Towing Issues: transmission burst while car is towed, tow truck drivers, tow truck driver

Question
QUESTION: i had my manual transmissions saturn sl 2 towed from my apartment to the mechanic with the trunk up.  half way through, there was a crashing sound and pieces of metal coming out from under the front of my car.  i was following behind the truck in another vehicle and saw it all.  the tow truck stopped, and when i asked what happened he said my safety chain broke while he was pulling the left chain back.  he then readjusted the tow where the front of the car was up and here we are on the road again.  later that day the mechanic called me and said that there was a 3 inch whole on my transmission.  now AAA is doing all kinds of research and tests to see whether the damage was done by the towing or not, in spite of the fact that i've seen it all.  can you please give me a sound advise as per this case?

ANSWER:  well if you will check out www.towspec.com   you can see what is recommended procedures for towing your vehicle... It says in very simple terms there "FRONT WHEEL DRIVE"

and when lifted from the rear, it says  "NO" for miles and speed..

Plain and simple, the tow company blew the transmission apart due to overheating of it by towing it on the drivewheels ...

AAA makes some great towing manuals for tow truck drivers to look at if they are not sure how to tow it... (like what towspec does  but not online like towspec...

I really hate to say it but this sounds like a tow truck driver who was not properly trained in how to do the job... Now that will bite the company in the tail as they have a "damage claim" which to pay...



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thank you so much, i was being taken in circles by the towing company as well
as AAA who contracted them.  i also think that he had my hand break on, could
this have caused additional damage?  what if the car was in gear or not?  also,
the steering wheel was only secured by my safety belt and i read that it needs to
be secured better.

Answer
Well, the hand brake works on the rear brakes. So that should not be a problem, unless he left it on when he towed it front wheels up.


Using the seatbelt to secure the steering is not really recommended but it is used a lot of the time.

Now after the transmission was destroyed, it would not matter if it was in gear or not, since he then lifted the drivewheels (front)

Sorry that you are being taken in circles by AAA and the tow company.  Usually AAA does the right thing, and I am sure there is are people saying things are not what it is...

Curious as to why the vehicle was towed, after all that would be a key in this also.  Keep on AAA as they will be the best key. The tow company and the driver will try to deny the whole issue.