For a flatbed, no. All that is needed is a set of tie-down straps. With modern Century Wheel lifts, it's not too big of a deal... maybe an extra minute over hooking up a car, but again requires extra straps.

Back in the early 80's, with the trucks I learned on(Holmes 440 wrecker bed, direct PTO to winch, manual boom angle), or even the cradle snatchers, it was a huge, huge PITA and took a great deal of care to avoid damage.

As a side note, 928 related, I did tow two 928's back then(83 or earlier cars) with a Vulcan Cradle Snatcher and I had to pick them up twice. Once to get blocks under the tires, then I dropped the boom and tightened up the wheel pans to raise the car once I saw how close the stinger was to the oil pan. One good bump would have holed the pan. I haven't towed one with the later Century wheel lifts, but I have operated them and I think you would have to do the same -- get a fresh grab on the tires off of blocks of wood in order to get enough clearance to the pan.

 

I used to have AAA. Then my insurance company mentioned that if I ever travel and break down. They will use my towing company or find one for me anywhere in the US. Then they said they would tow it anywhere in the US that I selected who could fix the problem. So I asked them if I was broken down in Florida would they tow it to DR in NC? They said that was my option, if I wanted they would tow it to TX or MA!

Oh yea, the charge for this unlimited towing is $3/mo.

 

[QUOTE=Rob M Budd]Longer story short. Paid a local tow company $155 to tow it to the shop. Paid $50.00 for the install and I'm back on the road about 3 PM.QUOTE]

Rob, so sorry to hear about your troubles, aren't you at least glad that I paid you in cash on Saturday. It's also ironic that you were telling us at Frenzy that you wanted the car to run hotter! I guess you got what you wished for.

For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing Rob's car, it is gorgeous, the chevy engine looks mighty comfortable in the 928 engine bay... sorta like it's surrounded by greatness.

 

John,

Have you ever used them though? I thought I had a similar deal with my insurance company road service, but I'm still in litigation over the damages done to the spoiler and front bumper cover caused by the 'T' bar some guy used when his 'flat bed broke down'.

If I didn't have the tickets from EZ pass with photos showing where and when he blew through the tolls it would be harder to get reimbursed. Good thing for me the guy was stupid as well as malicious.

 

Here's a link to a thread I started some time ago. It is the AAA guidelines for towing P-cars of all types!

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/265180-a-must-have-for-your-glove-compartment-aaa-towing-guidelines.html

 

AAA may be wonderful for some, but their limitations are weird.

Advice, take it or not:
Purchase the highest coverage you can from your AUTO INSURANCE carrier, whether it is reimbursement or active-handling (meaning they help you find the company, etc), and just use that. Call the tow company after finding out the best one in the area, and have them tow you to the that limit on your policy. Its actually better if you have reimbursement coverage. You just send in the tow bill.

 

Many times it won't be unlimited, but possibly up to 250 or 500 dollars. That will get you pretty far.

 

A lot of tow companies will charge upwards of $8/mile after the first 5.... a $500 limit doesn't sound like much in light of the going rate...

 

I certainly agree that AAA is great... I have a PLUS membership AND AAA auto/motorcycle insurance. It just bugs me that there seem to be small "gotchas" along the way that could leave me stranded.

 

There are gotchas with every type of towing coverage. Some sound great but are never there when you need them.

 

I have the AAA plus membership. They said, "We can't tow your car tonight. Call us tomorrow and we will try to find a towing company that will tow the car".

 

Having been on the other side of the radio -- sometimes it just happens that way. If you have two night drivers available, one gets sick or is already far out of town, sometimes you have to tell AAA you can't do it. FWIW, AAA comes down pretty hard on contract stations that can't meet their service level commitments consistently. Same for contract stations that can't get to a certain percentage of calls within 1/2 hour. If I were you I would lodge a complaint. Getting mad & loud won't help, but they will listen if you state your case reasonably.

 

"I have the AAA plus membership. They said, "We can't tow your car tonight. Call us tomorrow and we will try to find a towing company that will tow the car".


Next time they want you to renew tell them "I can't write you a check today. Call me tomorrow and I will try to find my checkbook."

 

Rob,

Sorry about the failure, but CSR really doesn't have a very good rep. You might want to upgrade.

Hacker, if you want an electric water pump on your car, it's rather simple and good for (maybe) 5 HP on the dyno. I have a couple of different ways to do it on a 928.

Greg

 

This is interesting...Lifted from the Ca AAA site "Trip Interruption Protection and Vehicle Return Benefit
AAA Premier and AAA Plus — provides Trip Interruption Protection when you're on a planned auto trip more than 100 miles from home. If your trip is delayed overnight or cancelled due to an accident, mechanical breakdown, car theft, unexpected illness or injury, natural disaster or severe weather, Premier members will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for the cost of meals and accommodations OR for the cost of substitute transporation, and Plus members will be reimbursed up to $750 (some conditions apply). And, the AAA Premier and AAA Plus Vehicle Return Benefit provides a reimbursement of up to $500 to help you get your car back home if an unexpected illness or injury prevents completion of your trip (some conditions apply)." Seems AAA might cover hotel expenses meals etc ....