A larger vehicle that stops on the road is a different job from a car breakdown. Weight, length and the way the vehicle is built all decide what kind of truck and hookup can move it safely.
This site connects callers with licensed and insured local towing professionals who handle heavier vehicles. Call (805) 693-7957 and a dispatcher will walk through the details with you before anything is sent.
Vehicles this page covers
Heavy-duty calls in the Santa Ynez Valley can involve many kinds of vehicles. Some examples:
- RVs and motorhomes
- Box trucks and delivery trucks
- Work trucks and service vehicles
- Utility, cargo and horse trailers
The valley has a strong equine industry, ranches, vineyards and a steady flow of visitors. That means trucks pulling horse trailers, rental motorhomes and loaded work vehicles all share the same roads.
Why the dispatcher asks about weight and length
A tow truck that suits a sedan may not suit a motorhome. Heavy-duty jobs need equipment matched to the weight and length of the vehicle. For that reason, the dispatcher will ask for those details first.
Have these ready when you call:
- Your exact location, such as cross streets, the highway and direction of travel, or a nearby landmark
- The year, make and model of the vehicle
- Its approximate length and weight, if you know them. The owner's manual or door-jamb label may list weight.
- Whether it rolls and steers
- Whether a trailer is attached and what is in it
- Where you want it taken
The dispatcher confirms these details before sending a truck. The price is quoted on the phone before dispatch. It depends on the vehicle, the distance, the type of truck or hookup needed, the road location and the time of day.
Roads where a big rig can get stuck
State Route 154, the Chumash Highway, runs from Los Olivos past Santa Ynez and Lake Cachuma. It then climbs through Los Padres National Forest and over San Marcos Pass toward Santa Barbara. It is a two-lane mountain road with only occasional passing lanes, and it tops out near 2,000 feet. A large vehicle that breaks down there is far from town, so an accurate location matters. Mention the direction you were heading and any landmark you passed.
State Route 246 is mostly two lanes between Buellton, Solvang and Santa Ynez. In Solvang it runs as Mission Drive. It is the main route from U.S. Route 101 to Solvang, so a stalled truck or trailer can slow other drivers quickly.
Rural roads also matter here. Alamo Pintado Road, Refugio Road, Roblar Avenue, Ballard Canyon Road, Santa Rosa Road and Chalk Hill Road all carry local and farm traffic. If you are stopped on one of these roads, give the dispatcher the nearest cross street or turnoff.
Warm, dry weather and heavy loads
The valley has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm but not hot, and no month averages above about 72 degrees F. Even so, a loaded vehicle working hard on a grade can overheat or wear down tires, brakes and batteries. If your vehicle stops, get as far off the roadway as you safely can, turn on your hazard lights and keep clear of traffic.
Collisions involving larger vehicles
Call 911 first if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. The California Highway Patrol handles collisions on state highways, including U.S. 101, SR 154 and SR 246. Officers may call a tow for vehicles that must be cleared.
When it is safe, take photos and exchange information. If the vehicle can stay where it is while you sort things out, tell the dispatcher so the call can be planned around that.
Where help is available
Tow requests can be taken for Santa Ynez, Ballard, Jonata Park and Rancho Santa Ynez. They can also be taken in nearby Solvang, Los Olivos, Buellton and Los Alamos, and elsewhere in Santa Barbara County.
That includes trouble near the Chumash Casino Resort, along Edison Street or Avenue of Flags, or at the U.S. 101 and SR 246 junction in Buellton. If you are not sure exactly where you are, say what you can see and the dispatcher will help narrow it down.
Before you call about an RV or trailer
Check whether your auto insurance, credit card or motor-club membership includes roadside or towing coverage. Some policies cover larger vehicles differently, so read the terms. If you plan to submit the cost for reimbursement, ask for an itemized receipt.
Payment methods and hours vary by provider. Confirm them with the dispatcher on the call. To start, call (805) 693-7957 and describe the vehicle and where it is stopped.