Winter recovery
Out of the ditch and back on the road
Northern Ontario winters put cars in the snowbank every week from November to April. Most of them come out with a winch, no damage, and drive home.
How it works
A winch-out, start to finish
- Scene first
Truck parked to shield you, beacons and cones out. On a highway we may wait for police to slow traffic.
- Look underneath
The operator checks where the car is caught and picks proper recovery points, never a bumper or a tie rod.
- Slow pull
Winch line, snatch block if the angle is bad, and steady pulling. You stay clear of the line the whole time.
- Check and go
We look at the tires, lights and underside with you. If it's not safe to drive, we tow it instead.
Where cars end up
Ditches and snowbanks
The price starts at $125 for the first 30 minutes on scene, then $35 for each 15 minutes. Dispatch can give you a fair estimate once you tell us where the car sits.
In the ditch
Nose-down off a shoulder on 144 or a back road. Usually 30 to 45 minutes. If the car is more than 5 metres from the road, or on its side, a second line and more time are needed.
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Winch-out, light dutyFirst 30 minutes on scene | from $125 |
| Each extra 15 minutes | $35 |
| Winch-out, medium dutyFirst 30 minutes | from $225 |
| Second truck or operatorOnly if the angle needs it, agreed first | $95 / hr |
| Snowbank pull-outStuck at the kerb or in a lot | $95 |
In a snowbank
Plough-ridge at the end of the driveway, or a lot after a storm. A quick strap pull, usually under 20 minutes, flat $95.
Safety first
What we ask you to do
- Don't spin the wheels
- Spinning digs the car deeper and polishes the snow to ice. It also overheats the transmission.
- Don't let a stranger pull you
- A tow strap tied to a bumper can tear it off, and a snapped strap is dangerous. Wait for a winch.
- Stay inside if it's safe, or well back if it's not
- On a busy highway, get out on the side away from traffic and stand behind the guardrail.
- Call 911 first if anyone is hurt
- Then call us. We'll come when emergency services have cleared the scene.
