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Topic: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?  (Read 554 times) previous topic - next topic

What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

I have read on the forum that if towing is required, certain Foretravel coach specific preparations must be made to prevent damage: pull drive shaft, pull drive axles, and install axle "caps" to protect the axle needle bearings. Maximum tow speed? Type of tow truck required- lift - trailer? I have never broken down and meticulously maintain my coach but I would like to be prepared and know what to do if towing was ever required. What best practices do you use? Has anyone put together a "what to do when towing is required" checklist and parts to carry with you?
Walt, Dawn, Matt & the Poodles
99 36' U320 #5515 MC #17977 "Axle"
Not All Who Wander Are Lost (not original but I like it)

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: WBates –
I have read on the forum that if towing is required, certain Foretravel coach specific preparations must be made to prevent damage: pull drive shaft, pull drive axles, and install axle "caps" to protect the axle needle bearings. Maximum tow speed? Type of tow truck required- lift - trailer? I have never broken down and meticulously maintain my coach but I would like to be prepared and know what to do if towing was ever required. What best practices do you use? Has anyone put together a "what to do when towing is required" checklist and parts to carry with you?

All rear engine automatic transmission equipped coaches require that the transmission be disconnected.  From what I have read pulling the axles is the easiest thing to do.  Bolt on axle covers are needed to keep the oil in and the dirt out.  That's on you.  That and towing insurance.

We have torsion bars.  If you have air bags, a pre-arranged air connection will allow the tow operator to provide air for your suspension.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #2 –
While everything Art says (above) is valid, I will add a few points.

First, some tow trucks do provide the axle end covers, but would be better if you are prepared by carrying your own set.

Axle Caps (split from Going down highway and white smoke coming out)

Second, having air system connection at the front of the coach not only provides air for your suspension, but of equal importance provides air pressure to release your parking brakes (spring brakes).  If your parking brakes cannot be released using air pressure, then they must be "caged" which is a lot more hassle.

The easiest place (on some coaches) to tie into the air system is the "tire filler" air connection already in place, but only if it feeds backward directly into the wet tank.  Another good place would be the two brake tanks at the front of the coach.  You could rig up a little permanent manifold tying into both air tanks at the drain valves.  "T" them together and terminate at a quick connect fitting mounted under the front bumper.  The tow truck driver plugs into the quick connect, airs up your suspension and releases the parking brake.  EASY.

Finally, I will add that the MOST desirable solution to roadside breakdown is a flatbed trailer.  Since you have a 36' (shorter) coach, this should be your first choice of recovery method.  If we ever break down I will fight tooth and nail for this type of tow service.  GREATLY reduces the chance of (additional) damage to your coach.

Peter posted some excellent photos of his (prior) 40' coach being moved on a flatbed trailer.

1991 GV 40 DD 6V92 tow question
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #3 –
I keep looking, but find no response to the question:
How does the tow vehicle hook up to the front of the coach, if a strap or chains are needed, without tearing up the front of the coach?
Is there such a thing as a tow strap one could carry " just in case "?? The biggest one at harbor freight is 9000. #s?? Big, heavy, I would be hard up for room to carry anything big. What do you carry, if anything?
Glenn and Amy Beinfest
2001 36' U320
#5812
2014 Honda CRV

No Whining on the YACHT

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: GleamB –
How does the tow vehicle hook up to the front of the coach, if a strap or chains are needed, without tearing up the front of the coach?
Glenn,

We've never been towed, but I've heard stories.  You could search this Forum and find some of them.

Basically, if a flat bed trailer is not available, then the tow truck must pick the front of the coach up so the front wheels are off the ground.  This can be done in several ways.

I think the best way is a hydraulic "wheel lift".  You can search "repo truck" on youtube to see a zillion videos of wheel lifts in action.  They extend under the front of the disabled vehicle and pick the wheels up off the ground.  See example below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMqWLbA_wnI

Next best solution is some type of wheel dollies that go under the front tires.  Never seen these - just heard about them.

Last choice, for me, would be heavy straps and chains that can attach to the front axel or frame of the coach, and allow the tow truck to pick the front end up with a winch.  If this is not done VERY carefully, it can cause a great deal of damage to the structure and bodywork of the coach.

I don't think you would ever be expected to provide the equipment necessary to tow your coach, other than the above discussed air connection and possibly the axle caps.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #5 –
They also have a "saddle" type end they can put on their lift arm that fits under the axle.
Ralph
96 U270

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #6 –
Youtube, Ron Pratt Midwest Towing.  From lifting to air supply.

https://youtu.be/lRD8nSoJCyU
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: What supplies & checklist do you carry in case of a breakdown and tow required?

Reply #7 –
That's a interesting and enlightening video.  Really illustrates what goes into getting a coach towed.  I wonder if the air suspension on that coach could be used to raise the body up above ride height, like we can do using the RAISE button on HWH panel?  Seems like that would have given even more clearance for the lift mechanism to go under the coach, and for hooking stuff up.

Easy to see the advantage to having a air system connection point at the front of the coach.  Well worth every owner's time to see about getting that added to their coach.  Big time saver plus avoid having the air hose slapping against the side of the coach going down the highway.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"