Is it a tow or a recovery?
A tow is a truck that's upright, on the pavement, and rolls. A recovery is anything else: in a ditch, on its side, jackknifed, stuck in soft ground. Recovery is billed by the hour and by the equipment, and it costs several times what a tow does. Tell dispatch which one you have.
When should you call a tow instead of a mobile tech?
When the truck can't be fixed where it sits, when it can't move safely even after a fix, after an accident, or when the police say so. If you're not sure, call a mobile tech first; a good one will tell you on the phone if it's a tow.
What should you tell the tow dispatcher?
- Tractor only, or tractor and trailer. Loaded or empty, and roughly how heavy.
- Hazmat, if any.
- Where it's going: a shop, a yard, a terminal. Have the address.
- Whether it's a tow or a recovery, and whether the truck is on or off the road.
- Who's authorizing payment. Fleet, insurance, or you.
What does heavy-duty towing cost?
Heavy tow hookup fees typically run $350 to $750, plus $8 to $15 per loaded mile. Recovery is hourly, often $300 to $600 an hour per piece of equipment, with rotators at the high end. Storage is charged daily once the truck is in their yard. Police-dispatched tows cost more and you don't choose the company; if you can call your own before the officer does, do.
Is heavy-duty towing available 24/7?
Nearly every heavy tow operator runs around the clock. The question is distance. Ask where the truck is coming from.