After more than 20 years of towing in the Capalaba and Redlands area, we’ve seen just about all there is to see in the towing industry.
For the average person calling for a tow truck, this is something they rarely have to do and it can be intimidating. So, we wanted to offer a few tips that can make for a smoother, more stress-free experience the next time you need your car towed.
In the end, we want to make it as safe and simple as possible from start to finish and these tips will help make that happen.
Double check your exact location
As you can imagine, getting the exact right location is important to get a truck sent to the right place. The easiest way to do this is looking at Google Maps if you have a smartphone with you.
This will show your exact location, street names, house numbers and points of interest. Even if you can’t get a specific address, you can give us the nearest intersection, nearest business or what the next exit is, if you’re on the highway.
The more accurate and specific you can be with your current location, the faster we can get a truck to you. Additional details like what side of the road you’re on and if you’re parked in front of or behind something makes it even better!
Give as much detail as you can about your situation
The state of your vehicle and its make/model are also important to make sure we arrive with the right tow truck and correct equipment. While this may not be important in some cases, if you have a very low vehicle, it’s been severely damaged or in a tight space, this can make a difference.
Even if you think the details are irrelevant, it’s better to provide us with as much of a clear picture as possible. What kind of vehicle do you have? Has the ride height or clearance been modified? What condition is it in? Is it on the side of the road or down an embankment?
Whatever your situation, we’ll always work with you to get the job done as quickly and safely as we can.
Make your vehicle as visible as possible
Unless your car is in a safe parking spot, it’s important to make sure it’s as visible as possible to other motorists. Even if it seems incredibly obvious to you, all it can take is the right distraction at the wrong time for another motorist and things can deteriorate fast.
Turn on your hazard lights and put out any other safety markers you have with you. Sometimes, these can be the difference between someone seeing you and not.
Move your car to a safe location
Many drivers think their only option is to leave their car where it broke down but that’s rarely the case. If you’ve broken down in a location that’s blocking traffic or causing a hazard, assess whether it may be safer to move it.
Getting help to push your car around the corner onto a quiet street or further onto the shoulder can make the situation safer for everyone involved. Of course, always use your best judgement here. Putting yourself in danger to improve your safety obviously makes no sense!
Remember, if you move your car after calling for a tow truck, be sure to give them the update. This sounds like common sense but in the stress of the situation, you’d be surprised how many people forget this step.
Move yourself to a safe location, too
At the end of the day, we want everyone to get home safely. We always take precautions to keep you and your vehicle safe while we’re on site. While we can’t control what happens before that, there are a few things you can do to improve your overall safety.
For example, if you’re broken down on the side of the highway or over the crest of a hill, it’s best to move away from your car. It might feel safer to sit in it and use it as a protective barrier but in these situations, it’s always better to move away from the road. This way, you don’t run the risk of being struck by a car that couldn’t see you or wasn’t paying attention.
On the other hand, if you’re broken down late at night and the roads are quiet, inside your car with the hazard lights on is often the safest place to be. This is assuming your car is in good enough condition to be safe!
Keep your phone battery alive
It can be tempting to watch YouTube or play some games while you wait for the tow truck to arrive. If your battery is already running low, it’s best to conserve that battery just in case. You never know if your situation is going to change.
As tow truck operators, it can be important for us to get in touch with you while the truck is en route. If the location was inaccurate and your phone battery died, this can add a lot of time and stress to the situation!
Keep valuables where you can see them
It’s unfortunate that we have to mention this one at all but the reality is, some people see an immobilized car as an opportunity. If you leave your car unattended at any point, make sure you take all valuables with you.
If you can’t carry everything, at least move remaining items out of sight to where they’re not easily accessible. Many instances of theft are a matter of convenience so just moving them out of sight and out of reach can help a lot.
Remember, we’re here to help!
Our job is to get both you and your car home safely and towing in the Capalaba and Redlands community is something we’ve been proudly doing for decades. If you need a tow truck and you have any questions at all about the process or what to do while you wait, just give us a call!
We’ll gladly answer any questions you might have, no matter how simple or complex they might be.
