Abstract: Apparatus for towing a vehicle is disclosed having a first member mounted in a stowed position under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle and a second member telescopingly mounted within the first member and movable to an extended position out of the first member when the first member is released from its stowed position. A cross member is mounted at the free end of said second member and transverse thereto and has a towing vehicle wheel support at each end for receiving the front wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Straps are associated with each wheel support to secure the wheels of the vehicle to be towed to the wheel supports. In this manner, a front wheel drive vehicle can be towed without effecting the odometer and the apparatus can be stored under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle when not in use.

Abstract: A vehicle lifting and towing apparatus is adapted to be mounted beneath the floor at the rear portion of a vehicle. The lifting frame (16) includes the intermediate portion (12) of a divided rear bumper and is pivotally mounted on bracket plates (20) attached to the rear of the vehicle main frame members (22). A sub-frame (42) is mounted to and is longitudinally slidable beneath the main frame members (22) and pivotally connects to the lifting frame (16) at a point spaced below the axis on which the lifting frame is mounted. Rearward movement of the sub-frame (42) by means of hydraulic actuators (48) causes the lifting frame (16) to pivot upwards into an operative load carrying position. The sub-frame members (44) are shaped to transfer load from the sub-frame (42) via a plate (72) to the rear axle of the towing vehicle when the sub-frame (42) is in a rearward position.

Abstract: An automotive dolly for supporting one end of a vehicle above the ground. The dolly comprises an elongated beam supported on a wheeled axle. The beam has a load end and a free end connected by a chain restrained against vertical movement as by passing under the axle to anchor the free end of the beam as mechanism elevates the load end of the beam and an attached vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is a towing attachment which can be attached to the towbar of a towing vehicle in order to allow easier towing of trailers by moving into position under the trailer. The towing attachment can also be used to lift the towing vehicle off the ground with a tongue attachment for better traction in snow.

Abstract: A car carrier having a bed linked to the frame of a truck for movement from a horizontal position on the frame to a tilted car loading or unloading position in a single motion entailing simultaneous upward-rearward movement of the front end of the bed and downward-rearward movement of the rear end of the bed to ground-engaging position. The terminal portion of the tilting movement of the bed automatically compresses the rear springs between the frame and rear axle. The car carrier also has a wheel lift assembly including yokes on a rearwardly extending boom which are lowered to engage and lift the front on rear wheels of a second car responsive to partial tilting of the bed and to return of the bed to horizontal position. The boom and yokes are retracted forwardly to be disposed underneath the rear portion of the bed during loading and unloading of a first car onto or from the bed.

Abstract: A portable vehicle towing trailer is small enough and light enough for one person to put it in and take it out of a pickup truck. A winch is mounted for slidable movement along a beam supported by a wheeled axle, and the axle is connected to the mounting for the winch and to the beam to selectively lower the rear end of the beam to attach one end of a disabled vehicle and to raise the rear end of the beam to elevate the attached end above the ground and tow the disabled vehicle, all while the front end of the beam is connected to a tow vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted automobile "wheel lift" towing mechanism having a power actuated lift boom vertically movable between raised and lowered positions along angularly inclined parallel tracks having cam members operable to impart predetermined vertical tilting movements to the boom; the latter at ground engagement being tiltable to conform to variations in ground slope; power actuation of the boom being responsive to extension and contraction of a horizontal lift cylinder assembly having a linearly movable piston. Manually operable wheel engaging apparatus, is carried by the lift boom for positively coupling a pair of vehicle wheels to the towing mechanism and includes a pair of pivotally movable wheel restraints operable to swing arcuately about vertical axes from positions laterally outwardly of adjacently opposed vehicle wheels to positions behind such wheels for restraining the latter against opposing wheel chocks.

