Welcome to Prescott Towing Pros
Quick, reliable emergency towing, hauling, and roadside assistance available 24/7
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How Much Does Towing Cost?
Most of us desire to depend on our vehicles wholeheartedly without incurring any extra expense outside of gas/fuel, the occasional oil change, and perhaps a car wash here and there, however, that's just simply not realistic. The reality is that, at some point, we will all be required to spend some money on our vehicles beyond monthly payments, insurance premiums and the above-mentioned on-going expenses.
While routine scheduled maintenance will, in theory, significantly reduce the risk and/or likelihood of a mechanical or electronic breakdown, there will probably come a time, at some point, when you have to deal with an unexpected and inconvenient breakdown that will require your car to be towed to a dealership or repair shop. Nearly every driver is faced with this reality eventually. So, how much does it cost to have a vehicle towed? Is there a difference in cost to tow a car or truck?
Regardless of the nature of breakdown, the first thing you want to do is to verify whether or not your insurance policy covers towing costs. Some policies will afford the driver the luxury of having their vehicle towed without incurring any extra expense, however, some other policies may require the driver to foot the entire tow bill. For these unlucky drivers, it's best to know a few key pieces of information prior to committing to a tow. There are several factors that may influence the cost of the tow, the primary of which is the required tow distance. The national average expense associated with a tow is around $109, but rates may vary from one company to another, and even from one scenario to another. As a general rule, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3.00 and $10.00 per mile.
There are various elements that may impact this cost, such as the type of vehicle being towed, time of day, day of the week, whether the tow is needed on a holiday, and also factors such as the terrain that will be required to be covered. It is also important that we understand that the expense associated with towing a vehicle after it has been involved in a collision is generally significantly more than the expense for towing a broken down vehicle. If you require a tow truck as a result of getting your vehicle stuck, this may result in an additional cost, generally ranging from $50 to $250, as a result of the tow truck needing to use a winch and other vehicle recovery gear and/or equipment.
While routine scheduled maintenance will, in theory, significantly reduce the risk and/or likelihood of a mechanical or electronic breakdown, there will probably come a time, at some point, when you have to deal with an unexpected and inconvenient breakdown that will require your car to be towed to a dealership or repair shop. Nearly every driver is faced with this reality eventually. So, how much does it cost to have a vehicle towed? Is there a difference in cost to tow a car or truck?
Regardless of the nature of breakdown, the first thing you want to do is to verify whether or not your insurance policy covers towing costs. Some policies will afford the driver the luxury of having their vehicle towed without incurring any extra expense, however, some other policies may require the driver to foot the entire tow bill. For these unlucky drivers, it's best to know a few key pieces of information prior to committing to a tow. There are several factors that may influence the cost of the tow, the primary of which is the required tow distance. The national average expense associated with a tow is around $109, but rates may vary from one company to another, and even from one scenario to another. As a general rule, you can expect to pay anywhere between $3.00 and $10.00 per mile.
There are various elements that may impact this cost, such as the type of vehicle being towed, time of day, day of the week, whether the tow is needed on a holiday, and also factors such as the terrain that will be required to be covered. It is also important that we understand that the expense associated with towing a vehicle after it has been involved in a collision is generally significantly more than the expense for towing a broken down vehicle. If you require a tow truck as a result of getting your vehicle stuck, this may result in an additional cost, generally ranging from $50 to $250, as a result of the tow truck needing to use a winch and other vehicle recovery gear and/or equipment.
How Should A Trailer's Safety Chains Be Attached To A Towing Vehicle?
Two strong safety chains, rated for more weight than the vehicle and/or trailer being towed, should be crisscrossed to support the trailer’s coupler if it dislodges and becomes disconnected from the towing vehicle. These chains should also have some slack or droop to them, but they should not be long enough to touch the ground during any driving as this may cause sparks and subsequent roadside wildfires.
What Is Towing Capacity? What Does It Mean?
Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely tow when pulling a trailer. The vehicle manufacturer determines this number by taking into account several weights and ratings. This maximum towing capacity should always be observed and never exceeded. Towing more weight than your vehicle is safely rated for is extremely dangerous and can result in fatalities. Know your vehicle's limits in advance, be smart and stay safe!
