How to Wait for a Tow Truck
Bummer. You're broken down and waiting for a tow. Now what?
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Make sure your vehicle is as far off the road as possible to avoid an accident.
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2
Turn on your hazard lights.
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3
Put flares or warning triangles behind your car to let other drivers know it's there.
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4
Stay inside your car or in a nearby building - someplace with a view to see when the tow truck arrives. Lock your doors if you stay in the vehicle.
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5
Crack the window to talk to anyone who stops. Avoid opening it all the way.
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6
Gather things you don't want left in your car. You will either have to get a ride to the garage or ride with the tow truck driver.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Carry enough emergency change for cab fare and phone calls. It's also always nice to have a paperback book around to kill time while you wait.
Consider getting a cellular phone.
Raising the hood is a sign that you have trouble. If the tow truck is coming, you don't need other people's help, so keep your hood down. It will only block your view.
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Comments
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Aug 08, 2006
The standard rule of thumb in the towing industry is time given + 45 minutes. If they say 15-20 minutes, expect to be waiting well over an hour. If they seem hesitant before taking the call, there is also a good chance that they won't show up. Your best bet is to call several towing companies and just see who shows up first. The towing business is very cut throat, and every tow company wants everybody's business. So if someone stops and says they can tow you, and they give you a fair price, take them up on it. If you don't you will be waiting for a long time for the original tow service to arrive. That's just how it works. It's always been that way, and it will always be that way. -
Mar 20, 2006
Most towing companies in a given city do no snipe each others work. I am a tow truck driver, and I can tell you that we are too busy to engage in cut throat behavior. Most times you have just got a guy who would lend a hand to someone in trouble. However, if you call CAA then they dispatch a local company to tow your car. Where I am, we all work for CAA as well as ourselves. We try not to snipe each others work. Also, you should always listen to the tow truck guy/girl. Chances are they know you are in a bad way and only want to get you to were you need to be.
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Mar 20, 2006
Most towing companies in a given city do no snipe each others work. I am a tow truck driver, and I can tell you that we are too busy to engage in cut throat behavior. Most times you have just got a guy who would lend a hand to someone in trouble. However, if you call CAA then they dispatch a local company to tow your car. Where I am, we all work for CAA as well as ourselves. We try not to snipe each others work. Also, you should always listen to the tow truck guy/girl. Chances are they know you are in a bad way and only want to get you to were you need to be.
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Nov 22, 2005
Give the address or the nearest cross streets of your location (including the city) to the tow company. This can mean the difference between a long or short wait.
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Nov 22, 2005
If you have anyone coming to assist you in another vehicle (even just to wait with you), make sure that person parks BEHIND your vehicle (when on the expressway). This allows the tow truck room to hook up to your vehicle without worrying about getting another car out of the way.
