When Is a Towing Truck Necessary?
According to recent studies, there are roughly 240 million licensed drivers and more than 300 million registered vehicles in the US today. American drivers end up driving a combined 3+ trillion miles every year and the average American spends roughly 300 hours (17,600 minutes) behind the wheel each year.
With that said, it’s a little concerning that nearly 70 million vehicles break down in the United States every year – that’s roughly 1 in every 3 vehicles that hit the road. These vehicle breakdowns result in nearly $7 billion being spent on roadside assistance and another $15 billion in vehicle repair costs every year.
With most of us spending a large portion of our day behind the wheel, it’s only a matter of time before we encounter a problem with our vehicle – after all, vehicles aren’t built to last forever. At the end of the day, it makes sense for drivers to have a good relationship with their local tow truck company and mechanic.
Reasons Why You Might Need a Towing Truck
When your vehicle breaks down in an inconvenient location – such as on the road, away from your home, or far away from the closest mechanic – a tow truck company can help transport the vehicle to a more convenient spot. Drivers can think of them as their personal safety net when things aren’t going right.
Here are some of the most common reasons why someone might call a tow truck company:
- Vehicle has been involved in an accident
- Vehicle won’t start or has stalled
- Vehicle ran out of gas unexpectedly
- Vehicle has a flat tire that can’t be repaired on-site
- Vehicle or driver has committed a crime and is in violation of the law
- Vehicle is being transported from one location to the next
- Vehicle is stuck in the snow, mud, or a ditch
- Vehicle owner is moving to a new home
- Vehicle owner is taking a second vehicle on vacation
Since most tow truck drivers – at least those with a lot of experience – have seen it all when it comes to vehicles breaking down or being deemed undriveable, they’re usually prepared for anything. To a tow truck company, the reasoning usually doesn’t matter – at the end of the day, they just want to help!
What Truck is Best for Towing?
There are a number of different types of tow trucks and, while many people prefer to do so on their own, it’s best to call in the professionals. They’ll be able to determine what type of tow truck is best-suited for each unique situation, ultimately ensuring a smooth transport and preventing things from getting worse.
Here are the four primary types of tow trucks available today:
- Flatbed tow trucks allow the vehicle to sit directly on top of the bed (flat towing)
- Hook-and-chain trucks involve dragging the dinghy with a hook and chain (think Mater from Cars)
- Integrated tow trucks have a high towing capacity for the transportation of large and heavy-duty vehicles
- Wheel lift tow trucks are somewhat of a new-and-improved version of a hook-and-chain tow truck
So, what truck is best for towing? Since every tow truck has a different maximum towing capacity (even pickup trucks), it all depends on what needs to be towed (known as the dinghy) and what equipment is available – tow bar, tow strap, tow dolly, safety chains, tow hitch. Don’t worry, All In Towing takes care of everything so you don’t have to!
How Much is Towing Truck Services?
Of all the questions we get asked on a daily basis, one of the most common is – how much does towing a vehicle cost? As you can imagine, the cost of these towing services will vary from one company to the next and there are numerous factors that play a role in the overall cost – such as the type of vehicle and distance.
Most companies have one of two (if not both) cost structures – local towing and long distance towing. Local towing generally costs a flat fee (anywhere from $50-$125), while long distance towing generally costs a hook-up fee (around $75) plus $2-$4 per mile. For a more accurate estimate, contact us today!
What to Do While Waiting for a Tow Truck
The first thing a driver should do after their vehicle breaks down or is involved in a crash is call their insurance company, but the next step is to call a tow truck company so you can get the car off the road. Of course, there will likely be a wait before that tow truck comes – especially for long-distance towing.
In the event you have to leave your vehicle stranded while you go about your day or have a long wait before a tow truck arrives, here are some things you should consider doing in the meantime:
- Take pictures of any damage to the vehicle so you have record of its condition prior to towing (both inside and outside)
- Remove anything that has any value to you before giving the vehicle to a tow truck driver
- Call the police if you plan on leaving the vehicle stranded, that way they’re aware of where it is and you have record of when you left it
- Make sure incoming traffic is aware that your vehicle is broken down and can’t move any further
- Take a deep breath – everything is going to be okay
When the tow truck arrives, always make sure you confirm it’s the right company and always double check that it’s being transported to the right location – wherever that may be. You’ll also want to read through any paperwork and ensure you understand the terms and conditions before signing or paying.
Contact All In Towing for Immediate Assistance!
Having to call a conventional towing truck means something terrible has gone wrong, but it’s one of the first steps towards making it right and going about your day. For this reason, drivers must find a tow company they can trust and one that’s going to go above and beyond to ensure all their needs are accounted for.
Has your vehicle been in a wreck or broken down? Are you stranded on the side of the road and need a tow truck to help get your car to a mechanic for repairs? Do you feel like tow truck companies are difficult to trust? If you answered yes to any of those questions, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place.
At All In Towing Las Vegas, we provide quality and reliable tow truck services to Las Vegas and the surrounding area. We take pride in helping Vegas residents out of a bad or frustrating situation with friendliness and professionalism. We have over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, so contact us today!
Contact Us
Call Us : 702-450-1222
Email : dispatch@allintowinglv.com
1933 Western Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102