When you are stuck at the side of the road, every minute feels long. So how long does a tow take in Brentwood, Burnaby? Anyone who gives you an exact number without asking where you are is guessing. The wait depends on a few things you can see for yourself, and a few you can change. Here is how it really works.
The two parts of every tow
There is the time it takes the truck to reach you, and the time it takes to load your car. People think about the first and forget the second. A car on an open street can be loaded in a few minutes. A car three levels down in a tower garage can take a lot longer, because the driver has to get the right equipment in and the car out safely. Our towing services page explains what goes into each kind of job.
What makes the wait longer
- Traffic on Lougheed and Willingdon. These are some of the busiest roads in Burnaby, especially at rush hour and on weekend afternoons near the shopping centres.
- Highway 1. A breakdown on the highway near the Willingdon exit is a diffrent job from one on a side street. Check DriveBC for closures before you call so you can tell us which way traffic is moving.
- Parkades. Low ceilings and tight ramps mean the driver may need dollies or a low-clearance setup. See how underground tows work.
- Weather. Heavy rain and the first snow of the year bring a wave of calls across the Lower Mainland.
- Missing details. If the driver has to hunt for your car, that adds time.
What makes it faster
The single biggest thing you can do is give a clear location. The street and nearest cross street is great. In a building, give the name, the entrance you used and the level. For the shopping centre garages, the Amazing Brentwood getting here page lists the parkade entrances off Beta Avenue, Halifax Way, Alpha Way and Brentwood Boulevard; tell us which one you came in. Then tell us the vehicle, whether it is AWD or electric, and where it needs to go. That way the right truck comes the first time.
It also helps to be reachable. Keep your phone on and the ringer up so the driver can call if they cant find you.
Sometimes you do not need to wait for a tow
If the problem is a dead battery, a lockout or a flat, a service van can often fix it right where you are parked. A battery boost or a lockout is usually quicker than a tow, and you drive away afterwards. Our roadside assistance page lists every quick fix we offer.
Emergency calls
If you are stopped in a live lane, your safety comes first. Turn on your hazards, stay buckled if you cannot get off the road safely, and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then call for emergency towing. Our guide to what to do when your car breaks down in Brentwood has the full checklist.
Does a faster tow cost more?
Not with us. The price is set by the vehicle, the distance and the truck it needs, and we tell you the total before we hook up. If you want to understand what goes into that number, read our tow truck cost guide for Brentwood. And if you are comparing companies on speed and price, our checklist for choosing a towing company will help.
What we tell you on the call
When you call Rescue Towing, we tell you three things straight away: the price, the truck we are sending, and a realistic idea of timing based on where our driver is and what traffic looks like. If something changes on the way, we call you. We would rather give you an honest estimate than a nice-sounding one we cant keep.
Bigger vehicles take more planning. If it is a work van, a bus or equipment, see commercial and heavy duty towing and give us as much notice as you can.
Night, weekend and holiday tows
Late at night the roads are quieter, so the drive itself is often quicker, but there are fewer trucks on the road across the whole region. On long weekends and the first rainy days of fall, demand jumps. If you are not in danger and the car is parked safely, a scheduled tow the next morning can be easier on everyone. Just ask us what makes sense for your situation.
Quick recap
- Give a clear location, including the building, entrance and level if you are in a garage.
- Describe the vehicle and where it should go.
- Ask whether a roadside fix could solve it without a tow.
- Stay safe and keep your phone on.
Need a truck now? Call us and tell us where you are. Curious who will show up? Read about our team.