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Coach towing

Yahoo Message Number: 77081
We need to have our coach towed and am currently sitting beside the road waiting for coach net towing service to show up. I noticed that their is a sticker inside my engine bay that says the ignition key needs to be left on in order for air system to work. I am just wondering if there is anything else I need to be aware off in order to have the coach towed. FMCA coach net has dispatched a tow service truck.
Coach is a 2008 Inspire Founders Edition, tag axel and a cummins 425.

2008 Inpire FE
#52159

Re: Coach towing

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77082
Larry, assuming its a tow, not flat bed truck . . . the drive shaft needs to come off, probably mud flap too.

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Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Coach towing

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77084
Also, I'd guess you'll have disconnected your toad. The tow bar probably too, for rear ground clearance. Also secure all interior items that could slide around, given the angle. You might turn off your frig, especially if its not a residential model, during the tow time.

Lee

Re: Coach towing

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77085
OK - good information. I am not sure what they are sending to tow the coach with but coach net seemed to understand the situation.

Re: Coach towing

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77086
Good luck Larry, tomorrow will look better! Been there twice with front tire blowouts.

Lee

Re: Coach towing

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77087
Larry,

I had Coach Net tow my coach in July just outside of Cleveland. They are very good in understanding what you will need to do. Just ask as many questions you can think of. They are very helpful. My tow went without any hair raising. I did take all kinds of pictures as they were hooking up the coach, after it was hooked up and while it was being towed from our toad. I do not have the air leveling system, however, the tow truck driver hooked up his truck system to my coach to keep air suspension bags inflated. Be sure you use anything you can to protect the sides of your coach and where they hang their tail light attachment. I did get several small scratches from the light bar on the back.

Wish you luck,

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Coach towing

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77090
On my Allure you need to remove the driveshaft and mud flap.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coach towing

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77093
I have read on other forums, probably this one to, that the tow driver should mark the driveline so it can go back on the way it was taken off. I don't know that for a fact, just what I've read.

Dan 06 Intrigue 11936

Re: Coach towing

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77094
That is correct Dan, the drive shaft is asymmetric. If you don't get it right . . . it vibrates.

Lee
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Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: Coach towing

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77096
Well, the tow truck finally showed up and successfully towed us to the Freight liner dealer here in Corpus Christie. All went well and all the advice really helped out. One thing that helped me is that I have a hydralift motorcycle lift on the back and the tow driver was able to attach his lights there. We did tape some rags along the cable that he ran along the left side to help protect the paint - it seems to have worked. I was able to tie up the mud flap to the hydralift using some adjustable nylon straps and we did not have to completely remove. I don't believe he marked the driveshaft though and Freightliner said they were going to reinstall it anyway. I will ask them about the balance situation tomorrow.
The reason for the tow is that the serpentine belt broke and since the belt is not that old, it appears the AC compressor froze up. Coach Net recommended they we have it towed just too be safe. I did not realize that if coach net had sent out a mobile service truck and changed the belt and if that did not fix the problem, I would then be responsible for any tow fees. Seems like you get either a tow or a mobile service truck but not both for any one incidence.

Again thanks for everyone's advice.

Re: Coach towing

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77108
Larry,

You are correct that with most ERS policies you either get a service truck or a tow, but not both. Last year our Intrigue shut down just outside of Bakersfield. We called the local Cat service center and our Good Sam ERS rep. The Cat shop strongly suggested that we not allow the Good Sam towing company to tow our coach, as they have seen many severely damaged motorhomes having been towed by this company.
Since the Cat shut down for no apparent reason we concluded that it was likely a simple issue and opted for the service truck. Some old phart in a beat-up service truck came out, had no diagnostic equipment and had no idea where to begin. We sent him home and called the tow company recommended by the Cat center. They were great, did a very professional tow, re-installed the drive line and charged us $1,000. We are going back to Coach Net.
PS: the problem was a $1 blown fuse in the box under the driver's seat.

DBradley

04 Intrigue #11830

Re: Coach towing

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77114
Larry

Let us know how it went and what type of equipment they sent out.

Dave aka Billy Byte (trusty hound) 2000 Allure #30443



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Re: Coach towing

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 77115
The tow ended up being successfull although coach net had to dispatch a second towing company as the first one never showed up. In total we waited about 5 hours to get a tow truck which was not that bad but it did make us late getting to the repair facility which was then closed.
The truck they sent out was one of those big tow trucks with the large beams that go up under the coach and hook up to the front tires. The only almost mishap was with the front steps. My coach has the double fold down type of steps and they where out when he went to back the beam under the coach and if we had not stopped him in time, he would have taken the steps out. Once we folded the steps up he had plenty of room to back under the coach.
We tried to follow everyones advice and the tow ended up being uneventful although it was bit unnerving to follow your coach going down the freeway at 75mph being towed.
The only thing that I was still not clear on was the air hookup. The coach instructions said to just leave the key on, which we did and they did not hook up a air line to it. Maybe it has something to do with the air leveling that the coach has? Anyway, it worked ok.
Thanks to everyone for the good advice that ended up in a successfull tow, although I hope we don't have to do again. Now we just have to wait to get parts so they can complete the repair - AC compressor froze up cause the belt to break.