Towing attachment points

mshmodela

mshmodela

Well-known member
Less I did not search enough, in the event one has to get their Model A towed, where is the best place (assuming a flat bed towing) for the tow hooks to attach to the car?

I was thinking not to the front axel but to the two square holes on the frame near the motor mounts?

What say you fellows with decades of experience?
 
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Not an the exact answer to your question (roll back truck) but wheel nets would inflict the least amount of damage if you have that option.

Model A frames are tender and have a tendancy to sag near rear motor mount as evidenced by all of the sagging frame posts here on the FB so perhaps the location you mentioned may not be optimum but lets hear what the pros recommend.
 
I would go around the front and rear axle... That's the same way I tie them down in my enclosed trailer.....stay off the tender frame rails
 
mshmodela said:
Less I did not search enough, in the event one has to get their Model A towed, where is the best place (assuming a flat bed towing) for the tow hooks to attache to the car?

I was thinking not to the front axel but to the two square holes on the frame near the motor mounts?

What say you fellows with decades of experience?
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Good question, Mike.

Mitch//pa said:
I would go around the front and rear axle... That's the same way I tie them down in my enclosed trailer.....stay off the tender frame rails
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Mitch, I'm assuming attach on the outer ends by where the tie rods attach? Not the center. And certainly not around the tie rod?? :eek: Picture of my old bent tie rod...

EDIT: Oops, sorry. I wrote "Tie Rods Attach" I meant the say "Wishbone attaches"
 

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On an open trailer, I use four axle straps with the tie down straps. On the rear I cross the tie downs and place the axle straps around the rear axle bells. The taper on the bells keeps the straps from moving. On the front axle I again cross the tie downs with the straps placed between the kingpin and spring perch. Being careful to put the strap between the brake actuating shaft and axle so it is around only the front axle. The spring perch keeps the straps from moving. I would never place a strap around the center section of the front axle between the spring perches for fear of bending the axle. Using this method one does not bind the suspension of the car and allow it to float on its own suspension while being towed.

Also I stop after towing a few miles and check the tension on the straps before hitting the highway.
 
my guess would be using the bridle as suggested above and hook between the spindle and wishbone/spring perch on the front axle on either side.. essentially imagine if the wishbone were sticking out the front.

middle of the axle is not good but the ends where the wishbone will support the axle is least likely to bent. if the wheels roll (or lets say rearend is locked up and must be slid) its slow enough it wont bend anything.
 
Y-Blockhead said:
Good question, Mike.



Mitch, I'm assuming attach on the outer ends by where the tie rods attach? Not the center. And certainly not around the tie rod?? :eek:
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Attach to the very outer parts of the axle ends.... Of course do not go around any linkages etc... Just the axle itself inside the king pins...
 

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tbirdtbird said:
I think he is asking about where the tow operator will attach to hoist the car onto a ramp truck.
The correct procedure is to bridle (meaning a 2-point attachment such as is a bridle on a horse) to the front axle...meaning a chain or whatever attached to each end of the front axle, then the tow cable to the middle of the bridle. Never to the frame, or suspension parts, or steering parts. The front axle was designed to properly support the front of the car. Never to the middle of the front axle, else you WILL bend it.
The tow operators do have bridles with J-hooks on each end and there is room on the ends of the axle to use them. Sometimes the younger guys need to be reminded to actually use them
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Yes, your correct "where the tow operator will attach to hoist the car onto a ramp truck."

So something like this:

41wvkVTDCWL.jpg


And ensure it is placed no where it will touch anything but the front axle... So when the ramp truck pulls it up by it.. and then use the same on the rear axle..
 
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Tow truck has four inch hooks that fit the axle nicely. The driver should know to stay away from the tie rod connection. The hooks also fit the rear axle nicely. If a show car you could pick up one foot long nylon straps with metal eyes for the tow truck hooks. You want to use the axles since this permits the car to bounce on springs and shocks as in driving.
 
There is another thing that nobody has mentioned yet. The car is propelled by the rear wheels and axle, which is attached to the frame through the rear spring and the forward force is applied to the rear wishbone ball and the spring shackles. The front axle/spring/wishbone ball are the same layout but they are much lighter and not as strong because they don't have to take the same force as the rear suspension parts.

Pulling the car up from the rear axle in reverse would be the best, or it could be pulled forward by running the winch cable under the car to the back axle.

Probably more trouble than it is worth, but in any case don't do extreme pulling from the front axle or it can be damaged. Like pulling it out of a ravine after it went off the road with a full load of moonshine.
 
Cool Hand Lurker said:
Like pulling it out of a ravine after it went off the road with a full load of moonshine.
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Arrrgh yeah. That's right you have prohibition till 21.

We have your students come hear to "study" and they just happen to find they can drink at 18.
They don't seem to complain.
 
Thanks for all of the advice/opinions. I knew to keep clean of tie rod etc. but was uncertain of attaching to the Axel.. By two points.



thanks
 
updraught said:
Arrrgh yeah. That's right you have prohibition till 21.

We have your students come hear to "study" and they just happen to find they can drink at 18.
They don't seem to complain.
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Now I know why we have so many young USamericans in the pubs on campus!

More seriously, when our Tudor was brought home on a ramp truck two or so years ago (broken timing gear), it was hauled up onto the truck by a bridle attached to the outer ends of the front axle and secured by what can be best described as strong webbing nets over each of the four wheels. The operator explained that he and several of his colleagues had been trained in recovering different classic vehicles. On top of this the rescue truck had an extended cab with comfortable accommodation for four. Finally, the operator helped push the Tudor up our steep driveway into the garage and only accepted a well earned tip under protest. Yes, this company has got and will get all my our towing jobs in the future.
 
This is what I'm using when on the trailer, all four tires.
 

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If my car got winched onto a flatbed tow rig, I'd feel more comfortable, loading it backwards & pull it from the axle housing.
Bill W.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
If my car got winched onto a flatbed tow rig, I'd feel more comfortable, loading it backwards & pull it from the axle housing.
Bill W.
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If you load it backwards be very sure that the doors are securely closed. If they come open on the truck you will be very sorry.

Ask me how I know!!!

(Burner31, FYI Bill W. said flat bed tow rig, not trailer.)
 
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