Date:         Thu, 12 Sep 2002 17:34:18 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: long-distance towing
Comments: To: BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I don't let anybody tow my vanagon.

I saw a really beautiful baby blue Jaguar XKE convertible absolutely ruined by
two idiots.....one that did the towing, and the other that permitted it. That
XKE  flexed sufficiently to cause the doors not to close properly. After seeing
that episode I swore no towing at least with one end off the ground. I know,
doesn't sound reasonable, given how vehicles drive across ditches, curbs etc,
but I saw what I saw, and I know that vehicles flex, and I don't want my rig
flexed out of shape so the doors don't quit fit right. I tow with all wheels on
the ground or fully loaded on a flatbed.

I turned down an authorized AAA tow and sent back and got a flatbed. Only way to
go. Why should I tow, when all the real towing competitors have the flat-bed
service?

Go for full service!!

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Ben T wrote:

> In a message dated 9/12/02 8:05:28 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> dan@OFFTHEHILL.ORG writes:
>
> << Speaking of tools to carry on roadtrips: I've got regular ol' AAA
> coverage,
>  but I'm wondering if there are any long-distance towing plans out there --
>  AAA only covers 100 miles; my auto insurance offers an optional plan to
> cover
>  $50 of fees (ooh, ha).
>  Is there anything out there which will cover a flatbed back to Mass if my
>  trusty Vanagon breaks down in say, upstate New York? >>
>
> Dan,
>
> I've heard of people having the AAA tow truck put the vehicle down. Then
> calling for a second tow as permitted. Thereby getting 200 mile charge free
> tow. I can't remember if you can do more than two tows per breakdown though.
> The critical part is the vehicle has to be brought down first and a second
> call to the AAA dispatcher must be made to comply with AAA regs.
>
> Whenever I've needed a tow for my Syncro, they've always given me a flatbed
> for proper towing. I don't know what they do about 2wd vans.
>
> BenT
> http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/myhomepage/index.html