How do you put a 328 on a Flatbed without damage

Recently I had to bring my 328 to a mechanic via flatbed for its major. I must say it was somewhat of an ordeal getting it on the flatbed. I was first going to use the winch but I was afraid that the cable would be on an angle to cause it to contact the bottom of the spoiler and push up on it and crack it. So I drove the car onto it. When I thought the car was far enough on the bed I shut it off only to be informed it needed to go up further. So here I am sitting at a 45 degree angle having to restart and make a quick move off the brake and onto the gas without stalling or lurching the car into the front of the flatbed. Somehow I did it.

My question is can the car be winched up without damage and are there special straps or cable used to do this. Even going as slow as possible both on the way on and off the underside of the spoiler scrapped slightly even with wooden boards under the tires.

 

When I broke down a couple of years ago returning from Road America, we had to flat bed the car home (water pump bearings went).
I had them put it on backend first.

Since then I've trailered the car to events and also load backend first (to get enough tongue weight). While I back on under power, you could pass straps around the rear frame members that slope upwards from the sway bar attachment points at about 45 degrees and form a "Y" onto a winch.

I don't know if you could use the towing eyes (front or rear). Anyone?

 

I always request a flat bed with the "right approach" system which is where the bed in the rear actually spilts about 3 ft in from the end and lessen's the approach angle. This and some 2x6's under the front wheels at it starts the climb will keep the cable from touching the spoiler. The trucks usually carry some lumber and a good operator goes a long way.

Paul

 

Does the 328 have a tow racing tow hook application in the front grill? If so you could also get one and keep in the trunk until needed, then put it on. This way they could use the wench and not damage the air-dam.

 

Is the idea that the wench lies down in front of the car and so lessens the approach angle as you drive over her?

 

I have a 308 and have always used a flatbed. Hook the cable to the hook in the front , two pieces of 2x4 so the front doesn't make contact with the bed and can roll right over them onto the flatbed . No problems ever.

 

The Right Approach truck sounds perfect I saw photos of it on the Century Wrecker site, but how many are these trucks are around I bet very few unless you break down near an exotic car shop.

Your 308 may not hit with 2X4 but my 328 even with 2X4 just barely scrapped the underside of the spoiler. Also the approach angle between the car when it was on the driveway and the beds angle and the fact that the tow hook is 12-15" under the car, it sure looked like the cable would contact the front bottom edge of the spoiler . Maybe the 308 and 328 are not exactly the same in the spoiler area.

 

The Right Approach bed is the way to go but the driver also needs to know how to load the car...you would be surprised how many don't. If a guy shows up and starts pulling out the chains to haul the car up find another service. I don't know where you are but if you want to speak with someone who can either help you directly or help locate folks who know what they are doing call David Baldwin at Autosport Unlimited 972-496-1819 (www.autosportul.com). They are a perferred Ferrari roadside assistance provider and based on personal experience they know what they are doing. They are based in Richardson, Texas and they service about a 600 mile radius on a regular basis.

 

My car has also been towed by a truck that has the extra hinge in it's bed. I've never had a scraping problem yet. You can see the bend in the bed while it's raised for loading.

By the way, you'll see that the tow truck is from Autosport Unlimited as outlined in Hookem's post.
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Jimpo1

Did the operator have you drive it onto the hinged portion or did he winch it on. After the front tires were on the hinge did he winch it onto the bed from there.

 

Stupid Freud.

 

The bed moves under the car. My car was towed with the transmission totally locked and in gear. They did a wonderful job! David and his guys know what they are going.

 

He winched it on the whole way. We pushed it up to the edge of the bed, the winch did the rest. I don't remember where he attached the winch cable to the car, maybe the left front suspension?

 

Last time I went to drive my Wench home on the trailer, I found the best method was the back way in.