Linda Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Thanks for all of the responses re: improper towing and the possibility that my AWD is shot! Question......how does one "test" to know for sure that it's not working...other than driving in the snow? I'm sorry if this sounds stupid.....but I really don't know these things. AAA did the towing and I'm making some phone calls today. As I mentioned before, I kept waiting for a flatbed truck to come....and shame on me for not insisting. Like one of the posters stated, they could've cared less about the vehicle and figured towing it a little over a mile wouldn't damage it (?) Thanks again to you all for your input...... Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 No direct experience (yet), but from what I have read here the damage is not usually immediate, especially for short distance tows. Problems often appear several months later, which makes it hard to get tow companies to take responsibility. Do you know if they used the rear wheel dollies? They do that almost exclusively around here if they don't use a flatbed. If so, no worries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 No direct experience (yet), but from what I have read here the damage is not usually immediate, especially for short distance tows. Problems often appear several months later, which makes it hard to get tow companies to take responsibility. Do you know if they used the rear wheel dollies? They do that almost exclusively around here if they don't use a flatbed. If so, no worries. Late onset problems, aye there's the rub. I'd get the documentation from SOA that shows that whether or not you are showing symptoms yet, the damage HAS been done, and WILL surface later. They caused it by towing wheels-on-the-ground ... period. Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. We talked about 'Do not tow this vehicle' decals on the board before, maybe we should really do it? I'm a graphic designer, I'll do up the art free if someone can print the decals. Maybe the board could sell them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dale47 Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Linda, it may be a good idea to contact your insurance company. They may have dealt with this issue before and may be able to help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxamutt Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Late onset problems, aye there's the rub. I'd get the documentation from SOA that shows that whether or not you are showing symptoms yet, the damage HAS been done, and WILL surface later. They caused it by towing wheels-on-the-ground ... period. Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. We talked about 'Do not tow this vehicle' decals on the board before, maybe we should really do it? I'm a graphic designer, I'll do up the art free if someone can print the decals. Maybe the board could sell them. Another site had a decal posted - http://www.chez.com/ciper/warning-sticker.gif Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23974 Linda, The above link was referenced at the bottom of your recent page under "Similar Threads". I know you're new to this game but if you look through this and use the "Search" function of this site, you can come up to speed pretty quick and get enough ammo to not be dismissed as the "little gal". Are you certain that when the tow driver hooked the nose of your car up that he didn't have the rear wheeels under a tow dolly? If you are certain that it wasn't towed with the rear wheels on a tow dolly, then be emphatic when speaking with the owner of the towing company, not the driver. The advice of your insurance company might help but I wouldn't rely on them. Get documentation from Subaru that even improper towing even just a mile will cause certain damage. Ask the local dealer if they would test drive or how they would test. I just called my local dealer and the service manager seemed to think that if it wasn't already noticeable, it would soon be... sorry for the bad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Another site had a decal posted - http://www.chez.com/ciper/warning-sticker.gif Mebbe so, but it's all French to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxamutt Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Mebbe so, but it's all French to me! Rats. I did save the picture though. I'll try attaching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 28, 2005 Author Share Posted February 28, 2005 http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=23974Linda, The above link was referenced at the bottom of your recent page under "Similar Threads". I know you're new to this game but if you look through this and use the "Search" function of this site, you can come up to speed pretty quick and get enough ammo to not be dismissed as the "little gal". Are you certain that when the tow driver hooked the nose of your car up that he didn't have the rear wheeels under a tow dolly? If you are certain that it wasn't towed with the rear wheels on a tow dolly, then be emphatic when speaking with