Below is a list of some commonly used acronyms associated with towing and/or towing capacity:
Label Weight Capacity Type Weight Capacity Description
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Maximum loaded weight of a vehicle
GCWR Gross Combined Weight Rating Maximum towing weight of a vehicle
GAWR Gross Axle Weight Rating Maximum weight on each vehicle axle
GTW Gross Trailer Weight Total weight of a trailer
TW Tongue Weight Total weight at the coupling point
Curb Weight N/A Total weight of an empty vehicle
Dry Weight N/A Total weight of a vehicle without fluids
Payload N/A Total weight of any cargo and passengers
To determine the maximum safe towing capacity, you will need to source the vehicle manufacturer's weight ratings for your particular vehicle and then compare them against the gross weight of the trailer being towed. Most vehicles have the trailer towing capacity listed on a decal in the driver-side door jamb, on the vehicle manufacturer's website and/or in the owner's manual.
How To Increase Towing Capacity?
So how do you increase the towing capacity of a truck or SUV so you can pull a slightly heavier boat, trailer, or RV? UPGRADES! The upgrades listed below will allow you safely increase your towing capacity affording you the ability to tow more without jeopardizing the well-being of the passengers or towing vehicle. Below are some pointers:
-Get the Right Hitch
First and foremost, you will need to invest in the right type of hitch for your specific towing application. Obviously, you will need to choose a hitch that is rated to handle the weight of your trailer or more. If you're planning on towing a larger bumper-pull style of trailer, you'll want to purchase a high quality weight distribution hitch. A weight distribution hitch system does exactly what it sounds like it might do: It distributes the weight of the trailer across a broader portion of your tow vehicle’s frame instead of just relying solely on the hitch receiver area. This helps make it possible to pull a larger amount of weight, while simultaneously preventing the suspension from being unevenly overworked.
-Install a Programmer
Most vehicles come from the manufacturer with their settings optimized for the best possible fuel efficiency while simultaneously minimizing the compromises in other areas. The main issue or concern here is that this can noticeably limit both horsepower and torque, which can negatively impact your tow vehicle's ability to tow a heavier load. A programmer can remedy this issue by adjusting, and in some cases eliminating or bypassing, some of the the settings in a tow vehicle's computer, unleashing the power you need to tow bigger, heavier loads.
-Replace the Axles
Just like with home projects, one thing usually leads to another and so on and so forth. The same applies here as well. Now that we've been able to free up more horsepower and torque, we must ensure that the tow vehicle's axles are able to handle the weight of this heavier load or you may not be going anywhere. To remedy this issue, it is recommended to swap out factory axles as well as the differential(s) for heavy-duty versions of those parts. One way that many people accomplish is by utilizing RV parts in place of traditional truck or SUV parts. RV Parts are made to carry heavier loads and they can usually be fabricated to fit. Having said that, if you choose to go this route, in the sake of safety, this is a job best left to professionals who do this type of work on a regular basis.
-Upgrade the Braking System
Now that you've upgraded your axles and differential(s) and installed a programmer, you should at least be able to get those tires rolling down the road. Stopping this heavier load, however, can also be an issue for concern. Oftentimes, in fact, this is the bigger issue with towing heavier loads. For this reason, you'll want to install a properly-calibrated trailer brake system on your tow vehicle if it doesn't already have one. You'll also want to upgrade your brake pads and rotors on all four corners
The upgrades mentioned above should be enough to get you going with pulling your bigger, heavier loads. However, these upgrades won't necessarily afford you great performance out of your tow vehicle. Therefore, towing performance is the other half of the equation aside from towing capacity. Increasing towing performance, by utilizing the methods listed below, will help ensure you have a smooth, problem-free ride wherever your journey takes you.
Here are our top tips:
-Install a Bigger Radiator
Towing forces a vehicle to work hard, and working hard can significantly increase engine bay temperatures. Upgrading to a larger radiator can help mitigate these higher temperatures, keeping things nice and cool, and prolonging the life of your tow vehicle.
