Calling for a tow truck is often a necessity during roadside emergencies, but knowing what information to provide can streamline the process and ensure efficient service. In this guide, we'll discuss the essential details towing companies need to know when towing a vehicle and offer tips for a smooth experience.

Essential Information for Tow Truck Requests

When contacting the service, be sure to provide the following details:

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations

• Pick-Up Location: Clearly state where the vehicle is located, including any landmarks or specific directions to help the tow truck driver find you. If you don't know your location, get ready by looking up your location via google maps or apple maps. The company will request you to text it to them.
• Drop-Off Location: Specify where you want the vehicle to be towed, whether it's a repair shop, your home, or another destination, make sure that it's ok to park your vehicle there.  If your vehicle was in an accident or is in-operable, city regulations will ticket the vehicle if it is parked on the road. Plan ahead by calling the repair shop, family member or storage yard of where you want to take it.

Time of Service

• Accidents : If the situation is urgent, such as blocking traffic or posing a safety hazard, communicate this to the towing company for prompt assistance. Most city regulations allow you to hire your own tow truck within 30 minutes of an accident, especially if it is blocking traffic. After the police show up, they will dispatch the city trucks to pick up your vehicle, clean up the mess and transport it to the impound. 
• ASAP : If the vehicle has become in-operable because of a mechenical issue, dead alternator/dead battery, overheating or more than one flat tire get a tow truck in 35-55 minutes with Tow Pal.
• Scheduled : If the vehicle is in a safe place and you don't care what time the vehicle is picked up, schedule it ahead. Easy to schedule a tow from 8:00am to 6:00pm with Tow Pal.

Vehicle Details

• Vehicle Description: Provide information about the YEAR, MAKE (Ford, Nissan, BMW, etc) and model (ex: Focus, Sentra, X5, etc). Be prepared to give any details about the color and features of the vehicle for the driver to easily recognize the vehicle
• Condition: Describe the condition of the vehicle and any specific issues that may affect the towing process like missing tires, can't shift into neutral or you don't have the keys. This will help the driver know what equipment he needs to transport the vehicle.

Additional Location Notes

• Parking Conditions: If the vehicle is in a parking garage or gated community, inform the towing company about access restrictions.
• Landmarks: Mention nearby landmarks or notable area features to help the tow truck driver locate your vehicle easily.

For a hassle-free towing experience, consider creating a service request online with TowPal. Simply visit towpal.com and follow the prompts to provide all necessary information for your tow truck request. By using TowPal, you can receive skip the phone call and get a competitive price online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you tip a tow truck driver?

Tipping practices may vary, but it's generally appreciated to tip your tow truck driver for their assistance, especially if they provide exceptional service. Most drivers have Zelle, CashApp or Venmo. If you don't have the money to tip, but still want to show your appreciation leave them a 5 Star Review.  It helps build their business and make them feel good.

What equipment should a tow truck have to tow my vehicle?

A well-equipped tow truck should have the necessary tools and attachments to safely secure and transport vehicles of various sizes and types. They have ability to winch out of a ditch, pull out of a difficult parking spot and jumping the battery to get it started if needed.

How do you prepare for towing?

Before the tow truck arrives, remove any personal belongings from the vehicle and ensure that it is accessible for towing. Have the vehicle's keys ready for the tow truck driver. Some drivers have the ability to transport one to two people with them.  But definitely check with the driver.  Some cases may require you to order a Lyft or and Uber.

Reasons for Calling a Towing Company

Common reasons for calling a towing company include vehicle breakdowns, accidents, flat tires, and running out of fuel. Towing services provide essential assistance during unexpected roadside emergencies to get your vehicle to the mechanic shop or home.

Calling a tow truck doesn't have to be daunting. By knowing this information, you can call confidently to get the help that you need.