Towing a Viper?

[viperct2001]

Has anyone had to have their Viper towed? If so, what type of tow truck do you recommend? flat-bed or a hook (whatever it's called where the front end is up in the air and rear wheels are on ground)?

I also own a 3000GT (unmodded) and when I had it pulled onto a flat bed it barely scraped the bottom when the front was going up the ramp onto the flatbed.

I wouldn't want to do that to my Viper, which is several inches lower than my 3000GT. Although, I think I've read on the forums that Vipers have been put on flat-beds.

if so, how was this done without ripping off (or scratching) the front fascia! LOL! I mean it's so much lower than my 3000GT...

One day I'm sure the Viper will break down (knock on wood) and this is a critical thing to know.

Also, when I bought the car, I got one of those Daimler-Chrysler CustomerOne 24-hr Roadside Assistance cards. If I call them, are they smart enough to send the "right" type of tow truck?

 

[DodgeViper01]

PLEASE DO NOT USE THE HOOK TYPE OF TOW TRUCK!! That will run up YOUR mileage and the Viper does not like that type of truck anyway. I know that any towing company in their right mind would not allow you to use that type of truck because they "should" know how important your car is.

As for the roadside assistance we you call they will definitely send you the right type of truck. They know when you call about the Viper that they will have to send a flatbed. Same thing happened with my Mercedes. They automatically sent the flatbed. As for clearance you should have no problem. The Mercedes had 6 inches of clearance and the Viper has 5. Not a big deal. Just tell them before hand to keep an eye on it.

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

When you call chrysler 24 hr roadside assistance they will send you cross counry motor club,It is a big deal as far as towing these on a flatbed.They MUST be loaded back side first otherwise the front facia will scrape the steal or aluminum bed as it is being loaded, not to mention where the straps or chains will hit.Unless you get lucky and get one of the NEW low load angle flatbeds even when they load it from the rear the front facia will scrape the ground as the load angle increases.They must put ramps or 4 by 4s under the bed as ramps for the wheels to reduce the loading angle.Do not be sure that just because they drive a rollback that they are familiar with loading vipers,we have to coach 95% of the drivers that have vipers towed here,most of them are very happy for the suggestions as they do not want the responsibility of damaging your car.One thing that i emphasize,whether you are familiar with loading procedures or not. INSURE that you are with the car when they load.The driver will be much more carefull with an audience,especially the owner.I dont mean to sound like a pecimist.But the last thing you want to hear when you are picking up your car is"i dont know what happened it was that way when we got it" What most people do not realise is that the clearance of the front of your car decreases every inch they pull it up an angled bed of a truck.

 

[Ron]

I bought 4 "R" hooks and keep them in the car just in case. Keeps the frame tow holes from tearing.

Also use them for dyno runs.

 

[Jack B]

Ron:

where did you find the R hooks, I have looking with no luck.