If your vehicle quits on you out on the highway, the first thing to do is get yourself and your vehicle as far off the road as you safely can, put your hazard lights on, and stay clear of traffic. Once you're safe, make one phone call to a local operator who actually runs the road you're stranded on — and let them sort out the rest. Around Kamloops and the corridors we run, that call comes to us.
Summer is when it happens most. The highways are busy, the passes are hot, and a lot of rigs and vehicles that sat all winter are suddenly back out on long trips. A dead battery, an overheating engine, a flat, or a tank that ran dry further from the next station than you thought — none of it picks a convenient spot. Here's how to handle it, and how we can help.
What should I do the moment I break down?
Get off the travelled part of the road. Pull onto the shoulder or, better, a pullout or exit if you can still coast to one, and get as far right as you can. Turn on your hazard lights so people can see you. On a fast, busy highway it's often safer to get out on the side away from traffic and wait well back from the road rather than sitting in the vehicle — use your own judgement for the spot you're in. Then make your call. We've got a whole post on staying safe while you wait for a tow if you want the longer version.
I ran out of gas — can someone actually bring me fuel?
Yes. Running the tank to empty is one of the most common summer calls there is, and it's an easy fix — we bring you enough gas or diesel to get you to the next station. Around Kamloops and the surrounding communities that's a quick one. Further out on a corridor, call and we'll tell you straight whether it's a run we can make. More on gas delivery →
It's a dead battery, an overheat, or a flat — quick fix or a tow?
Depends on the problem, and we'll help you figure that out on the phone:
- Dead battery. A boost gets most vehicles going again. We carry a portable booster that reaches into tight spots a big truck can't. Battery boost →
- Flat tire. If you've got a good spare, we can swap it on the spot. If you don't, we can tow you to a shop for the repair. Tire changes →
- Overheating, or it just won't run. Don't push a hot or dead engine. This is usually a tow — we run a flat deck so your vehicle rides safely to wherever you need it. Towing →
Why call a local operator instead of a national roadside line?
Because when you call a big dispatch line, you're talking to someone who's never seen the road you're on and never will — and they'll route the job to whoever happens to be nearest, whether that person knows the corridor or not. When you call us, you're talking to the person who's actually coming to get you. We've been running the Coquihalla, the Yellowhead, and the Trans-Canada out of Kamloops since 2010, and knowing where you can safely pull off and how the passes behave in the heat is half the job.
Frequently asked questions
What hours can I call? We answer our own phone 7 days a week, 6 AM to 8:30 PM.
Do you come out onto the highway? We run tows across BC. Our roadside services — fuel, boosts, unlocks — are based around Kamloops and the surrounding area, so call and we'll tell you honestly whether your spot is one we can reach.
Will ICBC or BCAA cover it? If you have ICBC Road Star coverage, or you're a BCAA member and don't want to wait, you can call us and submit our invoice to them for possible reimbursement — so keep your receipt. (Confirm the details with your own coverage.)
How much will it cost? Call and we'll give you a straight answer for your situation before anyone rolls — no mystery, no padding.
Stranded this summer? Give us a call.
Get yourself safe, then call. Tell us where you are and what's going on, and we'll figure out the rest.
