Chaining vehicles

Crusher Duster , huh ?

 

I haul em all...Mercedes, Audis, Bmw's, VW's, Lexus...new GM models with no factory tiedown slots...I haul em all every week. No damage, no claims. Chains and a custom made loooong tiedown bar. Include a Maybach 57 in that list too.

 

Help needed!

In March, my car was hauled on flat bed about 210 miles due to a mechanical problem and this post summed up my experience perfectly. Despite the OEM requirements for 4 straps, a "Load as fast you can" guy throw 2 hooks with chains on the driver's side and took off. I knew this might be a problem and I got a couple of pics as he drove out.



After 3 long weeks, they claimed to have fixed the mechanical issue, but remained completely silent on the tow issue (the tow was selected, sent and payed for by the car dealer since it was a warrant issue- the car was 3 months old). Here's the main issue, this car has an aluminum frame and suspension components. This is the second one of these curses I have owned. The first one- literally broke in two- no accident- it just broke in two. Turns out, it had grossly defective welds in the frame. I was told the welding had been changed and bought another while I tried to get the scumbag manufacturer (my personal opinion only based on experience) to reimburse me for its cost.



OK, so obviously I'm an idiot. That aside, I am very nervous about getting this car back and having to drive it. When the first one came apart, it took my shoulder out as well- two bone breaks and 3 torn tendons. What I need help with and I think posters like Hammer 166 can help me with is what kind of damage should I expect to this car? What have ya'll seen when cars are hauled this way? Does anybody have a contact with a shipper or hauler that can give me specific guidance on inspection and testing of this car to see if it is safe? I'm most worried about things like small cracks in the welds or over stressed components causing a serious accident down the road. I've been working in transloading bulk liquid chemicals from rail to highway a long time and responding to haz mat problems, but I don't have any contacts in this type of transport. I do know the best resource for info is always the guys (and few gals) with the hands on experience, that's why I'm looking for help here. I'm gushing money in attorney's, car expenses, rental car replacement, etc. right now and want to hold these people accountable if they have caused damage. HEEELLLLPPPPPP!!!!!

 

Ideal gas law, huh?

I can't see the front, but that back hook isn't in the frame, it's hooked on a suspension arm. I haven't hauled any Panameras, so I don't know if the links are aluminum, but that's pretty much SOP tie down method for rollbacks. As long as he didn't over tighten, , things are likely ok. Check the links for damage (grooved by the hook or bent) and I'd be demanding a full alignment.

 

First off, as a former tow truck driver, that method is NOT correct for that car. That car needs wheel straps, not a j-hook. There are a lot of tow operators, I like to call them J-hook Johnny, that use those for EVERYTHING because of the simplicity, lack of proper tie downs, or lack of training. And most of those guys really crank the winch down on a car to "make sure it doesn't go anywhere," thus damaging suspension components. Those large j-hooks are used for vehicles with a straight axle, not independent suspension. They can also be used to load wrecks when the car is damaged and you can't get access to proper hook locations, or oddball stuff such as tractors, skid steers, or other equipment.

Here is how I would've loaded that car:
-Popped the plastic piece out of the front bumper
-Screwed in the tow hook (usually located with the spare tire)
-Hook cable from winch to tow hook, and get a LITTLE tension on the cable (so the car doesn't roll in the next step)
-Put car in neutral and remove e-brake
-Winch car onto bed, making sure the front spoiler doesn't drag, if it looks like it might, place 2x10 boards to decrease the loading angle
-Secure vehicle with 4 wheel straps, making sure not to over tighten
-Place vehicle in park(or gear) and set the emergency brake
-Go get paid


I just googled this image, but this is how it SHOULD have been done.

View attachment 51488

Sorry to rant, but those guys really tick me off. I bet if you looked at his cable up on the winch is was a rusty, frayed, kinked, birdnest. That's another pet peave of mine. Winches have to stay neatly wound up. Sounds like the dealer needs to get some competent tow operators, and rid themselves of the J-hook Johnny's.

As for what you should do, if he used the same method in the front, check the front spoiler for dragging AND for where the cable might have rubbed. When you get tension on a cable, it will want to make a straight line, right up into the bottom of the front bumper/spoiler. Check suspension arms for damage. Like said above, if he didn't tighten down, you might be ok, but either way that's not the correct method for towing that car.

 

Hammer166, your sharp, and right on both the ideal gas law and that he hooked the suspension arm. The suspension arm is unfortunately cast aluminum.

 

See Are125: your absolutely right on how the car should have been loaded and secured. It was amazing how fast this guy disappeared with it. His main job must be, lets say less legitimate, were speed is more crucial. This company supposedly has hauled for Porsche and their Atlanta dealers for 20 years. They had to know better than to handle the car this way.

 

I liked the go get paid part ........ nice touch !

Other then that, I don't have anything to add .......... SeeAre and Sir Hammer summed it all up rather nicely.