Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

[Wayne Kotila]

You don't need to remove the generator crossbar if the tow truck has the long extension forks to put on the lift, I had my PT40 towed this way and the guy had different length extension forks to exend from the lift arms up to the front axle, thisallowed him to stay clear of the generator crossbar.

Wayne PT40

---

From: jburgessx2
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 9:07:48 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

Scott,

Thanks. Seems like the opinions vary a great deal. I thought it
would be important to know this just in case. And, knowing I need to
remove the crossbar is important as well. I assume removing the
crossbar isn't going to allow the tow gear from crushing the
generator.

Jerry
85 PT40
Port Hueneme, CA

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Scott Forman"
<scottforman75@ ...> wrote:
>
> Jerry,
>
> Had my PT towed about 18 months ago. It requires removing the
> driveshaft and, of course, an air line to the brakes to keep the
> parking brakes released.
>
> Another tip...the crossbar that crosses under the generator
> compartment needs to be removed or it will be bent by the boom for
> the wheel
lift. When I got my coach, this crossmember was bowed
up,
> and I always wondered why. I figured it out when I had the tow and
> saw the lift boom slide right into that "nook". It creates no
problem
> to have it bent, but removing it is probably the right way to go.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "jburgessx2"
> wrote:
> >
> > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper way
to
> tow
> > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be nice
> to
> > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead.
And,
> > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and

> they
> > are wrong.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Jerry
> > 85 PT40
> > Port Hueneme, CA
> >
>

[Jack & Donna Smith]

Some may be aware of the big problem in towing these coaches...
When I call for a tow, I strongly state, "This is a 31' Wanderlodge,
a big, heavy coach. The front axel is some 5' behind the front
bumper. The weight is over 30,000#. We need a BIG tow rig".
So when the tow truck finally does arrive, the driver looks at the
Bluebird, and says, "Gee, I should of brought our big truck"!
Go figure......
Jack Smith
1973FC31

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jburgessx2"
wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> Thanks. Seems like the opinions vary a great deal. I thought it
> would be important to know this just in case. And, knowing I need
to
> remove the crossbar is important as well. I assume removing the
> crossbar isn't going to allow the tow gear from crushing the
> generator.
>
> Jerry
> 85 PT40
> Port Hueneme, CA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman"
> <scottforman75@> wrote:
> >
> > Jerry,
> >
> > Had my PT towed about 18 months ago. It requires removing the
> > driveshaft and, of course, an air line to the brakes to keep the
> > parking brakes released.
> >
> > Another tip...the crossbar that crosses under the generator
> > compartment needs to be removed or it will be bent by the boom
for
> > the wheel lift. When I got my coach, this crossmember was bowed
> up,
> > and I always wondered why. I figured it out when I had the tow
and
> > saw the lift boom slide right into that "nook". It creates no
> problem
> > to have it bent, but removing it is probably the right way to go.
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "jburgessx2"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper
way
> to
> > tow
> > > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be
nice
> > to
> > > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead.
> And,
> > > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and
> > they
> > > are wrong.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Jerry
> > > 85 PT40
> > > Port Hueneme, CA
> > >
> >
>

[jburgessx2]

Wayne,

Thanks! Appreciate the info.

Jerry
85 PT40
Port Hueneme, CA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Wayne Kotila
wrote:
>
> You don't need to remove the generator crossbar if the tow truck
has the long extension forks to put on the lift, I had my PT40 towed
this way and the guy had different length extension forks to exend
from the lift arms up to the front axle, this allowed him to stay
clear of the generator crossbar..
> Wayne PT40
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: jburgessx2
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 9:07:48 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge
>
>
> Scott,
>
> Thanks. Seems like the opinions vary a great deal. I thought it
> would be important to know this just in case. And, knowing I need
to
> remove the crossbar is important as well. I assume removing the
> crossbar isn't going to allow the tow gear from crushing the
> generator.
>
> Jerry
> 85 PT40
> Port Hueneme, CA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Scott Forman"
> <scottforman75@ ....> wrote:
> >
> > Jerry,
> >
> > Had my PT towed about 18 months ago. It requires removing the
> > driveshaft and, of course, an air line to the brakes to keep the
> > parking brakes released.
> >
> > Another tip...the crossbar that crosses under the generator
> > compartment needs to be removed or it will be bent by the boom
for
> > the wheel lift. When I got my coach, this crossmember was bowed
> up,
> > and I always wondered why. I figured it out when I had the tow
and
> > saw the lift boom slide right into that "nook". It creates no
> problem
> > to have it bent, but removing it is probably the right way to go.
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "jburgessx2"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper
way
> to
> > tow
> > > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be
nice
> > to
> > > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead.
> And,
> > > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and
> > they
> > > are wrong.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Jerry
> > > 85 PT40
> > > Port Hueneme, CA
> > >
> >
>

