Abstract: A vehicular towing apparatus incorporates an air bag in association with shock absorbers and a tow bar. The air bag may be selectively inflated and deflated, allowing the tow bar to be raised and lowered at will. In addition, the tow bar may be extended or retracted as desired. Several platform attachments enable the towing apparatus to be used alternatively as an automobile tow bar, a support for motorcycles or bicycles, or other items that may be supported upon a platform. The towing apparatus retracts under the vehicle, and may also serve as a vehicle step or standard trailer ball attachment point.

Abstract: A motorcycle towing device including a platform member with a front end for attachment to the trailer hitch of a land vehicle. An upright member is perpendicularly affixed to the rear end of the platform member. An elevator is selectively raised and lowered upon the upright member by means of a jackscrew positioned atop the platform member. The elevator has a head tube and a pair of pivot bearings positioned at the top and bottom of the head tube. The head tube carries a pivot member. The pivot member has a carriage plate and a pair of pivot arms extending forwardly from the top and bottom thereof for pivotal engagement with the pivot bearings. A pair of wheel engagement arms, for supporting a motorcycle wheel, extend rearwardly from the carriage plate.

Abstract: A portable towing apparatus for towing a disabled golf cart. The towing apparatus is preferably mounted onto the rear portion of a golf cart that is to be used in towing the disabled golf cart. The towing apparatus comprising, in part, a substantially inverted T-shaped member that has attached thereto a strut assembly and a gimbal cross member. A winch is provided and is mounted onto the inverted T-shaped member. The gimbal cross member engages the disabled golf cart and the winch in concert with the strut assembly disposes the disabled golf cart for towing. The gimbal movement of the cross member enables the golf cart under tow to traverse all types of terrain.

Abstract: A towbar adapter assembly that attaches to a towbar boom and acts as a link between the towbar boom and a vehicle attachment point. The assembly has a base for attachment to the towbar boom and an anchoring strut that attaches to the vehicle. The base is incrementally positionable with respect to the towbar boom and the anchoring strut is incrementally positionable with respect to the base.

Abstract: A tow dolly arranged for towing a vehicle behind another vehicle. The tow dolly has ramps for receiving wheels of the towed vehicle with the ramps being adjustably mounted such that vehicles of different wheel spacing between the front and/or rear wheels may be accommodated. The wheel assemblies are also adjustably mountable to accommodate either a narrow width vehicle or a wide width vehicle. Multiple bores are provided in the main frame to accommodate the two mounting positions of the wheel ramps to accommodate the mounting of the axle assemblies in the two positions.

Abstract: Wheel lift tow device for a tow truck includes a centrally located extendable support beam having a cross bar pivotably attached to it, so that it can be oriented obliquely for towing obliquely placed disabled cars. The telescoping slider arms of the cross bar provide lateral movement for a pair of swivel arm claws, or claws, which cradle and lift a pair of wheels of the disabled vehicle. The swivel arm scoops are rotatable about a pivot on each telescoping slider arm, but in their position of use are supported by a lateral stop bracket, which supports the lateral forces of the wheel while in the cradled position and distributes the weight therefrom.

Abstract: Two vehicles are transported in tandem by a beam assembly connecting a lead vehicle to a trailing vehicle which is reversed end-for-end. The beam assembly includes an elongated beam which is connected to the rear and extends lengthwise of the trailing vehicle. The beam extends beyond the rear end of the trailing vehicle and is elevated and connected to the rear end of the lead vehicle at a height such that the rear wheels of the trailing vehicle are raised above ground. The connection of the beam to the lead vehicle permits the beam to swing both laterally and vertically.

Abstract: A self-lubricating saddle which continually lubricates the rotational elements thereof as the saddle is in use. Generally, the saddle comprises a base, a surface plate, and a saddle head. A king pin extending substantially through the center of these three components, provides a pivot point for horizontal rotation. A grease fitting is located on an upper surface of the saddle head, in a position which is easily accessible to maintenance personnel. An inlet extends from the grease fitting through the saddle head to a grease reservoir defined by a conduit or duct on the lower surface plate of the saddle head. Grease or other lubricants are retained to provide continual lubrication of the rotational elements of the saddle, and also to provide lubricants directly to the rotational elements.