Abstract: A vehicle towing apparatus is disclosed, and wherein a frame assembly adapted to be fixed to a truck chassis includes a first pair of linear and transversely opposed guide channels and a separate second pair of linear and transversely opposed guide channels and wherein the second pair of guide channels are inclined more closely to the vertical than the first pair of guide channels when viewed in a side elevation. A foot assembly is also provided which comprises a longitudinally extending beam, with a forward end and rear end, and which has a wheel engaging device mounted too the rear end. A support beam is fixed to the longitudinal beam and extends upwardly and has a first pair of rollers which operatively engages the first pair of opposed guide channels and a second pair of rollers which operatively engages the second pair of guide channels.

Abstract: A car carrier assembly designed to be used in conjunction with a conventional tow dolly allowing a disabled vehicle to be towed by a conventional tow wrecker having a tow sling. The car carrier assembly comprises a pair of longitudinal side members configured in a spaced apart manner by a tow bar connected to the forward ends of the side members by a pair of angled members. The rearward ends of the side members are detachably connected to the tow dolly. The rearward wheels of the vehicle are supported from the ground by the tow dolly and the forward wheels of the vehicle are supported from the ground by extensible wheel tubes extending between the side members of the car carrier assembly when the tow sling of the wrecker engages and elevates the tow bar of the assembly.

Abstract: A recovery unit for use by one truck tractor in towing another disabled truck tractor has an anchoring frame assembly with a king pin for coupling to a fifth wheel of the towing tractor and an attaching frame assembly with a king pin for coupling to a fifth wheel of the disabled tractor. The attaching frame assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the anchoring frame assembly between stored and extended conditions. Actuating cylinders and an auxiliary frame assembly are selectively operable to pivot the attaching frame assembly relative to the anchoring frame assembly between the stored and extended conditions and to pivot the attaching frame assembly to and from an erected position relative to the anchoring frame assembly once the attaching frame assembly has been first moved to its extended condition and coupled to the fifth wheel of the disabled tractor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for a recovery vehicle of the type comprising rear, lowerable supporting stifflegs (5) and a crane boom (1) which turns about a horizontal axis (11) and has a boom foot (2) and a folding boom (3) with an extension (4) thereon. According to the invention the crane boom is placed on a turntable or the like on the vehicle. The turntable and consequentially the crane boom can be turned about a vertical axis of rotation. In order that the boom foot, which during transport preferably is arranged between a pair of lowerable rear stifflegs, should be unobstructed by these stifflegs or other obstacles, the crane boom is longitudinally displaceable relative to the turntable, according to a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering and towing a vehicle. The apparatus is provided on a truck that has a winch with a draw cable. The apparatus includes a crane having a frame, which is connected to the truck, a boom, which is pivotably connected to the frame, and a lifting bracket, which can be connected to a vehicle that is to be towed. The draw cable is detachably connected to the boom by a coupling. To lower and raise the lifting bracket via the draw cable, the pivotable connection of the boom to the frame is effected by a substantially horizontally extending shaft connected to the frame.

Abstract: A wheel lift tow assembly 28 is mounted to the frame at the rear of a tow truck 20 and is movable vertically by a power cylinder 60 connected between the frame of the tow truck and the tow assembly. The tow assembly includes a telescopic tow bar 35 that is distended and retracted by a power cylinder 65, and a cross arm 36 which is pivotably mounted intermediate its ends about an upwardly extending axis 89 to the rear portion of the telescopic tow bar. Sleeve members 92, 93 are slidably mounted about the opposite ends of the cross arm, and L-shaped wheel cradles 37, 38 are releasably connected to the sleeve members.

Abstract: A wheel lifting unit for mounting to a tow truck has a base that is carried by the truck under the bed. An extending device will retract and extend the base. A telescoping member, which also retracts and extends, is mounted to the base. The telescoping member includes a neck member that pivotally connects to arms mounted to the base. The neck member will also move between retracted and extended positions. Lateral extension members are located at the end of the telescoping member assembly. Wheel supports on the lateral extension members incline outwardly to accommodate different wheel sizes.

