Hello, this is Cathy writing. Jeff and I, being quite old now, have been around the block and have ordered dozens of car towing services over the years. Now, while we write about everything from the stress of moving to the purpose of businesses, we decided to write about choosing the right car towing company.

This weekend our old car broke down and we had to order a towing service, and while doing so we remembered all the tow trucks we ordered in the past. We’ve gotten very good at choosing the best towing company, and these are the tips we use:

Tip #1: Don’t trust bad reviews because towing companies get a lot of flak from angry people who’s car just broke down. Just like taxi companies who often have to deal with people who aren’t having the best day, towing companies must do their best to provide service to people who are having a bad day, and this leads them to often leaving bad reviews. This is just the nature of the industry, which means sometimes the best possible company in town has the most bad reviews.

Tip #2: Use business directories like Yelp to find local towing companies near you. Typically, companies with listings on these directories are more trustworthy than companies that weren’t able to get listed.

Tip #3: Call several companies over the phone, ask them all for a cost estimate, and choose the most expensive one! This advice might seem weird at first, but often towing companies that offer super cheap deals provide less quality. Companies that are bold enough to charge more usually do so for a good reason.

Tip #4: Look for a towing company with a diverse fleet of different trucks. Sometimes a towing company can just be a single guy with a wheel-lift tow truck. But, companies that have been established and trusted by the community tend to have more truck options, like rotator trucks and flatbeds. This is especially important if you need to get a larger vehicle towed, because wheel-lift tow trucks are mainly meant for smaller cars, so you may need a company with a flatbed tow truck.

Tip #5: Last but not least, ask friends, family or locals for their favorite towing company. For example, Jeff and I were visiting friends in Saskatoon, SK, when our car stalled and we needed a tow. We called up our friends and they recommended Saskatoon Towing. The company ended up being very good to us, getting the job done quickly for a reasonable cost, and so we’re glad we asked our friends for advice.

These are the 5 tips we’ve developed and used throughout our lives to choose the best car towing companies, whatever the situation. We’ve always been served well and our hearts go out to all the people with car troubles who end up choosing the wrong company. When your car breaks down you don’t have room in your head for any more stress, so choosing a good company can make all the difference. Good luck and safe driving!