spediegunz

I had a couple parking tickets and got my car towed the other day. When I went to pick up the car they asked me for my keys to drive the car to me and wouldn't let me in to see the car first. I inspected and drove the car and I can't say that I noticed any damage yet. I asked the security guard if she could tell me how was my car brought in and she said that the car came in on a flat bed. Assuming she was telling the truth I was re-leaved for only a moment when it dawned on me how the hell did they get it on the flatbed to begin with? I parked my car on the right hand side of the street in between 2 cars and I locked my steering wheel straight, unfortunately I didn't put on the E Brake. So the question to all those who know about flatbed towing how does it work exactly did they have to break in to the car to put it in neutral and if so how did they engage the gear into neutral with out the key? also assuming the car infront or behind me didn't move how did the get the car angled to go up on the flatbed.

cryptical

Unfortunately I've seen this happen a few times here in CT and have cringed at the sight. They literally chain it up and drag it out of it's space and then drag it up on the flat bed. Not a pretty site seeing the wheels stay stationary...but of course they're not responsible for any damage.

spediegunz

oh god smh, I think i would have cried if i saw that is that potentially damaging to the car in anyway dragging it like that

wtf

I have never seen a tow truck that brutal, usually they put dollies under your wheels like in this picture:



There are a number of ways they can do it, using special wheel dollies like shown above, usually they have a clamping mechanism that ratchets the 'skates' towards the centre of the wheel so it lifts the tyre off the ground. This is used especially to get out of cramped spaces, undercover carparks where the towtruck is too tall to get in etc..

These skates sometimes have swivels etc, so the tow operator can get them out of parks, completely sideways.. Thus not needing to turn your steering wheels or release your parking brake or handbrake.

Only a very very dodgy tow company would bum drag a car up a ramp, I'm sure it has been done before, but it would be completely against their regulations.

spediegunz

I hope they used those dollys it was a US Marshall so they do this every day I'm hoping they towed it with care

wtf

If you really want to know, just look for scuffs.. if they didnt, then dragging your car around will cause scuffs all over your wheels.. Id be fairly confident to say they did it properly, unless they were a $2 towing operation, you're pretty safe

borderchris

+1 look for flat spots...