Tow weight evaluation system for wreckers

A tow aid system used while operating a wrecker adapted to tow a vehicle, the wrecker comprising an underlift arm extending rearward from the wrecker, wherein the underlift arm is adapted to lift at least a part of the vehicle for towing, the tow aid system comprising:

• axle load sensors mounted along different longitudinal positions on the wrecker, the axle load sensors generating signals indicative of loads along the different longitudinal positions;
• an underlift arm sensor mounted about the underlift arm, the underlift arm sensor generating signals indicative of at least one of a load applied on the underlift arm and an extension distance of the underlift arm while holding the vehicle in a towing position;
• and
• a controller processing the signals from the axle load sensors and the underlift arm sensor to calculate load conditions and to determine whether the load conditions are within operating limits of the wrecker.