Truck Towing in Germany and Austria: What Information to Send the Dispatcher

Towing may be required after an accident or breakdown when the vehicle cannot continue its journey. If the truck has overturned, become stuck, left the road or is on soft ground, heavy recovery may be required — extraction followed by towing. To arrange assistance, the dispatcher needs information about the vehicle, the load and the conditions at the scene.

1. Confirm the configuration and weight

Record the exact type: rigid truck, tractor unit, tractor unit with a semi-trailer, truck with a trailer, bus or special-purpose vehicle. If it is a tanker, refrigerated truck, car transporter, mega trailer, low-loader or another special configuration, state this separately.

For a vehicle combination, clarify immediately what needs to be done with each part. Confirm whether:

• only the tractor unit needs to be towed;
• the trailer or semi-trailer needs to be moved separately;
• the entire combination needs to be towed;
• another tractor unit should collect the trailer or semi-trailer.

A representative of the towing or recovery provider determines whether the combination can be safely uncoupled and how it should be moved. The transport company dispatcher should state in advance what needs to happen to the tractor unit and trailer.

For a combination, list all units and their registration numbers. If the actual weight of the loaded vehicle or complete combination is known, record it. Do not calculate or estimate the weight yourself.

2. Confirm whether the vehicle can move and roll

The dispatcher needs to know whether it can move under its own power and whether its wheels can roll freely. Ask the driver:

• Can it move under its own power?
• Can it still manoeuvre?
• Can the wheels roll freely?
• Are any wheels or brakes known to be locked, or is there axle damage or another obstruction to movement?

If it cannot move under its own power, that does not necessarily mean it cannot roll.

3. Confirm the loading status and cargo details

Confirm whether the vehicle is empty or loaded. If goods are on board, state what is being carried. Also confirm whether the goods are subject to ADR, whether temperature control is required, and whether there are any issues such as load shift, damage or visible leakage of contents.

If the vehicle's condition may require cargo transfer, onward transport or temporary storage of the goods, tell the dispatcher. Whether these services can be arranged is confirmed separately for each case.

4. State the destination and conditions at the scene

State the required destination. If the tractor unit, trailer and cargo need to go to different locations, give the destination for each.

Separately, describe the vehicle's position. State whether it is in a ditch, on a slope, on soft ground, in water or on its side, and whether access to it is restricted. Also provide any known access restrictions and state whether police or road maintenance personnel are at the scene.

How to prepare a message when requesting truck towing

Include:

• the exact location;
• the vehicle type and, where applicable, the composition of the combination;
• the registration numbers;
• the actual weight of the loaded vehicle or complete combination, if known;
• a brief reason why towing is required;
• whether it is loaded or empty;
• the type of cargo and, where relevant, whether ADR applies, temperature control is required, or the load has shifted or been damaged;
• whether it can move under its own power, manoeuvre and roll;
• what needs to be towed — the tractor unit, trailer, semi-trailer or entire combination;
• whether a separate arrangement is needed for the trailer, semi-trailer or cargo;
• what needs to happen to the trailer or semi-trailer;
• whether load transfer, onward transport or temporary storage is required;
• the destinations for the vehicle, trailer and cargo if they are different;
• the vehicle's position and any access restrictions;
• photos or video of the situation, if available and safe to obtain;
• contact details for the driver and, if different, the responsible contact person;
• whether police or road maintenance personnel are at the scene.

What mistakes make truck towing harder to arrange? 

1. Providing only the weight of the tractor unit when the entire combination needs to be towed. The information provided must match the configuration that actually needs to be moved.
2. Failing to distinguish between the current location and the destination. The dispatcher needs to know both where the vehicle is now and where it needs to be taken. 
3. Providing details only for the faulty tractor unit. If it is part of a vehicle combination, clarify immediately what needs to happen to the trailer or semi-trailer and the cargo.

Contact for truck towing

WhatsApp MT onroad: +49 977 5376 9999. Send the prepared information in a single message to MT onroad so MT onroad can coordinate the towing.