Towed 50miles without disconnecting driveshaft

[joestewart]

Hello, Sorry if this subject has been hashed over before. I am looking at a 1995 Itasca Suncruiser with the 5.9 liter diesel engine and 6 speed Allison. I have discovered that the seller had this motor home towed about 50 miles to its current location. I suspect that they never disconnected the driveshaft or removed the rear axle shafts. Any opinions as to whether or not this action was harmful to the tranny? Sorry if this has been covered before! J.Stewart

[Route 66]

I suggest calling Allison.

1-800-252-5ATD or 1-800-252-5283

[joestewart]

Thanks, I just called them. Doesn't sound good. They said that they don't even recommend pushing the non-running RV to the side of the road without disconnecting the driveshaft/removing axle shafts. If the motor is not running, there's no lube to the various internal transmission components. I will have to query the seller on this issue. Thanks for the response. J. Stewart

[Mike Canter]

I don't think you will hurt a transmission by pushing it to the side of the road. I would never tow one 50 miles with the diveshaft connected. Why would somebody do that. There are all kinds of warnings in the manuals that come with the MH about not doing that. I would not buy that MH unless he rebuilt the transmission and it would have to be by an authorised Allison Transmission rebuilder like W.W Williams

[Dave and Jaime]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Canter I don't think you will hurt a transmission by pushing it to the side of the road. I would never tow one 50 miles with the diveshaft connected. Why would somebody do that. There are all kinds of warnings in the manuals that come with the MH about not doing that. I would not buy that MH unless he rebuilt the transmission and it would have to be by an authorised Allison Transmission rebuilder like W.W Williams

Or figure out what you might have offered if the MH had not been improperly towed. Get a quote for Allison tranny rebuild and subtract from what you would have paid.

[allisontec]

After being towed for fifty miles I don't think you want to pay for a rebuild.You may as well get a Reman Transmission.

[wagonmaster2]

I've always wondered why Allison transmissions are so critical about being towed, or even moved, any distance at all if the engine is not running. Surely all the lubrication doesn't drain off the parts immediately when the engine stops. I was always told that GM automatic transmissions could be towed 30-40 miles without any damage if the speed was kept below 30 MPH. Maybe that was all wrong too. Anyway I'd definitely not let anyone tow my MH without disconnecting the driveshaft.

Wagonmaster2

[allisontec]

All three planetaries plus ring gears,sunshafts are located in the rear half of the transmission.Just imagine all the damage being done while these parts are being turned at high speed by the output shaft with no lubrication. I have seen the damage it causes,belive me it is pure carnage.Bearings will sieze,gears will lock up and lots of times you can't even get these transmissions apart.
The GM transmissions that could be towed were the old Power Glide units that had output driven oil pumps.

[wagonmaster2]

Thanks Allisontec, that helps me understand the transmission much better and will certainly assist me in explaining to some wrecker driver who might insist on a short haul without unhooking the drive shaft.

Wagonmaster2