[nazali]

So , been watching this really great YT channel GTOger, about a car park behind a company that gets cars towed.

Made me think (so I am asking from a Canadian/Ont. perspective)

1> If your car is parked and for some reason, it is legally and correctly allowed to be towed, IF the truck tows an AWD by the wheels without a flatbed, can you sue them if they blow the transfer case, OR of shortly afterwards blows

2> How likely is that to happen, (towing incorrectly)

3> As there are a lot of AWD/4WD do they send flatbeds ?

4> Do truck drivers KNOW if the car is an AWD and take precautions or just say screw it

5> My back badges I deleted the XDRIVE badge, if I am de-badged (like a lot of folks I hear about) if it's incorrectly towed is there no way to sue, should I put an xdrive/AWD badge on to be safe, would it even matter ?

So far I have just got tickets (not for a long time) and I don't envisage a tow, I was clamped twice , but never towed

Your thoughts please

[2000cs]

Tow trucks seem to always cause damage unless the owner is hiring the tow (and even then,…). I have never heard of anyone getting damages from them; just an impound fee to pay. I would guess there is a release for damage in the vehicle release form when the impound fee is paid. Best to not get towed for involuntary reasons.

[vreihen16]

Pay your tickets and always park legally. Then, you will never have to find out what the answer to this question is.....

[nazali]

I always do, but things happen, sometimes not your fault, but that's not the question, it's a discussion on what "if" something happens as opposed to "lets hope it doesnt"

[nazali]

@1:49

[nazali]

"They towed MY CAR! They towed the black land cruiser parked in spot #2, instead of the red 4runner parked in spot #1. They didn't even bother to check the plates, or the model, or the color."

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice..._parking_spot/

[nazali]

mistakes happen, what I'm asking is about towing AWD's, (if there is an AWD sticker on the car) do they know or care and is there any recourse, and what likely damage

IF your going to debate whether to park "correctly" or legally or something other thing... (which is TOTALLY VALID AND I AGREE WITH) is NOT the point of this thread.

[nazali]

I did do some googling though

[spazzyfry123]

Interesting. It hasn’t really been a thought since I’ve never been towed, but I’ve got a couple AWD vehicles. I’d certainly anticipate a flatbed, but would expect a tire dragger.

[jjFender]

Every tow truck that I've had to deal with came with dollies for the rear wheels of the car being towed. There may be other damages like scratches but I think risk of drivetrain damage is very low.

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by nazali

I did do some googling though

That 2nd quote is incorrect, sometimes.

Towing AWD (not 4x4), not flat towing (all 4 tires on the ground and moving) will cause damage. Maybe not immediate and noticeable. But it will surely take life off the internals in the AWD controlling unit; be that a unit tied to the transmission of the front/rear differential. The vast majority of modern AWD's use a clutch based system. That system relies on fluid pressure to engage and vary that clutch making sure the front and rear wheels are rotating at equal speeds. When you do not have power to the 'tcase' and the front or rear wheels are not turning the clutches will eat themselves. Travel far enough and the friction material is gone, leaving only the steel backing. That backing will fuse, lock the input/output shafts and lockup. Destroying the bearing/case.

You can not tow AWD with 2 wheels immobile and not cause some reduction of life or damage.
The exception is if they pull the driveshaft ... no one will ever do that.


4x4 you can put the tcase in neutral and tow with the front wheel up. No damage.


Far as accountability, that will vary by tow company and local regulations. A lawyer is the answer to that time/question.

[nazali]

txs great explanation. so our xdrives (AWD) are different to 4x4's .

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by nazali

txs great explanation. so our xdrives (AWD) are different to 4x4's .

Yes.

Most 4x4's the transfer case is a fixed 1:1 ratio. If the rear is turning the front turns at the same speed, always.

With AWD it's a clutch type device connecting the front to rear. Depending on the amount of slip that clutch lets, the front and rear can turn at different speeds with no damage.

If you've ever driven a 4x4 in 4Lo and trying to turn you'll understand right away the difference. The front will hop as the rear tries pushing through it.