Great advice Readytow....I also printed out your reply to keep with me in the truck. Thanks!!
2009 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually D/A, Supersprings, Stable Loads, Bilstein Shocks, Hellwig Sway Bar, Front Timbrens.
2010 Arctic Fox 1140 DB, 220 watts solar, custom 4 in 1 "U" shaped dinette/couch, 59 interior and exterior mods to date and still adding
I have AAA and, they have told me they do not change inside tires on DRW pickups. I do not know if they will tow a pickup with a truck camper on or if the camper has to be off loaded. CoachNet will change any tire and, tow a pickup with a truck camper on and, provides an RV technician to diagnose a problem but the customer pays for parts and labor to resolve the problem.
Just joined CoachNet for one year as we'll be away the entire summer. Peace of mind is worth a hundred bucks.
First thing after getting safely off the road, is to check for cell reception so I know if I've got backup, or am on my own. Next is to figure out if I can handle it with the skills I've got and resources that I'm carrying. If needed, I can make a phone call for instructions & advice to a friend who's a dam' fine mechanic. Final fall back is to call my insurance company's road service, get comfortable, and wait. So far, I've had to use this strategy once, down to calling the friend. Knock on wood (taps self on side of head).
Jim, "Beer is now cheaper than gas. Drink, don't drive."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
We have AAA RV coverage. When we broke down, first we found a Ford dealer that could fix the diesel without waiting 2 or 3 weeks. AAA sent a huge wheel lift tow truck, the driver disconnected the drive shaft (we have 4 wheel drive, but didn't need to disconnect the front drive since it was a front wheel lift), towed us to a RV park where we dropped the camper (pretty impressive watching the tow truck operator back us into the site, then pull the truck from under the camper), and then brought us to the Ford dealer. Took pretty much all day, and a couple of days for the repair. Rented a car in the meantime. RV park owner and Ford service writer were great.
Northeast PA
Ford F350 (2008 XLT CC LWB 6.4L Diesel 4x4 ESOF 3.73 DRW 17"A/S)
Host Yukon, Single Slideout, Tent Option, Solar, 2-way Fridge, AGM.
That was a lot of very good information. I have never been towed, did not know about the drive-line being disconnected. How do they do that?
Also what if you have 4-wheel drive.
I printed out your comment and i will kept it with my Good Sams ERS card
Again Thanks
Gulfman
On a 4WD, since the front tires are being lifted, and the back tires are on the ground, pulling the driveline is only needed to the back axle. The front tires will not be spinning on the ground. As far as how they do that, basically we secure the disable vehicle to the tow truck. Put the disabled truck in neutral, and crawl underneath, to the back axle. Remove the bolts holding the driveshaft to the rear axle, using duct tape, tape the u-joint caps at the rear of the driveline so they don't fall off and lose the needle bearings in there. Then using a ratchet strap, strap the driveline to the truck frame, up and out of the way. Do NOT remove the driveline from the transmission! On a single piece driveline, this will cause transmission fluid/gear oil to spill out. On a 2 piece driveline, it can cause the grease to fall out of the driveline slip yoke. Put the bolts and caps you removed in the disabled vehicle. Preferably in a zip-loc bag to keep everything together. (We started doing that after a driver left with the customers caps and bolts!) The reason you put the disable vehicle in neutral, is sometime you have to rotate the driveline to get to some of the bolts, putting the disable transmission in neutral, allows you to move the disabled truck front or rear a couple inches with the tow truck, to get to the bolts. When you arrive at the repair shop, or destination, remove the duct tape off the driveline, and re-install it using the caps and bolts you put in the zip-loc bag in the disabled unit. Again, at least with AAA, this driveline removal and re-install is covered in the RV service plans. Please bear in mind, there are many motor clubs out there, find the one that best suits your needs, and pocket book. And will give you the proper coverage for the unit you are driving or towing.
* This post was
edited 05/08/12 07:59pm by readytow *
rumcoke wrote: I have AAA and, they have told me they do not change inside tires on DRW pickups. I do not know if they will tow a pickup with a truck camper on or if the camper has to be off loaded.
Remember, with AAA there are different "levels" of RV coverage. We have changed several inside dually tires for customers, as well as towed trucks with the campers attached. Check the coverage for the limitations.
I break out the toolbag and fix it!! If I need parts I take the scooter off the front rack and go get them.
Most of the repairs are minor because my Cummins has never let me down.
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