Honestly, you’re not alone—lowered cars can be tricky for some tow companies. It’s not just luck, though. If you ever need a tow, mention your car’s clearance when you call. Some companies have flatbeds or special equipment, but not all do. I’ve seen folks get stuck waiting for a second truck because the first couldn’t handle it... definitely frustrating. Double-checking with your insurance provider about their roadside partners can help too. It’s smart to think ahead like this.
I used to think roadside help was just one of those “nice to have” things, like seat warmers or cupholders big enough for a water bottle. Then my car decided to play dead in the middle of a grocery store parking lot—battery totally flat, and of course it was raining. I called my insurance roadside number thinking, “How hard can this be?” Turns out, the first tow truck that showed up looked at my (very average, not even lowered) car and just shrugged. Said his rig couldn’t do it without risking scraping the bumper. Felt like such a rookie mistake not mentioning clearance, but who thinks of that in the moment?
The second truck took forever and I was stuck there, wet and hungry, rethinking all my life choices. Since then, I always double-check what kind of roadside help my insurance actually covers. Some companies are super vague about what they’ll send out, or they use third-party contractors who don’t have the right gear. It’s worth calling your insurance and grilling them a bit about what kind of trucks they send out for different situations.
Honestly, I used to think it was just for people with fancy sports cars or those who drive into ditches all the time, but now I’m convinced it’s worth the extra couple bucks a month. Even if you’ve got a basic sedan, you never know when you’ll get stuck somewhere weird. Just wish I’d learned that lesson before spending half a Saturday watching rain drip down my windshield…
Still, I will say, sometimes the roadside folks seem to treat it like an adventure. One guy tried to “MacGyver” my car onto his flatbed with a couple of 2x4s. Spoiler: it didn’t work, but at least he tried. Not sure if that’s reassuring or terrifying. Either way, I’m keeping the roadside add-on.
It’s worth calling your insurance and grilling them a bit about what kind of trucks they send out for different situations. Honestly, I used to think it was just for people with fancy sports cars...
That “MacGyver” moment with the 2x4s made me laugh—definitely not reassuring, but at least he gave it a shot. I had a similar thing last winter, except my minivan got stuck in a snowbank and the first truck they sent just spun its wheels trying to get close. After that, I started checking if the roadside service had actual 4WD trucks for bad weather. Has anyone actually found a company that spells out what kind of vehicles or equipment they’ll send? Or is it always just luck of the draw?
I’ve wondered the same thing, honestly. After a couple of weird experiences—one time they sent a tiny pickup that looked barely roadworthy—I started asking more questions when I called in. Most of the time, the reps just say they’ll “send what’s available,” which doesn’t really inspire confidence. I haven’t found a company that guarantees 4WD or specific equipment, but I did notice some will at least note if you’re in a tricky spot. It still feels like a bit of a gamble, though. At least you know you’re not alone in this...
Yeah, I’ve had that same uneasy feeling a couple times. One winter, I got stuck on a back road and the tow truck they sent looked like it was held together with duct tape. I always double-check now, but honestly, you’re right—it’s kind of a roll of the dice. At least having the coverage means you’re not totally stranded, even if it’s not perfect.
