First post here: horrible story

[wood86]

So...I have been reading this forum for about a year. I learned a lot here. I am not very into posting on forums. However, I must share my story here tonight.








I feel very bad. I could have got the tow truck driver and myself killed because of my reluctance. I knew that I shouldn't be using that for an angled tow... I had a bad day at work, and I did not think about it at all when the truck driver asked if he should use that Raceseng tow hook to tow the car. Luckily, both me and the truck driver were standing by the side of the car when the car rolled down. He was brave and tried to grab my car when it was rolling. If he didn't do that, my car would have rolled into my housemate's 350Z. I gave this man the biggest tip I have ever given in my life afterwards.

I do baby my car, and I am definitely heartbroken. I have 2 scratched rims and my exhaust tip has a very slight dent at the bottom. Yet, thanks god, I guess I am already very lucky to be alive. Anyways folks, stay safe and use the stock tow hook when you need to tow your car from an angle.

[Packofcrows]

Ahhhhh bummer man!

I don't think those tow hooks are for pulling angled though? More for small pit pull/looks. I'm sure it would work if your on an even pavement ground or say at the track and got stuck in mud/sand.

Good think your exhaust and rims can be fixed/replaced easily and you didn't get hurt. 2700lbs-ish on top of human body= bad.

[wood86]

Somehow I'd forgotten that. It's written in the manual that it's not designed to be towed at an angle; nothing else to blame except for my stupidity. I will never forget this ever again.

That being said, the Cusco tow hook looks more sturdy, and I think this would not have happened if I had the Cusco instead of the Raceseng...

[Choco]

I've always been really skeptical about those pricey tow hooks, guess they really are just for looks. :/
(although they weren't meant for towing at an angle)

[Koa]

@Raceseng is a honest and great guy to work with. His products are second to none given the pricepoint. It's a bit unfair to start playing a "what if" scenario with the Cusco versus the Raceseng without some hard pact data to back that up

Thanks for sharing, glad no one is hurt

[NOHOME]

I am going to look around the room and ask "Who was the professional in the room"?

The operator should have known better and I bet if his boss found out he will get in shit. Any situation that involves moving heavy weight requires that the operator be trained in proper rigging procedures.

Yes I realize that wisdom comes from experience and experience form a lack of wisdom, so I am going to bet both you and the driver are a little wiser this morning.

[Ridgerunr]

Use a Clevis on on tow hooks/bolts...ALWAYS... No matter who makes it.

[Rampage]

Why was it necessary to tow the car?

[gramicci101]

The tow hook (any tow hook) is for pulling your car out of the gravel trap or out of a wall to a point that you can get a real connection on the car, not for actual towing. That doesn't mean that Raceseng makes a bad product, because they don't. You were using the equipment incorrectly.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by NOHOME

I am going to look around the room and ask "Who was the professional in the room"?.

This....

The towing company is legally responsible for damage to a vehicle they are towing that can be shown to be due to their negligence.

I once had a tow company have to replace most of the rear suspension in a Lumina LTZ because the tow truck driver inadvertently looped the chain over a support and bent several pieces. It cost them about $1200 as I recall.

If this was through AAA or some other towing service like that you should report it, particularly since you have pictures of them doing it wrong, with or without your permission it is still technically their fault.

[wood86]

Originally Posted by Rampage

Why was it necessary to tow the car?

Well, I just installed rear LCAs. The alignment is seriously off, and I couldn't drive my car faster than 20. I am busy this week and I am going to hit the track this Saturday, so I thought to myself let's just tow the car to the alignment shop to avoid headache. It's ironic that this happened.

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

This....
The towing company is legally responsible for damage to a vehicle they are towing that can be shown to be due to their negligence.

I once had a tow company have to replace most of the rear suspension in a Lumina LTZ because the tow truck driver inadvertently looped the chain over a support and bent several pieces. It cost them about $1200 as I recall.

If this was through AAA or some other towing service like that you should report it, particularly since you have pictures of them doing it wrong, with or without your permission it is still technically their fault.

Originally Posted by Ridgerunr

Use a Clevis on on tow hooks/bolts...ALWAYS... No matter who makes it.

I started to wonder about this too. Shouldn't the tow truck driver be educated enough to know that the tow hook would not withstand the pull? For future reference, could you guys please educate me what is the right way to tow the car?

My car is sitting in the alignment shop right now; I did not have a chance to inspect the underbody / internals of my car. If the damage is really just the 2 wheels and the exhaust, then I will pay for the repair. If the damage is more than that, I might give my insurance company a call.

[stugray]

The problem was not that the tow hook was used.

The problem was that the TT operator continued to run the winch with the cable at a 45 degree angle!
The very last pic before the pic of the broken tow hook tells it all.
The second the rear tires were on the truck bed, he should have stopped the winch and tipped the bed up.
With a straight pull, it should only take a couple hundred pounds to "tow" the car.
At the angle the winch was at, the cable was probably under more than 1000 lbs tension and was putting a torque on the tow hook.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by stugray

The problem was not that the tow hook was used.

The problem was that the TT operator continued to run the winch with the cable at a 45 degree angle!
The very last pic before the pic of the broken tow hook tells it all.
The second the rear tires were on the truck bed, he should have stopped the winch and tipped the bed up.
With a straight pull, it should only take a couple hundred pounds to "tow" the car.
At the angle the winch was at, the cable was probably under more than 1000 lbs tension and was putting a torque on the tow hook.

This, this and this!^^^^^
The operator should never even considered winching any further once the cable even started to get to that angle.

OP don't go through insurance as this is 100% operator error on the wrecker driver. I would even go after them for the rim damage as that pic says it all.

[swarb]

http://www.raceseng.com/tug-front-to...ubaru-brz-2013
**DISCLAIMER**
The Tug View is not intended for all towing situations, it can only be used in a straight pull with no angle or side pulling. Doing so can result in damage to the Tug View or the vehicle. If the vehicle is in an unfavorable situation, please use the OEM tow hook.

Not exactly clear what they mean by "no angle"
What about 1 degree? that is still angle no?
These things are for show. What is wrong with the stock one that is free?