Towing Damage

[New RV Guy]

Towing Damage

Late Jan 2011 we were towed from Indio, California to Johnston Power Systems CAT in Riverside California. Our Air Conditioning compressor seized up and needed replacing.
Good Sam Emergency roadside service was called and they sent out Brothers Towing from Palm Springs. Tow damages are: Bolts on right axle, (replaced at CAT dealership), broken front left Velvac mirror housing (driver hit it with tow truck), punctured rock guard and damaged exhaust tip while he was backing up out of the CAT dealer compound.
Brothers towing has refused to pay for the damages so Good Sam Insurance has agreed to pay. Brothers towing will see no further business from Good Sam.
If you need to be towed be careful and get prepared now so you know what to do and how to handle such an unpleasant event.

2000 Triple E Empress, CAT 330 on a Freightliner Chassis

[JohnRR]

Out of curiosity what bolts on the rear axle were damaged and how?

Did you witness the damage being done?

On what grounds are Brothers Towing refusing to pay?

Last but not least do you have any pictures of the damage?

[New RV Guy]

Out of curiosity what bolts on the rear axle were damaged and how?
The Frieghtliner operaters manual states that the axle shaft must be removed before towing. I have gaskets and plates to cover the axle opening after axle removel. To remove you must strike the center of the axle with a large hammer to get it out. The Tow truck operater did that but missed the center and hit the bolts.


Did you witness the damage being done?
Yes

On what grounds are Brothers Towing refusing to pay?
They would not respond to my request for payment so Good Sam handled it for me. They have informed me that Brothers Towing will see no further towing calls from Good Sam Emergency Road Service.

Last but not least do you have any pictures of the damage?
Yes I do

[JohnRR]

It sounds like you have every thing you need to settle it in your favor. You would expect in a situation like this that Good Sam or any dispatch service would settle the claim with/for you ASAP then go after the tow company for reimbursement.

Good luck with it.

[Perry White]

Just for curiosity, Why did you have to have it towed if it was the AC comp? Does the belt run the waterpump too?

[Route 66]

Unfortunately, towing a Class A is a crap shoot.

Some have no damage, some have minor damage, some have major damage.

[wa8yxm]

I hope Good Sam's Insurance Company goes after Brother's towing.

Most tow companies have a "It's not our fault" clause or two they work into their tow agreements.

And most of those forms should be coiled into a roll perforated in squares and hung on the wall next to a special "Chair" most of us have in our RV's and Homes.. That way they would be worth something.

However it does take a lawyer to tear up the "Hold Harmless" and lawyers... Are often employeed by insurance companies.b

[dons2346]

Originally Posted by Perry White

Just for curiosity, Why did you have to have it towed if it was the AC comp? Does the belt run the waterpump too?

The airconditioner compressor is an axillary piece of equipment. It would be driven by its own belt and not combined with anything that is essential to keep the motor running ie. alternator, water pump.

[JohnRR]

I'm surprised they did not opt to cut the belt and have you drive it in! Towing any vehicle let alone a motor home is or should be a last resort option like already mentioned it's a "crap shoot" as you never know what can go wrong regardless of who tows it and how much care is taken with it.

Once the compressor seized up the belt was already trash in my mind.

[New RV Guy]

It sounds like you have every thing you need to settle it in your favor. You would expect in a situation like this that Good Sam or any dispatch service would settle the claim with/for you ASAP then go after the tow company for reimbursement.

Yes, they are settling my claim with me. They have also tried collecting from Bothers Towing with no success. The claim was for $1459.00. I think it is not large enough for further action so they have just told Brothers Towing that they will see no further work from Good Sam.

[New RV Guy]

I'm surprised they did not opt to cut the belt and have you drive it in! Towing any vehicle let alone a motor home is or should be a last resort option like already mentioned it's a "crap shoot" as you never know what can go wrong regardless of who tows it and how much care is taken with it.

I have a 3126B CAT and the belt drives the Radiator fan, Alternator, and the A/C Compressor. 62 miles was to far to go without cooling and the battery would probably not last that long.

Once the compressor seized up the belt was already trash in my mind

Yup, that is right. Dealer put on a new belt.

[New RV Guy]

The airconditioner compressor is an axillary piece of equipment. It would be driven by its own belt and not combined with anything that is essential to keep the motor running ie. alternator, water pump.

The belt on the 3126B CAT run's the alternator and the fan for the radiator. The water pump has it's own belt.

[New RV Guy]

I hope Good Sam's Insurance Company goes after Brother's towing.

Most tow companies have a "It's not our fault" clause or two they work into their tow agreements.

And most of those forms should be coiled into a roll perforated in squares and hung on the wall next to a special "Chair" most of us have in our RV's and Homes.. That way they would be worth something.

However it does take a lawyer to tear up the "Hold Harmless" and lawyers... Are often employeed by insurance companies.

They have tried and so have I, however, it cost more to go after them then it is worth. Total repair is $1459.00. They just will not use Brothers Towing again and neither will I.

[New RV Guy]

Originally Posted by Perry White

Just for curiosity, Why did you have to have it towed if it was the AC comp? Does the belt run the waterpump too?

No not the water pump but it does run the alternator and radiator fan.