[Wayne Kotila]

I forgot to mention and remembered when someone else commented about airing up the system to release the drive axle brakes, you can just release the back brakes by popping the little plastic covers of the round air brake pods. One one each side of axle, and thru the hole the plastic cover was in you can back off the brakes, this way you don't need to air up the system.

Wayne

---

From: jburgessx2
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2009 1:23:07 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

Wayne,

Thanks! Appreciate the info.

Jerry
85 PT40
Port Hueneme, CA

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Wayne Kotila
wrote:
>
> You don't need to remove the generator crossbar if the tow truck
has the long extension forks to put on the lift, I had my PT40 towed
this way and the guy had different length extension forks to exend
from the lift arms up to the front axle, thisallowed him to stay
clear of the generator crossbar..
> Wayne PT40
>
>
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: jburgessx2
> To: "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
> Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 9:07:48 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge
>
>
> Scott,
>
> Thanks. Seems like the opinions vary a great deal. I thought it
> would be important to know this just in case. And, knowing I need
to
> remove the crossbar is important as well. I assume removing the
> crossbar isn't going to allow the tow gear from crushing the
> generator.
>
> Jerry
> 85 PT40
> Port Hueneme, CA
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Scott Forman"
> <scottforman75@ ....> wrote:
> >
> > Jerry,
> >
> > Had my PT towed about 18 months ago. It requires removing the
> > driveshaft and, of course, an air line to the brakes to keep the
> >
parking brakes released.
> >
> > Another tip...the crossbar that crosses under the generator
> > compartment needs to be removed or it will be bent by the boom
for
> > the wheel lift. When I got my coach, this crossmember was bowed
> up,
> > and I always wondered why. I figured it out when I had the tow
and
> > saw the lift boom slide right into that "nook". It creates no
> problem
> > to have it bent, but removing it is probably the right way to go.
> >
> > Scott Forman
> > 86 PT38
> > Memphis
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "jburgessx2"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper
way
> to
> > tow
> > > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be

nice
> > to
> > > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead.
> And,
> > > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and
> > they
> > > are wrong.
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > Jerry
> > > 85 PT40
> > > Port Hueneme, CA
> > >
> >
>

[Al Scudder]

Ernie is right... I had our coach towed once ( when the Allison took a dump ) and they used wheel forks and tied it down and took the axel out starboard side. The trick was to put the coach up in the air just to get the forks under the coach ....thanks to the checked and split air bags an some blocks... that was the only way to get it high enough. In any case that got me out of the intersection.Tanks Coach Net and CPS


Scooter2000LX Ocqueoc MI

---

To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
From: ernietex@...
Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 11:08:59 -0800
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge

"take out wallet"- or just purchase Coachnet service for a little over a hundred bucks a year. Ernie Ekberg 83PT40 Wanderlodge Weatherford, Tx http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erniesremodelingandrepair --- On Sun, 3/1/09, Stephen Birtles com> wrote: From: Stephen Birtles com> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 10:50 AM real big truck with a wheel lift or stinger be sure to tell them it has a 5 foot setback front axle and weighs 40,000 lbs disconnect drive shaft OR pull rear drive axles Drive shaft is cleaner but is Necessary to climb under coach to disconnect drive shaft TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS OR SOMEONE WILL DIE take out wallet leave credit card with driver Stephen 77fc35 --- In "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "jburgessx2" wrote: > > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper way to tow > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be nice to > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead. And, > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and they > are wrong. > > Thanks. > > Jerry > 85 PT40 > Port Hueneme, CA >

[Gardner Yeaw]

I had my FC towed twice. One truck lifted by the front axel and the
other lifted by the front tires. The first place couldn't handle the
transmission swap, hence the second tow. Both tow vehicles had air
hookups to fill the air suspension, but mainly to release the spring
brakes. On mine they removed one axel shaft. Since the transmission
had crapped out, I wasn't that worried about damaging it. I would
think that if one shaft was still engaged, it might spin the drive
shaft while towing. I would think something should be done to prevent
the shaft from turning.

