Green Light Towing’s Expert Extraction Techniques
Here at Green Light Towing Service, we’ve seen our fair share of stranded vehicles in the Virginia Beach area. With miles of wetlands, sandy soil, and tricky terrain, it’s not uncommon for cars, trucks, ATVs, and more to get stuck. But no matter the size of the vehicle or complexity of the situation, our team has the experience and equipment to safely extract it with minimal damage.
Whether it’s a family sedan sunk axle-deep in mud off a backroad, a loaded tractor trailer overturned in a soggy highway ditch, or an ATV stranded miles deep in coastal marshlands, we’ve been there before. Our skilled team assesses each unique situation to determine the best extraction method using our wide variety of professional-grade recovery tools.
Strategic Winching Techniques for Safe Passenger Vehicle Recovery
When sedans, coupes, SUVs and other passenger vehicles become stuck in mud, sand or other soft terrain, we rely on careful winch extraction to smoothly free them. Our heavy duty tow trucks and professional-grade equipment give us the control needed to avoid vehicle damage. We strategically attach recovery straps to strong structural points on the frame to evenly distribute force. Sturdy shovels and traction boards help provide grip for tires spinning in loose dirt or mud. With the right tools and proper technique, we can safely unstick passenger vehicles and get them back on the road.
Safely Unsticking Passenger Vehicles
For regular passenger vehicles stuck in mud, sand, or other soft terrain, we often use recovery straps connected to our heavy duty tow trucks to gently winch them out to safety.
If needed, we strategically attach the straps to strong structural points on the frame to evenly distribute the force and pull vehicles out smoothly. Sturdy metal shovels and traction boards also help provide grip underneath tires spinning in loose dirt or mud.
Recovering Large Commercial Vehicles
Larger vehicles like buses, RVs, and semi-trucks need extra measures. Sometimes we use retractable crane arms on our rotator tow trucks to lift sunken ends out of ditches piece-by-piece.
For rolled over trucks, we secure and stabilize them, then lift them back upright using an adjustable hydraulic boom. We also utilize chains, snatch blocks and commercial tow slings to share weight and carefully maneuver heavy vehicles out of precarious spots.
Retrieving Recreational Vehicles
ATVs, dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles straying off-road and becoming immersed in inland bodies of water pose their own challenges. When possible, we slog through marshlands during low tide to attach tow straps and winch partially submerged vehicles out.
Other times we rent amphibious ARGO vehicles, small inflatable rafts, or even scuba equipment for deeper waters. Our techs then address any mechanical troubles like flooded engines these waterlogged situations might cause.
Winch Extraction in Action
We recently responded to a call about a sedan stuck in thick mud off a rural backroad. The front wheels were sunk nearly to the axle in sticky clay-like mud after veering off into a roadside ditch.
Our technician first inspected the vehicle and saw the front bumper and lower panels were already scraped up from trying to drive out. So he grabbed a sturdy, square-tip shovel and carefully began excavating the mud around the submerged front tires.
He dug deep channels in the mud about 12 inches away from the tires, being cautious not to nick or scratch the wheel wells. This allowed him to penetrate underneath and break up the vice-like grip suctioning the tires down. He scraped away mud jammed in the tire treads too.
Once sufficient purchase was gained underneath, he used the shovel as a lever to pry up and raise the sunken tires from their deep ruts, freeing up space around the circumference. This prevented further scraping as the winch cable tightened and pulled the vehicle forward.
By taking the time to cautiously dig out the trapped wheels, he was able to carefully winch the sedan forward on its own power without incurring any additional cosmetic damage to the body. The customer was relieved and grateful for the technician’s diligent process.
This is just one example of how we take great care when excavating around stuck vehicles. Our technicians know it takes patience and the right tools to avoid damaging vehicles in the extraction process. Safety and minimizing harm is our top priority.
Green Light Towing Service has been offering the Virginia Beach metro area unparalleled off-road recovery for over 15-years. Call today for 24-hour service…
Tools of the Trade
No matter the circumstances, our number one priority is avoiding further damage to stranded vehicles during extraction. We use tools like tow dollies and skates to gently maneuver stuck vehicles while protecting drivetrains and bodywork from additional harm.
