freightliner cascadia, Driver Manual

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the gross axle weight ratings (GAWR) of the tow-
ing vehicle. Otherwise brake capacity will be in-
adequate, which could result in personal injury or
death.
Front Towing Hookup
1. Disconnect the battery ground cables.
NOTICE
Failure to remove the axle shafts when towing
the vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground
will result in damage to the transmission and
other drivetrain components.
2. Remove both drive axle shafts. On dual drive
axles, if the vehicle is to be lifted and towed, re-
move only the rearmost drive axle shafts.
On vehicles equipped with an air fairing, remove
both the forward and rearmost drive axle shafts if
there is insufficient towing clearance.
3. Cover the ends of the hubs with metal plates or
plywood cut to fit the axle opening, and drilled to
fit the axle shaft studs. This prevents lubricant
from leaking out and will keep contaminants from
getting into and damaging the wheel bearings
and axle lubricant.
NOTICE
Failure to protect the frame rails from the chains
could cause damage, leading to eventual frame
failure.
4.
On dual drive axles, if the vehicle is to be lifted
and towed, chain the forward rear-axle assembly
to the vehicle frame. Use protection to keep the
chains from damaging the frame.
5. Remove the bumper end caps and chrome bum-
per (if equipped).
6. Attach the towing device. Do not pass a sling (for
example, a rope or chain) from one tow hook to
another to fasten for towing. Known as reeving,
this practice is not permissible in most industrial
applications of towing and hoisting. Reeving can
overload the hooks and result in damage to the
vehicle. See
Fig. 24.8 .
7.
Lift the vehicle and secure the safety chains. If
extra towing clearance is needed, remove the
front wheels.
NOTE: Due to the many variables that exist in
towing, positioning the lifting and towing device
is the sole responsibility of the towing-vehicle
operator.
8. Connect the clearance lights, taillights, and sig-
nal lights. Connect any special towing lights re-
quired by local regulations.
WARNING
Failure to chock the tires or connect the tow
truck’s air brake system before releasing the
spring parking brakes could allow the disabled
vehicle to suddenly roll. This could cause prop-
erty damage or personal injury.
9.
Chock the tires on the disabled vehicle and con-
nect the towing vehicle’s air brake system to the
vehicle being towed. Then, release the spring
parking brakes and remove the chocks.
Rear Towing Hookup
NOTICE
Using a rear towing hookup on a vehicle
equipped with a roof fairing could cause damage
to the cab structure.
If reverse towing at speeds above 45 mph (70
kph) is necessary, note the following precau-
tions:
•
Remove the rubber flex extenders (for side
extenders equipped with middle brackets)
or the side extender assemblies (without
middle brackets). Failure to do so could
cause damage to the side extenders and/or
loss of the rubber flex extenders.
•
Hold down the cab with tension straps
looped over the cab shocks and under the
frame rails. Failure to do so could allow the
wind load to lift the cab unexpectedly, re-
sulting in damage to the air springs and
other components.
1. If the vehicle is equipped with side extenders,
and reverse towing at speeds above 45 mph (70
In an Emergency
24.5