Questions about towing

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Pghdave

Member
Apr 10, 2022
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I am supposed to have my new 26 foot 1973 brought to Pittsburgh Wednesday.
I thought I had a flat bed arranged today towing company said they were towing with a tow truck.
I know flat bed is the best way to go and I know I want it home so I will ask what I should do.
The rv has good tires and new air bags and the service manual says you can tow.
It is about 150 miles and previous owner says this could cause frame damage.
With a proper tow truck would this be a danger?
I really was trying for flat bed but I’m sure these have been towed before probably just looking for others input.
If rear is high enough could it hurt anything else?
I am still trying to get trailer just want to hear other opinions was wanting it here Wednesday.

Thanks Dave
 
Pghdave said:
I am supposed to have my new 26 foot 1973 brought to Pittsburgh Wednesday.
I thought I had a flat bed arranged today towing company said they were towing with a tow truck.
I know flat bed is the best way to go and I know I want it home so I will ask what I should do.
The rv has good tires and new air bags and the service manual says you can tow.
It is about 150 miles and previous owner says this could cause frame damage.
With a proper tow truck would this be a danger?
I really was trying for flat bed but I’m sure these have been towed before probably just looking for others input.
If rear is high enough could it hurt anything else?
I am still trying to get trailer just want to hear other opinions was wanting it here Wednesday.

Thanks Dave
Click to expand...
If the tires stay inflated and bearings still spin. No worries. Get the air up on the bags so bumper and holding tank dont hit ground.

I would not be worried about frame damage at all if they use a wheel lift wrecker.
 
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Dave,
Make it very clear to the towing company that the truck HAS to be a 4500# capable WHEEL Lift. Nothing less will do and someone will have to air up the airsprings to about as high as they can go or the taildrag will do damage.
A 26 coach can actually go up on a BIG roll back safely. Unfortunately, I do not recall how long it has to be. The operator still has to be careful to not break off the dump plumbing or the exhaust system.
You could call around more and see if you can find a Landol. You might contact Coachnet and see if they know of a more or less local company with that equipment.
Matt
 
Pghdave said:
I am supposed to have my new 26 foot 1973 brought to Pittsburgh Wednesday.
I thought I had a flat bed arranged today towing company said they were towing with a tow truck.
I know flat bed is the best way to go and I know I want it home so I will ask what I should do.
The rv has good tires and new air bags and the service manual says you can tow.
It is about 150 miles and previous owner says this could cause frame damage.
With a proper tow truck would this be a danger?
I really was trying for flat bed but I’m sure these have been towed before probably just looking for others input.
If rear is high enough could it hurt anything else?
I am still trying to get trailer just want to hear other opinions was wanting it here Wednesday.

Thanks Dave
Click to expand...
With the new wheel lift wreckers, towing is not a problem. Just make sure the rear is as high as possible and stays that way. Tell the operators the consequences of dragging the rear so they'll keep the front as low as possible.
Should be no problem.
 
CEF845B8-8A86-4A2C-952F-29AE452A166F.webpWell did not go quite as planned previous owner said put new wheel bearings on and tow arrived hooked up and I found out the hard way no cotter pins on wheel bearing nots 3 hours on side of road after tire flew off. Got wheel on got 20 miles to a safe place wheel came off at exit but was watching. Babied into a parking spot.
Was out yesterday with new nuts wheel bearings and races.
Got the wheels fixed and am going to have trailered home on Tuesday.
One spindle will need replaced but would handle trip if needed had to retread two spindles.
One wheel had two outer rCes on bearing what a mess.
Blame myself for not checking but it will be home Tuesday.
 
Man…. That is new ownership bad luck!!

These gmc’s have an unbelievable detailed maintenance manual. Sucks when people do not follow that….

Sounds like luck was somewhat on your side as no one hurt and minimal damage consitering the situation.

Spindles are tough. Buy some Kroil and start spraying. Getting the old
One off can be a real challenge. Some use air hammer. And many make their own press. Rarely come out easy.
 
The tire went across 4 lanes of a busy highway not a car in its path. I was lucky it took over 15 minutes to get a break in traffic jus to get across highway and get tire. I am very lucky no one was hurt. Not a cheap lesson but the coach did not sustain much damage so I’ll fix when in Pittsburgh.
 
I'm sorry to hear about your misfortune, but I'm glad it turned out OK. I hate losing a wheel on the freeway--it's a scary thought.

For your wheel seal, have you checked this list already?
2022-04-24_15-08.webp
 
Thank you
That list is how I got 3 nuts and 2 washers from a gm dealer and bearings and races from Napa but they cold not cross wheel seals so they are on my list to find. I found new and used spindles and I have to get all the brake hardware for wheel that flew off the wheel decided to remove everything except wheel cylinder and emergency brake steel shoe.
It should be here Tuesday then I’ll tear into it properly.
It was not pleasant mounting wheel on side of highway but I got it done luckily tow truck driver found nut on highway so I was able to put together enough to get it 20 miles to truck stop.
 
Also going to replace all the lug bolts 2 snapped while tightening I think they were over torqued. I was using the gm lug wrench and 2 broke so they are getting replaced also.
The wheel without center cap is one that flew off.
The other is one that had 2 outside races in one drum. I knew it was not right because nut would not go in far enough.
 
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