Stuck like a duck

J-Rooster wrote:
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't own a HR RV but, on my Winnebago the drive line needs to be disconnected and the coach needs to be towed from the rear only. Good Luck and you need to get out of there before that big storm hits in that area.

That is only for towing any distance. It wouldn't be necessary or possibly not even possible for an extraction.

Been there done that.

Moved to the West Coast of FL. Most of the region was flooded the month prior so we were able to see low lying areas, etc. when looking for a storage lot. Most of the lots around here are on grass/"soil". Very few gravel and fewer concrete.

Found a nice storage facility with a concrete drive but grass lots. 12x50 was only $66/month. They were dry during the storms and the soil appeared solid under foot. Most of the lots we looked at were still slightly soft under foot. NEVER take their word for it. "We have no problems with the big units, moving trucks, etc..." But the "moving truck" were rentals with a max loaded at 26k. The big units were 5rs. The other big RV is Class A/Gasser (35'). So repeatly tell them I am 43' and 40k. I recently scaled in at over 45k with toad.

I lined up for a straight back-in (while still on the concrete). The spaces are tight at 12' each. I got the back in centered but since the adjacient spaces were empty I was slightly off in the front. I turned the wheel slightly and pulled all the way forward. I got out to check alignment and noticed where the steer wheels were is now loose soil (approx 1"). I make a mental note not to turn the wheel on the soil and back in. This time I am off center by 6" in the back but straight. I pull forward, not turning the steering wheel until it is on concrete and stop. I put the MH in reverse but nothing happens. I cycle the parking brake and the transmission but nothing. I get out and see....



The "soil" was just a crust over sand backfill. I put the rear jacks on 2x12x36 and raised the rear. Clearing the sand in front and rear of the tires was easy but it was also easy to CLEAR UNDER THE TIRE. Wood was not going to help so I called roadside assist for a winch out. 2hrs later a medium (F750) tow truck arrived, strapped the rear hitch and we were able to winch/idle the MH out. I was happily surprised. The only damage is 1)some of the cloth covering on the aqua hot exhaust is off and while enroute to a different lot; 2)the ABS light came on.

SO, just because the ground is dry and firm doesn't mean it will hold a heavy DP. We are parked on concrete now.

The only problem I had (in Detroit area) was the truck they sent was a bit too small.. Now,, On a DP this would have been a disaster but on my coach (Damon Intruder Gas) when we coupled my mind with the truck's hydraulics .. No damage, Pulled it right out and by the recommended method. What can I say. i'm good.

Driver did not think it would work but that's why I am the DISPATCHER after all (We know stuff).

Ranger Smith wrote:
I have never had an issue with getting pulled out by a Coach Net provider or Good Sam Provider. Just be sure they are pulling you straight and NOT at an angle as they will bend things

you get stuck alot?

dshinnick wrote:
We were on our way to our spot at the TripleTree Aerodrome in Woodruff, South Carolina for a week of R/C model aircraft flying. It had been raining quite a bit, and the ground wasn't as firm as we thought, and we're stuck in the mud. We're level, and spent an uneventful night dry camping, but we're ready to get out of here. We have a 2005 Holiday Rambler 40' DP. We're going to call Coach-Net, our emergency service provider, but I've heard horror stories of the tow guys who get sent out hooking up the coach wrong and causing significant damage. Can I get some advice from folks who have been in a similar situation? dave

A couple years ago, I drove onto a rain-soaked grass field in rural Alabama and promptly got stuck in the mud. Then I made things worse by spinning my rear wheels and digging myself into a trench. The good news is that in that area of the country, you don't have to wait long for a passing tractor. As others have suggested, he hooked a chain up to the tow receiver and pulled me out backwards. I helped by putting the motorhome in reverse and gently assisting in the movement, and by steering the front wheels to keep the motorhome in-line with the direction of the pull. Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy.

Sounds like you had the same experience so I'm glad it worked out for you.

Skip

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I wouldn't have used hitch as it isn't rated for coach towing.:B

I have to ask...what or where on the motorhome IS rated for coach towing???

Having pulled more things of all shapes and sizes out of stuck positions than I care to count, the ONLY place to attach to that gives you the most chance of success is the receiver hitch. And NEVER use the ball of the hitch. Use the eyelet of a strap and the 5/8" pin that holds the receiver. I have watched more trailer balls come flying off!

Great news you are out!

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't own a HR RV but, on my Winnebago the drive line needs to be disconnected and the coach needs to be towed from the rear only. Good Luck and you need to get out of there before that big storm hits in that area.

Sept 18 weekend, we were in the infield at chicagoland speedway. Got a LOT of rain Thursday night thru saturday morning. Infield was soggy all weekend.

Come Monday AM, the tow trucks were busy busy busy.
Given a choice, pulling by the rear trailer hitch seemed to be the favored way.
One tow truck pulled out a row of 5 rental Prevost's, one after the other, in 30 minutes flat, just tugging on the hitches!

dshinnick wrote:
Our guy arrived in less than an hour. He suggested hooking the cable up to our tow hitch, which I hadn't considered. The winch pulled us out slowly and safely. He stayed with us until we were well in the clear.

Coach-net is highly recommended. We've only used them twice in four years, but each time they were professional, courteous, and the results were great. $100/year for such reassurance is really cheap, as far as I'm concerned. I'll have 'em until we hang up the motorhoming for good.

Thanks for all the help, y'all (we're in South Carolina. Gotta say "y'all)

:0)

Good response time......Good tow out of the mud...good pricing

Good for Coach Net!!

I wouldn't have used hitch as it isn't rated for coach towing.
Glad it worked.

Thanks for posting back with update. :B

Never had a problem with CoachNet tows. Give them your gvw and make sure they send the proper size tow. The guys that drive these things usually know what they are doing. Hope they don't have to disconnect drive line. Should have to.