If your E450 needed a tow truck……

[kenandterry]

I tried the search button but didn’t see this topic discussed.

If, and I repeat, if you had mechanical issues with a Ford E350/E450, and had to call for a tow truck, what’s the suggested method to minimize or eliminate further damage?

Is it only to be flat bedded, all 4 wheels off the ground?
Towed from the rear, and travelling on its front axle?
Towed from the front, and hopefully not drag the rear body due to overhang, and if so……disconnect driveshaft? neutral only?

Only the correct answer need apply.

Hopefully a situation no one ever needs.

 

[BehindBars]

I wish I could answer as to the proper way to tow the E-series. I had my old 31’ E-350 class C towed one time when the fuel pump died. The motorhome had a 12 foot cargo trailer behind it, too. It all got towed about 10 miles to an RV dealer at no charge to me because I was an AMA member. It was about 15 years ago and I don’t remember how it got towed, but I assume they must have picked up the front wheels and carried them. It was a big tow truck, too. Whether it was done right, I don’t know, but no damage was done.

 

[sonofabeacher]

I tried the search button but didn’t see this topic discussed.

If, and I repeat, if you had mechanical issues with a Ford E350/E450, and had to call for a tow truck, what’s the suggested method to minimize or eliminate further damage?

Is it only to be flat bedded, all 4 wheels off the ground?
Towed from the rear, and travelling on its front axle?
Towed from the front, and hopefully not drag the rear body due to overhang, and if so……disconnect driveshaft? neutral only?

Only the correct answer need apply.

Hopefully a situation no one ever needs.

The first thing to do is check the Ford E350/E450 book "NOW" that came with the camper. This way you know how it must be towed before a problem arises. I think (but not 100% sure) the 350 and 450 can be towed with a sling from the front and the transmission in neutral. It depends on the transmission as to whether the drive shaft needs to be pulled. Most major tow companies have a book that they can look up how a particular vehicle needs to be towed. It would have to be a heavy duty wrecker. Obviously the safest bet is a flat bed wrecker but I'm sure that would cost a pretty penny (so to say) unless you have tow insurance. Years ago (about 30 or 40 years) I spent 20 years as a mechanic and we towed for AAA. Back then we had a book to let us know how to tow just about any vehicle and I assume they still have it now. I know both my Toyota Venza and my Chevy Colorado 4x4 HAS to be flat bedded (I read the manual).

 

[sonofabeacher]

I tried the search button but didn’t see this topic discussed.

If, and I repeat, if you had mechanical issues with a Ford E350/E450, and had to call for a tow truck, what’s the suggested method to minimize or eliminate further damage?

Is it only to be flat bedded, all 4 wheels off the ground?
Towed from the rear, and travelling on its front axle?
Towed from the front, and hopefully not drag the rear body due to overhang, and if so……disconnect driveshaft? neutral only?

Only the correct answer need apply.

Hopefully a situation no one ever needs.

A P.S. to my last post. Most tow trucks now a days are wheel lifts (I don't even know if there are any sling type wreckers out there any more). They only have to get the front tires off the ground about 4 or 6 inches and the tires are strapped down in the wheel lift.

 

[kenandterry]

Checked the owners manual under towing, and it went into explaining what we normally call Recreational Towing……talking about toads.

The only documentation I could find was listed under Roadside Emergencies.
I’m attaching the information page.
Looks like you’re gonna need your wallet.

 

[5er_tom]

We had our E450 towed 2 years ago. It is important to let the towing company you have 16” wheels, not 22”. The first tow truck they sent was too big and they had to go back to their yard and get a smaller unit. They were not happy as it was 24 miles each way to their yard.

They lifted the front wheels of the RV off the ground, but not too far as the rear of the RV might drag. They also disconnected the RV drive shaft.

PS: we were towed about 28 miles with no issues.

 

[BehindBars]

Checked the owners manual under towing, and it went into explaining what we normally call Recreational Towing……talking about toads.

The only documentation I could find was listed under Roadside Emergencies.
I’m attaching the information page.
Looks like you’re gonna need your wallet.

Yes, I looked up that E-450 owner’s manual page, too. It looks extremely generic, in that it also mentions front wheel drive vehicles. The owner’s manual was no help, but it referenced a tow truck operator guide issued by Ford that I am yet unable to locate.

In my 1.5 million miles of driving and riding, over about 40 years, I’ve had a vehicle towed only once, and it was covered by a towing plan. I don’t worry about it very much. If I gotta pay, I gotta pay. Where I would be most concerned is when I’m far from civilization, like on the Top of the World Highway or in Labrador or some such far off place.

 

[sonofabeacher]

Checked the owners manual under towing, and it went into explaining what we normally call Recreational Towing……talking about toads.

The only documentation I could find was listed under Roadside Emergencies.
I’m attaching the information page.
Looks like you’re gonna need your wallet.

In my last job (which I retired from in April of 2020) we had a GMC 3500 4X4 Dually go down. The tow company came and towed it along with a commercial trailer and a Ford bucket tractor on the trailer. I don't remember the length of the trailer but it had dual wheels. They towed it about 20 miles. These tow companies will tow anything.

 

[tomkatb]

Most anything can be towed!

Our fifth wheel lost the entire suspension.

They brought a tractor trailer with the tilt bed.

Total height on the trailer was about 18’.

$100 per mile. Thank god our insurance paid the bill.

The suspension mess was also very expensive.