Abstract: A cycle trailer hitch adapter that is connectable to the rear of a vehicle using a receiver hitch connection for towing a motorcycle behind the vehicle. The cycle trailer hitch adapter includes a hitch connecting structure insertable into and lockable in connection with a receiver hitch, a cycle securing assembly in connection with the connecting structure, an adjustable height cycle front tire receiving shoe in connection with the cycle securing assembly, and a tire ramp that is detachably securable to the cycle front tire receiving shoe.

Abstract: The invention is a loading and unloading device for transporting small recreational or utility vehicles in a pickup truck. The invention comprises two stationary rails mounted on the bed of a truck. A ramp is slidably and pivotally attached to the stationary rails, and an interchangeable vehicle carriage or dump bed is slidably and pivotally mounted to the ramp. In use, the ramp and carriage are lowered by a winch so that the carriage is close to the ground and substantially horizontal. A small vehicle can then be placed on the carriage. A winch then pulls the carriage up the ramp until the vehicle's center of gravity is slightly rearward of the stationary rails. The carriage stops, and the winch pulls the ramp onto the stationary rails. The ramp can then be pushed into the bed of the truck.

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 motorcycle maneuvering apparatus for moving a motorcycle about in a cramped location. The motorcycle maneuvering apparatus includes a front dolly member having wheels, a pair of frame sections mounted thereupon, a pair of cross members secured to the frame sections, and a pair of tire support member threaded upon the cross members, and further includes a middle dolly member having wheels, a platform mounted thereupon, and a pair of adjustable kickstand retaining members, and also includes a rear dolly member having wheels, a pair of frame sections mounted thereupon, a pair of cross members secured to the frame sections, and a pair of tire support member threaded upon the cross members, and in addition includes a ramp member having a pair of arm members for removably mounting to the front and rear dolly members to load the tires thereupon.

Abstract: A rear hydraulic outrigger assembly for a rotator or similar mobile wrecker wherein the rear outriggers are constructed and arranged to diverge rearwardly from the outrigger and are capable of outward lateral extension for increased stability. The rear outrigger includes a vertically extending portion and horizontally extending position which can be telescopically extended away from the rotator thereby increasing stability during loaded operation. This allows a large vehicle which requires rear stabilization room in the center part thereof for an underlift or similar structure while maintaining down and out stabilization advantages.

Abstract: A boom accessory for a tow truck having an underlift hoist includes a frame that is lockable onto the hoist by retraction of a ram of the hoist against the frame, the frame having an upwardly and rearwardly extending trailer coupling mount and a pivotally connected platform latch assembly for connecting a fifth-wheel trailer. In one version, the trailer coupling mount is interchangeable with a sheave mount for a sheave assembly by which a winch of the tow truck can hoist a load such as a disabled vehicle to be recovered. Also disclosed are a method for connecting a trailer to be towed, and a method for selectively hoisting a load or towing a fifth-wheel trailer as the load.

Abstract: A new motorcycle hitch for attaching a trailer to a motorcycle. The inventive device includes spaced apart upper and lower rods each having a pair of elongate arms and an elongate crossbar extending between the arms. Each arm of the upper rod is positioned adjacent a corresponding arm of the lower rod. The invention includes a pair of mounting plates with one of the mounting plates coupled to one pair of adjacent corresponding arms of the upper and lower rods and another mounting plate coupled to another pair of adjacent corresponding arms of the upper and lower rods. An elongate crossbeam is extended between the arms of the lower rod. An elongate tubular receiving member is extended between the crossbars of the upper and lower rods. A hitch member is removably inserted through an opening in the back end of the receiving member into the lumen of the receiving member.

Abstract: A new adapter for attaching a wheel lift apparatus to a road tractor for quickly mounting wheel lift apparatus to the road tractor. The inventive device includes a mounting frame having a gooseneck configuration defining a wide end and a narrow end, with the wide end of the mounting frame mounted on the frame of the road tractor, and the narrow end attached to the fifth wheel plate of the road tractor by a kingpin and attached to the tractor frame by link rods.

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 towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle includes a base member having a coupling fixture for the fifth wheel, a forward lifting beam pivotably secured to the base member, and a rear lifting beam pivotably joined to the distal rear extremity of the forward lifting beam. A hydraulically activated piston mechanism is interactive between the two beams to cause the rear lifting beam to swing in a vertical path between a storage state above the towing vehicle and a rearwardly deployed state. In operation, the rear lifting beam, in the deployed state, is joined to the fifth wheel of a disabled tractor vehicle. Further extension of the piston in the same direction of motion causes the rear wheels of the disabled vehicle to rise to permit towing.

