Have You Had Your MH Towed ?

[hoakken]

I’ve never needed a tow yet but wonder how a long class c can be towed. If from the front the long overhang (my Gulfstream is 32’6”) would hit before front was lifted far and I would have serious concerns about trying to lift from the rear with the long overhang . I thought a large rollback truck but still the rear would hit before the rear wheels hit the ramp. If you have had a long unit towed please tell me how it was done - inquiring minds want to know!

[luvlabs]

Generally MHs are towed from the front - even the big class As. Just make sure that the driver disconnects the drive shaft before you start rolling.

[jacwjames]

Had my 31' Class C towed, they did it from the front. I was a little concerned about the back hitting but it did OK.

[Teamfoxy]

Ours was towed from the front. They had a lift with arms that went around the front wheels. The operator did disconnect the drive shaft and used the lift to raise it high enough to do so. I think this picture was taken while he was doing that and that the front may have been lower in transit. But probably not much lower. At any rate, a longer MH would also have a longer wheelbase than we do so I doubt the rear would be closer to the ground.
FWIT, the tow was about 70 miles and the tow truck was an F-650 with a Powerstroke diesel.

[Unicorn Driver]

Twice I thought I would have to get it towed (same issue). First time I was able to get a mobile mechanic to come out and second time I got it moving myself and drove it to the shop.

[twinboat]

I had a 2000, 30 ft, Gulfstream.

Although most long class Cs taper up in the rear, this one was straight back.

It had drag shoes on the rear that hit going in and out of almost every gas station.

You could never tow it from the rear with the 13 ft overhang. The chassis extensions would probably fail and wrinkle the sidewalls.

Didn't need it towed but to tow it they would only be able to lift the front a very few inches before the rear dragged.

[Ron Dittmer]

On an E350 or E450, is there a recommended towing distance before disconnecting the drive shaft? Why isn't putting the transmission in neutral enough? My 2007 owner's manual does not mention removing the drive shaft during a tow. It only says to use a flat bed or front wheel grabbing tow truck. Not a tow truck with a sling.

[avfordguy]

If you dont remove driveshaft,transmission damage occurs, due to front pump on trans is not turning,no lubrication,you have to remove the driveshaft for any distance.

[nothermark]

Depending where you are they may choose to flat bed it. The issue is overall height. Some places have better clearances than others.

[Ron Dittmer]

Originally Posted by avfordguy

If you dont remove driveshaft,transmission damage occurs, due to front pump on trans is not turning,no lubrication,you have to remove the driveshaft for any distance.

I wonder why there is no mention of it in the owners manual. Maybe it does not apply to TorqShift model year 2007.

[CharlesinGA]

Kinda long, but here is a vid on towing a large Class A. The tow truck is using a Landoll Traveling Axle Trailer. The axle carriage of the trailer slides forward under the trailer and the at the same time, the front tips up, making for a very shallow angle for loading. Excellent for forklifts, man lifts, motor homes, etc.

You tube video...........
Vacation Ruined! Towing A 40 Ft Diesel Pusher!

http://landoll.com/home/products/tra...ers/model-317/

Scroll to the bottom to see a video on how the trailer operates. Every towing company that moves large vehicles should be using this.

Charles

[Beau388]

From the 2016 Owners manual for the F-53 stripped chassis


:TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
Emergency Towing
WARNING
If your vehicle has a steering wheel
lock make sure the ignition is in the
accessory or on position when being
towed.
If your vehicle becomes inoperable
(without access to wheel dollies,
car-hauling trailer, or flatbed transport
vehicle), it can be flat-towed (all wheels
on the ground, regardless of the powertrain
and transmission configuration) under the
following conditions:
•
Your vehicle is facing forward for
towing in a forward direction.
•
Place the transmission in position
N
. If
you cannot move the transmission into
N
, you may need to override it.
•
Maximum speed is 35 mph (56 km/h).
•
Maximum distance is
50 mi (80km).

[garym114]

Originally Posted by Ron Dittmer

I wonder why there is no mention of it in the owners manual. Maybe it does not apply to TorqShift model year 2007.

It would be in the owners manual for the F53 chassis.
I have had my 2000 F53 towed, lifted the front and towed from there, removed a section of the drive shaft. No problems with rear dragging.

[doublechevy]

been towed 6 times, 3 times with a 38' class A and 3 times with a 42' class A the last time towed the 42' with a 22' enclosed trailer still attached only one time did they break on of the mirrors when backing it up.
always towed from the front