I kept thinking about the spider gears spinning away at high speed and also why the cover manufacturer would sell the covers in pairs. So, I called the Dana-Spicer factory and spoke to their tech rep. He said in ALL cases, both axles should be pulled and the covers installed on both sides. He was quite emphatic about Dana’s towing instruction. His reason was the same. The spider gears are designed to only operate going around corners or if one tire were a different diameter than the tire on the other side. They are not supported by the ball or roller bearings and only ride on a babbit type surface. Spinning at high speed will cause damage/wear that may not show up until thousands of miles down the road.
To get the right Axle Caps, count the number of studs and then measure across the middle to the opposite stud and then call him at 845-357-0829 to order. That way, the correct caps will arrive. He also said all warranty companies require any drive wheel touching the ground and have to have the axle pulled. Greyhound company policy also if they have a breakdown.
For long-distance towing, both axles should be removed as removing only one causes the spider gears to turn rapidly especially if towing fast. The gears turn MUCH faster than they would in normal service (they only really turn much when you go around a corner) and they can be damaged by lack of lubrication and the bearing surfaces will gall. Some hot rodders experienced this with burnouts when they would rapidly spin the right rear tire. That’s why the site I linked to sold the covers in pairs.
Easy to make your own covers. Just use a piece of paper as a template and then find a piece of poly or even aluminum or plywood about the same thickness as the axle flange and drill the holes. Pierce Stewart 1993 U300 36′
Section 16 – Towing – Foretravel Owners Manual
Towing guidelines 1995 U-280, U-300, U-320
When it is necessary to tow a disabled vehicle, certain precautions and procedures must be taken to prevent damage to the vehicle and/or components. Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting or towing a disabled vehicle could result in an unsafe operating condition.
If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, all lubricating and clutch oil is provided by an engine-driven pump located in the transmission housing. Because the pump location is ahead of the transmission gearing and clutches, the pump cannot be motored by towing the vehicle. Therefore, anytime that the vehicle must be towed, the driveline must be disconnected, or severe damage to the transmission could result from a lack of lubrication.
CAUTION
Only in extreme emergency, may the vehicle be towed up to 1/2 mile (.80 km), at no more than 5 mph (8.04 kph), without first disconnecting propeller shaft from the transmission.
In all situations use special precautionary procedures, safety equipment, and proper emergency warning lighting when towing a vehicle.
Most larger tow vehicles are now equipped with a hydraulic lift that attaches directly to the front axle. If the tow vehicle is so equipped, the driver of the tow vehicle will probably insist on using this device. This is the preferred towing method and should be used whenever possible.
GENERAL PREPARATION FOR TOWING
1. Block wheels and engage the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission selector lever in neutral.
3. Attach towing lift to the front axle.
WARNING
Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting and towing another vehicle could result in an unsafe operating condition.
4. Lift the vehicle and secure safety towing chains.
5. Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and signal lights. Connect any special towing lights required by local towing regulations.
6. Connect towing vehicle’s air brake system to the vehicle being towed, then release the spring parking brakes or release the brakes manually, if the air supply is lost. Remove wheel blocks.
WARNING
Before releasing the spring parking/emergency brakes, make the connection to the towing vehicle, or block the disabled vehicle’s wheels with chock blocks. Failure to do so will result in a hazardous condition because the vehicle could roll uncontrollably.
CAUTION
After general preparation for towing and drive train components are disconnected, do not tow at speeds over 15 mph (24.13 kph).
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND SITUATIONS
Before towing, it is important to examine the situation to determine the location of the problem, if possible. Further damage to the vehicle can be prevented by using proper towing precautions. The following towing precautions should be used if the problem is located in the driveline components.
1. If the transmission is inoperative, the output drive shaft from the transmission must be removed.
2. If the rear axle is inoperative, it is necessary to raise the rear wheels off the ground or remove the rear axle shafts and seal the ends of the wheel hubs to prevent the entry of dirt.
CAUTION
Failure to keep contaminants out of the wheel bearings and/or axle lubricant could result in failure of the wheel bearings and/or differential carrier.
3. If the front axle is inoperative, it is necessary to raise the front wheels off the ground.
Also, the rear propeller shaft must be disconnected to avoid severe damage to the transmission.
CAUTION
Block front wheels before disconnecting driveshaft to prevent vehicle movement.
IMPORTANT:
Improper towing of the vehicle could result in transmission damage. Always follow the outlined towing procedures. The only recommended method of towing is with the drive wheels on the ground and the rear driveshaft disconnected and removed.
To move the vehicle with an inoperative rear axle, it is necessary to raise the rear wheels. The front wheels must be secured in a straight-ahead position when towing from the rear. Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock to secure the wheels in straight-ahead position when pulled from the rear.
CAUTION
On any Motor Coach with an HWH Air-Leveling System (U280, U295C, U300, & U320C), the vehicle’s airbags will not inflate as long as the ignition key is in the “OFF” position. Consequently, if the vehicle should ever require emergency towing, the ignition key must be left in the “ON” position in order to build and store air in the suspension. In addition, the ignition must be left in the “ON” position when adjusting the height control valves.
IMPORTANT: Tow chain attachments must be made directly to the vehicle axle. The chains must be routed under the bottom edge of the bumper, in such a manner that they do not come in contact with suspension, steering, brake, cooling system or air spoiler components.