Abstract: An improved towing vehicle for retrieving and/or transporting other vehicles such as vintage cars, disabled automobiles, or disabled trucks. The improved towing vehicle combines a rollback bed with a rear-mounted recovery boom that serves as both a conventional recovery boom and a wheel lift assembly. The improved wrecker truck of the present invention can thus transport two and possibly three vehicles at a time. The present invention also includes an improved rear-mounted multi-function recovery boom having a pivoting extension that greatly expands the towing vehicle's recovery and retrieval capabilities. Finally, the present invention includes a rollback bed that can be manipulated to a plurality of load positions, including a raised platform position in which the bed is raised to an elevated position over the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A towing device, adapted to be mounted to a chassis of a vehicle, features a bi-planar rotation mechanism which allows a telescoping beam to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes. The towing device includes a sub-frame mounted to the chassis. An underframe is pivotally attached to the sub-frame to move between a retracted position, adjacent to the sub-frame, and an extended position, distal from the sub-frame. The telescoping beam extends from the underframe and terminates in a carriage, which is adapted to support the wheels of a towed vehicle. In this fashion, the telescoping beam allows the towed vehicle to dynamically pivot about two orthogonal axes which avoids "high centering" of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A motorcycle towing apparatus including a securing portion (42) for securing the front wheel (43) of a motorcycle (41) to the tow bar (50) of a towing vehicle. A link (44) fastens the wheel (43) to the securing device (42). The securing means (42) can pivot relative to a tow bar (50) in a substantially horizontal plane. Rigid member (52) is pivotally connected (53) to securing portion (42). The distal end of rigid member (52) is pivotally connected to motorcycle (41) via arms (61,62) and links (67,68). The arrangement maintains the front wheel (43) of the motorcycle (41) in fixed relationship to the motorcycle (41) whilst allowing rotation in the horizontal plane about a coupler (48).

Abstract: An improved wheel-lift apparatus attachable to various types of transport trucks, including rollback trucks for loading and carrying disabled vehicles. The improved wheel-lift apparatus provides a horizontal extendable boom mechanism long enough for receiving disabled vehicles. As a result of the wheel-lift's "low angle" or horizontal approach, the risk of damage occurring to the chassis or body of the disabled vehicle while in the loading and carrying modes is greatly diminished.

Abstract: A superior performance highway striping system is provided with various features including single person operation for different kinds of striping requirements and simplified automatic tracking around curved striping patterns provided by articulation at a ball joint between a towing truck and trailer paint striping unit. A common non-dedicated pick-up truck tows a trailer mounted modular paint striping system that may be broken down into a hand pushed parking lot type of striper sub-system or a ride behind motorized airport runway striper sub-system for a versatility of operational environments with one or two coat striping in multiple colors and widths. The towed trailer carries two 55 gallon paint drums of different colored paint, loaded and unloaded by a one person loading winch. Thus, the striping system controlled by a single person provides the versatility of on-highway and off-highway striping.

Abstract: A knock-down towing dolly assembly having a wheel supported cradle for engaging a pair of front or rear wheels of a vehicle to be towed; the assembly being capable of elevating the vehicle's cradle engaged wheels in response to operation of improved automatic locking and unlocking actuators; associated one with each of four towing dolly wheels whereby the cradle engaged wheels of the vehicle are elevated to a towing position.

Abstract: The present invention related a towing hitch for towing an up-sloped positioned motorcycle at the rear of a motor vehicle having a Class III receiver, the towing hitch comprising an anchoring support assembly attached to the Class III receiver, the latter including a L-shaped housing, a winch barrel pivotally attached between upright side walls and pivotal about a transverse axis and a winch belt operationally attached to the winch barrel and wound about a major circumferential portion of the front tire of the motorcycle. In one aspect, the full span of the circumference of the front tire is augmented by a metallic, arcuate pivot arm attached between and projecting from the side walls at the front of the L-shaped housing via a second transverse pivot axis positioned a distance D above the earth's surface where D is about equal to the radius R of the front wheel. In another aspect, the belt is bifurcated at its attached to the arcuate pivot arm to allow for easy attachment about the tread of the front tire.

