectively raise or lower the attached boom. The crank actuator for rotating the camming crank is an extending and retracting hydraulic actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder and piston.

Abstract: A safety brake apparatus for a vehicle lifting and towing mechanism is provided that includes a minimum of a single riser plate mounted near the top of the vehicle lift's riser member. The riser plate includes a slider plate keyway and a cam bracket. A slider plate is received onto the riser plate. The slider plate includes a slider plate key and at least a single post rest. The slider plate key is received into the slider plate keyway of the riser plate. A brake actuator is also mounted to the riser plate. The brake actuator slides the slider plate from a rearward or retracted position, to a forward or safety position, as the slider plate key travels forward or rearward within the riser plate keyway. In the safety position, the boom of the vehicle lifting apparatus is prevented from lowering. The boom is attached to the riser member and pivotably mounted to a frame member.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and towing apparatus is provided. The disclosure includes a transverse beam articulatably mountable to a tow vehicle, the transverse beam has the ability to be positioned beneath a separated pair of wheels that are attached to a vehicle. Each end of the transverse beam is received into a middle socket of a carriage. Each carriage includes a fore-socket and a rear-socket. Four tire arms are provided that are manually insertable into the fore-socket and rear-socket of each carriage. The tire arm can also be manually inserted into the sockets of each carriage. Each carriage is positioned proximate an interior facing sidewall of each separated wheel and each tire arm is positioned proximate an edge of each wheel's ground contact. Each pair of tire arms are together able to support at least a single wheel. The transverse bar is raised to contact the tread surface of each of the wheels with the respective tire arms, and further raised to lift the separated pair of wheels and the attached vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and towing method and apparatus is provided that retains a vehicle's opposing set of wheels for the purpose of lifting and towing the vehicle. The apparatus is especially suited for attachment to a tow truck. The apparatus comprises a transverse beam with two legs, articulatably mounted to a tow vehicle. A pair of carriage arms are each attached at their base ends with manually hinging pivots to one of the legs of the transverse beam. The carriage arms each have a socket. A pair of retaining arms are provided, each manually receivable into the carriage arm's socket. Either end of the retaining arm can be interchangeably inserted into the socket. Also, the retaining arms include an offset segment. The orientation of the offset segment relative to the transverse beam allows various widths of tires to be retained by the carriage assembly.

Abstract: An elongated upright motor extendible and retractable support member is provided including relatively extendible upper and lower end sections and the upper end section is pivotally mounted from a rear upper portion of body of a tow truck for oscillation relative thereto about a first horizontal axis extending transversely of the chassis and the upper end section. The support member is swingable between a generally vertical lowered position and a raised inclined position with the lower end section swung outwardly and upwardly from the vehicle rear end and a motor extendible and retractable light and tow arm having relatively extendible front and rear ends as provided and the front end is mounted from the lower end section of the support member for oscillation relative thereto about a second horizontal axis extending transversely of the arm and the lower end section. The arm is swingable between a lowered position with the arm disposed generally 90.degree.