Towing a bus without a tow truck/landoll

[Tenor]

So I know a little more now about the condition.  According to the director of the academy, the pressure plate cracked and it has been parked for about 3 years.  He is going to have their mechanic call me for further questions later this week.  It did continue to run well.  So, we'll see!

And I got a quote from the towing company behind my house of 200-250, assuming I have pulled the axles and can air it up.  That sounds like a no-brainer!  I was expecting twice that amount or more!

Glenn

[Busted Knuckle]

I'd slap $300 in the tow truck OPERATOR's hands and thank him by telling him "I don't need no change!"
JMHOFWIW!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a cheap skate by nature, but It's well worth $300 to have an uneventful experience! (of course I wouldn't pay up front just in case!)
  BK 

[kyle4501]

I'm with BK on this (especially the cheap part  )

Sitting for 3 years. . . . . That'd make me very nervous as to the condition of seals & air lines.

Do your homework & verify the bus airs up & rolls before you schedule a tow, you don't want to pay the tow driver his rate to do the things you can!

I used a generator & a portable air compressor to air up one that had been sitting for 10+ years.

You'll be happiest with a Landoll trailer, you won't have to worry about the tires, or air lines, or airbags, or etc during the trip.
(A inside dual tire failure can take out the airbags before you know it lost air.)
Those tow truck drivers MOVE! They don't waste any time going down the road, so if on the hook, your tires better be up to the task!

Landoll tows around here (south east) run from $75 to $125 per hour the truck is away from the shop. So the quote you got is right in line.
The hook tow trucks are ~25% more & some won't even hook up to an old bus. . . .

Did you explain how old the bus is, where it is, how long its been sitting? These things may have an impact on getting it towed. You don't want to pay them just to come out & say "we don't do that". 



About the debate over using roadside assistance to pay for towing something you bought knowing it needed towing - I'm surprised there is anything to discuss. We should all know the difference between right & wrong .  .  .  . & where deception belongs.


Oh yeah, about recommending using a vehicle rated for 12,500# gcvw to move a 30,000# 'trailer' 50 miles . . . . Not on MY life! Moving that off the road or short distances is one thing, but when you get to double digit miles, the odds of burning up something move too close to a sure thing. 

[Len Silva]

I don't see a problem as a Eagle owner they came from the factory with a tow bar bracket on the front and a place to air the system up to tow 3 axles down Trailways did for years   good luck

As I understand it from an old Eagle employee, the tow bar was only used to move gliders around the plant.

[scanzel]

You might also want to check state laws about towing with straps, chains or make shift tow bars. Having the law stop you along the way only to tell you that you cannot move it any further until it is done properly and also give you a ticket for improper towing could possibly be more expensive than just doing it correctly the first time. And then there is the safety issue is the vehicle should get out of control on you.

[Damn Yankee]

I agree with you belfert. I guess my point is if Glenn doesn't have a roadside assistance policy maybe he should consider one long term not just for this one instance. I would not be without one.
Ya, what BK said, sounds like a heck of a deal with no liability.

[Tenor]

Yeah Bob you are right.  I need to put a towing policy on my bus.  I'll get one VERY soon!

Glenn

[BG6]

So here's the story.  I may have found a good parts bus (mci 7) that may have a bad tranny.  It's about 50 miles from where I live, and there are 2 lane blacktop routes that would connect with minimal traffic.  Assuming I have air for brakes/suspension and have pulled the axles, is there any reason not to tow it with another truck/ bus? 

Are you CRAZY?

That coach weighs FIFTEEN TONS.  A bus MIGHT work, but anything else other than a semi or a big-rig tow truck will not have the mass to control the towed load, and it will go from "doing okay" to "Also killed the crash was" in two or three seconds. 

Call all of the big-rig-tow operators within 100 miles, explain the situation, and let them bring it as a back haul after taking a semi somewhere.  If you are willing to wait a few days until convenient for them, you can save a lot of money and do so without killing someone.

An alternate idea is that, since you are planning to part it, part it THERE.

[buswarrior]

Tenor,

Would you be so kind to do us a favour and report that the job has a conclusion, whether true or not?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Tenor]

BW,
I will post a conclusion.  I am awaiting a call from the mechanic (probably tomorrow) then a call from the financial people at the academy.  THEN I have to get some knee pads for the begging to my wife...

At this point, I expect to use the towing company to do the job if all of the above works out.  The rate of 200-250 (flat tow, not landoll) is just too good to scrimp on.

Glenn

Forgot to add, that if this works out, I'll be making parts available in the Spare Tire section.  I'll start a new thread to see who is looking for what.

[Damn Yankee]

I've got my needed parts list ready!

[Tenor]

A final update to this thread:  The academy that owns the bus has had a volunteer step forward to repair the clutch.  I asked them to keep me posted if they change their minds or if things fall through.  Thanks!

Glenn