Abstract: A wheel lift type vehicle lifting and towing device which includes an extensible and tiltable boom extending rearwardly from a towing vehicle when in use and provided on its end thereof with a pair of wheel receiving members for engaging the wheels of a vehicle to be towed, and then lifting and towing the vehicle. The wheel receiving members are comprised of a fixed prong and a movable L-shaped prong which may be folded to a storage position when not in use. When the entire device is in a storage position, it is retracted substantially out of view within the understructure of the body of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A tow basket for use in towing a vehicle. The wheels of the vehicle to be towed are lifted onto the tow basket as the basket approaches and contacts the vehicle wheels. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle wheel is lifted by a conveyor belt onto a first roller and thus carried upwards and into the tow basket, the first roller being operatively connected to the supporting wheels of the tow basket, and the belt being superposed around and upon a plurality of rollers including the first roller. As the vehicle is lifted, a pivoting structure within the tow basket pivots with the shifting weight of the vehicle from an initial position to a final position where the wheel is securely retained. In an alternative embodiment, a novel connection is provided between the tow truck boom and a cross bar having a tow basket slidably mounted on either end; the connection provides for some degree of lateral movement during loading and unloading so that the vehicle may be loaded from or unloaded onto an uneven surface.

Abstract: A towing vehicle which has a lifting beam at its rear end for lifting a vehicle prior to being towed is provided with tracks which extend longitudinally of the vehicle and at least one mass which can be moved along the tracks to vary the front axle loading of the vehicle, thus enabling the steering ability of the vehicle to be maintained even when lift/towing a heavy load.

Abstract: Vehicle towing apparatus is disclosed which is capable of being mounted on a pickup truck or van without losing the use of any substantial part of the truck or van body.

Abstract: A recovery and towing vehicle which has been specifically designed for transport in a freighter aircraft and must necessarily therefore be of low profile to fit within the cargo space of an air-transport vehicle comprising a main chassis (1) on which is mounted a cab (3) with a removable upper part (5) and a slewing crane (7) having an extendable boom (11), a winch (10) and spades (23) mounted in slideways (29). The vehicle also is provided with a traditional supported lift towing boom (25) but instead of being mounted for pivoting movement on the chassis (1), the boom (25) is mounted for generally vertical sliding movement. For this purpose, slideways (29) are provided on the inside of housing (31) for the spades and vertical movement of the boom (25) is under the control of the main crane boom (11) which can be connected to the boom (25) by a lift strop (41).

Abstract: A towing apparatus of the wheel lift variety is provided with wheel support members that move horizontally or vertically relative to a fixed-position support beam. The support members are mounted to the beam by pivotable, tapered collars and include a depending retainer that has both an extended height and depth to contact a substantial portion of the wheel circumference. The apparatus also provides means for rotating the support beam both above the below the horizontal. All of these features facilitate use of the towing apparatus.

Abstract: Towing apparatus mounted on the rear of a towing vehicle for lifting and towing a disabled vehicle by its wheels has a lifting boom housing for telescopically carrying an extendible boom on which wheel engaging forks are supported. The lifting boom housing disposition is controlled by two hydraulic cylinders. One cylinder is fixed at one end and pivotably connected to the lifting boom housing at the other end which is also attached to and constrained by slidable guide members mounted in slideways for movement in an inclined linear path downwardly and rearwardly relative to the towing vehicle. The other cylinder is pivotably connected to the boom housing and to the guide members for controlling the attitude of the boom housing relative to the roadway. Additionally the wheel engaging forks have a tubular square cross sectional configuration telescopically mountable on a tow bar having a similar configuration so that the forks may be disengaged from the tow bar and disposed at 90.degree. or 180.degree.

