When you need modified vehicle towing in Oahu, choosing the right towing company matters. A modified vehicle may require different equipment, attachment points, loading angles, and precautions than a factory vehicle.
At Hawaii Towing Company, we have more than 15 years of towing experience on Oahu. We have transported lowered cars, vehicles with aftermarket body kits, lifted trucks, custom vehicles, and other specialty builds.
One thing our experience has taught us is that not all modified vehicles should be approached the same way.
A lowered vehicle is one thing. A lowered vehicle with an expensive body kit is another.
Before loading the vehicle, we need to understand exactly what has been modified and how those modifications affect the tow.
Why Modified Vehicles Can Be More Difficult to Tow
Vehicle modifications can completely change how a tow truck operator needs to approach a vehicle.
Low suspension is one of the most common challenges. However, adding an aftermarket body kit can create additional problems.
The front bumper or splitter may sit extremely close to the ground. Side skirts can reduce clearance along the sides. Modified exhaust systems, suspension components, and other aftermarket parts may also sit lower than expected.
Even when specialized ramps are available, clearance can still be extremely tight.
That is why towing a modified vehicle safely starts with an inspection, not the winch.
We Inspect the Body Kit Before Hooking Up
One precaution we take with modified vehicles is something many owners may not expect.
We physically tug-test the body kit before loading the vehicle.
We want to make sure aftermarket components are securely attached before we begin hooking up, loading, or transporting the vehicle.
A body kit may look secure while the vehicle is sitting still. However, we don’t want to discover that a component is loose after the vehicle starts moving.
After checking the body kit, we inspect other important areas, including:
- Front bumper and splitter clearance
- Side skirts
- Exhaust clearance
- Suspension
- Wheel clearance
- Tow-hook location
- Safe attachment points
- Loading angle between the vehicle and flatbed
These checks help us determine how we should approach the tow before putting stress on the vehicle.
How We Determine When Extra Ramps Are Needed
We use specialized ramps when towing vehicles with low ground clearance.
However, having a modified ramp does not automatically mean every lowered vehicle will fit.
One of the first things we look at is whether the tapered beginning of our specialized ramp can fit underneath the front bumper.
If it cannot, we know additional precautions are necessary.
Trying to force the vehicle onto the ramp could damage the bumper, splitter, or body kit. Instead, we need to reduce the initial loading angle even further.
Sometimes that means adding another starter ramp before our specialized ramp.
It may look like a small difference, but when a vehicle sits extremely low, an inch can determine whether the car loads safely or makes contact with the equipment.
Case Study: Towing a Heavily Modified Acura NSX
One modified vehicle towing job that stands out involved an Acura NSX.
The NSX was a heavily modified street car. It was lowered and equipped with an aftermarket body kit that gave us very little initial clearance.
Normally, we can position our specialized ramp and slowly winch a lowered vehicle onto the flatbed.
This NSX required another approach.
The tapered beginning of our custom ramp would not even fit underneath the front bumper.
Instead of attempting to force the normal setup to work, we added an extra starter ramp. This created a more gradual transition before the vehicle reached our custom ramp.
From there, we loaded the NSX extremely slowly.
Throughout the process, we constantly watched the front bumper, body kit, side clearance, undercarriage, and other potential contact points.
From the outside, the process might have looked simple.
In reality, it was tedious.
That is exactly how a difficult modified-vehicle tow should sometimes be. Speed should not take priority over protecting the vehicle.
Sometimes the Body Kit May Need to Come Off
There is also a point where ramps and loading techniques may not provide enough clearance.
If a vehicle is excessively low and we cannot create a safe loading angle, removing the front section of the body kit may become necessary.
We would rather take additional time to address the body kit than knowingly pull the vehicle into a position where damage could occur.
The goal is not simply to get the vehicle onto the truck.
The goal is to get it onto the truck without damaging it.
Common Mistakes When Towing Modified Vehicles
Many towing mistakes happen when an operator treats a modified vehicle like a factory vehicle.
Potential mistakes include:
- Using incorrect attachment points
- Assuming a standard ramp provides enough clearance
- Loading the vehicle too quickly
- Failing to inspect the body kit before loading
- Using an improper loading angle
- Failing to watch the entire vehicle during loading
- Overlooking a low exhaust or suspension component
- Assuming all lowered vehicles require the same setup
These mistakes can potentially damage front bumpers, splitters, side skirts, exhaust systems, suspension components, undercarriages, and aftermarket body kits.
Experience matters because an operator needs to recognize a problem before contact occurs, not afterward.
Lowered Cars and Body Kits Are Not the Same Thing
This is something we believe modified-vehicle owners should understand when choosing a towing company.
A company may have experience towing lowered cars. That does not necessarily mean it has experience towing a lowered vehicle with an aftermarket body kit.
The additional components can completely change the available clearance and safe attachment options. Vehicles like these often require the same extra planning, equipment, and careful handling we use for our special vehicle towing services across Oahu.
The same principle applies to other modifications.
Oversized wheels, air suspension, lifted suspension, custom exhaust systems, splitters, side skirts, and other modifications can each create different challenges.
That is why simply telling a towing company, “My car is modified,” is not enough information.
What We Want to Know Before Towing Your Modified Vehicle
When you call for modified vehicle towing in Oahu, providing detailed information helps us arrive prepared.
Important information can include:
- How low the vehicle sits
- Whether it has a body kit
- Whether it has a front splitter
- Whether it has air suspension
- Whether it has oversized or aftermarket wheels
- Whether the vehicle is AWD
- Whether a factory tow hook is available
- Whether the vehicle rolls and steers
- Whether the vehicle was involved in an accident
- Where the vehicle is currently located
- Any other modifications that could affect loading or securement
We would rather ask extra questions before dispatching than discover an important modification after arriving.
What Should You Ask the Towing Company?
Modified-vehicle owners should ask questions too.
One of the most important questions is simple:
“Have you actually towed a vehicle with modifications like mine?”
Don’t only ask whether the company has transported lowered vehicles.
Be specific.
If your vehicle is lowered and has an aftermarket body kit, ask whether they have experience with lowered vehicles with body kits.
If you have air suspension, oversized wheels, a large splitter, or another unusual modification, mention it.
Pay attention to the questions the towing company asks you as well.
If you explain that your vehicle is heavily modified and the company immediately says, “No problem,” without asking about clearance, body kits, suspension, wheels, location, or other modifications, that should give you something to think about.
A complicated vehicle should usually lead to more questions, not fewer.
Modified Vehicle Towing Across Oahu
Hawaii Towing Company provides modified and special vehicle towing throughout Oahu.
We serve Waipahu, Ewa, Kapolei, Pearl City, Mililani, Wahiawa, Honolulu, and surrounding communities across the island.
With more than 15 years of towing experience, we understand that modified vehicles can require patience, preparation, specialized equipment, and attention to detail.
Whether your vehicle is lowered, fitted with a custom body kit, equipped with aftermarket suspension, or modified in another way, tell us about those modifications when you call.
The more we know before arriving, the better prepared we can be to transport your vehicle safely.
When your build has taken time, money, and attention to detail, the towing process should receive that same level of care.
