I was stuck in the snow recently and now ran across a problem

Don't let them touch #### without getting an agreement on the amount , I mean refuse to move out from infront or inside the truck refuse. If it's something obvious like being dragged 30 feet. No reason the tow operator can't give a instant price

 

I don’t think that strategy is going to work out when the police are the ones that call the wrecker. In North Carolina they consider the vehicle a hazard and it has to be cleared as soon as possible. They will not wait until you get quotes on the price.

 

I run a Heavy Wrecker, and have done a ton of winch outs, both on the road, from he ditch and in a parking lots. The company I currently work for charge a flat rate of $500+tax for a basic winch out, period. However unless its a company we have a contract with, I don't unhook till the bill is paid, and if I get dicked around, an hourly rate starts at $185/hour for waiting as I've had companies (not the drivers fault) take hours to pay a bill and this is time I should be spending helping other customers instead of sitting there. Sadly thanks to the way the laws are written in Ontario, I cannot unhook until the bill is paid or I can get burned and spend a long time trying to get paid (court, etc)

When the call out is from the OPP (police) our rates are required to be the approved rates, however generally for all simple jobs I always go with the lower rates that we give to our big customers regardless what company it actually is. I always try to provide the lowest rate possible and the best service.

My advice for future if you or anyone ever need a tow or a winch out, go right up to the driver and ask for the Cash price if you have cash, trust me you will not only get a better deal, but the driver will be happy to help you out. Regardless, always ask for the price up front because normally we want to get paid right away so we can do the job and get the hell out of there.

 

I’ve been on the hook twice .... both emissions problems, used a local company and they were more then fair ......

southern nh /eastern mass I used Kinney towing

 

Thats what I had to do this morning to get out of our skating rink of a parking lot.

 

Prevention is better than a solution. Carry some ice melter, and some small gravel or oyster shell (1 or 2 gallon jug of each), and chains or a tow strap. (you being empty, that cop might have had enough power to get you loose if you'd had a tow strap and he was feeling helpful)

Engage your Power Divider or lock yer axles for more traction. Try starting off in one higher gear than normal, easing into it. Go ahead, spin yer tires reasonably for a bit but not excessively. If that doesn't work, reverse a bit and try again.

If you're digging yourself into a hole, STOP DIGGING. Especially in loose snow or mud.

Pick where you choose to pull over wisely. If its snowy or slick, don't pull off on an upslope or a shoulder that angles sharply to the ditch.

Don't pull off where some other idgit might slide into you and die in a flaming heap of ashes. Plan your trip so you don't have to pull off except where you've planned. Don't stop or park on a travelled roadway, where a cop will have interest in you. Don't pull off onto an unknown or crappy shoulder if you don't need to.

 

A lot of our trucks got stuck in that storm.

My tow bill was $668. Had to wait over 24 hours for him to show.

He said he had been nonstop pulling rigs out of the snow.

Before I could ensure he received his payment from my company, he had to race off to a jackknife accident. Lol

 

I got stuck in the mud a few years back because the customer told me I could turn around right up there in that lot.
That did not work out so well.

I called a tow company in the area and got the service. When I called I asked how much because I would go over to the ATM for the money.
$275.

I could have gone through my company for the pull out of the mud, but that would have landed me with a preventable accident.
Small price to pay.

 

Boy isn’t that typical. Ya you can turn around there. Trucks do it all the time. After you get stuck they sure never offer to pay the tow bill. I used to deliver sheds to peoples houses and it didn’t take long for me to learn not to listen to anyone’s advice how to drive my truck. Some guys probably knew what they were talking about, but most of them have no idea.

 

It still floors me that they'll mark up your record for getting stuck. That's low in my book.