The NJ towing and roadside blog: articles and driver tips

15 articles and 100 short, numbered tips for New Jersey drivers, written by the people who answer the dispatch line. Need a truck instead? Call (908) 444-0129.

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Articles
Driver tips
Breakdowns
Towing rules & pricing
Batteries
Tires
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Accidents & insurance
Lockouts & keys
Fleets & business
Winter
Maintenance
Fuel
NJ roads

Articles

Longer reads on the situations drivers call us about most.

What to do when your car breaks down in New Jersey

Get the car as far out of traffic as you can, turn on the hazards, stay belted in unless the car is unsafe, and then call for help with your exact location. Most breakdowns are solved in the first five minutes of good decisions. Read it

Flatbed vs wheel-lift towing: which does your car need?

A flatbed carries the whole vehicle on a deck; a wheel-lift lifts one end and lets the other two wheels roll. All-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, electric, lowered and badly damaged vehicles belong on a flatbed; a rolling front-wheel-drive car going a short distance can ride on a wheel-lift. Read it

What happens to your car after a police-ordered tow in New Jersey

When police order a tow, the car goes to the yard of a company on that town's list. Call the police department's non-emergency number to learn which company and what release is needed, bring your license, registration and insurance card, and move quickly because storage usually adds up by the day. Read it

Dead car battery in a New Jersey winter: why it happens and what to do

Cold weather slows the chemistry inside a battery and makes the engine harder to turn, so a battery that was weak in October often fails on the first hard freeze. A jump start and a battery test tell you whether you can keep driving or need a tow to a shop. Read it

Flat tire on a New Jersey highway: what to do

Slow down gradually, get completely off the travel lanes, and do not change a tire on the traffic side of a highway. If the car is not well clear of traffic, wait in the car belted in and call for a tire change or a tow. Read it

EV towing in New Jersey: what electric car owners need to know

Electric vehicles should be carried on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground, as most manufacturers direct. Before the truck arrives, read the towing section of your owner's manual, and tell the dispatcher the make, model and whether the car will power on and shift into neutral. Read it

What to do after a car accident in New Jersey

Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt, get the vehicles out of traffic if they can move, call the police, exchange information, photograph everything, and choose your own tow and destination before a car gets taken somewhere you did not pick. Read it

Towed from private property in New Jersey: your rights

New Jersey's Predatory Towing Prevention Act sets rules for towing cars from private property without the owner's consent. If your car was towed from a lot, find the company on the posted sign, bring your documents, get an itemized bill, and file a complaint with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs if something looks wrong. Read it

Motorcycle towing done right: what riders should expect

A motorcycle should ride upright on a flatbed with the front wheel locked in a chock and soft straps on solid frame points, never slung or dragged. Ask how the bike will be secured before you agree to a tow. Read it

Towing pricing red flags in New Jersey

A fair tow is quoted before the truck rolls, built from a hook fee and a per-mile rate to a destination you chose, and billed on an itemized receipt that matches the quote. Refusing to quote, adding surcharges after the fact, or steering the car to a yard you did not pick are the red flags. Read it

Locked out of your car in New Jersey: what to do

If your keys are locked inside the car, call for a professional lockout: a technician opens the door with an inflatable wedge and a reach tool without touching the glass or wiring. If a child or pet is locked inside, especially in heat or cold, call 911 first. Read it

Local tow company vs national roadside network: who actually shows up?

Most roadside plans and clubs do not own tow trucks; they pass your call to a local company that accepts it. Calling a local company directly can mean a quote and an arrival window from the people sending the truck, and many plans reimburse an out-of-network call with an itemized receipt. Read it

Commercial truck breakdown on New Jersey freight corridors

When a commercial vehicle breaks down near the port or on Routes 1 & 9, the fastest fix starts with the right information: GVWR, loaded or empty, whether it rolls and steers, whether the air system holds, and where it has to go. The right truck is sent the first time when the dispatcher hears those answers. Read it

Moving a car long distance from New Jersey: towing vs car carrier

For a move of a few hundred miles or less, a dedicated flatbed that leaves the same day is often simpler than waiting for a slot on a multi-car carrier. For a cross-country move, a carrier usually makes more sense. Get one quoted number that covers the whole trip. Read it

Where to tow your car: home, repair shop or dealer?

On a tow you call for, you choose where the car goes. A dealer makes sense for warranty and recall work, an independent shop you trust is often best for general repairs, and your driveway is a sensible first stop when it is late, the shop is closed or you have not decided. Read it

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