Flat Tire

Crazy that you can't get one to come out on Fathers Day?  Can't say I've ever tried, and I'd probably have to double the meat on the BBQ, but I'm pretty sure mine would.

It must be a steer tire that went flat?  Otherwise, how would we know if one of the rear tires?  Unless you have a tire monitor system.

Have you tried airing it up?  Could it then get you to a repair place that is open?

If it is a rear flat, then can't we just air it up and try and get to the repair place?  Unless you hear the air coming out quickly.

Sorry you are stuck there and I am very interested in what the correct procedures would be in your situation.

So what is the value of Good Sam???  Aren't they sitting in front of the computer, with all the "regular" contact info in front of them, and aren't they supposed to do your search work for you, or is it they use only their own contracted service groups?

BTW, when was the new steer tire installed?

Good Sam understood not to send a pickup to tow it and it was done at night in about 30 minutes.  But we are in a northeast, it's pretty densely populated, lots of Yankees around here.

I managed to get it to a parking lot and turn it around, the guy shoved the lift arm under the rear and picked up the rear axle.  This avoided the shaft disconnect routine to deal with the brake cans.

He also commented on my plan to have a full storage compartment under the rear, it would have been impossible to do that.

"How about lifting it by the bumper," I asked. He wasn't too keen on that not knowing how the bumper is attached.

I think my bumper is well attached to the frame.

But I might fabricate couple of inserts to go into those square vertical tubes to facilitate pickup with the lift arm.

I have roadside assistance connected with an extended warranty agreement I have.  Will now look at it to see how strong, or weak, it might be.

If you did have rear boxes, and they lift the truck from the front, how high can they lift before your rear is grinding on the pavement.  Do they ever winch these trucks up on flatbeds?  Would it still clear?  Wow, lots to think about when creating your bed design!  I'm thinking of Dan's extended bed and how that would work?

You're probably right building lift connections into the rear for this sort of thing.  Non of us add anything on to the front that would not clear a rear lift.

Other than the trucks I converted, no other body builders that I know put access panels in their decks to get to things like DRIVESHAFTS FOR INSTANCE, that you might have to disconnect (on the road).  Towing from the front is not easy, somehow you have to keep the brake cans open and that's not easy with most "leaky" air systems.  I would think about a hefty bumper and bumper attach.  This is how we did it on several trucks including mine.  This is from Donnie Barns' design files.

Enjoy and be safe,

The tow rings that fit in the front of the truck, would there be an advantage to having sockets for them in the rear as well?

BTW thanks for all the info posted here.  A lot pertains to my bus conversion.  Again thanks.
Bill

Towing from the front was not a issue and I probably have one of the longer behind the axle beds on this forum.  The entire rear of my bed can be removed easily if necessary for access to differential, rear brakes and suspension components.

It will be interesting to see if GS pays to a service vendor they did not dispatch.  I had problems with GS not paying vendors they did dispatch but that's another topic

I've been towed, the guy did use special hooks designed for Volvo front frame; he kept air in the lines, disconnected the drive shaft and off we went (HDT and RV together) until we could drop the RV, then off to drop the HDT for a new radiator!

In years past, GS was not always a prompt-pay to their contract vendors; I think they've improved on that subject, what with competition from CoachNet, Allstate, and others. We have both -- CoachNet (via the National Interstate vehicle insurance) and GS, directly; have used both several times in the last 3 years, good results from each!
Don

p.s. I've also been towed from behind -- when running bob-tail and had broken battery wire that shut me down; was even quicker to lift & drag to the shop for wire & battery-box clean up and repair.

However, if you think about it, the air can only pass through any cylinder that both exhaust AND intake valves open.  I suppose the turbo could turn, but fast enough to cause damage?