Abstract: A wheel lift towing apparatus is disclosed for mounting on the rear end of a tow truck or other towing vehicle for engaging the wheels of an immobilized vehicle to be towed. A rearwardly extending boom assembly is mounted at the rear end of the tow truck. Wheel lift carriages are mounted on the free end of the boom assembly for engaging the wheels of the immobilized vehicle for lifting the vehicle. An inclined ramp and follower mechanism is provided between a mounting bracket on the tow truck and the boom assembly for guiding upward lifting movement of the boom assembly and for effecting angular upward movement of the wheel lift carriages greater than the upper movement of the forward end of the boom assembly. Each wheel lift carriage is in the form of a fork-like structure having a pair of arms positionable on the inner and outer sides of a wheel. The inner arm has an aperture for insertion thereinto of the inner end of the support rod.

Abstract: A powered lifter that enables one person to move loads such as cars, trucks, farm equipment, trailers and the like from one location to another. The device includes a rear frame supported by a pair of wheels that mounts an upstanding telescoping mast having a rotatable load supporting carriage at its upper end and a hydraulic cylinder connected to the mast for raising and lowering the carriage. The device also includes a front frame pivotally connected to the rear frame and supported by a drive wheel which is driven by a hydraulic motor and steered by a steering arm connected to the front frame which also houses the electronic circuitry for the device. A cabinet is mounted on the rear frame for housing the electrical and hydraulic components for the device, and for reinforcing the frame to avoid sagging and lateral shifting of the frame.

Abstract: A boat trailer including a main frame (4,8) having mounted thereon a keel support (21) adjustable, side supports (20) and self-storing upwardly and outwardly flaring dolphins (22). The trailer is capable of being located in water deep enough to float the boat on or off because the tongue is extendible, box beam (70) including hitch (76) is movable relative to box beam (10) under control of powered drive means (74), controlling flexible members (80,84), the opposite ends of which are anchored to box beam (10). A floating boat is guided into an automatic latch mechanism by guides (18,30) and automatically secured to or released from latch (48) from the helm of the boat.

Abstract: An apparatus for being attached to the fifth-wheel mechanism of towing tractor for towing a disabled tractor-trailer. An arm is pivotally mounted on a body for movement between one or more raised positions and a lowered position. The body is attached to the towing tractor. A coupling mechanism is provided to attach the front of the disabled tractor-trailer to the arm. A lifting mechanism is provided to move the arm between the raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A spacer block for a tow bar which has a central support having an opening therethrough to receive the tow bar and a plurality of faces disposed around the central support. Each face has a different configuration adapted to conform to the shape of support elements provided on the underside of a vehicle. The faces are connected to the central support by a plurality of webs which absorb impact, forces which would otherwise be transmitted to the automobile by the towing apparatus while the vehicle is being towed.

Abstract: Apparatus adapted to be mounted on the bed of a towing vehicle for lifting and towing disabled vehicles, particularly large vehicles. The apparatus includes an extendible boom disposed for positioning beneath the disabled vehicle and retracted for moving the disabled vehicle close to the rear of the towing vehicle. The boom is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis on an elevator from a vertically disposed storage position to its operative position, the elevator being slidably mounted in slideways for vertical movement between the storage position and the operative positions. The elevator is supported by an extendible beam which is vertically driven for raising and lowering the elevator and which is extendible for varying the angular inclination of the elevator which may pivot relative to the slideways.

Abstract: This wrecker assembly is removably received on a truck body, and is designed to pull at an angle to the right or left, when desired. Primarily, it consists of a bracket mounted boom, which includes a rotatable head at its top, and a projecting pin on the boom is freely received in a horizontal slot in the head. The head further includes a set screw or bolt, for rendering the head secured at the desired angle.

