Hidden wheel lift

[MSF]

Anyone using an under-bed wheel lift (like a tow truck has) on their truck? I just purchased one used, intend to install it on my Duramax, and use it to tow my trucks/friends cars and trucks. I know if I'm not towing anything but my own vehicles, I don't need anything special. Also that if I'm towing commercially that I need a ton of things IE: insurance, tow plates, etc. But I can't seem to find anything on someone who owns a tow truck NOT as a business, but tows non-owned vehicles. I'm in IL. Any info is helpful.

[Sub-Par]

Most guys that own any type of wrecker use it for commercial purposes. I don't think you will need anything special so long as you stamp the truck private use only.

[Jmac72]

If have just went through all of this,in the last year.I started a tow business this year.The state of IL.makes it extremely difficult to find info ,rules and regs.I never did find a person that could say this is what you need.The best info I got was from talking to a SOS. police officer.

Is your truck a 1ton?If not you will need some spring helpers.Small cars aren't bad.Minyvans ,and full size trucks(when lifted from the front)are kind of heavy.The underlift probably weighs close to 1000lbs.So that subtracts from the weight you can haul.The farther you push it out really makes the front end light.

If you are towing your own things,you are fine.As long as you are not charging your friends,you should be ok.It would be better if the owner was with you.You might check with your insurance agent,just to make sure you are covered.(stuff happens)

The tow plates are the same price as regular plates.You have to go to Springfield to get them.You plate for the weight of the truck,not the gcvw.unless you have a rollback,then it is based on gcvw.You have to have several types of insurance.After you do all this stuff,you see why tow bills are so high.

[MSF]

Thanks for the info! I called DOT yesterday and they pretty much told me what you're saying. I will probably be selling my wheel lift, since the insurance is so astronomical. It sucks since there is no special license, and tow plates aren't any more than my D-plates. I just can't justify hundreds of dollars extra insurance for a non-profit tow truck.

[Jmac72]

The insurance sucks.And you have to have it before you can get the plates.The most frustrating part is how hard it is to get info from the state.

What kind of wheel lift do you have?what type of pump? Just noticed you were in Champaign.I'm about 35 miles south.

[ToyHauler]

what really sucks is if you just hook a chain to somebody which is unsafe as heck nobody would have anything to say.

[Underpowered]

IL seems to have many stupid laws.

Here in KY, slap a "Not for hire" stick on it and you roll on about your daily business as usuall, as my grandpa has owned a private personal use Wrecker for many years. insureance is slightly more as it is listed as a "tow vehicle" but since it is not commercial it is not but a few dollars more a month than standard insurance.

[MSF]

The insurance sucks.And you have to have it before you can get the plates.The most frustrating part is how hard it is to get info from the state.

What kind of wheel lift do you have?what type of pump? Just noticed you were in Champaign.I'm about 35 miles south.

I don't know much about it. Will take some pics this weekend once it's cleaned up. I know it powers in/out & up/down, but no auto loaders. Seems pretty heavy duty, 2 lift cylinders, 1 for in/out. You interested at all?

what really sucks is if you just hook a chain to somebody which is unsafe as heck nobody would have anything to say.

Yeah, for real. Have flat towed many trucks with no run-ins with the law.

IL seems to have many stupid laws.

Here in KY, slap a "Not for hire" stick on it and you roll on about your daily business as usuall, as my grandpa has owned a private personal use Wrecker for many years. insureance is slightly more as it is listed as a "tow vehicle" but since it is not commercial it is not but a few dollars more a month than standard insurance.

Wow, must be nice. IL sucks again! It's all because there is NO middle ground here. Either you tow your own stuff, or you're a business. If you just happen to own a tow truck, you're screwed if you try to move anything that isn't yours since they never covered that instance, so you're stuck with $3000+/year insurance.

[Jmac72]

I might be.I have a century formula I.What type of pump setup do you have?

[MSF]

Ummmm, giant motor with a (Ford starter?) solenoid mounted on it, goes into a block with 2 valves on it, solenoids on either side. I'll have to take a photo. I really don't know much about it. I did test the pump and the solenoids, shoots fluid across the shop from both outputs, so I'd say they're ok, lol. I can take a picture of the pump tomorrow, I left it in a buddy's shed. I'd really like to clean up the lift before trying to sell, but here are some shots of it as-is. I pressure washed most the grime off, was planning on completely cleaning and painting.

[MSF]

Here's the pump.

[Jmac72]

Any Idea what its rated for?Or the brand.Does it just have 2 controls?(up/down,in/out)It kind of looks like the kind they put on rollbacks.

[MSF]

I don't know anything about it other than it's beefy and it works. It does power in/out & up/down. It came off an 80's 1-ton Chevy. But I imagine it would fit about anything. Let me know if you're interested. I haven't posted it for sale yet, but will be doing so soon.

[Jmac72]

I sent you a PM.