Abstract: A tow aid system used while operating a towing vehicle adapted to tow a towed vehicle, the towing vehicle comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the towing vehicle, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing. The tow aid system comprises: a plurality of geometry sensors and force sensors mounted to components of the towing vehicle that are indicative of a load applied on the underlift arm while holding the part of the towed vehicle in a towing position; and a controller processing the signals from the sensors to calculate the payload resulting from lifting the part of the towed vehicle, and operating limits of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A tow aid system used while operating a wrecker adapted to tow a vehicle, the wrecker comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the wrecker, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing. The tow aid system comprises: axle load sensors mounted along different longitudinal positions on the wrecker, the axle load sensors generating signals indicative of loads along the different longitudinal positions; an underlift arm load sensor mounted about the underlift arm, the underlift arm load sensor generating signals indicative of a load applied on the underlift arm while holding the vehicle in a towing position; and a controller processing the signals from the axle load sensors and the underlift arm load sensor to calculate operating limits of the wrecker.

Abstract: An aid system for a wrecker adapted to perform a lifting operation of an object having a weight, the wrecker comprising an extendable boom wherein the extendable boom is adapted to perform the lifting operation through which the wrecker either hauls or lifts the object. The aid system comprises: sensors mounted to the wrecker adapted to collect intrinsic information associated with the wrecker and extrinsic information on the interaction of the wrecker with the operating environment or on the environment in which the lifting operation is performed; a processing unit adapted to collect and process data collected from the sensors to generate dynamic load chart data; and a display for displaying a graphical representation based on the dynamic load chart data, comprising a depiction of the wrecker and of a limit of an operating condition of the wrecker.

Abstract: A tow aid system used while operating a wrecker adapted to tow a vehicle, the wrecker comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the wrecker, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing. The tow aid system comprises: axle load sensors mounted along different longitudinal positions on the wrecker, the axle load sensors generating signals indicative of loads along the different longitudinal positions; an underlift arm load sensor mounted about the underlift arm, the underlift arm load sensor generating signals indicative of a load applied on the underlift arm while holding the vehicle in a towing position; and a controller processing the signals from the axle load sensors and the underlift arm load sensor to calculate operating limits of the wrecker.

Abstract: A drag winch assembly for a tow vehicle, such as a wrecker, that includes a slidable boom assembly. The drag winch assembly comprises a slidable support connected to the slidable boom assembly in slidable engagement with the main frame of the wrecker and a drag winch mounted on the slidable support. With this configuration, the slidable support is slidable between a first position corresponding to the frontmost position of the slidable boom assembly and a second position corresponding to the rearmost position of the slidable boom assembly, providing advantages existing winch assembly configurations.

Abstract: A drag winch assembly for a tow vehicle, such as a wrecker, that includes a slidable boom assembly. The drag winch assembly comprises a slidable support connected to the slidable boom assembly in slidable engagement with the main frame of the wrecker and a drag winch mounted on the slidable support. With this configuration, the slidable support is slidable between a first position corresponding to the frontmost position of the slidable boom assembly and a second position corresponding to the rearmost position of the slidable boom assembly, providing advantages existing winch assembly configurations.