Car towing involves moving vehicles to service stations, dealerships (for new cars), or repair centres.
The towing costs involved with this type of transport can vary significantly depending on the distance, the time required for the tow, and the size of the vehicle towed. For example, a small car that can be easily moved and towed by a small tow truck may cost around $50-$100 for the towing time alone. However, if you are towing your car with a specialised vehicle or want to hire an auto transport trailer, it will cost much more. The costs involved with smaller vehicles are likely to vary between $140-$180 dollars per hour, depending on market conditions. There are various types of auto transport trailers available in Australia. One popular type is the receiver hitch style which often comes free with many new vehicles these days as standard equipment. It is also possible to tow other vehicles either behind a motorhome or a large truck. The costs of towing a medium-sized car behind an auto transport trailer are likely to vary between $250-$300 dollars per hour depending on market conditions. The primary reason for this higher towing cost is the extra time required to attach the tow vehicle to the trailer and disconnect it at the end of the trip. Therefore, you can probably expect to pay approximately $150-$200 dollars more than if you were using a standard receiver hitch type device.
Tow truck cost structure in many locations is comprised of a base rate which is then loaded with additional costs to arrive at the total cost. If the distance travelled by the tow truck driver is past what is provided for in the base rate, you get charged per km. The type of car to be towed also affects the tow truck service cost.
Additionally, the distance to the authorised locked yard and the time of day the towing service is required add to the tow truck prices.Accident towing is regulated in New South Wales, parts of Queensland and Victoria, capping the maximum rates for tow truck services.
The standard tow truck prices (basic rates) across major cities in Australia are listed below. These are estimated prices. Talk to a tow truck driver in your area for actual costs.
Location | Estimated price |
|---|---|
Sydney | $150 to $400 |
Brisbane | $100 to $350 |
Perth | $120 to $275 |
Melbourne | $90 to $250 |
Adelaide | $100 to $250 |
In Victoria, the tow truck regulation applies to car towing prices in the Melbourne controlled area. The base rate averages $221.40 for the first 8km and $3.50 for every additional km. After business hours (5PM-8AM) and during public holidays expect to pay an additional $75.60. Despite the applicable rates outside the control area, prices remain budget friendly. In New South Wales, the maximum regulated towing fee only applies in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. A crash towing is charged $246 for the first 10km. All additional towing services attract an $89 fee. Towing past 10km is charged $5 per km up to 20km. Above the 20km mark, you pay $4 per km.
Towing is a useful way to transport your car around for maintenance, moving house, or to the scrap yard. You can tow any car as long as it has at least two rear wheels. If the tyres are in good condition, it is relatively easy. You can employ the towing services of a hook-style tow truck. The vehicle being towed is hooked to the tow truck and pulled along to the holding yard. Hook-style tow truck prices are lower than those charged when using flatbed and low loader towing services. You need to make sure that your car or truck, and most importantly yourself, stays safe when you're on the road, and this starts with preparation.
There are two main types of tow trucks commonly used in towing services; hook-style trucks and flatbed trucks. A hook-style tow truck allows you to attach a winch. This is the most common type of tow truck and is commonly used by private operators when picking up cars that have been involved in an accident. They work by attaching cables to the car being towed and pulling it into place. This is a very dangerous process, and you must be extremely careful when hooking up the car. Flatbed trucks allow operators to carry more than one vehicle at once and are much safer for other road users as they do not require cables or chains. They work by lifting the car onto their flatbed.
No, but it's still important to take precautions. You should start by checking the car is securely attached to the tow truck and that you have used straps or chains instead of rope. If you're using a flatbed truck, then if possible, try and load your vehicle onto a low-loader before attaching it to the truck. This will reduce any strain put on the car's bodywork if it becomes damaged. The last step would be to drive at a safe speed. Never tow above 80 km as this creates excess wind resistance.
If you work as a tow truck driver, when towing a vehicle, you should never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway or other road without first checking for sufficient clearance around you. It's also important to check that your load is securely attached before setting off. If it comes away from the truck while driving, you could lose control and cause an accident.
Tow truck companies will generally charge per kilometre, although this can vary. Some tow truck operators will also base their rates on how long it takes to tow your car or whether they are called out of hours. Nevertheless, you can search for cheap towing service providers in your local area.
Most of the time, you won't need to worry about the tow truck cost if you're covered by your insurance. Always make sure you get a written quote before work begins, as this can help with any insurance claims if something goes wrong.
Besides, costs for accident towing services for crashed cars and private property towed vehicle cases are governed by the tow truck regulation. The regulator controls the maximum towing cost tow truck companies can charge. The New South Wales state government has a handy guide on what to do if your car needs towing, but check to see if any of the legalities apply in your area.If your car breaks down on a road that requires you to be towed, it's essential that you move out of the live lane and stay safe until the tow truck arrives. You should never let your car obstruct or block any lanes of traffic without good reason, especially on busy roads such as motorways where people could become frustrated and take risks around you. If you're unable to have the car towed because there are motorists behind you, then it would be wise to call for roadside assistance as soon as possible - if left too long, it may cause an accident. How long it takes to get the car towed will depend on where you are and how busy your local area is. Recovery companies can only tow vehicles if they are registered with them, so if your car breaks down further away from home, then you may have to wait a little longer for help to arrive.
The average time for a tow truck to arrive is anywhere from about 20 minutes, but this can vary depending on your location and the type of traffic in your area. Arrival is also affected by the time you request for a tow truck service. There may be slight delays if the tow truck service is required outside of business hours or during public holidays. Towing costs may be higher at such times compared to normal towing service periods. If you have a breakdown insurance cover, then it's vital that you make full use of the service.
A common misconception people often have is that they must only call a roadside rescue service in the event that their car has broken down. The reality is that tow truck drivers can also help in many other situations, such as if you've been involved in an accident. They also offer other services like when you need roadside assistance with a flat tyre.