Apparatus and method for securing a vehicle on a carrier bed

An apparatus for transporting a vehicle having a frame and a body and a resilient suspension between the frame and a front axle, comprising:

• a. a carrier having a bed, said bed having a forward end and a rearward end;
• b. combined vehicle axle restraint and ramp means, said means being attached to said rearward end of said bed, said means further having a lowered position providing an inclined driving surface for the vehicle to be driven onto and off of said bed, and a raised position for restraining a rear axle of the vehicle during transport from forward movement;
• c. a frame mounted on said forward end of said bed, said frame extending vertically above and transversely across said bed;
• d. a vehicle hold down assembly comprising:
• a bracket extending forwardly from an upper portion of said frame;
• a crank arm having an adjacent end and a remote end, said adjacent end being pivotally attached to said bracket;
• a lever arm attached to and extending from said crank arm;
• a hold down arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being pivotally attached to said remote end of said crank arm, and said second end including a hook, whereby, moving said lever arm from an upper position to a lower position, said hold down arm engages the frame or body of a resiliently suspended vehicle on said bed, pulls the vehicle forwardly and maintains its suspension in a compressed state.

A method for securing a vehicle having a rear axle, a front axle, a frame, a body, and a resilient suspension between the frame and the front axle, to the bed of a carrier comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a combined axle restraint and ramp assembly at the rearward end of the carrier bed;
• b. placing said axle restraint over the rear axle;
• c. providing a vehicle hold down assembly at the forward end of the carrier bed;
• d. connecting said vehicle hold down assembly to the suspended frame or body of the vehicle;
• and,
• e. pulling the frame and body forwardly and downwardly with said vehicle hold down assembly, securing the rear axle against the axle restraint, and maintaining the vehicle's suspension in a compressed state.