Category Archives: Roadside Assistance

If You’re A New Driver, Here’s What You Need To Know

drivingAs a new driver, it can be stressful being out there on the road. To ease your nerves, think safety first. Make sure that you and everyone in the car is safely secured and wearing their seat belt. Follow road signs and do not speed through traffic. To avoid rushing to your destination, plan your route before you leave. This way you will have time to account for traffic delays or construction.

Distracted drivers make bad drivers. Doing everything else other than driving such as eating, putting on makeup or using your phone makes for unsafe situations. Avoid distractions at all costs, especially texting. Not only is texting while driving is dangerous, it is against the law. Obey the rules of the road and stay focussed on the road.

Even if your vehicle is regularly maintained, breakdowns can occur. This is why you should add Dr. Hook Towing as one of your primary contacts. In addition to towing services, we also provide roadside assistance such as flat tires, out of gas, locked keys and battery service. Also, when you sign up as a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance member, we will have all your information in our system which allows for quicker service. Best of all, there is not fee in becoming a member.

These tips apply to new drivers as well as experienced ones. Stay safe and give us a call at (204) 956-4665 if you need us.

Construction and Rainy Road Conditions

car-in-rainAs you may have noticed, it seems like there is construction happening everywhere causing delays and frustration to many Winnipeg drivers. We wanted to send a reminder because of all the construction and rain we’ve been having that you stay safe on the roads.

One important factor you need to remember when driving in these road conditions, is to adjust your your driving speed. This is not only for your safety but for the construction workers and others around you. According to the Slow Down and Move Over law, Manitoba doubles the fines for speeding in a construction zone.

If you know that you are going to be spending some time caught in traffic, make sure that your vehicle is prepared for the drive.

When was the last time you checked on your tires?  They should properly inflated and maintained.

How is your gas tank? Top off your tank so you don’t need to worry about it later.

To be clearly seen on the road by other motorists, all your lights (headlights, signal, brake and taillights) should be in working condition.

Are your windshield wipers working properly? This is to ensure that they maintain proper visibility. There should be enough windshield wiper fluid to help clean away muddy water or dirt to keep your windshield clean.

Despite your best efforts the unforeseen can occur, and breakdowns can happen. If you are caught in a jam, contact Dr. Hook for Roadside Assistance. Our services include towing, flat tires, out of gas, locked keys and battery service. Give us a call and we will help get you back on your way.

Make sure that you take advantage of the Dr. Hook Towing and Recovery’s Guaranteed Roadside Assistance program.  The program is free and as a member, you receive first priority. Since you are a member, we will have all your information already on file, allowing for a quicker response time.

Older Drivers on The Road

driving-in-rain-night

The number of drivers aged 65 and older is rising in Manitoba and will be continuing to increase. According to Manitoba Public Insurance, by 2021 there will be 161,000 with a valid license and increasing to 226,000 by 2036.

As we age our skills such as vision, hearing and reflexes naturally weaken and aren’t as sharp as they used to be. This is why it’s important for older drivers to take the necessary precautions to remain safe on the roads.

Here are some tips that mature drivers can take to be safe:

  • Seniors are at greater risk at developing eye diseases and conditions that can threaten your eyesight. Once you are 65, it is recommended to have your eyes checked yearly to ensure your vision is well taken care of.
  • Avoid situations that can complicate driving such as bad weather conditions or driving at night.
  • Consider other forms of transportation such as taking a taxi, bus transportation or reach out to family and friends to help.

There are also resources available such as the free Mature Driver Workshop organized by Safety Services Manitoba. This half day workshop is available to those who want to improve their skills and enhance their driving performance. The refresher course will show older drivers how to compensate for any changes that may occur in hearing, vision, flexibility and reaction time. For more information, visit the Safety Services website. This course is helpful, especially if you are unsure about your driving abilities. Simply ignoring your concerns may be putting yourself at risk by getting into a car accident. This may cause harm to not only yourself but to others around you. For more information, tools and resources, visit the Manitoba Public Insurance website.

For roadside assistance or for towing services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, contact Dr. Hook Towing.

