Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Topic: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions (Read 1299 times) previous topic - next topic

Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

January 26, 2020, 08:58:13 am

What should I be thinking of to be prepared for a breakdown that needs a wrecker tow?
Have read that a lowboy is the way to go, but that may not be possible in rural America.
Is disconnecting the drive shaft enough, or is it that some tow truck drivers don't want to disconnect the drive shaft?
Is disconnecting the drive shaft better than pulling the axel half shafts?
Have seen the posts from six years ago about a set of axel caps, they mention that they have an oil hole, should I have axel oil?
Then the air brakes, I assume they can they be back fed from the air hook up beside my propane tank?
Mud flap would need to be bent up and supported.
Anything else about towing.
Will the HWH leveling work using air from the wrecker to raid the coach more if they have an issue getting the lift under the body work?
I like to be prepared and be able to control the situation when a tow truck driver arrives, suggestions appreciated.
David

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #1 – January 26, 2020, 10:12:16 am

Mite check this other thread; Tow truck vs. Coach Most all videos I've seen, they pull the driveshaft rather than remove the axles, but they still make the seals for the axle oil blockage if needed. Important to do some checking WHERE a tow guy can hook into the air and have the proper fittings on board to take the tow air. We've talked about a one-way valve on the air hose connection, but I have not checked mine to see if I can air the system through that; maybe someone knows?

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #2 – January 26, 2020, 10:13:52 am

https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=463

Towing a Foretravel

General Preparations for Towing

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #3 – January 26, 2020, 10:18:14 am

One thing you can do is pick up a set of axle covers and flat washers which are used when the wrecker has to pull the axles for the tow.
jor

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #4 – January 26, 2020, 10:38:33 am

Here's some info: Price List

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #5 – January 26, 2020, 10:51:23 am

Quote from: mike leary – January 26, 2020, 10:12:16 am

I have not checked mine to see if I can air the system through that; maybe someone knows?

Easy to check and find out for sure. Make up a double male air hose connector. Hook up a air compressor to your tire filler hose, turn it on, and see what happens. If your dash air pressure gauges show a increase in pressure, then you're golden.

If the OEM tire filler hose doesn't work (flowing backwards) to fill your main air tanks, simple to add a dedicated fill point somewhere else.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #6 – January 26, 2020, 10:55:44 am

Preventive maintenance, frequent inspections and common sense can help avoid the dreaded tow. It wasn't long ago when a member posted about leaving NM headed for Phoenix when he ignored a major problem and kept going. He broke down and ended up needing much more than a tow.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #7 – January 26, 2020, 12:05:07 pm

So just disconnect the drive shaft?
Or drive shaft and axel half shafts?

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #8 – January 26, 2020, 12:09:45 pm

Quote from: "Irish" – January 26, 2020, 12:05:07 pm

So just disconnect the drive shaft?
Or drive shaft and axel half shafts?

It depends on what caused the coach to 'limp to the side of the road' in the first place. I've learned from the pros that the coach can be towed a short distance (couple of miles) without doing anything except providing air.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #9 – January 27, 2020, 10:20:54 am

Quote

So just disconnect the drive shaft?
Or drive shaft and axel half shafts?

I believe it is better to just pull theaxles. My knowledge on this is academic as I haven't had to be towed but that seems to be the consensus here on the forum. Probably best to just read through the posts by those of us that have suffered a tow.
jor

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #10 – January 27, 2020, 11:09:00 am

Quote from: Irish – January 26, 2020, 12:05:07 pm

So just disconnect the drive shaft?
Or drive shaft and axel half shafts?

Removing the axles would be the best option in my opinion. Both removing the driveshaft and removing the axles eliminate hurting the transmission. Removing the driveshaft would allow possible contamination of the trans fluid. Removing the axles and putting caps on would be the quickest and the safest.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #11 – January 27, 2020, 11:11:27 am

Been towed twice by Coach Net contracted tow trucks. Once in a Newell and once in a Foretravel. Both drivers told me they don't usually pull the driveshafts on motorhomes because they are so short and because of the lack of room under the coach. They pulled both half shafts, and both had axle covers.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #12 – January 27, 2020, 11:22:36 am

Nerf football cut in half can be a substitute for the tow truck driver not having axle covers. I carry one.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #13 – January 27, 2020, 11:43:14 am

Quote from: jor – January 27, 2020, 10:20:54 am

I believe it is better to just pull the drive shafts. My knowledge on this is academic as I haven't had to be towed but that seems to be the consensus here on the forum. Probably best to just read through the posts by those of us that have suffered a tow.
jor

Aside from lack of room under the coach, trusting the typical tow truck driver to mark the driveshafts, save all the fasteners and then have a shop properly re-install it is asking for major trouble. The kind of trouble that normally won't show up right away but well down the road where the owner has zero recourse against the tow company or shop.

