Car towing
Car Towing: 6 Questions to Ask Before Your Car Gets Hooked Up
A tow is easy to get and easy to regret. Ask these six questions first. Then see how a Sentinel tow answers each one.
Who Tows Your Car
Sentinel Towing matches you with the nearest available partner tow company. That local company hooks up and moves your car. We handle the call, the price and the texts, and we hold them to the price we sent you. It's all laid out on how it works.
Before the hook goes on
6 Car Towing Questions to Ask
Ask any tow company these. A good one answers fast and in plain words.
1. What's the price, in writing?
A number said over the phone is easy to change later. Get it in writing before the truck rolls. With Sentinel, your price comes by text before we dispatch. If the final bill is higher, you pay the texted price.
2. Who's coming, and in what truck?
You should know who's pulling up before they pull up. Your driver card shows your driver's name, photo and truck. Check the truck and the face against the text before you hand over your keys.
3. Flatbed or wheel-lift?
Many all-wheel-drive cars should ride on a flatbed, with all four wheels off the ground. Towing them the wrong way can hurt the drivetrain. Tell us your year, make and model, and whether it's all-wheel drive. We pass that on so the right truck comes. Not sure? Your owner's manual has a towing section.
4. What if my car gets damaged?
Before hookup, your driver photographs all four sides of your car, and we text you the photos. Now you both have a record of how it looked. Every partner carries insurance. If something goes wrong, text us and we'll help you through the claim.
5. Where does my car go, and how do I get there?
Tell us where it should go: your home, your shop, or a repair shop we suggest. You can ride along in the truck when it's safe and allowed. If you can't, we help you line up a ride before the truck leaves.
6. Can you tow it after a crash?
If police are on scene, follow their lead. They may call a tow for you, and we don't take police rotation or impound calls. If police say you can pick your own tow, and the car can be moved by a light-duty truck, call us.
Save time on the call
Have These Ready When You Call
The faster we get these, the faster your price goes out and a partner gets moving.
- Where you are. A street address, or the nearest cross streets. On a highway, give the direction you were driving and the nearest exit or mile marker.
- What you drive. Year, make, model and color. Say if it's all-wheel drive, lowered or has big aftermarket parts.
- What happened. Won't start, won't move, crash damage, or a warning light.
- Where it should go. An address, or ask us to point you to a shop.
- Who needs a ride. How many people, and any kids or pets.
- Where the keys are. The driver needs them to move the car.
Photos are taken when it's safe. If your car sits in a live lane, the driver may move it to a safe spot first, then take them.
The Stay-With-You Promise
What Comes With Your Tow
These seven promises come with every tow we send. The photo promise was made for tows, since that's when your car leaves your hands.
Fine print for each is on the promise page.
We stay with you. From your call until the truck arrives, we check on you by text.
See your driver before they arrive. You get their name, photo and truck by text, and you can track your truck on a map.
Your family knows too. Give us one number, and we text them your location and arrival time.
Photo-protected tow. Before hookup, your driver photographs all 4 sides of your vehicle. We text you the photos.
Price locked by text. You get your price by text before we dispatch. That price is the most you pay for the job. If the job changes, we text a new price first and you decide.
Never stranded after. Ride along in the truck when it's safe and allowed, or we help you get a ride. We also point you to a good repair shop.
Free Sentinel Circle. After your first job, your vehicle is on file. Next time, just text "TOW" for priority dispatch.
More questions
Car Towing Questions
How far will you tow my car?
We do local tows, not long-distance moves between cities. Tell us where the car should go on the call. Your texted price covers that trip.
My car is in a parking garage. Can you get it?
Often, yes, but tow trucks are tall. Tell us the garage's height limit and which level you're on. We'll find a partner with a truck that fits, or tell you if the car needs to be rolled out first.
Do I need to be there when the truck arrives?
In most cases, yes. Someone needs to meet the driver and hand over the keys. If you can't be there, tell us on the call and we'll see what the partner can do.
Can you tow a pickup or an SUV?
Yes, as long as it's light-duty. That covers most pickups, SUVs and minivans people drive every day. Loaded work trucks, dually pickups with a trailer, and RVs need a heavy-duty company.
Car won't start at all? A jump start may save you the tow. Stuck in a ditch? You may need a winch-out first.
Car towing, 24/7
Need a Tow? Get Your Price by Text First.
Call now. We'll text your price, send the nearest available partner and show you who's coming.