Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[How <i>not</i> to tow a big rig on a snowy mountain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/how-not-to-tow-a-big-rig-on-a-snowy-mountain/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/how-not-to-tow-a-big-rig-on-a-snowy-mountain/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/how-not-to-tow-a-big-rig-on-a-snowy-mountain/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tow truck in Norway

Towing a load as massive as a semi and its loaded trailer is a dangerous undertaking no matter the circumstances. We don't have any first-hand experience in the matter, but we'd wager that the danger level goes off the charts when that load is being towed through the winding roads of a snowy mountain overpass.

Need proof? Check out the video after the break, wherein a tow truck driver barely escapes death as his rig switches roles from the vehicle doing the towing to being towed itself... toward a guardrail and a massive cliff ledge that leads to an icy river below.

Like we said: dangerous. According to reports, the driver of the tow truck was taken to a hospital in Norway where he was listed in stable condition with broken bones. Click past the break to watch the dramatic video.

Continue reading How not to tow a big rig on a snowy mountain

How not to tow a big rig on a snowy mountain originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>norwaynorwegian truckingtow trucktowing accidenttowing failtowing videotrucking failvideoMon, 02 Apr 2012 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20206513/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/02/how-not-to-tow-a-big-rig-on-a-snowy-mountain/20206513/article-detail.xml 20206513 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/norway-mountain-tow_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/norway-mountain-tow.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda driver fights crazy claw tow truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/mazda-driver-fights-crazy-claw-tow-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/mazda-driver-fights-crazy-claw-tow-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/07/mazda-driver-fights-crazy-claw-tow-truck/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Escaping a claw tow truck

There's the right way to protest your vehicle being towed, and there's a wrong way. The individual in the video after the jump is a clear believer in the latter method. We aren't entirely sure where this took place or what sort of circumstances led to this particular Mazda3 to find itself doing battle with a massive claw-equipped tow truck, but we do know that the four-door is doing its best to avoid incarceration. After somehow managing to get the vehicle back on the road, the driver proceeds to attempt to free the wheels and tires from an array of cumbersome straps. Despite a few valiant attempts, the driver doesn't seem to be able to break free from the claw's grasp.

Now, we have to say that this type of tow truck appears to be designed to limit potential damage to its cargo under normal circumstances, which makes it all the more unfortunate that the Mazda owner decided to go Rambo. Odds are the tow truck itself sustained plenty of damage, and while the grainy nighttime video work makes it hard to see exactly what's going on, we have to imagine that the rear suspension on the Mazda isn't in any better off. Hit the jump to see the ill-fated automotive acrobatics for yourself.

Continue reading Mazda driver fights crazy claw tow truck

Mazda driver fights crazy claw tow truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>claw truckmazdamazda3tow clawtow trucktow videotowingtowing videovideoMon, 07 Nov 2011 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20100505/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/07/mazda-driver-fights-crazy-claw-tow-truck/20100505/article-detail.xml 20100505 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/claw-truck-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/claw-truck-628.jpg <![CDATA[How not to flip a car carrier back over]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/how-not-to-flip-a-car-carrier-back-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/how-not-to-flip-a-car-carrier-back-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/28/how-not-to-flip-a-car-carrier-back-over/#commentsFiled under:

car hauler tips the wrong way
How not to flip a car carrier back over - Click above to watch the video after the jump

We've seen a lot of how-not-to videos over the years. How not to load your Porsche Carrera, tow your Chevrolet Corvette, rescue your truck from a frozen lake, and many more. It's also become clear that tow trucks frequently play a big part in these matters. Today's example is no different.

Hit the jump to see what happens when a tow truck attempts to return a tipped auto transporter to the upright position. Hint: It probably wouldn't have been posted to YouTube if it ended well.

