Abstract: Vehicular cargo of a vehicle transporter is supported by elongate vehicle support members. Elevated vehicle support members are supported above the vehicular frame of the transporter and moved by screw actuators that are self-locking.

Abstract: A vehicle support and restraint system for a vehicle transporter permits the operator to consistently and securely install either soft tie-down or hard tie-down cargo vehicle restraint while standing at ground level.

Abstract: A cargo retaining winch includes a rotationally secured winch shaft that is substantially longer than the width of a flexible member to be wound on the winch to secure cargo. The flexible member can be wound in one of a continuity of locations along the longitudinal axis of the winch shaft to improve alignment of the flexible member and the cargo.

Abstract: A vehicle support and restraint system for a vehicle transporter permits the operator to consistently and securely install either soft tie-down or hard tie-down cargo vehicle restraint while standing at ground level.

Abstract: Vehicular cargo of a vehicle transporter is supported by elongate vehicle support members. Elevated vehicle support members are supported above the vehicular frame of the transporter and moved by screw actuators that are self-locking.

Abstract: A vehicle transporter having a vehicular frame with at least one vehicle support member movable by a lifting motor along a structural member between different elevations. At least one locking member interacts between the vehicle support member and the structural member, the locking member having a locked position preventing movement of the vehicle support member along the structural member, and an unlocked position permitting such movement. A resiliently-yieldable biasing device is selectively operable by a controller to urge the locking member resiliently at least toward the unlocked position, and preferably alternatively toward the locked position as well.

Abstract: An independent suspension is provided for a vehicle having a floor located between the vehicle's wheels. The independent suspension includes a light weight trailing arm pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle. An air brake actuator is affixed to the trailing arm below the floor of the vehicle. An axle supporting a wheel is cantilevered from the outboard edge of the trailing arm and an air spring is interposed between the trailing arm and the vehicle's body to oppose the force exerted by the axle. The trailing arm has a substantially planar body with a wall extending substantially around the periphery of the body. A thickened section of the body extends over an area of the lower surface of the planar body under the inner portion of the air spring bearing area. The construction of the trailing arm and the widely spaced frame attachment points make possible a suspension system having low unsprung mass but not requiring additional links to the frame for stability.

Abstract: A tie-down system for a vehicle transporter comprises a tie-down apparatus for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter, comprising a vehicle support assembly, including a front deck and further including a rear deck that is variably positionable with respect to said front deck. At least four variably positionable securement devices are associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective flexible tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices to enable nonuniform variations in relative positions of the securement devices, each tension member portion capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices.

Abstract: A tie-down apparatus for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter comprises a vehicle support assembly and at least four securement devices associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices. Each tension member portion is capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices. A tension-applying mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion to adjust the pull-down force on each of the securement devices. A tension-equalizing mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion and is capable of automatically substantially equally distributing tension applied by the tension-applying mechanism among each tension member portion, to substantially equalize the pull-down force automatically with respect to the four securement devices.

Abstract: A tie-down method for securing a vehicle to a longitudinally-extending elongate vehicle transporter utilizes a vehicle support assembly and at least four securement devices associated with the vehicle support assembly and attachable to the vehicle. A respective tension member portion is interconnected with a respective one of each of the four securement devices. Each tension member portion is capable of exerting a pull-down force on a respective one of the securement devices. A tension-applying mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion to adjust the pull-down force on each of the securement devices. A tension-equalizing mechanism is interconnected with each tension member portion and is capable of automatically substantially equally distributing tension applied by the tension-applying mechanism among each tension member portion, to substantially equalize the pull-down force automatically with respect to the four securement devices.