Towing Issues: AWD tow damage, md wheaton, wheel lifts

Question
My Subaru AWD was towed from a restaurant parking spot in Montgomery
County MD (Wheaton). I met the driver after calling the # and paid the money.
My car was towed backwards on 2 wheels in gear. As I drove the car away
there was a crazy sound coming from the rear. Turns out the Subaru dealer
said the rear differential was damaged from the improper tow ($2500). My
friend was with me at the time and was a witness, but in my frustration and
anger I did not get a receipt and they only accepted cash. Do I have any
recourse or am I pretty much up against it without the receipt?  

Answer
Well I would be talking to the tow company owner about the "lack of receipt" (driver might not of turned in the money then (but not likely))

And the possibility of damage being done to the vehicle while being towed... Notice the word "possibility" as the tow company will have to investigate and see what happened and if the towing methods and systems they used might of caused it, or if they just plain messed up and caused the damage.

A lot of AWD vehicles can be towed without flatbeds, provided they follow some guidelines and special equipment is used, such as dollies and wheel lifts..

But its hard to really answer this as I was not there and do not know what kind of tow truck was used and if any special equipment was used...


But think about what you say in the question here, if it was towed backwards to the tow lot, that would mean that the rear end of the vehicle was in the air... And you say the rear differential is damaged...

That end was off the ground... Yes the front wheels could of been turning into the transmission and the drive line to the rear could of been turning into the rear differential and if they were secured to the tow truck wheel lift they would not be turning even though the insides are turning...

Now if they used a tow sling, that would allow the rear wheels to free turn while in tow, but that is most likely not the case here.

It does make sense, but again it does depend on what equipment was used...


I hope this helps, but again, talk to the tow company about the receipt and the damage and see where you get with that part.