Continue reading How not to flip a car carrier back over

How not to flip a car carrier back over originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car haulerfailhow not totow truckvideoSat, 28 May 2011 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19948076/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/05/28/how-not-to-flip-a-car-carrier-back-over/19948076/article-detail.xml 19948076 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/car-hauler-fail_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/car-hauler-fail.jpg <![CDATA[Video: How <i>not</i> to tow a Chevrolet Corvette]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Corvette tow
Chevrolet Corvette tow fail - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Remember the driver of that snowplow in Brooklyn that absolutely destroyed a parked Ford Explorer? Looks like he was fired by the City of New York, only to find gainful employment in Chicago. Either that, or he's got relatives working for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Apparently the owner of this C5 Chevrolet Corvette managed to crash or disable it early on a Friday morning last month despite what appears to be favorable road conditions. That part we know little about. What we can see is what happened after.

In the video after the jump, you'll see a big-rig tow truck come to the Corvette's aid, but it ends up causing more damage than the original crash did in the first place. Apparently without a flatbed available, the tow truck driver tried several times to lift the Vette up by its rear axle using a claw, shredding the fiberglass bodywork in the process. But as if that weren't enough to put the "car" in carnage, the operator apparently didn't even get the claw hooked in properly. Compounding matters is that the Corvette may have had a damaged (or missing) right-front wheel. The end result is that the bodged Bowtie gets dragged down the highway sideways like a toddler pulling a stuffed animal around by its tail.

Follow the jump to watch the teeth gnashing footage, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach when it comes to Kentucky's finest.

[Source: YouTube via Tampa Bay Examiner]

Continue reading Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette

Video: How not to tow a Chevrolet Corvette originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c5 corvettechevroletchevrolet corvettechevychicagocorvetteidotillinoisillinois department of transportationtowtow failtow trucktowing failMon, 11 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19908788/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/11/video-how-not-to-tow-a-chevrolet-corvette/19908788/article-detail.xml 19908788 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/corvette-tow-screencap3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/corvette-tow-screencap3.jpg <![CDATA[Video: How <i>not</i> to clean up from the NYC snow storm]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/video-how-not-to-clean-up-from-the-nyc-snow-storm/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/video-how-not-to-clean-up-from-the-nyc-snow-storm/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/28/video-how-not-to-clean-up-from-the-nyc-snow-storm/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

NYC sanitation crew snow blunder
Tow truck and loader vs. parked Ford Explorer - Click above to watch the video after the jump

First, we'd like to go on the record as saying that we appreciate the people who keep our streets clean as much as the next guy. But let's face it: working for a sanitation department doesn't always require a finely honed intellect. Still, the incident caught in this video footage sinks to new lows.

With storms ravaging New York City and its surrounding areas, one rather large front-end loader somehow managed to get stuck in the snow and had to be pulled out by a tow truck, so city workers got to it. Just one problem: it was on a city street in between parked cars. But as you can see from the video, that didn't seem to concern the sanitation department personnel on the scene, to the unfortunate destruction of one snow-covered Ford Explorer parked adjacent. Follow the jump to watch the cringe-inducing footage for yourself, just be mindful of the explicit language. Thanks for the tip, Stan!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: How not to clean up from the NYC snow storm

Video: How not to clean up from the NYC snow storm originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of sanitationfront-end loadernew yorknew york citynew york sanitationnew york stormsanitation departmentsnow plowsnow stormtow truckTue, 28 Dec 2010 12:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19778915/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/28/video-how-not-to-clean-up-from-the-nyc-snow-storm/19778915/article-detail.xml 19778915 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/loader-destroys-explorer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/loader-destroys-explorer.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: More tow truck mischief when city drags car on rotors]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/video-more-tow-truck-mischief-when-city-drags-car-on-rotors/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/video-more-tow-truck-mischief-when-city-drags-car-on-rotors/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/video-more-tow-truck-mischief-when-city-drags-car-on-rotors/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to watch video over at WJLA

Wednesday we showed you a clip of the Shanghai Lady exacting revenge on a tow truck driver taking her beloved crossover. Even though the video was quite possibly staged, it gives us a tiny thrill to see the roles reversed like that. Today, it's another story, but unfortunately this one doesn't end so well for the driver or her poor Audi.

