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Tow damage?

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Spellka

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I had a coolant leak and had the truck towed to the mechanic.

The mechanic said it came in with the front raised and the rear wheels on the ground.

My 4x4 is not working. The linkage underneath is busted; wasn’t like this before. Is it possible this is from the tow?

Would the 4x4 be damaged or just reconnect the broken link?

I’m just wondering if this is a DIY or put it through insurance since they hired the tow company.
 
Got pictures?
Sounds like your insurance needs to go after the tow company for damages/repair.

Been there, done that.
 
I would hope the tow truck driver knew better and didn't forget to put the transfer case in Neutral before he hauled it. 20+ years ago we had a truck come in for an engine issue. When we finally fixed it, we realized the transmission was toast because the tow truck driver hauled it with the shifter in
"Drive". The tow company paid for the new transmission.
 
Absolutely could be caused by the tow. Not sure what year yours is, but it shouldn’t matter.

2024 owners manual allows for towing 4x4 models with all wheels off the ground, or all wheels on the ground. If all on the ground, transmission needs to be in P AND Transfer case in N.

Tow company towed that wrong.
 
If transfer case is in neutral, why can’t it be towed with only two wheels on the ground?
 
regal2800 said:
If transfer case is in neutral, why can’t it be towed with only two wheels on the ground?
Click to expand...
I'm not 100% positive in this case. In some cases, it is due to lubrication needs. Putting the transfer case in neutral disconnects the driveshafts from the transmission, but the driveshafts are still connected to the transfer case. So, some things in there are still spinning.

For whatever reason, Ram feels strongly enough about it to refer to it as "NOT ALLOWED" (Bold and all caps in the manual). Same table for recreational towing (behind RV) or towing a disabled vehicle. It also warns that transmission and/or transfer case damage can occur due to improper towing. I believe putting the transmission in Park and the transfer case in neutral would prevent damage to the transmission, but maybe not the transfer case.
 
Belzelbub said:
I'm not 100% positive in this case. In some cases, it is due to lubrication needs. Putting the transfer case in neutral disconnects the driveshafts from the transmission, but the driveshafts are still connected to the transfer case. So, some things in there are still spinning.

For whatever reason, Ram feels strongly enough about it to refer to it as "NOT ALLOWED" (Bold and all caps in the manual). Same table for recreational towing (behind RV) or towing a disabled vehicle. It also warns that transmission and/or transfer case damage can occur due to improper towing. I believe putting the transmission in Park and the transfer case in neutral would prevent damage to the transmission, but maybe not the transfer case.
Click to expand...
the transfer case is still spinning, but the transfer case doesn't have a cooler or oil pump anyway.
 
regal2800 said:
the transfer case is still spinning, but the transfer case doesn't have a cooler or oil pump anyway.
Click to expand...
Not disagreeing with you. It makes sense. For some reason, Ram wants 4x4s to be towed with either all wheels on the ground or all wheels off the ground. 4x2s they want to be towed with rear wheels up, or all wheels up. Should not be an issue for a wrecker.

An intern at work had to get his SUV towed for repairs. Wrecker showed up, put the rear wheels on a dolly and lifted the front. Simple as that. Not a specialized wrecker either. He just had what was needed on the truck.
 
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