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05-26-2009, 05:25

If the driveshaft is disconnected, then the transmission doesn't turn. No movement, no heat (retarder on or off).

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom/PeteMasterson#

On May 26, 2009, at 10:05 AM, joedana0502 wrote:

I'm not sure if the retarder was on or not. The second tow company pulled the bus for 150 miles with no transmission heat at all. The only thing he did that the other one didn't was to disconnect the drive shaft. Will the transmission heat up with the drive shaft disconnected and the retarder on ?

Joe Blankenship
1990 WB40
Panama City Beach Fl

--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "jburgessx2" wrote:

Steve - That certainly sounds more plausible and would explain the excessive heat for such a short distance.
Jerry
85 PT40
--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", Steve Pfiffner wrote:
I was wondering if somehow the retarder got turned on, three miles towed
fighting it would explain a lot of heat!
Steve
Wannabee
On 5/26/09, jburgessx2 wrote:
Two towing stories:
- I had a van stolen from my front yard a few years back. Some kids
decided to do some joyriding and then destroy the evidence by burning it
up. So, I had my van stolen and burned to the ground and the police found
it at 4:30 in the morning. They had it towed. I got a call from the police
in the morning with the report. I went to the towing company to find the
van completely burned to the ground with zero salvageable on it. The towing
company made me pay for the tow in the middle of the night and the storage
cost. My insurance didn't cover the cost (no steal then burn it up
insurance) so I had to foot the $250 bill - an insult to me. I wish I could
have found those kids.... and I had thought about taking retribution with
the towing company as well. One would think they wouldn't be liable when
someone comes to your property, steals your vehicle, burns it up and you
have to foot the entire bill - hardly seems fair...
- I had my Beaver (with Allison) towed twice without unhooking the drive
shaft with zero problems. Both drivers claimed there was no problem towing
an Allison for short distances at low speeds and they had done so on many
occasions. So, it seemed to work okay for me and the Beaver. I'm wondering
if there was some other issue involved with your Allison because I do
believe they get towed daily without disconnecting the drive shaft since
most drivers do it.
Jerry
85 PT40
--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "joedana0502"
wrote:
The cost seem very high to me also. As they explained it to me. It took
them 4 days just to get the transmission out. It had been in there for 17
years. They had to totally remove the bedroom. The bed, water tank, water
heater had to come out to get to a plate under the bed. The inside of the
transmission ran around $10,000 and the core was another $5,000 thats the
main ports and then labor.
This towing company has been in business for 15 years. The owner said he
tows this way all the time without any problems. This is why I was having so
much trouble getting him to pay (four weeks). Have you every tried to
collect from a tow company it's not something you want to do.
Joe Blankenship
1990 WB40
Panama City Beach Fl
--- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "bubblerboy64" wrote:
I'd be interested in knowing if the tow truck operator lost his job
over that one. Now you would think if this is UNIVERSAL to Alison
transmissions the fellow would know that. Mighty expensive mistake. On the
other hand. How in the world do you get $25,000 in a transmission. I know
stuff is expensive but that seems rather much. I would think $10,000 would
be more then enough. Perhaps some one can explain if there is explaining to
do. I too would be looking for personal expenses but know that it's likely
not going to happen.
John Heckman
1987 PT 36
Shippensburg Pa
I feel your pain. A couple of years ago the starter in my 94 went
flaky and
I was on a car ferry. Worried that I might not get the rig started I
called
Allison in Coburg Or and they said a wrecker could tow me very slowly
off
the ferry but no more than a couple of hundred feet. Given the risk I
am
glad I got it running and didn't need the tow. There was no way the
ferry
was going to wait while a wrecker did the disconnect. I hope you go
after
the towing company for all your out of pocket expenses.
2009/5/26 joedana0502
I have a 1990 WB40 that needed to be towed. The towing company
convinced me
that they didn't need to disconnect the drive line if we were going
a short
distance and if we left the engine idling. Well after 3 miles the
transmission was smoking like it was on fire. I then had another
towing
company tow the bus 150 miles to an Allison transmission repair
shop. Not
only were all the part inside burned up the core was also damaged
to the
point it had to be replaced. Total cost for this repair was
$25.000. This
was two months ago and I am still waiting to get it back. After a
lot work
the towing company is paying for the transmission, but I am still
staying in
motels and eating out which I am having to pay for. We are full
timers. A
word to the wise Allison told me they make NO automatic
transmission that
can be towed ANY distance without disconnecting the drive shaft
from Pickups
to buses and 18 wheelers. I hope this will save somebody else a lot
of
problems and expense.
Joe Blankenship
1990 WB40
Panama,Fl
--
Rob, Sue and Joey Robinson
94 WLWB
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