Abstract: A retractable tow reel assembly for an off-road vehicle, the assembly including a bracket having a pair of opposing uprights and mountable to an off-road vehicle, a reel adapted to be held by the bracket when mounted to the vehicle and effective for holding a tow rope, the reel including a shaft and a pair of opposing drum ends having a diameter greater than the diameter of the connecting shaft, and a tow rope having an eye end and a free end, where the eye end is threaded around the shaft, where the shaft has a first end and a second end, and where the first end of the shaft may be released from the first drum end and exposed to facilitate threading of the rope eye over the shaft without releasing the second end of the shaft from the second drum end.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatically retractable automobile towing device, which comprises a hollow housing (1), two coil springs (2), a winding shaft (3) and a towing belt (4). The housing (1) has a mounting chamber (10) and two first through holes (13). The winding shaft (3) is rotatably assembled in the mounting chamber (10) and can maintain the towing belt (4). The towing belt (4) is able to extend and retract with rotation of the winding shaft (3). The present invention further discloses a limiting mechanism. In the present invention, the stability of automobile towing is improved, the deviation of the towing belt during the retraction process is avoided so that the towing belt is allowed to stretch or retract smoothly.

Abstract: A towing apparatus that is operable to receive and store a tow rope and is further configured to protect the tow rope when not deployed for use. The towing apparatus further includes a shank that is configured to couple with a receiver of a conventional frame hitch. A base plate is secured to the shank wherein the base plate has hingedly coupled thereto a body having a plurality of walls forming an interior volume. A shackle is secured to the base plate on the opposing side from the shank and is configured to receive an end of a tow rope. A pair of fasteners are operable to maintain the body in a closed position so as to protect a tow rope secured to the base plate. A strap is further included being operable to retain a tow rope in a stored position.

Abstract: A retractable tow strap apparatus includes a housing containing a spool operably connected to a crank on the exterior of the housing. A tow strap is wound around the spool, the ends of the strap extending through a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the housing. Unwinding the strap from the spool through the apertures rotates the spool in a first direction. The strap is retrieved onto the spool by rotating the spool in a second direction using the crank. Springs within the housing apply a braking force on the portion of the strap that is on the spool, whereby slack in the strap and resultant tangling may be minimized as the strap is wound and unwound from the spool. The strap is formed of a unitary webbing element that extends through the spool, thereby minimizing the application of tension forces directly to the spool during a towing operation.

Abstract: A tow strap apparatus includes a casing, a reel, a tow strap, a driving unit and a speed-increasing gearbox. The reel is rotationally placed in the casing. The tow strap is reeled on the reel. The driving unit is supported on the casing. The speed-increasing gearbox connects the driving unit to the reel.

Abstract: A tow cable kit is mounted to a pin support member which is attached to a frame of the vehicle. The pin support member includes an upper plate and a lower plate. Each plate has a front bore and a rear bore. The front bores receive a front towing pin, and the rear bores receive a rear towing pin. The front towing pin is received by a towing cable, the rear towing pin is received by a drawbar. The tow cable kit includes a floater plate which is spaced apart from the pin support member and is coupled to both towing pins. The floater plate has a pair of spaced apart bores for receiving the towing pins and for protecting snap rings which are mounted on the towing pins.

Abstract: A retractable tow strap apparatus for towing a vehicle includes a protective casing and a reel including a hub. The tow strap apparatus further include a tow strap webbing for winding about the hub, means for attaching at least one end of the tow strap webbing to a vehicle to be towed, and means for biasing the reel to wind the tow strap onto the hub. When the tow strap is in a fully extended position, the tow strap apparatus is configured to transmit substantially all of a tension force applied by a towing vehicle to a towed vehicle through only the tow strap. In addition or alternatively, the means for biasing applies a biasing force to automatically wind the tow strap webbing onto the hub. In addition or alternatively, the tow strap webbing is non-disjoint and includes two ends that are each extendable from the casing.

Abstract: A protective cover for protecting a pair of tow bar arms has a cover element adapted to fit around the pair of tow arms. The protective cover also includes a fastener adapted for fastening elongate upper edges of the cover element around each of the pair of the tow bar arms once the cover element has been folded along a fold line, so that the cover element substantially surrounds each of the tow bar arms.

Abstract: A retracting tow system is disclosed which provides a spring loaded tow rope which automatically winds the tow rope around an included spool when not in use. The tow rope is affixed to a supplied shaft in a manner which prevents damage to the retracting mechanism while in use. An offset fairlead is also supplied which reduces the force on the shaft during a tow.

Abstract: In one embodiment a detachable tow hook assembly comprises a housing defining a passageway for detachably receiving a locking end portion of a tow hook for use in towing a vehicle. Desirably, the tow hook is inserted and rotated to a locking position for retention in place during towing of a vehicle without requiring fasteners or any retaining pins to retain the tow hook in place. Exemplary configurations for tow hooks, tow hook locking portions and tow hook receiving housings are disclosed.

Abstract: A fully adjustable safety chain assembly comprising at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box, at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box, and a safety chain having a first free end and a second free end. A slot in each of the at least one trailer mounted safety chain adjusting box and at least one vehicle mounted safety chain adjusting box enables the safety chain first free end and second free end, respectively, to be reversible affixed at a selected position, thereby holding the safety chain at a desired length. A locking mechanism secures the safety chain in place to prevent it from dislodging.

Abstract: A retracting tow system is disclosed which provides a spring loaded tow rope which automatically winds the tow rope around an included spool when not in use. The tow rope is affixed to a supplied shaft in a manner which prevents damage to the retracting mechanism while in use. An offset fairlead is also supplied which reduces the force on the shaft during a tow.

Abstract: A biased cable mechanism is provided for enabling a secondary connection between a trailer and a vehicle. The biased cable mechanism includes a housing supporting a cable for resilient extensions from the housing. A first end of the cable is fixedly attached to the housing and a second end extends therefrom. A biasing member is operably interconnected to a mid-length of the cable enabling resilient extension of the cable from the housing for attachment to the vehicle, thereby providing the secondary connection.

Abstract: A biased cable mechanism is provided for enabling a secondary connection between a trailer and a vehicle. The biased cable mechanism includes a housing supporting a cable for resilient extensions from the housing. A first end of the cable is fixedly attached to the housing and a second end extends therefrom. A biasing member is operably interconnected to a mid-length of the cable enabling resilient extension of the cable from the housing for attachment to the vehicle, thereby providing the secondary connection.

Abstract: A biased cable mechanism is provided for enabling a secondary connection between a trailer and a vehicle. The biased cable mechanism includes a housing supporting a cable for resilient extensions from the housing. A first end of the cable is fixedly attached to the housing and a second end extends therefrom. A biasing member is operably interconnected to a mid-length of the cable enabling resilient extension of the cable from the housing for attachment to the vehicle, thereby providing the secondary connection.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a receptacle mounted at a predetermined location for storing various tow hitch apparatuses and assemblies. Behind the mounting surface, the area may be hollow such as a standard dwelling wall or solid such as a brick or concrete wall found in a basement. Furthermore, the invention may be mounted on a floor or wall of a vehicle storage compartment. The dimensions of the invention are such that it can in one embodiment receive the standard two inch male connector and in other embodiments receive other standard male portions of a tow hitch apparatus. In particular, the invention is designed to receive the various racks that have become popular for carrying sports equipment. These rigid racks attach to the standard trailer hitch receptacle found on many vehicles.