Emergency Towing Question

[Charlesaf3]

Drove up to Montreal last weekend, which reminded me of something. Last winter I saw a lot of cars off the road when I'd go up skiing. I've got tow straps/chains etc on my tundra, but couldn't figure out where to hook to on little civics/camrys etc. I figured I'd just end up pulling plastic bumpers off, so did nothing.

But I felt bad. I'm sure I'll come across it again - how would you tow a regualr car out of a ditch with a properly equipped pick up? Meaning mainly where would you put the strap on a car with no obvious attachment points?

[ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Charlesaf3

Drove up to Montreal last weekend, which reminded me of something. Last winter I saw a lot of cars off the road when I'd go up skiing. I've got tow straps/chains etc on my tundra, but couldn't figure out where to hook to on little civics/camrys etc. I figured I'd just end up pulling plastic bumpers off, so did nothing.

But I felt bad. I'm sure I'll come across it again - how would you tow a regular car out of a ditch with a properly equipped pick up? Meaning mainly where would you put the strap on a car with no obvious attachment points?

Most foreign cars have either a small single eyelet front and rear or a slot in the sub-frame for a tow hook adaptor sold by companies like AW Direct...

Your right, attaching to the wrong place could result is costly damage...

[Diamondpilot]

I have towed many out from the lower A arm on one side of the suspension. I have a 5' piece of 3/8" chain with a grab hook on one end and a snap hook on the other to accept my town straps loop. If you hook the strap up directly you will wear your strap out in a few pulls. I saw a video of a guy with a S-10 pull the whole rear half off of a Neon pulling from the wrong spot. Imagine what I could do with PSD F-350 4x4 if a S-10 pulled one in half.

Chris

[Charlesaf3]

I'm thinking of cars I don't own, so no idea if they have a tow loop adapter. I'm guessing anyone who puts their car in a ditch off a highway doesn't have one - I'm driving on the same highways, and yeah there's ice and snow, but its not a big deal if you know how to drive in it. But many who go skiing don't.

I can picture ripping a neon apart no problem.

What does the A arm look like? And that won't rack the frame on the little car?

[AlanB]

If I was going to do it, I would invest in a hook to do it with the little fitting that makes it easy, they are fairly cheap.

BA Grade 40 Sports Car & T-Hook Chain - 6'L - Mfg# F11SBC3 E

There are holes in almost all vehicles now that are designed for that little thingy that is not a hook, and not a chain hook. I am sure if I searched the site, I could come up with the right name. Crud, it says on the picture, a T hook, guess it makes sense, anyway, you turn that thing sideways in the hole and it makes a good attachment without damage. Look on any wrecker, and you will probably see a chain much like this.

For myself, being a chicken, I would not want the liability of pulling people out of the ditch, you could do 1000, but number 1001 may make your life miserable.

Good luck with however you go about it.

[Charlesaf3]

Where does the hook fit in on the little car?

Sadly, your point about not helping people because of liability fears is a really good one. Still good to know how to do it if I have to, but I am going to have second thoughts now. Doesn't that suck?

[Tig]

One thing I noticed is that the good samaritan usually asks the owner/operator of the distressed vehicle to attach the strap or chain. I always figured that was the best way to delegate liability in case something does get damaged on the car. He he attaches it to something that does not look solid, like a bumper or suspension component, tell him so. It will be his decision to proceed or not.

[Diamondpilot]

Here is a better picture to the tow hook and chain described above. They are good to have. I am also including a link.

The lower "A-arm" is the lower portion of the suspension. You usually have a lower and upper a arm attached to the chassis then the other ends go to the spindle where the brake then the wheel is attached.

Hook and Chain | Tow Chains, Ropes + Straps | Northern Tool + Equipment

[Charlesaf3]

I found a link to a "what not do to" video - think its one mentioned above. Car doesn't leave the ditch, but does get pulled in half

Car pull in the snow

Good idea on the let them hitch it Tig

I'll have to look for pics of a lower A arm - I'm afraid I still don't follow. Don't have any small cars around here to look at, unless it would be the same on my pickup or SUV?

[MrJimi]

My wife drives a Toyota and some dip-stick ( previous owner ) hooked the tow hook on the rear A-frame and bent it big time, her back tires were toed in enough to wear a $75 tire out on account of somebody's stupidity.. Please be careful where you hook up to.
Thanks