Hello everyone,Like many I bought an RV with a Workhorse P32 chassis. I got towed for a broken ball joint. My question is: Can someone explain to me all the specifics that can be related to a pop-up hose at the radiator end that circulate the transmission fluid after the putting it back on the road for 20 miles.The Towing procedure was done like this:1- Towed buy the front2- Did not remove 4 bolts at the drive shaft3- Put at neutral4- Engine running at idle5- pull for ~25 miles @ ~45-50Miles/HrThe common knowledge is that it's going to break the transmission. I am looking to understand why by explaining the specific for the pop-up hose at the joint of the radiator !Thanks for any future reply!

I would be a little concerned how it was towed.The rear U-joint should have been disconnected.Towed too fast at 45-50.Question about fluid raises another concern. If raised too high the suction plate in the transmission could be not picking up fluid. Thus running the engine after towing would remove any or most air from the cooler line.You did not state year of the chassis and what engine transmission. This would be good to know.

enblethen wrote:I would be a little concerned how it was towed.The rear U-joint should have been disconnected.Towed too fast at 45-50.Question about fluid raises another concern. If raised too high the suction plate in the transmission could be not picking up fluid. Thus running the engine after towing would remove any or most air from the cooler line.You did not state year of the chassis and what engine transmission. This would be good to know.Thank's for the quick reply.GeogyBoy landau2450 2002Engine: Vortec 8.1Ltrans.: 4L80Ethank's !

To the OPWish you would give the WHOLE story.Seems like there is more to the story than you are relating.

darsben1 wrote:To the OPWish you would give the WHOLE story.Seems like there is more to the story than you are relating.OK !Keep in mind that I am no mechanic at all. What I know is from internet since 3 days and that I just bough it 3 weeks ago.1- @55miles/hr on the highway the front left ball joint broke (and it has been change 2 years back!!!!). Manage not to panic et pulled safely the RV on the side of the road. I observe that all the assembly was on the ground, and the wheel had a strip of 6 inch flatten to the bone.2- Description of the towing process is describe in my first post.3- Repair in the same day: New tire, the table kit ball joint on the Fr-Lt side.4- I drove back my RV that same evening on the reverse route to go home. On the highway after going on a steep hill (about 1.5Miles long), from the mirror point of view, I saw some black smoke coming from the rear of the RV. I then pull on the side on a heavy traffic Friday beginning of the labor day w-e. When out to look at what was going on, I saw some liquid coming down from the front of the vehicle. I did not know what it was at that point. Fearing for my safety, I then drove 8 miles to get-out of the highway to the nearest gas station. So far no problem. When I stop I could observe some leaking, but less then just before. looking at my gages, nothing seam to be different from normal. So having 6 more miles to go home, I decided to drove it again. After only a few 100 feet, I felt some weird behavior, I pull off the road again and the short rest of the story.... towing again !!!thank's !

What do you mean by "Pop up hose at the radiator'.

Workhorse P32 Towed | Good Sam Community

Philippe
Explorer
Sep 11, 2016
enblethen wrote:
The gearing in the transmission for reverse is slightly different then low gear in forward. Engine a 5 MPH in reverse is slightly higher then in forward low gear. Reverse could be 1500 RPMs where forward could be 2000 RPMs.

Ok.

For the purpose of the discussion of this post, how can I put your comment as a relation ?

Also, if during towing transportation there is an angle of ??? 5°-15°, would that also be a factor of concern considering how my RV was towed ?
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 09, 2016
The gearing in the transmission for reverse is slightly different then low gear in forward. Engine a 5 MPH in reverse is slightly higher then in forward low gear. Reverse could be 1500 RPMs where forward could be 2000 RPMs.
Philippe
Explorer
Sep 09, 2016
enblethen wrote:
It could effect only reverse as it is slightly different ratio then low forward gear.

I understand the words, but I don't understand the meaning.
Can you explain please ?
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 09, 2016
It could effect only reverse as it is slightly different ratio then low forward gear.
Philippe
Explorer
Sep 09, 2016
enblethen wrote:
At idle, the transmission pump is not putting out enough pressure and volumne to lubricate and keep the back half of the transmission cool.
The transmission in neutral is not turning the internal components.
Idle is somewhere around 1000 RPMs, when driving the rig at say 50MPH, the engine is turning about 2000 RPMs.

Are you trying to get the tow company to pay for repairs?

Ok !

The back-half... is it the reverse that is located in the back-half ? (I ask because the forward still works, but not the reverse)

Not the tow company. My insurance of the RV, are on the matter. Because it is like a accident sort of.

enblethen, thank you so much for your great input on this subject.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 09, 2016
At idle, the transmission pump is not putting out enough pressure and volumne to lubricate and keep the back half of the transmission cool.
The transmission in neutral is not turning the internal components.
Idle is somewhere around 1000 RPMs, when driving the rig at say 50MPH, the engine is turning about 2000 RPMs.

Are you trying to get the tow company to pay for repairs?
Philippe
Explorer
Sep 09, 2016
enblethen wrote:
No, The pump would not have been releasing high pressure, more apt to be low pressure at idle.
Towing with drive shaft not disconnected or axles removed would have created friction possible destroyer clutches which in turn when you drove the rig got into the valve body and cooling lines creating higher then normal pressure.

Ok!

1- "more apt to be low pressure at idle" What does this mean ? Could you explain please
2- So if I understood correctly, friction would of created small debris that would of got in the cooling lines creating.... boom !
Even if engine was running@idle in neutral ? If so, why ? (please :-) )

My last (main)question: Why would it be more friction then in normal use when towed (in the procedure that I describe at the beginning of this post)?

Thanks'

Phil.
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 08, 2016
No, The pump would not have been releasing high pressure, more apt to be low pressure at idle.
Towing with drive shaft not disconnected or axles removed would have created friction possible destroyer clutches which in turn when you drove the rig got into the valve body and cooling lines creating higher then normal pressure.
Philippe
Explorer
Sep 08, 2016
enblethen wrote:
Towing with the drive shaft connected or not pulling the rear axles, spun the output of the transmission causing overheating of the transmission and fluid.
Even with engine running, the fluid is not circulated in the transmission.

ok !

Then base on what you said, my hypothesis would be that over pressure could of weaken the transmission fluid hose at the connection point during my first towing ride.

Is this a possible assumption ?
enblethen
Nomad
Sep 08, 2016
Towing with the drive shaft connected or not pulling the rear axles, spun the output of the transmission causing overheating of the transmission and fluid.
Even with engine running, the fluid is not circulated in the transmission.

Forum Discussion

Workhorse P32 Towed

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

2003 workhorse P32 fuel pressure

alignment machine for Workhorse P32

2004 Workhorse P32 Vortec 7.4 (454) OIL RECOMMENDATIONS

P32 sticking rear caliper

P32 New Coil Springs Too Much?