Abstract: A side puller accessory frame for a tow truck having a cab and a truck frame mounts to the truck frame behind the cab. The accessory frame preferably includes two stiff legs, a wire rope winch mounted transverse to the longitudinal axis of the truck that provides pulling force via a removable pivotable center sheave that directs the pulling force to sides or the rear of the truck as desired. The accessory frame may include a removable pivotable side sheave that may mount in a side sheave mounting tube. The side puller accessory frame makes a conventional car carrier with a roll back bed a recovery truck.

Abstract: An adjustable ball-type hitch assembly, and a method for using it. The hitch assembly is connected to a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle on one end, and to a vehicle to be towed having a ball receiver, on the other end. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable hitch assembly may include a base attachable to the receiver, and a sliding element such as a tongue supporting the ball and pivotally attached to the base. The sliding element may include a slot or groove enabling the sliding element to move along its longitudinal axis relative to the base, and to also rotate about a vertical axis perpendicular to a horizontal plane containing at least a portion of the sliding element, enabling the ball to be moved in various directions in a substantially horizontal plane to facilitate connection of the ball to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A dolly assembly for use in towing a disabled vehicle, preferably including a main tube with a dolly wheel mounted at each end, and a method of using same. In one preferred embodiment, the main tube is capable of selective expansion or contraction along its longitudinal axis, to facilitate adjustment and placement of dolly axle assemblies connecting opposed, generally parallel dolly assemblies. Force leveraging mechanisms may be used to aid the selective expansion or contraction of the main tube, such as ratchet or rack and pinion mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, and for ease in transport, the dolly assembly may be pivotably collapsed along its main tube about either a vertical or horizontal axis.

Abstract: An adjustable ball-type hitch assembly, and a method for using it. The hitch assembly is connected to a hitch receiver of a towing vehicle on one end, and to a vehicle to be towed having a ball receiver, on the other end. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable hitch assembly may include a base attachable to the receiver, and a sliding element such as a tongue supporting the ball and pivotally attached to the base. The sliding element may include a slot or groove enabling the sliding element to move along its longitudinal axis relative to the base, and to also rotate about a vertical axis perpendicular to a horizontal plane containing at least a portion of the sliding element, enabling the ball to be moved in various directions in a substantially horizontal plane to facilitate connection of the ball to the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A dolly assembly for use in towing a disabled vehicle, preferably including a main tube with a dolly wheel mounted at each end, and a method of using same. In one preferred embodiment, the main tube is capable of selective expansion or contraction along its longitudinal axis, to facilitate adjustment and placement of dolly axle assemblies connecting opposed, generally parallel dolly assemblies. Force leveraging mechanisms may be used to aid the selective expansion or contraction of the main tube, such as ratchet or rack and pinion mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, and for ease in transport, the dolly assembly may be pivotably collapsed along its main tube about either a vertical or horizontal axis.

Abstract: During recovery of a disabled motor vehicle, a towing dolly cradle assembly can be used to raise and carry an end of the vehicle. The towing dolly cradle assembly comprises two towing dolly assemblies spaced apart parallel to one another and with each dolly assembly having a horizontal main tube and each dolly assembly attached respectively along one of its longitudinal sides to an end of each of the two dolly axle assemblies interposed perpendicularly between the two dolly assemblies. The attachment of the two dolly assemblies to the two axle assemblies forms a generally rectangular towing dolly cradle assembly. In each dolly assembly, two pivot mounting assemblies are attached to the main tube with one mounting assembly at or near each end of the tube. Each mounting assembly has a spindle and a wheel assembly mounted to the spindle on the longitudinal side of the tube away from the interposed and attached dolly axle assemblies.