[Twylasdad]

Issues I’ve never before confronted:
1) How would you tow an ID4 that is stuck in Park?
2) How would you tow an ID4 stuck in Park, parked nose-in in a garage under a storage overhang so the hood cannot be raised (can’t disconnect the 12-volt battery)? (No, I don’t dare try to back it in).

 

[Spin]

Let the tow truck driver figure it out.
Maybe he will have to drag it out.

 

[JimmyVW]

Jack it up, put some dollies under the wheels

 

[Twylasdad]

Jack it up, put some dollies under the wheels

Ah. I didn’t know that was a thing. Thanks Jimmy.

 

[Huey52]

Just an example. Many other types.

BendPak 5150595 GoCart® Car Dolly, 1500 Lbs.

Sold in sets of two, these car dollies are the wheels for your wheels. BendPak GoCart car dollies and autocarts make moving your vehicle painless for you and your employees. Take advantage of precious floor space by effortlessly moving your vehicle against a wall or into a tight space or corner...

www.speedwaymotors.com

 

[Twylasdad]

Just an example. Many other types.

BendPak 5150595 GoCart® Car Dolly, 1500 Lbs.

Sold in sets of two, these car dollies are the wheels for your wheels. BendPak GoCart car dollies and autocarts make moving your vehicle painless for you and your employees. Take advantage of precious floor space by effortlessly moving your vehicle against a wall or into a tight space or corner...

www.speedwaymotors.com

Excellent, Huey. Do you think tow truck operators normally have access to these devices? Buying four for a contingency that might never occur would be a bit expensive. Or maybe rental shops carry them?

 

[Spin]

Excellent, Huey. Do you think tow truck operators normally have access to these devices? Buying four for a contingency that might never occur would be a bit expensive. Or maybe rental shops carry them?

Front wheels will roll so they will only need 2.

 

[Mrpmg]

I thought most tow trucks carried dollies, like this pic above.

 

[ericy]

They might not even need a dolly. Some tow trucks have a fork-like thing that they slide under the vehicle. Part of the fork is then rotated so that it will hold the tires securely, and they can then lift. Here is an example (on a smaller/lighter vehicle).

I have seen heavier weight things with the same design.

 

[Twylasdad]

They might not even need a dolly. Some tow trucks have a fork-like thing that they slide under the vehicle. Part of the fork is then rotated so that it will hold the tires securely, and they can then lift. Here is an example (on a smaller/lighter vehicle).

I have seen heavier weight things with the same design.

Wow. That’s brilliant!

 

[Spin]

Experienced tow truck drivers have seen it all and have dealt with situations like this many times.

 

[Tinman]

Wow. That’s brilliant!

IIRC, that was invented by Virginia Department of Transportation employees at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel to quickly get traffic moving after breakdowns in the tunnel.

 

[Otto]

So I have questions about getting the ID.4 towed as today our vehicle managed to get a nice large bolt shoved into one of the tires. We have a tow truck scheduled for tomorrow.

Will we need to attach the tow bolt for the flatbed tow truck? Or is that not needed?

 

[Tinman]

Will we need to attach the tow bolt for the flatbed tow truck? Or is that not needed?

Personally, I would get it out of the tool kit and have it ready, but not dig out the cover over the threaded attachment on the bumper. It would be just my luck to leave marks on the bumper digging out the cover and the tow driver decide to use the frame slots and not use the hook.

 

[Otto]

I just looked in the manual to figure out how the covers work. I found an interesting detail that if the vehicle has a factory-equipped trailer hitch there is no rear mount for the threaded towing eye. Instead you are supposed to use a special towing bar designed specially for mounting on a ball hitch.

I can't check right now but it also seems that depending on vehicle equipment some vehicles may have a fixed tow eye under the left rear bumper.

 

[Huey52]

The FE's factory installed trailer hitch is I believe plenty strong enough to be used to winch the vehicle onto a flatbed. The shear strength of its hefty perpendicular aligned attachment bolts is I believe superior to the relatively thin threads of the provided tow eye.
But I only play an ME on TV, and as few nights in a Holiday Inn Express as possible, so will let Spin verify.

I just looked in the manual to figure out how the covers work. I found an interesting detail that if the vehicle has a factory-equipped trailer hitch there is no rear mount for the threaded towing eye. Instead you are supposed to use a special towing bar designed specially for mounting on a ball hitch.

I can't check right now but it also seems that depending on vehicle equipment some vehicles may have a fixed tow eye under the left rear bumper.

 

[Otto]

I'm at the vehicle to test right now. Does anyone know if the vehicle will stay in neutral without someone in the seat? I've never thought about this until now.

 

[Otto]

I can't check right now but it also seems that depending on vehicle equipment some vehicles may have a fixed tow eye under the left rear bumper.

I forgot to mention I took a look earlier and while I see the slot for the fixed tow eye my First Edition does not have the fixed tow eye. I assume that would be the same for all US First Editions.

(edit: added US)

 

[Huey52]

My FE came with a tow eye in the foam tool pack. You should have received one, for at least use in the front of the vehicle. Dealer prep might have [poorly] assumed none was needed given the rear hitch?

I forgot to mention I took a look earlier and while I see the slot for the fixed tow eye my First Edition does not have the fixed tow eye. I assume that would be the same for all First Editions.

 

[Huey52]

I'm at the vehicle to test right now. Does anyone know if the vehicle will stay in neutral without someone in the seat? I've never thought about this until now.