After finding her Audi sitting on cinder blocks on Thanksgiving morning, Chris Thompson called police and her insurance agency to report the theft. While waiting for replacement wheels and tires, the car sat on the street, still up on the blocks. Meanwhile, a neighbor who thought the car might have been stolen and dropped on their street called police to report it. A $250 ticket was placed on the Audi even though the full police report of the wheel theft was clearly visible in the windshield.

What happened next seems almost sacrilegious. The city towed her car with no wheels on it. They just winched it onto a flatbed by dragging it on its rotors. They didn't even remove the cinder blocks beforehand. As you can imagine, the owner is quite upset and the poor Audi faces a long time in the shop and tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. Click over to WJLA to watch the video, but be forewarned: It is a bit wonky. You may have to watch Regis and Kelly or an Acura ad several times before it plays. Just be patient and keep clicking. Thanks for the tip, Seminole!

[Source: WJLA]

Continue reading VIDEO: More tow truck mischief when city drags car on rotors

VIDEO: More tow truck mischief when city drags car on rotors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audi s4AudiS4tow trucktow truck damageTowTruckTowTruckDamageFri, 12 Dec 2008 08:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1397743/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/12/video-more-tow-truck-mischief-when-city-drags-car-on-rotors/1397743/article-detail.xml 1397743 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/audidragged_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/audidragged.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Unhappy Shanghai lady tows the tow truck]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above to watch video after the jump

It may be viral, but it's too hilarious not to post. We just came across a YouTube video in which a Chinese woman, who the internet has lovingly dubbed "Shanghai Lady", finds her beloved Chevrolet Captiva held captive by a tow truck driver. The South Korean-made CUV is on the hook, tail held high with its front wheels planted, when the lady confronts the tow truck operator. After a short spat she decides she's had enough, gets into her vehicle and starts it up. The tow truck driver gives the rear wheel of the Captiva an angry kick, but that doesn't stop her. She puts it in gear and proceeds to drive off, tow truck in tow. Like any great comedy, the driver is left to chase his truck on foot. It's good for a nice chuckle before you sign off for the night and expresses what a lot of us hope we might have the intestinal fortitude to do if caught in this same situation. Follow the jump to see the clip.

[Source: Automobiles De Luxe]

Continue reading VIDEO: Unhappy Shanghai lady tows the tow truck

VIDEO: Unhappy Shanghai lady tows the tow truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>captivachevy captivaChevyCaptivashanghaishanghai ladyShanghaiLadytow truckTowTruckWed, 10 Dec 2008 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1397529/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/10/video-unhappy-shanghai-lady-tows-the-tow-truck/1397529/article-detail.xml 1397529 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/towtowtruck_opta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/towtowtruck_opta.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Redneck ingenuity to the rescue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/video-redneck-ingenuity-to-the-rescue/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/video-redneck-ingenuity-to-the-rescue/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/07/video-redneck-ingenuity-to-the-rescue/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to view the video

When a 50-ton semi needs to be towed out of a snow bank, it's a good idea to call on a very big tow truck. If you're in the South during a snow storm, however, your best bet just may be the super 'necks. After the jump is video of a Jeep, Silverado and Ford Bronco working in tandem to pull a stranded 18-wheeler out of the snowy muck. We think the heroes of the video are a gaggle of youngins, but with all the camouflage, we couldn't tell you for sure. The video is fun to watch, but when the camera operator says, "This s#%t is going on YouTube," that's just icing on the cake. Kidding aside, it's nice to see a group of kids actually helping someone in need. Nice job guys. Hit the jump for one of the funnier videos we've seen lately, it'll be worth your two minutes.

[Source: Streetfire]

Continue reading VIDEO: Redneck ingenuity to the rescue

VIDEO: Redneck ingenuity to the rescue originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChevyFordJeepRednecksemistreetfireTow TruckTowTruckFri, 07 Mar 2008 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1133144/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/07/video-redneck-ingenuity-to-the-rescue/1133144/article-detail.xml 1133144 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/neck-towing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/neck-towing.jpg -1 2