Abstract: A towing device for directly towing an all terrain vehicle (ATV) or an all terrain cycle (ATC). The towing device is removably secured to the ATV/ATC and allows easy towing and transportation of such a vehicle by utilizing the vehicle's rear wheels thereby eliminating the need for a separate flat bed or wheeled trailer. The tow device is in the form of a bar having an attachment mechanism for removably securing the bar to the ATV/ATC frame and a hitch assembly for removably connecting the tow bar to a car or truck ball hitch or any other type of conventional towing hinge. In one embodiment for a three-wheel ATV/ATC, only one attachment mechanism is provided and the forward end of the towing bar, toward the hitch, includes a recess in which the single front wheel is received. The bar, which can be either one or two pieces, also includes a bend so that when hitched for towing, the front wheel is raised off the ground allowing the rear wheels to provide the rolling support required for towing.

Abstract: Automobile towing apparatus for mounting on a tow truck has a pivotal boom that projects rearwardly from the truck. The boom has a forward portion extending along the truck, the rear end of this forward portion being connected to a downwardly extending portion located just beyond the rear of the truck. The lower end of the downwardly projecting portion supports a rear portion that is extensible and in turn supports a transverse beam, on the ends of which there is mounted a pair of vehicle lifts for engaging and lifting the wheels of a disabled vehicle. This beam has limited rotation about a front to rear horizontal axis to accommodate loading a vehicle standing on a sideways slope. The boom is pivotable, optionally, about a pair of transverse horizontal axes located at the respective ends of the forward boom portion.

Abstract: A vehicle towing mechanism adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a truck for towing a wheeled vehicle. The towing mechanism includes an elongate main support member which is pivotally connected to the truck and extends rearwardly therefrom. The main support member has vertical, spaced side walls formed of a prestressed high tensile metal and is constructed to have an upwardly bowed configuration; such configuration is retained by an upper wall fixedly attached thereto. A vertical riser member is adapted to be vertically slidable relative to the truck rear end and is connected to the main support member to inhibit lateral movement. The main support member is connected to an apparatus which supports laterally spaced wheels of the vehicle and includes wheel-engaging devices for each wheel. Each device has a rotating section and a fixed section. Wheel retainers are adapted to secure the wheels within respective devices and securely lock the wheel-supporting apparatus in a selectively fixed position.

Abstract: A hydraulic wheel lift device is adapted to be used with tow vehicles. The device is attached to a tow truck by means of a main boom pivotally secured to a wheel boom, which abuts against the tread portions of tires that the device will lift. A pair of L-shaped arms pivotally secured to the wheel boom are actuated to swing so that they frame the underside of the tires. As a result, each tire is framed by a U-shaped bracket consisting of the wheel boom and the L-shaped arms. The main boom is lifted and in turn lifts the tires and the vehicle being towed.

Abstract: A vehicular towing device comprised of an elevation arm having a socket on one end and pivotably mounted to a mounting bracket on an opposed end interposed there between an hydraulic cylinder along with associated support cylinders so that the socket on the end of the elevation arm may rotationally receive therein the ball installed on a towed vehicle, the hydraulic cylinder co-acting with the elevation arm to elevate the front end of the towed vehicle off the ground surface so that the towed vehicle may be towed with only the rear wheels in contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: A vehicle lift device which may be easily attached to an ordinary truck for use in towing disabled vehicles. The lift device includes a frame which is secured to the truck, a telescoping beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end to the framework, and piston means secured between the framework and the beam one end for shifting the beam between a raised and lowered position. A crossbar is mounted at the other end of the beam and includes grids mounted thereon for receiving the wheels of the disabled vehicle.

Abstract: A fifth-wheel to fifth-wheel tow bar for semi-tractors which permits a selective height adjustment of the towing end of the bar to adapt to a proper level for attachment to the vehicle to be towed, and including a triangulated support system and hydraulic powered adjustment and lifting means in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for easily and rapidly, yet securely, interconnecting two truck tractors by their fifth wheels to enable one tractor to tow the other tractor. More particularly the apparatus includes a beam fixedly secured to the towed tractor and a ramp secured to the towing tractor. The beam is slidably supported on the ramp so that the towed tractor rear wheels can be raised for towing by backing the towing tractor toward the towed tractor causing the ramp to lift the beam.

