While often used interchangeably, the terms ‘roadside assistance’ and ‘towing’ serve very different purposes. While both share the goal of getting your vehicle out of a tricky situation, they entail different courses of action. However, a reputable towing company will likely offer both professional towing services and roadside assistance to its customers. This ensures they have the training, equipment, and certification to provide the help needed for emergency situations. To help you better navigate your emergency situation, here are the differences between roadside assistance and towing services.
Towing Services
To tow a vehicle means to transport it from one place to another. Depending on several factors, there are different types of tow trucks that serve specific purposes.
For example, a common tow truck is the flatbed. Due to its flat design, a flatbed tow truck has a wide surface area and is ideal for transporting totaled, damaged, or illegally parked vehicles. However, it can also be used to transport fully functioning automobiles, such as luxury vehicles, bikes, and boats. There are also heavy-duty tow trucks, ideal for hauling larger vehicles and equipment.
Simply put, if you need a vehicle transported from one place to another – without physically driving it – you need a tow truck company. While towing services can be combined with roadside assistance, towing services only refer to the transport, not the repairs.
When Would You Call a Towing Service?
There are all sorts of situations that call for a tow truck. Most commonly, people are stuck with a car that just won’t start. This could be caused by cold weather, as vehicle engines tend to freeze up in winter. Conversely, the temperatures could be too hot, causing an engine to overheat and become unsafe to drive.
Another example is if a car is parked illegally and poses a traffic hazard, bylaws will enlist the help of a tow truck company to move the car. Other situations, like getting stuck in a tight spot or being involved in a collision, will also require the assistance of a tow truck company.
Roadside Assistance Services
Roadside assistance helps drivers get out of challenging situations on the side of the road. For example, if your vehicle breaks down suddenly while driving, you will need roadside assistance. This will ensure a trained and well-equipped technician comes to your aid to provide the quick fixes needed to get your car going again. Whether this means you can safely operate your own vehicle or have it transported to an auto repair shop is dependent on the situation. What’s important is that roadside assistance gets you and your vehicle safely off the side of the road.
When Would You Need Roadside Assistance?
There are many reasons that make roadside assistance necessary; however, the most common ones include:
- Flat Tire. While dangerous, this is extremely common. If you have a flat tire, roadside assistance ensures your tire is replaced properly and safely.
- Battery. If you have a dead or malfunctioning car battery, a professional roadside technician can jump-start your car to get you back on the road.
- Fuel Refill. With roadside assistance, you can have fuel delivered to your location.
- Lockout. Are your doors locked with the keys inside the vehicle? A roadside technician can unlock your vehicle without damaging the mechanisms.
All Out Fleet Service: Northern Virginia’s Towing & Recovery Experts
All Out Fleet Service provides fast and reliable service for all your towing and recovery needs from our two Virginia locations. Whether you’re dealing with an unexpected breakdown or need assistance after an accident, don’t underestimate the value of professional towing and recovery services from All Out Fleet Service. Contact us today at 571-424-0768 for 24/7 emergency services. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter – X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to keep up with the latest towing news!