Truck or Bus Breakdown: When Towing Is the Best Solution

On routes, not only the speed of delivery is important, but also the speed of response in the event of a breakdown. Every day, thousands of road trains cover hundreds of kilometers between regions, ports and logistics centers. In such conditions, even a well-maintained vehicle can break down, and then quick and qualified assistance becomes crucial. Many truckers and logisticians decide call a tow truck after a request for self-repair of the vehicle. Such an approach is permissible on the roads of Ukraine. But if the route is built through European countries, including Germany, the scheme for solving the situation should be different.

When is towing necessary?

Breakdown of a truck or bus is complicated by the fact that any issue of the technical condition of the vehicle on the highway requires an immediate solution. Most often, critical situations occur in cases of loss of power, problems with the braking system, damaged after an emergency collision. Usually such situations are accompanied by:

• sudden engine or transmission failure while driving;
• damage to axle or suspension;
• problems with the pneumatic system of the trailer;
• cabin and steering gear damage as a result of a collision;
• impossible to continue moving with cargo due to other reasons.

In such cases, it is dangerous to continue driving both for the driver himself and for the safety of the truck, cargo, and other road users. Neglecting the technical condition of the vehicle often leads to greater losses than simply calling for help. 

Why is the speed of response important

If we take Germany, then on routes such as A3, A7 or A9, even a short-term stop can affect the entire delivery schedule. According to the traffic rules, a car parked on the side of the road, especially at night or in conditions of poor visibility, increases the risk for other road users, which can lead to a fine.

Therefore, calling a cargo tow truck is considered the only rational solution. When choosing an evacuation service, not only the technique is important, but also the organization:

• round-the-clock availability even in remote regions;
• actual time of arrival at the place;
• possibility to organize a full range of services, including transportation and evacuation of dangerous goods.

It is convenient to work with technical services that work on partnership terms with local evacuation points. Such companies have developed coverage throughout the country, it is convenient to conclude corporate services with them, and the quality of service remains the same in any city. This scheme is quite popular in Germany. When choosing such a contractor, evaluate the ability to safely coordinate the entire operation.

How to evacuate a truck

Evacuation of a truck is a complex process using special equipment. A truck weighing more than 7 tons with its cargo requires special evacuation. Depending on the situation, various solutions are used:

• Separation of tractor and trailer and their separate transportation.
• Evacuation of the entire vehicle only after technical evaluation and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Specialized transportation in case of serious damage or impossibility of safe towing.

The recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer must also be taken into account. Each brand, MAN, Scania, Volvo, Mercedes and others, indicates permissible towing points and limit loads. Ignoring them can lead to additional damage during evacuation.

Bus: different difficulty levels

There is one more nuance in the case of buses. These are passengers. A breakdown on the road becomes not only a technical, but also an organizational problem.

Technical differences are also essential:

• Higher center of gravity.
• Different lifting points.
• Increased susceptibility to structural damage.

Therefore, bus towing requires equipment adapted to work with large-sized vehicles and crews with experience in this type of operations.

How to choose an evacuation service

There are many companies offering roadside assistance, but not all of them specialize in heavy-duty vehicles. The experience of working with technical support services for freight transport in Germany allows you to take into account several points when choosing a really reasonable contractor:

1. Area of coverage (is it available throughout the country or only in certain regions).
2. Experience of working with both heavy-duty vehicles and buses.
3. Availability of appropriate equipment designed for emergency situations in the event of hitting a ditch, overturning the vehicle, getting the wheels stuck in the ground, etc.
4. The possibility of communicating with the driver in a language he understands.
5. Cooperation with garages and service centers.

Effective coordination is of primary importance when a truck breaks down. Therefore, it is also necessary to pay attention to reviews about the speed of searching for a tow truck, the time of its arrival at the place of call, the experience of working with different special equipment and the structure of communication at each stage of the operation until its completion.

What you need to prepare before contacting the truck evacuation service

The experience of the German operator MT onroad, which coordinates roadside assistance for heavy-duty vehicles in Germany, shows that before sending a tow truck on call, it is important to receive the following information from the customer:

1. Location of the vehicle, GPS coordinates. 
2. Where should the vehicle be delivered: to the parking lot or directly to the garage.
3. Type of vehicle.
4. Is the truck loaded? Mass with and without cargo.
5. Type of breakdown or damage.
6. Photographs of the scene, if possible.

What determines the cost of towing:

• type of vehicle;
• weight and configuration of the road train;
• type of locality;
• access to a vehicle;
• time of day;
• is it necessary to separate the tractor and trailer;
• Is additional equipment required?

On intensively used routes in Germany, this approach helps to reduce chaos and make decisions faster while minimizing costs in the current situation.