"LJ909" (lj909) 07/09/2019 at 19:07 • Filed to: None

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The first half of my shift, I had a guy call in for a tow on a fairly new Frontier. I think it was like a ‘16 or ‘17. Anyway, when someone calls in for a tow on a truck, we have to ask them if its 2 or 4wd for obvious reasons so we can send out a flatbed if its 4wd. I go to ask this man if his truck is 2 or 4wd and he says “ I’m not too good with cars so I don’t know what you mean.” I laughed and said its ok, but in my head I was thinking “Of course you fucking don’t”. So I dumbed it down the best I could: “ When the vehicle moves, do just the back 2 wheels move the vehicle or do all the wheels move the truck?” Again, he didn’t understand. “ Sorry man I’m not too good with car lingo but yes the vehicle has all 4 tires. Im assuming other vehicles do to as well?”

Happy Tuesday folks!

DipodomysDeserti > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 20:27

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I have a 4wd Jeep, but when I drive around only the rear wheels move. Is something broken?

FYI, you don’t need a flatbed to tow a 4wd truck with a transfer case. Just make sure it’s in 2wd. You really only need a flatbed for AWD cars (like a Subaru).

But yeah, not knowing if your truck if 2wd or 4wd is funny.

LJ909 > DipodomysDeserti 07/09/2019 at 20:44

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FYI, you don’t need a flatbed to tow a 4wd truck with a transfer case. Just make sure it’s in 2wd. You really only need a flatbed for AWD cars (like a Subaru).

Oh yea I know, but we have so many damage claims here at AAA they like to play it safe and avoid any situations where a member can try and make us pay for damage for something they didn’ t make us aware of to begin with.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 20:48

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Its just the best when instead of using their brain, they jump to “i dont know car lingo” or “I dont know computer stuff”. Like okay herp derp so what you’re really saying is you refuse to learn the basics and have everyone do everything else for you? Great

66P1800inpieces > DipodomysDeserti 07/09/2019 at 20:51

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Your comment made me think of some Youtube videos where they rescue/tow tractors and trailers. They always drop the driveshaft. I then googled that to find out why, and found a interesting response related to regular 4x4s/all wheel drive (normally no transfercase ) and flat towing. Now I think some jeeps can be flat towed so this probably doesn’t apply to everything, and like you mentioned, putting the transfer case probably solves this.

(below is a comment from 7288cdn from this blog)  https://www.redpowermagazine.com/forums/topic/52952-why-do-you-remove-the-driveshaft-when-towing/

In neutral with the vehicle moving but the engine not running the output shaft turns because it is connected to the rear end. The input shaft does not turn and the countershaft is geared direct to the input shaft so it does not turn as well. When the countershaft spins it throws oil around so everything gets lubricated. Under a long tow the output shaft bearings do not get lubricated and will eventually fail.

DipodomysDeserti > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 20:51

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Makes sense.

LJ909 > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's 07/09/2019 at 21:05

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Yea honestly sometimes it comes across as more of they don’ t feel like thinking or answering questions so they intentionally act (if its an act) dumb. I don’ t get it.

Just Jeepin' > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 21:30

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So at that point is it more practical to do a VIN search or to just send the flatbed?

Under_Score > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 21:46

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4x4 models have a badge on the back. It can be that easy.

LJ909 > Just Jeepin' 07/09/2019 at 21:50

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Nah we wouldn’t do a VIN search. Outside of i nsurance we don’ t save vehicle information expect for year make and model. So if they don’ t know or don’ t provide if their vehicle is 2 or 4wd we just make a note there for the driver to hopefully see it in time and bring out the right equipment .

LJ909 > Under_Score 07/09/2019 at 22:03

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These are AAA members we are talking about so that kind of stuff can be...challenging for them. I mean these are people that think 15 years of membership gets them preferential service over millions of other people. Meaning a tow truck arriving in 5 minutes. 

Under_Score > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 22:15

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My parents don’t have AAA. They just have reliable cars. 

DipodomysDeserti > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 22:39

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It seems counterintuitive that a corporation like AAA wouldn’t save vehicle information for members. Even Autozone does that. I can call in to my favorite Chinese joint and they have my last order linked up to my phone number. Sounds like AAA is about as backwards as these customers you come in contact with.

subexpression > LJ909 07/09/2019 at 22:56

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From the opposite side, I once had a tow truck driver taken by surprise when he saw my pickup. When I called I had given the make, model, said it was a half-ton pickup. I guess I needed to tell the dispatcher “it’s a big one not a little one ”. Wasn’t a problem , but it really shouldn’t have happened .

LJ909 > DipodomysDeserti 07/09/2019 at 23:03

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We are backwards in a lot of ways. Trust me. But w e do save vehicle information but to a point. Like I mentioned before, we save vehicle make model and year information . But that’ s less of information that’s been provided by the member and more of a list of vehicles that have been serviced under the membership. T he membership follows the member not a specific vehicle.

LJ909 > subexpression 07/09/2019 at 23:06

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Yea I run into that a lot. Miscommunication all around be it the tow driver, the person that took the call or the member. It can be annoying.

i86hotdogs > LJ909 07/10/2019 at 07:30

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When asking an individual if their Renegade was 2 or 4 wheel drive, they promptly responded, “It’s not a motorcycle, it has four wheels.” They were pricing a CV axle.

pip bip - choose Corrour > LJ909 07/10/2019 at 08:15

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some people shouldn’t be allowed to drive