Got Towed - Should I be Concerned?

[RPC]

Met some pals for happy hour in downtown last night only to walk out a couple hours later and find my pride and joy gone. No, the wife was at home, I'm talking about my 4Runner. And yes, it was my own GD fault- Stevie Wonder would have seen at least one of the multiple signs I managed not to.

That said, I've watched a brand new, full-time 4WD Jeep get towed off the street onto a flatbed (which I confirmed was used to abduct mine) and it was not pretty. One rear wheel spinning one direction, the other the opposite direction, I don't remember what the front wheels were doing but it was damn ugly. I woke up in cold sweats last night after a nightmare where I watched my truck do the same thing and I need two things from you guys: sympathy and confirmation/opposition that I should be concerned about something getting F-ed up being drug up and slid back down the tow truck flatbed.

Yes, I know there's no guarantee that something wasn't chipped, stripped or otherwise harmed just like there's no guarantee my wife won't pull off a threesome with (insert fantasy girl here) for my birthday.

What've you got for me?

 

[d2huffman]

While not a pretty vision, except the fantasy girl friend, the short pulling distance should not cause any damage to the drivetrain.

 

[00328]

I watched a vehicles front end being pulled sideways away from the curb so the tow truck could get it aligned with the flatbed. He literally dragged it away from the curb with tires skidding the whole way.
They don't give a damn.

 

[kai920]

I watched a vehicles front end being pulled sideways away from the curb so the tow truck could get it aligned with the flatbed. He literally dragged it away from the curb with tires skidding the whole way.
They don't give a damn.

I think that was exactly the reassurance he was looking for. lol But you're right. They don't care.

I had mine towed up on a flat bed after a brake malfunction....... it drives fine today. But I freaked out when I saw that the tow truck driver pulled it backwards up the flat bed, while the tranny was in drive. He said its fine, and that I must not know anything about vehicles. I still don't understand that comment or how thats safe for the tranny/engine. ???? Shouldn't it be in neutral?

 

[RPC]

I forgot to add that I called a local Toyota dealership and asked for the opinion of whoever it was that answered in the Service Department; he said the only "damage" that could have occurred would be to the tires. Said getting drug around would put flat spots on them. What an *sshole- roads in the entire state of Minnesota are either wet from melting, or still layered with, snow. Of all the things to say, that's what he had.

I don't know whose response I find least helpful, his or 00328's...

:wink2:

 

[zstampe]

It should be fine. These are well built trucks. The short distance wasn't good on your truck but probably didn't damage anything.

 

[Jerrydog]

When I used to park in Boston there were some iffy places to park with th risk of towing. Id always put it in 4low with the ebrake on to make it next to impossible to roll. It slows them down and they have to mess with it with either a flatbed or dollies, the upshot is they couldnt roll it and potentionally damage the drivedrain.

 

[00328]

Sorry RPC, I'm sure thats exactly what you didn't want to hear.
It just shocked me when I saw it happen. These tow truck drivers do this type of thing all the time. So it must not be harmful.

 

[Trevloc]

imo, they tow vehicles all day everyday. im sure they wouldnt do anything that could damage the vehicle.they would have to pay for it, and yes you were parked illegally, but their job is to tow, not damage. so i believe you shouldnt worry too much. but i dont blame you for stressing it. my 4runner is my baby. i would too.

 

[DaveS]

I would focus your worries on checking for any cosmetic damage from the tow (you might have trouble arguing it was their fault not previous damage) - as others have said, the risk of damage to the drivetrain etc is minimal for such a short distance.

 

[Uneek]

All tow companies will drag it out sideways in parallel parked situations to in order to tow it. While it's not great for your tires, the damage will be little to none on the rest of the truck. If it's more comforting, I would get an alignment done.

The bigger concern is to make sure the tow company either flatbedded or used dollies to get your 4Runner to the impound yard. Toyota doesn't recommend 4WD 4Runners being towed with wheels on the ground.

As for putting in 4Lo, the only favor your doing yourself is risking more damage to the 4Runner when it's tow improperly.

If the tow companies used vehicle dollies to get your vehicle out then it would be ideal. But this would only work on perfectly flat surfaces.

Tow drivers put themselves in as much risks as a repo man when it comes to the illegally parked. They just want to get in and get out. Once they got the vehicle hooked up, you'll have to pay a "drop fee" before they release it. I've seen it happen in person and on "Wreck Chasers".

 

[Jerrydog]

Its impossible to get it to roll in 4lo with the ebrake on I do it slow them down and make their lives misserable

 

[00328]

They don't care if it rolls or not, as stated, they will just drag it.

They have no concern for the vehicle what so ever. All the tow truck driver cares about is getting paid for another one brought in. Period.

 

[DC Dude]

I forgot to add that I called a local Toyota dealership and asked for the opinion of whoever it was that answered in the Service Department; he said the only "damage" that could have occurred would be to the tires. Said getting drug around would put flat spots on them. What an *sshole- roads in the entire state of Minnesota are either wet from melting, or still layered with, snow. Of all the things to say, that's what he had.

I don't know whose response I find least helpful, his or 00328's...

:wink2:

Was your foot brake engaged?

It's better to have tires that were winched/dragged over the pavement onto the flatbed than to have the one set of wheels on the ground while being towed.

You would hope that if it was towed, that they place one end of the vehicle on dollies.

 

[RPC]

Thanks for the input guys.

Yes, foot brake is a habit that drives my wife crazy and I did confirm it was taken off the street and straight to the impound lot on a flatbed. Thinking it through, I suppose the front wheels could have been raised and the rears put on Uneek's dollies, say if there was already a vehicle on the bed, but I haven't even considered that it was drug by the front wheels to impound. Even for a wrecker that would be a challenge and a helluva spectacle.

DaveS, the first thing I did once I got to my truck at the lot, before unlocking it even, was check for damage. Looks A-okay.

Guess I just gotta chalk this one up as a "you asked for it" moment and never let it happen again.