How to tow a diesel pusher properly

[Romeo]

I haven't seen too much information on what I need to know in the event I need to have my diesel pusher towed. I have seen mention that some tow truck operators don't know the proper procedure, and have seen mention that the drive shaft must be disconnected. That's about all I know....

I hope to see some discussion on what I need to know to ensure my rig is towed properly, and how to determine who to call for proper towing. In addition it would be informative to hear from those that have had a rig towed.

Jacking technique for a Dutch Star would also be helpful.

[palehorse89]

My air compressor crankshaft went out (crank broke in two) and left me with no power steering and oil all over everything. My manual states that allison does not want the tranny moved any amount being towed. One has to pull the drive shaft or pull both rear axles to tow the coach! The guy that i called changed out my compressor in a parking lot where i got pulled over. I was lucky. He showed up with a tri axle tow truck, but my axle is close to 8' back from the front of the coach and he did not know how to get it rigged up and get a hold of it so he said it might just be as easy to change it out there if i could find the parts. It was a really big and shinny tow truck but he had never towed a big coach before. Afterwards i read up on this subject of towing a coach and it has to be jacked up and blocked up (due to the low clearance) so the wrecker boom can get underneath the frontend. Hope this helps.....

[deandec]

We have been towed twice in 9 years and almost towed once, but I cancelled that tow operator (tried to load the 38' coach on a 35' lowboy trailer).

The guys that did it right caused no damage in about 80 miles of towing.

The rear axles or drive shaft needs to be removed.

They need access to the air brake system to release the brakes for towing. It is good if you know in advance where they can plug in their air line on your coach.

My front axle is 6 feet from the front of the MH. Both used a "stinger" to reach under and to the axle for the lift.

We followed the tow truck both times at speeds of up to 60 mph.

I also have a tow bar provided with the MH that has never been used. It is a ball hitch that fastens into the generator slide area after removing the fiberglass hatch cover on the front of the MH.

[ejm4]

Basically the only things that need to be done...
1. Either remove the driveshaft or remove BOTH axles
2. Cage the brake chambers or air the system to release the brakes
3. Proper safety chains & light bar

We have several HD wreckers to compliment our commercial truck shop but refuse to tow motorhomes. The risk (damage) to the coach is far greater then the reward (motor club pay.)

[RickO]

Our 40DP had to be towed on our maiden voyage.

The best thing to know in that situation is the phone number of CoachNet.
They worked with Cummins via phone to diagnose the problem and then dispatched a tow truck and driver who knew his stuff. Removed drive shaft and rear mud flap and connected an air hose to the coach system so the coach brakes provided suplimental braking I guess.

Rick

[Jerry J]

We have IFS and Freightliner says we need a flatbed, that it can not be towed. The front end would be damaged if towed.

[ejm4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry J We have IFS and Freightliner says we need a flatbed, that it can not be towed. The front end would be damaged if towed.

You will need a wrecker with a wheel lift compared to the wrecker picking the coach up via the front axle with "forks." Here on the East Coast, you will never clear a 13'6" bridge with your coach loaded on a Landoll trailer.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I had my M/H towed in Sept. I have Coach Net and when I placed my trouble call I specified that the front axle was more than 8 ft back from front of the coach. A tow truck was dispatched and the boom adequate for reaching the axle. The driver took about 45 minites to get everything properly aligned, blocked, and lifted. Drive shaft removed and rear mud flap bungie corded to avoid dragging. Clearance of the boom and front cap is a priority as well as drive shaft removal.

[Dadeaux]

I will trust the manufactor's recommendations over those of a tow truck operator. I have seen MHs towed and hauled and both have their dangers. Towing dangers have already been pointed out and hauling dangers can be something as common as a low overpass.
It's always best to have repairs done at scene if possible.

[JohnRR]

Several good responses here one thing is a 38" MH should fit on a 35' rollback trailer however I really don't recall seeing a real 35' rollback trailer made unless it was some kind of home made affair.

After your air system is aired up it needs a air hose attached for the entire tow if you have air ride suspension otherwise the tanks will bleed down during the course of suspension movement while towing.

Lifting a coach with axle forks is no problem unless you have something like a class C Volvo with an Airteck aluminum front axle which even those can be fork towed with special adapters that fork the spring plate not the axle itself which would void the axle warranty, you can void the warranty just pulling it with a chain or anything that leaves marks on the axle itself.

It is a lot simpler to use a wheel lift especially to support the front air ride suspension with out having to chain the axle ends up for support. As mentioned you need a lot of extension with the wheel lift. I've got 155" of extension so I can wheel lift any coach out there.

Knowing where your external air hook up point is would be a great help to a wrecker driver as it's almost impossible to know where they are all at, another huge help would be if you had a handful of the in expensive air chucks as there are several types of them out there and while wreckers strive to have them all just like in life some are more prepared than others while others have no business being sent out to help you make a bad situation worse

If you ever see me out there you'll know it this is my 76 Flagship!

[ejm4]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRR Several good responses here one thing is a 38" MH should fit on a 35' rollback trailer however I really don't recall seeing a real 35' rollback trailer made unless it was some kind of home made affair. After your air system is aired up it needs a air hose attached for the entire tow if you have air ride suspension otherwise the tanks will bleed down during the course of suspension movement while towing. Lifting a coach with axle forks is no problem unless you have something like a class C Volvo with an Airteck aluminum front axle which even those can be fork towed with special adapters that fork the spring plate not the axle itself which would void the axle warranty, you can void the warranty just pulling it with a chain or anything that leaves marks on the axle itself. It is a lot simpler to use a wheel lift especially to support the front air ride suspension with out having to chain the axle ends up for support. As mentioned you need a lot of extension with the wheel lift. I've got 155" of extension so I can wheel lift any coach out there. Knowing where your external air hook up point is would be a great help to a wrecker driver as it's almost impossible to know where they are all at, another huge help would be if you had a handful of the in expensive air chucks as there are several types of them out there and while wreckers strive to have them all just like in life some are more prepared than others while others have no business being sent out to help you make a bad situation worse If you ever see me out there you'll know it this is my 76 Flagship!

One of our trucks using the wheel lift application with a grader, not an RV.

[Dave1956]

Quick question...what is the airline referred to in this post? Is this the airline that many users have for inflating tires etc, or something else??

Thanks,

Dave

[JohnRR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave1956 Quick question...what is the airline referred to in this post? Is this the airline that many users have for inflating tires etc, or something else?? Thanks, Dave

Yes it connects to the air tanks in your vehicle, it can easily be the one you are referring to it just gives the ability to put air back into the system to release and keep the park brakes released as well as keep your air bags full if you have them.

Something similar to this

[Darrel]

Now you have made me curious. I have an air chuck in the generator compartment of my KSDP that I can use to add air to my tires. Is that suitable to maintain air for the suspension if a tow is neccessary?

On another note - my friend had to be towed two weeks ago. He followed the tow truck in his toad and was surprised that they went 70MPH for 132 miles. After arrival, it had bounced around enough to break the clothes rod in his closet and dumped all their clothes on the floor. Now I wonder if they maintained the suspension air for him??

Have a nice day - Darrel