Advice on how to tow a stuck 40' Safari

[StuckInYard]

10 years ago I backed my moms 40' Safari into her backyard very close to her house. Due to medical situations she has not driven or moved it since. It's sunk into the ground up to the back wheel wells.
She's sold her home and needs it moved ASAP. The living area slide is in the extended position and won't retract even though it's plugged in and has power.
I'm not sure why it won't retract. The coach is in bad shape from sitting so long so I don't know what to do.
I'm not sure who to call to get it towed or who can get the slide retracted before towing.
Are there companies that specialize in this type of situation?

With the motorhome so close to the house I feel it probably has to be wenched out until it gets past the house or it may hit the roof if lifted by a tow truck.
I really don't know what to do.
She wants it moved to a storage site and she will probably sell it for what she owes on it.

The back wheels are much more dug in than the front. See photo.

Any suggestions or company referrals?
I need help in Dallas, Texas

Thank you!

[Mr_D]

from WA State!

They will need to dig out the rear tires and pull it out. As you surmise, there may not be overhead clearance to use a tow truck. You will need to get the slide retracted before moving it more than just a few feet. There should be a method for emergency slide retraction.

[F4Gary]

Can you put the slide in manually? Not by pushing on it but by releasing the motordrive and wrenching it in. Should be instructions in the book, on the internet or from the manufacturer.

Does it have jacks? can you get something under them and jack the coach up some to get something under the tires to get the frame off the ground?

I'm sure a semi type tow truck can cable it out, just don't know what they will damage in the process.

[MisterT]

most any 'wrecker' service should be able to handle it, they've dealt with much worse

[StuckInYard]

I don't know how to retract it manually and have never seen anywhere I can do that. Would a towing company know how to do this?

[Mr_D]

Probably not. Find the owners manual, it may have instructions or some of the other members may have them.

[Kiawah]

10 years of non-use, will make the coach non road worthy (dry rotted tires, not legally inspected, frozen/rusted brakes, etc).

So it's going to need a heavy wrecker to pull it out and tow it to wherever it has to go, and they may even have to flatbed it out on a semi. It's probably 30K+ lbs.

[Rkesselus]

See if you can find a mobil RV repair person to get the slide in and then get a bonded wrecker service to get it out.

[rlchv70]

What year is it? What model? That will help us find the instructions for manually pulling the slide in. This needs to be done first.

Does it run? Check the oil. Check the air filter for debris. Add some good fuel to it. Charge the battery or jump it and try to start it. If it doesn't run, then have it towed.

Does it have jacks? If it runs and has jacks, put some boards under the jacks. The bigger and longer the better. This will keep the jacks from sinking into the ground. Raise the jacks as high as possible. Slide some boards under the tires. Lower the jacks. If necessary, repeat the process with blocks under the jacks to get it higher. Should be able to drive it out.

If it doesn't have jacks, but runs, you may be able to find air bags to raise the RV and then put boards under the tires. But you would probably have to buy those, so you might as well pay for a tow.

[twojayhawks]

The Continental model went from about 1993 to around 2000. I pray yours is not as old as it could be and not in the shape it might be. Worst case you might look to end the blood letting. Instead of spending the money to have a mobile RV tech, a heavy wrecker, storage facility move it & even then nothing has been repaired yet. Ask the buyers of moms house if they would like a FREE motorhome. Then have mom hold her nose & pay it off. Sounds crazy but it may be the least painful way forward.

[StuckInYard]

It's a 1997 Safari Continental M4040.

It doesn't start, entire bank of batteries are long dead. Generator not even turning over. Just went in it today and there's a buckle in the floor. It's in serious trouble.
The jacks are stuck. Don't know how to get them unstuck. They don't seem fully retracted but I can't tell because it's so low on the ground.
Maybe it's scrap at this point. I don't know. Just know I have to get it out of her yard or she won't be able to close on her house sale. Ugghhhh....

[powerboatr]

best guess without more pics....hire a heavy tow service and let them do the heavy lifting, I bet the bottom gear is in bad shape and rusted stuck, including the rear end full of water maybe.

[Wayne67vert]

Low retail is $18,800 if it runs and drives.

1997 Safari Continental Series M-4040 (425hp) Prices and Used Values | NADAguides

How much does she owe?

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Sorry I can't offer advice on your problem, other than getting a local towing company with a large tow truck to winch it out.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!