How much trouble is it to take the chrome covers off, remove BOTH axles and put the covers on the hub? It's fast and the covers cost less than $40. If the coach is at a bit of an angle, the most that can happen is that a little oil is lost. Not really any seal to be damaged, etc. For those not acquainted with the process, the wheels/tires DO NOT have to be removed.

http://www.axlecap.net/index.html

Pierce

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #14 – January 27, 2020, 11:52:14 am

Thanks Pierce, think you answered my "shaft" question
Thanks
David

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #15 – January 27, 2020, 12:19:25 pm

They guy pulling the driveline will not be reinstalling. He doesn't give a hoot about parts, indexing, or your costs or future inconvenience he incurs for you. I would always prefer to remove axles and the idea of a Nerf football is brilliant. Downside is greasy oily axles loose some were. Having caps and reinstalling hardware is a no brainer. Having latex gloves and some very heavy plastic bags would help to resolve oil related problems. Sure you might want to double check the oil service before returning the coach back to service but you'll be fine with any oil loss from removing the axles for the tow. Yes having a way to charge the air system, and know what is needed for the tow driver would certainly be beneficial. Knowing were the tow lug attach points are on your coach could save you from having that same carefree tow provider from doing more damage to your coach that ultimately YOU will end up paying for either out of pocket or thru a insurance claim. That being said at some point you don't need everything, and there is always a different way to do everything. I'm frugal and am always looking at function over form.
Scott

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #16 – January 27, 2020, 06:31:10 pm

My thought has always been " you better get a really skinny toe truck driver if he is going under the coach "
I personally will pull the axles like crane man
Chris

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #17 – January 27, 2020, 06:37:50 pm

Definitely better to pull the axles. We carry the covers for the open hubs--just in case!

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #18 – January 27, 2020, 08:47:21 pm

Been working on this problem for a while, my conclusions;
Remove the 1 gallon hub covers held on by 4 lug nuts, and replace with a "baby moon" type cap that fits over the hub.
With that done pulling the axles should be quick and easy.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #19 – January 28, 2020, 09:52:51 am

Quote from: NancyS – January 27, 2020, 08:47:21 pm

Been working on this problem for a while, my conclusions;
Remove the 1 gallon hub covers held on by 4 lug nuts, and replace with a "baby moon" type cap that fits over the hub.
With that done pulling the axles should be quick and easy.

If you're going for baby moons, why not paint the wheels black and pretend your an ex police car?

We have two insurance policies that cover towing. Axle covers have been added to the list of things to purchase. Between the front wet wheel bearings, the remote possibility of having to remove the axles I don't have the decorative hub covers installed.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #20 – January 28, 2020, 10:00:19 am

Quote

Removing the driveshaft would allow possible contamination of the trans fluid

Just reread this thread. I think I got it off track when I typed "drive shafts" instead of axles. I meant pull the axles and cap the hubs. I corrected my post. Sorry about that!
jor

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #21 – January 28, 2020, 01:39:54 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – January 27, 2020, 11:43:14 am

Aside from lack of room under the coach, trusting the typical tow truck driver to mark the driveshafts, save all the fasteners and then have a shop properly re-install it is asking for major trouble. The kind of trouble that normally won't show up right away but well down the road where the owner has zero recourse against the tow company or shop.

How much trouble is it to take the chrome covers off, remove BOTH axles and put the covers on the hub? It's fast and the covers cost less than $40. If the coach is at a bit of an angle, the most that can happen is that a little oil is lost. Not really any seal to be damaged, etc. For those not acquainted with the process, the wheels/tires DO NOT have to be removed.

http://www.axlecap.net/index.html

Pierce

This one for us Pierce?

MR8D-1
8 bolt Meritor hub common on later model motorcoaches (5/8" stud). HINO 268/333/338.
Sold as a pair.

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #22 – January 28, 2020, 06:48:03 pm

Some thing to consider: I removed the drive line and replaced the U joints during assembly. I didn't want to be concerned about the care of the existing U joints during removal. Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #23 – January 28, 2020, 11:19:28 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – January 28, 2020, 01:39:54 pm

This one for us Pierce?
MR8D-1
8 bolt Meritor hub common on later model motorcoaches (5/8" stud). HINO 268/333/338.
Sold as a pair.

That is one one if I remember correctly. I will take a look in the morning and post if something different.

P

Re: Prep for wrecker tow suggestions

Reply #24 – January 28, 2020, 11:39:58 pm

Why not make your own covers from 2 cutting boards that may cost $5. That is what I did and it took maybe 2 hours of my time to use a jigsaw and drill after marking out the hole spacing using calipers. Buy the washers and nuts and out it all in a Ziploc bag I. The drAwer for that day when it happens.
This is one of the many non brainers we will have while on the road.
Do it now.
JohnH

Affiliate Notice