Winter towing dispatch checklist: what to send so the right truck arrives
The location, vehicle and access details that help a towing provider plan a winter recovery or breakdown call.
Updated September 28, 2026Exact location is more important than the nearest city name
Send a dropped pin or exact address, direction of travel if on a divided road, nearby exit or landmark, and whether the vehicle is in a lane, shoulder, parking lot or snowbank. Winter visibility can make vague location descriptions expensive.
Describe the vehicle and recovery problem
Provide year, make, model, drive type if known, approximate weight class for larger vehicles, and whether wheels roll. Tell the dispatcher if the vehicle is in a ditch, stuck in deep snow, collision-damaged, locked, or unable to shift into neutral.
Prioritize personal safety while waiting
Transport Canada advises winter travellers to prepare for emergencies and, when a stranded vehicle is not at risk of being hit, to use the vehicle as shelter rather than wandering into severe weather. Follow emergency-service instructions when the location is hazardous.