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JudeG's avatar
JudeG
Explorer
Jul 09, 2013

Newbie Woes re Towing

Please tell me if I've landed at the wrong airport for this question. We have a 2007 Coachmen Mirada towing a manual 2011 Chevy HRR. We've had two occasions where we ended up with undue tire wear on the driver's side, front tire. The first time, about a month ago, we replaced two tires. Discount Tire couldn't figure out what had caused the damage, so they moved back tires to the front and put new tires on the back. Yesterday, it happened again which means we need two more tires BUT I need to know what is causing this problem! We were told the car is to be in neutral, emergency brake not engaged -ha ha- and key turned to first position - ACC. What I'm wondering is if the key is not turned quite all the way to ACC, would that do it? It's the only thing I can think of... The only other thing I can think to tell you is that we have the Fuse #8 bypass switch. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    The one time I towed my s-10 without unlocking the steering wheel I got about 3/4 of a mile when I noticed smoke coming from under the front of the toad. It had shed about 20% of the new front tire edge as a result of not being true with the direction of the road. Ever since then I immediately do a hard left turn on starting out to verify that the from wheels are tracking as seen in the rear view mirror
  • tropical36's avatar
    tropical36
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2013
    We don't have a steerng lock to contend with and glad of that. Now, with the expense that some go through to tow, why not have the steering lock removed and be done with it and especially if it's an older Jeep or like vehicle. I mean what's it really good for?
    With the case of the OP, it does sound like the wheels have been dragging for whatever reason and mayb tying a scarf on top of the steering wheel to watch in the rear camera would provide some insight for this.
  • jerseyjim's avatar
    jerseyjim
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2013
    I "toad" a 2007 HHR automatic. After I hook it up, I put the ignition key in "neutral" (actually back it off from "start"), but leave the key in...pull that 2 AMP fuse (that "chime" will stop) and turn the steering wheel to make sure the front tires are "free" to turn.
    "Toad" it coast to coast twice plus all the more or less "local" trips. Never had any problems.
  • LadyRVer's avatar
    LadyRVer
    Explorer II
    Jul 10, 2013
    I keep a white bungee cord on the top of the steering wheel to check in the rear camera, also I put a spec of "white-out" above the spot where the key should actually be when towing. I, too, have 2 spots on ACC with key. 2006 Chevy Cobalt DH walks along side of dingy first thing out each morning to make sure wheels and steering wheel are turning, while I kind of zig-zag on the road for a short distance.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Jul 09, 2013
    JudeG wrote:
    Bells started going off when I saw the mention of locked steering wheel because both times we had tire damage, we found the steering locked.

    Smoking Gun! The locked steering wheel is a dinosaur in this day of coded keys. Take the car to a mechanic and have him completely disable the steering wheel locking mechanism. Problem solved permanently. It takes maybe 10 minutes if he isn't busy.
  • JudeG's avatar
    JudeG
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    Thank you so much for the info! Bells started going off when I saw the mention of locked steering wheel because both times we had tire damage, we found the steering locked. While we were out getting the new tires, we stopped by a Chevy dealer and had him show us what he thought was the proper ACC position. They had not had complaints of this type of damage before. All the ideas are great. My husband, Don usually drives the RV, so I will hang back at takeoff and make sure the HHR wheels are moving properly. Thanks again!
  • accsys's avatar
    accsys
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    Tie a piece of white cloth top, center on your steering wheel and watch for it to move in your rear camera when turning corners. Also, the DW walks alongside our Libby as we are pulling out to make sure all tires are rolling well and the steering wheel turns on turns.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    My Toad has 2 ACC key positions. One locks the wheel the other does not. AND it is very easy to be in the wrong one.

    To this day even after 5 years of towing it I always set it all up and then turn the wheel all the way one way and then all the way the other way to MAKE SURE the steering wheel is not going to lock on my first turn with it.

    Been there done that right from the RV dealership install because they had the key in the first ACC position and not the second one that prevents the wheel from locking upon the first turn.
  • Queens_Carriage's avatar
    Queens_Carriage
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    After you get it all ready to tow make sure that you can turn the steering wheel. rr225 talked about the braking system, that's another good one to check.
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    We had to put a drop hitch on to tow our previous toad. Same problem excess tire wear. Steering wheel can't be locked.

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