Towing Issues: Towing of my Lincoln MarkV111, tow truck driver, pot hole

Question
I had my vehicle (1998 Lincoln MarkV11)towed on Wed.,September2,2009, to my house. The car would start an move when the tow truck driver picked it up. He used a a big full sized truck, he had the rear lifted and the front tires on the ground. I have only had car for a month and didn't know that its not to be towed that way. he didn't turn off the air ride and he grounded off the plastic underneath the front of my car along with under the front license plate. In the truck is a shut off button for fuel system, this was turned off my book says this will only happen if you hit something with car. Also, when the car won't start at all and it did before tow. so my question is how do I tell if the tow truck driver caused additional damage? I was not with him during the tow from Ukiah,CA to Fort Bragg,CA.  Does it sound like he towed it right.

Answer
Well it sounds like the bumper and such are the responsibility of the tow company, damage wise.

As to the correct towing method, well the driver sounds like he either needs to study some towing manuals (they are available online or from places like AAA)..


Not saying that he was wrong, just that he is not fully aware of the proper methods of towing certain vehicles. But in his defense I have to say that the towing manuals now are covering 100s of vehicles and a lot of the information is specific to certain vehicles.


Now as to did he tow it right. Well I bet that he did the job the way he was trained and told to do it with a truck that is capable of towing the vehicle. Yes damage happens even to the best of us and it is something that we all try to avoid.

The fuel cut off switch is a "motion activated" switch which in past model years used to have problems if the vehicle hit a pot hole or speed bump to fast and hard. Heck I have seen then trip in parking lots when the vehicle was bumped.

Here is an online towing manual link which you might want to check out and see what they suggest.

www.towspec.com


Now I would contact the tow company about the damage to the bumper and such and see if they will take responsibility and repair it. But remember they might deny the claim.  Keep good notes and such and you should prevail.  But if you do end up going to small claims court you will need a lot of evidence and notes to back up your case