Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

.  I thought these big truck differentials were pretty much bullet proof.

If you broke a pinyon in that rear end would sure be rare but it could happen. Most likely if something in the differential broke it was from a bad casting or heat treating as it is unlikely you would be able to thrash that rear end like some in oil field equipment that get broke. You may have just broke an axle at the spline which is more common. If that happens getting the broke end out is always a challenge.

Mike

That brings up an interesting question. Which side is normally the drive side since it's not a  posi-trac differential nor do I see a way to lock it. The wrecker driver pulled the passenger side axle. It was in one piece and looked normal. Also oil ran out so I know the rearend hadn't run dry.
A side note; I thought I had read you are supposed to pull both axles to tow and questioned the tow driver on this.
He assured me that towing MHs was his specialty and you only have to pull one. I tried calling Foretravel tech. Only voicemail and no return phone call.

Echo Craneman. Both axles NEED to be pulled. Don't let the tow truck driver argue with you!

For those sitting at home or in the coach reading this, crawl under the coach (when stands have been put in place) and check the U joints. Grease if they have not been done lately and check for red dust around the U joint caps. A sure sign of dry U joints.

Pierce

That was supposedly all done last year when I purchased the coach at MOT. A full lube job and differential service was part of the $3000 plus fluid service package.

Well, since that didn't happen. It was towed from Raton to Denver with one axle still in place. What should I ask the repair shop to look for in case any damage was done while being towed improperly? I've been trying to get a call into Foretravel technical to ask the same question, but it just goes to voicemail and no one ever returns my call. That tech line is pretty much useless.

OK for short tow at low speed. The diff has to turn at double speed with one axle in place.  Loaded on the wrong side of the gears and probably low on oil  .  Bad idea.

WHAT!! Was it a defected shaft?

Okay. It's been a while. Three months in the shop to be exact. Here's what the driveline issue turned out to be. The drivers side axle twisted into two pieces. I'll attach some pictures. And for bonus points while it was in the shop someone didn't set the parking brake and it coasted backwards across the parking lot into another vehicle.