Parking Spot

GETTING CASUALTIES FROM PARKING SPOTS

Removing a vehicle from a parking spot can be more difficult than it sounds. Factors such as which way the vehicle is facing or whether the parking brake is on or not can make towing from a parking spot even more complicated. But a light-duty operator armed with the right equipment and knowhow should be able to handle this tough tow with relative ease.

REMOVING A VEHICLE FROM A PARKING SPOT

The simplest solution for removing a vehicle from a parking spot for towing is to back up to the vehicle, hook it up and drive away. Unfortunately, the vehicle may be locked with the parking break on, the drive wheels may be on the opposite end of the truck or there may not be room for the truck to back up. There is no “one size fits all” solution because no two tows will be the same.

INACCESSIBLE WITH THE TRUCK

If a vehicle is in a parking spot, unlocked and has no damage, the easiest solution is to neutral, brace your back against the door jam and slowly push the vehicle back while controlling the steering wheel. The vehicle can then be hooked up and towed.

USING SKATES

There are multiple scenarios when using WreckMaster skates can make it easier to remove a vehicle from a parking spot. Skates reduce resistance and allow the vehicle to move more freely across the ground.

PARKING BRAKE

If a vehicle is in a parking spot, locked and the parking brake is on, use WreckMaster skates

to slide the vehicle out of the spot by placing a skate under each wheel and slowly winching the vehicle out of the spot. Once the vehicle is out of the parking spot, it can be loaded onto the back of a carrier or placed on dollies to be safely towed to the drop off location.

DRIVE AXLE ON OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRUCK

If the casualty is in a parking spot and the front axle cannot be reached, the vehicle should be removed from the spot and hooked up via the front axle. Using WreckMaster skates, an operator can winch the vehicle out and place it in an appropriate position to be hooked up on the tow truck or on the bed of the carrier.

STREET PARKING BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES

When a casualty is between two vehicles in line, or parallel parked, it can be difficult to remove to tow. Even if it is possible to put the vehicle in neutral, it can be no easy task to exit the spot. The most straightforward solution is to park the tow truck at a 90-degree angle and slide the vehicle out of the parking spot. Place a WreckMaster skate under every tire and gently winch the casualty out of the spot before hooking up the casualty to tow.

USING DOLLIES TO REMOVE THE CASUALTY

When removing a vehicle from a parking stop with a tow truck, dollies are an essential tool, particularly when the casualty’s drive wheels are on the opposite end of the tow truck or if the vehicle is locked and the parking brakes are engaged.

HOW TO REMOVE A CASUALTY WITH DOLLIES

Here are the steps to remove a vehicle from a parking spot with dollies:

USING DOLLIES IN A TIGHT SPOT

Once the wrecker has used the wheel lift the casualty from by the non-drive axle, prepare the dollies for set up.

When the dollies are in position, lift the end closest to the tow truck with the load bar, being sure to engage the safety latch or primary engagement.

USING HYDRAULIC DOLLIES

When a vehicle is parked on a street between two vehicles, hydraulic dollies or “Go-Jaks” can be used when removing a vehicle in this position. The hydraulic dollies allow the vehicle to move side-to-side. Hydraulic dollies are not to be used while towing, the vehicle must be loaded on regular dollies for that. Care needs to be taken if the vehicle is pushed out of the parking space as dents to the body of the vehicle can happen easily.