Your car coughs to a stop in a parking lot off Palm Drive. The dash lights flicker, then nothing. Your first thought might be, “Do I need a tow truck?” Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s sort it out together, calmly, before you make the call.
Short answer: No. Roadside assistance and towing are related, but they’re not the same. Roadside assistance tries to fix a small problem right where you are, like a flat tire, a dead battery, an empty tank or keys locked inside. Towing moves your vehicle to a shop, your home or another address. Not sure which you need? Call (239) 448-5696 and we’ll help you decide.
What is roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance is help that comes to you and tries to get you driving again on the spot. At RoadPros Best Tow Truck, our roadside assistance covers five common problems:
- Flat tire change: we put on your spare
- Jump start for a dead battery
- Fuel delivery: enough diesel, regular or premium to reach a station
- Car lockouts: we open the car when the keys are inside
- Winch-out: we pull you out of sand, mud or a ditch
What is towing?
Towing means loading your vehicle onto a tow truck, or lifting one end of it, and moving it somewhere else. You need a tow when the vehicle can’t be driven safely, even after a quick fix. Our tow truck services cover cars, box trucks, semis, motorcycles, gooseneck trailers and classic cars in a covered trailer.
Which one do you need?
| What happened | Usually needs | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Flat tire, and you have a good spare | Roadside assistance | The spare goes on and you drive to a tire shop |
| Flat tire, no spare (or two flats) | Towing | The car can’t roll safely |
| Clicking sound, dim lights | Roadside assistance | A jump start often fixes a weak battery |
| Starts after a jump, then dies again | Towing | Could be the alternator or another part |
| Ran out of gas | Roadside assistance | Fuel delivery gets you to a station |
| Keys locked inside | Roadside assistance | We open the door or trunk |
| Stuck in sand or mud, no damage | Roadside assistance | A winch-out pulls you back to firm ground |
| Smoke, leaks, grinding or warning lights | Towing | Driving could cause more damage |
| After a crash, car won’t drive straight | Towing | It isn’t safe to drive |
If you’re not sure, that’s okay. Describe what you see and hear, and we’ll tell you what makes sense.
Can roadside help turn into a tow?
Yes, and it happens on the same call. If we jump your battery and the car still won’t start, or the spare is flat too, we can tow it to the mechanic you trust. You don’t have to call anyone else or start over.
Does roadside assistance cover towing?
It depends on who you ask. Some memberships and car insurance plans include a few miles of towing, and some don’t. Check your own policy if you have one. With RoadPros Best Tow Truck, you don’t need a membership: you call, we give you a free estimate, and you decide.
How do you stay safe while you wait?
- Pull as far off the road as you can and turn on your hazard lights.
- On US-1 or the Turnpike, stay buckled in, or stand well away from traffic behind a guardrail.
- Don’t stand between your car and moving traffic.
- Keep your phone charged and share your exact location.
Florida drivers must move over or slow down for disabled vehicles showing hazard lights, tow trucks and emergency vehicles. You can read the rule in Florida Statutes section 316.126.
Is someone injured? Call 911 before anything else.
What details help us send the right help?
- Where you are: road, direction, and a cross street or landmark
- Your vehicle: make, model and color
- What happened, and what you see or hear
- Whether you have a spare tire and your keys
- Where the car should go if it needs a tow
In Florida City and Miami-Dade County
We help drivers in Florida City, Homestead, Leisure City, Naranja, Princeton, Redland, Key Largo, Cutler Bay and Palmetto Bay, on US-1, Florida’s Turnpike, Krome Ave and Card Sound Rd. Start with our roadside assistance page, or see light duty towing if your car needs to be moved.
Frequently asked questions
Is roadside assistance the same as towing?
No. Roadside assistance fixes small problems where you are. Towing moves your vehicle to another place.
Can you do roadside help and a tow on the same call?
Yes. If a quick fix doesn’t work, we can tow your car on the same call.
Do I need a membership to get roadside help?
No. Just call (239) 448-5696 and you get a free estimate first.
Do you repair flat tires on the roadside?
No. We put on your spare. If you don’t have one, we can tow the car to a tire shop.
How fast can a truck come?
Call (239) 448-5696 and we will tell you when a truck can come.
Not sure if you need a tow or a quick fix? Take a breath and call (239) 448-5696. We’ll help you figure it out.
Not sure if you need a tow or roadside help?
Call (239) 448-5696, or send the form below and we’ll call you back. Call (239) 448-5696 and we will tell you when a truck can come.