Abstract: When vehicles become disabled on a road or race track, they may be towed away to be repaired or discarded. A disabled vehicle that is repairable but severely damaged may be susceptible to further damage caused by towing it away, which may prevent conventional tow trucks from quickly and easily towing the disabled vehicle away. The presently disclosed vehicle towing system incorporates a telescoping boom extending from a tow vehicle. The telescoping boom includes a first towed vehicle attachment mechanism extending from a distal end of the telescoping boom and a second towed vehicle attachment mechanism extending from a proximal end of the telescoping boom. The first and second vehicle attachment mechanism connect the boom to the disabled vehicle and the boom is used to lift and suspend the disabled vehicle behind the tow vehicle as the disabled vehicle is towed away.

Abstract: A roof stowage system includes a support having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is pivotably coupled, at least indirectly, to the roof. A lift is coupled to the support and operable to selectively cause the support to pivot between a first position and a second position. The support is generally parallel with and adjacent to the roof when in the first position. The first end of the support is generally adjacent to a floor when in the second position.

Abstract: A linear motor has a multi-phase coil to be energized. The linear motor includes a movable element, a stator, and a control system for controlling the position of the movable element. The control system is arranged to acquire drive information related to the linear motor going to be driven, and to position the stator on the basis of the drive information prior to the driving.

Abstract: A vehicle transporting apparatus of the car carrier variety is provided with a platform that is pivotally mounted to the chassis of the transporting vehicle at a location forward of the centerline of the vehicle's rear wheels and above the chassis. A powered actuator is employed for pivotally moving the platform to either forwardly inclined or rearwardly inclined positions. A rearwardly projecting wheel lift boom is also pivotally mounted to the chassis below the platform and is capable of supporting a vehicle to be transported at least partially beneath the platform.