-Upgrade the Suspension
We mentioned suspension before when discussing weight-distribution hitch systems. While that will help level things out and make the job a bit easier on your vehicle’s suspension, it may not be quite enough. Just as with the axles and differential(s), it is recommended to upgrade stock suspension components with upgraded, heavy-duty parts. This will result it better steering control, a smoother ride and an even greater degree of weight distribution. One of the more popular options is to install an air suspension system, which can give you the best possible ride quality. Many of these systems can even being adjust "on the fly" to help your tow vehicle adjust to differing road conditions without any downtime.
-Upgrade the Intake and Exhaust
The last upgrade that many consider, with regard to towing performance, is an upgraded intake and a more free-flowing exhaust system. This is the system that helps your engine “breathe”, and replacing the stock parts with high-flow parts might help the engine breathe easier thus giving the owner better performance.
In most cases, doing all of these upgrades is probably not the best option. In reality, it’s probably safer, easier, and better for the vehicle in question if you choose one of the options below rather than completing the above-mentioned checklist of upgrades.
-Upgrade Your Truck
If you absolutely must have a larger trailer and/or tow heavier loads, then you must also consider purchasing a more capable tow vehicle.
-Choose a Smaller Trailer
If a more capable tow vehicle is not an option, then consider a smaller trailer. It will be the safer option and you can always upgrade your truck/trailer combo down the road when life affords you more favorable circumstances.
-Go With a Motorhome
If budget is not too much of a concern, you may want to consider this option. This will eliminate the need for a tow vehicle entirely. Additionally, if you prefer to have a smaller vehicle to explore in once you reach your destination, most motorhomes are fully capable of towing as well. Having said that, motorhomes can be quite expensive, so depending on your budget this may or may not not be a good solution.
There are many ways to get around a tow capacity issue or concern and get out onto the open road. Whether you choose to upgrade your current tow vehicle in order to increase the towing capacity and performance, purchase a new tow vehicle, or even choose to go the motorhome route, we’re certain you can find a solution that works for you and your budget so you can think less about towing and vehicle-related issues and more about the outdoors and all the adventures you'd rather be enjoying.
-Get the Right Hitch
First and foremost, you will need to invest in the right type of hitch for your specific towing application. Obviously, you will need to choose a hitch that is rated to handle the weight of your trailer or more. If you're planning on towing a larger bumper-pull style of trailer, you'll want to purchase a high quality weight distribution hitch. A weight distribution hitch system does exactly what it sounds like it might do: It distributes the weight of the trailer across a broader portion of your tow vehicle’s frame instead of just relying solely on the hitch receiver area. This helps make it possible to pull a larger amount of weight, while simultaneously preventing the suspension from being unevenly overworked.
-Install a Programmer
Most vehicles come from the manufacturer with their settings optimized for the best possible fuel efficiency while simultaneously minimizing the compromises in other areas. The main issue or concern here is that this can noticeably limit both horsepower and torque, which can negatively impact your tow vehicle's ability to tow a heavier load. A programmer can remedy this issue by adjusting, and in some cases eliminating or bypassing, some of the the settings in a tow vehicle's computer, unleashing the power you need to tow bigger, heavier loads.
-Replace the Axles
Just like with home projects, one thing usually leads to another and so on and so forth. The same applies here as well. Now that we've been able to free up more horsepower and torque, we must ensure that the tow vehicle's axles are able to handle the weight of this heavier load or you may not be going anywhere. To remedy this issue, it is recommended to swap out factory axles as well as the differential(s) for heavy-duty versions of those parts. One way that many people accomplish is by utilizing RV parts in place of traditional truck or SUV parts. RV Parts are made to carry heavier loads and they can usually be fabricated to fit. Having said that, if you choose to go this route, in the sake of safety, this is a job best left to professionals who do this type of work on a regular basis.
-Upgrade the Braking System
Now that you've upgraded your axles and differential(s) and installed a programmer, you should at least be able to get those tires rolling down the road. Stopping this heavier load, however, can also be an issue for concern. Oftentimes, in fact, this is the bigger issue with towing heavier loads. For this reason, you'll want to install a properly-calibrated trailer brake system on your tow vehicle if it doesn't already have one. You'll also want to upgrade your brake pads and rotors on all four corners
The upgrades mentioned above should be enough to get you going with pulling your bigger, heavier loads. However, these upgrades won't necessarily afford you great performance out of your tow vehicle. Therefore, towing performance is the other half of the equation aside from towing capacity. Increasing towing performance, by utilizing the methods listed below, will help ensure you have a smooth, problem-free ride wherever your journey takes you.
