Driveshaft Removal and Retention

By Randall C. Resch Here’s one for the “Are You Kidding Me” department. The following incident is an example of a spontaneous occurrence that resulted in huge and expensive damages to an RV while in process of being towed; something that’s generally routine and typically uneventful. A Texas tow company was called to tow a broke-down RV with a broken radiator. The RV’s owner contacted their auto club provider who dispatched the tow company. The source narrative online laid claim that, “The driver was clearly unqualified to handle the tow and failed to bring the proper tools to secure the driveshaft so that it would not drag along the pavement.” The driveshaft, still connected, allegedly dropped to the pavement, throwing sparks to the RV’s underside, catching the rig on-fire totally destroying it. The lawsuit was seeking an award between $200,000 and $1 million. Dangling a loose and disconnected driveshaft is always risky business. There are better ways to ensure a disconnected driveshaft stays with the towed vehicle and doesn’t launch while enroute to a towing destination and at freeways speeds. A loose driveshaft, dropping onto the highway and into the path of a following vehicle, is capable of great bodily injury or death. If you know anything about frivolous lawsuits regarding tow company actions, statements like these are easy for a plaintiff to make and relatively difficult for the tow company to defend. So, let’s break down these two statements. Unqualified driver: That statement is a hard pill to swallow when it attacks the very core of your company’s competency. Because driveshaft removal is a specialty niche, tow companies should be trained in the processes to safely remove driveshafts and axles. Large commercial trucks, RV/motorhomes and diesel pusher buses are equipped with varying drive systems. In order to safely tow one of these larger-than-average vehicles, and prevent consequential damage to a driveshaft or the vehicle’s transmission, the vehicle should be transported on a low boy-type trailer. It’s recommended that driveshafts and axles be completely loosened and removed, or retained with a specialty accessory designed for retaining and suspending driveshafts from the undersides of vehicles being towed. Failure to bring proper tools: Be smart about having the right tool for the job in relation to the task being performed. Example: a motorcycle dolly for safely winching a full-dress Goldwing 1800 (weighing-in at a 900-plus pounds) is the right accessory for the job vs. only using 1” ratchet straps. Although the ratchet straps will get the job done, the motorcycle dolly offers additional mechanical advantages to safe load and transport. When it comes to driveshafts, the towing and recovery industry has advanced beyond the use of coat hangers, bungee cords and duct tape for the process of securing a loose driveshaft. In today’s market of advanced industry tools and accessories, tow trucks should be well-equipped with a bevy of wrenches, sockets, air tools, axle poppers, axle caps, U-joint pullers, and perhaps a Driveline Buddy tool. When cases like these come to court, it’s difficult to convince a district court judge that the old industry ways are better that new technologies and modern equipment. It’s equally important to consider updating training and purchasing specialty tools for specialty tasks like these. Owners, be smart about attaining proper training for your drivers to prevent unfortunate incidents like this. The first place that always is attacked is your driver’s “inability” to handle the task. Secondly, ask yourself if the proper accessory or tool’s initial purchase cost is worth avoiding a lawsuit?