Towing damage

[The Texan]

So my 09 4x4 Tahoe was wrongly towed the other day and I was wondering what if any damage could be caused to the drive train if the car was in park? I was backed into my spot so they had to of hooked up to the front. It felt a little different when I was driving but I could have just been hyper sensitive. I couldn't find anything online when I looked so any help would be appreciated.

[ElCid07]

They probably hooked onto the front, dragged it into the middle of the road and then hooked up to the rear. They couldn't have towed it from the front with it in park without completely smoking your drivetrain or tires. Unless they just dragged it onto a flatbed.

[Cridder]

Usually with a 4x4 they use dollies on the rear and lift the front end with a wheel lift. The dollies lift the rear wheels off of the ground. Any reputable tow company should have that equipment and do a damage free tow but they usually charge extra for that service too.

[The Texan]

Thanks for the info. So the back wheels wouldn't turn even if 4x4 was off?

[BTLowry]

The back wheels will not turn with transmission in park UNLESS they disconnect drive line

[Boomerang]

You probably need video of how they towed it otherwise they will deny the damage.

[dropem]

I've seen that done hundreds of times at my shop and never seen anything get damaged.

[Patton]

What ended up happening man? They still charge you for a tow? Was your sticker visible?

[The Texan]

What ended up happening man? They still charge you for a tow? Was your sticker visible?

Yup $200. My sticker was visible Ely properties gave me the wrong sticker 6 months ago when we moved in and I just now got towed. I'm gana go talk to them after class today to get it sorted out. I am mad to put it nicely

[The Texan]

Update: after parking my car in the garage Monday night I just went down to try and start it and the shifter on the side just flops around amd dosnt feel like it's connected to anything. Any idea what caused this? Called the towing company and they were very unhelpful and said they might get back to me later today.

[expressfish]

they probably disconnected the shift linkage to tow it, easier that setting up on dollys for them.

[Olphart]

The law used to be, emphasis on "used to be", that you could file a complaint with the justice of the peace of the area where the vehicle was towed from; it may still be, but you'll need to check with Austin. Your complaint could include the apartment complex for issuing the wrong parking sticker as well as the "damage" to the vehicle. Make sure the complex has towing signs posted at each entrance with who tows and how to reach them. If they aren't marked, it is an illegal tow. You only have a certain amount of time to file so don't wait.

This used to be in Transportation Code. Without searching for it, it has probably been moved to the Occupations Code or some such statute. Do a search of the statutes regarding towing. If you are within Austin, the PD or some other agency within the local government (that issues permits) can also give you advice or refer you to those that can.