We Are In The Business of Helping People

carDr. Hook Towing is always ready to help, no matter what the circumstance may be. Here are a few recent testimonials from our customers:

I wanted to write to tell you how much I appreciated one of your drivers, Karl, on a recent vehicle tow. On Sunday, my vehicle seized and wouldn’t start. Upon arrival (which was very quick by the way), Karl noticed that I was with my 5 year old daughter who was holding a present – we were on-route to a birthday party at Skyzone at the time. He asked if we had a ride, I said I was just going to call a cab from Ikea, and he then offered us a ride to the party! My daughter was thrilled that she got there in time and didn’t miss anything (as well as got a ride in a huge truck). Since Karl was heading to the PointeWest Auto Park to drop off my vehicle, and I’m in St. James, he also dropped me off since I was on his way. I’m sure that providing rides to customers isn’t a regular thing, but I have to tell you that it really meant the world to my daughter that she was able to get to her party and going that extra mile was greatly appreciated by me. Please pass on my thanks again to Karl and please forward this note to his supervisor.

D’Arcy L.

I wanted to tell you about exceptional service that we received from Shane on Tuesday. My husband’s jeep was being loaded into a moving semi-trailer and the ramps shifted, dropping the rear wheels to the ground, leaving the front wheels inside the semi-trailer. Shane was called to get the jeep safely into the semi-trailer. When he arrived we were very upset about the events but he explained every step he was doing and provided us with the reassurance we needed. He expertly got the jeep into the semi without causing any further damage. I know that this was not an easy task and we wanted to let you know that we appreciated his expertise and professionalism.

Thank you,
Myrna and Dean S.

I just want to drop you a line about one of your drivers. Last Wednesday I locked the keys in my truck at a Tim Hortons parking lot. One of your drivers took time out of his day to give me a hand. Literally within a minute he unlocked the door for me. I offered to buy him a coffee, which he politely declined. With a hand shake and a smile he was gone. Going forward I will call Dr. Hook for all my towing and road emergency services. And recommend your organization any opportunity I have because of that individual. His truck was 467.

Regards,
Ed G.

To view more testimonials, click here. For roadside assistance, tow truck service or vehicle recovery in the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-561-4665 or Dr. Hook Towing online.

The Dr. Hook difference: Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Program

Dr. Hook Towing

Whatever the case may be when out driving – you may require roadside assistance, car breaking down, getting a flat tire, running out of gas or locking your keys in your car; imagine feeling at ease, knowing that Dr. Hook Towing will be available and ready to assist you. We ensure that you are taken care of and help get you back on your journey. The Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Program was implemented to let our customers know we are here to service you and that we value your commitment to our company.

Why should you become a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member?

1. Membership is 100% free
There is no annual fee if you are Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member and no fee is required when you sign up. Unlike other Roadside Assistance Programs, our fees are extremely reasonable and you only pay us when you require our services.

1. You receive first priority
At Dr. Hook Towing, we believe in building strong relationships with our customers. For our loyal customers, as a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance member, you will receive first priority whenever you contact us. As well, having your information on file allows for quicker response time. Imagine prepaying for a membership and hearing a recording advising you that the wait time is 8 to 16 hours for boosting or 2 days for towing? With Dr. Hook Towing, we are usually at your location within an hour of your call and will always speak to a representative directly.

How can you sign up?
The process is easy. All you need to do to become a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member is fill out our online form or give us a call at (204) 956-4665 or toll free 1-800-561-4665. There is no fee to for being a Guaranteed Roadside Assistance Member and your membership never expires. If you have questions please Contact Us.

Roadside assistance for fleets and owner operators

Semi Truck

At Dr. Hook Towing, we understand the stress Canadian truck drivers face when stranded on the road.  That is why we make sure that our services are immediate. We take about one hour or less to respond to an emergency by being on site, and about two hours to put back the equipment on the road. Sometimes the response can take longer due to circumstances that cannot be controlled such as road closures, road accidents and weather. However, it may take longer to respond to a situation in rural areas.