the owner of the towing company, not the driver. The advice of your insurance company might help but I wouldn't rely on them. Get documentation from Subaru that even improper towing even just a mile will cause certain damage. Ask the local dealer if they would test drive or how they would test. I just called my local dealer and the service manager seemed to think that if it wasn't already noticeable, it would soon be... sorry for the bad news. Brus...... Thanks so much....especially calling your dealer on my behalf! I just got off the phone with AAA and, apparently, the call went out for a flatbed. Why they sent a regular truck is beyond me. I mentioned the wheel dolly and the guy said he didn't see any documentation that they were used. He turned me over to his supervisor...when turned me over to another supervisor and it's all documented. They assured me that they were going to investigate further..... Geeez.....just when I've pretty much made up my mind to hold onto the car, I may have to ditch it because of this? I will call a dealer tomorrow and ask how they'd test and do it ASAP. Now I feel like it's my fault for not insisting.....but what do I know??? Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Well, if it works out, get them to replace the transmission ($2500-3000) which might have been a weak link at your mileage on an automatic anyway and you're good to go for another 150,000 miles. Keep on drivin'. Brus...... Thanks so much....especially calling your dealer on my behalf! I just got off the phone with AAA and, apparently, the call went out for a flatbed. Why they sent a regular truck is beyond me. I mentioned the wheel dolly and the guy said he didn't see any documentation that they were used. He turned me over to his supervisor...when turned me over to another supervisor and it's all documented. They assured me that they were going to investigate further..... Geeez.....just when I've pretty much made up my mind to hold onto the car, I may have to ditch it because of this? I will call a dealer tomorrow and ask how they'd test and do it ASAP. Now I feel like it's my fault for not insisting.....but what do I know??? Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnuman Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 Brus...... Thanks so much....especially calling your dealer on my behalf! I just got off the phone with AAA and, apparently, the call went out for a flatbed. Why they sent a regular truck is beyond me. I mentioned the wheel dolly and the guy said he didn't see any documentation that they were used. He turned me over to his supervisor...when turned me over to another supervisor and it's all documented. They assured me that they were going to investigate further..... Geeez.....just when I've pretty much made up my mind to hold onto the car, I may have to ditch it because of this? I will call a dealer tomorrow and ask how they'd test and do it ASAP. Now I feel like it's my fault for not insisting.....but what do I know??? Linda First off, Linda, it is NOT YOUR FAULT!! Get that thought out of your head right now. AAA sent a call out for a flatbed, and the tow company sent the wrong truck. It is the tow company's fault. They should have to pay for repairs. AAA should back you on this. If not, they become liable as well. As for needing to ditch the car, don't. this is a repairable item, and your dealership should be able to fix you right up (if not, find annother dealer. . .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 snip... Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. A truly gratitous and moronic comment. Are you saying that ALL tow trucks operators would disregard towing instructions from a car's owner just because she happened to be a woman? Because that's what it sounds like, pal. My girlfriend had my Subaru towed. The tow truck operator made sure that my Forester was placed on a flat bed truck at HER request. I'm a white collar guy, but I resent the implication that all blue collar men are sexist jerks. Plenty of men will go much further to aid a woman in distress than another man. Next time you want to try to make a woman feel better by calling men jerks, why don't you restrict your comments to the one staring at you in the mirror? BTW, everyone, man or woman should know if their vehicle has any special towing requirements. Everyone should read and understand the operator's manual. Does it make any sense to buy a complicated and expensive piece of machinery and not read the operator's manual? C'on, be real. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted February 28, 2005 Author Share Posted February 28, 2005 snip... Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. A truly gratitous and moronic comment. Are you saying that ALL tow trucks operators would disregard towing instructions from a car's owner just because she happened to be a woman? Because that's what it sounds like, pal. My girlfriend had my Subaru towed. The tow truck operator made sure that my Forester was placed on a flat bed truck at HER request. I'm a white collar guy, but I resent the implication that all blue collar men are sexist jerks. Plenty of men will go much further to aid a woman in distress than another man. Next time you want to try to make a woman feel better by calling men jerks, why don't you restrict your comments to the one staring at you in the mirror? BTW, everyone, man or woman should know if their vehicle has any special towing requirements. Everyone should read and understand the operator's manual. Does it make any sense to buy a complicated and expensive piece of machinery and not read the operator's manual? C'on, be real. Hi Dude...... On behalf of all the guys here, I think they're trying to make me feel better about not insisting and being more aggressive about a flatbed. On the kid's behalf (the technician who came), he couldn't have been nicer....although he admitted to only having had the job for about 3 months. To be quite honest, I have had more white collar men condescend in my lifetime than blue collar. Heck....I live in Pittsburgh - the prototypical blue collar town!!!! At this point, after finding out that a flatbed was requested from AAA, I feel the towing co. should bear some sort of responsibility...... As for myself......your point is well taken. My gut told me that it was all wrong when my car was hooked up....but, then again, wheel dollies may have been used. I just assumed that care was taken to prevent damage to my car. AAA is now investigating whether or not dollies were, in fact, used. Thanks for your input....... Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 snip... Yah, and even if you HAD protested, fat chance the tow truck driver would have paid any attention to a 'woman' giving him mechanical instructions. A truly gratitous and moronic comment. Are you saying that ALL tow trucks operators would disregard towing instructions from a car's owner just because she happened to be a woman? Because that's what it sounds like, pal. My girlfriend had my Subaru towed. The tow truck operator made sure that my Forester was placed on a flat bed truck at HER request. I'm a white collar guy, but I resent the implication that all blue collar men are sexist jerks. Plenty of men will go much further to aid a woman in distress than another man. Next time you want to try to make a woman feel better by calling men jerks, why don't you restrict your comments to the one staring at you in the mirror? BTW, everyone, man or woman should know if their vehicle has any special towing requirements. Everyone should read and understand the operator's manual. Does it make any sense to buy a complicated and expensive piece of machinery and not read the operator's manual? C'on, be real. Hey DUDE! Kindova flame for the regular board ain’t it? 1. I didn’t say ALL anythings or anyones. That’s your assumption. 2. Maybe you’ve got nothing but gender-sensitive P.C. tow-truck drivers in your neck of the woods, but the spirit of John Wayne is alive and well in most of the west. “Don’t worry you little head, purty lady” is pretty much the kind of attitude you’ll run into on the road in Montana. 3. And on what do you base the assumption that I’m a blue collar resenting white collar worker? I’m sorry, have we met, and I forgot somewhere’s along the line? If so, please inform the director of my department that I no longer have to spend my day out in the field, regardless of weather, would you? I’d really appreciate that. 4. I wasn’t really trying to make anyone feel better at anyone else’s expense. I related the “tow truck experience” as I’ve mostlty seen it in about fifty years of driving. 5. Please direct me to the text where I’m calling anyone ‘jerk’, ‘sexist’, or any of the pejoratives used in your ‘reply’. Now, as to 'gratutious', 'moronic', I'll leave the use of those in the context of this board for you to ponder ... pal. 6. As to the average American reading the owners manual and understanding the workings of their automobile, man or woman you're right everyone should ... few do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dale47 Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 Hey DUDE! Kindova flame for the regular board ain’t it? 1. I didn’t say ALL anythings or anyones. That’s your assumption. 2. Maybe you’ve got nothing but gender-sensitive P.C. tow-truck drivers in your neck of the woods, but the spirit of John Wayne is alive and well in most of the west. “Don’t worry you little head, purty lady” is pretty much the kind of attitude you’ll run into on the road in Montana. 3. And on what do you base the assumption that I’m a blue collar resenting white collar worker? I’m sorry, have we met, and I forgot somewhere’s along the line? If so, please inform the director of my department that I no longer have to spend my day out in the field, regardless of weather, would you? I’d really appreciate that. 4. I wasn’t really trying to make anyone feel better at anyone else’s expense. I related the “tow truck experience” as I’ve mostlty seen it in about fifty years of driving. 