Here are our top tips:
-Install a Bigger Radiator
Towing forces a vehicle to work hard, and working hard can significantly increase engine bay temperatures. Upgrading to a larger radiator can help mitigate these higher temperatures, keeping things nice and cool, and prolonging the life of your tow vehicle.
-Upgrade the Suspension
We mentioned suspension before when discussing weight-distribution hitch systems. While that will help level things out and make the job a bit easier on your vehicle’s suspension, it may not be quite enough. Just as with the axles and differential(s), it is recommended to upgrade stock suspension components with upgraded, heavy-duty parts. This will result it better steering control, a smoother ride and an even greater degree of weight distribution. One of the more popular options is to install an air suspension system, which can give you the best possible ride quality. Many of these systems can even being adjust "on the fly" to help your tow vehicle adjust to differing road conditions without any downtime.
-Upgrade the Intake and Exhaust
The last upgrade that many consider, with regard to towing performance, is an upgraded intake and a more free-flowing exhaust system. This is the system that helps your engine “breathe”, and replacing the stock parts with high-flow parts might help the engine breathe easier thus giving the owner better performance.
In most cases, doing all of these upgrades is probably not the best option. In reality, it’s probably safer, easier, and better for the vehicle in question if you choose one of the options below rather than completing the above-mentioned checklist of upgrades.
-Upgrade Your Truck
If you absolutely must have a larger trailer and/or tow heavier loads, then you must also consider purchasing a more capable tow vehicle.
-Choose a Smaller Trailer
If a more capable tow vehicle is not an option, then consider a smaller trailer. It will be the safer option and you can always upgrade your truck/trailer combo down the road when life affords you more favorable circumstances.
-Go With a Motorhome
If budget is not too much of a concern, you may want to consider this option. This will eliminate the need for a tow vehicle entirely. Additionally, if you prefer to have a smaller vehicle to explore in once you reach your destination, most motorhomes are fully capable of towing as well. Having said that, motorhomes can be quite expensive, so depending on your budget this may or may not not be a good solution.
There are many ways to get around a tow capacity issue or concern and get out onto the open road. Whether you choose to upgrade your current tow vehicle in order to increase the towing capacity and performance, purchase a new tow vehicle, or even choose to go the motorhome route, we’re certain you can find a solution that works for you and your budget so you can think less about towing and vehicle-related issues and more about the outdoors and all the adventures you'd rather be enjoying.
Towing Services Offered
Emergency Towing
Tow service available for emergencies and roadside assistance available for lock-outs, tire changes, jump starts, and on- and off-road recoveries
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Motorcycle Towing
Tow service available for emergencies as well as local transport of motorcycles, side-by-sides, and other off-road vehicles
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Commercial Towing
Tow service available for commercial purposes to include heavy haul and any company or fleet vehicles
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Roadside Assistance
We have you covered; whether it's something as simple as a few gallons of gas or diesel, or a vehicle or motorcycle that has sustained significant damage and is not drivable, and everything in between. We handle it all and we do it quickly, professionally and at a very competitive cost.
Hauling
We also offer hauling services for cars, trucks, motorcycles, side-by-sides, recreational vehicles, campers, trailers and more. If you need something moved locally and just don't have the ability or the desire to do it yourself, we will take care of it for you.
About Us
We are a locally-owned family business who knows the quad-cities area very well. Whether you're stuck and stranded on the side of the highway or off pavement on a remote forest service road, we'll find and assist you quickly and professionally at a reasonable price. We are up front with our pricing and we provide the highest quality service for our customers. There is no company in the area that is better than us at what we do, guaranteed! When you're stuck in an undesirable situation needing towing or roadside assistance, don't settle. We treat your vehicle as if it was our own, we arrive promptly and we provide some of the best customer service around. Contact us--fill out the form above or give us a call now!
928-813-0372
928-813-0372
Areas We Service
We are headquartered in Prescott and we provide towing, hauling, and roadside assistance services in and around the quad-cities area to include:
Mayer
Dewey
Cherry
Prescott
Humboldt
Chino Valley
Cordes Lakes
Prescott Valley
Cordes Junction