Brentwood has changed fast. Where there were once low buildings and big surface lots, there are now towers at Gilmore, Willingdon and Beta, each sitting on several levels of parking. Two Gilmore Place alone rises 64 storeys above Gilmore station. All that parking means one thing for drivers: when a car dies in Brentwood, there is a good chance it dies underground. Here is how underground parkade towing works, and why it is diffrent from a tow on the street.
Why parkades are tricky
- Low ceilings. A standard tow truck with its boom up will not fit in most residential garages.
- Tight ramps. Curved ramps and sharp turns leave little room to manoeuvre a truck and a car at the same time.
- Narrow stalls. Cars parked between pillars and other cars cannot always be reached from the front.
- Gates and access. Many buildings need a fob or a call to the concierge before anyone can get in.
How we get your car out
Most of the time, the answer is a low-clearance truck or wheel dollies. Dollies go under the wheels so the car can be rolled out of a tight stall, even if it is locked or in park. From there, it is moved up to street level and loaded onto a flatbed. Our underground towing page explains the equipment, and dolly towing covers when dollies are the better choice.
Electric cars need extra care. They should go on a flatbed with tow mode set first, and some need the 12 volt battery to be working before they will roll at all. See EV towing.
Try a boost first
Cars that sit for a few days in a cold garage are the most common call we get in Brentwood, and many of them only need a battery boost. A service van fits into garages a tow truck cannot, so it is often quicker and cheaper. If the car still will not start, we move on to the tow. Our roadside assistance page lists the other quick fixes.
What to tell us when you call
- The building name or address.
- The entrance you use. At the shopping centre garages, say whether you came in from Beta Avenue, Halifax Way, Alpha Way or Brentwood Boulevard; the Amazing Brentwood getting here page lists them.
- The level and stall number.
- Whether the car is AWD, electric, lowered or damaged.
- Who can let the driver in: you, a concierge or the strata manager.
With that information we can plan the pull before we arrive and give you an accurate price. Wondering what that price looks like? Read how much a tow costs in Brentwood.
Strata rules and visitor parking
Some buildings have rules about who can work in the garage and when. If you are unsure, ask your concierge or strata manager before the truck comes. It saves time and avoids an awkward wait at the gate. If a car has been abandoned in a stall for months and needs to go for good, our scrap car removal service can take it away.
How long does a parkade tow take?
Longer than a street tow, usually, because of the setup. Getting the equipment in, rolling the car out and loading it safely all take time. Our post on how long a tow takes in Brentwood goes into the details. Planning ahead with the right information is the best way to keep it short.
Common parkade problems we see
- A battery drained after a week away, with the car parked nose-in against a wall.
- A flat tire on a car parked between two pillars, too tight to change in place.
- An EV that went to sleep and will not shift out of park.
- A car left in a visitor stall that the strata needs moved.
Each of these has a slightly different fix, which is why the details you give on the phone matter so much. A photo of the stall sent by text can help too, and it lets the driver plan the job before they even turn into the ramp.
Why it matters who you call
Not every towing company is set up for underground work. Some will arrive with the wrong truck and leave again. Before you book, ask the questions in our towing company checklist. We deal with Brentwood garages every week, from Gilmore Place to Concord Brentwood, so it is a normal part of the job for us, not an exception.
If you are standing in the garage right now with a car that wont start, take a breath. Read what to do before the tow truck arrives, then call us and tell us the building and level. We will take it from there. You can also see all our towing services.