Abstract: A fifth wheel wrecker hoist is illustrated having apparatus which affords longitudinal adjustment between the fifth wheel and the boom which includes a longitudinal guide having a plurality of spaced openings for use in connection with a support carried by the fifth wheel having a retractable plunger for engaging one of the openings respectively for positioning the boom in a desired adjusted position.

Abstract: A mechanical wheel lift for engaging and lifting the wheels of a car for use on a tow truck having a winch and a cable thereon. The wheel lift comprises a support coupled vertically to the rear of the truck, a pair of vertical tracks coupled to the support, a trolley vertically movable along the tracks, a pair of cam follower rollers coupled to the support, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the trolley and having a planar cam surface thereon slidably engaging and inclined to the cam follower rollers, and a pair of wheel-engaging forks coupled to the pivot member. The winch and cable vertically reciprocate the trolley to thereby vertically reciprocate the forks. During this movement, the pivot member pivots the forks towards or away from the truck. The wheel lift is stowable, can be used without removal of tow slings and avoids the use of hydraulics.

Abstract: A support member (2), on which the object is intended to rest, and a base member (1) which carries the support member. The base member (1) consists mainly of a fixed frame (6) and an expanding column (9) hinged to the frame which carries the support member (2). The column by expansion or contraction can raise or lower the support member. Between the frame and the column is attached a control contrivance (13) for positioning the column between different swing positions. At a lower end position, in which the support-member is to a high degree obliquely positioned, the member can connect with a unit at a lower level, from which the workpiece can be lifted to a desired higher level. The support member also has elements (28) to ensure that the workpiece is held securely in position in all support-member attitudes.

Abstract: A pair of laterally spaced support pads are attached to the understructure of the front end of a towage vehicle for engagement by a crossbeam adapted to fit between the vehicle understructure and the towing chain extending from a wrecker towing sling tow bar to the vehicle body behind the wheels. Each support pad includes an upper surface adapted for engagement against the vehicle understructure and the lower surface spaced vertically below the upper surface at a distance which positions crossbar to route the tow sling to eliminate or lessen the interference with the vehicle front end which would otherwise result from engagement of the crossbeam directly upon the understructure of the towed vehicle. A flange portion depends from the lower surface of the pad and is adapted for engagement by the crossbeam to assure a certain longitudinal positioning of the crossbeam.

Abstract: A rescue vehicle has a crane boom, hoist winch and rescue winch mounted on a crane turret that is rotatable about a vertical axis. A cable from the respective winches are extended along the crane boom to an associated block that is mounted near the outer end of the boom. Another block is mounted on the bumper of the vehicle to receive the cable from the rescue winch. The rescue winch is ten to twenty times more powerful than the hoist winch. During a vehicle retrieval operation the rescue winch is used to provide the horizontal pulling power while the hoist winch is used to provide the vertical pulling power. A Y-shaped stay bar is mounted on the block on the bumper and is used to support the crane boom at its outer end.

Abstract: A trailer is described, whose bed is controllably adjusted in height to facilitate the loading, transportation and unloading of truck tractors and truck units. The trailer is provided with a kingpin to couple with a 5th wheel of a truck tractor having a compressed air-braking system. The trailer bed slopes downwardly, and terminates in a further downwardly sloping ramp section onto which the front or rear wheels of the vehicle to be transported is brought to move in being placed onto the trailer bed. An actuable switch is provided to cooperate with the air-braking system in filling an expandable air bag with the braking system's compressed air when it is desired to raise the trailer bed, or to bleed the compressed air therefrom when it is desired to lower the bed.