Abstract: A trailer having a front section and rear section connected with hinges is disclosed. The front section of the trailer comprises a front bed section mounted to a front frame section having a tongue extending therefrom. The rear section of the trailer comprises a rear bed section mounted to a rear frame section resting on a wheeled axle. A first pair of hinges detachably connects the front and rear sections of the trailer at the top of upwardly extending sides of the bed sections. A second pair of hinges detachably connects the frame sections of the front and rear sections of the trailer below the bed. The rear section of the trailer may be rotated downwardly with respect to the front to form a ramp, or the front rotated over the rear to shorten the overall length of the trailer for storage.

Abstract: A wheel lift head assembly is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear end of a truck frame and is hydraulically operated for raising and lowering one end of a vehicle to be towed behind the truck. The wheel lift head assembly includes a crossbar member having a pair of hollow tubes pivotally mounted at opposite ends thereof with a pair of J-shaped wheel engaging members slidably mounted therein. A retainer is secured to an end of each J-shaped arm to prevent the withdrawal of the arm from the pivoted guide tube and a J-shaped arm provides engagement on opposite sides of the wheels of the vehicle to be towed to prevent lateral slipping of the wheels. A tiltable truck bed is mounted on the truck for pivotal movement between a horizontal position and an inclined position. At least one support post is provided at the rear of the tiltable truck bed for supporting the end of the tiltable truck bed on the ground and notches are formed in a forwardly facing surface of the support post.

Abstract: A wheel lift apparatus for tow vehicles includes a boom extending from a tow vehicle and a cross arm connected with the boom. The wheel lift apparatus also preferably includes a pair of receivers including an inclined face mounted on opposite end portions of the cross arm and a pair of pivot members mounted on the end portions. A pair of swing arms, each of which preferably has a swivel leg, a wheel support leg and a distal leg, is mounted on the pivot members. The swing arms are pivotally movable between a storage position in which the wheel support legs each extend between the boom and one of the pivot members and towing position in which the distal legs are spaced apart from the cross arm such that the cross arm, wheel support leg and distal leg, and preferably the inclined face, define a receptacle for receiving and supporting a wheel of a vehicle for lift towing. Methods of wheel lift towing are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle towing arrangement for towing a vehicle with one end of the towed vehicle being secured to the towing vehicle or extension thereof and the other end of the towed vehicle supported by an independent support component which component has at least one wheel. The support component can be secured to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle jack and dolly for quickly and easily raising the vehicle includes a support which is slipped around the bottom of the tire from the side of the vehicle, pivot bars and axles that are parallel to, spaced from and rotatable around the pivot bar. Short bars extending from the axles may be forced downward to rotate the axles and lift the vehicle to the point where a hook drops in place to lock it. The axles have small wheels so that two dollies may be used on two opposite wheels to move the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for towing disabled truck tractors including a towing bar connected to a disabled tractor's fifth-wheel hitch. The towing bar is positioned on the disabled tractor to extend in a rearward direction, downwardly inclined from the hitch pin toward the rear of the disabled tractor. A spreader bar is chained across the towing bar to hold the towing bar down when upward pressure is applied to the towing bar. A lifting bar is provided which is connected to a fifth-wheel hitch on the towing tractor. The lifting bar is positioned on the towing tractor to extend in a rearward direction, downwardly inclined away from the hitch pin. The downwardly inclined end of the towing bar is placed on the top of the downwardly inclined end of the lifting bar. As the towing tractor is backed toward the disabled tractor, the towing bar will ride up the incline plane provided by the lifting bar.

