In a hectic vehicle breakdown situation, ideas about towing cost estimator may help you make intelligent decisions. Around 69 million American vehicles face breakdowns every year. Most car owners in the US need towing services at least once in their lifetime. So, you can be one of them anytime.
It’s better to have proper ideas about towing cost estimators to avoid puzzling scenarios. In this article, we explained the whole towing cost estimator thing. After reading this, you can calculate your car’s towing cost and hire an accurate towing service.
So, let’s dive in.
Calculating The Towing Cost For Your Car
Calculating possible towing costs relies on different factors and circumstances. Here, we present the tow truck cost estimators and a detailed breakdown of the costs in the following. So, keep reading.
Towing Cost Estimator Or Factors Affecting The Cost
Several factors affect or estimate the cost of towing your car. The major tow truck cost estimators are like the following:
- Type and Size of Your Vehicle: The towing cost of a vehicle depends on its model, size, or weight. For instance, a large SUV will be costlier to tow than a small car. Again, the cost will rise for electric and hybrid vehicles as these need special handling.
- Distance: Distance is the most crucial tow truck cost estimator. The distance from the vehicle’s current location to the final destination determines the core part of the towing cost.
- Additional Recovery: The cost will rise if the vehicle needs special treatment to make it ideal for towing. For example, if the car is stuck in the ditch or has a flattened tire, it has to be made convenient for moving on the road.
- The Time and Location: The cost will vary depending on what time you need the service and where you are. The price will be higher if you need the service at unusual times or in dangerous terrain.
- Storage: Storage is another towing cost estimator. You have to pay extra for the storage facility if you need to store the car when you can make the insurance claim.
Breakdown Of The Cost Of Towing
Let’s break down the amount of money you pay for towing to understand how the pricing works. There can be three parts of the total tow bill which are:
Standard Towing Cost
Most car towing companies charge this amount for hooking and towing your car. Most towing companies charge a flat or base amount for connecting your vehicle to the tow truck. In addition, to hook up costs, you’ll have to pay the per-mile fee.
Additional Towing Cost
The towing service can cost you more money in the following situations.
- If you need the towing at night, on weekends, or holidays.
- If you own a larger, heavier, or oversized vehicle.
- If you call in for the service during bad weather like flooding, snowstorms, wildfire, etc.
- If you lock the key inside, the car must be unlocked before towing.
- If you demand the service in a remote, hard-to-reach, uneven, or dangerous terrain.
Towing Cost For Special Services
In specific scenarios, your car may need additional services along with towing. These are:
- Moving struck car
- Gas-delivery
- Jump-start
- Tire-changing
- Transporting un-drivable car
Most car towing companies also offer these special services. If you need one of these, you will have to pay extra.
Average Costs Of Towing
First thing first, how much are the tow fees? The cost varies depending on distance, vehicle type, and other towing cost estimators. Also, different car towing companies charge differently. However, the average tow rate in the US is around $100.
Another thing to note here is there can be a hookup fee before the per-mile cost applies. You can be charged just for hooking your car to the tow truck. And this amount can be about $35-$100, depending on your car’s type and condition. After that, you move your vehicle, which costs $2.5 to $7 per mile.
For a better idea, here is how much your car can cost for towing.
- 5-7 miles: $35 to $125
- 40 miles: $125to $275
- 100 miles: $275 to $600
You must pay a base amount or hookup costs for less than 5 miles. On the other hand, a significant or severely damaged car will cost you more than a regular one for the same distance.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about towing in this section.
What Do Most Tow Companies Charge Per Mile?
You can get the cheapest towing services at $2.5 in the US, up to $7. The amount varies depending on the vehicle type, the towing company, and other towing cost estimators. You can also check out the nearest towing companies’ information about how much tow fees are.
Should You Ship Your Car Or Tow It?
Towing your car will be the best option if your primary concern is budget, among many other factors. Towing will cost less than half as much as shipping a vehicle. So, towing will be a more convenient and cost-friendly option for you than shipping. It would be best to consider how much tow and shipping fees are in your territory to fdeterminewhich one is convenient
Does Towing A Vehicle Add Miles?
Whether towing a vehicle adds miles depends on two main factors. These are- the type of odometer and type of towing.
- Regarding the Type of Odometer, If your car has an electrical odometer, your car will not add any miles. On the other hand, if your vehicle has a mechanical odometer, it may add miles.
- Regarding the Type of Towing: Dolly tow with front-wheel drive vehicles will not add mileage to your odometer, while a car with rear-wheel drive will add mileage. However, no mileage will be added to trailer towing.
How Can I Save Money On A Tow?
If your auto insurance covers roadside assistance, towing would be entirely free. Otherwise, you can try Visa’s Roadside Dispatch Service for towing and other related services for only $70. Likewise, you can also use the premium roadside assistance credit cards of American Express and MasterCard to get the cheapest towing.
Another way of having the cheapest towing services is to register with an auto club or roadside assistance subscription program. For instance, you can join the Automobile Association of America(AAA) and enjoy the facilities immediately.
Is A Heavier Truck Better For Towing?
Towing companies are professionals who provide the best tow truck for your towing job. But, if you’re doing it yourself, remember that the larger the towing job, the bigger the displacement engine you’ll need. So, heavier trucks are considered better for heavier loads indeed.
The Bottom Line
There could be several reasons you want to get towing services. Whatever the reason, it can be tricky when you’re interested in towing. Hopefully, this article helped you with enough information about towing cost estimators to help you hire one efficiently.
