Steering Wheel Tie-Down
By Randall C. Resch
A newbie owner asked, “What’s the best item to tie a steering straight when rear-towing a vehicle?” It seems a motor club customer complained the tow operator caused $1,100 damages to a 2006 Mercedes.
The club’s representative took the complaint as gospel, paid the member the amount, and then harangued the tow company attempting to subrogate the matter. While it’s the vehicle owner’s responsibility to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the damage was caused by the tower’s actions, motor clubs seek customer satisfaction … not necessarily the truth.
My gut tells me there’s a scam here. I know that a 2006 Mercedes Benz (being every bit of 15-years old) are hardly collector’s cars. Steering wheels and seatbelts are easily replaced for as much as $500, so, why the marked-up costs?
Keep it Straight
In old days, cars were made of real metal with tinsel-strength that wouldn’t easily bend, break, or weaken in a sneeze. Old style steering wheels didn’t require special materials or equipment as they were solid and could handle being tied. Consider this short explanation of what devices or equipment items can be used without inflicting thousands of damages:
1. Best: Dispatch a flatbed carrier with a competent operator experienced in high-end vehicles
2. Loop a six-foot section of cotton rope, one-inch motorcycle strap, even your belt through the steering wheel’s spokes pulled back through the door’s A-Post. Close the door on the extended end and secure the item outside the door
3. A one-inch motorcycle (ratchet) strap can be hooked under the seat’s front, through steering wheel spokes and hooked back to itself and tightened; don’t forget padding
4. Install a commercially made attachment device to the vehicle’s seat frame or brake pedal. Don’t leave it behind
5. Never trust the ignition lock to hold. When towing from the rear, be sure to employ a steering wheel rope or appropriate device
The Problem?
Know that Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari and other high-end vehicle owners have no clue as to what tow equipment is or how it’s used in the first place. In their oftentimes snooty, high-minded temperaments, they’re likely not so happy their vehicle is disabled.
Add in a matter of inconvenience, it doesn’t take much to offend them in which a claim of damage arises. It could be that the tower put a greasy, gloved (or not) hand onto the seatbelt only to soil its webbed fabric.
Imagine a purist’s horror seeing the tower tugging their pristine seatbelt in-haste to get it stretched through the steering wheel’s spokes. “Hey … that belt goes around my designer pants,” they’ll shout, again, initiating a claim.
No matter what item or technique is used, anything excessively tight could potentially leave indentations in padded, custom steering wheels. Even the slightest dent or imperfection could stimulate the owner’s annoyance.
The Solution?
As said, an 06' Mercedes is hardly a collector's car. Unless it’s a Ferrari F430’s, carbon fiber wheel costing $2,500, a typical steering wheel is replaced for less than $400 and a new seatbelt less than $100. So, where did the motorist get a $1,000 invoice? I smell a scam.
Have a solid sit-down with your area’s service rep. If they can’t investigate first and hear your facts, perhaps end that relationship immediately. In the mean-time and based on this kind of frivolous complaint, think what options can be used to not initiate a false claim?
Here's a reason to dispatch a carrier for those “high-end cars,” or justify using dollies as the right equipment. Reminder: When certain rear-drive vehicles are rear towed, employ an appropriate device to secure the vehicle’s steering. Never trust the ignition lock to hold on its own.
In this case, I doubt the seatbelt damaged the steering wheel. I’d like to know what scientific evidence confirmed it was damaged by operator misuse.
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