A flatbed tow, also called a rollback, uses a truck with a flat bed that tilts down to the ground. Your vehicle is loaded on top and secured, so no wheels touch the pavement while it travels. Santa Ynez Towing connects you with licensed and insured local towing professionals who can handle this kind of tow.
If you are not sure which kind of truck your vehicle needs, that is a normal question. Call (805) 693-7957, describe the vehicle, and the dispatcher can help you sort it out.
When a flatbed is the right call
Flatbed towing is generally recommended for several kinds of vehicles. Some of them can be damaged by being pulled on their own wheels. Others simply cannot roll.
- All-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles
- Low-clearance cars and classic cars
- Most electric vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Vehicles that cannot roll, steer or move on their own
Your owner's manual often says how the vehicle should be towed. If you have it in the glove box, take a quick look. If the manual calls for a flatbed, tell the dispatcher when you call.
A flatbed is also a sensible request after a collision or a mechanical failure. If a wheel is damaged, the steering is locked or the drivetrain will not turn, the vehicle needs to be carried instead of pulled.
Why it matters around the Santa Ynez Valley
The valley's roads are mostly two lanes, and that shapes how a roadside breakdown goes. State Route 154, the Chumash Highway, climbs over San Marcos Pass through Los Padres National Forest. It has only occasional passing lanes and tops out near 2,000 feet. A breakdown there can be far from town, so it helps to know your direction of travel and the nearest landmark, such as Lake Cachuma.
State Route 246 runs along Mission Drive through Solvang and is mostly two lanes between Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez. Rural roads such as Refugio Road, Alamo Pintado Road and Ballard Canyon Road can also be narrow. Pulling fully off the road, when you can do so safely, makes loading easier for everyone.
The valley's dry, warm-summer climate does not rule out a breakdown. Heat can be hard on batteries and cooling systems, and a car that overheats or will not restart may need to be carried rather than pulled.
What to expect at pickup
The dispatcher will ask a few questions first. Having these ready makes the call quicker and the quote more accurate:
- Your exact location, including cross streets, highway direction and a nearby landmark
- The vehicle's year, make and model
- Whether it rolls and steers
- Where you want it taken
The dispatcher quotes the price on the phone before a truck is sent. Price depends on the vehicle, the distance, the type of truck or hookup needed, the road location and the time of day. Payment methods and hours vary by provider, so confirm them on the call.
At the scene, the driver positions the truck, tilts the bed and brings your vehicle onto it. The vehicle is then secured for the ride. Ask the dispatcher whether you need to provide anything, such as keys or access to the vehicle.
Where the vehicle can be taken
You choose the destination, and the dispatcher confirms it when quoting. Common choices include:
- Your home in Santa Ynez, Ballard, Jonata Park or Rancho Santa Ynez
- A repair shop you already trust
- A dealer service department
Help is available in Santa Ynez and the nearby towns of Solvang, Los Olivos, Buellton and Los Alamos, plus the rest of Santa Barbara County. If you are visiting the valley for wine tasting or a stay at the Chumash Casino Resort, you can name a shop back home or a local one. Check that the shop will be open and able to receive the vehicle.
Trailers, RVs and larger vehicles
The valley has ranches and an equine industry, so trucks pulling horse trailers are a familiar sight on rural roads. A larger rig needs equipment matched to its weight and length. Tell the dispatcher what you are towing and how big it is. They will ask about those details first.
Safety and coverage while you wait
If you can, get fully off the roadway, turn on your hazard lights and keep away from traffic. If you are on a highway shoulder and cannot get safely away from the car, stay inside with your seat belt on. Call 911 for any injury or emergency.
After a collision on a state highway such as SR 154, SR 246 or U.S. 101, the California Highway Patrol handles the response. Officers may call a tow if the vehicle must be cleared. In unincorporated areas like Santa Ynez, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff covers the area.
Many auto insurance policies, credit cards and motor-club memberships include towing coverage. Check yours before the call, and ask for an itemized receipt if you plan to submit for reimbursement.
When you are ready to arrange a flatbed, call (805) 693-7957 and tell the dispatcher what happened, where you are and where the vehicle should go.