Towing question

[TDot]

Just idle watching cars being towed and I was wondering if it is easy access to the linkage under our car so the X model can be towed without a bed.

[Li'l Truckie]

TDot,

Sorry do not know the answer to this one, but I would NOT tow an AWD auto any other way than wheels up on a flat bed. I would also recommend against a dolly type system.

I've also never been in a situation that required my M or FX to be towed.

Andy

[svard75]

My car was towed using the rear wheel dolly and the front wheels up. No issues at all. the RWD can be towed wheels down but AWD (X) cannot.

[Li'l Truckie]

yeah, I just don't like the way this looks. Too many possibilities for something to go wrong. I really don't think I have ever seen a car on the dolly system.

[TDot]

I too have never seen a car on a dolly...although I always see the dollys on the back of older tow trucks. I personally would only put my car on a flat bed, but I see so many cars getting towed by the police and marshall and just wonder how I never see them with a flatbed, then I wonder if my linkage is easily accessed for them to unhook it if I was ever in that unfortunate predicament.

[Six_Legs]

I've been a AAA tow operator for 18 yrs and I dolly tow something almost everyday and so far, no issues. Any method of towing has a risk factor. I've seen major structural damage done with a flatbed, it's not always the best way to transport a vehicle.
Rule of thumb is to get the drive wheels of the ground. Front wheel drives towed from front, rear wheel drives from rear, AWD/4x4 with all the wheels off the ground which is flatbed or dolly.
!!!Slammed vehicles? Make sure you have an experienced tow operator!!!

[svard75]

I too have never seen a car on a dolly...although I always see the dollys on the back of older tow trucks. I personally would only put my car on a flat bed, but I see so many cars getting towed by the police and marshall and just wonder how I never see them with a flatbed, then I wonder if my linkage is easily accessed for them to unhook it if I was ever in that unfortunate predicament.

If I'm understanding your question correctly you are wondering how they would pull your car onto the flatbed then unhook? If you look very carefully at the front bumper there is a very small screw type hole. You know that cast iron hook thingy found with the tire changing tools? That screws into the hole and you have your tow hook

Kinda like this

[Six_Legs]

I too have never seen a car on a dolly...although I always see the dollys on the back of older tow trucks. I personally would only put my car on a flat bed, but I see so many cars getting towed by the police and marshall and just wonder how I never see them with a flatbed, then I wonder if my linkage is easily accessed for them to unhook it if I was ever in that unfortunate predicament.

If your car is impounded (parked illegally) there is no need to access the linkage. Your car would be put on the dolly so all 4 wheels are raised off the ground. There isn't even a need to access the car's interior when dollies are used.

If you were arrested and the car is impounded then you have to surrender the key, that makes it easy for the operator to load your vehicle.

No key? No problem... Our cars have a shift lock release button by the shifter which is very helpful.

There are lots of tricks we use... Hopefully you don't end up in that unfortunate predicament!