Towing by Jack Bradshaw
Towing – Foretravel Owners Manual
Phenix Page 15-1 Rev. 05-08
TOWING INTRODUCTION
To tow a disabled vehicle, certain precautions and procedures must be taken to prevent damage to the vehicle and/or its components. Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting or towing a disabled vehicle may cause an unsafe operating condition. If the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, the pump is located ahead of the transmission gearing and clutches and cannot be motored by towing the vehicle. Therefore, anytime that the vehicle must be towed, disconnect the driveline or severe damage to the transmission could result from lack of lubrication.
CAUTION Only in an extreme emergency may the vehicle be towed up to 1/2 mile (.80 km), at no more than 5 mph (8.04 kph), without first disconnecting propeller shaft from the transmission. In all situations use these special precautionary procedures, safety equipment, and proper emergency warning lighting. Most larger tow vehicles are equipped with a hydraulic lift that attaches directly to the front axle. This is the preferred towing method and should be used whenever possible.
GENERAL PREPARATION FOR TOWING
1. Block the wheels and engage the parking brake.
2. Place the transmission selector lever in neutral.
3. Attach the towing lift to the front axle.
WARNING Failure to use standard towing industry precautionary measures when lifting and towing another vehicle could result in an unsafe operating condition.
4. Lift the vehicle and secure the safety towing chains.
5. Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and signal lights. Also, connect any special towing lights required by local towing regulations.
6. Connect the towing vehicle’s air brake system to the vehicle being towed, then release the spring parking brakes or, if the air supply is lost, release the brakes manually. Remove the wheel blocks.
WARNING Before releasing the spring parking/emergency brakes, make the connection to the towing vehicle or block the disabled vehicle’s wheels with chock blocks. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll uncontrollably.
CAUTION After the general preparation for towing and the drive train components are disconnected, do not tow at speeds over 15 mph (24 kph).
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AND SITUATIONS
Before towing, it is important to examine the situation to determine the location of the problem. Prevent further damage to the vehicle by using proper towing precautions. If the problem is located in the driveline components, follow these precautions: 1. If the transmission is inoperative, remove the output driveshaft from the transmission. 2. If the rear axle is inoperative, raise the rear wheels off of the ground or remove the rear axle shafts and seal the ends of the wheel hubs to prevent the entry of dirt.
CAUTION Failure to keep contaminants out of the wheel bearings and/or axle lubricant could result in the failure of the wheel bearings and/or the differential carrier. 3. If the front axle is inoperative, raise the front wheels off the ground. Also, disconnect the rear propeller shaft to avoid severe damage to the transmission.
CAUTION Block the front wheels before disconnecting the driveshaft to prevent the vehicle from moving.
IMPORTANT: The improper towing of the vehicle may cause transmission damage. Always follow the outlined towing procedures. The only recommended method of towing is with the drive wheels on the ground and the rear driveshaft disconnected and removed. To move the vehicle with an inoperative rear axle, raise the rear wheels. The front wheels must be secured in a straight-ahead position when towing from the rear. Do not use the vehicle’s steering column lock to secure the wheels in a straight-ahead position.
CAUTION On any Motor Coach with an HWH Air-Leveling System, the vehicle’s airbags will remain deflated as long as the ignition key is in the OFF position. Consequently, if the vehicle should require emergency towing, then the ignition key must be left in the ON position to build and store air in the suspension.
TOWING WITH HWH ACTIVE AIR SYSTEM (OPTIONAL)
The following is an excerpt from the HWH Active Air Manual.
WARNING: THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR THE HWH ACTIVE AIR EQUIPMENT AND MANUAL INFLATION OF THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION AIR BAGS. CONSULT THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR COMPLETE TOWING INSTRUCTIONS.
There is a Schrader valve supplied for each airbag or set of airbags on the vehicle suspension.
Note: A Schrader valve is the same type of valve used to inflate or deflate a tire. Consult the vehicle manufacturer for the specific location of the airbag Schrader valves and proper ride height for towing.
The HWH Active Air Control Panel must be OFF when using the manual airbag Schrader valves and during towing. Push the “STOP” button to turn the Active Air Control Panel OFF. The ignition key should also be “OFF” while towing. Note: With the HWH Active Air System OFF during towing, the airbags may be controlled only from the Schrader valves. Monitor and maintain proper travel height during towing using the Schrader valves. MP34.0213 09JUL08
EMERGENCY RECOVERY POINTS (2004 and newer) There are three emergency recovery points provided to help recover a vehicle. Two of these points are located behind the generator door on either side of the generator. To use these recovery points, the generator door must be removed. The trailer hitch receiver may be used as a rear recovery point. A vehicle recovery insert kit is available from your Foretravel dealer. Like any of the products used for vehicle recovery, the vehicle operator or persons responsible for vehicle recovery should inspect slings, cables, and chains for wear, cuts, abrasions or punctures. For metal hardware, inspect for metal distortion, fatigue or damage before any recovery operations.
CAUTION To protect against injury, be certain that no persons are in the line of force of any load.
CAUTION Be certain that the anchor point on the other vehicle is capable of withstanding stress beyond the pull force. Weak anchor points can break, possibly causing property damage or physical injury due to the recoil of the attaching system.
CAUTION The tow chain attachments must be made to these recovery points. The recovery vehicle should be in line with the recovered vehicle. Do not let the tow chain come into contact with any of the fiberglass parts on the coach. Do not exceed the weight rating of your recovery insert. The working load limits do not apply to shock loads. Avoid impacting, jerking or swinging a load.