Selecting a Tow Company

If you find yourself in need of a tow, it's important to pick a company with the knowledge to tow your car correctly. While the cost of the tow will likely play a large part in your decision, you might want to ask a few more questions of the company you call. Below are a few things to talk to the dispatcher when calling a company to come tow your car.

1. Is your state license to tow current? I don't know about all states, but in Oklahoma, tow companies have to have a license through the Department of Public Safety. This license has to be renewed annually, and to get and hold a DPS Wrecker license, companies have to maintain insurance coverage.

2. Describe, in detail, the reason for the tow. It helps the company, and essentially the driver they send out to help you, to know in advance what's wrong with your car. If it's something simple such as the car won't start, the tow driver won't need as much equipment to load your car as he would if it's a broken ball joint, or collision tow.

3. Communicate clearly with dispatch about whether or not you are with the car. Tow companies understand that you don't want to wait with your car for an extended period of time. Most of their drivers are on a time crunch and also cannot wait with your vehicle for you to get there. By communicating your intentions clearly, the dispatcher can instruct their driver on when you will be available for the tow.

Tow providers are an important part of the community, clearing roadways and parking lots of broken down, damaged vehicles. They take a lot of pride in helping the communities they serve, and they are always looking to get stranded motorists moving again.

Fall Car Care

Fall, pumpkin spice treats and cooler temperatures are just around the corner. (Can you hear me fan-girling right now?) With the cooler temps comes time to do some fall maintenance for your vehicle to keep it running smooth. Here are 3 tips to help you prepare for the coming fall and winter seasons.

1. Check the air pressure in each of your tires and even your spare. As a roadside service and towing company, we run into motorists with flats all of the time. Some flat tires are unavoidable, but some can be prevented by checking your tire pressure regularly. There is no worse feeling when your stranded than to have someone come change your flat tire than when they get the spare down and it's flat too. No one thinks about their spare very often - it's hidden out of sight, and unless you get a flat, you don't need it. But just because you haven't had a flat since 1982 doesn't mean it couldn't happen today, tomorrow, or next week. When was the last time you checked on your spare tire?

2. Change your cabin air filter. Not all vehicles have a cabin air filter, but if yours does, changing it will improve the air quality inside your vehicle. As you prepare to switch from the air conditioner to the heater, now is a great time to make sure you have a fresh cabin air filter for the coming months.

3. Replace your windshield wipers and switch your windshield washer fluid to the low temp type. Your standard blue windshield washer fluid freezes at roughly the same temperature as water. If you get the low temp type, you'll be able to wash your windshield on even the really cold mornings that are on the way.

A few simple steps today can save you from a headache and costly bill tomorrow.

Be safe and remember to slow down, move over for all vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Poppa, Here to Help

Our latest introduction goes to Poppa Bill. He is an indispensable help around the shop, running errands, getting parts, and entertaining Baby Girl. He's been a huge blessing to me over the last year as we've gotten busier.

Three things you should know about Poppa:

1. He likes to garden, says it gives him something to do and he likes the way the earth smells.

2. He's a sucker for mexican food, tends to be his favorite.

3. He likes to visit the casino from time to time and see how his luck is.

Do you have any questions for Poppa? Ask away, or find us on Facebook and join the conversation there!

Mr. Walker Himself

Happy Valentine's Day to the brawn behind this operation. (He's part of the brain here, too - when mine's non-functional, for sure.)

A few things that every one needs to know about Jimmy:

1. Don't touch the gummy bears. They are his, and the only time he wants to share is with his baby girl. (But unfortunately she's allergic to the apple in them, so he has to hide them.)

2. He orders the same thing every time at the handful of places he likes to eat. He is not an adventurous eater, but he is definitely predictable. (Comes in handy for me! I never have to worry whether or not he'll be in the mood for what I order for him.)

3. He really enjoys watching sports. His favorite Nascar driver is #48, Jimmie Johnson, he roots for the OKC Thunder, Dallas Cowboys, and the Sooners. He is a loyal Cubs fan, too.

