Towing a Workhorse UFO

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi,

My coach is at big foot having the jacks replaced so cannot access my manuals.

If I need to get my coach towed is there specific towing instructions in the workhorse manual? Does it mention about disconnecting the drive shaft.

Thanks,

[Skip426]

To avoid transmission damage , towing companies should disconnect the drive shaft, if towing with rear wheels turning . If moving on a flat deck trailer then they will leave it connected.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks,

Is there instructions I would need to give to the tow operator?

[tderonne]

You must not have towed it to get the ABS ECU fixed then? Or are you just doing it now?

2008 UFO Owner Manual says (page 91) it can be towed 50 miles at 35 MPH, but doesn't mention removing the driveshaft.

[Unicorn Driver]

I got a mechanic to come out on Generals dime. It was a loose cable on the brake contoll unit and it locked down the coach.

[tderonne]

Nice! Sounds like General (West Branch, right?) has been very good to you. Good to hear.

[Unicorn Driver]

They have been very good to me, they are paying for new jacks and steps this week. It was Birch Run I got it.

[AKIQPilot]

Not exactly the same but here is my recent experience.

I had to have my W24 (non UFO of course) coach towed just last week. I had a fuel system issue and the coach could not be run. I broke down on I 40 about 60 miles West of Flagstaff AZ. I called AAA and got the tow truck dispatched. While waiting on the tow truck I grabbed my 12pt 3/8" end wrench and headed under to break loose the bolts holding the u-bolt straps to the yoke.

I was unsure whether the tow truck driver would have to tools or knowledge to remove the drive shaft so I wanted to be prepared when he showed up. When the tow truck driver showed up we had a brief discussion about disconnecting and removing the driveshaft. He already knew the driveshaft had to come out and he had the tools to do it. While the driver was connecting to my RV I jumped back under the coach and removed the driveshaft. 20 minutes later we were on our way. During our drive to the shop the driver said he has dozens and dozens of RV's and Allison equipped and Automatic Transmission vehicles on the hook every year. He said he couldn't imagine a large tow truck driver not knowing about and being prepared to remove the driveshaft when necessary. He said he wouldn't tow an Allison equipped vehicle any distance what so ever without removing the shaft. A few hundred feet, maybe. A quarter of a mile, no way.

So, from my recent experience I think that most tow truck operators are very prepared to remove the driveshaft before towing. Even the AAA operator asked if my coach had an automatic transmission that would need the driveshaft removed.

[Unicorn Driver]

Hi Tom,

Sorry to hear you broke down, hope the fix was not too expensive and resolved quickly.

Thats great to hear what your Tow truck driver mentioned.

[UFO Pilot]

I believe I sent you this link before. I carry copies with me in the RV.
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/relea...sis-58737.html


Remove of the drive shaft and release of the parking brake are both required.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thanks Wayne,

I will print that out.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Driver

Hi Tom,

Sorry to hear you broke down, hope the fix was not too expensive and resolved quickly.

Thats great to hear what your Tow truck driver mentioned.

Well, not terribly expensive but slightly embarrassing.

To make a long story short. Back in March I decided to change out the hyd hoses for the rear slide out (very slight hyd drip on the ground). To get the hoses out I had to drop the fuel tank. Not having the proper jack for dropping the tank I hired a mobile mechanic. Mobile mech and I dropped the tank and replaced the hoses. 3hrs and $1200 later the hoses were all better than new. Put the coach in storage 2 days later and flew home to Alaska for 2 months.

June 12 we jump back in the Moho and leave Vegas headed on a 2 week trip with the grandkids to the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Moab and back to Vegas. We are headed East on I40 about 60 miles from Flagstaff. I40 East is pretty rough. Hit a nasty bridge expansion. motorhome shook but not nearly as much as the truck and camper in front of me. Seconds later I smell fuel and think "wow, that guy has a problem". A few more seconds and everyone in my coach smells gasoline.

I immediately stopped and jumped out and see fuel pouring out from the top side of my fuel tank. I got everyone out and grabbed the extinguishers. The fuel quickly stops pouring on the ground. I knew we were dead in the water so I called AAA. I knew that the mobile mech and I must have made a mistake when reinstalling the fuel tank.

Towed to a shop in Williams. Shop owner and I dropped the tank and found the nipple coming out of the tank supplying the generator had snapped off. The pressure on the tank was squirting fuel from the generator pick up fitting. Turns out when the first mechanic and I reinstalled the fuel tank we moved the tank 1/2" forward in the saddle straps and when I hit the bridge expansion the tank compressed upward and the generator supply nipple smacked a cross member on the frame instantly breaking it off.

Williams AZ mechanic and I turned the gen supply nipple 180* so that it was way clear of the cross member. We reinstalled the tank in the proper location and everything was good. The whole job took 45 minutes even with 60 gallons of fuel in the tank. Williams AZ mechanic said $100 and I gave him $150 because he dropped everything and jumped right on my rig.

So I got off super cheap. Could have been a complete disaster.

[Unicorn Driver]

Thats a crazy story.

Well done for taking a job on like that. I can just about air up the tires and read fault codes on my acan gauge :-)

Glad it all worked out.

[olskool4x4]

I you go to the 3.15 min location on the youtube video you will see how to release the SAHR.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVdycOiDWWk&t=342s