Gardner
83FC35

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Al Scudder
wrote:
>
>
> Ernie is right... I had our coach towed once ( when the Allison
took a dump ) and they used wheel forks and tied it down and took the
axel out starboard side. The trick was to put the coach up in the air
just to get the forks under the coach ....thanks to the checked and
split air bags an some blocks... that was the only way to get it high
enough. In any case that got me out of the intersection. Tanks Coach
Net and CPS
>
>
> Scooter2000LX Ocqueoc MI
>
>
>
>
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> From: ernietex@...
> Date: Sun, 1 Mar 2009 11:08:59 -0800
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "take out wallet"- or just purchase Coachnet service for a little
over a hundred bucks a year.
>
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Wanderlodge
> Weatherford, Tx
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/erni...gandrepair
>
> --- On Sun, 3/1/09, Stephen Birtles wrote:
>
> From: Stephen Birtles
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, March 1, 2009, 10:50 AM
>
>
>
>
> real big truck with a wheel lift or stinger be sure to tell them it
> has a 5 foot setback front axle and weighs 40,000 lbs
> disconnect drive shaft OR pull rear drive axles Drive shaft is
cleaner
> but is Necessary to climb under coach to disconnect drive shaft
>
> TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS OR SOMEONE WILL DIE
>
> take out wallet
> leave credit card with driver
>
> Stephen 77fc35
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "jburgessx2"

> wrote:
> >
> > Just to satisy my curiosity, I would like to know the proper way
to tow
> > my 85 PT40. I don't plan on having it towed but it would be nice
to
> > know if the situation arises - it never hurts to plan ahead. And,
> > sometimes the tow truck folks don't know or think they know and
they
> > are wrong.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Jerry
> > 85 PT40
> > Port Hueneme, CA
> >
>

[Don Bradner]

Whether one axle turns (because the other has been removed) or both axles turn
(because the drive shaft has been disconnected) does not matter. The
differential is properly lubed by just turning, and in both cases the
transmission will not turn which is the point.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1

On 3/3/2009 at 2:48 AM Gardner Yeaw wrote:

>I had my FC towed twice. One truck lifted by the front axel and the
>other lifted by the front tires. The first place couldn't handle the
>transmission swap, hence the second tow. Both tow vehicles had air
>hookups to fill the air suspension, but mainly to release the spring
>brakes. On mine they removed one axel shaft. Since the transmission
>had crapped out, I wasn't that worried about damaging it. I would
>think that if one shaft was still engaged, it might spin the drive
>shaft while towing. I would think something should be done to prevent
>the shaft from turning.
>
>Gardner
>83FC35

[Kurt Horvath]

When all else fails


ALLISON
Operator's Manual
AT, MT, HT Series
On-Highway Transmissions

Allison Transmission
AT 540
AT 542(N)®(NFE)
AT 543
AT 545(N)®
AT 1542P
AT 1545P(N)
MT 640, MT(B) 643, MT 643R, 644, 647
MT 650, MT(B) 653, 654CR
HT 740(D)(RS)(FS)
HT 747(D)
HT 750CRD, HT 750DR (DB)(RS)
HT 750DRI, HT 750DRD (DB)
HT 754CRD, HT 754CR (RS)

TOWING OR PUSHING
PARKING BRAKE

On a vehicle with no P (Park) position on the transmission shift
selector, always put
the selector in N (Neutral) and apply the parking brake (or emergency
brake if the
vehicle is not equipped with a parking brake) to hold the vehicle
when it is unattended.