Abstract: A towing apparatus removably attachable to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle includes a forward lifting beam having a distal extremity and a proximal extremity having a flat mounting face angularly disposed to the long axis of the beam and adapted to engage the fifth wheel. A rear lifting beam has a first extremity pivotably joined to the distal extremity of the forward lifting beam, and a second extremity attachable to the fifth wheel of a disabled tractor. A hydraulically activated piston, located in the forward lifting beam causes movement of the rear lifting in a vertical plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a motorcycle onto another vehicle. The motorcycle loader comprises a wheel saddle positionable on a bed of the vehicle, a yoke assembly connectable to front forks of the motorcycle, an auxiliary winch mounted on the wheel saddle and having a cable connected to the yoke assembly, and a remote control switch for controlling the winch. The remote control may be temporarily clamped into the handlebars of the motorcycle, and an operator sitting on the motorcycle may energize the auxiliary winch by alternately pressing and releasing a push-button switch on the remote control. The winch thus gradually pulls the front wheel of the motorcycle into the wheel saddle so that the motorcycle can be subsequently tied down to the bed of the vehicle. A strap retainer for retaining a loose end of a strap in the yoke assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tow bar connecting a towed vehicle a towing vehicle has a shaft forking to tines whose hooks to engage the axle or undercarriage of the towed vehicle. A cradle or bracket slidable on the shaft engages the frame, bumper or other part of the towed vehicle. An arm is pivoted to the shaft by the arm's disk-like termini, which rotatingly sandwich the shaft's disk-like terminus. The arm's termini have satellite apertures which register with complementary satellite apertures in the shaft's terminus. Registering of the respective satellite apertures occurs at selected relative angular portions of the arm and shaft. Pins through the registered satellite apertures lock the arm and shaft in a given relative angular position. A jack raises the shaft once the tow bar is on the towed vehicle. The tow bar includes an eye or the like for attaching the tow bar to the hitch of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A new adapter for attaching a wheel lift apparatus to a road tractor for quickly mounting wheel lift apparatus to the road tractor. The inventive device includes a mounting frame having a gooseneck configuration defining a wide end and a narrow end, with the wide end of the mounting frame mounted on the frame of the road tractor, and the narrow end attached to the fifth wheel plate of the road tractor by a kingpin and attached to the tractor frame by link rods.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for use in hauling a motorcyle behind a motorcyle which includes a wheel cradle for positioning the front wheel of the motorcyle in front of the hitch. Such arrangement allows for the use of a lighter weight trailer and provides for greater stability as the front wheel is held in-plane with the vehicle during travel.

Abstract: A tow truck is disclosed equiped with an improved body assembly, underlift assembly and lifting boom assembly. The body assembly includes a left body unit and a right body unit. Each body unit has a structural unit and a plurality of exterior panhed to the structural unit. The structural unit is preferably formed from flanged aluminum panels that are attached by adhesive. The improved underlift assembly comprises a support arm coupled to the vehicle. A base is coupled to an end of the support arm, a boom base is pivotally attached to the base at a first pivot point and a boom is pivotally attached to the boom base at a second pivot point. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm and the boom base. The operation of the first actuator pivots the boom base with respect to the support arm. A second actuator is coupled to the boom base and the boom. The operation of the second actuator pivots the boom with respect to the boom base.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting and towing vehicles includes a boom assembly which can be folded and unfolded by use of hydraulics. Drumstick shaped members are connected at the end of the boom assembly and can be moved to engage and hold tires or wheels of towed vehicles in cooperation with a bar member also attached at the end of the boom assembly.

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: The present invention has many inherent advantages, such as we provide "A VERTICAL LIFT TOWING DOLLY INCLUDING VARIABLE, ATTACHABLE PLATFORMS" with each platform being individually designed for a specific purpose, such as hauling a boat, car, motorcycle, etc. Also, a unique hydraulic one-man operated cable system allows for vertical lift of the entire frame. Also, this invention provides the following: an arrangement to selectively vary the distance between the wheels, a towing tongue removably affixed to the axle, an arrangement to accept variable sized trailer hitches, an arrangement to vary height of the trailer hitch and further the trailer may easily be assembled, as each of the components may be color coded and the trailer may be easily disassembled for transport and/or storage, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel grid assembly and vehicle towing apparatus. The wheel grid assembly includes a wheel boom and a pair of lift arms. Each lift arm consists of an extension arm segment and an engaging arm segment pivotally mounted to the extension arm segment. Each engaging arm segment is made up of an actuating arm segment and a gripping arm segment extending in different directions from the pivot point. A pair of linear actuators rotate the engaging arm segments about their pivot points to engage the wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Each linear actuator is attached to an engaging arm segment through an over-center locking mechanism. The over-center locking mechanisms lock the engaging arm segments in wheel engaging positions without aid of force from the linear actuators. The present invention also relates to a position lock mechanism and a wheel grid self-centering device.

