Driving to work at 5am on a Saturday and Vanna just dies without warning as I am heading west on 98 ave in Langley BC. Good time for that to happen, all things considered. No traffic so I had no troubles using my momentum to roll into an empty parking lot.
I have BCAA (British Columbia Automobile Association) so I gave them a call. Vanna was loaded on a role on deck and on its way within an hour. I had to take a cab because of the hole mandates thing.
Met the tow truck at the mechanics garage and showed him were to park Vanna. All done within a couple of hours.
PREPARED FOR THE WORST
I recommend getting BCAA to avoid drama. The cost per year ($250.00 approximately) is less than getting towed once. The RV (Recreational Vehicle) package is good for three tows per year of 350klm each. They will take it where you want, up to 350klm away with no extra charge. This makes it feasible to get to your destination and get on with your day of work or play. BCAA also includes road side assistance for tire changes and boosting if need be. You also get a membership card for discounts and points on various purchases.
Having a go to mechanic is wise. Your regular mechanic will get to know your vehicle and that could save you plenty.
PREPARED FOR MINIMAL EXPENSE
This incident could have easily costed $500 or more. I was not at the mercy of the towing company. It did not matter that my mechanic was an hour away.
Having a go to mechanic saved thousands as well. Many shops are not set up for larger vehicles. Most shops are closed evening and weekends. Getting towed to the nearest shop and waiting around for the weekend may not work out well. It may be that come Monday morning the vehicle needs to be towed to another shop.
Dealerships and commercial truck shops are the most expensive option as a rule.
PREPARED FOR ANTI-DRAMA
The whole incident was stress free. I didn’t even pop the hood. Called BCAA, then called my co-worker to inform him of the situation. Casually enjoyed my morning coffee.
Once at my mechanics shop I knew were to park. He is sometimes open on the weekend so I just had a nap while waiting to see what happens next. He ended up knocking on my door around 10am.
The only painful part was missing out on an 8hr overtime shift.
PREPARED WITH KNOWLEDGE
Knowing what it takes to tow your vehicle is a must. Know the maximum height of you vehicle, it’s necessary. Be sure and include any add ons like air conditioners, roof vents and loaded roof racks. Many a good bicycle has suffered death by height restricting barriers.
Its important to know the loaded weight of your vehicle. Generally speaking, most times the loaded vehicle is heavier that its GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) rating. To find out what the actual weight is, simply drive through a closed commercial vehicle way scale in your travels. The scale is still on, however its not maned with enforcement officers. Its okay to go through the scale when its open, however why risk getting the attention of a bored staff member with nothing better to do than shake you down. DOT(Department Of Transportation) officers can pull you over in any vehicle if they suspect a safety violation of any kind. I’ve never heard of it actually happening, however it is possible.
These two factors decide what type of tow vehicle is required. If not too tall or not too heavy a roll on deck will do the trick. If too tall or too heavy a classic style tow truck is required. Have this information available when talking to the dispatcher.
If a classic style tow truck is required the drive shaft on your vehicle will need to be removed. Not all tow truck drivers are capable or equipped to accomplish this task. The task itself is strait forward if the right tool is available. A wrench might work however it will most likely require a socket. Also a regular hexagon wrench or hexagon socket may not work. Twelve point wrench or socket is commonly required. This is a task you should test and learn to do yourself as it could save time and money in the future.
PREPARED TO DO IT YOURSELF
To learn this procedure get some wheel chocks to block your vehicle to keep it from running you over. Pick a dry, clean, flat, spot to park. A luxury you may not be afforded in a break down. Once the vehicle is secured, wheels chocked, in park or neutral, parking brake applied, not running, key removed from ignition and secured, you are safe to proceed. Then see if you can actually fit underneath. If you can get to the drive shaft ends, take a photo of each end. Next best thing to do is crawl out, go online, enter your vehicle make and model, search for a tutorial. Gain some understanding of the procedure, your photos will be helpful in identifying parts. This may also reveal what tools are required. A towing company will charge extra for doing this task. If you’re waiting for a tow, best keep busy saving time and money.
PREPARED FOR KAOS
No one ever plans a breakdown or failure. Being prepared for such unplanned events reduces the drama. Because I was prepared my only out of pocket expense that day was the cab ride. Dam you mandates! If not prepared at a bad time in a pay schedule the story would be very dramatic. No point calling for a tow if you have no cash to pay. If the vehicle absolutely had to be towed and you had no cash to pay, it will go to the tow yard. Then you would owe for the tow and daily storage cost before even getting to the mechanic. Everything went as well as can be expected that day and the kaos did not consume my ca$$.
Thanks for the great article!
Thanks.