CAR TROUBLES

Know your Tow (Truck)

Not every tow truck is the same — wreckers, wheel-lifts, and flatbeds each fit different cars and situations. Know what you are asking for before you call.

Tow truck types & what to expect

Wrecker & wheel-lift tow trucks

Pros: Classic wreckers use winch and chains under the car; wheel-lifts trucks scoop two wheels with a hydraulic arm — both work well for many front-wheel-drive cars on shorter tows.
Cons: Hooking under the car or lifting only two wheels is a very poor fit for some AWD/4WD vehicles and longer distance tows.

Flatbed tow trucks

Pros: The entire car rides on the bed of the truck — better in many situations and often required for 4-wheel-drive vehicles.
Cons: Flatbeds can cost more and may take longer to arrive.

5 situations that need a flatbed

Questions a legit tow company asks about your vehicle... (and Red Flags)

-Year/make/model, what kind of problem (accident, breakdown, stuck), destination, and insurance/payment questions are questions that a dispatcher from a legitimate company is doing their job.
-Make sure they have the right kind of tow truck for you. For instance, four-wheel drive vehicles need a flatbed tow truck.
-Will the operator provide a written estimate for the tow to your choice of destination and any storage fees if you have to make other arrangements
RED FLAGS:
-If someone you called skips the above questions, be careful because that is a red flag and you might want to try another tow company.
-If YOU did not call for a tow and especially if the tow truck just shows up, be very careful — unscrupulous accident chasers can cost you a ton of money.
-If the tow truck has no visible company ID, doesn't ask where you want the vehicle towed (your home, a dealer, etc.) or has cash-only payment demands

Watch on YouTube — Tow Truck Scams

What it can cost

Pros: Your Auto Insurance may cover part or sometimes all of the cost of a tow when you stay inside allowed distance.
Cons: Even with coverage you may still pay $50–$100+ for co-pays or miles beyond the limit. Final cost can get expensive fast.

Need help with your situation?

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