Abstract: Two vehicles are transported in tandem by a beam assembly connecting a lead vehicle to a trailing vehicle which is reversed end-for-end. The beam assembly includes an elongated beam which is connected to the rear and extends lengthwise of the trailing vehicle. The beam extends beyond the rear end of the trailing vehicle and is elevated and connected to the rear end of the lead vehicle at a height such that the rear wheels of the trailing vehicle are raised above ground. The connection of the beam to the lead vehicle permits the beam to swing both laterally and vertically.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a tilt cylinder assembly for an underlift assembly for attachment to a recovery vehicle. The present invention provides for rotation of the horizontal member about a first and second pivot point. The first pivot point is where the lifters attach to the horizontal member. The second pivot point is formed by attaching a forward end of the horizontal member to a tilt cylinder assembly including at least one lifter. The tilt cylinder assembly lifter provides for movement of the second pivot point. By providing two pivot points, the operator of the underlift assembly is allowed more flexibility in positioning.

Abstract: An improved towing device including a crossbar capable of rotational movement in both horizontal and vertical planes, permitting stress reduction in both the tow truck assembly and tow truck chassis during recovery of a disabled vehicle.

Abstract: A motorcycle towing apparatus comprises a securing device adapted to secure a front wheel of a motorcycle; a coupler to secure the securing device to a towbar of a vehicle in such a manner that the securing device is disposed a distance above the ground and rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane about the towbar; a rigid member extending from a proximal end connected to the securing device to a distal end; and a fastener adapted to secure the distal end of the rigid member to the body of the motorcycle to maintain the front wheel of the motorcycle in fixed relation to a body of the motorcycle. The rigid member is pivotally connected at its proximal end to the securing device so that it may be extended outwardly from the securing device during use and rotated towards the securing device to make the apparatus compact when not being used to tow the motorcycle.

Abstract: A wheel lift towing device includes a boom for mounting to a towing vehicle and having a cross bar connected to its rear end. A pair of wheel retainer arms are each rotatably mounted offset from one end of the cross bar and devices are provided for rotating each wheel retainer arm which includes motive devices operatively connected to the wheel retainer arm by elongated flexible devices. Each wheel retainer arm cooperates with a wheel retaining plate and an end of the cross bar to cradle and support a wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for towing motorcycles behind a vehicle. The apparatus includes a frame with a front stop plate, a bottom plate, first and second guide members extending downwardly from the left and right sides of the front stop plate to the respective sides of the bottom plate, and an attachment bar on the forward side of the front stop plate. The attachment bar is preferably in the form of an insert to a tubular type trailer hitch mount and is adapted to be fixedly secured therein. An adjustable wheel clamp with first and second prongs extends rearwardly from the front stop. The wheel clamp is adjustable from a first width W.sub.1 between the first and second prongs to a second width W.sub.2 between such prongs, to accommodate wheels of different width. The prongs further include a plurality of slots which are adapted for passage therethrough of releasably securable fasteners therethough, so that wheels of different widths may be firmly secured for towing.

Abstract: An improved underlift assembly is provided for attachment to a vehicle. The improved underlift assembly comprises a support arm coupled to the vehicle. A base is coupled to an end of the support arm, a boom base is pivotally attached to the base at a first pivot point and a boom is pivotally attached to the boom base at a second pivot point. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm and the boom base. The operation of the first actuator pivots the boom base with respect to the support arm. A second actuator is coupled to the boom base and the boom. The operation of the second actuator pivots the boom with respect to the boom base. The first actuator is used to position the boom during lifting operation, and the second actuator is used to position the boom into a folded rest position.

Abstract: A loading device uses a hitch to support a boat trailer and boat in an elevated position on the rear of a camper. A first member attaches to the aft end of the boat trailer, a second member attaches to the rear of the camper, and latches on the first member engage dogs on the second member to pivotably couple the members together. A winch line is attached at one end to the fore end of the boat trailer and at an opposing end to a winch mounted on the camper. The winch can thus raise the fore end of the boat trailer and thereby rotate the boat trailer about a pivot point through the dogs from a pre-loading horizontal position on the ground to an elevated position supported on the rear of the camper. The loading device is thus mechanically simple because it only needs a hitch, a winch, and a winch line. It is also power efficient because it only pivots the boat trailer, rather than lifting it and then moving it laterally.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a wheel and axle supported frame including a pair of parallel, longitudinally extended frame portions interconnected at their rear ends, and with a longitudinally spaced pair of V-shaped bracket units mounted on each frame portion, each pair of bracket units supporting a pair of elongated, laterally spaced, parallel pair of bunks, each pair of bunks for supporting a single personal watercraft, and with an arcuate element secured to and extended forwardly from each frame portion and supporting at a forward end a winch unit.