Abstract: A wrecker for towing disabled automobiles and the like has attachment fittings on the rear bumper each for securing a scotch block chain and a snatch block to the bumper at the same location on the bumper. When an automobile is being winched into towing position, buckling forces exerted on the bumper by tension developed in the scotch block chains are counterbalanced by forces exerted on the bumper by tension developed in the winching cable which is passed around pulleys on the snatch blocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a towing vehicle or wrecker of the type in which a winch drawn cable is attached to the trailing portion of an auto or truck to be towed and a carrier member ascends an inclined track elevating the leading portion of the load as the cable is winched in. The apparatus is characterized by pivotal mounting of the inclined member with a hydraulic positioning cylinder for aiding in acquisition of a load, such as a disabled auto which is ditched or laterally displaced from the wrecker. The pivoted, inclined member also facilitates cornering of the wrecker and load when in motion.

Abstract: A vehicle towing trailer comprises a substantially T-shaped trailer body including an axially extending elongated frame and a cross frame connected to a rear end of the elongated frame, a swivel platform supported on the cross frame, a lift arm mounted on the trailer body for lifting and lowering the rear end of the trailer body, a pair of wheel assemblies each including one or more ground engaging wheels supported by a bracket which is detachable to the trailer body by insertion of one or more axially extending male members into one or more cooperating female members from a front side toward a rear side of the cross frame in a direction opposite to a running direction of the trailer.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle lift and tow bar mounted at the rear of a tow truck which has a beam supporting two frames that are placed under a pair of wheels of the vehicle to be towed. A hydraulic cylinder raises the beam to lift the towed vehicle. The frames are pivotedly mounted to allow turning during towing and to permit them to be folded back against the beam during storage. The beam telescopes to reduce the distance it protrudes behind the truck when not in use.

Abstract: A truck for towing disabled vehicles is provided with a cab controlled or a remote controlled vehicle lifting assembly including pairs of claws which will automatically engage a pair of the wheels of a vehicle and enable the vehicle to be lifted and towed, the vehicle being carried on its own suspension system during towing. The assembly includes a crane mounted and arranged so that the load thereon is carried forward of the rear axle of the tow truck--this increases the tow capacity of the truck and provides stable operation of the crane. The claw assembly may be locked by a ratchet and strap arrangement which retains the vehicle wheels in the assembly in their forward position and prevents release due to jolts and bouncing.

Abstract: A device for supporting and towing a trailer includes a first part engageable with the kingpin of the trailer, a second part engageable with an edge portion of the trailer, and a pair of tension members extending from the first part past the second part at spaced positions therealong, and secured to a supporting or towing vehicle.

Abstract: A towing vehicle that has a tiltable boom includes wheel lift apparatus including a support plate adapted for attachment to the bumper of the towing vehicle and carrying a slideway receiving a vertically moveable slide gate and a lifting beam pivotably mounted on the gate for rotational movement from a stored position within the bed of the towing vehicle to operative positions extending rearwardly of the towing vehicle. The support carries pivotable legs moveable by linkage attached to the beam, the legs having sockets for receiving lugs secured to the beam when the beam is in the operative positions. When the beam is in the operative positions the gate may be lowered to drop the beam for loading a disabled vehicle onto wheel receiving members carried by the beam. The gate is thereafter raised together with the beam for towing the disabled vehicle. The gate is raised and lowered by the tiltable boom or a winching cable and the legs preclude the beam from tilting downwardly.

Abstract: A wrecker attachment in kit form for mounting on the bed of a truck in rigid relationship with its underlying frame. The wrecker attachment includes a back post assembly for mounting a boom assembly, a floor plate assembly for bracing the back post assembly and positionally locating same on the truck bed, and mounting plate assemblies for clamping the back post and floor plate assemblies relative to the truck bed and rigidly securing same to the truck frame. The construction and method of assembling the wrecker attachment allows same to be accommodated for use with trucks having differing spacings between the channels comprising their frames and/or between such frames and the under side of their beds, as well as for inaccuracies in alignment or centering of such attachment relative to the frame of any given truck.