A tow truck carrier with sub frame rails above the carrier chassis frame rails that also reduces platform height thereby presenting a lower center of gravity. Sub frame rails of rectangular steel tubing with the wider dimension of the tubing are used in a horizontal, low profile orientation, with the direct attachment of the lift cylinder ends to the sub frame rails or to a cross beam to lower the platform. The sub frame rails form a descending ladder frame with cross members attached via brackets so that they are lowered into the recess between the chassis side frame. A lifting bracket is welded to the underside of each sub frame rail underneath the overhang and adjacent to the chassis frame to accept the end of a lifting cylinder rod while leaving some space for sliding engagement of a platform beam which engages three edges of the sub frame rail.

A vehicle retrieval trailer for use in towing a failed vehicle. The trailer has a chassis supporting a towbar with first attachment means to releasably attach the trailer to a tow vehicle and a second attachment means to releasably attach the trailer to a vehicle to be towed, and ground engaging means supporting the support structure, and a hitch separate from the first attachment means for attaching the trailer to a transport vehicle. The retrieval trailer can include an on-board air compressor and an on-board hydraulic power pack. The retrieval trailer can be used for rescuing failed or dead vehicles, particularly mining vehicles.

A frame of a vehicle dolly includes a wheel cradle opening to receive a wheel of a vehicle to be towed. A hinged member is pivotally attached to the frame and is movable between an open position and a closed position to form part of a wheel cradle. A hinge activation device contacts the wheel within the wheel cradle opening and responsively moves the hinged member toward the closed position. The frame of the vehicle dolly is vertically slidably coupled to an axle assembly such that the frame can be raised and lowered. An extension member may extend from the frame and receive a tow truck stinger member, wherein the frame can be raised or lowered under motive force of the stinger member.

An apparatus for recovering large disabled off-highway vehicles. The apparatus utilizes a trailing axle structure configured to hook up and tow off-highway disabled vehicles. The apparatus includes a trailing axle in conjunction with a trailing structure that is raised and lowered with hydraulic cylinders in relation to the trailing axle so that the trailing structure can hook and unhook from disabled off-highway vehicles as well as hook and unhook from off-highway lowboy trailers either mid section on the trailing structure or at the rear of the trailing structure.

A truck bed extender and ramp assembly mounts to the hitch receiver of a pickup truck to allow four-wheeled vehicles to be driven into and out of the truck bed, with the rear wheels of the vehicle being supported by a crossbar spaced rearwardly from the open tailgate of the truck. The assembly includes ramps pivotally mounted to the crossbar for movement between a lowered use position for loading and unloading the vehicle and a raised transport position. The ramps automatically pivot on the crossbar when the rear wheels of the vehicle pass over the crossbar. The ramps include telescoping sections to adjust the length of the ramps.

An interchangeable platform that encompasses side beams at the sides and at least one support structure, with what the side beams are fastened to each other. Side beams are into sideways direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least partially open and closed from up and down and they have an upside-down G-profile. An interchangeable platform encompasses at least one longitudinal guide. The interchangeable platform can be guided by the guide to the transport device, can be locked by side beams to the transport device and load fastening equipment can be fastened to side beams. Additionally a transport device that encompasses side guides.

A frame assembly for supporting and mounting a box compartment over and around a flat bed of a flatbed tow truck is described. The frame assembly includes a frame attached to a chassis of a flatbed tow truck. The frame includes at least one left and at least one right side support beams, at least one left and at least one right horizontal connection beams, two or more left side and two or more right side vertical support beams, at least two cross-beams, and at least one vertical connection beam. One or more of the at least two cross-beams is connected to the chassis and is further connected at each of its ends to the left and right side support beams. Each vertical connection beam is connected to either the left or right horizontal connection beam and is oriented generally vertically for attachment of a box compartment to the frame.

A suspension and hub engagement towing facilitating assembly includes a receiver having a top side that removably receives a hub of a vehicle. A pair of catches is attached to the receiver at opposite ends thereof. The catches releasably receive tow bars such that the receiver is positioned between and liftable with the tow bars.

An adapter assembly for lifting a vehicle includes an adapter defining a first pin aperture, a second pin aperture, and an adapter aperture, a first pin, a second pin, and a cross member removably received by the adapter aperture. The first pin is configured to be removably received by the first pin aperture and a first aperture defined by a frame of the vehicle to selectively couple the adapter to the frame. The second pin is configured to be removably received by the second pin aperture and a second aperture defined by the frame of the vehicle to selectively couple the adapter to the frame.

Methods and systems for assessing, detecting, and responding to malfunctions involving components of autonomous vehicle and/or smart homes are described herein. Autonomous operation features and related components can be assessed using direct or indirect data regarding operation. Such assessment may be performed to determine the condition of components for salvage following a collision or other loss-event. To this end, the information regarding a plurality of components may be received. A component of the plurality of components may be identified for assessment. Assessment may including causing test signals to be sent to the identified component. In response to the test signal, one or more responses may be received. The received response may be compared to an expected response to determine whether the identified component is salvageable.