It is helpful to know the tow truck companies to reach out to in times of a roadside emergency.
Cars can fail or break irreparably and unexpectedly and in the case of an accident, the crashed vehicle needs to be moved to a garage or nearest holding yard. Towing costs will depend on several factors, but the most important ones are listed below.
The size of the car is important. Small cars can be towed using small tow beds and vice versa. Towing large vehicles like RVs is usually more expensive than towing small cars, for example. The towing effort and loading equipment are more heavy-duty for bigger cars than small ones.
The distance from the rescue point to the destination.
Typically, crashed cars are transported from the crash scene to the destination agreed upon or to the nearest holding shop of the licensed tow truck service provider. The same practice applies to private property towed vehicles. The tow truck cost may vary depending on several variables, and they ultimately depend on the type of car you want to tow and the distance covered during transportation. However, in some states, the maximum tow truck prices are regulated by the tow truck regulation. For starters, the current tow truck act requires that accident towing services be provided by a licensed tow truck driver, with their assistants through a regulated tow truck service provider. The states with towing cost regulations dictating maximum charges are New South Wales, parts of Queensland, and Victoria. Generally, the towing prices range between $100-$300. Below are some guidelines. Full details are stipulated in the tow truck act and its amendments;
In Queensland, a standard tow for crash towing is $369.30 for the first 50 km and $7.30 per km for each kilometre above 50. In Victoria, the controlled tow track prices only apply in the Melbourne controlled area. Other areas are unregulated, but you can still get cheap towing services. Here you pay $ 221.40 for the first 8km and $3.50 for every additional km. The Tow truck cost after business hours (5PM-8AM) and during public holidays attract an additional $75.60. In New South Wales, the maximum regulated towing fee for a single accident is $246 for the first 10km. Every subsequent towing service attracts an $89 fee. You pay $5 per km for every kilometre above 10 and $4 for any km after the 20th. These charges apply in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
You pay $255.65 to have your vehicle released and $153.40 for onsite release. Storage in Victoria is cars pay $25 and $16.90 for undercover and locked yard facilities, respectively. Motorbikes pay $8.25 and $5.30 for the same storage services. The cost of storage services for cars in NSW is $23 per day, whether storage is full or partial. Outside the Metropolitan area, it's $14. Motorcycles pay $12 and $7 per day for similar services.
Towing vehicles is a highly skilled task that requires a professional license to execute. This means the person operating the tow truck will have undergone thorough training to ensure they are fully qualified for the job. They also must carry all appropriate documentation and equipment with them. So it's not just about getting someone out there, but making sure they are safe to do so, significantly adding costs for your service provider (and ultimately you). The same goes for any support or safety staff that might be on duty at the time of your car breakdown, like first aid responders or mechanics on call in case of emergency repairs.
Most cars are towed using a two-part system called a flatbed tow truck. The first part includes attaching the car to the tow truck with metal ropes or straps and securing it in place to avoid any movement during transport. Once secured, the vehicle is driven onto what's known as a flatbed - this is essentially just an open platform that can be raised and lowered by means of hydraulics. This allows the driver to drive in underneath the car and safely lift it up.
One of the most common methods used to tow a car is by using straps or chains that are connected from one end of the vehicle to the other, usually attached at various points on the undercarriage of the towed vehicle and at two points on either side, near where the front tires of the tow truck are located. There's also equipment available for trucks and large SUVs that allows them to essentially winch themselves up onto a truck.Yes, most professional tow truck operators provide 24-hour breakdown assistance. This means you can call anytime, and they'll be there to assist you. In the case of after-hours vehicle breakdowns, there might be an extra charge depending on where you are located and how far the operator has to travel. If your car breaks down between the hours of 1 am and 6 am, for example, that service might incur a higher rate than if it was towed during normal business hours that same day.
There are three main types of tow trucks available to choose from. Your choice will depend on the weight and size of your vehicle, as well as the distance over which you need it towed. These different types of tow trucks include The first type is a standard hook-lift truck that has a ramp at the back for easy loading and unloading. This is best suited for small to mid-sized cars, smaller SUVs, and vans. They're not too heavy or large, so they can be driven easily onto the back of a tow truck by a single operator, though it may require two people if you have a larger vehicle like an SUV or van. These types of tow trucks are often referred to as flatbeds because they are fitted with a flat metal bed that is used to transport vehicles on the back of the truck. A tow bar or hook on the front of the car attaches it to the back of the tow truck, while straps are used on smaller vehicles to secure them in place during transportation. The third type usually has all wheel drive capabilities and can handle heavier weights. They're designed for large trucks, RVs, and cars with trailers attached. This will usually require four or more people to operate safely.
This will depend on what area you are in and how it was towed. If a council or other local authority tows your car, they might have different rules that dictate where it can be taken. This is because they have a responsibility to monitor abandoned vehicles to ensure they're not obstructing traffic or creating any kind of safety issue.
If your car has been towed by a private contractor, then this will usually depend on the company's policy. Most contractors will tow your vehicle to an impound lot so it can be kept safe before being released back to you when fees are paid. The New South Wales state government has a handy guide on what to do if your car has been towed, but check to see if any of the legalities apply in your area.An impound lot is an area where towed or abandoned vehicles are housed, so they can't be driven again until the necessary fees have been paid. These are usually secure facilities with 24-hour surveillance to prevent vandalism, theft, or other illegal activities. Once you've retrieved your vehicle, you'll need to pay a fee for keeping it stored there before it can be driven away. This can be considerably more than the towing fee, and it also covers storage fees for every day your car was kept at the lot.
It all depends on where you live and who towed your vehicle. Some companies might ask you to pay a flat fee for any type of tow, while others will charge based on how far your vehicle has travelled or by the weight of the load. There's often a personnel fee applied if you need help getting your vehicle back on its wheels once it's been placed on the truck bed and then stored in an impound facility. Is towing a risk for my car?
There's always some level of risk involved with vehicle towing. Driving on uneven surfaces can damage your axles or suspension system if you're not careful, though it might be the only way to get your vehicle safely from one place to another. Make sure that crane operators and tow truck drivers guide you as close as possible without putting too much pressure on any part of the bodywork. If your car is at risk of damaging components like this, then they shouldn't move it until those problems have been fixed, if possible. 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.Usually no. Tow trucks are vehicles that can be used to tow other vehicles around. They are not designed for people to sit in and drive themselves, so they are mainly used by companies that offer their services to motorists. If you need your car towed, then you would usually contact a company who specialise in this type of service.