When your car breaks down and you need professional help, knowing how to properly prepare your vehicle for towing can make all the difference between a smooth rescue and a stressful ordeal
Being stranded on the side of the road is never convenient, but taking several critical steps to prepare your vehicle properly before the towing company arrives can significantly improve your safety and ensure your car is handled with care. Whether you’re dealing with a breakdown, accident, or mechanical failure, proper preparation protects both you and your vehicle during the towing process.
Prioritize Your Safety First
Your personal safety should always be the top priority when waiting for a tow truck. It’s best practice to sit in your vehicle with your windows up while waiting for the tow truck to come unless it’s unsafe to be in your car, as you are typically getting towed from the side of the road, and it’s safest for you and everyone else on the road when you sit inside your vehicle while awaiting the tow truck. Keep an eye out for the tow truck, and stay alert to flag them down if they don’t spot you right away.
If possible, park your vehicle somewhere where there aren’t any obstacles, not only away from other vehicles but also trees or buildings, as this will allow easier and safer access to your towing provider. If it is raining or snowing, you might want to consider moving your car off of a busy street as soon as possible, because such weather attracts accidents, and leaving your vehicle on the road puts in a sure collision course.
Document Your Vehicle’s Condition
Before the tow truck arrives, it’s a great idea to take photos of your vehicle, as it can just be good peace of mind for you and the towing company, and there just might be a dent or scrape you hadn’t noticed yet and by taking photos, you can check it afterwards if you happen to find something new. Every towing company should handle your car with care, but this isn’t always the case, as there is always a chance your vehicle may get damaged in transit, so document your vehicle’s condition before it gets towed so that you have proof of what occurred in the interim when you’re not with your car.
Before a tow truck arrives to move your car, it’s always a good idea to take a few pictures of the vehicle, so you have something to compare to later. Use your smartphone to capture all sides of your vehicle, focusing on any existing damage, and take several photos of the interior as well.
Remove Personal Belongings and Valuables
One of the most important preparation steps is securing your personal items. There’s nothing worse than seeing your car leave on the back of a truck then realizing your phone and laptop are still in there, so take a moment to check through your car thoroughly and take out anything you might need in the coming days to save you an additional trip.
Gather together anything valuable and all of the personal belongings that you should keep with you, so you can remove them from the car when it gets towed, as towing companies often don’t offer protection for any possessions in your vehicle if you don’t remove them, and you could lose them forever with no reimbursement if they’re stolen or misplaced. It’s always a good idea to take any valuables out of the car as well, especially if it isn’t going to a secure holding yard, and if it’s going to sit at your insurer’s preferred panel beater, you just never know who might be walking by after it’s been dropped off.
Prepare Your Vehicle’s Systems
Proper vehicle preparation involves several technical steps to ensure safe towing. As soon as you see the tow vehicle, turn off your engine and remove the key from the ignition, and ensure that all passengers are out of the vehicle before the towing begins because it is considered a crime in some places to have people inside when someone is hooking cables up.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure your car is in park or neutral gear, and some vehicles also need to be pushed back, so you want to find somebody else to help you do this before the tow truck arrives. If you have an automatic transmission, turn on the emergency brake and make sure that the tires are pressed firmly against the curb.
The best way to protect your car’s electrical system is by turning off all accessories such as the radio and brake lights and closing all windows. You should also turn off your headlights unless you don’t mind spending extra money on battery power during transport.
Handle Keys and Vehicle Access
Proper key management is crucial for a smooth towing process. Many of us keep our most important keys all on the same key ring, and since your tow truck driver will need your car key, make sure you separate it from the rest of your keys, as imaging getting home from a breakdown or car accident only to find that you’re locked out of the house, though chances are, your driver will remind you anyway but it’s a good thing to keep in mind.
Make sure all of your doors are unlocked, as well as the trunk, as a car that is difficult or impossible to access will only make things more complicated for the tow truck driver and could potentially cause damage if they need to force open a door to get inside. If you won’t be present when the tow truck arrives, you can place your keys in a magnetic lock box or at another conveniently close location.
Choose the Right Towing Service
When you need reliable towing services, it’s essential to work with a reputable company that prioritizes safety and professionalism. For residents in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna County area, Towing Service Big Lake, AK provides expert assistance when you need it most. Tonk-A-Towz is your trusted local towing company in Wasilla, AK, and with years of dedicated service under their belt, they’ve established themselves as the go-to provider for reliable towing and roadside assistance services, with their team of experienced professionals committed to delivering prompt, courteous, and efficient service, ensuring that you and your vehicle are in safe hands.
After more than 20 years in the United States Military, the family decided to branch out and make their mark in the towing industry, and with the love and support of their community, friends, and family they believe that Tonk-A Towz will be able to help so many families that may run into a sticky situation and need a helping hand getting back on the road, as they are a Veteran owned, family operated company that is here for all your uh-oh moments on and off the road.
Communicate Clearly with Your Towing Provider
Communicate specific vehicle details like make, model, and existing issues, and when you communicate with the towing company, share any concerns about the vehicle and its condition, as this information helps them provide the appropriate service and ensure that the towing process is seamless. If your car is being towed to another house or business, try to be specific about where it needs to go, and since you probably won’t be there to guide your driver, this can make the process a whole lot more efficient, for example, rather than saying it needs to go “around the back”, tell the driver exactly where it needs to go.
This is especially important if you haven’t done your research on the tow truck company you’re using, as if you don’t talk price until your car is being unloaded at the other end, you’re leaving yourself very vulnerable, and if they want to charge you $300 for a $100 trip, there isn’t much you can really do about it now — the service has already been provided.
Final Preparation Steps
Not only can leaving windows open be dangerous if the weather is stormy or cold, but it can also keep out moisture, which can cause mold and mildew in your car, and if you have a convertible, you may want to put the top up before the tow truck arrives, as although this might take a few extra minutes, it’ll help prevent dirt and other damage during transit.
Taking these preparation steps seriously can transform a potentially stressful situation into a manageable one. The better prepared you can be for the tow truck, the faster the job can be done and your vehicle can be on its way. Remember that professional towing companies prioritize your safety and satisfaction above all, and they prioritize prompt response times, ensuring that help is always just a phone call away.
By following these essential preparation steps, you’ll ensure that when help arrives, the towing process goes smoothly and safely. Whether you’re dealing with a minor breakdown or a major mechanical failure, being prepared makes all the difference in getting back on the road quickly and safely.