Columbus Winch Out and Ditch Recovery for Cars and Light Trucks

It's a recovery where a truck parked on solid ground uses a powered cable to pull a stuck vehicle back to where its tires can grip. We use it for cars in ditches, snowbanks, mud and soft yards. Once the car is out, it can usually be driven away; if not, we load it on the flatbed.

Price depends on how the car is sitting, how far it has to come out, where it is and the hour. A car just past the edge of the road is a different job from one deep in a ravine. The dispatcher asks enough questions to quote the whole job before a truck goes out; see our rates page.

Storm calls depend on distance, road conditions and how many cars are already off the road. The dispatcher gives you a live estimate and keeps you posted as it changes. If you are in danger or blocking traffic, call 911 first so the highway patrol can protect the scene.

The goal is to bring the car out without adding damage. We hook to recovery eyes or frame points, pull slowly and keep the wheels pointed where the car needs to go. A car that hit something on the way in may already have damage, and the driver will point out anything visible before the pull.

Yes. A car sunk in a wet lawn is one of the most common jobs we do in spring. The truck stays on the driveway or the street and the cable reaches across the grass. We try to keep ruts to a minimum, though a car that's already sunk usually leaves some.

Yes, ideally. Someone needs to steer and release the parking brake while the car comes out, and the steering must be unlocked. If the keys are locked inside, we can open the car first with our car lockout service, then start the pull once the wheel turns freely and the shifter moves.

Usually no. Spinning the tires digs them deeper, polishes snow into ice and can overheat the transmission. Rocking a car back and forth can also slide it farther down the slope. Turn off the engine if the exhaust might be blocked, put the hazards on and call.

Yes, as long as it falls within light-duty weight. Half-ton pickups, full-size SUVs and minivans are routine. A heavy-duty pickup towing a loaded trailer may need a bigger truck, and the dispatcher will tell you on the first call if we need to bring in a partner.

Some, depending on access. If our truck can sit on firm ground within cable reach, we can usually do it. Deep water, steep embankments and vehicles far off any road may need a heavier wrecker. We arrange that with a partner and tell you up front.

Yes. Every truck we run is a flatbed, so if a tire is torn, the steering is bent or the car won't start, it goes up on the deck right there and rides to your shop, a dealer, your home or our lot. Our flatbed towing page explains how loading works.

Many auto policies and roadside plans include winching. Check your policy or call your insurer. We can give you an itemized receipt that shows the work and time, which most companies need for reimbursement. If your insurer sends a different company, that's your choice to make.

Stay in the car with your seatbelt on if it's safe and out of traffic. Turn on the hazards. In snow, make sure the tailpipe isn't buried before running the engine for heat. If the car is tilted badly or near water, get out on the uphill side and wait away from the road.

Sometimes. Boat ramps at Alum Creek and Hoover Reservoir are paved down to the waterline, so a truck can sit at the top and pull straight back. Ice and open water change the picture fast: if any wheel is through the ice or the car is floating, we bring in a partner with heavier gear. Never walk onto the ice to reach the car.