5. Please direct me to the text where I’m calling anyone ‘jerk’, ‘sexist’, or any of the pejoratives used in your ‘reply’. Now, as to 'gratutious', 'moronic', I'll leave the use of those in the context of this board for you to ponder ... pal. 6. As to the average American reading the owners manual and understanding the workings of their automobile, man or woman you're right everyone should ... few do! I'm glad I just said hi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nug Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 I'm blue collar...and i wouln't trust any bastards like myself, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_DuB Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 Hey DUDE! Kindova flame for the regular board ain’t it? 1. I didn’t say ALL anythings or anyones. That’s your assumption. 2. Maybe you’ve got nothing but gender-sensitive P.C. tow-truck drivers in your neck of the woods, but the spirit of John Wayne is alive and well in most of the west. “Don’t worry you little head, purty lady” is pretty much the kind of attitude you’ll run into on the road in Montana. 3. And on what do you base the assumption that I’m a blue collar resenting white collar worker? I’m sorry, have we met, and I forgot somewhere’s along the line? If so, please inform the director of my department that I no longer have to spend my day out in the field, regardless of weather, would you? I’d really appreciate that. 4. I wasn’t really trying to make anyone feel better at anyone else’s expense. I related the “tow truck experience” as I’ve mostlty seen it in about fifty years of driving. 5. Please direct me to the text where I’m calling anyone ‘jerk’, ‘sexist’, or any of the pejoratives used in your ‘reply’. Now, as to 'gratutious', 'moronic', I'll leave the use of those in the context of this board for you to ponder ... pal. 6. As to the average American reading the owners manual and understanding the workings of their automobile, man or woman you're right everyone should ... few do! I couldnt agree MORE with you mtsmiths! Dude doesnt need to get his panties in a such bunch just over one line you used!!!! Dude you need to realize this Board nor is anyother as perfectly PC as we would like it to be but as linda and many others of us now know the world can be alittle Harsh to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted March 1, 2005 Share Posted March 1, 2005 OK all, let's abandon the thread hijack and stay on Linda's problem, may it not be so. If anyone else wants to comment on mtsmith's or Dude's 'attitudes', I suggest we take it to the OFF TOPIC section, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subie94 Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 We talked about 'Do not tow this vehicle' decals on the board before, maybe we should really do it? I'm a graphic designer, I'll do up the art free if someone can print the decals. Maybe the board could sell them. check with mcbrat,he does great work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 Sexist has little to do with it, I had a similar argument with a tow operator.....and this guy was not 3 months on the job. I had requested a flat bed tow truck with triple AAA; guy showed up with a hook. He insisted that it was okay; I insisted it was not. His last comment was "his way or the highway." I suggested he take the highway and I called AAA again to request another tow company. As it turned out, the first guy's company tried to charge AAA for the tow; AAA tried to bill it to me also until I showed them the paperwork for two tows on the same day on the same car. Eventually, AAA refused to pay for the non-tow and I filed a complaint against the first tow operator. Bottem line was I wanted the car towed 45 miles one way and they wanted to keep their flat bed local where it could do four tows in the time it would take to do mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unverviking Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 I broke down last week in my 93... Had the wife call AAA, and I told her to tell them to send a flatbed. If a regular truck was sent, it would be refused. My wife said when she said it was a Subaru, the guy she was talking to immediately said "You need a flatbed, it's All Wheel Drive" She and I both were amazed, but then again, as someone said here before, that's their job, they should know this stuff... So in essence, I've had a pleasant experience with AAA, recently... Even the tow driver was nice, only had to wait 15 mins... He picked up the car before my wife picked me up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schspeedster Posted March 7, 2005 Share Posted March 7, 2005 We talked about 'Do not tow this vehicle' decals on the board before, maybe we should really do it? I'm a graphic designer, I'll do up the art free if someone can print the decals. Maybe the board could sell them. check with mcbrat,he does great work Good idea, especially if on the windows and by the tow hook attachment points, and with notice that towing company will be held responsible for damage caused by improper towing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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