Gotta Love it.... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

bubba428 · 08-26-2009, 03:46 AM

So I just towed a 08 Mercedes ML550 4motion. because its AWD it had to be put on dollies, on top of that the GVWR is 6250 making it a $200 impound plus a $50 fee for the dollies. I had taken pictures of the vehicle prior to tow to document the dollie use and show any damage, but my camera was low on battery so I took general shots. When the owners showed up he tried claiming that bug splats and road debris scratches on the front of the truck were caused by me towing it...from the rear. He ended up calling the cops and yelling at me and generally being a belligerent *******, until he paid. Funny part is when I was taking the drivers license info, it turned out he's my landlord's (who I've known a while from my job and have very good standing with) uncle, and had he not been such a douchebag, I'd have cut $100 off the price. the real kicker is the genius parked directly next to the 4ftx4t Rodeway inn sign that says after the both closes you have to go to the motel for a pass, and a 2ftx4ft sign that says "Unauthorized Vehicles Will Be Towed".

Mark B · 08-26-2009, 06:36 AM

Question for you.... off topic. Speaking of towing AWD veichles, my 01 GMC Sierra C3 is AWD. Its somewhat of a rare truck and nobody I have ever talked to knows that it is AWD. If my truck were to get towed, what are the chances that the driver would use the dollies to avoid dammaging my truck?

maroman88 · 08-26-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark B

Question for you.... off topic. Speaking of towing AWD veichles, my 01 GMC Sierra C3 is AWD. Its somewhat of a rare truck and nobody I have ever talked to knows that it is AWD. If my truck were to get towed, what are the chances that the driver would use the dollies to avoid dammaging my truck?

is that the all wheel drive/steering?? if so, those are sweeeeeeet

bubba428 · 08-26-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark B

Question for you.... off topic. Speaking of towing AWD veichles, my 01 GMC Sierra C3 is AWD. Its somewhat of a rare truck and nobody I have ever talked to knows that it is AWD. If my truck were to get towed, what are the chances that the driver would use the dollies to avoid dammaging my truck?

depending on the AWD system it would either try to roll off the claw, being that the boom is moving up rotating the truck and making tension between the tow truck and grounded wheels of the vehicle, or when i move the truck forward it would have about 6in of play and then lock and I would feel the tow truck not be able to go freely. the 2nd one is common of American AWD the 1st one is common of European. Now I said I would notice these things because I know what I'm doing. Your average jersey tow guy might just think your truck is extra heavy. but I wouldn't worry about that with a company that does private property impounds, especially not the one I work for. I'd be more weary of AAA and cities that have they're own towing division. AAA is notorious for inexperienced drivers with little to no mechanical knowledge, and city tow trucks can say "well the damage we cause is your fault because you shouldn't have parked there to begin with". I have no such luxury

bubba428 · 08-26-2009, 09:46 AM

O and the truck I drive, if i don't have to use dollies or Go-Jaks (yes I spelled that right) I don't even have to get out of the truck.

Mark B · 08-27-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba428

depending on the AWD system it would either try to roll off the claw, being that the boom is moving up rotating the truck and making tension between the tow truck and grounded wheels of the vehicle, or when i move the truck forward it would have about 6in of play and then lock and I would feel the tow truck not be able to go freely. the 2nd one is common of American AWD the 1st one is common of European. Now I said I would notice these things because I know what I'm doing. Your average jersey tow guy might just think your truck is extra heavy. but I wouldn't worry about that with a company that does private property impounds, especially not the one I work for. I'd be more weary of AAA and cities that have they're own towing division. AAA is notorious for inexperienced drivers with little to no mechanical knowledge, and city tow trucks can say "well the damage we cause is your fault because you shouldn't have parked there to begin with". I have no such luxury

Thats why I stick to the parking garages when I am in Philly. I dont give people reasons to tow my truck anyway... But you never know. Now Im tempted to slap a big AWD sticker on the front and back. haha

bubba428 · 08-27-2009, 01:03 PM

dude philly is rough with the towing...but then again I'm a bastard myself.

12secondv6 · 08-27-2009, 02:21 PM

It's 4-Matic

bubba428 · 08-28-2009, 12:23 AM

true...VW, Mercedes, BMW, its all the same on the back of my tow truck. I don't care what they call it, it just means I gotta dollie the car/SUV, which means I get an extra $50 on the impound. BTW, I've been on for 5 hours tonight and I've made $112 for me. not too shabby for a tow truck driver.