What You Need To Know When Calling A Tow Service For Your vehicle

There are times when you may need a tow for your car or truck. Calling a 24-hour towing service to pick up your vehicle and take it somewhere for you is not difficult, but there are some things you should know before you call.  

Why You Need The Tow 

The first thing you need to consider is the reason for towing your vehicle. A breakdown could require a different tow truck than a collision, so it is vital to let the 24-hour towing service know what is going on with your vehicle. If you are in an accident that causes heavy damage to the vehicle, the tow company may need to use a flatbed truck to move the vehicle safely, while a breakdown may be okay with a traditional wrecker.

If the dispatcher you speak with doesn't ask, you should volunteer the information to ensure that there are no delays when the tow truck arrives. Showing up with the wrong truck for the situation could mean the driver needs to call another truck or return to the yard to get a different truck and then respond back to the scene. 

When you are sitting on the side of the road with a car that needs towing, the last thing you want is to have to wait longer for the tow. Give the dispatch as much information to make getting to you and resolving the situation as easy as possible.

Locations And Landmarks

When you break down and need a tow, you may not be in a place that is easy to find. Your location is critical when the 24-hour towing service is looking for you, so look for any landmarks that you can see that will stick out to the driver.

If you have a mile marker or exit number, those are also good reference points and can help the tow service find you more easily. The more details you can give the tow company, the more likely they will know where you are and how to get there quickly. 

Smartphones also allow you to pin your location and send it to the driver or dispatcher so they can set a GPS route to the area. A pin is probably one of the most accurate methods for sending your location, but it may not work if you are in a spot with poor cellular service, so try it but be ready to describe the location as well. 

Turn on the flashers on your car, put the hood up, and watch for the 24-hour towing service to arrive so you can flag them down. If you can't stay with the car, let the tow company know you are leaving so they can pick the car up and deliver for you, then notify you when the job is complete.

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