Long-distance towing requires more planning than a short trip to a local repair shop. Preparing the vehicle, sharing accurate information, and confirming pickup and delivery details can help prevent delays and ensure the correct towing or transport equipment is used.
What May Need Long-Distance Towing or Transport?
Goch & Sons Towing can arrange long-distance towing and transport for vehicles and equipment of nearly any size, including:
- Passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks
- Classic, antique, exotic, and collector vehicles
- Motorcycles
- Vans, fleet vehicles, and delivery trucks
- RVs and motorhomes
- Buses and commercial vehicles
- Tractor-trailers and big rigs
- Boats and watercraft
- Construction and agricultural equipment
- Forklifts, scissor lifts, skid steers, and generators
- Trailers, containers, and oversized loads
- Aircraft and aviation equipment
- Disabled or accident-damaged vehicles
Long-distance service may be needed when purchasing or selling a vehicle, moving to another state, transporting a vehicle to a specialty repair facility, relocating equipment between jobsites, delivering a fleet vehicle, or bringing a disabled vehicle home.
Tell Us About the Vehicle or Equipment
When requesting a long-distance tow or transport, be prepared to provide:
- Vehicle or equipment type
- Year, make, and model
- Approximate dimensions and weight, if known
- Pickup and delivery addresses
- Preferred pickup and delivery dates
- Whether it starts, runs, steers, and brakes
- Whether the tires hold air and the wheels roll freely
- Any accident, suspension, steering, or drivetrain damage
- Modifications that affect height or ground clearance
- Whether keys are available
- Whether the vehicle or equipment is carrying a load
Photographs are especially helpful for damaged vehicles, classic cars, boats, RVs, aircraft, heavy equipment, and oversized loads. Accurate information helps determine whether the move requires a standard tow truck, flatbed, Landoll, lowboy, heavy-duty wrecker, lifting equipment, or another specialized transport vehicle.
Prepare the Vehicle for Transport
Remove Personal and Valuable Items
Remove money, electronics, medication, important documents, garage door openers, toll passes, and other personal belongings. Secure or remove any loose items that must remain inside.
For RVs, motorhomes, boats, and commercial vehicles, check cabinets, compartments, and storage areas for objects that could shift during transport.
Document the Vehicle’s Condition
Take clear photographs of all sides of the vehicle before pickup. Include close-up photos of any existing scratches, dents, cracked glass, or other damage.
Photograph specialized equipment, attachments, accessories, and any cargo that will remain with the vehicle.
Check for Loose or Removable Parts
Secure or remove loose items such as:
- Antennas and removable roof accessories
- Bike racks and cargo carriers
- Custom spoilers or body panels
- Boat covers and detachable cushions
- RV awnings, steps, and exterior compartments
- Equipment attachments, buckets, blades, and ramps
- Loose cargo, tools, and materials
Tell dispatch about any part that cannot be secured or removed.
Check Fluids, Tires, and the Battery
Let dispatch know about leaking fuel, oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid, or other hazardous materials. Do not attempt to start or drive a vehicle if doing so could cause additional damage.
Check that the tires are inflated when possible. If the battery is disconnected, the brakes are locked, or the wheels do not turn, tell dispatch before pickup so the operator can bring the appropriate equipment.
Provide the Keys
Have the ignition, door, compartment, and equipment keys ready. If no keys are available, let dispatch know in advance. A vehicle can often still be moved, but additional equipment or loading time may be required.
Prepare the Pickup and Delivery Locations
Make sure both locations have enough room for the towing or transport vehicle to enter, load or unload, and safely exit.
Tell dispatch about:
- Narrow streets or driveways
- Low branches, wires, bridges, or parking structures
- Soft, muddy, snowy, or uneven ground
- Gates, access codes, or restricted hours
- Loading docks or secured facilities
- Steep grades or tight turns
- Construction zones or road closures
Heavy-duty and oversized transport vehicles require additional space. If direct access is not possible, an alternate loading or delivery location may be needed.
Special Considerations for Different Vehicles
Classic and Collector Cars
Tell dispatch about low ground clearance, custom wheels, modified suspension, nonstandard tow points, or delicate body components. Share any special handling instructions before transport.
RVs and Motorhomes
Provide the vehicle’s length, height, width, weight, and number of axles. Secure awnings, slide-outs, steps, windows, doors, and exterior compartments. Disconnect utilities and remove or secure loose items inside.
Boats and Watercraft
Let dispatch know whether the boat is on a roadworthy trailer. Provide the combined dimensions and approximate weight of the boat and trailer. Secure covers, equipment, antennas, electronics, and loose items.
Heavy Equipment and Commercial Vehicles
Provide the equipment’s operating weight, dimensions, attachment details, and loading condition. Tell dispatch whether it runs, steers, brakes, and can be loaded under its own power.
Oversized or unusually heavy equipment may require route planning, permits, escorts, or specialized loading and transport equipment.
Aircraft and Aviation Equipment
Aircraft transport requires detailed measurements, weight information, access planning, and careful coordination. Wings, propellers, or other components may need to be professionally secured or removed before transportation.
What to Expect During a Long-Distance Tow
Before pickup, dispatch will review the vehicle, route, access requirements, and destination. The information you provide will help determine the proper towing or transport vehicle.
At pickup, the operator will inspect the vehicle, confirm its condition, and load and secure it using the appropriate equipment. Delivery timing may be affected by distance, traffic, weather, road restrictions, required permits, or other conditions along the route.
Someone may need to be available at pickup and delivery to provide access, release the vehicle, accept delivery, and complete any required paperwork. Confirm these details when scheduling the service.
Can a Damaged or Inoperable Vehicle Be Transported?
Yes. Vehicles that do not start, roll, steer, or brake can often be transported with the proper equipment. Goch & Sons can also assist with accident-damaged vehicles, locked wheels, missing keys, low-clearance vehicles, and equipment that requires winching or lifting.
Describe the condition accurately when calling. A damaged or inoperable vehicle may require additional loading space, recovery equipment, or special securement.
Long-Distance Towing and Transport for Nearly Any Size
Goch & Sons has a diverse light-duty and heavy-duty fleet capable of handling everything from motorcycles and passenger cars to motorhomes, boats, commercial trucks, big rigs, aircraft, and heavy equipment.
Our towing, lifting, recovery, and transport capabilities allow us to select equipment based on the vehicle’s size, weight, condition, and destination.
Call Goch & Sons Towing
Goch & Sons provides long-distance towing and specialized transport originating in Detroit, Downriver, and Southeast Michigan, with transportation available across the United States and Canada.
Call (313) 382-2727 to discuss your vehicle, equipment, route, and scheduling needs. The more information you provide, the easier it is to select the right equipment and prepare for a safe, efficient transport.
