Community Forums

bpu699 · 04-18-2021, 05:53 PM

I’m surprised these things don’t seem to have tow hitch points anywhere???

Front tow point seems to be the front axle if it’s solid... and if it’s not?

Rear is subframe hold up tow bar... but is that strong enough to support a massive tow truck winch applying 30,000 pounds of force???

Seems pretty easy to risk damage getting towed out of anything?

Mr_D · 04-18-2021, 05:55 PM

Very possible. Got towed out of a friend's sideyard. $4,500 in damage to the IFS axle directly due to improper towing. I ended up paying the whole cost as the towing co said they towed according to industry standards. Which is true for a beam axle but not IFS.
Steering wheel immediately after towing, it was straight before. The tow stretched one pivot point and shop had to fabricate a larger bolt.
The older CC's actually came with a bolt together "A" frame to tow with. You had to remove the front cover off the generator and bolt the "A" frame together and to the frame.

bpu699 · 04-18-2021, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Right, got towed out of a friend's sideyard. $4,500 in damage to the IFS axle directly due to improper towing. I ended up paying the whole cost as the towing co said they towed according to industry standards. Which is true for a beam axle but not IFS.
Steering wheel immediately after towing, it was straight before. The tow stretched one pivot point and shop had to fabricate a larger bolt.
The older CC's actually came with a bolt together "A" frame to tow with. You had to remove the front cover off the generator and bolt the "A" frame together and to the frame.

But isn’t that a silly design? Did they really never consider the need to tow?!

twinboat · 04-18-2021, 06:11 PM

Its never 30,000 lbs, your not picking the RV up by a tow point. Your sliding it along.

Don't underestimate the strength of a few well placed bolts, there are some pretty heavy tow-behind trailers being pulled by a single, 1 inch shank, ball.

Mr_D · 04-18-2021, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpu699

But isn’t that a silly design? Did they really never consider the need to tow?!

I'm not sure what your question is. It was supplied by CC and designed to tow the MH all down.

bpu699 · 04-18-2021, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I'm not sure what your question is. It was supplied by CC and designed to tow the MH all down.

I was trying to say it’s odd that class A RV’s don’t have a tow point in front...

Next time you need a tow, what are you going to ask the tow guy to attach to assuming it’s in front?

chuckftboy · 04-18-2021, 06:53 PM

With a proper tow truck the ISF can be towed without damage. Lifting is done under the wheels since there is no straight axel.

lllkrob · 04-18-2021, 08:36 PM

All class A coaches be they gas or diesel, independent or straight front axle are to be towed by lifting the coach by the front wheels, not anywhere on the frame. If the towing company tries to tow it a different way, tell them leave your coach alone and you will get someone who knows how to tow it properly.

Ray,IN · 04-18-2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckftboy

With a proper tow truck the ISF can be towed without damage. Lifting is done under the wheels since there is no straight axel.

Spartan MM chassis uses a Reyco-Granning(pg 9) IFS front end. It has designated tow points in the center frame structure.

Last year when we had to be towed 70 miles to Cummins Great Plains towing was accomplished exactly as you stated.

153stars · 04-19-2021, 01:47 AM

I think winching / recovery "what's the proper term?" What to attach winch/ strap to . Is being mixed with actual towing.

Sweetbriar · 04-19-2021, 05:19 AM

When I need my rig towed (F53 chassis) the front was lifted at the leaf spring shackles and the drive shaft was disconnected at the rear axle universal joint. Not sure how it might be possible to safely lift rear of a gas coach particularly with frame extension may house builders add.

Sandy12 · 04-19-2021, 05:46 AM

Between “winch” and “ towed out of anything” I figured out the question was about being pulled out when stuck. Husband said hitch on the back and a wooden block on the front to force the cable down below the front cap at a spring hanger, whatever that means.

Teamfoxy · 04-19-2021, 06:34 AM

When we were towed, the tow truck had a rig that went around the front tires and lifted them off the ground. The tires were then harnessed like on a tow dolly. Then the operator disconnected the drive shaft for the tow.

The one time we sunk our rear wheels, we slid blocks under the rear jacks and lifted the coach to pack wood and rocks under the wheels. We had to go back and forth between putting more blocks under the jacks, lifting some more and puttin more under the wheels. I would never try to tow out of a situation like that.

bpu699 · 04-19-2021, 07:03 AM

On a real tow, I agree lifting the front wheels with a huge tow rig is the way to go...

If you get stuck, tow company sends out a little tow truck... they cant lift the front wheels...

With a solid front axle, they attached to that and pulled it out... seems that exerts the same forces on the frame/suspension as attaching to the wheels...