When it comes to towing, not all vehicles are created equal. Some are built for speed, others for comfort, and some are modified to perform better off-road or to achieve a unique look. One such modification that requires special attention is the vehicle’s suspension. Whether it’s lifted for off-road adventures, lowered for aesthetics, or modified for performance, handling vehicles with modified suspensions requires a different level of care and expertise.
As towing professionals, we know how crucial it is to adjust our techniques and tools to accommodate these modifications. Let’s dive into why suspension modifications matter and how we handle these vehicles with extra care to ensure safe and efficient towing.
What Are Modified Suspensions and Why Do They Matter?
A suspension system is responsible for the handling and ride quality of a vehicle. Modifying it can dramatically alter how the vehicle drives, its height, ground clearance, and even its weight distribution. Common suspension modifications include:
- Lift Kits: Raising the vehicle to improve off-road capabilities.
- Lowering Kits: Dropping the vehicle closer to the ground, often for aesthetic reasons or improved handling on the street.
- Performance Shocks and Struts: Designed to improve ride quality and handling, especially for sports cars or heavy-duty vehicles.
- Air Suspension: Allows the vehicle’s ride height to be adjusted for comfort, performance, or appearance.
These modifications can affect how a vehicle is towed, and if not handled correctly, can lead to damage. This is where our specialized knowledge and equipment come into play.
Challenges with Modified Suspensions
1. Height Variations
Lifted and lowered vehicles can cause a few headaches for towing. For instance, a lifted vehicle might be too high for a standard flatbed truck to load, while a lowered car might scrape the ground when we try to load it onto the flatbed. The key to safe towing is adjusting the approach angle and sometimes using custom ramps or lift kits designed for those specific situations.
2. Weight Distribution
Suspension modifications often change how a vehicle’s weight is distributed. For example, a lifted truck might place more weight on the rear axle, while a lowered vehicle might have less weight on the front. This can affect the tow truck’s balance and how the load is distributed. Without adjusting for these changes, the tow truck can become unstable, or the vehicle being towed can be damaged.
3. Air Suspension Sensitivity
Air suspension systems are increasingly popular, especially in high-end or custom vehicles. These systems rely on air-filled bags instead of traditional springs, which can be sensitive to pressure changes. Towing a vehicle with air suspension requires a careful approach to ensure that the system is not damaged or stressed during the tow.
How We Safely Tow Modified Suspension Vehicles
1. Specialized Equipment
We use custom ramps, flatbed trucks, and adjustable towing equipment to accommodate vehicles with modified suspensions. For lifted vehicles, we might use extended ramps or a tilt tray truck to ensure that we don’t scrape or damage the vehicle’s undercarriage when loading. For lowered vehicles, we use low-profile ramps or air-assisted equipment to gently lift the vehicle onto the tow bed without causing any scrapes or stress on the suspension.
2. Proper Loading Techniques
When towing a vehicle with a modified suspension, we pay extra attention to the loading process. For instance, with a lifted truck, we ensure that the tow truck can safely accommodate the height difference without putting stress on the suspension. If necessary, we might adjust the loading angle or use a winch to pull the vehicle onto the flatbed to avoid contact with the ground.
With lowered cars, we may have to position the vehicle at a specific angle to ensure the car doesn’t scrape its undercarriage on the ramps. It’s all about taking the time to find the right approach, ensuring we don’t rush the process.
3. Checking the Suspension Before Towing
Before we even begin the towing process, we inspect the vehicle’s suspension system. If a vehicle has an air suspension system, we may check the air pressure or assess if there’s any air loss. For lifted vehicles, we look at the modifications to ensure the lift kit is properly installed and functioning before any towing happens. This helps us avoid unnecessary damage and ensures the vehicle remains in safe condition throughout the process.
4. Communication with the Vehicle Owner
In cases where a suspension modification might affect the towing process, clear communication is key. We ask the vehicle owner for any important details about their modifications, including whether there are specific handling instructions we need to follow. If a car is particularly low, they may have already installed specialized protection to keep it from scraping the ground—knowing that information allows us to make the best choices during towing.
Real-World Example: Towing a Lifted Jeep
We recently had a call to tow a lifted Jeep that was stranded in a remote area after a mechanical failure. The Jeep had a significant lift kit, which made it challenging to load onto our flatbed truck. Instead of using the usual ramp system, we carefully positioned the flatbed at a lower angle and used a winch to gently pull the vehicle on without stressing the suspension. By doing this, we prevented any damage to the lifted suspension system and ensured that the Jeep was safely transported.
In another case, we towed a lowered sports car that had an expensive air suspension system. The challenge was getting the car onto the flatbed without damaging the system. After consulting the owner about the suspension settings, we made sure to inflate the air suspension bags to their optimal levels before loading the vehicle. By following the right procedure, we safely towed the car without causing any damage.
Why Experience Matters
Towing vehicles with modified suspensions isn’t something that every company can do. It requires an understanding of the various suspension systems, the right equipment, and most importantly, experience. At our company, we take pride in our ability to tow all types of vehicles, regardless of modifications. Whether it’s a custom-built off-roading truck or a performance sports car with a lowered profile, we have the skills and tools to handle it safely.
So, if you’ve got a modified vehicle and need a tow, you can count on us to get the job done right, without the stress of worrying about damage to your ride.
Now Any Car Towing is available in Berwick Victoria 3806.
Contact Us
Any Car Towing
10 Silvergum Pl, Cranbourne VIC 3977
0413 176 223
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