We’ll also dig out around tires, lift suspended wheels, or build ramps from surrounding resources to release pressure points preventing vehicles from budging.
Every job is different however, so it takes a wide assortment of tools, trucks and equipment to be able to confidently handle any call that comes in. Here’s the tools and equipment we have at our disposal…
- Heavy Duty Tow Trucks – Our fleet of rotator and wheel lift tow trucks have powerful engines, dual winches, and reinforced frames allowing us to recover everything from small sedans to loaded tractor trailers.
- Jerr-Dan Recovery Equipment – We utilize Jerr-Dan’s industry-leading wreckers, crawler cranes, rotators, and light-duty carriers for smooth, damage-free extractions. Their 22,500 lb rotating boom is perfect for righting overturned trucks.
- Chains & Cables – We keep hundreds of feet of high-test chains, cables, and nylon straps in various sizes to attach to vehicles and distribute pulling forces. Aircraft-grade wire rope wins confidence for big jobs.
- Portable Winches – Gas-powered and battery-operated portable winches provide pulling power in areas our trucks can’t reach. Their wireless remotes allow winching from a safe distance.
- Traction Boards & Mats – Aluminum, fiberglass and plastic traction boards help give wheels grab in mud, sand and snow when positioned correctly. We also use commercial-grade recovery mats to form makeshift roads.
- Specialized Lifting Gear – We use steel tow slings, “J” hooks and specialty lifting chains rated above 10 tons to cradle and support vehicles during tricky recoveries. Hydraulic jacking equipment gives precision control.
- Snatch Blocks – These clever pulleys allow us to safely redirect winch cables and doubling pulling forces when needed to free severely stuck vehicles. They protect cables from damage during extreme winching.
- Vehicle Dollies & Skates – Equipping stuck vehicles with tow dollies and reusable polyethylene skates protects from further damage during extraction on pavement and gravel roads.
Our arsenal of commercial-grade recovery tools, operated by our experienced team, allows us to take on challenging stuck vehicles that other tow companies can’t.
Safety First
We take every precaution to ensure vehicles are recovered safely and without incurring additional damage during the extraction process. Here are some of the ways we prioritize safety:
- Thorough Inspections – We walk around vehicles and assess integrity of body panels, glass, and mechanical components before attempting removal. We look for cracks or damage that could worsen.
- Strategic Rigging – Our technicians are trained to attach tow straps, cables and lifting gear to OEM-recommended tow points that can bear load. This prevents frame damage or detaching components.
- Careful Maneuvering – We take it slow and make gradual, steady pulls. Quick yanks or jerks can overwhelm stuck vehicles. Patience protects against worsening their condition.
- Ground Preparation – We dig around stuck tires, create ramps or paths with boards/mats, and clear debris when possible to avoid further scraping vehicles during extraction.
- Wheel Protection – Lifting stuck wheels out of holes, ruts or ditches prevents damaging axles and suspension components while winching. We use jack stands cautiously.
- Speed Limits – Once freed, we ensure vehicles are traveling safely below 25 mph max when being towed out of off-road conditions. This reduces risks of damage to frames or loose components.
- Vehicle Securing – We properly secure and tie down extracted vehicles for safe transport to our shop or another location designated by the owner using adjustable tie-down straps.
By following safety protocols and making strategic decisions, we can remove vehicles from troublesome situations without worsening their condition.
Expert Recovery You Can Trust
At Green Light Towing Service, going the extra mile is what we do to rescue clients’ vehicles while keeping repair costs low. Our locally-owned company has provided area motorists with expert recovery solutions for over 15 years.
No job is too muddy, sandy or watery for our experienced team armed with professional-grade gear designed specifically for stuck vehicle removal. We have an extensive record of safely and efficiently getting cars, trucks, ATVs and more unstuck from every precarious predicament imaginable in and around Hampton Roads.
Trust us to get your vehicle out of a tight spot and back on solid ground. Call today at (