CAUTION: Failure to disconnect the driveline or remove the axle
shafts before towing or pushing can cause serious transmission
damage.
The engine cannot be started by towing or pushing. Before towing
or pushing a vehicle, disconnect the driveline or lift the drive
wheels off the road. If the vehicle is a motor coach, remove the axle
shafts from the drive wheels. When the axle shafts are removed, be
sure to cover the wheel openings to prevent loss of lubricant and
entry
of dust and dirt. An auxiliary air supply will usually be required
to actuate the vehicle brake system.





Kurt Horvath
95 PT 42
10AC






--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> Whether one axle turns (because the other has been removed) or both
axles turn (because the drive shaft has been disconnected) does not
matter. The differential is properly lubed by just turning, and in
both cases the transmission will not turn which is the point.
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
>
> On 3/3/2009 at 2:48 AM Gardner Yeaw wrote:
>
> >I had my FC towed twice. One truck lifted by the front axel and
the
> >other lifted by the front tires. The first place couldn't handle
the
> >transmission swap, hence the second tow. Both tow vehicles had air
> >hookups to fill the air suspension, but mainly to release the
spring
> >brakes. On mine they removed one axel shaft. Since the
transmission
> >had crapped out, I wasn't that worried about damaging it. I would
> >think that if one shaft was still engaged, it might spin the drive
> >shaft while towing. I would think something should be done to
prevent
> >the shaft from turning.
> >
> >Gardner
> >83FC35
>

[timvasqz]

Remove axle shaft???? is this in lue of removing a drive line? May be
this is done so the tow driver doesnt have to crawl under the bus?
The rear is not allison so I cant see where they predict damage at
the rear to demand you render motorchoach rear not moving during a
tow????? Plus what lubes the hubs when you remove the axle shaft. you
will need to displace the lost volumn of the metal of the shaft to
get oil up to the hub?

For me I would pull the bus to a parking lot with a chain off a tow
truck (you need a tow truck for compressed air)then call a mobil
truck repair tech to determine that repair required the bus be shop
stored. When things go to a shop most of the hours it is there is
just parking effort. Mobil tech are working on your bus every hour
they are there.

Greg ofTim&Greg
94ptCA


In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Kurt Horvath"
wrote:
>
> When all else fails
>>
> ALLISON
> Operator's Manual

If the vehicle is a motor coach, remove the axle
> shafts from the drive wheels. When the axle shafts are removed, be
> sure to cover the wheel openings to prevent loss of lubricant and
> entry
> of dust and dirt. An auxiliary air supply will usually be required
> to actuate the vehicle brake system.
>
> >
> Kurt Horvath
> 95 PT 42
> 10AC
>
>

[GARY MINKER]

Never remove the axle tube rods and tow these units. You risk getting sand in the tubes and pumpkin. You can not cover or seal them effectively. If you must move the coach, you must drop the drive shaft of you tow for any distance more than 15 to 20 miles. Any amount of sand in the differential will be fatal right quick to the gears, shims and bearings and it will never come out. Short distance towing is ok with a front lift truck but long distance must be done on a lowboy or roll away bed. Gary --- On Tue, 3/3/09, timvasqz wrote: From: timvasqz Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Proper way to tow a Wanderlodge To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 11:43 AM Remove axle shaft???? is this in lue of removing a drive line? May be this is done so the tow driver doesnt have to crawl under the bus? The rear is not allison so I cant see where they predict damage at the rear to demand you render motorchoach rear not moving during a tow????? Plus what lubes the hubs when you remove the axle shaft. you will need to displace the lost volumn of the metal of the shaft to get oil up to the hub? For me I would pull the bus to a parking lot with a chain off a tow truck (you need a tow truck for compressed air)then call a mobil truck repair tech to determine that repair required the bus be shop stored. When things go to a shop most of the hours it is there is just parking effort. Mobil tech are working on your bus every hour they are there. Greg ofTim&Greg 94ptCA In WanderlodgeForum@ yahoogroups. com, "Kurt Horvath" wrote: > > When all else fails >> > ALLISON > Operator's Manual If the vehicle is a motor coach, remove the axle > shafts from the drive wheels. When the axle shafts are removed, be > sure to cover the wheel openings to prevent loss of lubricant and > entry > of dust and dirt. An auxiliary air supply will usually be required > to actuate the vehicle brake system. > > > > Kurt Horvath > 95 PT 42 > 10AC > >