10-03-2012, 11:42 AM
My best guess is that 98% of late model Newell's needing a tow, are towed by lifting the front axle. Late model Newell coaches average around 13' 2" in height at the top of the roof A/C's. You may gain three to six inches in clearance by lowering the travel height and reducing tire pressures, but transport via trailer is still difficult given the minimum height for overpasses in the US is only 13' 6". Trailering can also add to the towing mileage costs, as the tow driver uses alternate routes to avoid overpasses less than 16' in height.
Because Newell Coach uses off-the shelf heavy duty truck components, most heavy duty tow truck operators are well versed on caging spring brakes, adding airlines, removing drive shafts or drive axles, etc. You may need to show them the air fittings in the right rear engine compartment, or they may choose instead to splice into the system somewhere else.
One of the most important things the coach owner can do is to make certain during the initial phone call to the tow operator that they absolutely understand that this is no ordinary RV, that it is larger and weighs more than than most commercial busses, and that it is over 13 feet in height. You might also want to confirm that they are sending a heavy duty dual rear axle (tandem) tow truck with a tire lift capable of lifting/handling a 20K pound front axle and tires. I can't begin to count the number of times a second truck had to be sent, or another tow operator found, because the first truck they sent was too small to do the job. Many towing companies have a misconception that all RV's are Winnebago types, and have a hard time understanding that there are 45 foot, million dollar plus, luxury coaches out there, weighing more than commercial transit buses. As the saying goes, "fun flys when your doing time", especially when sitting on the shoulder of a busy highway.
Bottom line- Newell's 24 hour emergency technical support phone line is staffed by Newell Coach service coordinators and service managers with many many years of Newell Coach experience. If you have an emergency and need technical support, they will be more than happy to assist you. If the on-call person is tied up, I am the backup person, but hopefully the next time we talk, it will be about Newell's and the weather, not about being stuck along side the road
Because Newell Coach uses off-the shelf heavy duty truck components, most heavy duty tow truck operators are well versed on caging spring brakes, adding airlines, removing drive shafts or drive axles, etc. You may need to show them the air fittings in the right rear engine compartment, or they may choose instead to splice into the system somewhere else.
One of the most important things the coach owner can do is to make certain during the initial phone call to the tow operator that they absolutely understand that this is no ordinary RV, that it is larger and weighs more than than most commercial busses, and that it is over 13 feet in height. You might also want to confirm that they are sending a heavy duty dual rear axle (tandem) tow truck with a tire lift capable of lifting/handling a 20K pound front axle and tires. I can't begin to count the number of times a second truck had to be sent, or another tow operator found, because the first truck they sent was too small to do the job. Many towing companies have a misconception that all RV's are Winnebago types, and have a hard time understanding that there are 45 foot, million dollar plus, luxury coaches out there, weighing more than commercial transit buses. As the saying goes, "fun flys when your doing time", especially when sitting on the shoulder of a busy highway.
Bottom line- Newell's 24 hour emergency technical support phone line is staffed by Newell Coach service coordinators and service managers with many many years of Newell Coach experience. If you have an emergency and need technical support, they will be more than happy to assist you. If the on-call person is tied up, I am the backup person, but hopefully the next time we talk, it will be about Newell's and the weather, not about being stuck along side the road