Our heavy duty recovery and towing division can handle different recovery situations such as rolled over or damaged rigs. Our fleet of ten 3-axle hydraulic wreckers can handle up to 75 tons of lifting. This allows us to lift 1, 2 and 5 ton vehicles including semi-trucks, trailers, RV’s, motor coaches, vans and buses. If your tractor/trailer, van or tanker has been overturned or needs up righting we can provide Air Cushion Recovery. We will be fully prepared and equipped depending on the type of situation. Air Cushion recovery is ideal to prevent further damage and loss to your cargo.  Also, to ensure each job is done safely and efficiently, all our staff is required to go through the WreckMaster Certification Program. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hook Towing is your recovery expert.

Dr. Hook Towing aims to deliver the best service in the event of a breakdown for local or long distance recovery. Whether you are on Highway 1, Highway 6 or Highway 75, we are there to provide service throughout Canada and in the US.  When you call Dr. Hook Towing, you will always be connected directly to dispatch and will never be transferred to an automated machine.  We aim to build long-term relationships with our customers and are happy to be a qualified service provider for roadside assistance to fleets and owner operators.

Peace of Mind on the Road

If you are a driver, you may have experienced a problem with your vehicle while out on the road. Whether your car won’t start, a flat tire, ran out of gas or locked your keys in your car. Whatever the situation might have been and whether your are an experienced driver or not, you know the immense amount of frustration and panic that most likely kicked in.  Think others would feel the same?  You’re probably right. Why not help out a fellow driver by offering a Dr. Hook prepaid gift card. This takes the hassle out of trying to figure out what to do when caught in a jam. Plus, providing that extra financial help during an emergency situation is an added bonus.

Not sure who to give it to? Dr. Hook offers complete roadside assistance to every type of vehicle, from cars to big rigs. We also provide roadside assistance to company vehicles.

Our employees are constantly trained, upgraded, and certified in all aspects of the Towing and Recovery Industry. All our calls are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Make driving one step easier by offering someone a Dr. Hook pre-paid gift card.  You may conveniently purchase a gift card on our website or learn more about Roadside Assistance.

Roadside Assistance for All Sizes

By now, you’re very familiar with Dr. Hook’s capacity to tow cars and trucks across Winnipeg.

Medium Duty trucks ready for dispatch from Dr. Hook TowingBut our tow capabilities go far and beyond the types of company vehicles you might see on the road normally – we’ve towed everything from buses to big rigs.

This is where some of our specialty divisions start to be dispatched.

Medium Duty

This is the starting point for some of the bigger vehicle tows.

Some of the past work for our medium duty trucks have included extraction of work vehicles from submersion on job sites or in problem areas such as deep snow, mud or ditches. We’ve also used our Medium Duty vehicles to assist in tows for disabled busses and vans.

Heavy Duty

From tractor and trailer towing to wreckmaster certified operators, our heavy duty division is able to winch vehicles up to 1 million tons. Likely, that’s more than we’ll ever have to do for your Winnipeg company, but we’re up to the challenge that you may throw at us.

Air Cushion Recovery

You may not believe this until you see it (but we hope you don’t have to).

This technology uses large air-filled cushions to lift turned vehicles – from cars to 5 ton trucks – getting them upright on the road. This unique process has even been used to lift sunken airplanes and even lift and level cottages!

To learn more about our commercial vehicle assistance capabilities, call Dr. Hook today at 204-956-4665 or fill out our contact form now.

Roadside Assistance Not Just for Families

When we think of roadside assistance, we often think first of issues we may encounter during our daily commuting or venturing out on Manitoba highways. What we don’t consider, however, is the time we’re in company vehicles.

Whether your business has designated vehicles – from pizza delivery cars to messenger vans to big rigs – the unfortunate reality is that somewhere along the line there may very well be trouble on Manitoba roads. It happens to the best – and biggest of us. We may marvel at seeing a bus being towed down a street or a food van lifted onto the back of a tow vehicle, but the reality is these vehicles really are like any other. Just as a sedan could get a flat tire, so too could a transporter (rubber is rubber after all).

Fortunately for these vehicles, Dr. Hook Towing’s Roadside Assistance Program is here to help. Not just for families, roadside assistance is available for every make, every model of every vehicle.

So while you’re protecting your family, protect your business investments as well. Register online today for the Dr. Hook Roadside Assistance Program.