The spotlight has again been shone on the WA tow truck industry after a Perth tradie had his work trailer incorrectly towed to a holding yard and was charged $550 to have it released.

Steve Dods had a prang on Mitchell Freeway a few weeks ago and had to get his car towed and also had to have his trailer towed separately. He agreed with the tow truck driver for his trailer to be taken directly to his house because he needed it for work the next morning and even went so far as to ask for a lift home which was denied by the driver.

“He said no, there was too much stuff in the cab…. it’s very unusual because I’ve been towed by different contractors in the past and always been accommodating to take myself as well,” he said.

“It said on the towing contract that it would be towed to my address, and instead he towed it to the holding yard which in my mind is a clear breach of contract.”

He attempted to access his trailer that evening without success.

“The gentleman was in no way entertaining the idea of doing anything that night, he first told me they have a number of trucks and he wouldn’t know which truck it was on, then he said that he’d been drinking and he can’t do anything about it and to come and see him tomorrow.”

“I believe the tow truck company was taking it to the yard so they could claim an overnight storage fee [from his insurer].

The towing company says it was a mistake for the driver to put the home address on the drop off and that the trailer needed to be assessed by the insurer.

But Mr Dods says he was only made aware the morning after the tow that an assessment was required at the holding yard and his insurer told him they could have performed it at home address.

Listen to Mr Dods’ interview with Gareth Parker below:

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