Bus as tow truck?

[Eric]

I was put on the spot most recently to volunteer our bus to pull a semi out of a VERY small sinkhole....I declined by default.. Just out of curiosity as long as you weren't tugging on something would this be even feasible?

[TomC]

You probably made the correct choice. Most buses don't have enough power but to just barely push themselves down the road, let alone try to pull someone else.  Then-if you're pulling from behind-you'd be pulling on the engine cradle since most buses do not have a frame like a truck.  If you have a transit, some have big tow hooks in the front that are made to tow the bus by a wrecker-then maybe you could try pulling someone out with the tow hooks. But-unless you have an Allison world transmission with a T drive, a V drive (V730) will not have enough power since a V730's reverse is essentially using 2nd gear (I went almost 40mph in reverse in a big parking lot once).  Good Luck, TomC

[Charles Seaton]

TomC,

I thought I was the only one who did that!  I got over 30 mpg in a GM new look in reverse.  It shifted into second. And yes, with a transit you can tow another bus in reverese but I have never seen it done on anything other tham flat, level ground.  A GM with V drive can hardly getb itself out of a ditch.

-- Seaton

[Just Dallas]

Removed

[TomC]

Dallas- the Ontario (Ca) Union 76 truck stop is now a TA-actually there are two across the street from each other.  I can remember the drug dealers, hookers, trucks being stolen, etc.  Now it's a advertised family oriented Travel stops of America (TA).  Actually the city of Ontario was about to pull TA's business license unless they cleaned up their act-which they did-hence the two truck stops are still there.  Good Luck, TomC

[oldmansax]

I figured somebody had probably burnt the Ontario truck stop down before now!

That brings back a lot of memories...... some of which I wish I could forget!

TOM

[bobofthenorth]

Getting back to the OP's question, if somebody needs a tow the best thing to do is lend him your cell phone.  That advice applies regardless of what you are driving unless whatever you drive has a Holmes wrecker bolted to it.  IMHO.

[JohnEd]

If you use a snatch strap you wouldn't hurt anything if properly connected.  I will carry one so my Ranger can get me unstuck when a 5,000  pound pull force will do the trick.  My 10Klb receiver would be a good place to connect it in the rear and the tie down rings in the front should do up there.

Discretion being the better part of valor, I would have no qualms about a response f the offer of a cell phone.  You are honor bound to never accept and such assist that you are refusing.  But no worries here.

Call me!

John

[Eric]

Thanks Guys! You know that split second "YES" that crosses through your mind? During that i seen the rear end of the bus getting tore off! LOL I"m glad I didn't but it's good to know if I did what i would/should do!