Hey all, I have been reading many threads about people needing there cars towed to the dealership or repair facility for service. All you track junkies listen up. Ever goto the track and break somthing? I have so here is somthing I have done in the past.
An avg tow is 40-60 bucks just to hook up, most will give you 5 miles free then its around 2.50 per mile after that. Needless to say a tow bill can add up quick especially if you live out in the sticks.
If you let a dealer or repair shop give you there so called special rate on a tow your stuck with there repair bill and they will bump it up to make up the difference in the tow. If you do not like there price, what are you going to do? spend 50+ to have it towed out and to another place of repair? no you will eat the bill most of the time.
Call AAA and sign up for there + membership, runs you about 70 bucks where im at. If your a basic member you only get 5 miles free then you pay the rest. + membership gives you 4-5 tows up to 100 miles per tow without having to dig into your pocket. Yea you dish out $70 or so for the membership but remember you have more tows for the whole year at your disposol. (or jump starts or flat tires for your wife LOL) Speaking of the wife. Who wants to get a call from there wife "Hi honey Im at work and have a flat, can you drive the 30 miles to come change it for me so I can get home?"
sorry I love my women but this is not a call I enjoyed getting as I am stuffing the world largest messiest double decker sandwhich in my pie hole or when im working on my
Stang.
With that said, even if you have a personal problem with AAA I will only let a flatbed tow my Mustang (you will probably have to request a flat bed) and I refuse to let them use J hooks or chains that mount to my frame or rear end to hold the back of my car down. They should have a tie down system that use straps. The strap is anchored to the side of the truck bed then webs (like a spider web) over the top of your tire and anchor's again to the bed, they are tightened by a heavy duty ratchet, each wheel gets its own tie down. This way no stress is put on the frame or the suspension and the car will not slide or move while its on the bed of the truck, It will let your shocks do the work rather then the frame taking a beating. If they tell you they dont have this strap system then they are not a good company IMO to begin with or the driver is to lazy to set them up.
http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/cat_img/AB-418-sm.gif
Always tip the driver and or offer a soda he will take better care of your car when he is unloading it at the tow destination. Be patient, remember these people have your prize possesion so you do not want to ruffle any feathers no matter who tows it.
Just food for thought on having your car towed. Any time you need a tow the day is already bad enough, dont make it worse. I have a friend that does this for a living so I hear all the ups and downs that go along with it when were enjoying a few brews and working on our Mustangs.
Good Luck it's a jungle out there
Lobo