Want to know more? Comment with your questions here or find us on Facebook and ask there!

Mr. Blackburn, At Your Service

For the month of February, I'll be introducing our people on Saturdays. That way you get to know us a little bit better, and see what we're all about.

Jeff is a hard workin' driver, and we are glad to have him on board.

A few things about Jeff:

1. He love Mexican food. (9 times out of 10, when I ask what's for lunch...yep, you guessed it!)

2. He likes sports bikes. (And as such, I make sure he gets to haul as many of them as possible.)

3. He likes to travel.

If you want to know more about Jeff - like what his favorite mexican dish is, or where he's been/wants to go, then find us on Facebook and ask away. You can even ask here on the blog and we'll get you an answer.

Picture Puzzle Clue #4

Can you believe it? This week is nearly over. It's already Thursday and I have another clue for you.

Make sure you follow the link to our Facebook page so you can find the picture and try to win the prize!

Clue #4:

Picture Puzzle Clue #3

Happy Hump Day!

Have you found us on Facebook yet and found which picture these clips have been taken from?

Clue #3:

Picture Puzzle Clue #2

If you haven't joined us yet, come over to our Facebook page and play along with our picture puzzle.

Here's your second clue:

Picture Puzzle Clue #1

It's Monday and it's time for another game!

I have picked a photo and I will reveal a little more of it each day. Your goal is to figure out which photo it is! (I selected this from our Facebook photos.)

First person to find & post the correct photo on our Facebook page will win one $10 Starbucks gift card! (Running theme here, can you tell that I just love to give away coffee?)

Have fun playing our picture puzzle game‬ and if you enjoy our games, invite your friends to come play, too!


Here's your first clue:

Name that Place #2

Are you ready for today's Name that Place?

Can you tell me where this truck is?

Comment here, or join us on Facebook or Twitter and play there.

Name that Place #1

Here's our first Name that Place picture:

All you have to do to play along is tell me where you think this truck is. You can comment here, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Have fun!

Where's that Truck? Jan 19-25, 2015

Are you ready for another fun game?

This week (Jan. 19-25, 2015)
we will be playing "Where's that Truck?"

How to play:

I will post a picture 1-3 times a day, of one of our trucks sitting somewhere. Your job is to correctly identify where that truck is sitting.

Our main service area is from Edmond to Norman along the I-35 corridor, but keep in mind, we travel far and wide at times!!

We've had a blast promoting our #findatruck game, and are very thankful to everyone who played along. We'll play that one again in a few weeks. Our goal is to start a new game every Monday. If you have any ideas, feel free to share them with us.

You can find us and follow our games on Facebook or Twitter, plus we will play here, too!

"That" Call

I'm a wrecker operator/owner's wife. I spend just as many hours as my husband working toward the success and growth of our towing company, but until recently, I rarely dealt with the phones.

Accounting related calls got sent to me, but the regular, day-to-day, dispatch calls weren't one of the things I handled. But we are in another transition and I'm taking more of the phone calls, including the day-to-day dispatch calls.

When asked where their car is broken down, people often answer "home," which amuses me, especially when it takes asking several times to get an address. (Sorry, our crystal ball hasn't come in yet, I don't know exactly where you call home. Forgive me.)

The other afternoon/evening, I took one of those calls that made me glad I know my man is an upstanding guy, and a faithful husband. A lady called, asked for him by name, and when I asked what her call was regarding and whether or not I could help her, she stumbled all over herself.

Mr. Wonderful was only temporarily unavailable, so he took over the call before I sorted out exactly what the lady wanted, but I had to tease him with a, "If I didn't know better..."

I know the guys that work for me work hard, long hours - as do all guys/gals in this industry. It's demanding on the driver/operator, and their family. In fact, I believe it takes a special breed of folks to handle the busy times, the down times, the middle of the night calls, and "those" phone calls where someone knows our spouse's name, but are too flustered by their car trouble to communicate clearly why they are calling.