The five situations that strand most drivers aren't towing jobs — they're roadside jobs. The battery that died in the parking lot. The flat that came on at highway speed on the Trans-Canada. The keys locked inside the car outside a Tim Hortons in Riverview. The gauge that hit empty before the next exit off Route 15. The front wheels sunk in a snowy ditch on a back road outside Moncton.

A roadside assistance call gets the right fix to you faster and at a lower cost than a tow — and keeps the flat deck available for the jobs that actually need it. Here's what each service covers, what it costs, and the clear signals that tell you when the tow truck is the right call instead.

Battery boost (jump-start)

When the engine won't crank and you suspect the battery, a boost is usually the answer. A truck connects jumper cables, starts the engine, and confirms it's holding a charge before leaving. On a cold January morning in Moncton — or after a vehicle has sat for a few weeks — a dead battery is the most common roadside call we handle.

One caveat: if the engine starts fine on cables but dies the moment they disconnect, the problem is the battery itself or the alternator, not just a low charge. In that case, the boost is a bridge to get you running long enough to reach a mechanic — or confirmation that a tow to the shop is the better move.

Flat tire (spare tire change)

We swap your flat for the spare in the boot and make sure it's torqued properly before we leave. A few things to know: the spare has to be in serviceable condition, and not every vehicle carries one — some newer models come with run-flat tires and no spare at all.

If the spare is flat, cracked, or missing, the vehicle goes on the flat deck to your nearest tire shop instead. If you're not sure what's in your trunk, ask us to check the spare's condition when you call — it saves time.

Lockout

Locked your keys inside? Left the fob in the trunk? It happens more than you'd think, and roadside locksmiths can open most modern vehicles without damage to the door or frame. The service is available 24/7 and is typically faster and less expensive than calling a separate locksmith — particularly in the middle of the night.

Fuel delivery

Enough fuel to reach the nearest gas station — not a full tank, but enough to get you moving and off the shoulder. Fuel delivery works best when you know roughly where you are. A highway number, a nearby exit, or a dropped pin helps dispatch confirm you'll have enough fuel for the run.

Winch-out

Slid into the ditch on a glare-ice morning on Route 1, or buried in a muddy spring shoulder — a winch-out pulls you back onto solid ground without a full tow. The condition is that the vehicle has to be driveable once it's free. If there's underbody damage, a bent wheel, or the recovery is technically complex (steep embankment, soft ground with a heavy vehicle), it becomes a recovery and tow job instead.

What does it cost?

Roadside services are priced lower than a full tow because they're faster, simpler jobs — but the rate still depends on the service, the conditions, and the time of day. A daytime lockout in a parking lot is not the same as a winch-out from a ditch at midnight on a rural highway.

Ask the rate when you call. A good operator explains it before anything happens, not after. And if you have existing coverage, you may pay nothing at all.

Do you already have coverage?

This is the step most people skip: check whether you're already covered before worrying about the cost. CAA membership, Canadian Tire Auto Club, your auto insurance policy's roadside rider, your credit card's travel benefits, or your vehicle manufacturer's roadside program may cover the service entirely.

Call your provider first and request Dynamic Towing by name — we're a roadside and tow partner for CAA, Canadian Tire Auto Club, Allstate, Assistenza, DAA, AAA, and Urgently, but we can't open the claim on your behalf.

When you actually need a tow

A roadside call can turn into a tow call. Here are the situations where we make the switch:

  • The boost won't hold. If the engine dies the moment the cables disconnect, the vehicle needs a mechanic, not a second boost.
  • No usable spare. If the spare is flat, cracked, or missing, the tire swap becomes a tow to the shop.
  • Post-winch damage. A bent rim, broken CV axle, or collision damage means the vehicle can't safely drive away.
  • Unsafe recovery conditions. Some situations — a steep embankment, a live highway shoulder, or a vehicle partially off a bridge — call for a planned recovery rather than a quick pull.

When a roadside call escalates, the same dispatcher handles the transition — you don't have to hang up and call a different number. For a full picture of what to expect once the tow truck arrives, read our emergency towing guide. Or if you're still deciding who to call, our guide to choosing a towing company walks through what to look for.

Who you're calling

Dynamic Towing has been on Moncton's roads since 1990 — 24 hours a day, every day, in English and French, backed by CAA, Canadian Tire, and a 4.5-star reputation across hundreds of reviews. Whether it's a boost, a spare swap, a lockout, or a full tow, one call handles it all. Get in touch and we'll dispatch the right truck.