Damage to vehicle by RAC

forensic_bloo

I have a very old Land Rover that developed a brake failure. I rang the RAC, and they (eventually) sent a man to recover me. The vehicle was recovered on the back wheels. The van left a few minutes before me, but was still on my road when I left 5 minutes later.
At the recovery garage, the patrol man stated he had had an issue towing it, and had needed to stop.
A few days later, my mechanic called and told me the gearbox was seized and he couldn't move the vehicle.
I have complained t the RAC, and pointed out that the vehicle had to be working when it was collected (the patrol man drove it to the end of the road, did a three point turn and then drove to the rear of his van to hitch it up), that there was a problem when towing, and when it came to be moved at the garage, it was broken.
(my mechanic mentioned that the only likely cause for this is the handbrake being left on of the vehicle being left in gear)

As you might guess, the RAC are refusing to admit liability, and in my last two emails have stopped answering my questions, just stating "Thank you for your response and your loyalty however, without any further information which you can obtain from your garage then I am unable to change our decision"

I have asked them what other information would I possibly find that would progress the complaint, but I am not expecting a helpful answer.

Anybody got any suggestions what to do next? (I am assuming small claims court, although I'd rather not jump straight to that)

Thanks

unforeseen

On the old Landrover the handbrake was a propshaft clamp.

forgotmyname

Diff wound up? Jack it up and release the tension on the diff???

forensic_bloo

Mechanic is going to start investigations next week. If sounds like gearbox seized to me, but we'll see.

missile

Do you have legal advice included with your insurance policy?

unholyangel

forensic_bloo wrote: »

I have a very old Land Rover that developed a brake failure. I rang the RAC, and they (eventually) sent a man to recover me. The vehicle was recovered on the back wheels. The van left a few minutes before me, but was still on my road when I left 5 minutes later.
At the recovery garage, the patrol man stated he had had an issue towing it, and had needed to stop.
A few days later, my mechanic called and told me the gearbox was seized and he couldn't move the vehicle.

4wd? If so the second bolded part might be the culprit.

Unfortunately though, it will be up to you to show the damage was caused by negligence/breach of contract. So speak to your mechanic and ask him how the damage could have happened.

Ectophile

The 4WD system on many Land Rovers is only designed to handle a small difference in speed between the front and back wheels, to handle the wheels taking a different path around a corner.


If you lift up two wheels, and tow it on the other two, then that puts a huge strain on the transmission system - more the transfer box than the gearbox itself.

forensic_bloo

Thanks everyone - the legal cover on the insurance is an interesting idea, I will look into that.
On the older models of Land Rover (series) you have to engage four wheel drive, and so in normal circumstances, it is rear wheel drive only

DoaM

So, was 4WD engaged or not when it was towed on the rear wheels only?

sheramber

Was it working when it was unhitched from the trailer?

forensic_bloo

4wd was NOT engaged when collected (only engaged in winter conditions), and the thing was seized when moved by the mechanic (it drove 20 yards at the time, but seized when they tried to move it to begin work the following week - they have worked on these types of vehicle to 30+ years, so quite happy they haven't done anything in that 20 yards)