Flatbed Tow Truck Clearance

[Bill6298]

Hello... I've searched the archives and the read the transporter's guide but I always thought there was a requirement for a flat bed tow truck to be no taller than a certain height. I can't seem to find anything about maximum height / length of the ramp / angle. My car has not been lowered. Does this matter?

Thanks

Bill

[David T]

Hello... I've searched the archives and the read the transporter's guide but I always thought there was a requirement for a flat bed tow truck to be no taller than a certain height. I can't seem to find anything about maximum height / length of the ramp / angle. My car has not been lowered. Does this matter?

Thanks

Bill

Besides pulling by the loop on the frame the driver usually will put a board at the base of the ramp so the front spoiler doesn't scrape. If the frame is very rotten you must be extremely careful what you use to pull the car with and where. NEVER by the lower control arms!

[dustybarn]

The flatbed driver who rescued me was fortunately experienced and knew what to do (he had also towed opethmike's car at some point) :D

[Bill6298]

Besides pulling by the loop on the frame the driver usually will put a board at the base of the ramp so the front spoiler doesn't scrape. If the frame is very rotten you must be extremely careful what you use to pull the car with and where. NEVER by the lower control arms!


The flatbed driver who rescued me was fortunately experienced and knew what to do (he had also towed opethmike's car at some point) :D

Thanks. Yep, I was thinking about someone scraping their spoiler. Even though this is a planned tow, it's still tough to know who you can trust.

[outatym2001]

I’m not aware of a maximum height / length of the ramp / angle regarding a flat bed tow truck. I have had my DeLorean towed four times in fourteen years and each time was a different flat bed tow truck and each time was not an issue.
Of course when I called for a tow they had me describe the DeLorean exactly so they would know what they were dealing with.
The most recent tow was due to the fact my left front Lower Ball Joint had broke in two and the Lower Link scraped along the ground since the tire was now rubbing the top inside of the wheel well. The left front couldn’t go any lower than that.
The tow truck operator used a sledgehammer to push a black rubber wedge – sled under the left front tire. When pulling the DeLorean onto the flat bed the rubber wedge – sled stayed under the tire and slid along while supporting the tire.
When offloading the D the rubber wedge – sled stayed under the tire all the way back onto the ground.
If your DeLorean is not lowered which mine is not either then getting the D up onto a flat bed will be no problem.