Vehicle towing apparatus
An apparatus for towing at least one wheeled vehicle includes a frame including at least one generally vertically oriented support member and at least one generally horizontally oriented support member, the horizontal support member being at least partially hollow and formed with a ramp in a distal end thereof; a mounting arrangement for selectively mounting the frame to a towing vehicle; a vehicle support assembly for receiving and holding a vehicle tire, including at least one generally curved forward tire support member mounted to the horizontal frame member, and a rear support assembly, the rear support assembly including a generally L-shaped frame and a generally curved aft tire support member for removable telescopic engagement with the horizontal support member; and a lifting assembly for moving the vehicle support assembly generally vertically between a first position for loading a vehicle and a second position for towing a vehicle.
1. An apparatus for towing at least one wheeled vehicle comprising:
a frame including at least one generally vertically oriented support member and at least one generally horizontally oriented support member, said horizontal support member being at least partially hollow and formed with a ramp in a distal end thereof for enhanced ease of engaging a vehicle with said apparatus for towing;
a mounting arrangement, mounted to said frame, for selectively mounting said frame to a towing vehicle, including a device for cooperative engagement with said towing vehicle;
a vehicle support assembly for receiving and holding a tire, including at least one generally curved forward tire support member mounted to said horizontal frame member, and a rear support assembly, said rear support assembly including a generally L-shaped frame and a generally curved aft tire support member, said L-shaped frame configured for removable telescopic engagement with said horizontal support member; and
a lifting assembly for moving said vehicle support assembly generally vertically between a first position for loading a vehicle and a second position for towing a vehicle.
2. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said forward tire support member and said aft tire support member are each formed with a curvature approximating a tire curvature.
3. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 1 and further comprising first and second side rails mounted to said horizontal support member with said forward tire support member therebetween for enhanced stability during vehicle support.
4. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 1 and further comprising a stabilizer bar extending horizontally across said frame along an imaginary line substantially normal to said horizontal support member configured for receiving at least one stabilizing cord extending between a vehicle and said stabilizer bar.
5. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said stabilizer bar is formed in multiple, telescoping sections for releasably fastening said stabilizer bar at a predetermined length.
6. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 4 and further comprising a second vehicle support assembly mounted to said stabilizer bar.
7. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 6 and further comprising a third vehicle support assembly mounted to said stabilizer bar.
8. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said lifting assembly includes a toothed rack mounted to said horizontal support member and extending in a generally parallel relationship with said vertical support member, a traveling support member mounted to said toothed rack, said traveling support member including a housing and at least one pinion disposed within said housing for operational engagement with said toothed rack, and a handle fixed to said pinion for manual rotation thereof to drive said pinion along said rack to selectively move said traveling support member with said horizontal support member and said vehicle support assembly vertically between said loading position and said towing position.
9. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said lifting assembly includes a traveling support member attached to said horizontal support member and a fluid operated piston and cylinder arrangement operatively connected to said traveling support member to selectively move said traveling support member with said horizontal support member and said vehicle support assembly vertically between said loading position and said towing position.
10. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle comprising:
a frame including at least one generally vertically oriented support member and at least one generally horizontally oriented support member,
a mounting arrangement, mounted to said frame, for selectively mounting said frame to a towing vehicle, including a device for cooperative engagement with said towing vehicle;
a motorcycle support assembly for receiving and holding a motorcycle tire, including at least one generally curved forward tire support member mounted to said horizontal frame member, and a rear support assembly, said rear support assembly including a generally L-shaped frame and a generally curved aft tire support member, said L-shaped frame configured for removable telescopic receipt in said horizontal support member; and
a lifting assembly including a toothed rack mounted to said horizontal support member and extending in a generally parallel relationship with said vertical support member, a traveling support member mounted to said toothed rack, said traveling support member including a housing and at least one pinion disposed within said housing for operational engagement with said toothed rack, and a handle fixed to said pinion for manual rotation thereof to drive said pinion along said rack to selectively move said motorcycle support assembly generally vertically between a loading position and a towing position.
11. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 10 wherein said horizontal support member is at least partially hollow and formed with a ramp in a distal end thereof for enhanced ease of engaging a vehicle with said towing apparatus for towing.
12. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 10 wherein said forward tire support member and said aft tire support member are each formed with a curvature approximating a motorcycle tire curvature.
13. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 10 and further comprising first and second side rails mounted to said horizontal support member with said forward tire support member therebetween for enhanced motorcycle support.
14. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 10 and further comprising a stabilizer bar extending horizontally across said frame along an imaginary line substantially normal to said horizontal support member configured for receiving at least one stabilizing cord extending between a motorcycle and said stabilizer bar.
15. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle comprising:
a frame including at least one generally vertically oriented support member and at least one generally horizontally oriented support member,
a mounting arrangement, mounted to said frame, for selectively mounting said frame to a towing vehicle, including a device for cooperative engagement with said towing vehicle;
a motorcycle support assembly for receiving and holding a motorcycle tire, including at least one generally curved forward tire support member mounted to said horizontal frame member, and a rear support assembly, said rear support assembly including a generally L-shaped frame and a generally curved aft tire support member, said L-shaped frame configured for removable telescopic receipt in said horizontal support member; and
a lifting assembly including a traveling support member attached to said horizontal support member and a fluid operated piston and cylinder arrangement operatively connected to said traveling support member to selectively move said motorcycle support assembly generally vertically between a loading position and a towing position.
16. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 15 wherein said horizontal support member is at least partially hollow and formed with a ramp in a distal end thereof for enhanced ease of positioning a motorcycle on said towing apparatus for towing.
17. An apparatus for towing at least one vehicle according to claim 15 wherein said forward tire support member and said aft tire support member are each formed with a curvature approximating a motorcycle tire curvature.
18. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 15 and further comprising first and second side rails mounted to said horizontal support member with said forward tire support member therebetween for enhanced motorcycle support.
19. An apparatus for towing at least one motorcycle according to claim 15 and further comprising a stabilizer bar extending horizontally across said frame along an imaginary line substantially normal to said horizontal support member configured for receiving at least one stabilizing cord extending between a motorcycle and said stabilizer bar.